//------------------------------// // Chapter 6: Take These Broken Wings // Story: Kindness and Loyalty // by frenettek314 //------------------------------// Now unless you were living underneath a rock..... or the Pie family's rock farm, you would know that Rainbow Dash was one of the fastest and most talented pegasi to fly through the equestrian atmosphere. Everypony who was anypony would also know that a certain orange filly always watched Rainbow Dash's air theatrics in awe. So much so, that it kind of looked like Rainbow Dash had a stalker from a different perspective.. However, Rainbow was completely aware of the young Scootaloo's presence and accepted her enthusiasm with great pride. Who would an athletic pony like Rainbow Dash be without her loyal fanbase after all. The first time Scootaloo saw Rainbow perform a sonic rainboom captured her gaze with such grace and style that she devoted herself to learn how to fly..... despite the stubbornness of her immature wings. The bold orange pegasus took time through sleet and snow to try and fly, to be able to lift off the ground for more than a few seconds.... but alas, each and every attempt was met with failure and disappointment. Rainbow, who would only ever abandon her cocky shell for her and Fluttershy would tell Scootaloo that it would all be ok, and that she too would fly one day. But days turned into months and months turned into years. As time grew, Scootaloo would meet Rainbow's encouragement with less devotion and passion and more subtle skepticism. Scootaloo began to give up on that foresaken dream..... she knew her naive belief in flight was coming to a halt. Currently, at Fluttershy's Cottage: The trio of cottage-mates were starting their day with a delectable healthy serving of eggs and toast, always cooked to perfection by Fluttershy. Silence was present throughout the dining room for several minutes until the food had disappeared from each of their plates - each pony's belly filled with a warm taste of satisfaction. As the three began to clean up, Rainbow asked Scootaloo what she had planned on this surprisingly warm winter Saturday. "Well, the other day I went to take a look at Pipsqueak's bicycle and I soon enough was able to fix it. So now, I'm going to see if there's any possible modifications I can do on my scooter" stated Scootaloo with a pleasant smile and a tone that indicated she was indeed intrigued by the idea. "That sounds good. I guess those lessons with Twilight have you interested in mechanics huh?" asked Fluttershy who took a break from cleaning the dishes to hear more on Scootaloo's sudden interest. "Yeah. It's cool what I can do with my own four hooves when I try" stated Scootaloo with a sense of pride and appreciation that was more commonly displayed ever since she began living with the two pegasi respectively. "Well, I think I know what you can do with your own two wings" spoke Rainbow Dash upon finishing the last clean dish that Fluttershy gave for her to air-dry. "Oh... well....." began Scootaloo as her heart shrunk, realizing that her sudden interests could jeopardize her and Rainbow's sisterly bond. "Let's go do some training today, what do you say?" asked Rainbow, seemingly unaware of the quick shift in reaction Scootaloo had developed. "Sure. Sounds good to me" assured Scootaloo as she did her best at conveying a realistic smile and chirpy voice. Fluttershy, however noticed the look of dis-interest that transpired on Scootaloo's face for a quick second. She was well aware that something was wrong with the filly inside her cottage while Rainbow Dash was blissfully unaware of these events, probably imagining the idea of a training session inside her head. "You know, you don't have to fly if you don't want to..." began Fluttershy as she wanted to provide a moment of understanding to the small pegasus. "ARE YOU KIDDING?! Scootaloo's been wanting to fly ever since she met me. Isn't that right?" boasted Rainbow Dash as the look on her face suggested the very idea of Scootaloo not wanting to fly was absurd. "Yeah... right." claimed Scootaloo as she quickly regained that forced smile as she saw a look of approval from her beloved idol. "Come on. I know the perfect spot for gliding" stated the cyan mare as she led the young filly right alongside the edge of the cottage and the Everfree Forest. "Gliding.... Because I'm SO good at that" mumbled Scootaloo silently enough for neither Rainbow Dash or Fluttershy to hear as the two quickly began their trek. Two Hours Later....... Needless to say, Scootaloo never got the hang of gliding in the wind, no matter what attempt at training Rainbow had suggested. However, it was clear to Fluttershy who silently watched from a distance that Scootaloo wasn't as eager at trying as she used to be. She would get up and try again, but she didn't showcase the effort she had before; by the end of the two hour long "glide" fest, Scootaloo practically began to jump off the short cliff and fall without opening up her wings all with a look of boredom and growing impatience. Rainbow however is not good at noticing subtle......well, any details. "Alright Rainbow. I think I'm done for today. My wings hurt too much for me to continue. If you need me, I'll be in the basement with my scooter" stated Scootaloo as she quickly recovered from the last attempt and began walking away. "Hold up, Scoots" Rainbow said, blocking the filly's exit with her extended wing. "I want you to try that again". "Rainbow, I told you I'm done. My body aches." countered Scootaloo who bore a look of frustration at the older pegasus's persistence. Something that told Fluttershy it was time to step in. "I think she's right, Rainbow. If Scootaloo doesn't want to, we can't force her" agreed Fluttershy who silently prayed this message would reach the stubborn mare. It did not. "But, Fluttershy. She's so close. If we do a couple more tries, I think she may have it" argued Rainbow This was the breaking point for Scootaloo. Not only was she becoming painfully aware at the fact she would never fly, she finally found something that vanquished that dream, only for Rainbow to be more stubborn than ever and fail to realize that she wanted nothing to do with flying anymore. Tears quickly began to form in the corners of her eyes as she began to glare at the mare, who once motivated her but now was acting nothing more than a nuisance who couldn't comprehend her new passion. Scootaloo was beyond livid. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!" yelled Scootaloo, causing Rainbow and Fluttershy to both focus on her with jaws agape. "ARE YOU BLIND?!?! I WASN'T EVEN CLOSE TO LEVITATING LET ALONE FLYING!" "Scoots, don't beat yourself up... we'll get there" interrupted a calm speaking Rainbow who instantly began to notice the filly's flustered demeanor. Scootaloo wanted none of that. "NO! WE WON'T GET THERE! DO YOU REALIZE HOW LONG I'VE BEEN TRYING TO BE LIKE YOU?! TO FLY LIKE YOU?! I WAS NEVER EVEN CLOSE TO FLYING AND I DON'T WANT TO ANYMORE! YOU REALLY THINK I WANT TO BE CONSTANTLY REMINDED THAT I CAN'T DO SOMETHING YOU DO WITH EASE?!" screamed Scootaloo as she ran away back inside the cottage crying, relief form her outburst finally being released after all these years. Rainbow however sat there in shock with Fluttershy mimicking her. Finally, Fluttershy spoke up, with a sense of disappointment aimed at Rainbow. "You know, she's been silently expressing disinterest for quite a while". Rainbow failed to respond to Fluttershy's previous statement and began to slowly walk back after quickly wiping her tears. "What are you doing?" Fluttershy asked with heavy concern. "Fixing what I started" said Rainbow matter- of- factly. Later, in Scootaloo's Room: From the young filly's bedroom, you could hear muffled crying emitting. The exasperation and sadness in her voice made the sobs slow and drawn-out. Rainbow quickly flinched at the realization of the hurt she had caused for Scootaloo before steely readying herself to enter with a somber expression. As the door slowly opened, Scootaloo paused in between sobs and sniffling to look up and discover who was entering before casting yet another angry glare. "I told you I don't want to fly anymore. Leave me alone!" snarled Scootaloo as she proceeded to quickly turn away from the older pegasus. "Whoever said you had to fly for me to be with a pony?" asked Rainbow Dash in a quip that was very odd in the more serious atmosphere the two ponies were in. The quip however caused Scootaloo to cease crying and glance up in a look of confusion. Rainbow took the expression as an order to further explain herself. She quietly trotted over to the bed and sat down on the edge, right next to the curious Scootaloo. "Scoots. It wouldn't be true for me to say I don't like flying. I love flying. It's my favorite thing to do and I've loved it since I was a foal. I wouldn't trade flying for anything in the world and I think we both know that. But you're not me. You don't have to be me. I knew you looked up to me, but I didn't realize how deep that idea had gone". Rainbow briefly paused to get a better look at Scootaloo, she was actively paying attention to every word spoken with a look of pure dedication that was never seen before. Rainbow knew this was the Scootaloo she remembered. "But that doesn't mean you need to act like me, better yet, fly like me. I only trained you so hard because I thought flying was something you WANTED, not something you thought you needed". Scootaloo finally took the chance to speak, her tears and emotions finally coming to a stop, exchanging more of a sympathetic expression. "I did want to fly at first. But the more and more times I tried, I lost interest. I didn't want to keep going but I always thought you wouldn't want anything to do with me if I said anything". At this reveal, Rainbow's eyes quickly grew in size to where she went pale in the face. How could she have been so blind to her "sister's" feelings. "Oh Scoots" she stammered, tears silently escaping again. "I would never do that and I'm sorry if anything I did suggested that. I love you for who Scootaloo is - the smart, kind, dependable, and enthusiastic pony you are- not for the pony who wanted to impersonate me. I will always love you, no matter what dream you pursue, and I will always root for you no matter what you do. I'm sorry I was so stupid" she said before she began choking on her own sobs, analyzing how much her actions had stressed the young filly. At this, Scootaloo sat back in shock, before gaining a bright smile on her face and the knowledge that Rainbow was being sincere for the loyal pony she was. Scootaloo quickly hugged Rainbow's soft, warm body and silently whispered, "Thank you". Before Rainbow had the chance to smile back, she quickly remembered something and ran to her bedroom and back to give Scootaloo a box. "What is it?" Scootaloo asked curiously. "A tool box. Every mechanic has got to have one.... or that's what the pony at the store said" responded Rainbow. At this, Scootaloo, who now knew her days of pretending to be interested in flying were over, quickly snuggled into Rainbow out of appreciation. Before the two ponies embraced fully once again, Rainbow quickly added, "Next time, just tell me if something is wrong. I promise I'll always love you". Fluttershy, who was downstairs frantically waiting for Rainbow and/or Scootaloo to come back down, finally decided she was going to investigate what was happening upstairs. However, when she got there, she stopped and smiled at the adorable display of Scootaloo and Rainbow cuddled up next to each other, fast asleep. No matter which direction Scootaloo headed, she was now confident somepony would always be there for her, lending a wing or maybe just a hoof.