Hey uh... Rainbow Dash?
Yeah?
Could you... umm... you know... if it’s not too much trouble... maybe... teach me how to fly?
Scootaloo stood behind the curtain. She could hear the dull roar of the crowd, a simple piece of cloth separated her from their stares.
This was it. This was all she had been training for.
Ten years since her hero had done this.
Ten years since it had become her dream.
This, was the Best Young Fliers competition.
Why would you even need to ask that? Of course I’ll teach you, you know you’re my favourite filly.
Nervous sweat rolled down her neck, she knew who would be watching from the stands. The pegasus who had taught her how to fly, who had always been there for her when times were rough, always willing to lend a helping hoof. Her idol for all these years.
"Number 12, it's your turn", said the backstage manager.
Scootaloo took a deep breath, one more person.
Come on Scootaloo, I know you can do it, just try again, it’s not so different from what you do with your scooter
Her legs felt rooted to the ground, there was a feeling in her gut that screamed "Just turn around and leave, go home, you can't do this, don't be silly", but Scootaloo ignored it.
The backstage manager spoke up again, "Number 13, get on out there".
I can’t do this Rainbow Dash, I’m just going to be grounded forever
Don’t be silly, you almost had it that time, why don’t you give it another go, remember, catch the air.
She was next, now was the time. Scootaloo started cantering around to loosen herself up, slowly bringing her wings up, then down, rotating them in their sockets, and generally stretching.
"Number 14, your the last one, so get out there and put on a good show for everypony."
It was time.
Scootaloo nudged the curtain aside and slowly, but purposefully glided out to the very center of the arena.
Hey Rainbow Dash! Guess what guess what guess what!
Wow slow down! What is it?
I’m entering the Best Young Fliers Competition!
That's awesome! I’m sure you’ll take home first prize.
Scootaloo looked around at the crowd, cheering, waiting for her to start. She looked at the guest stands. A rainbow maned Wonderbolt nodded her head, ever so slightly.
The music started, hard rock blaring over the speakers.
Scootaloo immediately flew straight down, picking up speed, after a few seconds she did a light twirl and righted herself. As she flew faster then most ponies dared, Scootaloo weaved in and out through the pillars
There's phase one...
Scootaloo glanced up, searching the skies above her. After a few seconds she found what she had been looking for, three clouds in a light triangle. She angled up and began flying tightly around the clouds, nearly touching them with her wings. The clouds began to rotate, gaining speed the more Scootaloo flew around them
So have you got your routine all ready?
Yeah, I’ve had to practice in secret though, can’t have anypony spoiling the surprise.
Scootaloo twisted suddenly and went straight up. She kept flying, higher and higher, until the air got thin and her wings became heavy. Down below, Rainbow Dash had a small smile on her face.
I’m a little nervous though.
Don’t be, remember what I said? I’m sure you’ll take home first prize, and Rainbow Dash is never wrong!
Yeah... Rainbow Dash is never wrong...
Scootaloo was far above the stadium, yet even from there she could hear the song coming to an end, it was now or never. She performed one final spin and flew straight down.
Scootaloo folded her wings flat against her body and pushed her hooves directly ahead of her. She kept speeding up. The wind pushed her eyes closed and tears were forced out. She clenched her teeth and went faster.
The pegasus was closing in on the stadium, faster then anypony could have thought possible. If she kept going at this speed she would be flattened against the ground below, but still she went faster.
The air started to curve around her, a giant elastic seemed to be pushing back, trying to shove her back, to send her dreams spiraling away, but Scootaloo fought it. She pushed her hooves farther ahead of her and flattened her body even more. Slowly, the elastic narrowed, it bent around her. Finally, it exploded outwards.
In an instant, any resistance had been wiped away. Scootaloo flashed forwards, behind her a purple and orange trail remained, and above her a wave of air was pushed outwards by the force.
She couldn't help it, a gigantic grin appeared on the mare's face, she had done it. Scootaloo flew down, past the stadium, then when she neared the ground she pulled up and began flying along the ground, finally she pulled up more and began flying back up to the stadium. As she neared the stadium Scootaloo turned again and flew overhead, and imitating her hero, caused a huge rainbow to stretch over the stadium. Then she slowed down and glided back down. The song had ended, there was complete silence.
In an instance the crowd burst into cheers, jumping around, cheering, shouting her name. Scootaloo raised her hooves and waved them at the crowd as Princess Celestia and Luna landed in front of her, and behind them the Wonderbolts.
Rainbow Dash ignored the gathered ponies and ran forwards, ripping off her goggles and mask, and with tears in her eyes caught Scootaloo in a tight embrace. Scootaloo hugged her back.
“You did it squirt! All those years I never once lost faith in you, and you didn’t let me down, ever since day one, I knew you could do it!”
Scootaloo smiled sheepishly, “Ahh come on Dash, if it weren’t for you I never would have been able to get off the ground”.
From behind her Celestia stepped forwards and spoke, “I haven’t seen that in a long, long time. I’m sure there is no debate," Princess Celestia raised her voice so the crowd could hear over their cheering, "which is why I present the grand prize to you, Miss Scootaloo!” With a light from her horn, the Princess created a golden crown with a wing extending from each side and placed it on Scootaloo’s head.
Scootaloo couldn’t hold it in any longer, she clenched her eyes shut and hopped up and down, “Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!!”
Dash?
Yeah?
Rainbow Dash laughed and said “So how about hanging out with the Wonderbolts?”
Scootaloo turned and said to her, “Actually... I only want to hang out with one Wonderbolt today.”
“Thanks for always being there for me”
--- The End ---
Authors note: Yay! I wrote my first fan fiction! I’m really proud of how this came out, but I still have doubts about the name. I plan on writing some more, so keep a lookout for my name. I’d appreciate any feedback, thanks!
Edit: I actually wrote this story almost a year ago, and I'm not a fan of how it came out now. I'm a much better writer now and am almost embarrassed about this. Oh well.