Dark Chocolate: HI EVERYPONY! Did ya like the last chapter?
Indigo: We hope you did, because this chapter is even more awesome!
Me: And that's a promise!
Flutter Night: Thanks. :D
Elizabeth: Hope you enjoy this chapter then!
Crimson Banner: Thank you very much!
mooneyboys: I smell Iron Will.
Guest: Thank you!
ShiningShadow1965: Don't worry, you'll know everything eventually!
Rarity01: Thanks for sharing!
Guest: Lol, thank you.
zombieshavefeelingstoo: Thank you very much, and nice username, by the way. :3
Chapter 19: Consequences
Scootaloo opened her eyes and found herself in Fluttershy's cottage - in the room she and Sunny usually slept in. She glanced next to her, but Sunny was gone. Must be downstairs already, she thought dismissively.
She climbed out of her sleeping bag and stretched, enjoying the peaceful silence. She then started to trot out of the room. But then she stopped.
In the doorway of the room, was the Princess of the Night herself.
Scootaloo gaped at Luna for a few seconds before quickly coming to her thoughts and bowing. She stayed in that position before she spoke.
"You may get up now, Scootaloo."
"S - Sorry." She slowly rose so she could look up at Luna, who towered over her. She flinched at her intimidating gaze.
"Why are you here? Wait - have you entered my dream again? Did you come here to tell me something?" questioned Scootaloo.
"Yes, Scootaloo. That is my reason for coming here today. I am aware that you have had a...rough time lately," said Luna.
The pegasus snorted. "You just found out?" she asked sarcastically.
"No, I have known for quite long," she shot back. "Anyway, I am here to help you, so gratefully accept my presence."
"I don't need help," Scootaloo muttered darkly.
"You need help more than you realize it. This friend of yours - Sunny Shine - you must speak to her immediately," Princess Luna told her.
"Huh? Why?" she asked, more curious now.
"Because if you do not, there will be dark consequences," Luna warned, her eyes serious.
"What kind of consequences?" Scootaloo asked hopefully.
Luna sighed, then suddenly her horn and eyes started glowing. Scootaloo gazed at her in awe and confusion, then she glanced to her side and caught a brief glimpse of a bright blue light before everything went dark.
Scootaloo opened her eyes once again - but this time, she found herself outside, in the grounds next to the schoolhouse where they had recess in.
Something was wrong.
She could see the silhouettes of ponies around her, yet she couldn't see the ponies themselves even though it was clear day. And, for some reason, they all seemed to be staring at her. Some even seemed to be pointing at her.
And she could hear every word they said, though they still seemed distant.
"Oh, there she is..."
"I hear Scootaloo is going out with Dark Chocolate! Can you believe that?"
"Wow. I bet she's just trying to get him on her side."
"Poor guy. He got played."
Scootaloo couldn't believe her ears. They thought she was with Dark Chocolate?! - and trying to get him on her side? Where did they hear this?
"Luna?" She turned around, expecting to face the Princess - but she was gone.
"Huh?..." She turned the other way, but still no Luna. "Is this some kind of trick?"
She glanced at the ponies, trying to make out which ponies were who by their shape. He recognized the shape of Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle - who were whispering to each other urgently.
She strained her ears, blocking out the other voices and trying to focus on them.
"Do ya think it's true?..."
"It couldn't be..."
"I know. But...it might be."
Scootaloo couldn't take it anymore. "IT'S NOT TRUE!" she hollered. "I WOULDN'T DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT! I...I THOUGHT YOU KNEW ME."
Nopony seemed to hear her. So she kept on yelling until her throat was sore. She collapsed, laying on the grass and listening to the whispers still going on around her...mocking her.
"Dark Chocolate?" She recognized Indigo's voice and listened.
"I'm not dating Scootaloo, okay? We're just friends."
She could hear a snort, then a different voice...White Wind's.
"Friends? You're lucky if she still even wants to talk to you. I bet she thinks you were the one who spread the rumors."
"White Wind, don't be ridiculous," she heard Indigo say.
"He may be right." Dark Chocolate sighed. "It would be better if we didn't speak anymore."
Then she saw Sunny Shine all alone near a bush. She was mumbling to herself quietly.
"What have I done?...Scootaloo will probably never speak to me again."
She felt like choking. She was losing all her friends! - well, the only friends she even had before. She sunk deeper into the grass, closing her eyes and trying desperately to block out everything.
Then a whisper echoed in her ear.
"Those are the consequences."