Chapter 5
After returning to ponyville Scootaloo found that while she could fly she was only able to do so for a few feet at a time. A specialist in pegasi ailments, whom Twilight contacted through her associates in Canterlot, said that the sudden development of magical presence within her was astounding enough and that her flight to Baltimare was nothing short of miraculous. He hypothesized that her heightened state of emotional stress might have triggered something like an adrenaline rush, only with magic, and that it wasn’t likely to happen again. Fortunately now that she had a magical presence the problem was easily remedied with a simple charm, in this case an enchanted hair clip which enhanced her magic, which enabled her to fly as well as any pegasi so long as she wore it.
Derpy took some time off, on the doctor’s recommendation, until she had completely recovered. She and Scootaloo spent the time improving their relationship. During this time off came the annual Sisterhoof Social, which was something of a family reunion for them. Sparkler, the eldest daughter who now lived in Canterlot, made a point of coming down to Ponyville during the event. And Golden Harvest and Written Script, Dinky’s biological parents, came to be with the family as always.
The family always enjoyed having a picnic while watching the games. Sparkler and Dinky participated in in nearly all the events together, as did Golden Harvest with her younger sister Sweet Wheat.
When she was younger Scootaloo would sometimes take part in some of the events with Sparkler, but they had never really become close, their personality and interests were simply to different and they eventually stopped doing any events together. She liked to do some of the more athletic solo events, and sometimes she would team up with one of the several young mares who would volunteer to team up with any fillies who didn’t have an older sister. This year she also tried to be more involved with the family whereas in previous years she had been rather distant and did little to no socializing with them.
Sparkler, Dinky, Golden Harvest, and Sweat Wheat all went to get ready for the big race. The rest of them found a place to sit and watch. The Doctor and Written Script were of talking about something while Derpy and Scootaloo were lying down next to each other on a grassy hill overlooking the race track. “Are you sure you don’t want to be in the race” asked Derpy. “I’m sure there’s somepony that would team up with you.”
“Nah, I’m good” said Scootaloo.
“Alright then” Derpy said before letting out a yawn. “Goodness, I’ve been tired lately.”
“You were very busy with work before hit by lightning on top of it. It’s probably just all the stress catching up to you.”
“I guess so.”
After a short while Rainbow Dash landed nearby. “Hey there Derpy, how are you feeling?”
“I’m doing fine thank you. Oh, while you’re here there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you for the longest time.”
“Oh yeah, shoot.”
“You know about ‘raining cats and dogs’ right?”
“Yeah, I know about it.”
“Well I know you never done it here, and I want to let you know I appreciate it, but why would anypony anywhere make it rain cats and dogs?!”
“Huh?”
“I mean what’s the point? It doesn’t benefit anypony like normal water rain would and even if it did it’s just plain cruel! Sending those poor, terrified animals to fall to their death’s like that. What kind of sick pony would do such a thing, and how could they get away with it? Why hasn’t the Central Weather Bureau, or the Princesses put a stop to it?!”
“Derpy, we don’t actually make it rain cats and dogs, that’s just a phrase meaning it’s raining a lot.”
“Really, but why would they say cats and dogs I wonder. Some ponies are just weird I guess.”
“Uh, y-yeah” said Rainbow Dash as Scootaloo facehoofed. “Anyway, Scootaloo can I talk to you in private for a sec?”
“Sure” Scootaloo said as she stood up. She and Rainbow Dash walked off a ways. Scootaloo couldn’t help but feel the conflict of her lingering admiration of the pegasus and her new born bitterness toward her. Despite Derpy’s explanation for Rainbow Dash’s distance she couldn’t help but feel bitter.
“So listen” Rainbow Dash said at last “I’ve been thinking that I haven’t been…well, you’re president of my fan club and all so that means you’re, like, a fan, right?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I’ve been thinking that maybe I should have been…nicer to you or something. Especially when we all found out about that, you know, your problem. But even before then I should have…look I know I’ve been a jerk to you and I’m trying to say I’m sorry, alright!” Scootaloo’s look of bewilderment goaded her to explain further. “You see, I heard some things and after thinking about it I realized that I haven’t been very considerate of you or really anyone besides myself for that matter.”
“Well, thanks but it’s not your responsibility to care about me. I mean it’s not like we’re sisters or anything.”
“Maybe it’s not my responsibility but that’s no excuse. You looked up to me and I should have acted like sompony worth looking up to.”
Scootaloo could hear the sincerity in Rainbow’s apology and thus her bitterness began to melt away. “Thanks Rainbow Dash, it really means a lot to hear you say that” she suddenly gave the mare a big hug “I forgive you.”
The surprised Rainbow Dash became very stiff and uncomfortable but momentarily returned the hug. “Thanks, I’ll try to be better from now on.” They released each other from the hug. “Okay, that was really all I wanted to say so I’ll let you get back to enjoying yourself.”
“Alright, see ya.” Scootaloo turned to go back to Derpy but noticed her mother motioning toward the race track. Taking the hint she quickly turned back and called “Hey Rainbow Dash.”
“Yeah, what’s up kid?”
Scootaloo began to nervously paw at the ground “Um, I know we aren’t really sisters but if you aren’t doining anything else do you think that, maybe, we could do the race together?”
Rainbow Dash looked over at the track then smirked and said “Only if you think you can keep up with the Dash. I’ll go get us entered” she said as she flew off toward the registration stand.
Scootaloo excitedly ran back the Derpy. “Mom I’m going to go do the race with Rainbow Dash.”
“Alright, I’ll be routing for you” said Derpy before giving her a kiss on the cheek. “I love you Scootaloo.”
“Love you to Mom” Scootaloo said as she flew off after Rainbow Dash.”
End