Chapter 2 – A Conversation with a Hero
So far, things were going well. Ever since Scootaloo had come to Ponyville, she had been able to make so many new friends. Ponies smiled when they saw her, and it almost felt as if Scootaloo really had a place here for herself.
Her mentors had explained it to her, but it still was a little confusing. Due to their magical research, with Scootaloo being in the past, events would be changed for the better, so long as Scootaloo did her best to make ponies happy, become their friends, and encourage them to make the world brighter. They described their own lives without having some pony like Scootaloo around, and their projections suggested that Scootaloo’s mere presence could help avoid the catastrophe, or if nothing else better prepare for it. But how could one pony make that big of a difference for the future?
It was hard, just pretending to be a normal filly when so much dread and foreboding knowledge stewed in her mind. None of the major signs had appeared yet though, so she could allow herself to relax a little and be a kid. After all, being a kid was kind of part of her mission.
Scootaloo flapped her wings and zipped down the dirt road on her new scooter. Well, new wasn’t exactly the right word. At the very least, it was new to her. How some pony could just toss it out was beyond her own comprehension.
She was on her way into Ponyville from her home when she noticed a unique sight. A single cloud floated above her, and a tail that held the color of the rainbow leaned off of the side, as if the little nimbus was a couch.
Scootaloo’s wings slowed down, and so thus, so did she. Her heart increased in pace, and her eyes widened.
“It’s her,” Scootaloo thought. “Maybe this is my chance to –”
She swallowed hard. A dozen thoughts emerged into the forefront of her mind, and none of them were allowed.
Scootaloo had to keep things distant, otherwise she was liable to break down. If she did that, would the monsters see it? Would they come for her?
Then again, this was Rainbow Dash. Of all of the ponies in all of Equestria, both past, present, and future, Rainbow Dash had always been her favorite. No pony was as cool as her, and no pony one could dream of doing the things the greatest mare in the universe could do.
Scootaloo winced. “Rainbow Dash!”
The cloud didn’t move, nor did the tail.
The young orange filly gulped and then called out again. “Rainbow Dash!!!”
Still nothing.
Scootaloo drew in a deep breath. “RAINBOW DASH!”
Instantly, Rainbow Dash peered over the side of the cloud, an angry glare plastered on her cyan-colored face.
“WHAT?!” Rainbow Dash screamed back.
Scootaloo back-stepped off of her scooter and shrank down into the dirt road. Her eyes watered, and she tucked herself into the smallest little ball she could. The scooter fell over into the dirt.
Oh no! What had she done? The last thing she wanted to do was make Rainbow Dash angry at her. It took enormous will to keep the tears from flowing out.
Rainbow Dash’s facial expression altered, and her eyes grew more sympathetic. She hopped off of the cloud and took flight.
Great fear took hold of her, and Scootaloo closed her eyes and braced herself. Would the incredible, most splendid pony ever come down to discipline her further? Scootaloo shouldn’t have been so pestering. After all, clearly, Rainbow Dash was napping.
Hoofs landed on the dirt road in front of her.
“Hey…” Rainbow Dash said. “I’m really sorry I snapped at you. I’m just really grumpy when I wake up from my naps.”
Slowly, Scootaloo opened her eyes and gazed up at her idol. Those ruby irises no longer carried ire, but a soothing shimmer.
“Hold it together,” Scootaloo thought. “Don’t break down. Don’t lose heart. Keep it inside.”
She couldn’t help but sniffle.
Rainbow Dash leaned down beside her, and she gave Scootaloo a smile.
“Hey,” Rainbow said. “It’s okay. I’m not scary, I promise. Can you stand up for me?”
Scootaloo nodded and rose up so she was upright. The blue mare towered over her. A great swelling threatened to overtake Scootaloo, but she kept it suppressed.
“I’ve not seen you around before,” Rainbow said. “Are you new in town?”
Scootaloo nodded. “Yeah.” She wiped her face on her hoof. “I’m Scootaloo, and I’m… one of your biggest fans.”
The cyan-colored pegasus frowned. “You are? I mean, I’m totally radical, but I didn’t know I had fans.”
Scootaloo grinned. “You’re amazing, Rainbow Dash! You won the young flier’s competition, and you’re the best cloud clearer in all of Equestria.”
Rainbow placed a hoof on her chest and she smirked. “I am pretty awesome.”
“You’re going to be a Wonderbolt one day too!” Scootaloo said.
For a brief moment, Rainbow Dash’s delight faltered. She let out an awkward giggle. “Yeah, I sure hope so.”
“But you will!” Scootaloo said. “I know you will. You’re dedicated to the dream, right? And you’re the only pony who has ever done a Sonic Rainboom.”
Rainbow Dash gave Scootaloo a critical stare for a moment. “You know about that too, huh?”
The tension in Scootaloo’s stomach had grown with every second that she and Rainbow Dash stood looking at one another. However, Scootaloo couldn’t bear to leave.
“Yeah,” Scootaloo averted her eyes for a moment. “You’re so inspiring. So many ponies are watching you, waiting for you to show them that impossibilities are possible. All it takes is hard work, determination, and the will to make the world brighter.” Her eyes grew a little wetter. “You’re a beacon in the darkness, and so many ponies are searching for beacons to help guide them to their own dreams.”
Rainbow Dash’s eyes grew a little wider, and her mouth fell open a little.
Scootaloo continued. “I’m watching you too.” She frowned. “My wings are still not strong enough to fly, and yet, watching you gives me hope that one day, I’ll be able to soar alongside you. You give me strength and courage. That’s why it’s important for you to be a Wonderbolt one day. We need you to be bright.”
“Wow…” Rainbow Dash said. She still peered down at Scootaloo with wide eyes that sought meaning in Scootaloo’s words.
“I hope I didn’t bother you, because I look up to you so much.” Scootaloo had to look away. She focused on a tree standing at the side of the road. “You’re so important to me. More so than you know.”
“You really believe in me that much, huh?” Rainbow Dash asked.
Scootaloo glanced back at the cyan-colored pegasus and nodded.
The wind blew past them and it caused Rainbow Dash’s mane to flow off to the side. Her wings opened up and she stood poised over Scootaloo like a princess.
“Thanks, kid.” Rainbow Dash smiled. “I really needed to hear that. You’re right! I WILL become a Wonderbolt one day.” She flapped her wings and rose into their air, while still keeping eye contact locked with Scootaloo. “Keep watching me, Scootaloo, and get better yourself. I look forward to flying with you one day!”
Tears streamed down Scootaloo’s face as she grinned back at the most splendid of all ponies.
Rainbow Dash twirled about in the air and the soared away with such incredible speed. A rainbow trail followed her.
Instead of going to a cloud to nap again, Rainbow started doing air tricks and loops in the sky above Scootaloo.
Scootaloo grabbed her scooter and leaned it against the side of the road. She sat down and stared up at the rainbow streaks. Even though she openly sobbed, these weren’t sad tears. Her heart flickered with an intense fire. Granted, there were small cold spots on her blazing heart, but for now, Scootaloo only wanted to focus on the good.
She got to talk to Rainbow Dash, and she even earned a smile from her. Today was going to be a good day.
Coming Soon… Chapter 3 – A Reprieve for Reflection