Redemption or Forgiveness

by Gleaming

Rating: everyone
Tags: Spitfire, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, Lightning Dust, Slice of Life
Length: 4764

It has been a long time since Rainbow Dash has seen Lightning Dust, until they meet each other once again in Cloudsdale.

The two former teammate trainees from the Wonderbolts Academy meet up once again in Cloudsdale, but not for a friendly reunion especially with their past still haunting Lightning Dust's nightmares. Rainbow Dash takes Scootaloo on a little tour around Cloudsdale to show why some pegasi live there, that is until Lightning Dust tells Scootaloo her version of what happened when she went to the Wonderbolts Academy with Rainbow Dash.

Published 2013-12-25 20:50:04 UTC
Last updated 2014-01-04 07:34:07 UTC

Prologue: Reunion

Prologue: Reunion

Rainbow Dash soared through the sky with ease, the strong winds blowing through her mane, the adrenaline flowing through her veins, and with her little sister as her companion on this trip. Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo were heading to the place where Rainbow Dash earned her cutie mark as a little filly, and what better way to give her little sister a tour of Cloudsdale.

''Are we there yet, Rainbow Dash?'' Scootaloo asked, jumping on Dash's back. The enthusiastic young filly was very eager to finally see Cloudsdale for the first time ever, especially with Rainbow Dash taking her on a tour around the historic cloud - based city.

''Yes, we're here Scootaloo!'' Rainbow Dash said. She pointed her hoof across directly to her hometown, Cloudsdale. The fluffy accumulation of clouds surrounded the two pegasi, the Cloudsdale rain factory received extra amounts of water from Ponyville to prepare for another thunderstorm. The weather pegasi were gearing up to tackle the upcoming snow flurries that was headed for Manehattan. The Cloudosseum was packed with screaming and cheering ponies, just waiting to see more of what the pegasi have to offer in the Best Young Flyer Competition.

''This place looks so awesome, it's always awesome when you're here Rainbow Dash.'' Scootaloo hugged her big sister, as Rainbow Dash came in for a safe landing on a soft fluffy cloud.

''You always know just what to say, Scootaloo. That is why I love-'' Rainbow Dash said, coming to a complete pause. She looked up at a huge cloud building that had metal bars in front of the main entrance of the building, the sign on the top of building said: Wonderbolts Academy Detention Center. A red light embedded in the wall of the building scanned both of the two pegasi, the scanning light faded away into the wall.

Scootaloo looked over at Rainbow Dash, wondering why the light was scanning them. ''What was that all about?''

Rainbow Dash was as confused as her little sister was. ''I don't know, Scootaloo. Maybe this note on the wall, could shed some light on this detention center.''

''This facility was built to keep any pegasus who is deemed as an unsafe hazard to the Wonderbolts. Since the incident at the Wonderbolts Academy, we keep any and all pegasi contained in this detention center until they have proven that they are no longer reckless, dangerous, and not a threat to any resident who lives in Cloudsdale. You may visit any of the pegasi contained, but do it at your own risk.''

Spitfire

The Captain of the Wonderbolts

Rainbow Dash finished reading the note, she approached the main entrance of the building. ''Well, Scootaloo we're going in.''

''I'm always with you, Rainbow Dash. Let's do this!'' Scootaloo's wings flapped lightly off of the soft cloud, she gave a cute grin to her big sister.

''State your business.'' an anonymous voice called out from the interior of the building.

''Rainbow Dash.'' She replied back to the mysterious voice.

''Also, Scootaloo.'' The young orange filly replied along with Dash, looking at the detention center.

''Access granted.'' The metal bars started to slide open, the main entrance of the building opened with the metal bars retracting into the wall's interior.

The two pegasi entered the detention center, they walked down the hallways of the center looking for any ponies present. A loud rumble was coming from one of the detention rooms, where a pegasus with a brilliant amber mane that had brilliant gold stripes and a light turquoise coat was smashing the windows of the room.

''Lightning Dust?'' Rainbow Dash called out to her old trainee teammate, with Scootaloo in tow.

''Rainbow Dash? I haven't seen you since, Spitfire took my lead pony status and gave it to you!'' Lightning Dust groaned.

''So, how are things?'' Dash replied, keeping Scootaloo behind her back.

''How are things?! I'll tell you how they are, they have been terrible! Ever since I was in exile after I pulled those reckless at the Wonderbolts Academy, Spitfire threw me in this dump of a detention center! It was all because, you knew I was always better than you the minute you came to the academy!'' She stepped away from the shattered window glass, as she approached Rainbow Dash with the thought of revenge on her mind. I'll just pretend that I got over it, just to earn her trust and betray her. she thought to herself.

''When will you get over it?'' Dash bopped her head to the side, frowning at her.

''But, I digress. I'm definitely over the exile, how about you get me out of here please?'' Lightning Dust asked. She pleaded, and begged on her hooves and knees.

''Now, why in Equestria would I want to do that?'' Dash asked.

''You would do it because, you can trust me.'' Lightning Dust replied, a sad expression showed in her brilliant - gamboge eyes.

''Alright, but you have to promise that you won't betray me or get revenge on me.'' Dash watched her old friend like a hawk, putting Lightning Dust and Scootaloo on her back. Her wings soared from the detention room, she flew to the ceiling of the detention center with ease, crashing through the fluffy cloud ceiling of the building.

''There we helped you escape, now this is where we go our separate ways.'' Dash leaned forward in the air, throwing Lightning Dust off of her back. She started to fly with Scootaloo back to Ponyville, until her old friend stopped her for a moment.

''We're not done yet, Rainbow Dash. I want to talk to your little sister, Scootaloo...in...private.'' Lightning Dust hid her sinister grin inside.

''Fine, but only for a minute.'' Dash stayed ascended in the air, for a moment.

''Listen to me, Scootaloo. Rainbow Dash does not care about you, I know you won't believe me at first but, she only hangs out with you because you're the proof that she can show off to everypony. Not only is she shallow, she is also a trader, a liar, and a pony who would betray you without a shadow of a doubt.'' Lightning Dust held Scootaloo's shoulders, keeping her close to her.

Silence filled the air between the three ponies. Not a word was spoken between the three of them, until Rainbow Dash tried to intervene between her little sister and her old friend. She could not let Scootaloo become brainwashed, by this reckless demon who has no regard for anypony's safety.

''But... I thought she cared about me. Why should I believe you?'' Scootaloo asked, she wiped away her tears that were streaming down her innocent face.

''She was hiding a lie from you all along since, she knew that you would never know about her past. It's because, she didn't tell you everything about her. Sisters always share with each other with every detail, it would be wise to tell her how you feel.'' Lightning Dust said to Scootaloo.

''That's enough, Lightning Dust!'' Dash flew off to Lightning Dust in an angered attempt to shut her up. The young cerulean mare threw her hoof out at Lightning Dust with her hoof reaching her cheek, kicking her in the cheek with a huge amount of force. The kick sent her old friend smashing through the wall of the Cloudosseum. ''If I ever see you come near Scootaloo again, we're going to have a huge problem!''

Her old friend flew off into the sky, holding her bruised cheek. The two sisters flew back to Ponyville with the intent of spending some quality time with each other, that's only if Lightning Dust would go down that easily.

Act I: Ponyville

Act I: Ponyville

Act I: Ponyville

Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo landed back on the soft ground of Ponyville, after their encounter with Dash's former friend and trainee teammate Lightning Dust. They're going to move on from what just happened, and continue with their lives. Scootaloo returned back to her house, and Rainbow Dash returned to her cloud - based home.

I never expected to see Lightning Dust again, I'm glad and also concerned for Scootaloo's well - being. I'd better go to Scootaloo's house to keep her safe, that's if Lightning Dust is down but not out. the mare thought to herself. Dash rushed out of her house, flying towards the front window of Scootaloo's room, stopping for a moment outside of her window. She knocked on the window with her hoof, looking inside of her room.

''Then, why did Lightning Dust say all of those things about you?'' Scootaloo asked, sitting down in the corner of her room. She kept a broad distance from Rainbow Dash, even if she admired her big sister.

''It's because, she was lying to you. She thought that just by manipulating your mind, she was trying to turn you against me to get on her side. Don't believe anything that she says, she wants to get under my skin for revenge.'' Rainbow Dash said, rubbing the back of her mane with her hoof nervously.

''I'll believe you but, I want prove and I want the truth.'' Scootaloo said, turning her back to Dash.

''Fine, if you want the truth I'll tell you. Lightning Dust and I used to be in the Wonderbolts Academy together, until she decided to be reckless and not give a flying feather about any anypony's safety.'' Rainbow Dash said.

Nothing but silence filled the room, the two pegasi thought to themselves trying to peace the whole reason why Lightning Dust decided to return. A letter came crashing through the window, glass shattered everywhere on the floor.

Rainbow Dash read the letter aloud.

Dear Rainbow Dash,

The Wonderbolts have heard about the unexpected detention center release of Lightning Dust, we've interviewed everypony who was a witness of the breakout except we didn't interview you and Scootaloo. I would like the two of you to bring Lightning Dust to me, or the three of you will face some serious consequences.

Spitfire

The Captain of the Wonderbolts

She lifts her head up from the letter, staring at Scootaloo with glossy eyes. ''Scootaloo, we've got to go get Lightning Dust back.''

''Why?'' Scootaloo asked in confusion.

''It's because, Spitfire wants to put her back in the detention center, even though we were the ones who broke her out of there in the first place!' Rainbow Dash started to panic, pulling off a fake grin. ''So, we've got to go and find her!''

''Why should we? You just love doing what Spitfire tells you to do, you're like a puppet who is under her command just by moving your strings around. Mindless sheep who follow her orders without no hesitation, I don't get it!'' Scootaloo shouted, and glared at her big sister.

''This is what Lightning Dust wants, she wants us to argue and bicker with each other so that she could roam free. Are you with me or against me, Scootaloo?'' Rainbow Dash lifted an eyebrow.

''With you.'' Scootaloo said, under her breath.

''Good.'' Rainbow Dash packed her saddlebag, putting the filly on her back and flew out of the room into the air. She flew up into the sky gracefully, heading towards Cloudsdale. The two ponies reached the Wonderbolts Academy, where Spitfire was waiting in her office behind her wooden oak desk.

They approached the front office door of the Wonderbolts Captain, knocking on the door with their hoof. ''Ah, Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo. I've been expecting you, did you get the letter?''

''Yeah we did, Spitfire. So, what happens if we don't bring Lightning Dust to you?'' Rainbow Dash asked in concern.

''You have to tell us, Spitfire.'' Scootaloo said, anxiously waiting for answers.

''The punishment that I'll give to both of you if you don't bring Lightning Dust to me is, I'll make sure that Rainbow Dash never sets foot in the Wonderbolts Academy ever again! As for you, Scootaloo you won't be able to watch your big sister perform ever again!'' Spitfire announced.

''You've got to be kidding me? Spitfire, I understand that Lightning Dust broke out of the detention center but you don't have to make a severe punishment.'' Rainbow Dash thought for a minute. We have to hurry or, we're going to suffer these consequences.

''That will be all, and that's final!'' Spitfire shouted towards Rainbow Dash, putting her hooves on her desk in disgust.

''Fine, let's go Scootaloo.'' They exit the office, leaving Spitfire alone in her office putting on her sunglasses.

''It's now or never. Scootaloo, are you ready?'' Rainbow Dash was ready to soar out into the sky, looking back at Scootaloo.

''Ready!'' Scootaloo replied with a strong sense of enthusiasm.

Rainbow Dash soared into the sky, with her wings spreading out in the air, flying into the white clouds with Scootaloo on her back. They were on a search for Lightning Dust, to bring her back to Spitfire or they won't come back at all. The clouds blowing in Dash's face, she still had no intent of stopping any time soon. ''Time to go for full speed!'' She flapped her wings as hard as she could, her speed increased along the way trying to locate her old friend.

A blue and yellow streak was left behind in the sky pointing towards Ponyville. ''I guess this puts us off as a diversion, because now Lightning Dust is in Ponyville. Only we can stop her now!'' The two pegasi followed the streak to Ponyville, to make sure that they were going the right way.

Act II: Capture Lightning Dust

Act II: Capture Lightning Dust

Rainbow Dash flew down to Ponyville with Scootaloo on her back, looking at all of the gentlecolts and mares running away from Lightning Dust as she was terrorizing the citizens by flapping her wings to blow away mostly all of the ponies to the ground with no avail. She knew that putting Scootaloo in danger isn't a burden that she would live with, the only way to stop this rampage is by pretending to forgive Lightning's actions.

''LIGHTNING DUST, YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS!'' Rainbow Dash shouted, standing across from Lightning Dust in an open field near Sweet Apple Acres.

''Yes I do after all of the pain that I went through, I have the right to get my revenge!'' Lightning Dust yelled.

''I know you do, but you don't have to. It's not a wise decision to just dedicate your life to have your revenge on me, hurting innocent ponies isn't the answer!'' Rainbow Dash yelled back at her, thinking of ways to keep her distracted long enough to capture her.

''I decide on what I want to do Rainbow Dash, since we used to be teammates together. I know about your speed, and it's limitations.''

''You know after all of this time, you're still unaware that your actions from the past can affect your future.''

The reckless turquoise pegasus flew over to the center of Ponyville, stretching her wings out and rapidly flapping her wings to conduct a huge gust of wind, the heavy gust of wind swayed everything in it's path back and forth to leave the two pegasi the only ponies unharmed from the wind's destruction. She didn't care who she would put in danger, as long as she gets her revenge on her old friend, she could give a flying feather about anypony else.

She looked across at her old friend, with all of the devastation around them with the scattered buildings and the ponies left homeless with no protection from the damage. She lunged at Rainbow Dash with ease, throwing her hoof out at her, Scootaloo jumped in her big sister's path, instead she gets kicked by Lightning Dust as an attempt to save her. The orange filly was sent flying into Ponyville's main water tower, smashing through the protective metal of the tower.

Scootaloo layed sprawled out on the ground, her body was aching in pain every minute that she moved her body. The pain was surging throughout her body, looking up at her big sister in agony. ''I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash,'' The young filly looked up at the disastrous remains of the town that she calls home. ''I had to do it, to save you. You mean everything to me, that is why I had to take the fall for you.'' she said, shutting her eyes and closing her eyelids completely.

Rainbow flew down to her little sister, sitting down by her side to comfort her and not leave her side. ''Scootaloo, you didn't have to sacrifice yourself for me. I'll be sure to avenge you, after I deal with her.''  Rainbow Dash looked down at her little sister, she was worried about what would happen to her.

''You will pay for this!'' the cyan mare said, flying across in Lightning's path with great intention.

She rushed with the need for speed, gaining more speed with the wind blowing through her mane, the adrenaline building in her body, lunging out at Lightning with no intention of stopping. Rainbow rolled up into a ball along with Lightning Dust, spiraling out of the control with the destruction already done. They battled in the air until they flew up into the final peak of the sky, she was looking to end this quickly.

''This is the end for you. Sorry Lightning Dust, but this is goodbye!'' She freed Lightning from her grip as she was sprawled out in midair, flying up to the highest altitude of the clouds. The ambitious pegasus soared back down to Lightning Dust, extending her two hooves down to her old rival with a huge acceleration of speed, connecting while they started to plummet down to the ground of Ponyville.

''It's going to be over quickly!'' Rainbow Dash's speed was insurmountable with her rainbow - like streaks left behind in the glowing sky, as the two pegasi crashed into the ground with a huge loud crack in the scraped surface of the ground.

''I did it for you, Scootaloo.'' Rainbow Dash crawled over to Scootaloo on her sprained forehooves, putting her forehead up to Scootaloo's head. ''It's...over..now.''

Spitfire flew down to Ponyville with her two Wonderbolt officials in tow, she looked at the devastation and destruction that Lightning Dust left behind. ''I'll be darn, Rainbow Dash took out Lightning Dust. No matter, take Lightning Dust back up to the detention center!''

''Yes, ma'am!'' The two officials took Lightning Dust in their arms, flying back up to the detention center with Lightning Dust intending to keep the security very tight. They threw Lightning Dust back into the detention center, but with her own private cell to keep her confined in the cell. On the walls of the cell were, metal bars that keep the rambunctious pegasi unable to fly by keeping their wings trapped into the wall by the metal bars.

''Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo, I'm going to take you to the hospital so that you can have your wounds fully healed.'' Spitfire flew to the Ponyville Hospital, so that the two pegasi can recover from their injuries. ''I'll be sure to reward you for your brave and heroic efforts!''

Ponyville Hospital

The two pegasi layed in their two hospital beds, with the nurses and doctors tending to their bedside to keep them intact. Nurse Redheart stood near their beds, calling Spitfire into the emergency room. ''Spitfire, they're going to be okay they just have some minor injuries that will take a few days of rest to heal their injuries. Just remind them not to fly for too long.'' She went back to the meeting room with the other nurses and doctors, to discuss the future plans for the hospital.

The captain of the Wonderbolts entered the emergency room where Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash layed on the beds, they opened their eyes looking over at Spitfire. ''Attention! Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, I'm really impressed that you guys took out that rebellious refuge so I'm going to award you both the medals of honor. Since both of you took out Lightning Dust, you guys are no longer banned from the Wonderbolts and no longer banned from witnessing our impressive feats of greatness!''

Spitfire took the two medals of honor out of her uniform, putting the medals on their chests. ''There you go! When you guys are fully healed, we can have some training sessions at the academy. But, these training sessions will test your endurance levels so it is no game! I'll see you guys later.'' She walked out of the emergency room, exiting the local hospital.

''Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh! We have medals of honor from the captain of the Wonderbolts herself! It's so hard to hold in the excitement, we'll have to wait until we heal though Scootaloo.'' Her wounds might have kept her isolated in agonizing pain, but she was still eager to fly with her idol and her little sister.

Scootaloo's eyes opened wide with a burst of energy, looking down at the medal of honor on her chest. ''I'm glad to hear that Rainbow Dash, we'll spend time together with Spitfire on our side as well. You're the best, I'm glad that you saved me!''

The two pegasi locked eyes with each other, Scootaloo dragged her bed closer to Rainbow Dash's hospital bed. Rainbow crawled closer to Scootaloo's prone body on the hospital bed, wrapping her arms and wings around her little sister.

For a split second, the orange filly bestowed a kiss on Rainbow's cheek. A slight red blush was emulating on her cheek, closing her eyes for a relaxing moment.

Epilogue: Endurance

Wonderbolts Academy

Excitement was the feeling that Scootaloo felt when she was getting ready to go to the Wonderbolts Academy, but it wasn't just a regular old visit to the prestigious academy. She was going to the academy with her big sister and the captain of the Wonderbolts, for a training session that would test their endurance, that was something that she waited her whole young life to do. ''This is going to be so awesome! Spending time with the two ponies that I look up to, is so worth it as an excuse to skip school for today!'' Her wings lifted her off of the soft clouds slightly, watching in awe as her two idols raced against one another in the morning sky.

A swift breeze flowed through the soft, fluffy clouds in the sky, with the two pegasi maneuvering around the clouds with ease to get to the finish line on the other side of the academy. Rainbow flew through the clouds gracefully, until she accidentally crashed into the Wonderbolts flag at the base of the academy. ''You won't be able to catch up, Rainbow Dash!'' Spitfire sped past the cyan mare with great speed, landing on the finish line and came to a complete stop on the cloud.

Rainbow congratulated Spitfire by bumping their hooves together, as she stopped on the finish line as well. ''That was a pretty awesome race, Spitfire! For a captain of the Wonderbolts, you do know your way around your own academy.'' She rubbed the back of her mane with her hoof confidently, hugging the captain without hesitation.

Spitfire hugged the bold pegasus back. ''You did a very good job overall, Rainbow Dash. We even left our streaks in the sky, to show that we left our mark! I'd like to say that it's been a pleasure having you two here, you guys are welcome here anytime!''

The streaks of both Spitfire and Rainbow Dash were left in the sky, gleaming in the sun's light. The three pegasi exited the academy with the happiness flowing through their bodies, they walked into Spitfire's office.

Spitfire's Office

The emotions were rushing through Scootaloo's mind, still trying to process every intoxicating moment that she just witnessed with her two idols. She wished that she could do it all again, but sadly the next day she would have to go to school.

''Wait, Spitfire.'' Rainbow said.

''Yes, Rainbow Dash?'' Spitfire asked enthusiastically.

''Is it okay if Scootaloo and I be allowed to be in the VIP line with the other Wonderbolts?'' Rainbow begged on her knees, with her hooves and arms side to side to convince Spitfire.

Scootaloo hopped up in the air with a pep in her step, stomping her hooves gracefully on the marble floor of the office. ''That would be so awesome! We should bring the other Crusaders and the rest of your friends, Rainbow Dash!''

A tear was wiped away from Scootaloo's face with a gentle touch of her hoof, but they were tears of joy. The one opportunity to hang out with her friends, Spitfire and the Wonderbolts, including her big sister and her friends as well.

''After defeating Lightning Dust and now that she is imprisoned again in the detention center, I'm willing to give the two of you VIP privileges on our next air show performance in Canterlot.'' Spitfire looked in the cabinets in the middle of her office desk, opening the cabinets by pulling them open, taking the two VIP tickets out of the cabinets. She put the two tickets in Rainbow's saddlebag with her Loyalty element embedded on her saddlebag, she closed the metal strap on the saddlebag.

''Thank you, Spitfire. It means a lot to us, since we look up to you and the Wonderbolts because, you set a good example to show how leadership can always bring a team together if they're all on the same page like a weather team.'' Rainbow saluted to the captain of the flying team that she has always dreamed of joining, since she was just a little filly.

''You're the best, Spitfire! We will cherish these VIP tickets until the day we die, it's like getting an autograph from a superstar!'' The brash young filly's voice squeaked to the vocal levels of a screaming banshee.

''It's no problem at all, besides this could give you two the amount of energy that you need to accomplish your goals in life,'' Spitfire removed her glasses, putting them on the desk. ''As long as you have the friends and family that support you, there is nothing that you can't achieve or want to aspire to become. Don't mess with success!'' Spitfire winked.

''You got it, Spitfire! We're leaving now, maybe our paths will cross again someday.'' They turned their back to Spitfire, looking back at the experienced captain.

''Maybe we will, see you guys later!'' Spitfire sat back in her chair relaxingly, putting her glasses back on.

They exited the office of the Wonderbolts Academy, looking up at the bright sky huddling together for some warmth. A very brisk breeze blowed through the air of the luminescent sky, descending back down to the ground level of Ponyville. ''Well, we should head home right now. But, I'll be staying with you squirt.'' Rainbow said.

Ponyville

''Really? I'm actually honored to have you in my house, Rainbow Dash. Even if you've been in my house earlier, it's still special to me anyway so let's get going!'' Scootaloo said proudly, wrapping her hooves around Rainbow Dash.

The two ponies approached the front door of the house, swiftly opening the door with one hoof. They entered the downstairs of the house, running up the stairs at lightning speed. Rainbow Dash's face just spelled with relief, she unpacked her belongings and preceded to lay on the comfortable bed. ''I'll be hitting the hay early, we can hang out tomorrow if you want.'' she said, stretching her arms out as a yawn emulated from her mouth.

''Sounds good to me! We can rest up early then, to keep our energy strong.'' Scootaloo preceded to lay on the bed as well, but she decided to lay right next to Rainbow Dash. ''Good night, Rainbow Dash.'' The lamp's light was shut off with the room in a quiet, peaceful atmosphere for a good night sleep.

''Good night, Scoots.'' she said, bestowing a passionate kiss on her forehead.

The harsh winter conditions were a dangerous hazard outside to anypony, but the two sisters kept their cool and they were able to defeat Lightning Dust to keep her apprehended in the custody of the detention center. This may be the last time we see her try to commit any dangerous tomfoolery this time, or is it?!

The End