//------------------------------//
// Chapter 3: The Last Lesson 
// Story: the loving wings of a Rainbow. 
// by tony3xx4 
//------------------------------//

~3 years later~

Scootaloo had grown a lot over the years. Her once short violet mane was now as long as Rainbows, and she had grown at least another foot taller. The biggest change however was that she now had her very own cutie mark. It was a scooter, much resembling the one she owned, with a helmet hanging on the handle of the scooter. Many changes were also made around the house, and Ponyville. Rainbow Dash made Scootaloo her very own room for her birthday. Rarity moved to Canterlot because business had spread all across Equestria. Pinkie Pie remained the party pony of Ponyville, and was now raising her very own foul that she adopted name Raspberry. Fluttershy, while still taking care of the animals of Everfree Forest, also became a nurse at Ponyville Hospitable. Applejack's business was also booming! she made more money than ever before to support her family, and her fiance, Red Delicious. Twilight, being the new princess, was usually at Canterlot, learning the ways of leadership by the princesses.

Scootaloo was currently asleep in her room. Her room was nothing fancy, only a few poster of Wonderbolts, and some pieces of furniture. Scootaloo was disrupted by a knock on the door. "Hey Scoots! You ever gonna wake up?" Rainbow's voice woke the young mare up.

she barely sat up, and waved her hoof dismissively. "Yeah yeah, five more minutes." She fell back onto her pillow and started to snore loudly.

Rainbow Dash chuckled. "Just like her sister." She went downstairs, and started to make breakfast for the two of them.

Scootaloo rested in bed for a few more moments until she realized what today was. Her eyes snapped open, and she jumped up. "Oh my gosh, how could I forget?!" She ran out of her room, and into the bathroom. She brushed, flossed, and rinsed her teeth, and preformed other daily rituals.

Rainbow Dash heard the commotion going on upstairs, and chuckled. "Five...Four...Three..Two...One." Right when she reached the last number, Scootaloo ran into the kitchen. "Well good morning."

Scootaloo was holding a mane brush, and was brushing her mane as she sat down at the table. "I'm sorry, I forgot what today was!"

Rainbow chuckled, and brought two bowls of cereal to the table. She sat across the table, and started to dig in. "Don't worry about it, it's still an hour away until we start."

Scootaloo sighed in relief. "Thank Celestia." The sisters ate together in silence for the rest of the meal.

After about 20 minutes, Rainbow finished, and got up. "Alright, you get a couple of minutes to rest while I get it ready." Scootaloo nodded as Rainbow Dash exited the house.

~~~

Rainbow Dash opened the door wide, and shouted to Scootaloo. "Alright, it's ready!"

Scootaloo jumped up from the table, and ran to the living room where Rainbow was. "So you didn't exactly tell me what the final test was. Will it be a surprise, or..." Scootaloo trailed off.

Rainbow motioned to the door. "It's outside. You can see it whenever." She opened the door wide, and the two mares exited.

Scootaloo gasped at what she saw. Rainbow constructed a large obstacle course made entirely of clouds. It stretched from their house, all the way to the center of Ponyville. Scootaloo tried to speak, but stuttered. "H-How did y-you do---"

She was cut off by Rainbow Dash. "I work fast. I also got a permit by the mayor to have it set up this far in town." Rainbow walked toward two flags aligned next to each other, which Scootaloo could only assume is the starting line. But what confused her was,

"Wait, why are you at the starting line?" 

Rainbow smirked. "Cause the final lesson is for you to beat me in a race."

Scootaloo's jaw dropped. She didn't actually expect her to beat Rainbow Dash, one of the best flyers in Equestria, in a race, right? "B-But that's impossible!"

"No, just hard." Rainbow Dash started to walk back towards Scootaloo. "Look, over the past few years, your flying has improved a lot. You were probably better than me when i was your age!"

Scootaloo lifted her head, and met her sister's gaze. "R-Really?" Rainbow nodded. Scootaloo exhaled a large breath, and started to walk towards the starting line with Rainbow Dash. "Then  let's do this."

They both stopped at the checkered line, "Three..." and took their stances. "Two..." They both unflared their wings. "ONE!" And they were off.

While they were in the air, ponies below were cheering Scootaloo on, but neither could hear. Rainbow Dash was ahead by a couple of feet, while Scootaloo was just barely trailing her. "YA GOTTA DO BETTER THAN THAT IF YOU WANNA BEAT ME!" Rainbow yelled to Scootaloo.

Scootaloo smirked. The sharp turn that would leave going straight back to their house was coming up. While Rainbow Dash turned, Scootaloo kept going. Most of the onlookers were shocked and confused about her motives until they saw her grab the pole on top of City Hall. She released her grip on it, and was now going so fast that even everypony looking could only see an orange-violet blur. Rainbow looked behind her, and saw Scootaloo rocketing towards her. "WHAT THE-" She stopped mid sentence when Scootaloo flew past her. Rainbow Dash was stunned by this new found speed Scootaloo had, and put everything she had left to try and beat her.

Scootaloo was almost home when her speed started to slow itself. She saw Rainbow Dash not far behind her, and used the little power she had left to try and reach the finish line. Rainbow was now only feet away from Scootaloo and 25 feet away from the finish mark. They both put in the last of their strength, and Scootaloo was the first to cross the line.

Right when she crossed, she dropped to the floor, very exhausted. The last thing she saw before blacking out was Rainbow Dash walking towards her, and picking her up on her back.