"Flying isn't something that comes naturally to all pegasi Viral, it takes practice. Even I wasn't the best at it at your age." Lightning attempted to cheer up her daughter after another attempt failed to keep Viral airborne for more than a couple seconds.
"How are you so good at it?! I thought all pegasi were like that." Viral countered.
"That may seem like it, but not every pegasi has a talent in flying. I'm just one of the lucky ones. I was born with natural ability. Look at your uncle Sky though. He was the slowest to catch on, but now he's a Wonderbolt..." Lightning caught herself on that. Sky had a few years of age on her but she was still the better flyer. She always had been, but seeing Sky now holding the family honor of the Wonderbolt made her jealous. She had her chance at it, and now it was no longer. Not that she wanted it any more. The likelihood of her getting along with Rainbow after all this time was still slim to none.
"Does that mean any pony can be a Wonderbolt mamma?"
"Hold on there Little V, that's far from true. Wonderbolt's spend their entire lives training for the chance to be among the best. Even then, only so many ponies are picked to be honored with the chance to show their potential to Captain Spitfire and the others."
Lightning followed her daughter back inside, the crimson filly all but exhausting herself trying to get off the ground. She was still young, but Lightning was at least feeling proud that Viral's spirit and drive was definitely there. She managed to serve them up a quick and simple breakfast to get them by. Lightning knew she wasnt at all equipped to cook, but Vapor had been kind enough to lend her some tips in time. It was enough that Lightning could take care of both of them without Vapor or Sky constantly visiting to keep tabs on them.
Lightning Had taken her own steps in improving herself. Despite her Wonderbolt dream being for not she still kept herself physically healthy. She didn't do as much as when she was training, in part because she wasn't only taking care of herself. She had also begun to act more mature than she was in the Academy, attempting to set a good example for Viral so her daughter wouldn't make the same mistakes. After all, she was approaching a critical age where she would need to start finding herself. Flight school was fast approaching.
"You have flight school starting up a about a weeks time. At this rate, you should be decently ahead of all your peers. You're already getting off the ground."
"You think I'll be the popular filly mom?"
"Woah now, I think your more than popular. Your on pace to be a star attraction."
The filly jumped across the table and planted her head comfortably into her mother's chest. While taken off guard, Lightning pulled off a smile.
"Hey Viral, you realize what your doing?"
It had not yet registered in the filly's mind that the way she had made her way towards her mother had in fact gotten her airborne. The filly was hovering comfortably, her emotions driving her ability past what she thought she was capable of.
"She's doing really well, though it seems she does better with positive motivation."
"Regardless..." Sky commented. "She's progressing at a pace akin to you."
Viral was flying laps around her mother and uncle as they made their way to opening day of flight school as a trio. To Lightning, it was a big occasion. Her time at flight school was marked with some less than ideal scenarios, including discipline issues. Thankfully, Viral did not seem to share these traits. She was in fact eager to meet other Pegasi of her age, and show off her abilities.
The school, as was common, was up in the clouds. Most foals at Viral's age would be assisted by their parents, but Viral made it up to the yard on her own just fine with her family. She strode to the door with pride, and in her haste to enter ran headlong into a white colt.
"Heh, sorry."
"No big deal, you one of the new kids?"
"Yeah, Viral Velocity. You?"
"Ash Wind."
"Making new friends already little one?" A raspy voice turned the corner, revealing a bright yellow Pegasus mare. "Nice, just don't get carried away. I don't want you hurting yourself at such a young age."
"Mom, stop babying me. I can take care of myself!"
"Sure thing, now I'll be..."
The mare locked eyes with Lightning Dust as she and Sky Stinger followed Viral into the school. Sky notably tensed up, seeing his captain and sister in the same room and knowing the history between them.
"Didn't expect to see you here Dust."
"What, can't accompany family on a big occasion?"
"Look, it's nice that you want to see your family grew up and flourish. I just don't want that hindering my son's own future."
The young foals in the room met each other's eyes for a second.
"Ma'am, she doesn't want any trouble. I, or we, didn't even know Ash went to school here."
"He transferred out here to be with his friends outside of Cloudsdale. Pardon me, I do have places to be." Spitfire excused herself from the scene, having already dropped off her colt for the time being.
Lightning sighed, several negative emotions filling her.
"Of course I had to run into her again." She got down to the level of her daughter. "Viral, I know you'll do your best as a flyer. However, it's important you behave well okay? I'll know if there's any trouble you get involved in."
The filly nodded, and Ash Wind gave her a playful nudge.
"We should get going, class is starting soon."
Lightning watched on as the pair retreated into the classes, she and Sky taking off to go scratch off time while they waited for the class to finish.
For Viral, it was as school was for any filly her age. Thankfully, she wasn't alone as she and Ash meshed well together. Both of them were strong flyers, and among their classmates were the two that stood out. It was a long day of introductions, and some learning about basic flight mechanics. For the pair, it was mostly basics that their respective parents had already taken care of teaching them. It seemed to them that they were ahead of the curve in terms of experience.
Soon enough came the first test flights for the class. Ash was among the first, as the foals took turns in alphabetical order.
"Good luck." Viral gave a word of encouragement to her newest companion.
Ash made quick work of the cloud rings, having been much faster than the one that went before him. The son of the Wonderbolt Captain made the course look like a routine day and rejoined his class.
"Fantastic Ash, looks like we have a benchmark class. No pressure, just do your best and don't be afraid to ask for help." The teacher have words of encouragement.
It took some time, and after all of the class had gone on ahead of her it was Viral's turn to take a shot.
Inside her head, her mind connected to a rhythm. She knew what she was capable of, and as she got ready to start a beat kicked off in her head. She had no idea what it was, but it drove her motivation. She took off, equal to Ash's pace.
She made the rings look like a cloudless sky as she danced around flawlessly. She did it so fast, she didn't even realize she was coming into land until she about bounced off the cloud layer her class was standing on. She shrugged off the rough landing.
"Well and truly done, but I think your landing could use some work. In fact, that's one thing you always need to keep in mind class. Landing safely is vital when learning how to fly, it can help prevent injury. You are released, we will see you all next week." The lead teacher dismissed the class.
Viral went to leave just a little distraught but was held up as Ash pulled her aside.
"That was awesome Viral."
"Thanks, even though I flopped the landing."
"Your ok, that's what matters. I've got to get going but maybe after class next week we could hang out?"
"I'd love to, but I'll need to make sure its ok with mom first."
"Don't sweat it, I know how that feels. My mom still treats me like a child, some of my friends find it cute buts it's more embarrassing than anything."
They pair exchanged goodbyes and parted ways, Ash finding Spitfire rather easily. It took Viral a minute wait for Lightning to show up to grab the filly and bring her home.
Viral was confident she had made a life time friend.