Shooting Star

"Rainbow Dash! Hey, Rainbow Dash!"

"Hey, squirt. How are ya doing?"

"Oh, great! But I ... still can't fly."

"Don't let it get you down, kid. Hey, why don't I give you a few pointers after I get back from the Wonderbolt trials on Friday?"

"Really?"

"Sure. Anything for my biggest fan..."

Scootaloo reflected on that conversation as she sat on a bench in the village square. It had been almost six months ago now...

Rainbow hadn't come back from the Wonderbolts trials. The Wonderbolts had been so astounded by her Sonic Rainboom, and other assorted stunts, that they had enlisted her on the spot. Now Rainbow was in Baltimare, performing with her fellow Wonderbolts to crowds of thousands. Scootaloo had the tour schedule pinned up on her bedroom wall. Next week, the Wonderbolts were coming to Canterlot for their final show before the end of the tour, and Scootaloo was going to be there. Sweetie Belle, now a worldwide singing sensation, was the half-time show, and as a result had bagged VIP tickets for her sister and two best friends.

Sweetie Belle had gained her cutie mark just before Rainbow became a Wonderbolt; it was a microphone, with two purple musical notes next to it. Applebloom, following the family tradition, had earned her cutie mark a month or so after, after successfully cross-breeding Golden Delicious apples with Zap apples, resulting in something Applebloom called 'Rainbow Deliciouses'. Applebloom's cutie mark was one of these such apples.

But Scootaloo's flank remained stubbornly blank, quite an embarrassing thing for a pony her age. She was almost full grown now, and her wings were the right shape and size for flight at long last. But they were pitifully weak from lack of use, and usually stayed permanently folded against her sides. The other day she had seen the Cakes' son, Pound Cake, pummeling clouds above her head, his cutie mark, a hammer smashing a cloud, clearly emblazoned on his flank.

Everywhere she went, ponies looked at her with pity in their eyes, and Scootaloo hated it. She had tried, time and time again, to fly, but her efforts would inevitably end with her spitting out dirt after another failure. But not for much longer. Next week, she'd see Rainbow Dash, and Rainbow would finally give her those long-overdue pointers.

The day of the show dawned bright and sunny. Scootaloo climbed into the first-class carriage of the train with Sweetie Belle, Rarity and Applebloom. They were the only occupants. Rarity and Sweetie Belle looked quite at ease with the cleanliness and elegance of the carriage, but Scootaloo felt edgy, like everything was so fragile she could break something if she touched it. Applebloom was fidgeting on the leather seats, so it was clear she shared Scootaloo's feelings.

The train began to pull out of the station and Scootaloo took a seat next to Applebloom.

Sweetie Belle yawned, waving an elegant white hoof. "I'm gonna catch some shuteye- I mean, I'm going to catch up on my beauty sleep, if you don't mind." she corrected as Rarity eyed her sternly. Rarity seemed satisfied by the correction, and she nodded. Sweetie Belle's head snapped back and she started snoring loudly and fakely. Scootaloo and Applebloom stifled sniggers at the look on Rarity's face.

Eventually, the train arrived in Canterlot, and the three younger mares were hustled off to the showground. They fought their way through an army of journalists and admirers, and then Rarity told the other two to just look around, before whisking her protesting sister away to her dressing room.

Applebloom went to find a drink, while Scootaloo opted for wandering the hallways. Eventually she came across a heavily guarded corridor. A row of doors, each with a gold star and the name on a Wonderbolt emblazoned on it, lined the corridor.

A guard stopped Scootaloo. "Where d'you think you're going, missy?"

Scootaloo smiled a hopefully convincing smile. "Rainbow Dash knows me. She asked to see me."

The guard looked suspicious. "And what's your name, missy?"

"Scootaloo." she answered. The guard turned away to mutter into a walkie-talkie, then turned back to Scootaloo. "Okay, proceed."

Scootaloo trotted along the corridor, passing the doors of Soarin, Spitfire and others before arriving at the door engraved with 'Rainbow Dash'. She carefully pushed it open and stepped inside.

She was met by the sight of a pegasus mare in a blue Wonderbolts uniform. Cyan wings were folded against her sides, and a spiked mane and tail coloured with all the hues of the spectrum drew the eye.

"Scootaloo!" cried Rainbow. "You've really grown... well, show me then."

Scootaloo was caught off guard. "Show you what?"

Two bright violet eyes rolled. "Duh. Your cutie mark."

"Oh." Scootaloo lowered her head. "Well, you see..."

"What's wrong?" asked Rainbow.

"I don't actually have it yet... I can't even... fly...

There was a pause. Then, "Really? You can't fly? But your wings are perfect, just like mine when I was your age..."

"But they're useless!" flared Scootaloo. "That's why I've come... I hoped you could-"

Suddenly Spitfire burst in. "Dash. We've ten minutes until we need to start the show. Make sure you're-" Spitfire blinked at Scootaloo. "Who's this?"

"Old friend." said Rainbow automatically.

"Well get her out of here. You've not even warmed up yet." Spitfire left, slamming the door.

"Sorry, Scoots. We'll have to talk later. Ponies to dazzle, ya know?" Rainbow started to stretch her wings.

Scootaloo left Rainbow to prepare, joining Rarity and Applebloom in the VIP box.

The show soon began. Scootaloo's eyes were on Rainbow the whole time. Rainbow performed several of her trademark stunts, but not the Rainboom; Scootaloo supposed they were saving that for the finale

At the interval, Sweetie Belle trotted in, adorned in a beautifully detailed dress, as obviously Rarity's hoofwork as the stunts were Rainbow's.

Sweetie Belle started singing, but the words mostly flew over Scootaloo's head. Only a couple of lines caught Scootaloo's ears.

"I will keep on chasing rainbows in my dreams,

I will keep on chasing rainbows 'til I find you."

After a selection of songs, Sweetie Belle took a neat curtsy and trotted out to momentous applause. The Wonderbolts returned, and took flight.

Again, Scootaloo couldn't take her eyes from Rainbow. Finally, the cyan pegasus began to spiral upwards, and Scootaloo stopped blinking. When she was so high she was only a speck, Rainbow began to dive, and as her fellows spun around her, a Sonic Rainboom burst across the sky. Scootaloo found herself on her hooves, pounding them on the floor and yelling as the Wonderbolts took one last lap around the stadium, a band of rainbow colours leading them in their flight.

Scootaloo cantered towards Rainbow as the Wonderbolts left the stadium, struggling through the crowds. Rainbow turned to face her, eyes shining. "Hey, Scoots! We're going on a training course in Los Pegasus for a year! Spitfire just told me! When I get back, and you've got your cutie mark and can fly, I'll be able to show you some amazing tricks! Now, what were you saying earlier?"

Scootaloo grinned. "Nothing to worry about. Enjoy your training course!" Rainbow flew off with Spitfire and Soarin, and Scootaloo turned around, tears glittering in her eyes.

"How will I ever fly now?"