//------------------------------// // 3 In Her Element // Story: A Flight to Remember // by Bronyxy //------------------------------// The pegasus filly fluttered her wings into a buzz as fast as a changeling, and was just about conquering her self-doubt when a loud groan from Clear Skies broke through into her consciousness. There was no doubt now; she had to do her best, and her best had to be good enough to get help. Focusing on the path through the trees, she ran her eyes over the ground, then let them drift with confidence up into the azure sky beyond, for the first time in her life, actually truly believing that she could do it. She increased the speed of her wings faster and first cantered, then galloped down the path, tapping into a new reserve of energy from her newly discovered self-belief, and felt the weight on her legs lift just a little. She was doing it! This wasn’t a dream, this was really happening, and the sudden realisation that she may be able after all these years, finally to master the air gave her another boost and she lifted her eyes upwards to make sure she would clear the trees. The instant she believed she was clear of any obstructions, she closed her eyes in concentration, opening them only a few seconds later to see that she was looking down on the tops of the trees. Letting out a whoop of delight, she continued her alarmingly unsteady first flight, completely oblivious to the cheering from Apple Bloom, back down on the ground. Scootaloo relished the long sought after delight of finally being able to share the realm of air with all other pegasi of her own age, and for the first time in her life, no longer felt like a freak. Eager to share her delight, she looked back towards Apple Bloom and noticed her pointing feverishly to the west, away from the sun’s position. Suddenly Scootaloo realised what she meant – they had set out that morning towards the rising sun, and so she would find her way back to Ponyville if she just kept the sun behind her. Scootaloo drew her mission into sharp focus and set course as her friend directed, eager to put her new found talent to good use and get help to Clear Skies as soon as she could. She hadn’t flown too far when a voice off to one side caught her by surprise. “Hey, kid” came a male voice. The shock caused her to completely lose her concentration, and when she looked sideways to see who had spoken, she stopped focusing on flying and started tumbling towards the ground with a scream. The eggshell blue pegasus dove down after her immediately, catching her quickly and gently carrying her to a small clearing below. “You OK?” he asked, clearly concerned. “Yes Sir” she replied, “Thank you!” “Thank Celestia! Sorry to startle you like that” he replied softly, “Name’s Open Skies. I don’t often have that effect on other ponies.” “No, it’s OK, really. It’s just … well, that was my first flight” she said proudly. “No kidding?” he replied with a broad smile, “So why did you choose to do it out here?” “There’s this weather pony, and she’s hurt …” “Clear Skies?” he asked, focusing intently on her. “Yes, yes, that’s her …” “Show me where she is” he stated, “We’ve had search parties up ever since the storm passed over.” “I … I don’t know if I can manage to fly by myself again …” she apologised. “No worries, kid” he said, “Hop on my back and show me where she is, would you?” “Yes Sir!” cheered Scootaloo, climbing up on Open Skies as he had directed, and shortly they were back in the air again. “OK, which way?” he asked. “Towards the sun” she replied confidently, and crouched forward, looking for any distinguishing features in the landscape. In a few minutes they saw a particularly large, devastated area on the ground and Scootaloo directed Open Skies down to check it out. Quickly, a yellow filly with a large pink bow ran out waving her forelegs frantically to attract their attention. He checked for a safe place to land amongst all the piles of debris, that up until the storm had been organised rows of apple trees, and found his thought process interrupted when Scootaloo pointed out the path between the trees that she herself had used to take off. He nodded his approval and aimed for where the path entered the debris field, backwinging as he neared the ground to ensure a gentle touchdown. “That was quick!” Apple Bloom greeted as the other two made their way over towards her. “Clear Skies – where is she please?” asked the pegasus stallion. “Over there” she pointed, “Glad you could get here so soon.” “Me too” he replied, “Couldn’t have done it without your friend though. You know, she’s a pretty impressive flier” “You could tell Rainbow Dash that” Apple Bloom suggested. “You know Rainbow Dash?” he asked, clearly impressed. “Sure” replied Scootaloo, “She’s my big sister.” “Really?” he gasped, “I didn’t know she had a little sister.” “Well, honorary big sister to be more exact.” By now, Open Skies could see the lilac tones of his fellow weather pony and was rapidly assessing what needed to be done to free her, along with what possible injuries she could be suffering. “Clear Skies!” he called, “Hey it’s Open Skies! What shape are you in?” “Hey, over here” she replied weakly, trying to wave a forehoof, but failing, “I think I have broken ribs, a broken wing and a broken leg … oh, and by the way, I’ve got a tree on top of me that is kinda stopping me getting up to give you a hug right now …” He took in the scene and baulked at the size of the tree, realising quickly that it was not only heavy, but if he didn’t lift it cleanly, would come down on his colleague and probably cause her further injuries. “OK” he told her, “Here’s the deal; it’s going to take more than me to get this off you. Can you wait for me to go rustle up the team?” “Sure, why not” she quipped, trying to laugh, but degenerating into a painful cough, “My diary’s kinda gotten freed up a bit lately, so I think I can fit you in.” “Right, I’m going to leave you in the capable hooves of these two great young fillies and I’ll be back soon as I can” he said, “Don’t go anywhere.” Once Open Skies had made his apologies and taken off, Apple Bloom turned to her friend, “So Scoots, how was flying?” A broad smile in response told her everything she wanted to know.