A Chicken On a Leash

     Ahhh...this is the life. Blazing through the streets, not a care in the world. Ponies leaped out of my way as my scooter rocketed of a tilted board, causing me to soar through the bright blue sky. My wings are too small to fly, but my trusty scooter can allow me do anything my wings can't. I narrowly missed my teacher Miss Cherilee while I was too busy doing a backflip. Her only reaction was her jaw dropping in amazement. Not getting in trouble for nearly hitting her? Aw yeah! I took a deep breath, this day is just perfect. Perfect for scootering, that is.

     Again and again I do my favorite exercises, (Or you could call them tricks) filling up with glee for every minute passing. My idol Rainbow Dash flew above me admiring my tricks. "You got the talent kid." She called down. "You're getting better every time I see you."

     "Thanks Rainbow Dash." I replied, barely paying attention to the ponies around me. This will be the last trick right now because I was starting to feel sore. Flapping your tiny wings fast enough to move you is hard work. I careened off a wooden ramp, going faster and faster with my wings buzzing. Bending my knees for the trick, I smiled. 'This is it.' Time slowed down as I did three backflips, spinning through the air on the way down. Tiny yellow sparks of lightning shot out, harmlessly hitting anything in the way. Hmmm...that was new. Rainbow did a spit take in shock with the drink she was holding.

     "That...was...awesome to the max! Now I wish I can do that. So lucky!"

     "Hah, phew that was a tough one. Took me all night to practice this." I wiped the sweat off my forehead before my hips starting to tingle. Do I have a rash? That would be embarrassing.  I looked down, only for me to nearly faint. The cyan pegasus flew down and held my limp body, smiling wide. "Looks like you got your cutie mark kid."

     "Woo!" After all these years of searching, I finally got it. My cutie mark was my scooter with yellow lightning bolts on the side if it. It looked dashing on my orange fur. "I'm so happy!" I wonder what Applebloom and Sweetie Belle would say. Hope they aren't too jealous.

     Rainbow wrapped her wing around my side and noogied my spiked purple mane. "I'm so proud of you Scootaloo. It's a shame that you can never fly, but your motor skills completely make up for it! How about we have a sleepover at my house? It's my treat!"

     "Of course!" I shouted. I've seen Rainbow's cloud house floating in the sky from time to time, but never been inside. I wonder what it looks like! There could be so many ribbons and trophy and and...

     "Just meet me at 6." That long?

     "Yes ma'm!" I could hardly contain my excitement! Not only do I get my cutie mark, I get to spend the whole night with Rainbow Dash! THE Rainbow Dash! The savior of Equestria four times! The only mare alive to pull of a Sonic Rainboom! I was so busy with thinking that I didn't see my idol fly off. I'll see her later anyway.

     I ran to the orphanage where I lived and told the headmasters of where I was going tonight. Just to let them know. They obviously said yes, it didn't matter to them if I went missing for two years. That was way too easy. I went into my blue room where two other fillies were laying in bed reading comic books. "Hi Scootaloo." They said, not bothering to glance up.

     "Twinkleshine, Rhubarb, I'm going to Rainbow Dash's house tonight! Wish me luck!" I don't want to embarrass myself like I did when I went camping with her.

     "Woah," Now they were interested. The rest of the afternoon consisted of me packing my bags and planning what Rainbow and I are going to do. My room mates were so envious! By the time it was 5 o'clock, I was already at her house. I so excited I felt like I could do anything! I climbed up a ladder and knocked on her door, bouncing in place.

     A sleepy looking Rainbow Dash popped her head out the door before letting out a big yawn. "Oh hey kid. Sorry, I just got up from my afternoon nap. You're here early." She ran a hoof through her multicolored messy mane, but it hardly flattened it.

     "I just couldn't wait any longer!" I zoomed past her, before she could regain her balance.

     "Don't get too ahold of yourself kid. The stuff around here is very expensive." Around the main room, was Wonderbolt memorial. Pictures and signed posters hung on the wall, as if they haven't aged a day. There was also weight lifting equipment, but how did they not fall through the floor of a cloud house? Magic I guess. There were so many pictures and items that my head span. So...amazing. "Don't worry, I gotcha." She replied, placing a cyan hoof on my shoulder for what felt like the second time.

     My winds buzzed as I sprang to attack mode. "So what do you want to do first? We can play video games or we can jump off the roof and catch each other!"

     She simply smiled before walking to a wooden bookcase. "How about...reading?"

     My wings slumped down as I put on a pouty face. "Reading? But that's boring. I thought we were going to do something fun." I haven't read any books in a while, they are just so dumb. I hope Rainbow Dash isn't reading some sappy romance novel. Eww...

     "I'm not reading anything dumb kid, I'm reading one of THE. BEST. BOOKS. EVER!" She shoved the book in my face.

     "Daring Do and The Quest For The Mermare's Antidote." Weird. A sandy colored pegasus with different shades of grey hair was on the cover, swimming in water in the picture. I'm not really one for adventure stories. Action is more my style.

     "Yup! I'm waiting for the next book to come out so I'm re-reading the series again! These books are so awesome. When I finish, we can jump off the roof. Do whatever you like right now, I don't mind. Just keep it down." She hopped onto a black couch, burrowing her face into the book.

     "Fine..." I scanned the house one more time to see if there was anything new. Video games would distract Dash so that was out. My eyes caught something new by the door. Resting on some hooks were five different color leashes. Rainbow doesn't have a dog...but I wanted to see what it feels like. I giggled as I put on a leash, twirling around. The leash sparkled, almost looking rainbowy from the window. A mirror was right next to me, reflecting how cute I am with this leash.

     My idol noticed this as she began to laugh as well. I threw the leash off of me, my face turning red from embarrassment. "I-It isn't what it looks like!" Stupid bad timing.

     "Most likely. I was just in the middle of when Daring Doo raced one of the mermares that I noticed you put on the leash. It's okay, I don't mind. These used to belong to my dogs."

     I tentatively put on a blue leash. "May I ask what happened to them? Did you give them away? If you want to that is." Her face immediately turned a 180 as she sat down on her bed. A couple tears slowly fell out of her magenta eyes and onto the bed, staining it. Whoops. "I'm sorry, I just wanted to know."

     She wiped the tears away quickly. "I was just thinking about my dogs. *sniff* a couple of months ago, I owned five dogs. All different breeds, same spunky attitude as me. They loved to play and wrestle. It's too expensive to get another house so my dogs can't fall through the floor. A nice unicorn named Sparkler always enchanted them with a cloud walking spell, and I was so happy they could live with me again. Every two days I took my pets to her so she could enchant them. I guess one day I forgot to take them to be enchanted...and I woke up to see their dead bodies in the grass, a couple of meters above. Broken bones and snapped necks."

     "Aww...sorry for your loss. That really sucks."

     "I know, right? I can't bear to throw their stuff away." I could make this up to her.

     "Hey Rainbow," I said, picking up a green leash with my teeth.

     "What is it kiddo?"

     "How about I be your pet for tonight?"

     Her face blushed. "Why?" She stammered.

     "You can take care of me like you did with your dogs. Pegasi can't fall through the roof so we can totally do this!" I playfully licked her hoof. I'm ready.

     "Sure." She replied. I rolled on the cloud floor, exposing my fuzzy belly to her.

     "Now give me a belly rub." She grinned again before circling my belly with her hoof. Man, did that feel good! If I was right next to a fireplace, I would be in total bliss. I tensed up slightly when she started to circle lower, but I knocked her hoof away. "Not cool."

     "Sorry, I thought all pets liked that. My dogs sure did." I nodded in satisfaction before a rolled-up newspaper bopped me on the head.

     "Hey! What was that for?" Another bop on the head.

     "Pets don't talk." I laid my head low, giving Rainbow puppy-dog eyes. "Sorry, but you can't talk. You agreed to be my pet for a day. You may only talk and act like a dog."

     "Ruff?"

     "Good girl." She scratched my ears, causing a wave of pleasure to flow through me. I stamped my hoof hard on the ground as the ear scratching became more intense. It feels so good! Do dogs feel the same way as I do? If so, then I really want to be one! Noticing my happiness, Rainbow smirked. "How about we take this up a notch? Remember, dogs don't have wings. Not even ones as adorable as yours."

     "Arf!" I followed the cyan pegasus to a closet, where she brought out an orange turtleneck. Other clothes were hiding in the closet, but this one in front of me almost matched my fur color.

     "I sometimes use this when it's chilly outside and I'm not flying, but it's been sitting in the closet for far too long." I poked my head and hooves through the turtleneck. It was a little loose, but it kept my wings snug and my cutie mark hidden; Pets don't have cutie marks anyway. I could hardly move my wings with this outfit.  I was surprised that the turtleneck was so soft, it felt like I could wear it all day.

     "Woof!" I barked, before wagging my purple tail. It didn't obey like a real dog tail, but it's the thought that matters.

     "Now you're getting the hang of this. For your reward, how about a walk? Not outside though, I don't know what other ponies would think." I still hopped in place, putting on a pink leash. It looked the best on me. She held the leash with her teeth as we walked up and down the stairs and rooms. The rooms seemed to stretch forever as we continued to walk. Wonderbolt items still cluttered every open space. Man, Rainbow must be really obsessed with the Wonderbolts. I hope she gets to join them one day.

     After an hour passed, we stopped for a break. It was hard to, but I managed to impress Dash by panting like a real dog. I jumped onto the couch, before the dreaded newspaper smacked my rump. "No pets allowed on the couch either." After failing to convince her with my eyes, I laid on the floor, curled around her fetlocks.

     I never realized how much fun being a pet could be. I am closer to my idol than behaving like a real pony. "Rainbow," A smack on my head. "Can I tell you something-um...important?" Okay, these smacks are getting annoying. I'm going to have to cut to the chase soon.

     "Shoot."

     "Could I...be a pet a little longer than a day?" I blurted. Rainbow's face turned crimson as she stroked my back.

     "Well...I don't know..."

     "PLEEEEEEESE??? With ice-cream and cherries on top? With a side of fudge?"

     "Oh, how can I say no to a side of fudge? You can be a pet as long as you would like. It's great to own a pet again. Tank's okay, but a tortoise can take care of himself. It's kind of fun putting the lives of others in your hooves." I even think it's fun putting my life in her hooves!

     "Yay!" I prance around the room, dragging the pink leash with my neck, before the newspaper hit me on the head again.

     Rainbow still owned some old dog toys, so I was able to play with them. Balls, tug-of-war, you name it; we did it. We took another break (Wearing this heavy turtleneck makes you tired quickly.) before my stomach growled.

     "Looks like somepon-uh, I mean some pet is getting hungry." I woofed and rubbed my belly. "Let me get you a nice bowl of food." That'll do. She laid down a glass bowl in front of me and grabbed a hefty bag. "I don't know if it is still good or not, but here is your food." Kibble rained into the bowl, quickly filling it up with dry brown pebbles. I sniffed it before wrinkling my snout.

Bombs away... The food was crunchy, with a slight hint of cheese. Not too pleasant, but it didn't taste half bad. "I also forgot." Rainbow put down a bowl of water on the front. It had the word 'Scootaloo' scribbled hastily on the front. Cute. I greedily lapped up the water, switching between food sources before both bowls were empty.

     "Hey kid, I have to grab some supplies. Sorry for telling you right now, I'll be back in an hour."

     "Arf." I whined, not wanting to be left alone. I want to go with her, but I want to be on my leash as well! It's fun! She scratched my ears one more time before locking the door. Awww... What to do, what to do...

     Another growl broke my train of thought. I needed to use the bathroom. Should I use the toilets? I want to be like a real pet. If I used the toilets, no pony would ever know, but I don't want to disappoint Rainbow. Since I am now a pet I can behave like a real one.

     I went into a corner, smiling sheepishly as I did my business. Tank watched me while flying in the air, his eyebrows raised. "I'm a pet for Rainbow Dash now." With a huff, Tank flew off to a real bathroom.

     Now that my business was finished, I was thinking what else a pet did. Let's see...have fun, keep company...I know! They chew up their master's socks! I searched the rooms, trying to find the bedroom. No use, every room looked the same. Where is it? Just as I was going to find my way back to the living room, I tripped over a pair of socks. Okay, that is one good thing about being clumsy.

     Rainbow Dash wouldn't miss these. The socks' colors clashed together, and the blue and orange burned my eyes. My flat tounge rolled over the itchy socks. Even the taste was disgusting. I light chewed the socks. After continuous knawing, holes started to form. Hah, it almost looked like a real dog chewed it. Once I could fit my hoof through the socks, I stopped. That's enough for one day. I bet Rainbow would like this.

     I put down the socks sastisfied; then relization hit me smack dab in the face. What was I thinking? That's Rainbow's property! Unless she likes holey socks, their dead. Then me. I threw them in the trash, burying under some other items. I better go hide. I shivered when I hid under the couch, afraid for what might happen. Keeping my mouth shut, I watched the door open. Rainbow walked inside, carrying a bag of dog food on her back, and a small package in her mouth.

     I nearly wet myself as I heard her say the worst lines ever. "What's that smell? *sniff* Don't tell me that Tank had an accident. No...he's potty trained. I'll ask Scootaloo later. Right now, I just have to get this ready." She continued to the kitchen and opened up the package. It was too far away to see what she bought, but it was shiny.

     I scooted even further under the black couch when I heard the sound of a trash can being opened. "Oh no...SCOOTALOO!" The pegasus yelled. "You shouldn't have done that! No pet chews up my favorite socks and get's away with it!" How was I supposed to know?

     Rainbow searched the house, looking for me. While her back was turned, I scurried fast towards the door. I pushed up open, seeing stars glitter in the sky. Maybe this whole pet thing was a bad idea from the start. I ran towards the end of the cloud platform, ready to jump down. Just as I bent my knees, I felt my throat tighten. Ack! A green leash was wrapped around my neck! I was pulled back, my hooves grasping my neck for air. I looked above to the angry magenta eyes of Rainbow Dash. "You're in big trouble."

     150 painful newspaper smacks on my rump later, Rainbow stopped. "Why did you have to go to the bathroom in my living room? There are other places to go other than...there. Most importantly, those were my favorite socks! I'm very disappointed."

     I lowered my head. "Woof," I whimpered.

     "*Sigh* Just go sleep outside." She tied my leash around a pipe outside. "I'll let you back inside when you don't chew up my socks, okay?"

     Once she went inside, I twirled around in circles, trying to find a comfortable spot. Ulgh, these support clouds are as hard as a rock. I laid on my back and watched Luna's moon move. This is all my fault. I'm such a bad doggy. I'll try better tomorrow.

     I had a rough night of sleeping last night. It felt like I slept on a...oh yeah. Stretching all of my achy muscles, I pawed/hoofed at the door. Some sympathy please? Rainbow opened the door as I pounced on her. "Ruff! Ruff!" I licked her face until it was completely covered in my saliva.

     She laughed, poring kibble into my food bowl. "Down girl, down." I ate the food, the same bland cheesey taste. "I was going to give you your present yesterday, but you needed to learn a lesson. Here it is." Rainbow held the silver gift. Never before have I seen something that cool. It was my cutie mark, complete with the lightning bolts...as a collar. Engraved neatly on one of the lightning bolts was my name. "Do you like it?"

     I showered her face again with licks, this time more caring. She used her own money, to buy something for us to be together. Hugging just a little longer, MY master tied the collar around my neck. "Now you are officially my pet. Do you accept?"

     "Yip!" I have been waiting for this forever.

     "Congratulations Scootaloo! Now let's play." My pony life is now gone forever. But who cares? I'm still with Rainbow Dash. And we are both happy. I'm going to be the best pet ever!

     A knock on the door awakened me from my mid-afternoon nap. I crawled under the couch again so I can get back to sleep. A familiar voice caught my attention. It was Applebloom and Sweetie Belle!

     "Rainbow Dash, we have been looking for Scootaloo for a couple of days. Rhubarb says the last place she saw her go to was your place. Do you know where she is?"

     "I don't know." She fibbed. "There only living things here are me, Tank, and my new dog." They will get over it anyway. Friends in Ponyville are easy to come by.

     "Thanks Rainbow," the fillies said, going back to wherever they came from.

     "Forget Applebloom and Sweetie Belle! Let's play some more ball. What do you say?"

     "Ruff!"

     "That's the spirit!"