After that day when Apple Bloom visited me, I started to put my life together and began to live again. She was right. Doing something was way better than diving deeper and deeper into a sorrow. Members of royal guards which escaped from Canterlot with princess taught other ponies how to defend themselves, how to use a sword, simply how to fight. I was learning too. But I was never as good with sword as Apple Bloom. Everypony had learned basics, but only about one quarter continued in training to become warrior. Like me. But there was one thing that worried me. I still couldn't fly.
One weekend Rainbow Dash came to me. She was member of our provisional 'army' now. Of course she was. How could possibly the most athletic, the fastest, the bravest and the most awesome pony I knew not to be there? Even after what I went through , was my only wish to be Rainbow Dash's sister. I'd give anything for it. I was just in my room, resting after very exhausting day, when she knocked on my door.
"Come in," I said. She entered. A little gasp blew in my head as always did when I saw her. "What's up" I asked.
"Nothing. I just wanted to talk to you," Rainbow Dash answered. "If you have time,"
"O...of course,". I waited nervously what's Rainbow gonna say. She sat on my bed. "You seem worried last few weeks. So I decided to ask what's wrong," she said finally. It surprised me. And made me unbelievably happy. Rainbow Dash cares about me. But should I tell her that I'm sad because I can't fly? What if she will laugh at me? I figured that the best will be if I tell her. So I took a deep breath and said.
"It's nothing. Nothing at all. Only that...".
"Mmmm..?"
"That...".
"Yeees..?"
I didn't want to say it but it had to go out. "I simply can't fly,"
I waited when she will begin to laugh. But she didn't. She only asked. "Your parents didn't teach you?"
Ouch. These words hurt so much. My parents. "They... they died when I was five," I said flattly.
"Oh...I...sorry...I didn't..."
"It's okay," I stopped her quickly. "Even my friends don't know,"
I wanted to end here but I felt that I need to tell somepony. I held it inside for too long. Even though I didn't want to, I began to speak.
"It was July. We were on vacation in Canterlot for a week. Capital was beautiful. We saw lots of interesting things like the biggest church in Equestria, a funny statue of a creature made of many different animal, which I learned years later was Discord and museum of scooters. There, they bought me my scooter. My only reminder of them. And now... who knows where it is. But that doesn't matter. the last day, we took the train and went back home. It was night when we arrived to Ponyville. It was still long way to Cloudsdale, so we took taxi chariot. As we were sitting in chariot, with only sound to hear being flapping of wings of driving pegasi, I fell asleep," then, I stopped.
"And what happened next?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"I woke up in hospital. Doctor told me that we had an accident. Another chariot crashed into us. Nopony survived, except me.They said I was very lucky. I hurt my head badly and I was in coma for three days with practically no chance of waking up. Everypony wondered how did I survive the crash. Since I had no other family, I was sent to Cloudsdale orphanage after I recovered. I was given things saved from the wreckage of our chariot. It wasn't much, mostly clothes. But amongst these things was a scooter, my scooter. That scooter became my only memento of them.
And so, I never learned to fly. Who would teach me? Kids didn't like me and educators had more important things to do. I almost don't remember how my parents looked. I..." that was enough. I had no other words to say and I was busy with holding my tears back.
Rainbow Dash stared at me. After a while, she said, "Whoa, your life gotta be very hard. If I was you, I'd kill myself a long time ago. I admire you,".
"Really? You do?" I was surprised. "Can I tell you one more thing?"
"Sure, kiddo,".
"I...I always looked up to you. My deepest wish is you to be my big sister. When I grow up I want to be just like you," I said. I looked at Rainbow Dash. I've seen one big warm smile. Then, she said.
"You ARE already like sister for me. And about your problem, what if we make a deal?".
"What deal?" was everything I was able to say.
"I'll teach you how to fly and you'll promise that you won't be like anypony else than you. Oh, and if someone calls you chicken again, kick them right in the ass," Rainbow Dash said.
"How do you know they..."
"Well, I'm not dumb. I have ears and eyes and... Apple Bloom told me," Rainbow Dash admitted. I giggled.
"So, deal?"
"Deal," I said.
Next day was my first lesson. But I didn't know it yet. Rainbow Dash informed me on time, in very original way...
---
I was sleeping and I had a beautiful dream. Cutie Mark Crusaders were once again complete and ready for their new adventure. I think we were in middle of trying to get cake-eating cutie marks (it was a dream, don't judge me) when sudden noise threw me in the reality.
"Squirt, wake up," Rainbow Dash shouted right in my left ear. I quickly sat up. That really scared me. I breathed deeply to slow down my heartbeat and then, I looked at Rainbow. But she already was on the floor, laughing.
"You should see your face. Priceless," she said between bouts of laughter.
"Haha, funny," I said a little bit angry. "You ruined my dream. It was beautiful. Anyway, why did you wake me up at 6 am?"
"Because it's... wait, you had a dream?"
"Yeah, that's what happens when you sleep. You have dreams. Why?"
"Only that I haven't had a dream since... nevermind. I woke you up, because your very first flying lesson with your totally cool and awesome teacher/adoptive big sister starts right now,".
I forgot on the time immediately. I jumped off bed with big 'yay' and started to bounce around room. "I will learn to flyyy. I will learn to flyyy..." I sang to myself.
"Whoa, take it easy squirt. Before anything else, we'll have breakfast. Flying doesn't go well when you're hungry," Dash calmed me down.
"Of course... breakfast. And what are we going to have?"
"I don't know. Let's look what's in Twilight's pantry. But be quiet. We don't want to wake Twilight up, do we?"
So, as quiet as we could, we went downstairs. I can proudly say, we didn't wake up anypony. But the pantry was dissapointment.
We opened it and saw that it was practically empty. "Um... do you want apple or... apple?"
---
After breakfast (if you qualify an apple as breakfast) we went outside. We didn't go anywhere. A place before library was ideal for today's training.
"Well, since this is your first lesson, there will be no flying yet,"
I nodded. I adored Rainbow Dash too much to question her word. "Yes, master,"
"No whining? I thought you wouldn't agree. Well, that makes things only easier," Rainbow paused and then she looked at me. "Master? I like that..."
We spent whole morning by traning. I was running, jumping, making push-ups and squats and a lot more things. In the end, I was more tired than ever. But it was fun. I forgot of the world outside and just had a great time with Rainbow Dash. For now.