//------------------------------//
// Trials of a Sister 
// Story: Dreams of Flight 
// by Mitslits 
//------------------------------//

	Applejack readjusted her hat, sweat dripping off of her muzzle onto the ground. She leaned heavily against an apple tree, staring at Rainbow Dash. "Ah dunno. Ah'm not sure that's a good idea", she said hesitantly.
"Just for one day", the pegasus promised, looking anxiously at her friend. 
Applejack sighed, giving in. "Fahn. But Ah still don't think yer gonna do anythin' but break that poor filly's heart", she warned. AJ grunted as she was tackled by Dash in a powerful hug. "All right, all right. Ah'll just be clearin' off then", she said, a little embarrassed. 
Pumping her wings, Rainbow flew around the property quickly, setting up for the afternoon.

"See ya'll later!" Apple Bloom shouted, waving goodbye to Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. She turned towards the farm, but was surprised to see Applejack trotting up the dirt road towards her. She bounced up to her, eyes confused. "Aren't we gonna practice fer the Sisterhooves Social?" she asked. 
Applejack shook her head, trying to ignore the disappointment that filled AB's eyes. "Tomorrow", she promised. "Today Ah thought we could take a break n' see Pinkie Pie." She tried not to let her little sister see that that was not the original plan.
Apple Bloom's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Oooookay", she conceded finally.

"Hey, squirt!" 
Scootaloo jerked her head up to see Rainbow Dash hovering over her. The orange filly had just said goodbye to Sweetie Belle and had been walking alone for a few minutes. "Oh! Hi, Dash", she muttered, not in the mood for conversation. 
The blue pegasus landed in front of Scootaloo, halting her progress. "Hey, I was thinking you and I could have a little flying lesson", she offered. 
Scootaloo immediately shook off her little cloud of depression, eyes lighting up. "Yeah! That would be great!" she squeaked.
"Okay, the first step is to open your wings", Dash laughed, watching the filly. 
Scoots opened them, wincing at their small size. "They're not very impressive", she mumbled. 
Dash couldn't help but nod in agreement. "Yeah." Seeing hurt fill Scootaloo's eyes she added quickly, "But they'll get there, don't worry. Now, flap. Only once, though."
Though she didn't see the point, Scootaloo obeyed, flapping them lightly once.
"Now, put some power into it", Rainbow Dash suggested, unfolding her own wings. "Like this." She brought her wings up and then snapped them down sharply. Her hooves lifted slightly, but she didn't get all the way off the ground. "Now you try." 
Scootaloo stretched her wings up as far as she could get them and then brought them down with as much power as she could. The very tips of her hooves lifted, but she didn't get very far. 
Dash grinned. "That was great! Now try it again, but don't stop. Keep going as long as you can", she suggested. 
Her wings arced up and snapped down again and again. Gradually, Scootaloo's hooves began to lift and she began to feel lighter. As soon as she was completely off the ground she grew too tired and slumped back down. "I'll never get it", she mumbled. 
Rainbow Dash helped her off. "Sure you will! Your wings just need to get stronger. Keep practicing like that half an hour every day and you'll be flying in no time." She looked at her warmly. "Hey, Scootaloo", she said, suddenly serious.
Noting the change in tone, Scootaloo looked up. "Yeah?"
"Would you like to compete in the Sisterhooves Social? With...with me?" Rainbow stammered. "I know I'm not your sister, but it would really mean a lot. I've always wanted a sister." This was a complete lie. Dash enjoyed being an only child, but she wasn't about to tell Scootaloo that. 
The filly in question was staring at Rainbow, eyes popping out of her head, jaw open to the ground. "Yes." She finally said. "I'll compete with you."