It's your birthday, Happy, Happy Brithday.
There is a little house on the outskirts of Ponyville, due North towards Canterlot.
The house is so little, for all it needs to accommodate is a filly.
A pair of groggy purple eyes opens from behind orange lids. The pegasus rolls over and checks the calender hung on the wall beside her bed.
Today was her birthday.
Mm... yes, right, birthday... "BIRTHDAY?" Scootaloo shot up from her bed, little wings flapping furiously as she looked over the calender. Slowly her wings stopped moving as the realization dawned on her and a frown formed on her face. It was her seventh birthday, and she still wasn't able to fly.
Scootaloo takes a bath in the nearby river, the water was cold that morning and she couldn't stay in very long. She shivers as she climbs up the bank and shakes her body dry. Her wings begin to buzz, sending drops of water flying. Scootaloo plops down on her hindquarters and spikes her mane back up into place before standing again and retrieving her scooter and helmet from the side of the river. "I wonder if I should try and fly again today before heading into Ponyville," She mutters to herself as she nestles the helmet on her head, "Maybe just for good measure..." Cautiously she glances around before getting on her scooter and propelling herself away.
Just a ways down the river there was a little clearing with trees and a large rock. It was a secret place she had marked for herself not long after her parents returned to Cloudsdale. It was known only to her; not the Cutiemark Crusaders, not Rainbow Dash, but her and her only. And that wasn't going to change anytime soon. She stops at the side of the rock, leaning the scooter up against it but leaving her helmet on. She learned pretty quickly that she needed it after the first few failed attempts. The rock itself peaked at about eight feet above the ground and was shaped like a ramp of sorts. Scootaloo often had fun jumping from the top with her scooter, but today wasn't a day for fun.
"Okay Scoots you can do this, you need to do this," The pegasus drew a deep breath and began to flap her wings slowly. She runs up the rock, flapping more and more quickly until she reaches the top and jumps.
For a second she thought she was going to finally make it. She felt her heart skip and her chest flutter, but in the end she came crashing down in the soft grass and flowers. Nothing was cut or broken this time, except for her pride. By age four a pegasus should be able to fly perfectly on her own, and by age seven a pegasus should have fully developed wings able to fly all the way to Cloudsdale on their own. But no, here is the little pegasus who never could, and at this point never will.
Scootaloo begins to cry.
Finally, it's become noon and Pinkie had finished passing out the surprise birthday invitations. Sugarcube corner was rented out for the day and the Cutiemark Crusaders (with the help of their sisters, thank Celestia) were busy decorating the place. Pinkie Pie was frantically rushing through the Ponyville streets looking for the special birthday pony.
"Surely she knows its her birthday right? I mean how could anyone forget their birthday! Have you ever heard such a crazy thing? Applebloom said she usually comes into town by now," she rambled to Twilight who was passing by on her way to the party.
"I'm sure she'll show up Pinkie, if she's not here in an hour I'll help you go find her." The alicorn smiled and began to trot on.
"But then she'll be late to her own party!" Pinkie wailed over dramatically, "And who would miss their own party?"
"Pinkie, it's a surprise party. She doesn't even know about it. She can't be late to something she's unaware of!" Twilight called back, shaking her head.
Pinkie continued her search, zipping around town as asking some surprised citizens on the whereabouts of the filly. Nobody knew where she could be, and finally Pinkie decided to wait at the road that leads to Scootaloos house.
It took some time, and she was becoming impatient by the minute, but finally a familiar scooter came rushing down the path with the birthday filly behind it. "You're here!" Pinkie called out, rushing in front of the scooter and startling Scootaloo to a halt, causing her to cash face first in the dirt. "O-oh gosh! I'm sorry Scootaloo I was just trying to surprise you! I was waiting for you FOREVER!"
Scootaloo re-adjusted her helmet and brushed off the dirt, picking her scooter back up. "It's fine Pinkie, did you need something?"
"Oh! Oh! C'mon I need you to come down to Sugarcube corner super de-duper fast! I baked this totally delicious cupcake just for you and you need to come try it!" The pink pony bounced excitedly and zipped away to the surprise party, while Scootaloo shook her head and chuckled before quickly following behind her.
Scootaloo jumped off her scooter and parked it against the side of the bakery, taking in the sweet smell wafting from it. It was nice to know that at least someone had remembered her birthday, and she was curious as to what Pinkie had made her. Could it be a Rainbow cupcake, just as cool looking as Rainbow Dash? Would Rainbow Dash remember it was her birthday? W-would she even.. care? Dash would probably realize that she was a lost cause by now and just not care. She looks down sadly before remembering where she was and walking into the bakery.
"SURPRISE!" Yelled a crowd of ponies as she walked in the door. Scootaloo blinked in shock, did Pinkie even plan a party for h- ah, well, of course she would. Her special talent was throwing parties after all.
"Is it actually Scootaloo this time or is it just another false alarm?" Applebloom asked running in from the back, "Oh dag-nabit I missed the surprise! Well anyway, SURPRISE!" The filly hugged her fellow crusader and grinned wide, "I helped Pinkie plan this party just for you!"
"Hey! So did I!" Squeaked Sweetie Belle, running up and joining in the hug, "Happy Birthday Scootaloo!"
"Thanks girls.." She tried to wrap her wings around them and strengthen the hug, but they were just too small. Quickly, she scanned the crowd for Rainbow Dash, but the blue pegasus was nowhere to be found.
One by one all the ponies wished her a Happy Birthday and Mrs. Cake brought out a large birthday cake with seven candles placed in the shape of a 7.
"Oh, it's your birthday, happy, happy brithday. Scootaloo, this is for you. It's your brithday happy, happy birthday. Scootaloo, this for you"
As the ponies sang Scootaloo smiled half-heartily, she wondered where Rainbow Dash was. She didn't want to ask Pinkie, thinking it to be rude. She was so busy wondering that she didn't realize that everyone had stopped singing.
"Hey, Scootaloo!" Applebloom nudged her, "Blow out the candles!"
"And don't forget to make a wish!" Pinkie chimed in.
"O-oh, right! I was just getting to that," She took a deep breath and deep in her mind she wished, she wished that she could fly. That she could soar, smash clouds and make a sonic rainboom. She wished she could do an inside out double loop or join the junior speedsters. And with this wish, she blew out the candles.
"Sorry I'm late everypony!" yelled a voice, the door to Sugarcube corner flying open to reveal rainbow dash and all her glory, "There was an emergency weather patrol meeting. Did I miss the song? Oh well, happy birthday kid!"
"Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo jumped out of her seat and ran to hug the pegasus, "I-I didn't think you were going to come!" She was nearly shaking with excitement and Dash ruffled her hair with a hoof.
"No way! I never miss my friends parties." She grinned and gestured back to the table where everyone else was still standing, "Sorry for interrupting everyone, now lets cut this cake!"
Scootaloo, this is for you.
The celebration was beginning to wear down as the hours passed. Scootaloo's bad thoughts had begun to subside, she was happy to be with her friends and receiving gifts and praise. She knew the day wasn't going to be all bad, but that sinking feeling stayed in the pit of her stomach, no matter how happy she felt at the party.
Now that the songs were sung, cake was cut, games were played, and presents were opened, one by one the ponies began to leave. Eventually it came down to just the Cakes, Scootaloo, and Dash. They decided to help clean up the streamers and wrapping paper left behind, and suddenly Scootaloo realized that the one pony she didn't get a gift from was Rainbow Dash. Surely it was because she was in a rush, but she did feel a little disappointed.
When they had finished cleaning up, Mr. Cake brought over a large bag, "Here ya go, Scootaloo. You can put your presents in here so you can get them back home. I also left you a little surprise at the bottom." He gave her a wink and she smiled and thanked him. When she had finally finished putting all her presents inside of it, Rainbow Dash took it from her mouth.
"Here, let me take this," She said dragging it away, "I actually have your present back at my house, so how about you and I go up there so I can get it for you?"
"Oh! Sure Rainbow Dash!" The filly leaped in excitement, she did get her a present! But what could it be?
"Heh, here kid, get on my back," And Scootaloo gently climbed on top of her as Rainbow Dash dragged the sack of gifts outside, "Man you sure got spoiled didn't you? Wait till you see what I have for you."
Scootaloo giggled, both from embarrassment and nervousness, and Rainbow Dash took off.
Being at Rainbow's house was pure amazement for the filly. The wonderbolt trainee was very well off, she even had rainbow fountains flowing outside her door. It was very rare for her to ever touch a cloud, let alone stand on one. She hopped up and down excitedly, taking in the feel of the cloud against her hooves.
"Woah there! Don't jump too much or you'll fall through," Rainbow laughed, kicking open her front door. Scootaloo cautiously stepped in and was taken aback by the interior. It was rather formal and full of medals, trophies, and wonderbolts memorabilia. She understood now why few ponies got a chance to see Rainbows house. She had two couches, a fireplace with a mantle, a flat-screen, and a beautiful rug in her living room alone. Scootaloo quickly wiped her hooves and stepped inside, closing the door behind her.
"You have a really nice house, Rainbow Dash!" She began going around and looking through any already open door she could find, looking to find out more and more about her favorite pegasus. One door she passed however, was shut very tightly, and a shiver went down her spine when she passed, what could be in that room?
"You don't have to keep calling me Rainbow Dash kid, just call me Dash. Are you hungry by any chance? Want a snack?" The pegasus called from the kitchen.
Scootaloo nervously trotted into the kitchen, "No thanks, Rainbow Dash. I'm still full from the cake at the party."
Dash rolled her eyes when the filly continued with her full name, and poured herself a cup of cider from the fridge, "Well then, let me just have a quick drink and I'll get you your gift." She sat down at her table and let out a refreshed breath while Scootaloo sat down next to her, "By the way kid, what did you wish for?"
"Well, isn't it bad luck if you tell your wish?" The filly wiggled nervously in her seat, "I really want it to come true.."
"Ha! You really believe that superstitious junk? I certainly don't."
And, as Scootaloo often believed, she needed to agree with Dash on everything and decided it wouldn't hurt, "W-well," She squeaked softly, "I-I wished that I was finally able to fly."
Rainbow Dash smirked softly and whispered into her drink, "I thought so."
"Huh? Did you say something, Rainbow Dash?" Scootaloos ears twitched, she was sure Dash had just whispered something.
The pegasus quickly finished her cider and stood up, "Well, come on kiddo, lets get your gift," she walked over to the mysterious door and the filly trotted behind her, "Oh, one thing I forgot. You need to close your eyes, no peaking! Or else you wont get your present." Scootaloo nodded and shut her eyes tight as Dash opened the door and the two walked into the hallway.
The floor was solid, their hooves made a loud clopping noise with every step they took. Scootaloo wasn't sure this kind of flooring was possible in cloud houses, but she didn't question it. She felt strange, paranoid almost. More than anything she wanted to open her eyes and look around to find where she was but if she did then she would have no special gift from Dash.
After what seemed like forever - but in reality was no more than a minute or so - Rainbow Dash stopped and the filly smacked into her flank. "Still got those eyes closed, kid? I need to life you up on this ledge really quick. Keep your eyes super tight for me okay?" Scootaloo nodded, but she was starting to feel very uncomfortable. Where was she? What was Dash going to do to her?
Rainbow Dash scooped up the filly and swiftly placed her on a table; quickly bolting her arms and legs into restraints. In shock and confusion, Scootaloo finally opened her eyes despite being told not to. She was laying face up on a wooden table with only her head and wings allowed movement. The room was dimly lit and she could see machines and surgical tools around her. Below the tables were cages and containers, she couldn't make out what was inside of them, it was too dark.
"Oh, Scootaloo. I told you not to open your eyes." Rainbow Dash smiled and the filly begin to squirm in her restraints, wings flapping furiously and eyes growing in horror, "But, since you're my biggest fan I guess I'll give you your present anyway." The pegasus shrugged and grabbed a dull blade from one of the tables. "Ah shit, I forgot to sharpen this thing. Fuck, oh well. I guess I can mange." Dash laid the knife at the bottom of the table and turned around to retrieve something else from a drawer.
The pegasus pulled out a small bridle and walked to the end of the table with Scootaloos head. The filly began to struggle more, but there was no use at this point. There was no way to escape. She tried to use her wings to hit Dash, but they were just too small to reach her. "Stop struggling you little shit," Dash hissed, roughly pulling the bridle over her head. A large metal bit was shoved painfully into Scootaloo's mouth and she cried out in pain as it was tightened.
"Dash what did I do? Why are you hurting me?" The filly screamed. Dash struck her across the face with a hoof and told her to shut up.
"You want to fly don't you?" The pegasus screeched at her, "All of my lessons failed! You're worthless! Defective! You made me an embarrassment! I will not have my reputation soiled by a flightless pegasus, so I will make you fly. And you will fly for me. You will become my greatest flier." Dash grabbed the knife and held down one wing, the other uselessly flapped in an attempt to distract her, but to no avail. She slashed and hacked at the orange wing as feather flew and the hoarse screams erupted from Scootaloo's mouth. "Stop! Stop! Rainbow Dash stop! It hurts!" Blood pulsated from the wound and down the table, some flying from the hits and splattering on Dashes face. She grinned with pride, the filly was going to fly.
But it wasn't going quick enough, not quick enough for her. If that damned emergency meeting hadn't gotten in the way-
Then she remembered the chainsaw. She tossed the knife to the floor leaving Scootaloo in a crying mess of pain with the top of a red stained bone sticking out from her wing socket. Rainbow Dash pulled out a chainsaw from a nearby closet and began revving the engine. It sprung to life with a roar, drowning out the screams as Dash sawed through the wing with ease. Chips of bone flew and blood sprayed from the wound, a hint of urine struck the hair as Scootaloo pissed herself in fear but Dash simply continues to the next wing and dealt just as much damage. When she turned off the chainsaw the filly was just laying there, sobbing and defenseless, her throat was scratched from the screaming and tears poured form her eyes. Blood dripped from the table and pooled at Dash's hooves.
"Now for the finishing touches, lets make you fly, kid," Leaving Scootaloo to whimper and tremble, Dash wheeled over a large machine bursting with static energy. She brought over a pair of wings. They looked real enough, the same color as Scootaloo's previous wings but then she noticed the wires poking out from the base. The machine whirred and hissed as Dash attached the wings to the stubs sticking out of Scootaloos side. She pushed the wires into the moist flesh and positioned the wings as straight as possible, "This is going to hurt way less if you'd stop FUCKING MOVING!"
But before Scootaloo could react Dash pull down a lever on the side of the machine, sending a blast of electric energy into the fillys body. She screamed and wailed as she was electrocuted. The wires bound with her nerves sending a searing pain through her body which only amplified the electricity. Dash shut off the machine with a wicked grin, Scootaloo was still conscious, but just barely. From behind the mechanical wings she pulled out a long wire with a pad attached to the end and stuck the pads at the top of Scootaloos head, near the base of her ears.
"Now, Scoots, I want you to move your wings for me," The filly sobbed softly and did her best to comply. The mechanical wings moved in a small flapping motion and she began to cry even more. "Happy Birthday Kid, you can fly. But I put a lot of work into making this, so you need to pay me back," She slipped blinders over Scootaloo's eyes to block her vision and unlatched the restraints. The filly was too scared to even move, but Dash kicked underneath the table and she fell off into a pile of piss and blood. Rainbow Dash led the filly to one of the cages and shoved her in, locking it tight and trapping her inside.
"What are you going to do to me, I don't understand?" Scootaloo sobbed from the chafe, wrapping her hooves around the bars.
The pegasus knelt down and looked deep into Scootaloo's eyes, "You're going to be my racepony."
"R-racepony?"
Dash nods, "I've had to deal with your shit for long enough. I'm going to show them you can fly, and that I never did fail. They wont let me race, I'm too fast, I would win every match. But I can enter you easily, you're going to make me a lot of good money kid." And with that she turned and walked away, leaving Scootaloo alone in the room to scream, cry, and starve.
A loud horn blared in the distance, and shouts and cheers could be heard. Scootaloo couldn't see anything except what was in front of her and Dash shoved her behind a gate. "You better win this you worthless filly," She hissed in her ear, and slammed the back of the gate shut, flying to her place in the owners seats.
"It's gonna be a great day at the races every pony! Our ever popular Rainbow Dash has brought in a new competitor. How will Scootaloo compete with Dash's previous racers? We'll just have to see! So, ponies, on your marks, get set, fly!"
A siren wailed; the gates in front of Scootaloo burst open.
And Scootaloo flew.
