Flight, Failure, Faith and Family

by 8686

Epilogue: Sunset / Letter From The Principal / Letter to the Princess

Epilogue: Sunset / Letter From The Principal / Letter to the Princess

The sunset and the moonrise had both been epic. Rainbow Dash had arranged the distant clouds in such a perfect way, that as the sun sank past certain points in the sky its light caught them just so and painted heaven in the most vibrant array of colours imaginable. Rainbow Dash was an artist, and the sky was her canvas.

It was more beautiful than any firework display and drew astonished gasps from the dwindling crowd, now all gathered at the westernmost point of the cloud mass for the best view. The lucky few that had been able to stay at the beach long enough to watch it.

Then when the sun had finally set, and everypony had thought the show was over, the full moon had risen and begun the dance in reverse. Only instead of vibrant golds and pastel oranges, onlookers were treated to a majestic symphony in blue and silver.

One of those onlookers – perhaps unexpectedly – was Fluttershy, and no sooner had Dash spotted her than she was invited over to join them.

She accepted the invitation with a smile, but unfortunately it did nothing to hide the black eye she now proudly sported.

"Fluttershy? What happened to you?"

"Oh, don't worry about it. It actually looks a lot worse than it is."

But Rainbow was insistent, and wouldn't rest until she got an explanation.

"Well...it was the last point of the match and I may have got a bit too close to the net." Fluttershy was smiling as she spoke. "The ball hit me quite hard, and when I came to, all the players were standing over me and telling me we'd won."

"Are...are you okay?"

"Oh, I'm fine," said Fluttershy genuinely. "Everypony was so nice. The other team felt so bad that they insisted on buying me ice-cream, and Spitfire said I could have free tickets to any Wonderbolt show I wanted. She called me 'heroic.'" Fluttershy blushed a little. "And then Soarin and Fleet Foot took me snorkelling with them. They were both really sweet."

"Wow. You really are okay."

"I'm fine," she reassured. "This really has been the best Pegasus Beach Party ever, and seeing you two together here has just made it even better."

That prompted Scootaloo to launch into an enthusiastic explanation of the conversation they'd had on the ground, and her new status as Rainbow Dash's sister. When she'd finished, Fluttershy had subconsciously looked to Rainbow Dash as if for confirmation, and Dash put her foreleg round Scootaloo's shoulders with a grin and a confident nod, followed a moment later by a yawn.

Fatigue struck, and Dash lay down, spreading herself on the comfortable cloud, Scootaloo nestling at her side. Rainbow's eyelids became heavy and she found herself quite unable to keep them open.

Only then, while lying there on the cloud beneath the moonlit sky, did it even occur to her that she hadn't relaxed for two days straight. Setting up the beach party, the trip to Viper's office, trying to find Scootaloo in Ponyville – it had all been frenetic. Combined with the good night's rest she hadn't had the previous day, not to mention Operation Calendar Drop, and it was no wonder that she was totally exhausted.

But it had been worth it. Awesome beach party? Check. Oldest friend happy? Check. Little sister gained? Check.

Best. Day. Ever.

---

Dear Rainbow Dash,

I am sorry to hear that Scootaloo will not be joining the curriculum this semester. I hope that her training goes well, and to that end I have enclosed a number of lesson plans used on our beginner courses. I hope you find them useful.

Should she decide to take up formal schooling here she will be free to apply again next semester.

We'll keep the door open for her. Good luck.

Sincerely,

Pale Frost

---

Dear Princess Luna,

I've been very lucky to make some awesome friends here in Ponyville, but I never thought I'd make a sister. But that's what Rainbow Dash says she is now – a real sister who loves me and cares about me no matter what.

I've never had a sister before, so I don't know how it's supposed to feel. But right now it's the best feeling in the world!

So I wanted to say thank you. Thank you. If it hadn't been for you I never would have been brave enough to really talk to Rainbow Dash, the last two crazy days would never have happened, and I wouldn't know what it's like to really have a family. It turns out, it's awesome.

If you're ever in Ponyville with your big sister, feel free to come visit me and mine. We can have, like a sister party or something!

It would be nice to thank you in person.

Your loyal subject,

Scootaloo.

Author's Note:

Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for reading.

I don't like sticking my head above the parapet. I'm only the writer. The words you have just read are the important ones. These are not, and to that end I'll be brief.

I hope you've derived some enjoyment from this tale, though I would understand if you had not. I began writing this months ago and abandoned it almost exactly half way through as unsalvageable. What initially began as a story exploring the relationship between Scoots and Dash, and the former's gradual disillusionment with the latter, quickly became overtaken by little vignettes or 'scenes I'd like to see', not to mention the entirety of Chapter 2, which might as well just be titled 'headcanon' and made into a deleted scene for all the effect it has on the plot.

Add to that the fact that this is a well trodden subject already, and one done so much better by so many others, and I felt like I had a lot of disparate scenes with little in the way of a cohesive thread tying them together. To my mind that's what this still is - I can still see the cracks in the veneer as it were. I'm still surprised I bothered to finish it. I'm even more surprised you're reading it. Seriously, no-one's going to want to read that.

But if you have read it, thank you. Hopefully I did not waste too much of your time.

If you found something here to like in theme, style or similar and you have a little more free time, then I have another story up here which you might consider. It is, in my opinion, better in many ways (also shorter!) and you just might end up feeling something.

Plug over. That's enough from me.

Stay safe.

The Author

Comments

[dream1990]

i love it the epilogue a lot and what are you going to do for your next story

[Seether00]

May be well trodden ground, but this was excellent. I enjoyed it a lot and the ending was very satisfying. Loved the AJ and Rarity part.

[thereareonly2genders]

this was a fantastic short story. I see it joining the best scootaloo stories soon once it gets the attention it deserves.

[Shadow_Wolf]

beautifully done!

[VanillaWaffle]

40 likes. 40 pathetic likes. Why does it not have at least 200?

[Autumn Wind]

That was fantastic! I look forward to more from you.

[Driftridge]

Read this right after reading your first story to see if it would be as impressive, and it certainly was. I couldn't stop thinking throughout that Scootaloo was majorly overthinking everything all the time though.

[Dashaloo]

I LOVED this story you here me LOVED

[massive dawn fade fan]

very sweet story well written good luck on any future projects you do

[CCC]

A very nice story. I really liked Pale Frost as a character, and his history with Dash.

[Serbian Dash]

Okay, I have just made an account so I could comment.This was one of the best stories I have read.It's amazingly well written and touching.I've read it in one sitting, didn't even notice an hour has passed. Amazing work.

[Matthais Unidostres]

What IDIOT disliked this story! This is golden! This is perfect! This is awesome! That one person who disliked this story needs to be slapped across the face.
This was very heartwarming, and a very realistic tale of Rainbow Dash realizing what it's like to be a true sister, and how much Scootaloo truly needs her.

[-Frost]

now this is what I call a damned good story. Wow, thanks for both bringing a tear to my eye and for making me smile. I'm a huge sucker for rainbow/scoot family fics.

-frost

[j-grizz]

Excellent story, thanks.

[kluck]

you gained a follower with this story

[Psitally]

Damn good writing skills! Loved it!!

[Lightoller]

YUSH!

pinkie.ponychan.net/chan/files/src/135438169408.gif

[RaylanKrios]

I was re-reading this and I've noticed that I haven't comented on it. This story is amazing and has made my top ten. Seriously soo good. out of

[Hillbe]

You are a humble writer .It's a grand piece you have here. No waste of anyones time, Entertaining, easy to read, heart warming....

After the show Spike had at the Library'
All the little ones were waiting for their families to pick them up,
Sweetie Belle laughingly said to Apple Bloom "If Dragons are so scary why does my big sister take her 'Spikey Wikey' on gem hunting trips?"
Giggles came from the little fillies & colts, "Spike has a mare frie..."
Pinkie poped in like an exploding party favor "FOREVER!"

Well done Sir,

[TheGreatEater]

This fic deserved every upvote it got.

[Csquared08]

and one done so much better by so many others

I'm not convinced. I've read a lot of Scootalove. It's a story type I have a particular fondness for. This is perhaps the best Scootalove story I've read.

[TheifofZ]

Due to fan request, I'm going to be reading and reviewing this story for my review this week.
So that's going to happen.

[Dancewithknives]

Accepted into the Sibling Story Stockpile

[The Raisin Spazz]

3284963 well, at this moment it has exactly 200 likes.

[TIAS-A1927]

Wow, really one of my most favourites storys!!!! Love it!!!!

[Maran]

Another excellent, heartwarming story. Rainbow's narration of hanging up the calendar had me shaking with laughter! And her troubles with her former principal were interesting. You've done an excellent job with her characterization, just like every other character in your stories. Dash means well, but she's emotionally obtuse. Sometimes other characters have to take time to talk some sense into her.

And of course I love the "I love you more" "No, I love you more" back-and-forth between Applejack and Rarity, as seen in episodes like "Trade Ya," and even going back to the end of "Look Before You Sleep." I doubt that you meant it as shipping, but one could certainly view it through shipping goggles.

[Hesitant Brony]

5662434
soontobeangel.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/mission-accomplished.jpeg?w=549

[Themaskedferret]

Another beautiful piece. I admit the idea of scoots having no family made me leery, but you sidestep it perfectly and it was great seeing the viper again too.

[TheGreatEater]

A part of me would love to see the Sister Party.

But all in all, this is a super adorable fic, well written, and definitely a nice little fluff fic to re-read every now and then.

[StolenMemes]

6982204

Two Weeks Later...

Scoots walks up to her mailbox and grabs the mail.
Bills, ads, and... What's this? A letter?
Scootaloo opene up the letter.

Dear Scootaloo

It has come to our attention that you are inviting us and our eldest sister to a sister party.
We accept your most gracious offer and cannot wait for said party.
Tell us the date and we shall make room in our schedule.

~Princess Luna

[Antiquarian]

I now desire a side-fic where the Princesses crash the next sisterhooves social because of Scootaloo. Also, though he wasn't in for long, I loved Spike's role in this story.

[Periwinkle fay 22]

What a great story. You have a real tallent for expanding on the characters we know and love from the especially show. They really shine in your side stories. The relationship s you have built are natural and funny, especially the exchanges between apple jack and rarity. Thank you for the heartwarming read. I just wonder why rainbow went to her old principal for help rather than her mentor from junior speedsters?

[Hoofclid]

What a lovely story. My heart is smashed in many pieces from the sad Scoots but you mended it by the end haha