//------------------------------//
// Chapter 2: Training 
// Story: Truly Sisters 
// by Safaia Bara 
//------------------------------//

As they landed, Scootaloo tumbled off of Rainbow Dash's back, rolling through the grass with a small grunt.

"Oof!"

Dash collapsed on the ground in laughter, "Y-you okay there, Scoots?"

"Yeah, I think so," she coughed as she stood up. Shaking the dirt from her mane and coat, she stumbled closer to her surrogate sister, "Stop laughing. It wasn't that funny," she whined, but her lips twitched trying to hide her own smile.

As she finished ruffling the remaining dust out of her wings, she may have accidentally smacked Rainbow Dash on the ear with her tail. Scootaloo gave the older Pegasus a cheeky grin. Rainbow smirked back.

"Ooh, you really shouldn't have done that, Squirt. You're messing with the wrong pony."

Before Scootaloo had a chance to blink, she was pinned flat on her back with the elder pony looming over her with a menacing grin on her face.

"No, no, no! Please Rainbow Dash! I'm sorry! I'm sor- hahaha! I'm- haha!" Her pleas fell on deaf ears as Rainbow ran her hooves up and down her sides and across her stomach mercilessly. The tickling lasted until the little filly had tears in her eyes from laughing so hard. She hiccuped a few times before sighing in relief when Dash finally stepped away from her.

"Now, Scoots, what have we learned today?"

The orange Pegasus grinned up at her, "I should never mess with my big sister?"

Rainbow Dash returned the smile with a warm one of her own, "Ya got that right." She sat down and crossed her forelegs over her chest, "Okay, time to get to work. Show me whatcha got."

The filly jumped to her feet excitedly and began flapping her wings as fast and as hard as she could. She was hovering about half a foot off of the ground for all of five seconds when-

"Woah, woah, hold it. Stop for a sec, Scoots." Scootaloo dropped onto her stomach and frowned.

"What's wrong?"

Rainbow trotted over to her and helped her to her hooves, "I think I figured out what the problem is. Your form is all off."

"Form? What do you mean?"

Rainbow paused, mulling over her words, "There's a certain...artistry to flight," her voice became more serious, and Scootaloo leaned in closer, listening with rapt attention, "I like to call it the four 'S's. Speed, strength, stamina, and style. I've seen you on that scooter, and you've got the first three down, no problem. It's the last one we need to work on.

Scootaloo looked up at her in confusion, her head tilted to the side. Dash smiled.

"Watch me." The cyan mare began beating her wings in a steady rhythm and lifted herself off of the ground with ease. She allowed herself to float there for a few more moments before touching down lightly on her hooves, "Now, what did I do differently?"

Scootaloo looked at her mentor, then back at her own feeble wings, then back a t Dash again, "You have bigger wings than me," she muttered. Rainbow could detect a hint of jealousy hidden in her voice. She just smiled and shook her head.

"No, I asked you what I did that was different. The size of your wings has got nothing to do with it."

"But I thought-"

"A perfect example is Bulk Biceps. He's what, twenty times bigger than you? And his wings are only half the size of yours? If wing size mattered, there is no way he should even be able to pick himself up off the ground."

The younger pony pondered that for a moment before giggling. Dash grinned.

"See? If he can do it, I know you can, too. We just need to work on your technique."




The two Pegasi spent the next few hours practicing Scootaloo's flying technique. The orange filly was enthralled with how knowledgeable Rainbow was in aerodynamics and the mechanics of flight. She wasn't all that surprised, though; Dash was the best flyer in all of Equestria after all.

And Scootaloo picked it up extremely quickly. By the end of their first lesson, she was able to tell wind direction and catch the air currents to glide and change her course easily.

"Great job, Squirt. You're doing better than even I expected," Scootaloo beamed with pride, " I think this calls for a reward. How about...a round of milkshakes at Sugarcube Corner?"

The filly' eyes lit up, "Awesome! Can we? Please?"

Rainbow laughed, "Of course. Hop on, kid."

The orange Pegasus squeezed her eyes shut as the wind rushed past her face. The arrived at Ponyville's resident sweets shop in minutes.

"So, what flavor do you want?"

"Chocolate!"

Dash chuckled at her sister's enthusiasm, "Sure thing, Squirt. Why don't you go grab us a table while I get the drinks?"

Scootaloo gave her a playful salute and trotted off to find a window seat. While she was waiting for her drink, she reflected on how amazing her day was going. She was one lucky filly.

"Hey, Scootaloser."

Oh, great.

"Go. Away."

"What are you going to do? Sic Rainbow Dash on us?" Diamond Tiara looked around, "I don't see her. Did she abandon you, too?"

"I wouldn't be surprised. Looks like nopony wants to be around her." Silver Spoon added. Both of them laughed.

Scootaloo glared at them before a smirk found its way onto her face, "Leave me alone, or you're going to regret it."

"Oh, I'm so scared." Diamond mocked.

"You should be."

The two earth pony fillies jumped at the new voice behind them.

Rainbow walked around them and placed a tray of drinks on the table.

"You two again? I guess you didn't get the hint earlier, huh? Leave Scoots and the other Crusaders alone."

This time Diamond Tiara stood her ground and glared at Rainbow Dash, "Why should I listen to you. My daddy is the most powerful pony in Ponyville. He-"

The mare's laughter cut her off, "You honestly think that I'm afraid of you're father? Listen, kid. I've fought a possessed princess, an army of changelings, and the Master of Chaos himself. I think I can handle a spoiled little filly and her rich daddy," she glared out her wings, "Now scram. And leave my sister and her friends alone."

Diamond Tiara stuck her muzzle in the air and trotted out of the shop with what little dignity she had left. Silver Spoon followed, but not before sticking her tongue out at them foalishly.

Dash waited and watched until the door swung shut behind them. She gave an indignant snort and started muttering under her breath.

"Pick on my sister, huh?" "Not on my watch, ya don't."

The cyan mare turned around and saw Scootaloo staring at her, slack-jawed. Dash looked at her with concern, "Scoots, you okay?"

The younger Pegasus swallowed audibly, "That...was...awesome! Nopony has ever told them off like that before! Not even Miss Cherilee! Rainbow Dash, you are the best big sister ever!"

Rainbow blushed as she trotted closer and sat down next to Scootaloo. She wrapped a foreleg around her withers and gave her an affectionate noogie, "Hey, nopony messes with my little sister. And if they even try, I'll kick they're flank from here to Canterlot."

And she meant it. Rainbow had always had a soft spot for the orange Pegasus filly, even before the camping incident. But, that night put their relationship into perspective for her. She finally understood how much of an influence she had on Scootaloo. And she planned on living up to the little girl's expectations.

If she wanted Rainbow Dash to be her big sister, then Rainbow Dash would be her big sister. Simple as that.

A calm silence enveloped them.

When their drinks were half gone, Rainbow started a new conversation, "So, Scoots, I was thinking. For that family fair next weekend...what if we did an aerobatics performance? With the progress you made today, I'm pretty sure we could get you up in the air for a few tricks. If not, those moves you do on that scooter of yours are radical! Maybe we could-"

Scootaloo stopped drinking mid-sip and choked on her shake. She coughed and sputtered while Dash patted her on the back. Eventually, she was able to take a few deep, slow breaths. She winced, her throat hurting. She took a long sip of her drink and sighed in relief, letting the cold milkshake soothe her sore throat. She looked up into Dash's concerned rose-colored eyes.

"Hey, you okay, Squirt? You scared me for a second there."

But a wide smile threatened to split her face in two. She started bouncing up and down in her seat excitedly, "The fair? You and me? Really?"

Rainbow Dash gave her a warm smile, "Sure. I mean, we are sisters, right? Unless you have other plans?" She arched a brow skeptically.

"Nope!" the filly grinned. Rainbow chuckled as she took a peek out the widow behind Scootaloo. The sun was starting to set, almost touching the snow capped mountains in the distance.

"Well, we'd better get going if we wanna make it to Sweet Apple Acres before dark. C'mon, kiddo."

Scootaloo nodded and chugged down the rest of her shake. She suddenly clutched her head and winced in pain.

"Scoots?"

"I'm...fine..." she let out a deep breath and chuckled, "Brain freeze..."

Rainbow Dash laughed and ruffled her sister's mane, "You're such a silly filly, you know that?" she grinned and hopped out of her chair, the orange Pegasus following close behind.

Once outside, Dash silently gestured for Scootaloo to climb onto her back. They were in the air seconds later, flying in the opposite direction of the Apple family's farm.

"Um, Rainbow? You do know that Sweet Apple Acres is the other way, right?"

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and snorted, "Pssh, of course I know that. But you can't have a sleepover without your sleeping bag, can you? So we've gotta hit your place first to pick it up," Even though she couldn't see the color drain from the filly's face, she felt Scootaloo's body tense up, "Hey, what's the matter?"

"Noth-nothing's the matter. Why would you think something was wrong? I'm fine," she said unconvincingly.

Dash sighed. She wasn't going to get any info out of the kid...at least, not at the moment.

"So, which house is yours?"

"That pinkish one on the left over there." Dash banked around and landed on the front doorstep with a soft thump. The house was almost completely dark, save for a small light emanating from the back room.

With a resigned sigh, Scootaloo slid off of the older pony's back and slowly trotted up to the door. It opened with a creak.

"Mom, I'm home."