Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash sat quietly in the small room. Scootaloo was fidgeting subtly, nervous about having to tell someone about her wing issues. Even though it was blatantly obvious to anyone who knew her that she couldn't fly, she never, ever talked about it to anyone except Sweetie Belle and Applebloom. Not even Rainbow Dash knew exactly what was going on inside Scootaloo's head.
They were in a basic check-up room at Ponyville General Hospital. They were in the back of the Pegasus wing (ba dum tsss) of the second floor, and they were waiting for Nurse Redheart to get back with the results. The week prior, Rainbow convinced Scootaloo to get an x-ray of her wings so see if there was an issue with her wings' bone structure. Rainbow didn't know exactly what Scootaloo was thinking, or how she felt, but was pretty sure that she should just not try and get Scootaloo to talk until Nurse Redheart came in with the x-rays.
The door opened slowly, almost - controlled? Redheart walked in and shut the door behind her with a gentle nudge from one of her hind legs, then approached Scootaloo. She placed the x-rays up on the wall, allowing both Scootaloo and Rainbow to look at them. As far as either of them knew, her wings looked perfectly fine. Redheart looked like she was holding something back. Rainbow maintained a stoic expression and put her hoof on Scootaloo's shoulder.
Redheart explained that Scootaloo's wings were fine as far as structure, composition, and weight. She also pointed out that Scootaloo's wings were smaller than most wings were by her age. Scootaloo confirmed that she noticed the difference in wing size. Redheart closed her eyes and took a breath, then told Scootaloo that she had "Juvenile Wing Growth Deficiency." Rainbow and Scootaloo looked at each other with puzzled expressions, then back to Nurse Redheart. Redheart breathed a couple of times, then explained that WGD was when a foals wings stopped growing prematurely - which would keep them from flying.
Scootaloo's expression became horrified. She stammered a question about trying to fly even with the disorder, but Redheart closed her eyes and shook her head sadly. Rainbows jaw dropped, and so did Scootaloos; Scootaloo's eyes brimmed with water. She turned to her mentor, who was now holding her with both hooves. Rainbow looked right at Scootaloo and told her to calm down, that everything would be alright. Scootaloo returned the look, tears streaming, asking Rainbow how she figured it would be alright. How would she ever fly? How could that possibly be alright!? She protested and ranted for only a few moments before she completely broke down. Rainbow could only pull her in tight and listen to her protoge's sobs.
Rainbows eyes closed and her brow furrowed slightly. She knew she had to maintain her composure in front of Scootaloo; if Rainbow wasn't confident, or showed any sign that she thought that this was the end, then Scootaloo would have no hope. Rainbow raised her head and opened her eyes, watery and bright, and gave a worried look into space, wondering how she could possibly help Scootaloo through this...nightmare.