Memories are one thing, goals are another. When you loose something, it makes you want to give up hope, but you should never let your past guide you away from what you can prove. Sometimes memories can push you harder, and sometimes they only make it worse. After Scootaloo looses somepony, she tries out for the Wonderbolts. Does she make it? Does she fail? All she wants to do is make her big sister proud.
Well, maybe quite a few tears rolls down my cheeks, but I am only staring.
My name is Scootaloo, yeah, I have my cutie mark now. So do Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, we aren't the Cutie Mark Crusaders anymore either...Mine is a magenta lightning bolt streaking across a wheel.
Sitting in the line, I wait for my name to be called.
Quickly I dry my tears, Rainbow Dash wouldn't want me to cry, she would want me to be strong.
I remember everything. That day, three days ago to be exact. Thinking back to what happened
- - - - - - - - - -
"Hey Rainbow Dash! Wanna race?" I said, landing on the cloud next to her, as she sat gazing up at the stars.
"Race? Think you can keep up?" A grin forming on her face as her wings flapped, already lifting off the cloud.
"Probably not, but I'll be right behind you!" I said, jumping into the air next to her.
"Challenge accepted!" She said, beating her wings faster, ready to begin.
"Go!" my voice rang out as we set off, me already right next to her, of course we were neck and neck, but she wasn't even close to her top speed, and I could go faster if I wanted.
She turned to wink at me, before shooting ahead, her tail whipping in the wind and a rainbow trail behind her.
I giggle and clench my teeth, soaring after her, a trail of the sunset and magenta purple behind me. I feel the wind in my mane, and of course, I love it. I am already caught up to her.
"You've trained well, squirt," Dash said, not turning away from ahead.
"I had a good trainer," I reply, with a grin.
"True, true, though, I wouldn't say 'good'. More like AWESOME!" she said, spreading her wings and zooming upwards into the night sky, almost as if she were flying for the moon. Her hooves outstretched, she flies onward, not slowing the slightest bit.
A little shocked at the sudden change in direction, I regain myself and outstretch my wings, zooming after her, the moonlight glinting off our pastel colored coats. When I caught up I notice she stopped, as if she were waiting for me.
"What is it?" I ask, now hovering next to her at an amazing altitude.
"Free fall." She says, a gleam of triumph in her eyes, as if she had already won a race.
My eyes gleam also, she had rubbed off on me, I always accept a challenge, and I will do it with all my heart.
"You gonna' answer or not?" Rainbow's cutie mark looked like real lightning in the light of the moon.
"You bet. You gonna try a Sonic Rainboom?" I said jokingly.
"Awwww, that would be cheating, wouldn't it?" She replied, laughing.
"Go!" I yell laughing, getting a head start.
"Hey!" She shot downward, challenge shining brightly in her eyes.
I fly down at an already amazing speed, adrenaline coursing through my veins. I know that I will try my hardest to become a pegasus like Rainbow Dash.
My wings are already burning, and she is caught up to my side, a blur of cyan whizzes by.
I press onward, gaining more speed. Now I have caught back up to her. I can see a cone forming around her hooves, and notice one has formed around me as well. My heart nearly exploded with excitement. I had never gotten this close to doing a Sonic Rainboom before!
Tears drip off my eyes, and evaporate within seconds. My mane whipping in the wind, a trail of sunset and magenta purple behind me. I notice Rainbow Dash is still next to me.
Everything was perfect.
I am so close to a Sonic Rainboom, Rainbow Dash is here to watch me do it. I have my cutie mark, and still have my best friends.
CRACK
I flinch at the loud noise, and notice that Rainbow Dash was now spiraling. Instead of her hooves pointed directly in front of her, they were flailing about. I try to turn and fly at her, catch her, or at least break her fall. But the cone around me acts like a force field, trapping me into a cage of air and fear, worrying for Rainbow Dash.
I notice the cone become more slender now, it sends pain through my wings at the speed, burning me to the bone. I can't enjoy the adrenaline because of all the panic.
Frantically I glance at her, checking to see if she recovered, but no, still flailing, screaming escapes her lips, and I could see how scared she really was, unlike usual.
I close my eyes, and clench my teeth as I notice how rapidly the ground is coming closer, I might achieve a Sonic Rainboom, but my best friend, trainer, and almost sister will die. But I have no other way to break free from the cone of air.
Screaming, I watch her mangled body of cyan blue come within 60 yards of the ground.
I notice how tight the cone around me is, I know I have to pull up or I will crash along with Rainbow Dash. I have no way to save her, she is to my right, not below me, I can't turn that fast, can I?
BOOM
Orange and purple bursts of color shoot out in a circle.
Feeling the sudden acceleration burns at me, more than the first part of the cone. I watch the ground come closer at a dangerous speed, now it is at least 10 yards ahead of me, Rainbow Dash a few yards behind me now.
7 yards, 6 5 4 3 2 1 3 feet, 2 feet,
I spread my wings, screaming in terror and pain, almost as if fire itself were coursing through my wings. Yelling, I notice I am now high in the night air, magenta purple and sunset shining behind me in a bright, sparkly, wave.
Stretching my wings out more, stopping the slower, but still fast, speed.
Turning, I shoot downwards, coming towards the ground, alarm pushing me faster, without a cone of air forming around my body.
Landing on the ground, I look around in a panic-stricken state, my eyes wide and blood-shot. I notice a mangled mound of cyan and a rainbow next to a bush, red seeping into the grass as moonlight gleamed off it.
Tears rolling down my cheeks, I ran to her.
"Rainbow Dash! Are you okay?" I yell, stroking her mane with my hoof, tears staining my coat.
"You d-" she coughed, blood spurting out of her mouth, but she continued, "You did g-great squirt, a Sonic Rainb-boom by s-omepony other than me!" she pulled a light smile.
"Your hurt, come on, I'll get you to a doctor immediately!"
"I don't need a d-doctor!" she said, coughing up more blood. She was being just as stubborn as usual, surely she knew how hurt she really was?
Laying my head on her chest, not caring about the hot and stick red blood soaking into my coat, I whimper, still crying.
"It's gonna be fine, kid. D-" she had another horrible coughing fit, making me cringe at the horrible noise and pain she was obviously in.
"No, y-you have to get to a doctor," I said choking down my tears.
"Scoots, you know I always considered you to be my lil' sister, you have to be one of the best ponies I know. There is nothing a doctor can do for me now, even if they could, it would be to late by the time they got me. If I'm gonna die, I wanna be me, die bravely. Not in the hooves of somep-pony I don't even know." she said.
My tears were now pouring at full speed. I couldn't stop them even if I wanted to.
"P-please, don't, don't go..." I said, wrapping my hooves around her neck.
"Every one goes some time, and now is my time," she put her hoof on my chin, and lifted my head up. Our eyes met, hers were tearing up now, though mine had been crying for quite some time now, she spoke to me.
"Whatever happens, I want you to be the best you can be, go where your heart leads you, and don't let others pull you down. I don't want you to cry over this to much, oh, and one more thing-" her eyes widened, and she coughed again, only much weaker now. Slowly her hoof slipped out from under my chin. Her eyes slowly closed.
Crying worse now than ever, I yelled out, "No! Don't leave me!" My blood curdling scream burned at my throat. Sobbing, I laid my head back down.
After a few minutes of weeping, I raised my head, a somber look on my face, and i spoke, half to myself, half to Rainbow Dash.
"I will make you proud..."
- - - - - - - - - - -
A white pegasus with a red and silver mane steps up to me, "Scootaloo, your next."
I nod my head, determination in my eyes. I was going to do this, and I wasn't going to mess up.
Stepping out of the side of the arena, the soft cloud floor comforts me in the slightest. I turn my head to see three ponies in blue suits, trimmed with yellow lightning blots. One with an orange and yellow mane, flared up like flames, one with navy, and another with white and pale blue.
The Wonderbolts.
Rainbow Dash's dream.
Today I was going to join them, today I would show everyone who I am, what I've learned, and that you should never let your past pull you down.
The three ponies sitting behind a desk, with their flaring manes and special suits for only the best of flyers, wait, that's not true. Rainbow Dash should be in one if they were for the best of flyers.
They greet me with a nod, I reply back in the same manner.
The mare with the mane like fire - who I recognize as obviously Spitfire, because of being with Rainbow for so long - flaps her wings, landing in front of me with a smile.
"What's your name, kid?" She says, walking with me towards the edge of the cloud floor.
My mind freezes for a moment, all I can remember is Rainbow Dash, she called me kid, well, I guess that isn't an uncommon nickname, but still.
"Scootaloo," I reply finally, with a determined gleam in my eyes.
She gives me a wink, "Good luck, Scootaloo," she flaps her wings, and zooms off towards the wooden desk, nodding her head once, announcing that it is time for me to begin.
Stretching out my wings, I close my eyes.
Breathing in.
I catch a glimpse of Rainbow's gleam in her eyes before she died.
That look of determination, bravery, and loyalty. She didn't seem to fear death itself.
My eyes flash open.
This one was for Rainbow Dash.
I leap off the cloud, soaring into the air. I do a aerial loop, spinning faster and faster, into circles. Picking up speed, I twist my body, and the speed propels me upwards, I let the adrenaline overtake me, a grin forming on my face as the air races through my mane.
Quickly alining three clouds together in a row, only as I did that, I used special twists and turns to make it look pretty.
Shooting into the air, and stopping at the right height, I turn and come spiraling down.
I fly through the clouds, perfect sized holes shape after I glide through them, the water from the clouds fall behind me.
I race towards the Wonderbolts, when I'm within a foot away, I flare open my wings, and do a large loop backwards, rushing back up.
I glance down to see that my trick worked, leaving the special flying team underneath a rainbow, one of Dash's special moves.
Grinning I look back forwards, gliding high into the sky.
When I'm in front of the sun, my shadow lining the cloud below, I leap up, pinning my wings tight to my sides, already shooting downwards at an already swift speed.
I was going to finish off the way I should have saved Rainbow Dash.
Pointing my hooves squarely in front of me, my whole past seems to flash before, the training Rainbow Dash, the day I got my cutie mark, and what she said to me before she died.
"Whatever happens, I want you to be the best you can be. Don't let others pull you down..."
Those words.
They only push me farther.
Tears drip from my eyes, but evaporate before they can go far. I see the cone forming around me.
Tighter and tighter.
The speed leaves my wings searing in pain.
But I don't care.
Closing my eyes tight for a split second, I reopen, to see the ground is already coming closer, and closer.
But then it happens.
BOOM
Sunset orange and magenta purple waves of color shooting out in streams of bright colors.
I zoom forward, my wings now beating, and the ground dangerously speeding closer.
I go back to that night.
She is next to me, spiraling.
I can do nothing to help.
Opening my eyes, I spread my wings, pulling up, gliding above the whole arena.
Orange and purple streaming out behind me, bands of sparkly color brightly illuminating the sky.
Silently inside I squeal with joy, but something hides it from coming out.
I land back on the cloud floor. Only to notice that all the ponies watching had already began gathering in a crowd around me.
I notice the three ponies from behind the desk, Spitfire, Soarin', and Fleetfoot had flew above everyone else, now standing in front of me. Spitfire is the first to speak.
"Nice, squirt. I actually think that you are the only other pony I've seen do that before," she lowered her head momentarily, but then lifted it back up to ask, "Who taught you?"
I raise my head and, defiantly I puff out my chest, determination in my eyes, I answer, "My trainer, my friend, and my sister," I think back to when Rainbow Dash taught me how to fly for the first time, grinning I finish, "Rainbow Dash"
The mare gave me a long look, almost as if she were staring me down. I held her gaze, I wasn't lying, and I didn't plan on backing down.
She answered finally, "She was quite a mare, may Celestia guide her day and Luna her night...I am very impressed, as a matter a fact, so are the rest of my team," she gave a flick of her tail towards Soarin' and Fleetfoot, who were behind her, keeping away the crowd. She grinned, "I think the Wonderbolts have a new recruit."
My heart felt as if it were about to explode. I didn't want to act like a filly, fighting as hard as ever to contain a squeal, I returned the offer with enthusiasm.
"Oh thank you so much! You don't know how much this means to me!"
She snickered lightly, "Your welcome, but I assure you, there is no competition in that decision, we will be proud to have you on the team."
I raised my head, the wind blowing, my mane now gently swaying in the breeze, I smiled back, again.
"When do I start? What do I do, where do I go?" I was pelting questions right and left at her.
"Slow down, you will be coming with us today back to the home base after we wrap this up, you WERE the last pony in the audition, so, all we have to do is announce it, then we fly back. We go back to the corridor, take a shower, and sleep, next morning we will go to meet Princess Celestia herself, so she may approve of our choice in a new member. . The rest goes from there."
I do let out a small giggle of excitement.
"I hope she approves..."
"I'm sure she will," Spitfire answers, placing her hoof on my withers, "Now let's get going. It's time to announce the winner, I highly doubt that anyone will find it surprising," she winked at me. The yellow mare turned, and I take advantage of this, allowing a small squeal before trotting after her.
I'm waiting, once again, for my Que. Spitfire is about to call my name, and I will step onto the stage. There will be a crowd cheering.
Only I shouldn't be the one here.
It should be Rainbow Dash.
The sudden thought makes my heart sink. But quickly I swept away the thought, Rainbow Dash said she wanted me to not cry about this.
I can't.
I won't.
I prick my ears to hear my name being called from the stage. Blinking my eyes a few times to dry the tears that had formed, I step out.
My head raised, my wings spread, and my chest puffed out.
I walk defiantly towards the pedestal that is set up in the center of the stage. I nod to Spitfire, Soarin' and Fleetfoot, who were standing together, greeting me with warm smiles.
I step up, now a microphone level with my muzzle.
I see Spitfire has one, and is talking to the audience, I was to caught up in my thoughts to hear whats she says. Tuning out, I see images of me and Dash flying together. I notice Spitfire direct her attention to me, and asks me a question.
"Are you ready to become a Wonderbolt, Scootaloo?"
I grin, "You bet!"
She laughs slightly, "What pushed you forward, into doing this?"
I pause, once again. I can tell the crowd is hanging on my every word.
"To make my big sister proud."
There are amazed glanced, as if the crowd was confused, but I don't care. I was doing this for Rainbow Dash, and I knew that, they didn't have to.
Spitfire smiles,and says something else, but I don't hear that either. I can tell by the way the crowd is already breaking up, that it's time to go. The mare is silent for a while, as I follow behind her. We are goin behind the stage, and then she spreads her wings, we are obviously going to FLY to our next destination. I stretch my wings, and step up next to her.
Breaking the silence, Soarin' and Fleetfoot trot up, in the same position, ready for flight.
"I liked your answer, most ponies who win anything, Best Young Flyers Competition or something, they always say something to their benefit..But you didn't, I think you've got something going for ya' kid." Soarin' spoke with a smile.
I reply with a nod and smile back, "Thanks, but it was the truth..."
We set off into the air, I feel the wind in my mane, and the silvery stars glisten above my head. I feel I'm so close to the sky, I could just turn up and grab one with my hoof.
I turn my head to my side, I'm on the far right, and I see a silvery shape of cyan and rainbow gliding next to me, determination in rose-pink eyes, and a rainbow lightning bolt shining brightly on it's flank.
And I know instantly, I succeeded in making her proud, she came to stay with me. She would always be in my heart, always...
I blink, and she is gone. A simple reminder that she will be with me.
I sigh, and notice Soarin' was staring at me, he obviously didn't see her.
"Whatcha' looking at?" he said, keeping his eyes now ahead of him.
I didn't notice the brisk pace we were keeping at, I didn't even feel it, almost like I could fly for hours.
"Oh, um, the stars..." I stutter.
"Ah, hey, you excited? You'll get to meet the princess, and of course, the fans," he said with a teasing grin.
I smile in return, "Yeah, can't wait. I wanna be the best-" I cut off, realizing I was about to say Dash's dream. Quickly I recover. "Um, I am really excited. I've always wanted to become a Wonderbolt."
He snickers, "Change your mind about 'being the best flyer of Equestria'?" he smiled.
"W-wait, how did y-you know that's what I was going to say?"
"Eh, I could just tell, you act a lot like your mentor," he mumbled something under his breath, but still smiling.
I'm stunned.
"I just didn't want to say that..." I turn my head away.
Soarin' shook his head, and didn't reply.
---------------------------------------------
We slowly glide downwards, heading towards this huge cloud house. White pillars of fluffy clouds surround the opening. Large door, lined with what appears to be gold. Outside are small topiaries of flying pegasi, and their cutie marks, and even the Wonderbolts themselves.
We land, the fluffy cloud floor, and the half moon glistening brightly. We seem so high, that we could reach the moon and stars themselves. My eyes gaze along everything thing I see, now a little behind them. I prick my ears, and break into a swift trot to catch up.
I hear a small giggle from Spitfire. She opens the large doors, and inside I am greeted with giant cloud pillars, the floor has sections of marble, and tables that appear to look like mahogany. A little ways up, there is a large room, marble floor, gold plated statues of all the Wonderbolts heads on pedestals of cloud, and 8 large panes of glass, windows higher than Princess Celestia's tall stature. I look out, a perfect view of the moon. The stars glisten brightly.
I notice the others are not in the room, I wandered off without them. I instantly feel stupid, but my attention is drawn back to the windows. I gaze outside and sit down, the moonlight shines inside in rays of silver.
I don't even notice the hoof steps coming my way.
I prick my ears and jerk back when a hoof touches my shoulder. I turn to see Spitfire. She steps forward and sits next to me, laying something on the ground gently.
My eyes go back to the moon. The silence is broken by soft words.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
I pause, but soon reply, not taking my eyes off the windows.
"Yes, a wonderful view..."
She lets out a snort of laughter, "I think Rainbow Dash is proud of you," Her gaze is also fixated on the moon.
I prick my ears at the name. I can feel tears starting to form, but I hold them back. What has happened happened, and that will never, ever pull me down. Finally I answer.
"I hope so," my eyes shift gently to the thing that she laid down next to her. The moon is bright, but I can't tell what it is. "What's that?"
She smiles, and meets my gaze, putting her hoof on the -now obviously cloth- object, and shoves it over to me. "It's your suit."
My heart flutters. I pick it up with my hooves, opening the blue suit trimmed with golden lightning bolts. I lay it out in front of me, gently sliding my hoof down the soft fabric, around the edges, and the lightning bolt with wings embroidered on the flank. My eyes do start to water, and a small tear drips onto the suit, leaving a darker speck of blue. My eyes stay glued to it, but I whisper gently, "It's beautiful..."
She grins, and slightly giggles, "Yeah, that was Soarin's reaction too."
I think again about how Rainbow talked about the Wonderbolts, bragged about how she would joined the Wonderbolts some day, and how her room was filled with posters. Rainbow Dash deserved to be here today...
"Thank you, again, you really don't know how much this means to me...really..."
She took her hoof and messed up my mane, "I'm sure I do, kid. I'm sure this really means a lot to you, I can't think of anyone better to have won that competition."
Accept Rainbow Dash I add silently to myself.
I am flattered by how much faith they all have in me, and still flustered that I'm even here.
"What now?" I ask.
"We take a shower and go to bed, tomorrow morning we will meet the princess, so be ready," she winked at me.
I smile, and look back to the window. My eyes gleam as I watch the deep blue sky, and the glittering stars that fill it.
My eyes gleam even more when I see a shooting star, brighter than any I've seen before.
And a trail behind it.
It looked almost as if there were more than one color in the trail that followed the shooting ball of light.
Almost like a rainbow...
But as soon as it appeared, it disappeared into the darkness.
I had been silent for a while. Spitfire stood up, and stretched.
"I'd say it's getting late, we've got a busy day tomorrow, c'mon, I'll show you were the showers are."
I pricked my ears, and gently folded the blue suit, and carried it in my mouth.
My voice was muffled as I spoke, "Twhat dtho I dtho wit this?"
She laughed, "You put it in your locker, come on, this way," she flicked her tail in the direction she was headed, I follow after her.
We leave the window room, and head down a hallway, I haven't seen the other two Wonderbolts in a while, but I don't pay much mind. She turns a corner, an we enter an also large room, with statues of each Wonderbolt next to closets with shiny silver knobs etched with lightening bolts. Name tags are nailed to the top of the doors with names engraved into the gold metal.
I turn my head to see one with my name above it, and even a statue. She spoke like she read my mind.
"After you won, we already called up a pony to make this on our way back."
I nod my head, and open the closet. Swiping my hoof over the light switch next to the door.
Inside, there are shelves, most likely for medals and trophies. There are also hooks hanging up, I guess this is where I'm supposed to put my suit, so I hang it up. A full length mirror greets me with my own reflection, I look at myself, I'm no longer the little filly who hardly could fly, and depended on somepony else for support.
I'm now a full grown mare, one of the Wonderbolts, and I have my cutie mark.
I look into my purple eyes.
I can see longing in them.
I sense Spitfire can tell how I feel, she comforts me by placing a hoof on my withers, but I simply nod and turn away with her, out of the closet.
I can see another door, steam arising from the crack underneath it. I head towards the steaming room, I'm guessing it is the shower room.
I pause outside, what was I doing? Just waltz in without knowing WHO was in?
Spitfire steps up, "Go on, nopony's gonna bite, they ARE separated showers," she grinned.
I still hesitate, but I trust her.
Gently cracking open the door to peek in, I see that the showers ARE separated. Opening it wider, I step in. The shower sections are blue, a lightning bolt on each door.
The yellow mare steps in behind me, going into one of the unoccupied showers.
I hear the knob twist, a slight squeak erupts from it. I'm still stunned, I feel strange, but not in a bad way, of course...
Locking the door behind me, I twist the knob, turning it as far as it would go on the red side of the notch and steaming hot water pours out in streams from above. I close my eyes, letting my senses go away like dew on grass after sun high. My memory slips back though, but nothing else. I'm imagining the day Rainbow Dash took me to my first Wonderbolt show.
The minutes slip by, and I'm confusing myself with questions. Am I dreaming? I am part of the Wonderbolts for Celestia's sake!
I shakes my head, after rubbing some shampoo into my mane, then rinsing it out, I turn off the water. Shaking briskly, water droplets flick off my coat, splashing the walls of the shower section. Opening the door, I step out.
My mane hangs loosely around the sides of my face, I can feel my tail dragging on the ground. I turn around, a large mirror greets me, my magenta mane and sunset orange coat gleam brightly, as steam fogs up the glass. I sigh, and a smile creeps across my face.
I shake again, and leave the shower room, I can hear that only one other pony is left in the showers.
I leave the steaming room, and make my way to the closet Spitfire showed me earlier. I flip the switch, when I enter, I find a small suitcase.
I forget about drying my coat, and I run to it. Shuffling my hooves, I finally open it, a few times missing the latch.
The golden latch unhooks, I lift the leather lid, and what I'm greeted by, makes my eyes water.
I stared blankly for a few moments at the objects in the suitcase. But I couldn't hold back any longer.
Reaching in and grabbing everything out, I laid it across the floor.
Apparently, somepony had went to my house, and packed up my most treasured belongings, how they knew which ones to grab, I shall never know.
I began to tear up when I held a small picture frame in my hooves.
It was a picture of me and Rainbow Dash together at a Wonderbolt show. I sat it down and picked up another, this one was me when I got my cutie mark.
I looked through them all, about four were there.
Another of us flying, Twilight Sparkle took that one, I remember it.
Then, lastly, was a simple picture. Just us together, in her cloud house. She's got her hoof over my shoulder, smiling, her eyes brimming with defiance and excitement.
I stand up, and find a small shelf, just enough room for the pictures, and then some. I go back to the case, and pull out a Wonderbolt poster.
Hanging it up on the wall, I dry my tears.But that doesn't last long when I pull out something else.
It's so simple, but it has such a great meaning to me.
A ticket.
Just a ticket.
It was the ticket Rainbow Dash gave me the day before she..she...you know...
A ticket to the Wonderbolts latest show. We were going to go the next day.
I whisper something silently to myself, not entirely sure what I said.
I lay it down on the shelf, next to the pictures.
The remaining things in the suitcase are mainly clothes, a few other memorabilia of my life, mostly me and Rainbow.
A leather flying jacket.
My cutie mark embroidered on the chest. Dash had one just like it, only her cutie mark instead.
A crown thingy I got. I won the Best Young Flyers competition myself, after I first learned to fly.
And lastly, some simply, plain ol' flying goggles.
I sit everything down on the shelf. It all connects together somehow, they all seem to match as if they belonged on that shelf together.
I whisper a silent 'good bye' and hang the jacket up. I leave the large closet after turning the light off.
I wander around for a little while, passing other large rooms, one time I think I even found the kitchen...
Eventually, I end up back to the large room with the windows. I notice that Spitfire is there too, she must have finished her shower and came here earlier.
I silently step up, and stand next to the yellow mare.
She is the one to speak first.
"Did you find that little surprise?" she asked, smiling.
"Yeah, how did you know which things to get?"
"Just a lucky guess," she sighed and looked back to the window.
I pause, I couldn't control what I was about to say, for some reason, it came out.
"Who pushed you towards this goal?"
I can sense her tense up. There was no reply for a while, until she turned to me.
"My big sister..."
I feel like something is caught in my throat. I'm unable to move, but I swallow the knot and ask another question.
"Who was she?"
There was another pause.
"Lightning Fire...She helped me learn to fly. Wait no, she TAUGHT me how to fly. I owe her everything..."
"Do you still see her very often?" I ask gently, not wanting to pry.
It seemed between everything I said, there was a pause.
"She's dead..."
I instantly freeze. What was going on? Spitfire was opening up secrets to me, things that must hurt. But before I could reply, she said something else.
"I miss her, but I promised that I would not give up because she was gone. I promised I would be the best I could be..."
Wait what? Spitfire went through the same thing as me? I am fighting the thoughts in my mind, but I say something else, lowering my head.
"I'm sorry, I know the feeling..."
"No, don't be sorry. I kept my promise. I'm now the captain of the Wonderbolts. I became what I could become. And I don't regret it. I loved my sister, and I still do. But she is still with me, in my heart."
There was a very long silence. I don't know what to say. But I am the one to start back up conversation.
"I made the same promise...to Rainbow Dash... I promised I would become the best I could be, I promised her I would join the Wonderbolts, which was what she always wanted to do. She was my big sister to me, and your right, she is with me in my heart," I think for a moment, and tun back to her gaze. "Forever"
Goggles (short and random, just needed something to fill in tthe empty space...)
I stared blankly. I was about to add something else, when I heard the clopping of hooves.
I turned to see that Soarin', Fleetfoot, Misty, Blaze, Fire Streak, High Winds, Lightning Streak, Silver Lining, Surprise, and lastly: Wave Chill had entered the room, now standing in unison together as if about to take off into flight.
Spitfire stepped up towards the elite flying team, and addressed them by something, I was already tuning out. What about what the Wonderbolts captain just told me?
The attention is pointed at me, stunned I prick my ears and let out a small 'what?' and quickly stand up.
Spitfire continues, "I said, before we leave for the Princess tomorrow, we will have a training session, be in the arena by eight in the morning sharp."
I nod curtly, and notice the others are breaking apart, leaving in the same direction. As if she read my mind, Spitfire spoke.
"I'll show you your room, c'mon, this way," she said, trotting off in the direction the team had gone.
We walk down a hall lined with large white pillars trimmed with silver, she leads passed a series of doors with gold name plates at the top. Across the hall are our lockers. We come to the end of the hall, a template with my name rims the top. I tap my hoof excitedly as the door opens.
I step in, the cloud floor is soft. On the right side of the room is a large bed with magenta purple sheets and a silky see-through canopy. A tall mirror Is to my right, and a dresser with many intricate designs etched into the sides. I wonder how they had time to make all of this that seems to so perfectly match me, with hardly any time after I was announced the winner.
This puzzles me, but I shake the thought away when I hear a door click. Spitfire has left me alone now.
I explore the large room, and find my way to the bathroom. It is a regular bathroom, just larger. A wide mirror is there, a small sink, a shower, so on and so fourth.
Stepping out, I spread my wings and land on the bed. It is soft and plush. The fluffy comforter itself makes me want to fall asleep anyways.
I close my eyes gently, but they snap wide open again when i hear a small knock of a hoof on the door. Swiftly getting up and trotting over, i open it.
Outside is standing a pale blue stallion, and a navy mane that is flared up.
It's Soarin'.
He smiles and I notice he has something in his mouth.
I give an expectant look and speak, "Hey, whats up?"
He drops what he was holding down and nudges it to me with his hoof.
"Just wanted to say good luck, and you'll need this tomorrow."
I look down at what he nudged to me, and I noticed that it was a pair of flight goggles. I hold the inside giddiness back, and simply nod and smile, "Thank you," I pick the goggles up.
As I lift my head, our eyes met. I held his gaze for a long time. Neither of us spoke, but his green eyes seemed soft and kind, glittering in the dim lighted beams of moon light streaming through a large window on the far side of the room.
The few moments seemed like hours as we kept eye contact, not turning, sighing, motioning, or even a simple blink.
Finally he turns his head down, even in the low light I can see his pale cornflower blue cheeks flushed red. I can feel on my own, that they are warm.
I lower my head and turn away too, giving a small voice that sounded slightly like 'thank you again'.
He looked back up and smiled, "Good night, be ready early tomorrow."
Turning back I reply, "Night, don't worry, I will."
Closing the door behind me when he leaves, I whip over towards the bed, the silky canopy swaying from the air from my flight.
Flopping gently on the fluffy bed, I giggle. But stop soon when I realize what happened, and the fact that I am simply laughing at it.
Turning over on my side, I flip the switch from the small lamp by my bed, turning the room a darker shade of a silvery glow. Closing my eyes, I drifted into sleep.
I mumbled something to myself as I heard the loud ringing sound of the alarm. I blink my eyes open half way to see the red numbers on the black screen. it says 7:00. Sighing I slammed my hoof down a few times, before I actually turned it off. Rolling back over in the bed, i pull the covers over my head.
Dead silence.
I shoot up, my hooves already swinging over the side. I don't plan on oversleeping!
Shaking my mane out of my face, I fumble over to the bathroom, crashing into a coffee table in a hurried frenzy. I swipe my hoof over the light switch, and open up a drawer. Inside I find a mane-brush. Quickly combing out my hair, splash some water over my my face, and swiftly drying it with a towel. I still have about forty-five minutes, but I don't want to waste any time. I spread my wings and hover above the ground. Whipping out of the room, and into my locker, I pull the Wonderbolt suit.
Running my hoof across the rim, I smile. How great it feels...the soft fabric, with a roughness of the lightning proof finish. I close my eyes for a moment, before opening them wide again, pulling my hoof through the sleeves.
I pull my head through, and twist around to test the fitting. A perfect fit. I trot out of the room, only to turn and zip back in, grabbing the goggles from last night.
Then, turning back, I fly out of the locker and into the large hallway. I'm guessing that I will find Spitfire in the window room, I don't have any proof to back that up...but it's as good a guess as any.
I slow down and land gently on the soft floor. Trotting into the room up the three steps, I see a mare with a mane flared up like fire, and a blue suit tightly to her skin. I smile and quietly step forward curiously.
"Spitfire? Is this where I'm supposed to go?"
"Yes, a very good guess, I presume that you do realize you have a whole thirty minutes left, right?"
"Oh, eheh, I didn't want to be late."
"Of course, a very wise decision," she said turning to the orange mare. "It's good to see you care that much."
She seemed to totally disregard everything they had talked about the previous night. "Oh definitely! I really, really, really care , this means so much to me you would never believe!"
She chuckled, "Of course I understand, I went through once to ya' know..."
There was a strange silence.
"I bet you were proud to become the captain of the Wonderbolts!" I started the conversation back up.
I looked into her eyes, I could see pain in them, but she shook it away, "Oh, yeah, very..."
I was about to ask something when I heard a cough from behind us. I turn my head to see the whole Wonderbolts Flying team standing proudly with heir heads high, until Soarin' stepped forward and began to speak.
"We are ready, do you think we could get started early?" He smiled and flashed a teasing wink.
"Well, I guess why not?" The yellow mare stood up, and stretched out her wings.
I giggled with glee and followed after her. Stepped on the far outside of the straight line of suited ponies that walked in unison.
I spread my wings, as did everypony else. Flapping swiftly we took into a slow flight, out the doors, around the cloud garden, outside of the yard, and past the house in general. We flew a ways but stopped when a large arena came into view.
"Is this where we train?" I asked with a large grin on my face.
"Yup, we come here just about every morning!" Misty laughed and nudged my side with her wing.
I laugh with her, but I'm not even sure why...
We entered the arena, I can see large cloud pillars, it's built almost like a stadium with many cloud seats around the sides.
The Wonderbolts gathered around Spitfire, I join them.
"Alright, we will begin our new routine today. Rookie," I notice the attention was addressed to me, I reply with a nod, "You will be in a threesome flight routine, you, me, and Soarin'. Misty, you will lead your own routine using everyone else. You already know how it goes, now go on and practice in the right wing. We will begin ours."
Misty replied with a nod and whipped off, the others following after her.
I turn my head to Spitfire and Soarin' who are already trotting over to the left side. Swiftly I catch up, and give and expectant, but excited look.
"So, how do we begin?" I ask flapping my wings.
Spitfire chuckles, "Slow down, rookie. It starts out lie this-"
- - - - - - - - - -
I soared across the sky, coming closer to the yellow mare and pale blue stallion. They part to opposite sides, I know this is my Que.
Spreading my wings, I zoom into the sky. Higher and higher. Spitfire and Soarin' have caught up now, and are on my sides.
Closer and closer we come to each other, now almost touching. I tuck my wings to my sides, and flip backwards, now free falling upside down. Spitfire and Soarin' have done their spiral to the sides and now come downwards with a delicate looking trick, but very effective.
I twist and face forwards again. Now with my hooves place in front of me, I flap my wings faster.
The ground comes closer and closer, about 30 yards from me now.
I grin and swiftly stretch them out, the wing rushes through my mane and around my ears. I grin as the air propels me back upwards, Soarin' whips into a spiral, and Spitfire barrel rolls over to the side.
We now hover in unison, with the sun behind us throwing our shadows down around the cloud floor.
I laugh and pump a hoof proudly in the air. I did it!
My first flight routine, and I did it! Well, this was only the practice, but it only took three times to master it!
Spitfire soars over to my side and laughs, "Great job squirt. I think you just broke a record. Never has a pegasus pony mastered their routine so quickly!"
"Well, I'm honored!" I laugh and flip backwards, but turn back up.
"That was amazing!" I see Soarin' had flew up to us.
I blush unintentionally but reply with a smile, "Thanks"
"Well, I suppose we ought to get everyone else gathered up, we have to meet the Princess today, come on, help me find everyone." Spitfire flies down back to the ground and trots up to the closest Wonderbolt.
I follow and go to every pony I see.
I still am in shock that this is happening, I still don't believe it!
The flight team landed gently in front of the castle doors, two guards gave them a nod and opened the gates.
I grinned as I trotted next to Spitfire. We walked up the gold plated steps, and through a large hall with pillars of marble and tile floors.
My gaze was swept up to the high ceiling, which was painted with images of a bright sun, and a silvery moon.
I almost trip over my own hooves as I am walking, not paying much mind to the ground in front of me. Quickly regaining balance, I look forward to see two tall alicorn figures, one white, and one dark blue.
I immediately know to bow before the Princesses. Celestia's mane of four colors, and Luna's of what looks like midnight itself, flows without stopping.
My eyes gleam as I regain to a standing position, and smile proudly.
Spitfire had stepped forward, bowing lightly, before speaking a quiet greeting. The attention was turned to me, and my ears prick.
"This is Scootaloo your majesty, she is the pegasus who performed a Sonic Rainboom, and won the contest. She is who we have chosen as our new recruit. Do you approve?" Spitfire spoke with such clarity, like it was nothing to speak to the goddess of the sun.
The white princess smiled, and nodded, before turning to me.
"Greetings , Scootaloo, it is an honor to meet you. I have heard much since the contest. It seems you are all everypony in Canterlot is talking about."
I stutter for a moment before I speak. "Thank you, Princess! It is an honor to be here!"
She giggled very lightly. "I am sure you will become a fine Wonderbolt. I hope that you will do your job with sincerity."
"Oh, I will!" My heart is thudding with excitement.
More was added, speaking with Luna, and kind comments retained to my Sonic Rainboom, and about our new routine. That reminds me, I don't remember where we are going to show. Shortly later, Spitfire announced that is was time to go.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I giggle as I land on my back on the soft cloud bed in my new room. I feel at home, everything is in place, nothing seems strange...well until I review my thoughts.
I was so happy until all of the past few days shot into my mind like sharp shards of shrapnel. I feel my heart sink, but I try to retrace everything, and erase my thoughts. I don't need to let this get to me.
But one last thing pops into my mind. What Spitfire told me the night before. About her big sister...
I sigh and feel myself relating to her. It is strange how this all seems similar, though there is nothing wrong with it.
Pulling a pillow on my chest, and nuzzling my face into it, I drift slightly into sleep, now realizing how tired I really was.
-
My eyes shoot open, seems like I had been asleep for hours, but turns out only to be ten minutes when I look at the clock.
I sit up to notice Misty in the doorway, waving her hoof at me.
"Come on rookie! It's time for dinner, you had better read your schedule," she giggled.
"Wait, I have a schedule? Where? How come I haven't seen it?" I tilt me head to my side and slide off the bed.
"Probably because you haven't noticed it," she pointed a hoof at the door, I notice a piece of paper laminated and attached to the wood.
I read it, and notice that it's a color-coated, neatly organized, and in order from morning to bedtime, schedule.
"Oh..."I step outside of my room, her next to me.
She laughed, "Aw, don't worry, you'll get used to it," she nudged my shoulder. "Guess whats for dinner?"
"What?"
She went into a long detailed speech about dinner as we walked down the hall towards a new room I hadn't explored.
I can smell a sweet scent of carrots, tangy herbs, and salted tomatoes. Probably some kind of soup, or souffle'.
I smile as I enter the room, a large table placed with different kinds of salads, glasses filled with a red liquid, and lastly, a large bowl filled with a creamy orange colored soup, steaming fresh, pieces of herbs floating mixed evenly throughout the mix.
Licking my lips, I sit down next to Soarin' and wait as a bowl is passed my way.
I laid belly up in my bed, after all of that food, I don't know how I could fly, I'd probably fall through the cloud floor. I smile still tasting the sweet desert on my tongue. I haven't eaten anything like that in what seems like ages!
I rolled over on my side, and pull the soft covers over me, and remember something Spitfire said at the table.
- -
"We'll be showing our new routine in about three days. We are making a personal trip to Scootaloo's hometown," she elbowed me with a wink.
- -
I am so excited, but thoroughly tired. Slowly I drift into sleep.
------------------------------------------
The wind whips my mane and tail, air rushes around my face and cups my ears. I flap my wings strongly as I prepare to come up higher. My eyes are brimming with determination. I am zooming down towards the ground with an amazing speed. A cone forms around my sides, but something catches my attention, to my right side.
A cyan figure is looking at me with a smile. It's back towards the ground, facing upwards, but eyes locked to mine.
I forget what I'm doing, to attracted to the figure, but glance only slightly to my front to realize I am within inches of the ground.
My scream is cut short as I come in contact with the ground, knocking the wind out of me, and probably dislocating my jaw.
I whimper and try to stand, but remain motionless on the grass, trees surrounding the area.
The soft clicking of hooves come my way, I look up gently, but not greeted by the cyan pony, but instead, a white pegasus mare with an orange and yellow mane, similar in shape to that of the DJ pony that I had seen at events...Vinyl Scratch was her name, I think...
I am frightened, angered, and amazed all at the same time.
Her cutie mark was a small flame of fire, with a lightning bolt cutting through it.
I open my mouth and quietly whisper, "W-who are you?"
The pegasus smiles. "Who I am is not important, Scootaloo, but you have to do something for me."
I'm shocked, why won't she tell me who she is?
"What is it?" My throat cracks.
"You have to give Spitfire something for me, give her this," the mare dropped a folded piece of paper, which landed in front of my nose. On the outside is a sticker, Spitfire's cutie mark. "Don't read it, this is something for her to see, and her only. Now go, and don't forget it."
The mysterious mare slowly disappeared into a wisp of white fog that blew away in the wind.
My mind is spiraling into strange and curious thoughts. Who was she? What is this? And Am I dreaming?
I get up, with no pain whatsoever, what is going on with this?
I slowly walk away from the ground, leaving the note there. This is just some stupid dream, why should I believe any of it!
I spread my wings, ready to go back into flight, when I feel the presence of someone else. I turn my head and mumble, "Not this again."
When I turn, I see a cyan blue pony with a rainbow mane and tail.
"R-rainbow Dash?" I whisper, my throat dry, and suddenly I feel all the heartache I have for her. How much I have missed her.
In the mare's eyes, I see pain and longing.
I run at Dash, tears already streaming down. I am almost there, so close, so very close... I can feel the ground move beneath my hooves, the earth is stretching wider.
Slowly I notice that Rainbow Dash is farther from me than she began, she hasn't moved at all, all except a tear that has dripped down the side of her cheek.
I scream as she disappears. I am broken on the inside. Falling limp to the ground, I whimper quietly
But then I hear a small, delicate, quiet whisper, a whisper of someone I know, I look up and see Rainbow, she is there, but I can see through her to the trees that are around the area.
"Follow your heart, Scoots. I know you will figure this whole thing out."
"What do you mean?" I cry out loud back to her.
"Exactly what I said, that's what I mean. There is something else behind it all, something I can't tell you, something that no one can tell you. You have to find it out yourself."
"Please, Dash! Tell me what are you saying? Give me a hint! Anything!" My throat burns. This has to make more sense!
"Fine, one hint. Do you know who you are?"
I pause, "Well duh, I'm Scootaloo."
"No, do you know where you came from, who your family is, what you are?"
I'm about to reply when it hits me. My eyes widen.
I'm about to reply when I look up, the vision the the mare is gone, and I notice everything around me begin to fade to black.
-------------------------------
A loud beeping makes me shoot out of my bed. I turn on the nearest light, and wipe my face with my hooves. I had actually been crying. What a strange dream, I think to myself.
I roll off the bed, and look at the time on the clock. I notice something else on the nightstand, something new.
A small piece of folded paper, and a orange lightning bolt on the outside.
My thoughts are unsettled, I think this is just some sort of stupid joke, but it seems all to real. I slowly reach over with my hoof and pick up the note. I feel the soft paper preparing to open, but instead I jerk back and drop it. Remembering my dream, I don't open it.
This is just stupid, why am I even thinking about it? This isn't possible, I must just be imagining things...
Getting up, I wash my face, brush my mane, slip on my suit, and prepare to open the door. But as I begin to step out, my head turns back to the folded piece of paper.
I begin to turn back to the note, before stopping myself.
"Scootaloo, your loosing it, just go!" I say to myself. I walk out the door and into the hallway.
- - - - - -
I burst through the door, about five minutes later. Grabbing the paper in my hooves I fly back outside.
I've got to at least show it to Spitfire, maybe just in case...
I land on the cloud floor and head back towards the window room, at least that's what I call it.
When I get there, the room is empty. After a while of searching around, I finally find her outside with Soarin'.
Suddenly I begin to doubt myself, maybe I shouldn't give it to her?
Without thinking I hold out my hoof in her direction the folded paper with her cutie mark on it.
Spitfire looked at me kind of funny, but took the note asking who it was from.
"Well...I don't exactly know, somepony gave it to me, told me you would know? But if it doesn't make sense, don't think anything of it. I'm pretty sure it means nothing, but, I'm just making sure," I stuttered, waiting for her reaction to the note, in my mind hoping that it meant nothing, and I was just imagining things.
Spitfire was quiet for a while, I watched her eyes as they moved side to side slowly scanning each word. In my head I was wishing to read what it said, but that would be rude to ask. Besides, I'm sure that it has nothing to do with me.
After about a minute or two, I saw her drop the note, the wind carried it nowhere. Instead it landed softly on the ground. Her eyes were wide, she looked as if she were about to start crying. Soarin' stepped up to her, and whispered something in the mare's ear.
I swallow, this means something to her. Obviously it's not just some stupid joke.
"W-what is it?" My heart is thudding.
She swallowed without a reply.
"Spitfire? Who is it from?"
The mare turns to me, "Where did you get this?" her tone commanding, "Where?!"
"I don't r-really know, I had a dream about it, and when I w-woke up, it was on my nightstand. Spitfire, what's wrong?"
"Scootaloo, t-that note, it's from my sister..."
"W-what? But, you said s-she was...dead?!?!!?" I step back. "How can you tell?"
The pegasus took a deep breath, "In the end it calls me a certain name, only one pony knows that name. And that was Lightning Fire!"
My mind is blown, how can this happen?
The pony I saw in my dream...that was her sister?
"What's the note about?" I reach my hoof out slightly, but Spitfire stomps her yellow hoof in front of mine. I flinch back.
"N-no, you can't. Maybe later, but now is not the time."
Soarin' was just standing with his mouth partly open, watching the whole thing conspire.
I slowly step back and turn away, my head is hurting already with thoughts and ideas. My heart is pounding with mixed emotions of fear, excitement, and disbelief.
What is going on? I whisper to myself.
I hear Soarin' ask the flight captain if there was going to be practice today, but the response is muffled in a low mumble that seems to be lined with tears.
I swallow and turn back towards the two Wonderbolts.
Raising my head slightly I ask, "May I g-go back to my room for a moment?"
Spitfire sighs and nods, "Practice isn't canceled today, we are performing in two days. As long as your quick, meet me back here. If you see anypony else inside, direct them outside."
I dipped my head and spread my wings, whipping up into the air. I flew back through the large doors towards my locker. Inside I run into Misty, quickly telling her to go outside with Spitfire.
Once in my locker, I pull out a picture of Rainbow Dash, and quietly whisper.
"Oh Dash, why can't you be here now? What was it you said in my dream, what were you talking about? Please! Help me!" I scream, tears dripping on the glass frame.
I screamed and threw the picture across the locker, it crashed into the wall. Shattering into sharp shards of glass. I spread my wings and whipped out of the room. No one else was left inside the building. Swiftly I flew out the large cloud doors and out to the practice field.
When I landed I noticed that Fire Streak, Fleetfoot, and Surprise were huddled together whispering, but soon stopped when they noticed my attention towards them. Everything had seemed so perfect, but within a few days, it had all fallen apart...all because of this stupid dream!
I tried to avoid eye contact, but this was hard because of the massive amount of glares, stares, and whatever else was able to aimed at me.
After Spitfire began the routine, I joined in. I tried to start of correctly, but...instead of a free fall, it ended up a free fail.
I slowly got up from the cloud floor, watching as Fire Streak and Surprise whispered and giggled.
I felt my heart sink, but quickly tried again. Although when I came back to the same place, my mind was clouded with thoughts of the dream, Lightning Fire, and Rainbow Dash. The strange thing she said about knowing who I am. what was that supposed to mean?, I thought to myself.
I ended up spreading my wings out three times in a row to late.
Mumbling to myself, I flew over to the water cooler. Chugging down about four cup-fulls of Ponyaid, then quickly returning to the flight routine.
I tried a few more times, and got the free fall correctly about 1 time in 50 or something like that.
Spitfire signaled me over and back down to the cloud floor.
"What is it?" I asked, tilting my head slightly.
"Do you wanna take a break for today, we can go down the the Cloud House (which was basically a field house up in the sky) and do some quick laps, lift a few wing-weights, just something to get you back in tune with what your doing."
I didn't understand how Spitfire could act so normal even though so much had occurred that morning, I was almost offended. I responded anyways with a simple yes, and off we went. After, of course, she put Soarin' in charge of the practice while she was gone with me.
***
I spread my orange wings and flew forwards, nothing but a trail of magenta purple behind me. I could hardly tell the weights were strapped to my wings and sides, I easily lifted into the sky, and swiftly made turns. This was simple enough, as was the previous two hundred and some-odd laps I had just pulled. And apparently I had set a record just one lap below the first for most laps at the same speed.
My thoughts had settled mostly, although I still couldn't understand the whole note thing.
I lowered my hooves to the cloud floor, and skidded into a halt...after making a detour through a towel cart.
Spitfire stepped up to me, "So, how are you handling all this?"
"Which part," I mumbled.
"The whole thing, your dream, the note...Rainbow Dash..."
"Don't say that name. I'm trying to get over it all, but being reminded every morning by my horrible dreams isn't helping." I snapped back.
She flinched back for a moment, and put a hoof on my shoulder, "Calm down, it's okay."
I turned to face her, "No! Nothing is okay! Everything has been screwed up since I got here, I don't know why I even bothered... Besides, how can you say that? I just met your sister, of which I've never met before, in a dream. And to top that, I got a little note. How is this okay?!?!" I sat down heavily on the cloud floor.
We were alone in the gym-like area, luckily.
"Scoots, I know what your going through, please just calm down," Spitfire sat down next to me.
"Phffff, yeah right, you know nothing about what I'm going through! Nothing could be any worse, nothing at all..."
She put her hoof under my chin and looked me straight into my deep purple eyes.
"I've lost a sister too y'know, and I'm not talking about Lightning Fire..."
I looked at Spitfire quite perplexed, "Uh...what do you mean?"
The yellow mare looked surprised, almost as if she didn't mean to say it, "Nothing, never mind, let's just get back to the arena and finish the routine.
I continued with a confused look, "No, you obviously meant something and your going to tell me!"
"I don't have to tell you anything, besides, it's not my place to tell you something of the subject. Now get moving," Spitfire spread her wings and took off out the door, nothing but gold and orange left behind her.
I stayed there a few moments, staring aimlessly into the world, with nothing passing my lips but a small 'but'. A few moments later I followed, and found her back at the arena talking with Soarin'.
I stepped up to her, but she gave me a nonchalant look as if nothing had happened. All I could do in return was mumble and fly off.
We tried a few more times at the routine, although I did eventually get it, it took a few times to get my mind off -once again- of what had previously happened.
Spitfire led us back to the home base, I swept up to the shower room, dried up, and flew to the kitchen. My hoof reached out for a plate of cookies, but I quickly pulled back. My hoof must've gone back and fourth from the plate of carrot sticks and apple slices to the cookies at least ten times. Finally I agreed to the carrot sticks, only to keep up my agility and strength.
I heard the quiet sound of hoofsteps from behind me, and there stood Soarin', in the doorway, just staring. I had often heard him and a few of the guys messing around and joking about who their favorite mare in the team was. Soarin' had never said anything. Why this thought came into mind, I shall never know.
I smiled, a small piece of apple fell from my mouth, I could feel heat rising from my cheeks as I felt embarrassed. He chuckled and trotted up next to me, grabbing a cookie. Now I felt stupid, maybe I should have gotten a cookie!
"Whats up?" I said, trying to sound cool and calm.
Rainbow Dash was always talking about how she thought Soarin' was cute...Gosh he sure is up close. Wait, where did that thought come from? My train of thought was broken by half of his sentence.
"...but I do have to complain about the schedule this year."
I prick my ears and just simply nodded, acting as if I knew what he had said, "I know I did horrible at practice today, I'm so sorry," I could feel my wings sag slightly.
"Aw don't say anything about it, things happen, believe me. I remember that when I first got here, I messed up so bad on our show in Los Pegasus. I felt horrible, but it turned out everyone thought it was supposed to be like that, and they asked me to re-perform it in Manehatten." He laughed, and I joined in.
"So what exactly did you do that was so horrible?" I asked out of idle curiosity.
"Let's just say crashing into a pie cart has never been performed in a Wonderbolt show before, ever."
I laughed hard and my wings popped out. I soon found myself falling to the floor, my hoof knocking the plate of cookies with me. Soarin' laughed, and bent over next to me. I could feel tears actually dripping down my cheeks in all of the insanity.
I heard a cough from the entrance of the door, and turned my head to see Surprise staring blankly, with a stupid look on her face.
"Enjoying yourselves? I hope you know some of us are trying to sleep!" she scowled and gave me a harsh look. I hadn't realized what time it was, until I looked at the clock on the counter top.
10:03 p.m. I read to myself. Quickly I stood up and dusted the clouds off my back and held out a hoof to Soarin'.
"Calm down, Surprise, it's not like you've ever done this to me before when you bring home your little stallionfriends," he had a big smile plastered across his face, although her's was pure anger, almost looked like hate.
I stood quietly, not saying anything, of which was unusual because I almost always had something to say.
Surprise glared at him, but it soon turned into a evil looking smile, "Is that so? Well what have you got to say about this! We all know you have the hots for Scootaloo, and now look at you, turning soft on a useless bubblebrain that can hardly look at the two hooves in front of her. She can't even make a free fall without landing flat on her face!"
That set me off, my wings spread wide and my ears were tall, stepping up to her with my chest puffed out I snarled, the obvious height difference between us.
"Oh yeah? Well your not the one who's lost a friend, and the only reason you guys needed to do the competition was to add something new to the show. Of which was a Sonic Rainboom. And the reason of that was because you weren't talented enough to do one, of which I can and have done more than once. I learned from the greatest flyer in all of Equeastria of which is more than you can account for. If you have a problem with me you can say it to my face and not to somepony else!!!" I stomped my hoof, ignoring the look she gave me back, and I had just then made the connection of what Surprise had said.
I twisted my neck and flapped my wings, preparing for the show. Now I was present back in Ponyville, it had been such a long time since I had been back home. Spitfire had talked about something special she had planned for me here after the show, but wouldn't tell me otherwise. I began to scan the gathering ponies, looking for Sweetie Belle and Applebloom.
But no luck came of it. I did see Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Fluttershy, Twilight, and Rarity. It was odd, since they were Rainbow Dash's best friends. The thought hadn't come to my mind yet, but... What happened to her element? What about the Element of Loyalty?
About two days had past since the incident with Surprise and Soarin' had occured. Secretly inside I was giggling and squealing, but otherwise I brushed the whole situation off entirely. The smooth rim and inside lining of my suit calmed me as I saw the enormous crowd.
They chattered about everything under the sun,
The moon was rising as Celestia and Luna themselves had shown up. This was my big night and I was determined not to fail. I waited, nervously tapping my hooves and rerunning the routine through my mind. Up. Twist. Barrel. Spread. Repeat. Wait. Free Fall. Up. I finished thinking through the rest, until my thoughts were stopped as a familiar pale blue stallion cautiously walked up to me.
"Scootaloo?" He lowered his head. I hadn't talked much to Soarin', although I would have loved to, it just felt to awkward.
"Yes?" I said turning around and sliding my goggles over my head.
"I came to wish you good luck," his eyes looked troubled.
"Oh, thanks..." I stopped and thought for a moment.
"About the other night-"
"No, it's fine, I understand. Just a mistake, completely disregard it."
"But- I-...nevermind..." he turned and left.
"Wait, Soarin'!" I took a few steps in his direction, but then changed my mind. My ears folded back.
What did he want to say?
I heard somepony say something about a 'Five minutes' so I made my way towards Spitfire. I had gone through my routine multiple times, and we had practice every day until now. I should be ready, I thought I was ready, yet I didn't feel ready.
Spitfire greeted me, outside of the open field we would be performing at.
"Ready rookie?"
"You bet! I can't wait..." my voice trailed off.
"Good, after this, I think there is somepony you'll want to meet," she winked.
I smiled, but then heard a loud voice over a loudspeaker. The voice rang out as the crowd quieted down.
"Microphonic here with the Wonderbolts! Their first show here in five years!" there was a loud cheering. I sorta zoned out after that as I followed Spitfire.
She took me up a small step that led to a platform which was underneath another platform. Judging by where the sound was coming from, I'd think it was in the middle of the area we were performing and probably up those stairs takes up to a stage of some sort.
The flight team of 12, now 13, Wonderbolts stepped up the small case of stairs leading to the stage. I followed behind, not the slightest bit of excitement passing myself. I stepped calmly, and dignified. I knew this is how I should act.
Rainbow Dash had taught me so...
I saw the moonlight glide across my face as I stepped out, the last to enter. I could hear the cheering elevate to a louder level. I felt important, proud, and...special. Which was more than anypony had done for me accept for Dash. As of the fact my mother had abandoned me as well as my father, and having no siblings along with it.
Flashes of cameras flickered among the crowd, I looked around with a smile and my chest puffed out with pride. I felt like it was endless, the wondrous moment. Almost like I was flying, without using my wings.
I was sent back into reality when Spitfire nudged me, and we took our places on the white marks that had been set out, for our starting points. I knew this was the time, the moment, the one and only moment. The time I could prove myself to the world. I was built up and prepared. Ready for everything, all the moves, and even the free fall it the end.
I could hear loud music playing in the background, not entirely sure what it was, or what the song was but...you know how it goes.
I spread my wings, in unison with everypony else as we prepared for the routine. I could feel the wing ruffle my feathers and blow through my mane. I closed my eyes momentarily, taking in the whole time. The night breeze smelled of fresh flowers that bloomed after dark. The night was calm, and silence had replaced the roaring crowd as we prepared for take-off. Tonight, yes tonight was a very special night. One I will never, and should never forget. For this time, I would show the world who I was, and what I could do.
On Que when the beginning of the music started, we shot off. First, Misty and her group had moved into a circle around my routine. The crowd below looked on in awe as we moved elegantly through the air. This came naturally.
I twisted upwards in a spiraling motion. I was almost immune to getting dizzy from all my training.
Spitfire had set into a barrel roll downwards, whereas Soarin' went upwards with his own. I, instead, flipped backwards and continued the same direction.
The sky had been cleared specifically for this event, not a cloud was in sight. The moon was bright enough to light up the area without the need of any other lights.
We sped up, all three of us together in a line. The colors of our tails behind us whipped in visible tints against the sky. I kept going forwards when fireworks shot off in colorful sparks. I smiled and closed my eyes momentarily. Soarin' to my right had spiraled down and turned back. The propelling motion of his wings shot him back up. He switched sides with Spitfire.
As soon as I recognized a piece in the song, I knew it was time for the next part. The three of us stopped beating our wings and slowed down. We stopped in mid-air. There was an awkward dead silence, but...it seemed normal enough.
I was grinning pridefully. After the few seconds had went by, we fell backwards. Flying upside down. I started to flap my wings again to regain motion.
Spitfire, Soarin', and I did a back flip, using each others' wings for thrust, we sped back forwards, twisting around each other in a specific direction. Almost like the movement for braiding. Our acceleration increased rapidly, I could feel the goggles tighten to my face as the air pressed against them. My mane rushed backwards into magenta strings. The air rustled around my ears in a comforting sound.
I knew that this was my destiny. But..I also knew that something felt wrong.
Higher and higher I climbed. I knew in order to do the free fall correctly, I needed to go up the full distance and not cut it short. I had done this many times, as well as getting distracted.
The yellow flight captain turned her eyes to me in a quick shift. I figured it was a signal, at perfect timing I realized how far we were up, the exact place to drop down.
Quickly I turned to Soarin', nodding to him. In unison, we flipped up, and turned backwards. Twisting sideways, the three of us faced forwards. My eyes narrowed with determination.
I felt the presence of the two pegasi next to me...but my mind was purely focused on what I was doing.
The force of the wind brushed against my face, I could feel the rush of adrenaline.
My wings were tucked tightly next to my sides.
The ground came closer. I felt the excitement course through my veins.
I glanced to my side to hear some ponies cheering louder than the others. I notice two mares, a unicorn and earth pony.
Sweetie Belle and Applebloom!
I felt a rush of joy fill me. I almost wanted to completely avert the free-fall and fly to them. My eyes were distracted to a flash of white and orange that zapped in front of me. Looking in that direction, I saw an almost transparent pony. Next to her, flew a rainbow-maned pegasus.
...
Things started to connect. I was confused, still staring at the two figures.
My mind spiraled into a vortex of questions.
I looked at the cyan pony. And the look on her face, it was a scream. Not a smile.
I didn't even notice at first when I came in contact with the ground. I Heard a audible 'crack'. Followed by a loud ringing in my ears that gave me a head ache...I think it was a head ache. I felt a warm liquid drizzle out of my nose, and I couldn't move my legs. Well, I couldn't move anything for that matter.
I couldn't think anymore, everything was blurry. My eye-lids felt heavy, I heard muffled gasps, screams, and the two voices of Applebloom and Sweetie Belle.
Spitfire wasn't anywhere in my view.
A few seconds later, I saw a light blue stallion run up at me, his green eyes were wide as he yelled. "Scootaloo!"
It was Soarin'
It was becoming hard for me to breathe.
The stallion knelt down and closed his eyes. He was quivering and his eyes were watering. Slowly he lowered closer. Soarin's muzzle brushed mine, and our lips came in contact. My eyes almost flashed open, but instead, they closed as well. A small tear dripped down his face and onto my cheek. Soarin's warm breath brushed against my face. It was most unexpected, but I soon found myself kissing back. After seconds that melted away as quick as ice in a fire, he leaned back and stared at me with longing eyes. He mouthed something, but I couldn't understand.
I felt as if somepony had wrapped their hooves around my sides, but I couldn't see anypony around me.
The last words I heard were in a familiar voice. A light whisper, not even that, almost like it was in my head.
"Don't worry Squirt, I've got you."
***
A white pegasus mare flicked her ear when she felt the presence of another. The clouds were dark and gray instead of fluffy white. It was cold.
"Yes?" she said, not turning from the picture she was staring at.
The other pegasus's rose eyes were lit dimly with tears. "What are we going to do, Lightning?"
"Nothing, just wait."
"Wait? But that's stupid! We have to do something!"
"No we don't, you and I both know why." Lightning said calmly, as she pushed the picture away.
The other pony snorted, "Let me go down to the hospital, please!"
"You can't, trust me-" she was interrupted.
"She is counting on me Lightning! I can't abandon her!" The rose-eyed pony raised her voice and flew out of the small cloud room.
The white pegasus sighed and let out a small smile, "Dash...oh Dash..."
My eyes slit open, what I see is blurry and discolored. The usual hues of a hospital room. I'm used to them because I ended up here quite a few times as a filly. There was no other in the room at the time, but as if on Que -this seemed to happen quite a lot the past few weeks- a pony unlocked the door and trotted in. She was followed by two others, of which I could recognize because of their mane colors.
Spitfire and Soarin'. I instantly felt guilty remembering how he had kissed me before I passed out. Then a pang of question entered my mind, Did somepony say something to me afterwards? I thought, catching only a wisp of the sentence, 'S'okay squirt, I've got your back.' When this memory returned, so did the pain and the whole crash-fall-knock-out-scene. I have no idea what time it is, or how many days I've been here.
The yellow mare and pale blue stallion stood at the sides of my bed. "How ya feeling?" Spitfire was first to break the silence.
I try to speak, but have to cough first. After clearing my throat I answer. "Fine, considering I ruined your whole show."
Soarin' looked at me. "No, of course you didn't. Everypony was worried about you, and I don't think any of them were mad."
Behind the two, the entire team of Wonderbolts had made it in silently. How could I have not noticed them enter? The first of the flight team to step up was Misty. I could almost FEEL the regret radiating off of her. "I'm sorry Scootaloo, I shouldn't have acted to you that way before the routine..." Gently, the pegasus had turned her head. "But I think you did great."
That was apparently all she had planned on saying because she stepped back behind the other ponies.
The rest of the conversation was filled with laughs, mostly, but it felt odd because I hardly knew any of the pegasi.
And to think I met them about, what? One or two weeks ago? I rambled inside my head.
Everyone had left except Spitfire and Soarin'. I guessed this was because they knew me better and we were closer friends.
The nurse had also remained. Soarin' sat in the chair to my right. He started his sentence when I notice Spitfire whisper something to the nurse.
"Have you told her yet?"
The white pony replied. "No, I thought it would be better if you did."
Soarin' was looking at me expectantly. I didn't hear what he had said earlier.
"Oh sorry, what did you say?" I honestly tried to pay attention. Tell me what?
"I said, are you mad at me?" The pale blue stallion repeated himself.
"No, of course not."
"Good, I was afraid you would be..." His voice trailed off. The silence was interrupted when the nurse spoke.
"I'm going to leave you three alone for a while, I'll come back when visiting hours are over...that should be in about ten minutes." With nothing more said, she turned and trotted out of the door.
"Squirt, there is something you need to know..." She started as soon as the mare left the room. Her voice was low and solemn.
"What is it?" I lifted my head. Curiosity burned inside. This apparently wasn't going to be good. I could tell by the darkness in her eyes.
"I...your..." she cut off, apparently she was having issues saying it. Soarin' picked up on her sentence.
"What she is trying to say Scootaloo, the damage from the crash effected a part in your brain, the part that is keeping you alive. They repaired it, but only temporarily..." he sighed. "Even if the hospital could completely heal it, there was more damage caused on the spine. Your wings would be paralyzed."
I could feel my throat crack. I knew what he was trying to say. Without allowing either of the two to say more, I shook my hoof. "No, no. It's going to be fine." I lied, pulling a smile. "Right after visiting hours, I'll see you tomorrow and everything will be fine."
Spitfire's eyes were red, but she smiled back. "Yeah...I'll see you tomorrow." Soarin' waited quietly.
"I have one more question though..."
"What is it?"
"About Lightning Fire, the dream I had. Rainbow Dash was there to and she kept talking about something I would have to figure out on my own." I paused to take a breath. "Rainbow Dash was your sister to, wasn't she." I said, thinking there was a possibility to it.
Spitfire didn't respond, and merely gave me a hug. "I'll see you when visiting hours reopen."
We both knew I wouldn't be there, but there was hope, and there was also no point in trying to clean impossible wounds.
"See ya..." I smiled in her embrace.
The yellow mare stepped back, waiting next to the door. The pale blue pegasus trotted up and held my hooves. "Your a great mare, Scoots. I wish we could have talked more before the routine. But I don't intend to sound depressive." He sighed. "But don't think of it like I'm saying so. I never said anything, and I was quite discrete about it accept for when I kissed you. But Misty was right. I love you."
I gaze openly at the walls. The steady beeping of the heart monitor to my right lulls my thoughts. All I see is my own failure. I ruined everything. And now I just stuck myself in a hospital, letting everyone pity me.
Heh, I guess I failed. I couldn't even get this simple routine down. I can pull off a Sonic Rainboom, but I can't even win a free fall. Oh Celestia, what does everypony think of me?!
I knocked my head back, slamming into the grey wall. "Why!" I clamped my eyes shut. I can already feel them tearing up. "Couldn't I have done something RIGHT?"
I screamed as it burned the back of my throat. Knowing this about Spitfire's sister, who was somehow related to Rainbow Dash hadn't helped. I wish I didn't know that...why did I even ask?
There was a low ringing in my ears, the back of my head throbbing. I could feel a warm liquid dripping down my neck. I don't even know anymore... Slowly I turned my head to look out the window. It was getting late. Clouds were gathering, "I totally forgot there was a storm planned for today." I said to myself, trying to get my mind off what was ahead. But even that was an impossible task. So much in one day to take in. Let alone what I had already failed at doing. So many more pegasi had a good chance at the contest...but I just HAD to win! And me doing that just ruined everypony. Now I'm stuck letting everyone feel bad for me. Well screw their pity...screw me... "I can't do anything right."
The light patting of raindrops on the roof erupted. It was a single-floor hospital. I wished I was outside. Dancing, flying, jumping around in the rain. I dunno...Just anything different than sitting here, just WAITING for my death. What a wonderful was to pass. Just waiting, knowing it's going to happen soon, but not knowing when. How odd.
My mind was scrambling thoughts. "I must be going insane!" I yelled, trying to get out of the bed. But I simply rolled onto the floor. A loud thud filled the room, my joints and sores aching. I swear that was a terrible idea...
"WHY DON'T YOU JUST COME IN HERE AND KILL ME ALREADY! I DON'T WANNA WAIT!" I screamed, clenching my hooves together against my chest. Slowly, a tear began to drip down my cheek. "I'm sorry...so, so sorry, Rainbow Dash..." I whimpered. All my emotions felt like that had been thrown together in a mixer, and now were being blended around.
I couldn't hang onto one thought long enough to keep it before my emotions changed- again.
I waited. Hoping a nurse or doctor would come in. But did they? NOPE. "You know what? I DON'T NEED YOU. I DON'T NEED ANY OF YOU!" My voice rasped.
I quietly whimpered again, tears streaming down my cheeks. Me lying on the floor...it made me think. Think about that night, a few weeks ago. When Dash fell. I was in her position...Maybe this was a sign, maybe I was supposed to win..."No..." I lightly said aloud. "Definitely not. If this was all meant to happen, Rainbow Dash wouldn't be dead. This is all my fault. I should have saved her. Or at least kept my promise!" My voice raised again, my head began to hurt. Everything was...blurry...I could hardly see. "I couldn't even keep my promise..."
I'm sorry, Dash, I failed...I couldn't even make you proud...
My hind hooves were beginning to get cold. I couldn't move them. What was happening? My stomach had began churning. Sickeningly twisting around giving me horrible cramps. My front hooves were hardly mobile. The blood flow on the back of my head hadn't stopped. Why hadn't anypony come in here yet? "I guess they think I'm a failure too."
I opened my eyes to look up, back out the window. The storm had cleared...very quickly. All that was left was a huge, black night sky. Stars fluttered about in the dark abyss. Like fireflies trapped in a black web.
I gave a weak smile as I looked up, and saw one small thing that gave me hope. One thing that tells me something I needed to have for reassurance in the very beginning. Something small, and simple, but just enough to give me hope.
A shooting star. With a beautiful, gleaming trail behind it of six bright colours. That of a rainbow.
I opened my mouth to speak one more time. My vision blurred again, and my head throbbing. I closed my eyes gently and spoke, feeling darkness wrap itself tightly in my head. "So...I really did make you proud?"
