A Midnight Flight

Cool night air massaged my body. A soft glow came from below as I flew over Canterlot along with the moon light above. Light from the streetlamps created a sense of tranquility in the stillness of the night.  I brushed away a few strands of rainbow hair that whisked in front of me.

Flying at night brings me a sense of freedom and relaxation I can’t have during my weather patrol. I choose where I go and I choose what I do. It’s also a chance to take a break and think about my future.

I descend onto a nearby cloud and tuck my hooves under my chest. Involuntarily, my head sits itself onto the cloud in front of me and memories of this morning came to light.

Dash was trotting down the streets of Ponyville towards her Cloud house. The sun shone high in the sky as Dash had just left the market and came back empty-handed after deciding she needed nothing.

“Dash! Dash!” A squeaky voice sputtered. A little orange filly full out sprinted at Rainbow Dash. The filly collided into Dash and knocked the two of them over. The two of them rolled over and slowed until Scootaloo was on top of Dash’s belly jumping.

Dash stuck her hoof out from underneath herself and ruffed up Scootaloo’s mane.

“What’s up squirt?”

The small filly hopped off Dash and started trotting in circles around the grounded mare.

“I finally flew! Well, kinda. I was on my scooter and I made my wings go really fast and I went off a small ramp while buzzing my wings like I do when I get excited and I landed a few hooves further than I usually do! I actually flew Rainbow Dash!”

Dash chuckled while she got to her hooves.

“That’s great squirt, maybe I can show you some tricks later. I have to get back to work in a few minutes, but after work I have some time.”

Scootaloo leaped into Dash again, toppling both of them over. She nuzzled Dash’s chest as Dash pulled her in for a quick hug. Scootaloo then hopped off and started trotting towards town. Dash pulled herself up and continued her walk.

I thought back to earlier today. I had showed Scootaloo some flying techniques to maximize wing power and I also showed her some of my basic tricks, like flips and stuff like that.

I smile as I remember the look of elation on her face after I showed her my tricks. If I had not known any better I would say she was the happiest filly in Equestria at that very moment. In just a moment’s grace her expression changed from elation to nervousness. I noticed the changed and had asked her what was bothering her.

Scoot’s eyes grew to the size of melons as she hid behind her forelocks.

“Do you think I’ll ever fly as fast as you Rainbow Dash?”

Dash lowered herself to match the filly’s level.

“Of course you will, in fact I know you will fly even faster than me.” Rainbow wrapped a wing around Scootaloo and pulled her close. Scootaloo tucked her face into Rainbow’s shoulder.

Scootaloo’s erratic breathing slowed to a steady pace. Rainbow lowered her until they were both laying in the grass. Scootaloo remained tucked in Dash’s wing as the sun fell. She had fallen asleep long prior and once the moon finally peeked over the horizon, Rainbow carried Scootaloo to her home and put her to bed. As Rainbow left, she planted a gentle kiss on her forehead.

“Sweet dreams squirt.” A soft smile grew on Scootaloo’s face and she rolled over, further tucking herself into bed.

I shifted on the cloud into a more comfortable position. I recalled some of my previous moments with Scootaloo, starting with the camping trip when she first asked me to be a sister to her.

There was no way I could say no to such a cute little filly, well that and the fact she had an entire fan club dedicated just to me. But as time went on and I spent time with Scoots, I have realized that what it means to be a sister is not so I could have someone to follow me around and shower me with praise. Instead, I think having a sister means I can teach my knowledge and skills to another and help raise her to be the best she can be.

I may not be book smart like Twilight or a great barterer like Applejack, but I can still teach everything I do know to Scootaloo with the hope that one day she will be greater than me. Is there really anything else in life I can ask for? Nothing is more sacred than family. Regardless if we were family by blood or by heart.

Rainbow thought back to the past few months. She and Scootaloo training Scoot’s wings to increase her wing power and her speed. Dash gave a small chuckle as she remembered how Scoot’s tiny wings would flap so fast to the point that Scootaloo was like a little orange hummingbird. How she flaps so fast is unknown to Dash.

The edge of Rainbow’s lips turned upwards into a grin, proud of her little sister. Rainbow picked herself up and walked to the edge of the cloud. Preparing to jump, her wings spread out to her sides. Giving a final farewell to the clouds, Dash took off towards her house.

Rainbow finally arrived back at her house. She flew around to the side of the house and through a window that led into her bedroom. Dash felt the tendrils of sleep reaching out for her, but instead of sleeping in her own room, she walked across the house and into Scootaloo’s room.

Dash hopped onto her bed and curled around Scoots, bringing the two into a furry embrace. Dash’s tail wrapped around Scootaloo and Dash laid her head onto a cloud pillow. With a final movement to further embrace Scootaloo, Dash laid a hoof across the small filly and whispered.

“Prepare to take flight, you still have your entire life ahead of you Scoots”