Scootaloo stared at herself in the mirror and flapped her wings. They buzzed like an insect's, and were about as small, too. Tears pooled up in her violet eyes as she recalled what Diamond Tiara had said to her earlier that day.
"Ms. Harshwhinny would never pick a Pegasus Pony that can't fly to represent Ponyville in front of all of Equestria!"
"Your career as a flag carrier isn't getting anywhere, either."
"Even if your routine will never, how should I say? Take off!"
"Why can't you just be normal!" Scootaloo yelled at herself, tears streaking down her face. "Everypony was right when they called me a Chicken." Scootaloo thought of all the names the other ponies had called her. Chickenloo, Stay-Grounded Scootaloo, Flightmare, Little Wing Wonder, and of course, Blank Flank. She hugged her stuffed cat, the one her parents had given her for her 5th birthday, before they died. Scootaloo sat there for awhile, sobbing and clutching her cat.
............
Rainbow Dash couldn't sleep. It was the height of Summer, and that meant that the clouds of her home had heated drastically, making the place as hot as a sauna. The cyan Pegasus threw her blanket off her bed and flew outside. She landed next to a rainbow pool and sat. The summer breeze cooled her down a bit, but she still wasn't ready to sleep yet. It had been a long time since she had gone on a night fly. Rainbow spread her wings, planted her hooves into the clouds, and launched like a rocket into the sky. Dash slowed and surveyed the land below her. All was quiet. The lights in the buildings had gone out hours ago, and everypony but Rainbow Dash was sound asleep. She laid down on a cool cloud, and thought. Scoot would like this...wait, Scoot!? Oh crap, I forgot! Dash scolded herself. It was Scootaloo's 12th birthday tomorrow, and she hadn't even begun to think about the Filly's present. What would she like? I know she likes me, and she likes..scootering..and...that's it! She likes flying! I'll let her wear my Academy Uniform tomorrow, and we can go flyin- oh, right. Scoots can't fly. What should I do? I could get Twilight to cast that freaky cloud spell, and-
"I GOT IT!!" Yelled Dash, rocketing up from her cloud and raising a hoof in victory. She looked down at the cloud and nodded, then got to work.
............
Rainbow Dash wiped the sweat off her forehead and smiled with satisfaction. In her hooves was a pair of rollerskates, made out of clouds. These would be perfect. What the heck? Why not wake her up and try em' out now? Thought Dash.
"Now, where does that kid live?" Dash began to search. House by house, she looked for that familiar orange coat and magenta mane. Dash was about to give up and go home when she heard soft sobbing. She turned and flew toward the source of the crying, and she couldn't have been more surprised at what she found. Hidden in an alley, crying in front of a broken mirror, was Scootaloo.
"Scoots? Is that you?" The Filly looked up at her idol, eyes red from tears. Dash hadn't seen Scootaloo in a while, and she looked bad. She was much thinner, her mane, tai, and coat were filthy and tangled,and a dirty bandage was wrapped around her left forearm.
"Rainbow Dash?" Scootaloo sniffled. "You weren't supposed to find this out!" The filly shouted.
"What? I'm confused, kid. What're you doing here? Why aren't you at your house?"
"Because I don't have one! And I'm here because I have nowhere else to go." Snapped Scootaloo. Rainbow Dash stepped up to the filly and sat next to her.
"Scoot, why didn't you tell me? I'm your big sister, and big sisters are here to help."
"Because...I thought you'd be disappointed in me."
"Scootaloo, I could never be disappointed in you. You're the most awesome kid I know."
"I am?"
"Yeah, sure. Nopony else I know is awesome enough to catch 30 feet of air on a scooter."
"I guess so."
"Why don't you come over to my place? We can eat snacks and jam out to sweet tunes all night." Scootaloo jumped up with excitement.
"REALLY!?"
"Of course. So, wanna hang out with your awesome big sis?" Scootaloo jumped onto Dash and gave her a tight hug.
"Yes! Thank you so much, Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo strapped on her helmet and grabbed her scooter. Dash hoisted the Filly onto her back and flew to her cloud home. Scootaloo hopped off and almost fainted when Dash opened the door.
"Welcome to fort awesome. Rules: I get to pick the tunes, but I take suggestions. Don't bother Tank when he's sleeping. Other than that, you're free to do whatever."
"Hey, Rainbow Dash?"
"What's up, kid?"
"Can I take a bath? I haven't had one in a long time." Said Scootaloo. Dash smirked.
"You're just like Fluttershy. Of course you can. You can do whatever you want at fort awesome. I'll go get the water running for you." With that, Rainbow flew off into the house, Scootaloo at her heels. Scootaloo bumped into Dash as she trotted into the bathroom. The sound of running water hit Scootaloo's ears, and she ran up and jumped into the bathtub, splashing the older mare.
"Hey!" Said Dash. Scootaloo frowned.
"Sorry Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo quickly apologized. Rainbow smirked, then splashed Scootaloo back and leapt into the huge bathtub. The two got into a water fight, splashing each other and getting water all over the floor. All of a sudden, Scootaloo screamed and scrambled out of the tub, then laid down on the wet floor and started to rock back and forth. Rainbow shut off the water and flew over to her sister, concerned. She wrapped a wing around the filly and sat her up.
"Scoot, are you ok?" Asked Dash. Scootaloo just shook her head and closed her eyes tightly. Rainbow looked her up and down, trying to figure out what was wrong. Her eyes eventually settled on the filthy bandage. Dash took a gentle hold on Scootaloo's arm. Scootaloo quickly snatched it away and shook her head.
"Scootaloo, stop. I'm trying to help." Said Dash crossly. "Now let me see it." Slowly, Scootaloo stretched out her arm. Rainbow untied the knot and unwrapped it. Then, she almost puked all over the floor. Scootaloo's arm was gashed wide open, and it was badly infected. "How can you do this to yourself, kid? You should have told somepony as soon as you got this. Because this is what happens. Now come on, let's get this cleaned up."
...............
"Glad that's over. Now, here's my room." Dash opened her bedroom door. Scootaloo immediately galloped inside and leapt onto Rainbow's plush cloud bed. Scootaloo wrapped herself up in the blankets and laughed. Rainbow laid down on the bed and smiled. "Pretty cool, huh?"
"Yeah! You've got the most awesome bed ever!" Cheered Scootaloo. Rainbow got her out of the blankets and spread them over her and Scootaloo, then tucked the cloud roller skates under her bed.
"I'm glad you think so, cause' you're spending the night with me." Said Dash, tussling Scootaloo's damp mane.
"Really?" Scootaloo yawned, laying her head on the pillow. She yawned again, then closed her eyes.
"Yeah. Night, Scootaloo." Replied Dash.
"Goodnight, Rainbow Dash."
...............
"Hey! Scoot! Wake up, breakfast is done!" Shouted Dash. Scootaloo sat up, rubbing her eyes.
"O...ok..." Scootaloo yawned. She hopped out of bed and followed Dash into the kitchen, the enticing scent of waffles beconing her. On the kitchen counter were 2 stacks of golden waffles, covered in syrup and topped with whipped cream and a strawberry. Scootaloo sat on one of the tall stools, and Rainbow sat on the other. She picked up a fork in her hoof and stabbed a waffle, then ate it. It tasted amazing. The waffle was warm and flakey, and the syrup was sticky and sweet.
"You like it?" Asked Dash, her mouth full of waffle.
"Mhm!" Scootaloo nodded vigorously.
"Good. You'll need to be full for the stuff I planned for us today. But first, let's stop by Sugarcube Corner. I heard Pinkie made a new cake flavor or whatever." Said Rainbow. Scootaloo scarfed down her waffles and sat on the couch, admiring the view of Ponyville. Canterlot was barely visible over the hills. Rainbow sat next to her, and just enjoyed the feeling of being with the sister she never had. After a while, they got up, and Rainbow flew them down to Sugarcube Corner. Rainbow was surprised that Scootaloo hadn't noticed the present she was holding. When the door opened, ponies jumped out of hiding places and yelled "SURPRISE!!". Scootaloo gasped. There was a table in the middle of the room. Stacks of presents sat on top, along with a large cake, and banner hung from the ceiling that said "Happy Birthday Scootaloo!" on it. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle gave Scootaloo a group hug.
"You guys threw me a party? You're the best friends ever!" Said Scootaloo.
"Actually, it was Rainbow Dash's idea." Replied Applebloom. Scootaloo turned to face her sister, eyes wide. She ran towards her and gave her a loving hug. Tears started to stream down Scootaloo's face.
"I love you, Rainbow Dash." Scootaloo sobbed, a smile on her face.
"I love you too, kid." Scootaloo broke the hug, but continued to cry when Dash held out a brightly wrapped present. "Happy 12th birthday." Scootaloo took the present in her hooves and started to untie the bow. "Hold up, Scootaloo! You can't open that until after cake." Said Rainbow. Scootaloo ran up to the table and stood on a stool as everypony started to sing.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Scootaloo, happy birthday to you!" They sang.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!" Yelled Pinkie. Dash stood next to Scootaloo as she blew out her candles. Everypony cheered, and Scootaloo immediately unwrapped Rainbow Dash's gift. Inside was a pair of cloud rollerskates, and Rainbow Dash's Wondebolt Academy uniform, and lead pony pin. There was also a birthday card. Scootaloo opened the card and read it aloud, so everypony could hear.
"Dear Scootaloo,
You're the most awesome filly I know, and also the most afraid. Don't worry about impressing me: I couldn't be anymore proud of you than I already am. When I saw you last night, I was surprised, shocked, and disgusted. No filly deserves to live like that; especially not you. That's why you're gonna live with me and Tank from now on, ok? And trust me, today is gonna be the best birthday you've ever had.
Rainbow Dash
P.S, uniform and pin are a one day rental.
Scootaloo hugged Rainbow Dash so tight she couldn't breathe.
"Thank you so much!!"
"Sure thing. Now, can you please let go? I can't breathe. And, you should put on that uniform and rollerskates, Captain Scootaloo." Scootaloo released Dash from her death hug and put on the uniform and skates. Dash smiled and nodded approvingly.
"Can we go try them out!?"
"Sure, why not. Presents can wait. Now, are you ready Captain?"
"Yes ma'm!"
"Great!" Rainbow swooped Scootaloo up into her arms and carried her to the start of a cloud skate way. Scootaloo stumbled and slid, but soon was rollerskating across the clouds and jumping from one to the other, Rainbow Dash flying by her side.
Captains of the Sky
Author's Note
I don't know how to spell flakey/flaky. Also, I still think Scootaloo is an orphan. Leave me some feedback, I want to know what you liked, what you didn't like, and an overall *\10 rating. Please? It's the only way I can improve. Read, comment, and enjoy!
