Chapter 1
I decided to draw that day.
Why not? I told myself on that day. It was going to be rainy anyway. No way would my parents let me out of the house. The pegasi, the ones that could actually fly, were gathering the clouds already. And by the looks of them, this wasn’t going to be a light drizzle. Rather, it appeared it would be a storm. They were dark. Too dark for just a drizzle.
My mom was asleep. I could hear her snores with ease, even with her bedroom door shut. My dad was at work. I guarantee he was one of the pegasi that gathered the clouds on that stormy day. That meant I’d be alone with whatever I chose to do.
So I told myself I’d draw. There was a pencil and a paper. There were also books, but I’m not a fan of reading. I wasn’t much of a drawer either, but I preferred that over a book.
I walked over and grabbed a white sheet of paper. It was a bit crumpled around the edges, but I didn’t mind. Next, I had to get a pencil. The search carried on for about five minutes, and the only one I could find was one that was a bit chewed up, most likely from when I was much younger.
With the paper and pencil, I trotted over to the kitchen table. By now, the storm had begun. The rain wasn’t coming down super hard, but there was thunder clapping and lightning flashing. I sat in the chair and lifted the pencil in my mouth. I should’ve been used to the taste of a pencil eraser, but I wasn’t. Preferably, I’d have spat it out. But I couldn’t. Otherwise my drawing would never end up on paper. I probably could’ve tried using my hoof, but all of the ponies that had ever used their hooves for writing or drawing in the past have failed at what they were trying to make, which leaves only my mouth as an option.
For a few moments, I had pondered what to draw. Ideas came but were thrown out. All of them but one. It was one of the first to pop in my head, and it stayed as if it were clinging onto hope I would chose it, like it knew a chance was there.
With no other ideas coming to mind, I decided upon it. I placed the tip of the pencil lead onto the paper, and began to draw. It was coming out better than expected; perhaps I’ve always had a hidden talent for drawing I never knew about.
What was I drawing? Simply a lost dream. Something that could possibly happen, but I don’t think it will, because it would’ve by now if it was going to.
I could feel my eyes water as I drew. I willed them away, though. I didn’t want this drawing to get wet. Not this one. It was too important to me.
And so, I continued drawing with the storm rumbling in the distance.
---
The next day, the effects of the storm were obvious. There weren’t many, but they were all easy to notice. A few branches had broken off the trees, and the grass as well as the trails in and out of town were wet.
I sat in the CMC clubhouse with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. I’m sure it’s obvious what we were doing. Ideas came and went, just like with the drawing last night.
The drawing.
For the first time in a long time, I was wearing a saddlebag that day. My two friends noticed it right away, and questioned why it was there. I simply told them something personal was kept in there. That is the truth.
Eventually, we had decided on trying racing. Racing wasn’t in their veins, so I don’t know what made them decide on it. But then again, I don’t know why we choose to try half the things we do.
We made our way into Ponyville. Other ponies were exchanging bits for goods while others chatted with friends. I’m sure we’d probably disturb them with our attempt to earn our cutie marks, but I didn’t care. All that mattered was we were happy doing what we were doing.
“Hey, Squirt!”
It was, and still is, easy for me to recognize that voice. Only one pony calls me “squirt” anyway.
Rainbow Dash.
I looked upwards and saw the pony I’d been expecting hovering about. “Whatcha doin’?” she asked.
“Hey, Rainbow Dash!” I said with my usual grin. “We’re trying to get our racing cutie marks!”
“Racing?” I was sure she was glad to do that. “Count me in!”
“But, Rainbow Dash,” I chuckled, “you already have your cutie mark!”
“Doesn’t mean I can’t help you three earn yours!”
I knew my eyes lit up at that statement with the way her grin widened. “You’d really do that?” I said. Even I could hear the excitement and joy in my voice.
“Of course! Now, let’s get going. We have lots of work to do!”
---
She led us to a nearby open field.
“Sweetie Belle,” she said, “try running to that tree and back.” Rainbow pointed at a tree that was about seventy-five meters away. The white filly did as instructed, but her speed gradually slowed and when she got back, her breathing was heavy.
“Nice try,” Rainbow said. “But a good tip, especially for beginners, is to not go your full speed. You should get faster and faster as you near the end, so you’ll have that final dash to pull ahead of all the others!” Sweetie nodded in reply, still too tired and out of breath to say a word. Rainbow returned the nod, and then turned to me. “Scootaloo, why don’t you try?”
I bobbed my head up and down quickly with excitement clear in my eyes. I slipped the saddle bags off my back. I didn’t want any extra weight. Once they were no longer on my back, I readied myself. I squatted and licked my lips in anticipation, focusing on the tree. With a buzz of my wings, I took off.
It felt so nice; the breeze, my hooves hitting the ground, my mane and tail getting carried by the wind, everything.
I reached the tall oak tree with ease. I was still panting, but not enough to make me stop and catch my breath or slow down at all. I actually went around the tree. An order not issued, but something I chose to do anyway.
It was when I running back, though, when it happens.
A strong gust of wind had come. It was strong enough to whip my hair across my face. It was strong enough to make me stumble just a little off balance.
It was strong enough to open my saddlebag.
I heard the drawing being whipped by the wind a bit before it was finally lifted out of the bag. Rainbow Dash chased after it with an “I got it!” said. “Rainbow Dash! No! Don’t look at it!” I said.
But it was too late.
She had already grabbed the drawing it and was eyeing it with confusion and concern flickering in her eyes. She landed softly on the ground while still looking at my drawing. Both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle had their mouths open slightly. After a few moments, Rainbow turned to them and said, “Why don’t you guys head on home? We’ll catch up on this later.” I could tell they wanted to protest, but the simply closed their mouths, nodded, and walked away.
Once they were far enough away where Rainbow was sure they wouldn’t be able to hear us, the cyan pegasus turned to me. “What is this?” She held the drawing up, but I didn’t look at it. After all, I already knew what it was.
I trudged slowly towards Rainbow while my head hung low. When I was in front of her, I turned my gaze up to meet her eyes. I kept my eyes away from the drawing, but it was still in my vision. “It’s a drawing,” I stated the obvious.
“I can see that,” she said. “I mean, why do you have it? Did you draw it?” I nodded. I looked at the now very crumpled piece of paper.
A drawing of Rainbow and I, flying side by side.
“What made you draw it?” she asked, but I knew she already knew what the answer was.
“It’s… Something I’ve always wanted to do.” My voice was quiet, barely audible, and my head hung once more in shame, but she heard it. She opened her mouth to say something, but I met her eyes again. The look in my eyes told her not to say anything. So, she closes her mouth. I continue on. “I know it’ll never happen. Not with these old things.” I buzzed my wings as I talk. “But… It’s always nice to think about. I like having that dream, even if it’s something that’ll never happen. Maybe it’s the only thing that keeps me from getting to upset about never being able to fly.” I said with a soft smile.
“Oh, Scoots, don’t say that,” Rainbow consoled. “I’m sure you’ll be able to fly someday.”
I felt my eyes being to water, and my vision slightly blurred. “No, Rainbow… You don’t understand.” She opened her mouth to protest, but I continued before she could. “The doctors said so themselves. I’ll never be able to fly.” My cheeks dampened as I spoke. “My wings will never be able to lift my body off the ground.” Silence filled the air for a few moments, but Rainbow eventually broke it.
“How long have you known?” she asked.
I was hesitant to answer, but I do. “A long time. I know I kept on trying but… Maybe that’s just because I was holding onto the false hope that someday I’d be able to fly. That someday I’d be able to soar up in the clouds.” I paused, but I continued not long after. “That someday… I could be as cool as you.”
She seemed shocked by this answer. Her mouth was hanging slightly agape. But she replied, “Squirt, you can still be all cool without all this flying stuff. Heck, you already are! You’re the only filly, no, scratch that. You’re the only pony I know that can perform such awesome tricks on a scooter!”
I sighed. “I guess so. But I still want to fly with you.”
Rainbow gave a smug grin. “I think I can do that.”
That surprised me, and it showed me eyes. “How so?”
She then lay down on her stomach. “Climb on,” she said, gesturing towards her back.
It was my turn to grin. Mine held happiness, surprise, and joy. With the big smile still plastered on my face, I climbed on to her back, making sure to give enough room for her wings while still allowing myself to be comfortable.
And then my lost dream was found.