//------------------------------// // Off the Ground // Story: A New Family // by hannahs98 //------------------------------// A New Family: Off the Ground By hannahs98 ******AUTHOR'S NOTE: (since I'm well above 1,000 anyways) This story is tagged romance. No, it is not between Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash. It will not be R-rated. (that's why this story is tagged for everyone). Anyways, this chapter show's Rainbow Dash's soft side for Scootaloo. So don't be alarmed that she's not as mischievous and devilish as usual. It's a process, darlings~ c; ***** With that being said, begin chapter 2!(: Critiques, anyone? Message me! "There." Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo unhauled their load of books onto the floor of the CMC clubhouse. Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash each picked up books and began to read... Although Rainbow Dash was quite experienced with flying; she was absolutely oblivious about teaching little fillies how to fly. Rainbow's thoughts drifted to the good memories of her Junior Speedster camp when she was learning how to fly. ===== Scootaloo sighed as she dropped what seemed like the hundredth book she read and groaned inwardly. This was going to take forever! She'll never be able to learn how to fly like the other fillies in Miss Cheerilee's class... She sighed dejectedly and squeezed her eyes shut while trying not to concentrate on her innermost insecurities. Dash peeked over the top of her book and glanced over at Scootaloo as her mind wandered once again to the thought of having Scootaloo as her little sister as well as mentoring her over many things! First flying, then tricks, and many more things that we would both enjoy! Her chest puffed out as she felt the familiar sensation of pride. Rainbow turned her focus to Scootaloo once more. "Aww, Scoot. Don't give up now! After we finish reading and collecting info, we'll go outside and start training right away!" Dash declared with a triumphant note in her voice. Scootaloo rolled over and crossed her eyes in annoyance before picking up another book. She read the cover. How to Fly Like a Pro! By Marelyn Skye Scootaloo opened the book; renewed with interest. She flipped to a random page and began to read. Her eager eyes skimmed each page; lustful for knowledge. After what seemed like hours, she was finally done with the book. She shut it closed with a snap and plopped it on the floor. She stared at the cover. "Are you ready, Dash?" No response. "Dash?" she called again and searched around the clubhouse frantically. She huffed cynically and thought darkly, I knew it. She backed out again. She never really meant it. How can she deserve the element of loyalty when she just makes empty promises to hopeful fillies like me? Rainbow Dash refused from the start to train me because I'm weak. Well, I'll show her. I'll show them all! There was a knock on the door. "Go away!" Scootaloo yelled. She turned her eyes away from the door and pouted while scuffing her hoof on the floor. Rainbow Dash opened the door and stared at her. "What's the matter? I just went to pick up two cupcakes for the both of us from Sugarcube Corner! It's going to be hard work learning to fly and I thought we could get our energy up before starting this task!" She flapped her wings as she hovered noiselessly over the clubhouse floor. Scootaloo wiped away her tears and realized she had been. Her lips trembled as she turned around to face Rainbow Dash with wide, frightened eyes. "I'm sorry for my outburst," she whimpered. "I thought.. maybe you... had abandoned me again... or didn't want to teach me..." Scootaloo's voice trailed away to an ashamed mumble as looked away; her cheeks flushing in embarrassment. "...are you mad at me?" "Of course not, Scoot! So... whaddya say? Are ya ready to blow this joint?" Dash grinned slyly and tossed the box to Scootaloo, who opened the package, offered one to Rainbow Dash and giggled before stuffing her face with the chocolate flavored cupcake. Rainbow Dash laughed as she packed in her own cupcake as well; accidentally smearing chocolate frosting all over her snout before licking it off abruptly with a contented sigh. "Now come on!" Rainbow Dash offered her front hooves to Scootaloo as she beat her wings rhythmically. Scootaloo quickly finished the rest of her cupcake before grabbing Rainbow's hooves. "You have to open your wings first, you silly filly! Let's do this!" Rainbow Dash squinted mischievously. Scootaloo grinned before unfurling her wings and flapped them a few times. Her face contorted in concentration as she tried to lift her body off the ground. She pushed down on Rainbow's hooves for lift off. No luck. Scootaloo let go of Rainbow's hooves as her body fell back down to the ground with a loud thump. Scootaloo grunted and bit her lip after realizing her failure. Her eyes lit up when she spotted the stool in the corner of the clubhouse. With her muzzle, she pushed it over towards Rainbow Dash; who was still hovering above the floor. She climbed on top of the stool and reached up to grab Rainbow Dash's still outstretched front hooves. Once again, she flapped her wings frantically and gingerly tried to take the weight off her hind hooves. Scootaloo's eyes widened as the stool wobbled and she lost her balance. She tumbled to the floor with a shriek. Rainbow closed her eyes and winced at the sound of the impact on the floor. She opened one eye and saw Scootaloo shake her ruffled mane, stand back up determinedly and attempt to climb back up the stool. This time, Scootaloo grabbed Rainbow Dash's hooves tightly and pushed down on them slightly as she tried to lift herself up. Rainbow Dash grunted and closed her eyes in concentration as she sunk a few inches in the air before regaining her balance and opening her eyes. She could not believe what she saw. Finally - Scootaloo did it! She was beating her wings and hovering a few inches above the stool! This may not be flying; but hovering was certainly a start! Rainbow Dash nodded enthusiastically before landed on the floor of the clubhouse. She embraced Scootaloo before giving her another noogie. "Let's go outside where we can practice more. This clubhouse is too small for the both of us!" Scootaloo giggled in agreement and followed Dash outside the clubhouse. ===== Scootaloo grunted in frustration as she tried her best to do what Rainbow Dash was telling her to do. These wing exercises were definitely hard to do. How did Dash make it look so easily?, she thought. Rainbow Dash had been alongside her all morning; dressed in coach get-up. She was grateful for such devotion to help her with one special request. Focus, she thought. Scootaloo flexed her wings and stood up off the ground. Her muscles were sore as she tenderly furled and unfurled her wings; cringing at the pain it brought. Sweat glistened off her body from that morning's exercise. Scootaloo huffed as she struggled to slow her breathing to a normal rate. She beat her wings as hard as she could; hovering a few inches off the ground again. Scootaloo bit her lip in agony; it took every ounce of strength and concentration that she could muster to do this once again after the strenuous workout she went through. She panted as she struggled to rise a few more inches. Nnnghhh... she gasped hoarsely. She opened her eyes at first in a squint; which widened in amazement. She did it! She rose another inch! Rainbow Dash was furiously scribbling on her notepad, then blew her whistle. "Eeep!" Scootaloo shrieked in surprise as she lost concentration and tumbled to the ground in a whirl of tangerine and magenta. "You did incredible, tiger! You beat your record by about... 2 inches! That makes a foot and a half off the ground! That's awesome!" Rainbow Dash ran over and embraced Scootaloo. Scootaloo didn't care that she was humid with sweat, or that she unintentionally cringed at the feeling of her sore muscles being embraced. Her mentor was proud of her. She grinned over the top of Rainbow Dash's shoulder before hugging her back. "... thanks Dash. You're changing my life. You're my biggest hero!" Rainbow Dash closed here eyes in pleasure at the sound of the words. She had never considered herself to be a big sister. Yet, she had never felt so sisterly before. Her eyes wandered quickly over the field, before kissing Scootaloo's forehead on impulse. Scootaloo's eyes widened before closing her eyes. She couldn't believe it! Was this a fantasy? As if reading her thoughts, Rainbow Dash ruffled her hair softly before saying quietly, "Scootaloo, you are like my little sister. It's no biggie!" Rainbow's heart swelled as she stated the facts. She hugged Scootaloo tightly before letting go. This was no time to be mushy. "Now come on," she winked impishly. "Back to training." Scootaloo groaned before giggling in a foalish manner. She had never considered Rainbow Dash as a sister; but she loved every minute of it. She got up and shook the broken pieces of grass out of her mane. She nodded before flapping her wings once more and taking flight with newfound confidence.