Strings of lights crisscrossed the farmyard at Sweet Apple Acres for the wedding reception. Applejack’s wedding to Peaches N’ Cream had been a large affair, since both brides had large families, not to mention all of Applejack’s friends, most of Ponyville, and both Princesses attending. There were tables full of apple and peach treats, and music came from the barn where ponies were dancing.
Scootaloo was enjoying the party, and talking to Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom when she felt a tug on her tail. She ignored it.
“...so then one of the other teachers suggested some sort of club for the foals who didn’t have their cutie marks yet, and I had no idea whether to jump up and volunteer or hide under the table!”
Another tug at her tail as she and her friends laughed.
Apple Bloom calmed down a little, still giggling. “Scoot? I think somepony’s tryin’ to get your attention.”
“Yeah, I know. Three... two... one...” Scoot braced herself as something, or rather somepony landed straight on her back. “Hey Dash, need something?”
“Yeah, I need my marefriend to dance with me,” Dash said from her perch on Scoot’s back.
“I’m talking to the other grown-ups here.” Scoot smirked as she motioned to Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle.
“Talk is totally over-rated,” Dash said with a wave of her hoof. “They probably wanna dance, too.”
“Actually, we wanted to hear more about Scoot’s class,” Sweetie said, laughing and rolling her eyes.
“Did you tell them about the plan, yet?” Dash asked, making no move to remove herself from Scoot’s back. Scoot didn’t mind it anyway.
“No, I thought we weren’t gonna tell other ponies.”
“These guys aren’t other ponies, they’re family,” Dash grinned at Scoot’s friends. “I’m gonna retire in a few years.”
“You’re retiring from the Wonderbolts?” Sweetie raised her eyebrows.
“Yup,” Dash said casually. “Been there, done that, got the uniform. Gotta keep aiming for the top.”
“I don’t know if it’s the top, Dash.”
“Are you kidding? It’s gonna be the most awesome thing I’ll ever do!”
“That’s what you used to say about the Wonderbolts,” Scoot smirked.
“Hey, everything I do is the most awesome thing I’ll ever do,” Dash said happily.
Scoot laughed.
“What is it?” Apple Bloom asked. “Ain’t ya gonna tell us?”
“We’re gonna open a school.” Scoot smiled. “A private flight school, for any foal who loves to fly –”
“Or wants to love flying,” Dash added.
“Right, whether they know how or not. We’ll both teach there, I can work with beginners, and a lot of advanced students will flap at the chance to train with a former Wonderbolt.”
“That sounds nice... but aren’t there already enough flight schools?” Sweetie asked.
“Ours is kind of different,” Dash said, a grin spreading across her face.
Scoot had a grin to match Dash’s as she announced, “We’re going to open it in Ponyville! The first ground based flight school in Equestria. There’s a much more small town feeling here than in Cloudsdale, we both think it’s good for kids.”
“And being here takes a lot of the pressure off. In Cloudsdale, you look around and all you see are ponies who fly better than you. Well, until you’re a Wonderbolt at least – Oof!” Dash cut off as she was unceremoniously bumped off Scoot’s back to the ground, landing on her tail. Scoot smirked at her, and she grinned sheepishly. “Um, anyway, down here foals can work at their own pace, and not feel left out if they aren’t as strong or fast or whatever.”
“So y’all are gonna be movin’ back here?” Apple Bloom asked excitedly as Dash got to her hooves.
Scoot nodded. “In a few years. Dash wants to put in ten years with the Wonderbolts, and I’m gonna get a little more experience before I jump into running my own school.”
“Speaking of jumping into things...” Dash quickly nudged herself under Scoot, scooping the younger pony onto her back.
“Hey!” Scoot protested, laughing.
“We’re gonna go dance, girls. I’ll have her back soon.”
“Gotta catch me first!” Scoot said, flying off Dash’s back, then darting off.
“You’re on!” Dash said, right behind her.
The two pegasi flew low over the reception, avoiding the strings of lanterns and the heads of taller ponies. Dash just barely pulled up in time to avoid crashing into Big Mac, who was deep in conversation with Fluttershy. Just past the crowd, Scoot headed up into the sky. Dash pulled out the real speed and finally caught up with her over a cloud bank, tackling her onto the cool, fluffy surface.
“Gotcha!” Dash said, looking down at Scoot and grinning.
Scoot laughed. “You win again.”
Dash just smiled at her for a moment. “I already won. Forever.”
“Me too,” Scoot agreed, leaning up and kissing Dash.