contingent

It was a nice spring day in Equestria with everypony out and about enjoying the sunshine. Taking advantage of the weather, Rainbow Dash decided to do some flying practice as well as try out some new stunts she’s been working on. Since she has developed the ability to do the sonic rainboom, Dash has been trying to incorporate it into her performances.

As she was off to her normal practicing zone near the Everfree, because you can’t exactly do a rainboom too close to town, she thought about maybe taking Scootaloo with her today. Dash has been giving flying lessons to her at least once a week since their camping trip, but the filly hasn’t really left the ground yet. Dash could give a little lesson and then have an audience for her practice. That was always nice.

She veered her direction off to the schoolhouse where the CMCs should just be getting done for the day. Doing some loops and simple little tricks as she was on her way, she could hear the kids as she got to her destination.

“Hey Rainbow Dash!” She could hear Scootaloo above the rest as Dash landed next to her.

“Heya squirt, what you up to?”

“Nothing really. We were thinking of trying for our arc, arcy, uh, arcyol –“

“Archaeologist.” Sweetie Belle provided.

“Yeah, that. Archaeologist cutie marks.”

“Really?” Dash asked. That was a little tedious work for the usually energetic and wild fillies they were.

“Yeah” Apple Bloom said. “We were talkin’ bout ancient civilizations n’ stuff at school today. And archaeologists are the ones that find all that. It sounds like fun!”

“Plus” Scootaloo added. “Who doesn’t like to play in the dirt every now and then?”

Rainbow chuckled. “I can think of a few ponies”

“So what are you doing?” The orange filly asked.

“Well, I was gonna see if you wanted to tag along with me today, Scoots”

“Really!? I would love to!” The young Pegasus then realized her two friends. “But I don’t want to leave our other plans”

“Aw, it’s fine Scootaloo.” Apple Bloom said. “We can get our archaeologist cutie marks later.”

“Yeah” Added Sweetie. “Go ahead and practice with Rainbow. We’ll be at the clubhouse when you’re done.”

“Really? You guys are ok with that?”

“You heard ‘em Scoots” Dash said as she picked her up and placed her on her back. “They’ll see ya later.”

“Well, ok.” She said with a huge smile and then started to nudge Rainbow’s sides with her hind hooves. “Let’s get going then you slow poke!”

“Slow poke? You calling me a slow poke?” Scootaloo just nods. “Oh, it’s on now”

Dash took off without warning, causing Scootaloo to grab onto Rainbow’s mane in order to not fall off. They gain speed as they flew over Ponyville, doing loops and dives. Not long later they made it to a nice grassy field at the edge of the Everfree Forest. Dash landed and the filly hopped off of her back.

“So you think I’ll fly today?” Scoots asked hopefully.

“Anything can happen squirt. I’m not gonna say no, but I’m not saying yes either. But I do know you won’t progress at all if you do nothing. Now come on and do some wing-ups.”

“Aw, fine.”

They both began to warm up by doing various stretches and exercises. Dash really liked hanging with Scootaloo, being able to teach her properly how to fly. They have been doing more and more together since Rainbow became her honorary sister. It was a nice break from her normal routine of save Ponyville and Equestria from certain doom. It was all pretty stressful and moments like these were nice and calming.

“Alright squirt, have you been practicing moving your wings at all like I told you?”

“Of course I have! Every single day! Just like you said!” The filly began to demonstrate by rotating her wings and then flapping them.

Rainbow gave out a chuckle at her enthusiasm. “Good. Now how about we try to get you to glide today?”

The orange Pegasus began jumping with excitement. “When do we start?”

“Calm down first ok?” Scoots stopped hopping, took a few deep breaths, and then looked at Dash.

“Can we fly now?”

“Fine, come here.”

Scootaloo jumped into Dash’s arms as they took off. Rainbow was holding Scoots below her so she could have a firm grip but also so the filly’s wings could move freely. Once they began to gain some speed, the young Pegasus’ wings began to buzz and then flap.

“Don’t flap your wings just yet.” Dash instructed. “We’ll worry about that later, just hold your wings out and let them glide on the wind.”

Scootaloo did what she was told. Rainbow slowly started to let go off the younger one until she was gliding all by herself, without her knowing. Dash flew beneath the orange filly and then turned so that her back was facing the earth and she was face to face with Scoots.

“You’re doing it, look no hooves.” Dash demonstrated by holding her hooves in front of her. Immediately the filly went into panic and started to flail a bit but Rainbow grabbed her hooves to steady her.

“You’re fine, you’re fine. You’re just gliding slowly down, not quite flying, but close.” She slowly let go of Scootaloo again and the filly began to smile. “Think you can glide all the way to the ground?”

“Y-yeah!” She answered a little unsure of herself. “I think so.”

“I know so, you can totally do this. Just keep your wings out. I won’t help unless you really need it. I’ll be right next to you till we land”

“Ok, I-I can do this”

They began their slow descent downwards towards the earth at a gentle pace. They soon made it to the ground where Scootaloo began jumping up and down.

“I did it! I did it!” She exclaimed. “Did you see that!? I glided all the way to landing!”

Dash laughed. “I was right there, of course I saw it. You were amazing. Keep at it and you’ll be flying soon enough.”

The filly ran and hugged Rainbow’s leg. “Thank you so much Rainbow Dash. I wouldn’t even be doing this much if it weren’t for you.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Who said you could get all sappy?” Scoots looked up at her idol with a slightly disappointed face. “I’m just kidding. Only for you.” Dash hugged her back.

“But, do you really think I’ll be actually flying soon?” The filly asked. “All I did was glide a little. It’s not really flying.”

“What? Of course it is! You were all excited about it a second ago, what happened?”

“I don’t know. I was just thinking. I wanna hear the truth, not what will make me feel better. Everyone always just tells me what will make me feel better. But I don’t want to hear that. I wanna hear what’s really happening.”

Rainbow thought for a moment. “Look, kid. You will fly, ok? I promise that. But I honestly can’t tell you when exactly that will be. That all depends on you and how hard you work at it. So, just keep doing what you’re doing.”

Scootaloo smiled and hugged the rainbow mare. “Thanks Rainbow Dash.”

Dash hugged her back then her ears started to flicker as she heard something.

“Hey Rainbow Dash!”

The two looked at the direction of the voice to see Ditzy Doo the mail mare coming their way. She sure seemed to be in a hurry. Her bag was slightly open and some papers were flying out. The cross-eyed mare also had a letter in her front hoof that she was waving about, as if it were urgent.

“Rainbow Dash! You have a letter!” Ditzy flew in and tumbled in front of them, holding the letter up.

Dash took it. “You alright there, Derpy?” She asked using the mare’s nickname.

Ditzy picked herself up. “Yeah, I have accidents like that all the time.”

“Why the rush?”

“I was going my normal route when I came upon yours, and I saw the Wonderbolt symbol on the front, so I figured it was important. But when I got to your front door, you weren’t home. I thought you needed to see it right away so I went to find you. Found you..”

“Oh, well thank you. I wasn’t expecting anything from them. I haven’t really done anything with the Wonderbolts since the academy.”

“Well what is it?” Scoots asked. “Are you in the Wonderbolts now?”

“No, it’s not that easy, kid.” She opened it and began reading. “It’s just from Spitfire, she invited me to a Wonderbolt show. Something about discussing things with me.”

“Aw, I guess it wasn’t something super important after all.” Ditzy said a little disappointed. “I’m sorry Rainbow dash.”

“Oh, no, it’s alright Derps. I really appreciate you coming and finding me just to give me a letter. And it is important. Spitfire herself wants to speak with me. In person. At one of their shows.”

This immediately brought a smile to the gray Pegasus. “You’re welcome! I’m glad I could help! Though I should really be going now.”

“Alright” Dash said. “We’ll see ya around.”

The wall-eyed Pegasus flew off to continue her mail route. Dash turned her attention back to the filly who had a smile on her face.

“So Spitfire wants to talk to you!?”

“That’s what the letter said. Gotta go to a show of theirs tonight to meet her.”

“You think she’s letting you into the Wonderbolts?”

“No, it doesn’t work that way. If I had to guess, it would be she wants to talk about the next step I’ll have to take. I’m only just beginning, Scoots.”

“Still though!” The young Pegasus jumped with excitement. “You have the attention from the captain of the Wonderbolts! That has got to be good for something.”

“Oh, it is.” Dash assured. “They want me on their team. I just know it. It’s just going to take some time.”

“Can I go with you tonight?” The filly asked with big puppy dog eyes. “Pleeeeeeease?”

It took everything within Dash for her to take the logical side of the situation. “Sorry, Scoots. But no. This is official business and she didn’t say I could bring somepony.”

Immediately Scootaloo’s face fell. “Oh, ok. I understand.”

“Look, if I could, I would bring you in a heartbeat. But I just can’t. Next time though. I promise.” Still seeing the orange filly was a little disappointed, Dash thought they should just move on from the subject. “So, how about watching some new tricks?”

This perked up the younger one. “Yeah! That sounds awesome!”

Dash smiled at how much the filly adored her. As she was doing the tricks and such, her mind wandered on this. Scootaloo looked up to Dash quite a bit, meaning that anything Dash does, would probably affect Scoots. She would hate to make the wrong decision and see the girl completely devastated about it.

The weight of the whole “sister” situation was really starting to dawn on her. Rainbow decided she would be way more careful about what she does. What message was she sending by saying reading was stupid? Before, and still a bit now, Rainbow doesn’t particularly enjoy it unless it’s some Daring Doo. But before she admitted to liking reading, did Scootaloo refuse to read too? She’s in school, she should be reading.

Or what about that time when Dash let the hero thing get to her head? She was showing the filly exactly how not to behave with attention. Rainbow just taught her how to be a hot-headed jerk. She sure hopes Scoots doesn’t really pay attention that much and took to heart Dash’s actions. But deep down, she knows she is. Rainbow was the same way when she was little, taking the same steps as of the Wonderbolt team, mostly Spitfire.

She pushed those thoughts aside and finished up her routine by doing a sonic rainboom which knocked Scootaloo onto her back. Dash quickly went to check on her only to find the filly laughing.

“That was awesome!” She exclaimed.

Rainbow chuckled. “Glad I could entertain you.”

“It’s kind of your job if ya wanna be a Wonderbolt.”

“Can it, Squirt.” Dash said as she ruffled the filly’s mane. “Let’s get ya to your friends now. I should head back and take care of tank before I head to the show. It’s all the way in Cloudsdale.”

“Aw, ok. Can we practice again tomorrow?”

“Of course, kid. I’ll pick ya up tomorrow at eleven. Sound good?”

The young Pegasus crawled onto Rainbow’s back. “We’re all staying at Sweet Apple Acres tonight. The Cutie Mark Crusaders are gonna make pie with Granny Smith and Applejack!”

Rainbow takes off and starts to head to the Apple farm. “Sounds like fun. Then I’ll just come pick you up from there.”

“Alright! Tomorrow is gonna be so fun!”

“Just make sure to save me a piece of pie, ok?”

“Yeah, of course! If I don’t eat it all!”

They arrived at the farm house shortly as the excited filly jumped off Rainbow’s back. The two entered the house and find Granny Smith and Applejack on the couch. Granny was knitting while AJ was reading. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were coloring peacefully on the floor. Usually peacefully and any of these fillies don’t go in the same sentence unless it’s disturbing the peace.

“Heya you two” Applejack greeted. “How’d flyin’ go today?”

“I glided all the way to the ground today!” Scootaloo said as she buzzed her wings.

“Oh wow.” Sweetie spoke. “That’s awesome! You’ll be flying soon for sure.”

“Yeah, especially now that Rainbow Dash is helping me! That’s the best flying coach you could ever get”

“What about the captain of the Wonderbolts?” Apple Bloom questioned. “Or even the co-captain?”

“Spitfire and Soarin ain’t got nothin’ on Rainbow Dash!” The young Pegasus stated as she joined in the coloring session.

“Allright Scoots.” Rainbow stopped the boasting filly. “I’m not that great… Yet. I’ve got some ways to go.”

Applejack laughed. “Well we’re all rootin’ fer ya Dash. You’ll get there.”

“Yeah, speaking of that. I’ve actually got a meeting with the captain herself tonight at their show in Cloudsdale.”

“Really?” Applejack asked in wonder. “Wow, good luck with that.”

“Thanks. So tomorrow I’m gonna pick up Scoots around eleven.”

“Sounds good ta me, we’ll see ya tomrrah, Rainbow.”

“See ya guys. See ya Scoots. And don’t you three cause the Apples too much trouble, ya hear?”

“Loud and clear.” Scootaloo saluted as Dash left.

She took off and headed home to take care of a few things before going to Cloudsdale. Dash should probably eat and she had to take care of Tank. Soon enough she was at her cloud mansion and she entered, looking around.

She left Tank in the living room area this morning, so he couldn’t be far from there. Rainbow kept his flying gear off inside, otherwise he’d knock everything over and wreck the place. So she had Twilight put some spell on him that would prevent him from falling through clouds. Egghead stuff.

Dash turned the corner to find Tank chilling literally in the exact spot she left him, in his shell by the couch. She walked up and lightly knocked on his shell.

“Hey Tank. Buddy come on out. It’s time to eat some dinner.”

The tortious poked his head up to find his beloved owner. Dash nuzzled his nose with her own as she picked him up and headed to the kitchen. Rainbow cherished these moments she had with the loveable tortoise. She would never let anyone see how mushy she got around her precious pet Tank. It would be the end of her reputation. Could you imagine if everyone knew that the rough and tough Rainbow Dash gave butterfly kisses and talked to her pet? Dash couldn’t risk it.

She set Tank down next to the table as she started to rummage through her fridge. There was some sandwiches and old pasta stuff. Wasn’t gonna feed that to him. She pushed her milk and butter aside to find that salad she bought the other night.

“This’ll do. How about some salad, Tank?” The tortoise just slowly began to smile. Dash chuckled at this. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

She took the salad out and two bowls and put the various veggies into them. She set one bowl down to his level as he began to eat out of it. Rainbow then proceeded to eat her own.

She had a big night ahead of her, can’t go messing it up. She would head there right after dinner as to be early, but not rudely early. Just professionally early.

She was doing it. She was taking whatever this next step was into becoming a Wonderbolt.