Chapter 1: Grounded, LITTERALY!
The words rang in Scootaloo's ears as her one true enemy snaked past her to sit in her designated seat.
"Worthless pegasus!"
And it was true, it was all true, it had to be true. Scootaloo was indeed a worthless pegasus, unable to fly, grounded for life. Scootaloo went to sit with her Crusader friends, head down and ears flat.
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell had noticed what happened, but hadn't made any comment. When Scootaloo came to sit with them, Apple Bloom placed a hoof on her shoulder.
"Don't let them get to ya." She told Scootaloo.
But she could barley hear her friend's words, the world was hazy for Scootaloo at the moment, not really hearing anything, nor seeing anything either.
A sharp nudge from Apple Bloom quickly tugged her back to reality. "Scoots did ya hear what ah said?" Apple Bloom asked. "Ah said that their just doin' it because they like gettin' a reaction outta you! If ya don't let it bother ya, they'll leave ya alone."
Scootaloo nodded sadly, and as Ms. Cheerlie the classroom, the small pegasus left her two friends to sit at her seat across the room from them. But on her way over, something bumped into her leg with such force Scootaloo jumped into the air, clearly startled, her wings flapping madly. Her feathered wings faltered- like always- and she clattered onto the floor.
"Wow!" somepony cat-called, Scootaloo turned her head to see Diamond Tiara, Silverspoon, and a couple other school children. All of them were smirking devilishly. "I wonder what ponies like Rainbow Dash think of you. I mean, even little Featherweight can fly! And you can't!" she glanced quickly at Feather, "No offense, though. You should actually be proud that your a real pegasus and Scootaloo is not!"
At that, Scootaloo looked down at her hooves. Tears shrouded her vision.
"Whats wrong 'crusader'?" Silver Spoon taunted. "Gonna cry?"
"Alright class, settle down, and sit." Thank Celestia! Ms. Cheerilee finally decided to start the lesson! Without looking at anypony, Scootaloo quickly went to her seat, head down.
"Now class, today were talking about the Wonderbolts! So pegasi, I except 100's from all of you, because we all know the Wonderbolts are your favorite air team!" she beamed.
Scootaloo looked up with interest. The Wonderbolts? Maybe this subject wouldn't be so bad.
"So, which of you young ponies want to join a team like the Wonderbolts?" Cheerilee asked.
Without thinking, Scootaloo immediately flung her hoof up in the air. Heck yeah, she wanted to join them! She then remembered where she was, and subconsciously looked around. Diamond Tiara mouthed "as if" when Ms. Cheerilee wasn't looking.
The lesson proceeded very well after that, Scootaloo knew all the answers before Ms. Cheerilee even called on a student. The bell rang and she hopped up to go to her friends outside.
"Wow, Scootaloo!" Sweetie Bell exclaimed. "You did really well today! I bet you didn't even have to take any notes."
"Nope, Rainbow Dash taught me everything long before this- isn't it great? I'm sure to make a 100." the young filly said proudly.
"Sometimes I wonder why a great pony like Rainbow Dash would even spend time with you!" said a snarling voice from behind them. The trio turned around to see Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. Both fillies had a malevolent grin stitched onto their mouths, it was almost frightening.
"Would ya'll just quit it already?" Apple Bloom spoke up loudly in defense. "You've hurt her enough, so what if she can't fly? She's still a pony ain't she? And ya'll are acting like that's something awful."
"Well." Silver Spoon stepped forward. "It is awesome, she should be flying by now at this age. So there must be something wrong with her."
"That's not true and you know it!" Apple Bloom retorted. "There ain't nothin' wrong with Scootaloo."
"Ugh, come on, Silver Spoon." Diamond Tiara nudged her friend. "Were going to Sugar Cube Corner, so don't even think even about tagging along." and with that, the two ponies left in a huff.
"They're just trying to get under your skin Scoots, don't let them... Scoots? Where are you going?"
"To Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo answered boldly. "She can teach me to fly, she can teach me how to race! I bet you i'll get my cutie mark if I learn to fly!"
"But Scootaloo..." Sweetie Bell said slowly, "We agreed we were gonna repaint the clubhouse today."
"Don't worry about it!" she called over her shoulder. "You two can start without me, i'll only be a few minuets, Rainbow Dash will be a great mentor!"
"Ah don't think this is gonna turn out too good..." Apple Bloom said quietly to Sweetie Bell as Scootaloo ran off.
"Me either..." Sweetie Bell responded quietly.
"Fly...?" Rainbow Dash echoed slowly, as if pondering her words. "You want me to teach you to fly?"
"Yes!" Scootaloo exclaimed, and started to reveal her plan in a rapid manner to her idol. "I won't get teased at school anymore, come on Rainbow Dash, please?"
"I dunno Scoots, most pegasi your age go to a flight school or a camp... it takes a lot of work, responsibility, and it costs a considerable amount."
Scootaloo looked crestfallen at these words. "Rainbow Dash.... you know I... my foster parents can't afford to send me anywhere. They're good ponies and all, I just can't get the money I need to go to a flight school. Your the only pegasus that's ever been close to being Wonderbolt material, and so I came to you."
Rainbow blushed. "Thanks, kid." the cyan pegasus looked thoughtful for a minute. "Tell ya what, you wanna fly? I can teach you to fly!"
"Really?" Scoots squealed with excitement.
"Yup, but your gonna have to do it my way. We'll start right now!" Rainbow Dash declared.
"Now?" Scootaloo repeated, in the back of her mind she was reminded of something she had to do. "Actually I..."
"Forget about it- this takes 100% dedication. Unless of course," Rainbow leaned closer to her, "Flying isn't that important to you..."
"No, no!" she said quickly. "Let's start!" And the thoughts of helping Sweetie Bell and Apple Bloom whisked away and vanished completely from her mind.
* * *
"Oh, where is she?" Apple Bloom said impatiently. "It's been two hours and we have done all this work, ah'm gettin' tired!"
"I agree." Sweetie Bell said promptly, "We are barley done with a fourth of the clubhouse, and she hasn't even bothered to show up. Apparently she doesn't want to help us."
"Yeah, Ah bet she's just having fun with Rainbow Dash.." Apple Bloom sighed. "Ah am done with this! Scootaloo promised she'd come, and apparently she's ditched on us, and gone to visit her 'sister', or whatever she wants to call Rainbow Dash these days."
"Sweetie Bell, Apple Bloom!" the two fillies looked outside the window to see they're sisters Rarity and Apple Jack.
"Time for bed, both of ya'll." Apple Jack said.
When Sweetie Bell and Apple Bloom came outside Rarity looked confused. "My goodness." she said. "Where is your friend, Scootaloo? Wasn't she going to help all of you today?"
"She was supposed too." Sweetie Bell grumbled.
* * *
Scootaloo rushed into the school yard, and made her way over to her friends. "Hiya gals, guess what? Rainbow Dash-"
Both of her friends whipped around and turned their backs on her.
"Girls?" Scootaloo asked quietly.
"We are not speaking to you until you shut up about 'Rainbow Dash' and apologize properly!" Sweetie Bell announced.
"Wha?!" She gasped. "What did I do?"
"You ditched out on us, saying you were gonna help with the clubhouse, and then spending the entire time with Rainbow Dash! And now the clubhouse looks a mess, and we have to clean it up!" Apple Bloom retorted.
Scootaloo face-hoofed. "Guys, i'm really sorry... I just lost track of time and I was so focused on flying! I got so into it and well... I completely forgot about you guys."
Sweetie Bell and Apple Bloom exchanged a glance, and then faced Scootaloo with a sympathetic expression. "We understand you really wanna fly." Apple Bloom began. "But why don't you just face the fact that you can't fly..."
"Can't fly?" Scootaloo's weak smile twisted into a frown. "Can't fly?! I can too fly!!!"
A sudden whirl of color and both Diamond Tiara as well as Silver Spoon had barged Sweetie Bell and Apple Bloom out of the way. "So you can fly?" Diamond Tiara demanded.
Scootaloo nodded. "Yes."
"Show us then!" Silver Spoon coaxed, pushing her spectacles up her muzzle with an hint of disbelief.
Scootaloo's wings flapped slowly, then started to pick up the pace. She breathed deeply. 'One...' she thought. 'Two... three!' And she jumped, Scootaloo hovered above the ground, and started whizzing over the playground. Yet, to her dismay, she couldn't go any higher that Diamond Tiara's head.
When Scootaloo dropped to the ground, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon began to laugh.
"That's your definition of flying?" Diamond Tiara gasped, her eyes wet with tears from giggling so hard.
"I know i'm not that good yet, but I've improved." Scootaloo said, narrowing her eyes into tiny slits out of annoyance.
"You know what Scootaloo? We should dare you to fly over something. So you know, we can prove your dedication to Rainbow Dash's teachings." Silver Spoon suggested. "Just covering over mere ground with barley any height is not really flying. Just hovering, actually."
"Oh no!" Apple Bloom said, "She ain't doin' nothin' that you are suggestin'. I know both of ya'll well enough to see that you wanna hurt her!"
"No..." Scootaloo spoke up. "No, i'll take the dare. What do you want me to do?"
By now the entire class had gathered around them, all were anxious to see what she'd do next.
"Well everyone, I dare Scootaloo to fly over Ghastly Gorge!" Diamond Tiara announced, a malevolent grin on her face.