"Spike! Spike, wake up," Twilight whispered to the now-awake dragon.
Fluttering his eyes opened, he saw both princesses and the Elements of Harmony all at his bedside. The latter group were staring at him in disbelief.
"How...when...wha...?" Applejack stuttered. Pinkie's mane had reinflated and she wore the same look of confusion as Applejack did.
"We thought you were...you know!" Pinkie explained, running up to him. "Are you a ghost, Spike?" she asked, poking his forehead. Spike chuckled.
"No, I'm not a ghost, Pinkie."
"But that still doesn't explain how in the world you died and came back to life, darling," Rarity replied with a look of bewilderment. Spike looked at Luna.
"That's a secret," he said, to which she smiled.
"Either way, I'm glad you're back Spike," Twilight said, "We need to meet Rainbow at Cloudsdale. She said it's for something important."
Rarity trotted to Spike's bedside and gave him a peck on the cheek, causing his purple face to turn bright red.
"I'm glad too, Spike," she whispered.
At the hospital...
"Morning, Scootaloo," Rainbow said with a smile. Scootaloo stretched and smiled back.
"Morning!"
"Hey, we're gonna go back up to Cloudsdale for flying practice, okay? The nurse said you're good to go."
"Thanks!"
"Just hop on my back and we'll be on our way. Everyone's gonna be there; Twilight and Fluttershy are gonna catch you if you get too close to the ground."
Scootaloo smiled. Even though she couldn't fly, Rainbow was the best sister she could ever hope to have. "Thanks, Rainbow!"
With that, they exited the hospital and made their way to Cloudsdale. As they flew, Scootaloo looked down; Rainbow Dash was right. The view up there was definitely worth it. The cool breeze tickling her fur, the calming blue skies, the soft clouds...it was perfect. However, since Cloudsdale wasn't too far from the hospital, they didn't have that feeling for too long. On the very edge of the town, the princesses and Elements of Harmony were gathered, waiting for the two of them.
"Hey guys," Scootaloo greeted when they landed.
"Good morning to you, Scootaloo," Celestia said.
"Why is it so early? The sun's not even up yet."
"Don't worry about that, Scootaloo. We need to get started before the weatherponies get to work," Rainbow said. Weatherponies had days off on Mondays, but luckily, Scootaloo didn't know that. She looked from Rainbow Dash to Fluttershy with all the other ponies (and Spike) in between, smiling at her.
"Where's Discord?"
Fluttershy frowned. "I have no idea! He woke up and told me he was going to Everfree Forest for a while and that he'd meet me back at the house later."
Rainbow Dash saw her sister shudder at the mention of her 'home'.
"Let's get started," she said, to which Scootaloo walked to the edge of the cloud with Twilight jumping down from her left and Fluttershy jumping down from her right.
"Remember, they're gonna catch you if you get too close to the ground."
Scootaloo nodded.
"Jump whenever you're ready, Scootaloo. I'll be right behind you. I promise," Rainbow said confidently. With a twinge of fear, Scootaloo turned from her, closed her eyes before taking a deep breath...and jumped off. The air was now rushing at her faster than she ever could've imagined. Her heart pumped quickly as she spread her wings and utilized the techniques Rainbow Dash taught her. The second she did so, she stopped moving. Opening her eyes, she was about halfway to the ground; she didn't see Twilight and Fluttershy anywhere. She was going up, so she assumed one of them had her.
"Failed again," she muttered. Just then, Rainbow Dash descended with a big smile on her face. Scootaloo almost burst into tears again.
"Well? How does it feel?"
"Like FAILURE!" She wailed as the tears flowed once again. Instinctively hugging her, Rainbow looked at her in shock.
"Woah, woah, woah! What's wrong?"
"I STILL CAN'T FLY, NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRY," she moaned, to which her sister's smile returned. She let go of Scootaloo as she wiped her tears away.
"Scootaloo, look at your wings."
She did; they were still fluttering at a fast pace. "Yeah? What about 'em?"
"Now, look up."
She did; no one was carrying her. She paused and began to cry once more...this time, tears of joy.
"I can...fly? But how?"
"As you were sleeping, the nurse performed surgery on your wings. It turns out that the injury your father caused could be easily fixed medical-wise."
Saying Scootaloo was happy was an understatement. She was so excited, Rainbow almost saw the joy pouring out of her. Technically it was, if you count tears of joy.
"I love you so much, Rainbow Dash!" she said as she embraced her in a hug. She smiled.
"We're not done yet. Come on."
Flying back up to the cloud they jumped from, they found no one there. Scootaloo's smile faded.
"Where is everybody?"
"I wanted this moment to be between me and you."
Rainbow Dash soon revealed an opened letter from the Center of Filly Adoption Services. She took out the letter and gave it to Scootaloo. She only needed to read the first sentence before her heart stopped.
It read:
Ms. Dash,
After a thorough examination of the application you sent and your qualifications, we have deemed you well-qualified to take care of Scootaloo under your name. She will now be known as your official sister unless stated otherwise.
"You...you..."
"We'll get your stuff from Everfree later, 'kay?"
Scootaloo tackled Rainbow with a tight hug and tears flowing down her face from happiness.
"Happy birthday, Scootaloo," she whispered as the sun slowly rose over the horizon.
Everfree Forest
Discord looked at a picture with the princesses, the Elements of Harmony, and Spike all gathered together wearing huge smiles. He chuckled.
"I'm pretty lucky, aren't I?" he muttered before thinking something that made him shudder in fear.
"I wonder..."