Scootaloo sat alone, in total silence. Already she had began to regret the way she had treated Rainbow Dash. Even if she had experienced the worst day of her life, that was no way to treat anypony, especially Rainbow Dash who had tried so hard to help her. Scootaloo's ears were firmly pressed against the sides of her skull, her room seeming more like a tomb than sleeping quarters. For what must have been the hundredth time that day, she heaved a sigh. So much had happened, and still the day was far from over... Scootaloo just wished for it to end, to move on to the next day as if today had never happened.
Unfortunately, life did not work that way. It was about this time that Scootaloo finally stood up from where she had say down in front of her door, nearly an hour ago.
"Come on, Scootaloo!" she chided to herself.
"You are better than this! I'll just have to finish my school work today and apologize to Rainbow Dash tomorrow before I go crusading," Scootaloo assured herself. She had no plans of doing the homework she was assigned on any of the other days anyhow, so it would be a decent way to pass the time at the very least.
As the homework was meant to be completed over the three days they had off, it did indeed take quite the while for her to finish, in which time she only paused to eat a light dinner, which was more of a light snack, her apatite having left her long ago. Hours had passed, and already the sun had set, bringing about the stillness of night. Scootaloo was exhausted after all of the day's obstacles and was far to eager to finally seek the release of sleep, though something told her even that would not be the end of her trials that day.
Suddenly, the crack of lightning and the resounding boom of thunder echoed throughout Scootaloo's empty room, wrenching her from her slumber. Something was wrong... There was no such storm scheduled for anytime even remotely soon. Outside, the sound of rushing wind was clearly audible, a testament to the strength and ferocity it carried as it raged past her window.
Scootaloo quickly rushed to the front door of her house, flinging it open without a second thought as a second bolt of lightning arched across the sky overhead, the near deafening sound of thunder following it instantly. Such a storm was far too out of control and dangerously close to Ponyville to be the Weather Team's doing. As Scootaloo peered outside, and particularly strong gust of wind gushed in through the doorway, the sudden onslaught catching Scootaloo by surprise, forcing her too look away and cover her eyes and rain began to pelt her coat.
Scootaloo needed only to take a few steps outside of her house to realized the gravity of the situation the storm was causing. There were very few houses that were close to Scootaloo's, but already she could tell her home was holding up much better than many others. All around was flung debris from nearby, or possibly even distant, houses. Shingles, straw, and all manner of assorted building materials not only littered the ground, but were also being carried by strong drafts of wind. Scootaloo even swore she saw the sign that had hung out front of Sugarcube Corner being held aloft some forty feet up.
Scootaloo scanned the sky, but as she feared there was not a trace of Rainbow Dash to been seen. Was this all Scootaloo's fault? Had she upset Rainbow Dash so much that she was unable to do her duty? A myriad of thoughts crept into Scootaloo's mind, but all were cut short by a distant voice.
"Scootaloo! Can you hear me?! It's Twilight! Ponyville needs your help!" Twilight called out as she drudged her way towards Scootaloo's house, her mane being tossed about in the wind, no doubt obscuring her vision.
"Twilight!" Scootaloo responded, shouting to be heard over the torrent of wind. As she began to rush towards Twilight, the wind threatened to pick up and throw the filly, and she quickly found herself forced to a crawl.
"Scootaloo! Thank Celestia! Are you hurt?" Twilight ratted on as Scootaloo drew close.
"I am fine, but what in Equestria is going on?" Scootaloo asked, still shouting to heard even though they were standing side by side.
"I don't know! This storm suddenly appeared out of no where! Rainbow Dash already tried to stop it, but she injured her wing. You are the only hope Ponyville has left Scootaloo! I know of no pony else who is even capable of dispersing a storm of this magnitude!" Twilight explained, though something struck Scootaloo as odd.
"What do you mean I am Ponyville's only hope? I cannot even fly!" Scootaloo called back, already cursing her inability to fly once more.
"This is no time for jokes Scootaloo! I know for a fact Rainbow Dash herself taught you how to cloud-bust! I know I am asking a lot, but I, no, all of Ponyville needs you right now!" Twilight cried out, clearly upset and flustered.
It was about this time that a bolt of lightning descended from the sky, striking the bell tower on the school house, which was quickly engulfed in a crimson light as flames began to dance along the area the lightning had struck.
"Scootaloo! Quickly, please!" Twilight pleaded. This was clearly no joke on her part. Looking back, Scootaloo found something she could hardly believe... Fully developed wings! Well, perhaps not fully developed, but they were notably more developed than was average for pegasi her age. Scootaloo began to smile as she unfolded her wings, but the flash of lightning and the rumbling echo of thunder signaled there was no time for such feelings.
"Don't worry Twilight, I will have this storm under my control in no time at all!" Scootaloo shouted, partially in glee. She quickly angled her wing to catch the wind and left the ground before Twilight could respond.
Scootaloo relished the feeling of weightlessness as she was quickly swept up by the forceful gale. Scootaloo's excitement was short-lived however. Despite having developed wings and being told about her and Rainbow's past, one fact remained; Scootaloo didn't know how to control her wings for proper flight! Scootaloo felt both her stomach and her heart drop as a sudden updraft caught her left wing, causing her to flip upside-down and enter a violent spin-out.
A moment of dread reached for Scootaloo's heart as the world around her began to spin incoherently. Her heart rate rose as her breath quickened. Fear was taking a hold of her, little by little. She had no idea how to control her new wings, and here she was attempting to calm a storm that had injured even a professional like Rainbow Dash... What was she even thinking? What where her wings for?
'Calm yourself, and let instinct take over,' some part of Scootaloo told her. Obeying her own words, Scootaloo started by taking a few deep breaths, as it seemed like time slowed around her, calming her racing heart as well. Scootaloo no longer thought about what to do, and a sudden urge came over her. Acting upon this new feeling, Scootaloo contorted her wings in a specific manner, making minute adjustments as the air around her slowed, quickened, rose and fell, and within seconds Scootaloo was no longer spiraling out of control.
Scootaloo's eyes widened as she was met by the sight of a building looming directly in her flight path. Once again acting on pure instinct, Scootaloo tilted her wings, causing her to bank to the right before giving a mighty downward flap, propelling herself to the right even further, her forward momentum carrying her past the house at an incredible speed. The feelings of joy and excitement returned once again as Scootaloo straightened out, ascending further and further into the blackened sky. Lightning arched across the sky once again, missing Scootaloo by mere feet, the heat it generated washing over her suddenly as the thunder stole her hearing for a brief moment.
Scootaloo found herself drifting just below the clouds, which seemed to swirl menacingly above her, as if horrors unknown lurked in their depths. The wind still raged around her, forcing her to make constant modifications to her wings to keep her aloft. Finally, Scootaloo chanced a look down. What she saw was pure terror. The school house was now completely engulfed in flames, and many of the houses were in nearly equal condition as a result of the storm. Scootaloo could also faintly make out the glow of Twilight's magic as she made a safe route into the sanctuary that was her new castle.
Scootaloo turned back to the clouds now, a spark of determination in her eyes as she shot upward, into the darkness that lay above. Instantly, the noises of the storm ceased, and it felt as though Scootaloo were standing upon solid ground once more. Looking around, Scootaloo could only a see a small distance, as if a small spot light were centered upon her. The 'ground' beneath her hooves was a dark and stormy grey, and seemed to shift just as the clouds she ascended into had.
There was one other change Scootaloo could feel as well now. Looking back with a creeping feeling of dread, Scootaloo's eyes came to rest upon her wings. They were once again back to their flightless size, causing Scootaloo to drop her head as tears welled in her eyes. Few tears came, however, as a voice called out to Scootaloo.
'As I presumed, you are a natural flier,' a masculine voiced drifted out of the darkness. It seemed as though it came from every direction, and echoed as thought it was carried across some great distance.
"Wh- Who's there?!" Scootaloo shouted into the darkness as she nervously scanned the area around her for any sign of movement. Darkness was all that met her eyes as he breath began to quicken ever so slightly.
'Who, or even what, I am is of little concern. I seek no form of recognition for what I do,' the same voice said, the only thing seeming able to pierce the darkness that surrounded Scootaloo.
"And what exactly is it you do?" Scootaloo asked. Oddly enough, she was more relaxed now, as if the voice was more familiar than she had first thought it to be.
'I help to make life-long dreams of deserving ponies come true. I have help one pony to achieve their dreams of being recognized, and another to become a king that is still talked about today. And now, I seek to help you to fly. You, who has demonstrated your courage, potential, and selfless nature to me. You, who is truly more deserving than most to wield flight, but one of the few without such power,' the voice called out once again. It was familiar to Scootaloo now!
"You are the one that told me to calm down and helped me to fly!" Scootaloo cried out in realization.
"But, can you really help me to fly?" Scootaloo asked, the offer seeming so perfect. Could it possible be true?
'I can, but I must warn that such a gift cannot be granted without a price,' the voice answered, feeling closer than ever now, almost as if it were whispering in Scootaloo's ear.
"What kind of price?" Scootaloo asked. It did not matter what the cost was... So long as it didn't harm her friends or the relationship she shared with each one of them. Or any other pony for that matter.
'I cannot say the exact price, but you must give up something of value to you. As I recall, you perhaps mentioned that you would rather have flight and be an eternal Blank Flank, no?' the voice whispered once again. It was only something personal like a cutie mark?
"Yes, I did! And I will remain a Blank Flank forever if that is what it takes! Please! Help me fly!" Scootaloo pleaded, completely entranced by the voice and its words now.
'As you wish, so shall it come to pass. The Price has been set, but know this Scootaloo. Such changes will not happen over night. As The Price is collected, so too shall your strength grow. May your new wings take you to heights never before imagined. Farewell, Scootaloo. May you live happily ever after.' the voice said once again, now growing increasingly distant with each word spoken, yet still the emphasis on the word 'you' was unmistakeable. In the back of Scootaloo's mind, this seemed to spark some emotion, but it was quickly drowned out by feelings of mirth and anticipation.
"Soon, I will be able to fly, and I can even help Rainbow Dash clear the sky! I can't wait!" Scootaloo shouted in glee.
A sudden wave of fatigue washed over Scootaloo as her eyes slowly drifted open, reveling her empty room once again. When had she ever gone to sleep? If felt as though she had barely slept at all, though there was the definitive glow of the morning sun peeking through the curtains on the far side of her room. Scootaloo grumbled incoherently as she kicked her sheets aside and sat up before sliding off her bed to start her morning routine. As always, she started by stretching her haunches and... Wait, was it just her, or were her wings slightly larger than normal?