Welcome to the Rainbow Factory

Rainbow Dash enjoyed sleeping. Whenever there wasn't any work that needed to be done, she would happily find a comfy cloud and take a nice, long, nap. Comfy on her bed, the curtains shut, to blot out the morning sun, she couldn't bring herself to sleep. She was watching Scootaloo, nuzzled closely beside her; her tiny body wrapped in a large, thick quilt. Rainbow's blue, feathered wing draped over her, shielding Scootaloo from whatever nonsense could interrupt her dreaming, and deny Rainbow the luxury she had been given. She continued watching Scootaloo, breathing deeply; occasionally fidgeting for comfort. Rainbow didn't want to sleep; because today she would have to take Scootaloo to the factory.

She remembered watching Scootaloo in the colosseum. It was in bad form to visit during the flight test. There were too many risk of some pony cheating; some whiney little filly, who can't bear to see somepony important to them fail. Perhaps, Rainbow thought, calling them whiney was a bit unfair. Nopony wanted to see their special somepony fail, especially Rainbow Dash. She watched from the distance, far from the scrutinizing eye of the adjudicators. Scootaloo was already finishing her pre-test stretches, looking brash as ever. Made sense she would be confident; she learned from the best. Next to her was a colt, fluffing his light-brown feathers. Rainbow had barely made out the smirk he gave Scootaloo. She didn't like it. The most important day in their lives, and all that feather-brained idiot could do was flirt.

Scootaloo wasn't doing any better. She seemed to be enjoying the colt's company; she wouldn't stop chatting with him. Get you head in game squirt, she screamed inwardly; this ain't a mock-test, it's the real deal. Rainbow sneaked a few more steps, trying to get closer to the crowd of fillies; closer to Scootaloo. She had gotten closer to the peristyle, stopping beside a column. Nopony could see her from where she stood, and Rainbow could make out the voices in the crowd.

"I hope to get some cool weather job," it was Scootaloo's voice. "Can you imagine? Everypony in Ponyville or Fillydelphia staring up at me, going ‘There goes Scootaloo! Such an amazing flier! And from Cloudsdale, there can be no doubt!'"

Rainbow smiled upon hearing her voice. No doubt at all squirt, she thought.

They're conversation was cut short by the arrival of the flight instructor. He gave the usual instructions, nothing Rainbow hadn't heard before. She laid beside the column waiting for Scootaloo's name to be called out. Further out in the distance, Rainbow could make out The Factory. Of course, there was more than one factory. Numerous facilities were situated in Cloudsdale, all for the noble purpose of weather production. Everything, whether it was rain, sleet, or snow, was all produced in Cloudsdale, with each facility connected to one another, sharing resources. One factories waste was raw material for another. Further inward, closer to the flight-line, was the Rainbow Facility, where Dash worked.

There was a considerable difference between the two sections of the facility. The 2nd Section received large quantities of Spectra through streams flowing through large grates and into vast vats, to be carefully mixed into coagulated rainbow pools that ran through the factory, ready for use. The 1st Section provided the Spectra; but that required a specialized facility, completely separated from the vast chain of factories that dotted the floating city.

Rainbow couldn't see it from where she stood, but she had been there frequently enough to remember it's appearance down to the last brick. And, for a moment, she wondered if Scootaloo would be assigned there. It makes sense, thought Rainbow. Some pony probably noticed me with her. They'll probably think she's good enough cause I trained her. Rainbow shook her head, clearing her thoughts. Not possible, she thought. Newbies always get stuck doing the grunt work, helps them adjust. Best case, she'll probably get to do some work cloud-busting.

"Get onto that field or I fail you myself!!!"

Rainbow's rumination was cut short by the menacing shouting of the instructor. From below, she could see the brown pegasus standing defiantly before the instructor. What the hay was going on? she thought. Further into the test area, she could see a yellow pony sobbing. Looks like she busted her wing, thought Rainbow Dash. She looked around the colosseum. Medics haven't showed up yet either, she thought.  Oh well, she's going to the grinder either way.

A second pegasus flew towards the yellow filly. It was the same brown pegasus who was having his little spat with the instructor. Rainbow chuckled. She wouldn't have to worry about him messing with Scootaloo.

Scootaloo appeared to be watching the scene unfolding; but Rainbow didn't care much to infer anything from it. All that mattered was that she passed; and then Rainbow could take her out for oat-burgers.

"Scootaloo. Clear, fly, fall, complete."

Scootaloo was moving up the ramp, still staring at the pair, now walking slowly towards the west gate of the colosseum. With a powerful flash of her wings, she propelled herself forward through the first ring. Rainbow watched eagerly, capturing every movement of Scootaloo's body as she maneuvered through the rings. Second, keep good form; Third, watch your wings, keep them level. She curved towards the second last ring; near the bottom of the field. She was almost there. Rainbow felt a knot forming in her stomach as she watched Scootaloo, expertly turning and drifting towards the ring.

Wait a minute, thought Rainbow Dash. Something was wrong. Scootaloo was wavering. What the hay are you doing? she thought. Scootaloo didn't have enough lift, and was inches from flying straight into the bottom of the ring. Pick yourself up, she screamed inwardly; pick yourself up, dammit!!!

Rainbow was trembling. Scootaloo couldn't fail, not after everything Rainbow had taught her. All the flight training, the studying, the workouts; it couldn't have been for nothing. Scootaloo was doing perfectly before.

Rainbow frantically surveyed the colosseum as best she could. Maybe somepony was sabotaging her; putting light in her eyes, or something. There had to be something causing this. It couldn't be Scootaloo's fault. She wasn't a failure.

Rainbow heard a shout and immediately shut her eyes.

She's won't fail, she thought to herself.

Oil started spraying.

She can't.

The master switch was flipped.

She wouldn't fail me.

The engine's roared.

SHE'S NOT A FAILURE!!!!

Rainbow eyes snapped open. She was lying on the bed. Beside her, Scootaloo was nuzzled comfortably near her. Rainbow began sniffling, tears welling up, threatening to drip onto the young filly's face. She immediately rubbed her eyes with her wing, bringing it back down over Scootaloo, inching her a bit closer.

She's not a failure, thought Rainbow, smiling affectionately to Scootaloo. And she never will be.