Scootaloo stared at the wide expanse of blue, dotted with puffs of white from her vantage point on the hill, overlooking the small town she called home.
The distant sound of ponies preparing for the day ahead was drowned out by the young pegasus filly's turbulent thoughts, as she marveled at the beauty of the sky, decorated with so many different cotton candy shapes she could almost taste...
But alas, that could never be.
She glanced behind her with some resentment at her useless wings, which buzzed a little and kept her hovering in mid-air when activated for a brief period, possibly cushioning her after a long fall.
But their primary function, of taking off so she could soar carefree through the sky as the rush of wind hit her lungs, before mounting a perfect landing while an adoring crowd cheered her awesomeness, would exist only in the realm of her dreams, as Luna might say.
What had she done to be born with such useless appendages? She was no better than an Earth Pony... actually, that was unfair on Apple Bloom's kin. At least they had super-strength and farmed the fertile soil, what could she do? Fan a few warm ponies cool if they stood close by on a hot summer's day? Yeah, very useful.
As she'd grown up with her disability, there were so many things she learned to dislike.
She disliked the synthetic phoniness of ponies with their mealy-mouthed words of comfort. "It's all gonna be okay..." they'd spout, when quite clearly no, it wasn't.
She disliked the fake looks of admiration they gave her, when she succeeded in levitating around two feet off the ground. Most pegasi her age were doing loop-de-loops around the old school building, yet here she was being made star pupil for just showing up. Pathetic.
Most of all, she disliked... nay, hated the notion that she'd never truly be free... free to wander the world with no restrictions or boundaries, free to ride the currents and winds, free to say 'hi' to her old friends Cumulus and Stratus, free to finally, finally, see her...
This is the part where the tough little filly, who would pummel you into submission if you even dared suggest ever shed a tear, began to weep. Not just a little cry mind you, but a full blown sobbing fit, until you'd think she held as much moisture as one of the passing rainclouds she longed to touch.
S-stop being such a foal, silly... She attempted to stem the tide, without much success. J-Just look at all the ponies you've helped, even without the ability to fly. F-For goodness sake, you even got your cutie mark in assisting others to find their destiny. L-Look at how fast you can go on your scooter, you don't need no wings for that! I-I'm sure my friends would agree, in fact they don't even talk about it! B-But then again, maybe that's the problem...
A fresh batch of tears arrived, when she realised how much more useful she could be to her fellow Crusaders, if she shared Apple Bloom's affinity with the ground or Sweetie Belle's expertise in magic. As a pegasus, she couldn't even fulfill her most basic function, and she'd always suspected that had hampered a lot of their missions together. Her friends didn't say anything, because they were being polite.
Yeah, that has to be it. She was the weakest link, the tender spot, the most expedient member of the party by far. In fact, you could almost call her the tag-along filly. It was nice of them to not mention her numerous shortcomings, but if they persisted with her just for the sake of their common bond, then she'd rather not hang around them at all. She was quite sure the pair would get on just fine without her, while she stayed behind and learned how to operate a wheelchair or something, in preparation for her 'glorious' future.
She dabbed at her damp fur with a ghost of a smile, glad that she'd chosen to rise with the first rays of Celestia's sun to embark on her journey here on the outskirts of Ponyville. Not one other pony had been disturbed as she'd quietly crept through the halls of the orphanage at the crack of dawn, breaking almost every rule in her desire to have some precious alone time to herself.
But wasn't that who she was... a rulebreaker? Just like her idol, Rainbow Dash had always told her, 'Limits are for suckers'. After all, for so long everypony thought the 'sonic rainboom' was a bedtime story told to sleepy colts and fillies, but the blue pegasus had smashed that myth like Applejack's old barn. Also, who'd have thought the most brash and timid members of Flight School would have turned out to be two of Equestria's greatest heroines?
She'd surely find her place in this world... the question is, without the power of flight, what could it be, and how to achieve it? And who could she turn to help, now that they were no longer around...
As Fate would have it, Rainbow Dash herself was out early on cloud patrol duty, what with storm season being in full swing. Catching the slightest hint of movement from the corner of her eye down below, she soon surmised that the forlorn-looking orange blob on terra firma was none other than her greatest admirer, and honourary sister having a little soliloquy at dawn.
The older mare didn't want to disturb Scoots for nothing, after all, there must be some reason why the isolated filly had traversed so far outside the inhabited area of town, but judging by her slumped posture and general air of moroseness, the youngster could most definitely do with a pep talk. And if anypony could deliver one of them, it had to be that great motivational speaker known only to her friends as R.D. On subjects as diverse as humility and modesty, of course.
Scootaloo spun around in surprise upon hearing the thump behind her indicating the arrival of the blue pegasus, and only became more awed when she realised who it was that'd paid her an early morning call.
Regarding the starstruck filly with amusement, Dash decided to begin with a bit of joviality by way of an icebreaker. "Watcha doing, squirt? Why are you so stupefied around me, whenever we meet up? I only saw you yesterday, yet you're acting as though I'm a celebrity giving you an autograph for the first time. I don't need that kinda ego massaging always, ya know. Only once a day, and twice on Sundays..."
"Oh, only cos you're so cool, and I'm... not." Scootaloo's initial buzz at seeing her role model in the flesh soon dissipated upon being reminded of her pressing dilemma, and she turned away once more, her ears drooped and her front hooves firmly crossed to indicate her discontentment.
Rainbow sensed it was time for her to put on her invisible 'Big Sister' cloak (she valued it even more than her Wonderbolts attire) and trotted over to the gloomy filly, to place a reassuring hoof on her back. "Well, I'm not going to argue with any of that..." She admitted, with a wide grin. "...Except for that last part. As far as I'm concerned Scoots, you're the coolest filly I know. I mean, who else would set up a fan club in my honour, or help me make a complete fool of myself during my first Wonderbolts display, despite her better judgement? Nopony, except you. And coming from me, you know that's high praise."
Scootaloo's demoralised spirit was lifted a little upon hearing Dash's solid endorsement of her value, but now it was time to raise the issue of the elephant in the room. Or rather, the two useless feathery attachments growing out of her spine.
"W-Well, what about these then, huh?" Scootaloo didn't mean to sound so blunt, but the thought of never being able to tour the skies with her favourite blue speedster almost caused her to break down again. "T-They might as well be torn off, for all the good they are. Y-Yeah, I might actually do that. I-I'd be able to get a good night's sleep if I did it, because then they wouldn't be able to annoy me anymore with their pointless presence, always reminding me: 'You'll never be able to f-f-l-l...' "
Rainbow Dash couldn't help but roll her eyes in exasperation at what was becoming an ongoing debate between the duo, especially as Scoots was getting older. Just when she'd thought the orange filly had gotten over her 'handicap' another setback occurred, and it was up to Big Sister Dash to talk her down again.
But the reality of the situation was, Rainbow didn't mind at all. As long as it takes... she'd always promised herself, and she quickly enveloped Scoots in a warm hug.
"Listen, I'm not going to promise your wings are ever going to work, although stranger things have happened..." Dash propositioned, which was true. Who'd have thought Discord could turn good for example, or the dreaded Changelings would become allies of ponykind? Just two of the topics the pair spoke about during their many hours together. "But, what I'm trying to tell you, in fact what I've told you repeatedly, is that you're totally awesome without them. You don't have to take my word for it... just look down at your cutie mark, and think about what it means..."
With one confused eyebrow raised, Scootaloo's eyes swiftly darted over to her flank, where there sat the ubiquitous shield and lightning bolt combo. The first part was easy... it depicted her unbreakable link to her two best friends, and their lifelong mission to help other ponies discover who they truly were. If only it were that easy for me, she grumbled internally, before moving onto the thunder strike.
"E-Erm... could it be, that's I'm super-fast?" Scootaloo was pretty sure that was the explanation. At least it was much better than the other interpretation, which is that she was a conduit for bad weather. She didn't fancy having to avoid trees forever, after all.
"Yep, got it in one, Scoots!" Rainbow exclaimed excitedly, shaking the orange pegasus gently by her shoulders. "That's what you've got to look forward to... while I'm breaking records in the sky, you'll be smashing 'em on land! You're already the fastest filly I know... who knows how good you'll be when you're older, and you have that vehicle of yours all souped up! I hope you're gonna enter lots of races, cos I'm gonna be there cheering you on at every single one! Who knows... maybe one day you'll be even more famous than me, and I'll be the one going all goofy in front of you!"
Scootaloo smiled in gratitude at her big sister's attempt to placate her, and indeed such life-affirming remarks would probably have worked just fine in the past, and the two of them would have returned into town together to share an ice cream at Sugarcube Corner, while later the filly would have laughed at Rainbow Dash getting chewed out for neglecting her duties again by the Weather Control supervisor. Good times, good times.
There was one important difference this time, though... and no matter how quickly she sped in her scooter, it wouldn't solve the underlying problem that was tearing her apart. In desperation, even though she swore herself to secrecy because it would sound really, really stupid, a few chinks began to appear in her resolute demeanor.
"Yeah, that's great and all, and you might even say that sounds like a pretty good life..." Scootaloo acknowledged, pulling herself away from Dash. "But that still means I won't be able to get up there, which I really need to do. Because, just once, I'd like to meet..."
"Who?" Dash couldn't help but be curious, as this was a new line for Scootaloo. After all, in their circle of friends, they pretty much knew everypony who was everypony. Celestia, Luna, Cadence, Shining Armour, even the occasionally hazardous Flurry Hearts. Such are the benefits of being well-connected.
"M-m-m-y-y-y..." Scootaloo swallowed deeply, and hung her head as though she was ashamed. What would Rainbow think of me, if I just came out and said it? I'd be the biggest dork ever, and she probably wouldn't want to hang around me anymore...
"Yes?" Dash stared at the filly intently, genuinely unsure where she was going with this.
"M-My p-parents..." Scootaloo's response was so whispered, even if you'd pushed your ear directly against her mouth, you'd have struggled to make out her words.
"Huh?" Rainbow Dash stuck her hoof in both her lobes, to check for wax blockage. Finding none, she looked at Scootaloo accusingly. "A little higher this time, if you don't mind..."
"My Parents!!" Scootaloo at last blurted out the two magic words with the same ferocity a bottle of cider might explode if you shook it well enough. All at once, she covered her mouth with shock, not only at revealing her deepest, darkest secret, but also because the coolest pony ever knew about what a geek she was.
The aftermath of the big announcement was having a strange effect on Rainbow, though. The blue pegasus just stood there stock-still and open-mouthed for a full minute upon hearing the filly's shouted confession, to the extent that, despite her obvious depression, even Scootaloo began to feel worried for her big sister.
"Hey Dashie... you okay?" A gentle nudging eventually roused Dash from her stupor, and she turned to face her young friend in earnest, jaw still flapping and an unreadable look in her eyes.
"You... want...to... fly..." Dash pronounced each word slowly and deliberately, as if she were attending a language course. "So...you...can...meet...your...parents...up...there?"
"Y-yes?" This was the moment Scootaloo had been dreading. The part where Dash told her, in no uncertain terms, just how uncool she was, and how they could no longer see each other. Here it comes...
"That is the sweetest thing I've ever heard! C'mere you, and show me some love!" Well, that was unexpected. A stunned Scootaloo found herself the unexpected recipient of a quick lift-off, as a noticeably moved Dash grabbed her from off the ground and suspended her forty feet into the sky for a truly airborne embrace.
"Y-you mean, you don't think that's like, totally lame?" Scootaloo remarked in amazement, as she found herself being twirled in the breeze.
"What?" Dash pulled her head away momentarily, to stare at the smaller pony in surprise. "No, you got that in reverse. Only total lame-os would think that way! Or 'dweebs' as one of my other friends might put it. Unless, you think I'm 'uncool' for doing it, too..."
Scootaloo was so taken aback upon hearing this revelation, she almost toppled off from Rainbow's strong grip. "Y-you m-mean y-you..."
"All the time!" Dash confessed, without a hint of embarrassment. "In fact, I used to say 'hello' to my own parents at this very spot, soon after they went away forever. And, I didn't even need to flap my wings, either! Here, you try. Look at that cloud up there, and tell me what you see..."
Scootaloo had no idea if Rainbow was serious, or just cracking up, but she decided to play along anyway. With a long sigh, she stared up at the cloud the blue pegasus indicated with a raised hoof, not really expecting to spot anything. She was just about to tell the older pony off for messing around with her emotions, when suddenly...
"That's my Dad!" Scootaloo exclaimed in shock, straining her eyes to get a better view. His face looked a little puffier than her recollections as a filly, but it was undeniably him.
Dash smiled broadly at the tears, now ones of happiness, that now poured down Scoots's cheeks, and she decided to continue the surprises. "That's right. But I think we're still missing somepon... wait! Who's that next to him?! Could it be..."
Scootaloo didn't want to tear her eyes away from her father for a single second, lest she lose the precious image. On Dash's insistence she did so though, with great reluctance. She was glad she did.
"Mom!" Once again, the apparition in the sky appeared fluffier than the long-cherished memories of the mare that used to hold her close as a foal, but there she was, large as life, hovering slowly above.
Dash gave Scootaloo a few moments to acquaint herself to the wonderment of the moment, before gently depositing her back onto the grass, watching her awe with quiet satisfaction.
"You see, you don't have to take off to see your parents..." Rainbow explained, in one of her rare serious moments. "They're always there, watching over you, making sure you're okay. You just have to glance upwards, and you'll see them. Even when you're indoors and you can't see the sky, they're by your side, holding your hoof, in your heart, just like you're always in mine..." cough, cough.
As captivated as she was by the long-awaited reunion with her parents, Scootaloo couldn't help but turn her head briefly around upon hearing the last part of the older pony's speech. "No offense Dash, and I really appreciate all you've done for me... but isn't that, kind of corny?"
Rainbow blushed a little on the realisation that Scootaloo had heard her purposefully lowered last few words, but she stood her ground regardless. "W-well, who cares if it is. Doesn't make any of it less true. There's nothing wrong with showing your emotions once in a while. Or missing your pet during hibernation. Or getting a pedicure, for that matter. It simply makes us more interesting, complicated ponies. Wouldn't you agree, Scoots?"
"Whatever you say, Dash..." Scootaloo decided that the blue pegasus had done more than enough to avoid the usual teasing, and she returned to her cloud-gazing.
"Y-yeah well, good. Glad we've reached an understanding..." Rainbow scratched the back of her head sheepishly, as she observed the now mesmerised Scootaloo. "Listen... I gotta get going. I can't be late again for work this week, and I'm already in the management's bad books. Honestly... you blow up one Weather Factory, they make you pay for it forever. You'd think they'd cut one of the heroines of Equestria some slack, but no..."
Rainbow Dash would have quite happy to leave their separation at that, as she never was very good at farewells. But the filly had one more thing to say to her departing sister, and it came straight from the heart.
"So long Dashie..." she exclaimed, as her mother and father waited for her to finish "....and, thanks."
Scootaloo had no idea if Rainbow had actually heard her final remarks, but she thought she spotted the slightest of nods as the blue pegasus sped away, determined not to be tardy yet again.
Scootaloo stared after her with gratitude and affection for a few more seconds, before returning to her parents. "Well, hi there! Long time no see! I've got so much to tell you both, I don't know where to begin. First of all, let me tell you about my friends, and the greatest club ever..."
Author's Note
My inspiration for writing this story? Looking out the window, of course. 
If this fic proves popular enough, I may do one with Rarity and Sweetie Belle, and Applejack with Apple Bloom too. The sky's the limit... (Get it)? See you all again soon... 
