//------------------------------// // The Transformation // Story: What Would Rainbow Dash Do... // by Pickle //------------------------------// What Would Rainbow Dash Do... “Zecora! Zecora!" Scootaloo shouted as she bolted on her scooter towards the zebra’s hut. The gust flowing through Scootaloo’s mane slowly ceased as Scootaloo began to brake. The school filly hopped off of her scooter and charged inside Zecora’s house, dragging along an axe that she had brought with her. “Zecora!” Upon rushing into the hut, Scootaloo was greeted by Zecora. “Oh, why hello Scootaloo. What is it that I can---” Scootaloo, leaking with anxious energy, interrupted Zecora before she could complete her usual rhyming couplet. “Zecora, I need a favor! Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and I were thinking about what to do for our cutie marks today when Rainbow Dash (OHMAGOSHSHEISSOOOOOAWESOME) flew by and suggested that we all have a race since a race always makes her go her fastest so we all said ‘YEAH’ and now the first one to do ten different tasks wins a cupcake from Sugarcube Corner from the other two but I don’t really want the cupcakes but if I win then Rainbow Dash will see how fast I am and want me to be her sister!” The breathless filly collapsed on the floor, panting heavily after her long winded explanation. Still winded, Scootaloo huffed, “So. What. Do you. say?” Zecora grinned and replied, “You have not told me what you want, but I bet I can guess by what you flaunt. I saw the axe you had when you came in hopping; my guess is that you want to do some wood chopping.” Zecora smiled victoriously, proud of her small deduction. Scootaloo stared at Zecora for a minute with a bewildered smirk. “Wood chopping?” Scootaloo scoffed. “Wood chopping is a silly idea! I’m here to do some snow shoveling.” Zecora returned Scootaloo's baffled stare. “Snow shoveling is not the best way to go, for as you see, there is no snow.” “Well duh!” The filly retorted mockingly. “That’s why I’m here. I’ve practically done every simple thing there is to do in Ponyville, but snow shoveling is something none of the Cutie Mark Crusaders have ever had a chance to do, seeing as how we all met right after Winter. I was hoping that there was a brew or something you could whip up to make some snow.” Zecora pondered for a moment. “The mixture you seek can be done, but I must first finish this one.” Scootaloo spotted behind Zecora a table riddled with ingredients and a cauldron already in use. “Oh. My bad, Zecora. I didn’t realize you were busy,” the carrot-colored filly uttered, now feeling a bit intrusive. “That is alright my little filly, and maybe you would like to help me with my remedy.” The foal energetically nodded her head. Zecora lifted Scootaloo onto the table for a better view. Scootaloo had never seen Zecora use ingredients as wondrous and awesome as these before; flowers with a different hue on each petal; scales that were still shimmering and burning hot off a dragon’s body; the other eye of newt! With the limited amount of ingredients displayed on the table, Scootaloo’s attention was quickly drawn away by the foreign and exotic items hung up inside the hut. The school filly hopped off the table and roamed carelessly about the room, examining the zebra’s commodities. Zecora, checking the recipe for her concoction, noticed an ingredient missing. “I need to get Garuda feathers from my bedroom, so I shall be back very soon,” Zecora rhythmically informed as she headed into her bedroom. The door to Zecora’s second room gradually shut, only receiving an over-the-shoulder glance from Scootaloo. Scootaloo, still wandering aimlessly, browsed over numerous objects before her enthusiasm started to dwindle. Slouching down, still checking over a few more possession’s that hung from the straw walls, Scootaloo sighed out of boredom and pondered whether Zecora had gone out to catch that Gordita thingy to get some feathers. About to just lay down, the young mare gasped as she caught sight of the coolest thing there was in the shack. “No way, Po-nay!” The orange filly squealed, her lavender eyes glistening with copious amounts of awesome. It was… a dream catcher! The student filly had been informed of this items wonders by Cheerilee one day in class and even had the magical opportunity to make one, but sadly, hers did not work properly. Scootaloo was not sure if maybe some of the yarn was in the wrong place or maybe it was not colorful enough; no matter what it was, neither Scootaloo’s nor anypony else’s in her class seemed to function as the name clearly dictates. But this one is Zecora’s! The filly thought, grinning ecstatically as her imagination raced with ideas of what she could do with a working dream catcher. Maybe if I dream of Rainbow Dash as my sister, the dream catcher will make it happen! Now with undying motivation, Scootaloo embarked on a climbing expedition up Zecora’s counter. Pulling one drawer out, Scootaloo leaped into it. Reaching for the drawer diagonal of the one she was in, Scootaloo groaned, having to stretch out her front leg as much as she could. Barely touching the drawer, Scootaloo swiftly jerked it open, almost falling out of the drawer she was already in. It’s pretty high… Scootaloo considered, intimidated by this feet. Would Rainbow Dash ever back down from a challenge?! The filly questioned herself, hyping herself up for the task. Taking in an elongated breath, Scootaloo positioned herself for the bounce. In one brief movement, the school pony launched herself up towards the higher drawer. Even though this distance was only a couple of feet high, the jump seemed to have lagged time. This retrieving of the dream catcher was not really that big of a deal, the thing was that Scootaloo had found herself thinking more about Rainbow Dash lately, and trying to mimic her confidence and attitude as well. Zecora probably would have let Scootaloo borrow the dream catcher if she had just asked, but she wanted to be dependent… just like Rainbow Dash. As the apricot-colored filly ascended to her peak height, she noticed that she was a hair away from making out with the side of the drawer. Rainbow Dash… With her kaleidoscopic idol remaining as the only image in her mind, Scootaloo felt her muscles tighten. Her body was lifted just a tad, but enough for her tail to brush over the drawer, the rest of her body landing inside. A bit confused from what just occurred, Scootaloo took a moment to take in the past few seconds. Astounded from her realization of what had happened, Scootaloo murmured “Did I just fly?!” Hearing herself say these words forced her body to fill up with gaiety. Scootaloo fell backwards, cheering and hollering. “OHMYGOSH OHMYGOSH OHMYGOSH! I just flew, I really did it!” Scootaloo had always used her wings as a motor for her scooter, but this was the first time she built up enough strength to carry herself in the air. Maybe I could apply for Junior Flight School next month! Scootaloo squealed as an even greater idea arose. Maybe Rainbow Dash might want to… The image that now formed in her mind caused Scootaloo to relax, put her hooves behind her head, and smile sweetly, forgetting completely about the reason she needed to jump into that drawer. In that drawer, Scootaloo rested her eyes, gorging on her thoughts of ecstasy. “Rainbow Dash” the softened filly whispered, giving herself goose bumps from the sound of that joyous name. “Rainbow Dash… aww… aww… aww-choo!” Scootaloo had sneezed. Rubbing her nose with her hoof, Scootaloo glanced around the inside of the drawer to find a bunch of glittery powder spilt somewhat on the surface, but mostly in her own fur, and an empty glass jar. Horse apples! I must have knocked the jar over when I jumped in. Now panicking over the mess she had made of Zecora’s powder, Scootaloo leaped out of the drawer, moaning a little as she landed on the floor. Think Scootaloo, Think! What would Rainbow Dash do? Scootaloo’s train of thought was slightly derailed as the sparkle covered filly heard Zecora from the bedroom. “The Garuda feathers I have got, now let us continue with the mixture while it is hot.” Scootaloo’s last thought replayed continuously through her brain, as her worry grew. What would Rainbow Dash do? What would Rainbow Dash do? Rainbow Dash? Rainbow Dash! Zecora pushed open the bedroom door and called out in a sing-song voice “Scootaloo-a-loo-a-loo, where are you?” Zecora examined her hut and recognized the open drawers and a trail of glitter that led out the gaping doorway into the Everfree Forest. The perturbed zebra went over to the drawer first, not too alarmed by her open door seeing as how she had bare windows. As Zecora investigated the drawer, she immediately noticed the tipped over jar. Her eyes expanded into saucers as she detected how much of the sparkling dust was gone. Zecora’s hoof then had a nice encounter with her face. Following the path of excess powder that fell from the young pegasus, Zecora couldn’t help but warn the audience. “That powder will make it difficult to fix her.” She sighed before stating “I better start making an elixir.” Zecora began to search her library for any treatments for what was about to happen to Scootaloo, but couldn’t help but think Every time any pony visits me, something gets looted. The next pony who takes any of my things is going to get booted! With her wings buzzing and heart pounding, Scootaloo rode away from the shack on her scooter, every so often spitting to relieve her mouth from taking in a bit of glitter. After what seemed like a mile, Scootaloo slowly applied her brakes, assured that she was close enough to Ponyville for no dangerous creatures to be lurking. Exhausted from the vigorous wing flapping, Scootaloo sat by a tree and bathed in the shade provided. Scootaloo facehooved. I forgot the axe. She remembered as she collected her thoughts. Oh well. I’m sure Zecora will forget all about what I did in a few days and I can go get it later. But now I can’t shovel any snow. Recalling what amazing event happened at the hut gave Scootaloo a new idea. Scootaloo pivoted towards the grand tree that had been cooling her off and squinted as she looked towards the tip of the tree. Celestia’s magnificently golden orb crippled her vision a wee bit, but Scootaloo could definitely see the top of the tree. Cutiemark Crusader tree… jumper? Scootaloo thought, trying to grant a reason for what she was about to do. The school filly limbered up her wings by extending them out and then clenching them back in. Stepping away from the tree to give her a galloping start, Scootaloo breathed heavily just as she had before. Locating the shortest branch to her, Scootaloo focused on her target. The pegasus held her eyes shut for a moment before charging to the tree. When she finally raised them, her legs took off. Gaining momentum before the attempt felt right to Scootaloo as she neared her leaping point. One more breath before the pounce, then Scootaloo rocketed off the ground. The winded glided through her mane gently and her magenta eyes filled with tears from the breeze. Scootaloo felt invincible; her limbs spry, her mane flowing, her wings not flapping… HER WINGS NOT FLAPPING! In the heat of the moment, Scootaloo had forgotten to even release her wings to try and fly. Horse apples! The foolish foal thought, as her entire being slammed into the tree that she so hoped to scale. The filly’s body slipped off the bark-covered trunk and plowed into the grassy ground. Scootaloo kept her eyes closed and didn’t bother moving, her head reeling and aching. Gradually, the young mare slipped out of consciousness. ~~~ The previous shade of the tree now blended in with the glory of Luna’s moon. Scootaloo wiped her eyes as she regained consciousness. A majority of the pain she felt before she was knocked out had subsided and left only minor headache and a bruise on her forehead. Scootaloo’s eyelids now up, the filly thought how long have I been out? Checking that not a remnant of sunset remained visible, Scootaloo assumed that it was past curfew. Scootaloo sighed. Horse apples! Mom and dad are gonna be furious. Wait, do I even have parents? If I do, they’re not canon yet. Anyhow, I better fix the fourth wall and head home. With that final decision, Scootaloo stood, but then immediately sat right back down. “What the hay!” Scootaloo shrieked as she scrutinized her limbs. She lifted one hoof in front of face, hoping what she was witnessing was an illusion caused by the night’s darkness. Branching out her foremost legs, Scootaloo’s breathing came to a halt at the realization that this was no mere moon-mare’s mirage. After a multitude of seconds, the disoriented filly inhaled to allow herself to produce numerous baffled sounds. “Wha…. Huh… bu… ho… WHAT THE HAY!” Unable to form a different sentence, Scootaloo just felt all over her body. The young filly was now a larger, taller mare. Her mane had grown quite a bit as well, the hairs curling to one side of Scootaloo’s face to cover one eye. Her legs, neck, and torso matched the length of the older mares that inhabited Ponyville… even Rainbow Dash. Scootaloo’s mind cleared as she solely visualized the glorious weather pony. Her luscious mane. Her roseate, victory-filled eyes. Her super awesome cutiemark. Scootaloo was lost in her imagination of the rainbow mare. Fabricating Rainbow Dash’s entire being, detail by detail, in her head, Scootaloo felt her wings grow stiff. Scootaloo would have never ceased from imagining that wondrous pegasus had it not been for that gust that picked up. As the transformed filly sat, wings erect, a breeze coursed past her body, causing her to shiver. Before Scootaloo could even shiver though, the wind grabbed hold of the filly and launched her into the night sky. “Woah! Wahhh!” Scootaloo shouted, unexpectedly ascended by the wind. Scootaloo felt her mane and tail thrashing about in the gust, yet her wings remained as statues. Distress drowned the filly’s every instinct as she arrived at the apex of her skyward liftoff. The breeze had passed and Scootaloo’s being just flowed in the air for a moment before gravity decided to quit being lazy. The magically grown filly began to feel herself sink through the air, which then, in turn, transitioned into a plummet. Descending to quickly for her to release even a squeal, Scootaloo rammed her eyelids shut and thought what she always did in times of trouble. What would Rainbow Dash do? The picture of Rainbow Dash’s figure plopped once again into the school filly’s mind, causing Scootaloo to face the issue at hoof. With the opening of her eyes, Scootaloo faced her problem which was… a treetop? The orange mare no longer felt the upwards rush of air that she had only seconds ago. Her sight was mostly still with a slight up-and-down motion. Scootaloo twisted to her back to discover that her wings were flapping! They weren’t buzzing, they were flapping! Scootaloo, with all of her nervous energy replaced by that of pride and excitement, clenched her hooves together and released a wail. “I’m flying! OHMYGOSH I’m flying!” Overtaken by ambition from her lavish, new wings, Scootaloo attempted to steer herself above the Everfree Forest. At first, Scootaloo had a couple faults and mishaps, but she never fell too far down and she finally got used to directing herself. Gliding past the roof of the Everfree, Scootaloo peered off not too far into the distance to spot the entire town of Ponyville below. Unaware of how fast she could really go, Scootaloo just soared calmly, comprehending her lush new constitution. Her mane carried lightly in the air as she tranquilly piloted over her hometown, her front curl still covering one of her eyes. The harmony in Ponyville was even more beautiful from up above. Scootaloo gazed down at all the citizens acting as they do during the night. Some houses had already went lights out for the evening; however, other houses, such as that of Twilight Sparkle’s library domain, glistened like the stars parallel to them. Sugarcube Corner still held a few late night snackers, munching on the goodies the bakery had to offer, while Pinkie Pie entertained them with her chit-chat and constant non sequiturs. Fluttershy was putting out some chicken feed, but then retreated into her dwelling. Oh Celestia, that chicken grub looks good! Scootaloo thought, until convincing herself that eating the chickens’ food would be stealing which is bad or something. The chicken food did distract Scootaloo from the tremendous sight of the city below, for now her tummy barked louder than Winona did during one of Rainbow Dash’s wild I’m-in-a-bad-mood thunderstorms. Rainbow Dash Scootaloo whispered in her mind. Rainbow Da--- Scootaloo was not even able to finish her repetitive thought before her stomach intervened. Alright, Alright, I’m going! Scootaloo, now on a quest for nourishment, rotated towards Sugarcube Corner. Remembering the delicious caramel candy connoli she purchased last time she was there made her mouth water. The name was not easily forgotten too due to how many times Pinkie Pie said it. Candy caramel cannoli, candy caramel cannoli, candy caramel cannoli, Cand--- Pinkie Pie, get out of here! My mind is reserved for Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash isn’t with you is she... Nope, sorry filly-willy! Oh. Depressed that Rainbow Dash did not come with Pinkie, Scootaloo thought to Pinkie Well then would mind leaving? A roar of guffawing rang through Scootaloo’s skull. Bah-ha-ha-ha! That was very punny of you, Scoots! Her own awful play on words caused more laughter to emit from the party mare. “Pinkie Pie, Get out of my head!” The famished filly screamed as she bonked her head in an attempt to lose Pinkie’s voice, but only encouraged her headache to flourish. “Have I gone insane?” Scootaloo interrogated herself, realizing she was shouting and hitting at a fabricated voice in her head. “Must just be the hunger.” Sighting once more the confectionary, Scootaloo grinned, but the smirk was short lived as her lips mad a 180. Scootaloo had no bits on her. Horse apples! Her tummy still craving for something to digest, Scootaloo glared at her stomach. The glare soon fell past her belly and transformed into a relieving gaze as she recognized what she floated above: Sweet Apple Acres. Miles of trees that each grew a plentiful amount of that golden fruit were right at Scootaloo’s hooftips. Apple Bloom and her family have enough apples for me to just eat a few Scootaloo began to persuade herself. Applejack practically bucks hundreds of those trees a day. Building up enough courage to settle in the midst of the Acres, Scootaloo began her fruitful, fruit-filled feast. Following countless discarded apple cores, Scootaloo was stuffed. The pegasus burped, then sighed with comfort as she leaned against the tree she had been taking from. She wiped the last drops of juice that hid below her lips, and took what she assumed to be a flight stance. “Now how does this work…” Scootaloo contemplated, left without assistance from a drifting breeze like before. Scootaloo lined herself up to give herself a runway through the apple trees so she could gain some velocity to fly. With plenty of space to gallop, Scootaloo began to canter down the path. With the quickening speed, the trotting mare felt her wings rise. Picking up the pace, Scootaloo began to wave her wings. Come on, come on. Scootaloo could no longer feel the grass bend under her hooves as she galloped. Scootaloo was now above ground like before. Flying above the not too tall of trees, Scootaloo utilized the first seconds to balance and gain control of how she maneuvered. Resuming the tranquil float over the city, Scootaloo headed towards her home in the residential area of Ponyville. The peacefulness of the town at this time touched Scootaloo as she reflected on all the good memories she had within the confines of Ponyville. It would have been perfect if it was not for that familiar sound Scootaloo heard. Trying to pinpoint the faint noise, Scootaloo investigated around her. She noticed that the tree leaves under her had begun to rustle. If there was a bird that had passed by, Scootaloo was having a challenging time seeing it through the shade. The sound sang closer. Eyes shimmering and disposition jubilant, Scootaloo thought I know that sound. That sound is… “Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo called out sparklingly to the multicolored race pegasus that swiftly flew by her, almost causing Scootaloo to cascade to the ground. Rainbow Dash desisted her soaring, and confronted the strangely recognizable-ish mare that had cried her name. “Umm, hey? Who are you…?” TO BE CONTINUED...