Familial bonds: part one

Chapters

Rainbow comes home
Visiting Twilight
A filly's risk
An intimate conversation
Advice from a friend
A genuine sisterly bond

Rainbow comes home

Author's Note

Any and all constructive criticism is welcomed and encouraged.

Rainbow comes home

It was a sunny morning in Ponyville, birds chirping and singing as Celestia raised the sacred sun and pony’s all across town got up from their comfy beds to get on with their everyday activities.

However, as the town's ponies began their days, they were oblivious to the little, dark orange filly, who had been awake far longer than she should have been for a pony her age. Scootaloo had become well know for her love of anything that gave her the thrill and adrenaline that she hoped she would one day receive from bursting into the sky and soring through the open air, weaving in and out of the clouds and pushing herself past any so called limits. Though all she could do then was ride her cherished scooter. Thus, she stood on top of a small hill on the border of Ponyville, looking down from it with a confident grin.

“This is gonna be awesome!” She thought to herself.

Despite its small size in comparison to other hills and mountains, it was still rather large for the small filly. Yet Scootaloo couldn’t have cared in the slightest. She had been performing similar stunts for as long as she could remember, her safety was the least of her concerns.

She was about to ride down the hill, when she got a glimpse of the rainbow mane of a cyan Pegasus mare, flying high in the sky, whom she had never missed the chance to talk to.

Rainbow was coming home from her weekend training with the Wonderbolts, flying blankly through the air, back to her cloud mansion. However, she quickly spotted Scootaloo’s dark orange fur and purple mane in the corner of her eye, Thus, as if she had no control over her actions, she charged down towards the filly. She had landed within mere seconds, the luscious green grass now seeming to juxtapose her pastel blue fur, where it had previously blended perfectly with the bright sky. Scootaloo’s eyes widened with joy as she saw Rainbow’s short rainbow mane flutter in the light breeze.

“Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo shouted at the top of her lungs as she raced towards Rainbow to embrace her with a hug.

“How ya doing squirt?” Rainbow Dash replied, putting forelegs around the little filly.

The two stood there for a good few seconds, Scootaloo feeling relaxed and loved in the embrace of her idol. Rainbow herself felt proud, having such an energetic and kind filly look up to her as she did. Scootaloo then broke away from the embrace and an energetic and enthusiastic smile returned to her face as she began to speak.

“I’m doing great Rainbow Dash. Whilst you were away the crusaders and I helped a ton of ponies with their cutie marks, it’s been real fun! I was just gonna ride down this hill back into town, a little excitement early in the mornin’ helps me work better later.”

A proud grin entered Rainbow’s face, Scootaloo’s dedication, enthusiasm and love of adrenalin reminding her of herself when she was a filly, and her now if she was honest.

“Good to see you enjoying yourself kiddo, and you’re right, doing something you love to start your day will totally help you stay energised later. And hay it’s good to see you again! And that you’re still awesome, looks like me bein’ away hasn’t completely turned you into Fluttershy hu?” Rainbow replied, winking as she said her final phrase.

Scootaloo chuckled as delight filled her body and warmed her centre.

“Thanks Rainbow, I couldn’t do it without you, you’re the best! Anyway, I’m sure you have things to be doing, being back early an’ all, but really, thanks for coming to see me. Thanks for everything.”

This comment made Rainbow blush, making her blue fur go bright red. She took Scooterloo under her wing to hug her again.

“Aw thanks sport, I’d be lost without you.”

The two shared another moment of genuine sisterly affection before Rainbow continued.

“But hey, stop bein’ so cute, you’re making me blush.” Rainbow said sarcastically, which Scootaloo picked up on, but didn’t care

” I’m sorry, I can’t help it, you’re just the best big sister ever.” Scootaloo said, speaking in an adorable voice that would have caused even the coldest of hearts to melt.

This comment made Rainbow blush even more, reminding her that part of her life really would be sorely missing without Scooterloo. She looked down at the little filly with a proud, humbling face that she rarely showed.

“Aw, you’re the best little sis anypony could ask for, never change squirt, now come ‘ere.”

The two hugged each other, both feeling as if they were in a perfect state of bliss. This was quickly broken for Rainbow however, as she got a glimpse of the hill Scooterloo planned to ride down. She knew that the hill wasn’t that big, she had seen it in the distance many times, but it suddenly seemed so steep and dangerous, it appeared to her as if it lead so far as Tartarus! Rainbow began to feel very light headed. The world began to spin incisively. A disgusting pit brewing in her stomach. Scootaloo suddenly seemed so small.

“Hey, you sure this is safe sport?” Rainbow asked in a nervous tone. Pointing her hoof to the bottom of the hill.

“Yeah, totally.” Scootaloo replied, backing away from Rainbow. “I’ve done way higher drops than this, you’ve got nothing to worry about.”

Rainbow believed the filly, yet she still couldn’t shake this feeling a pure terror that she had.

“Yeah, I suppose your right squirt.”

Rainbow tried to hide her nervous thoughts, not wanting to seem un-cool in front of her sister.

“Good, well it was great seeing you Rainbow Dash, I’ll see you at the bottom!”

Rainbow knew that there must be something causing her to worry so much, this simply wasn’t like her. It was here that she realised that Scootaloo had left her helmet hanging on a tree and was about to go down the hill with her head completely exposed. Rainbow then rushed to the tree and back, and assertively strapped the helmet onto the filly.

“Don’t forget this squirt, you can’t be awesome if you’re not safe.”

Rainbow cringed at her own words that had been said to her many times in the past, yet she knew them to be true.

“Wow, am I an old mare?” she thought to herself.

“Thanks Rainbow Dash, I won’t forget again.”

“Ha I know you won’t sport, now go on, show me how awesome you are!”

Rainbow was trying so desperately to sound confident, but was failing miserably. If Scootaloo had been an older mare, she may have just recognised and called Rainbow’s bluff.

“Thanks Rainbow.” Scootaloo said with the same charisma and energy that Rainbow herself had shown many time before a big show with the Wonderbolts.

Just as Scootaloo pushed herself down the ramp, Rainbow’s confident charade finally broke. Her mind was completely distorted. She simply couldn’t let such a fragile little filly go down such a steep hill! Her fears had gotten the better of her. She reached out her hoof to grab the filly, but by then it was too late. Scootaloo was already racing down the side of the hill at speeds that seemed to rival that of the Wonderbolts themselves, the joy of pure adrenalin making each individual strand of her fur stand on end, sending a powerful shiver down her spine, she couldn’t have felt more alive. Rainbow however, looked down with pure dread. As far as she was concerned she had just allowed a foal, her tiny filly sister, to go to her doom! Was Scootaloo okay? Would she be badly hurt? Would the doctors be able to fix her? These questions circulated in Rainbow’s head as Scootaloo became a smaller and smaller speck as she went down the hill. The hill continued to look steeper and steeper as Rainbow became more and more light headed. Suddenly, Rainbow heard a tiny screeching noise, Scootaloo had reached the bottom of the hill and had slowed down her scooter to come to a stop. She was alive. She hadn’t hurt herself at all. Rainbow let out a deep breath, realising that she had held her breath the entire time. Rainbow struggled to comprehend what had just happened. Why was she so worried? She knew that Scootaloo was experienced at what she did, that this hill was tiny in comparison to what she had beaten previously. Yet Rainbow had still feared for the young filly’s life. Rainbow flew down the hill with urgency to make sure that the she really was fine.

“How was that Rainbow Dash?”

“You were great sport, keep at it, and one day you’ll show all of Equestria just how awesome you are!”

“You really think so?” Scootaloo asked, getting so excited that her tiny wings began to flap rapidly.

“You kiddin’ me, I know so!”

She began to rub Scootaloo’s mane, her fears having practically disappeared.

“But, let’s just start with just Ponyville for now.” Rainbow said as she put the filly back on her scooter and positioned her towards the town.

“Thanks Rainbow!”

Scootaloo gave Rainbow Dash an assertive nod, with a confident expression that she intended to look tough, but really just made her look adorable. The filly then raced off to Ponyville, an innocent smile stitched to her face for the whole journey to the club house where she and her friends held their counselling sessions.

Rainbow however, stayed at the bottom of the hill for a short while, pondering on why she felt as she did when she saw Scootaloo go down. Why had she been so scared? It couldn’t have just been nerves. Was it? Or was it something more? She knew she had to look more into this, and knew just the mare to visit to get the help she needed. With that thought she launched herself into the air and began her short flight to the castle belonging to Twilight Sparkle. Twilight was an expert with relationships, hence her status as the alicorn princess for friendship, however she had been a loyal friend to her, and all of Ponyville for some time before her ascension. Rainbow knew that a conversation with her dear friend was how she was going to get the answers she needed. Did she even want those answers? Regardless, it didn’t matter. The feeling of true terror she had felt over absolutely nothing was too strong. She simply couldn’t ignore it.

Visiting Twilight

As Rainbow Dash sored through the light blue sky, she couldn’t help but endlessly contemplate on why she had felt as she did. She was Rainbow Dash, a mare who had gained a reputation for putting herself in dangerous situations all the time, weather for the thrill and adrenaline, or simply to better herself, she had never cared to much about her own safety and knew what she could handle. So why? Why had she got so scared when Scootaloo, a filly that was almost identical in personality to Rainbow as a filly, and even similar to her know, had done the exact same thing as she had always done? It wasn’t like her, a contrast to her usual motivated personality, it just didn’t make sense! This question lingered in her mind, pestering like an insect crawling on her brain.

“Uh, this makes no sense!” Rainbow shouted, disturbing a nearby Pegasus pony.

“Sorry.” Rainbow said in a much more timid voice.

The other Pegasus just shrugged and continued with her journey, however this confrontation had left Rainbow feeling much more calm and rational. She began to think about just where her relationship with Scooterloo was. Why had she come back from training so early if not just to make sure that she was okay? Was she really that concerned about her? Did she love her that much? She knew the answers to these questions to be yes, but she couldn’t interpret why these feelings were so strong. The two had only been sisters for a short while, and she knew Scootaloo to be a competent young filly, she didn’t need a guardian to be constantly looking over her shoulder. These feelings shouldn’t have been this powerful. But they were. These questions kept coming into Rainbow’s head, giving her a small migraine and making her feel heavy.

It was here that Rainbow began to see Twilight’s castle, it was huge, and shiny, looking like it belonged in the Crystal empire, contrasting the humble and modest look of Ponyville, however ponies had since learned to accept it and even admire it. Rainbow began her gentle decent to the ground, like a leaf falling softly from a tree. She landed right next to the door of the castle, knocked three times and then waited for a response. She was greeted by Spike, a small purple dragon with green spikes on his back, he had been hatched by Twilight and thus had known her all his life. He now acted as her assistant with her princess duties. Though he was a friend to her first, always being a voice of reason when she became to obsessive.

“Hey there Rainbow Dash, what can we do for you today.” Spike asked with a polite, yet cute, high pitch voice.

“Hey Spike, I just need to talk to Twilight, is she busy?”

“Ha, you’re lucky, she’s actually not busy for once. I finally managed to convince her to take some time off to relax, all that work was really starting to get to her. Come on in, I’m sure she’ll be glad to see you.”

“Thanks Spike”

Twilight, despite her tendency to get overly stressed over little details, was still a kind, logical and intelligent pony who would always lend her ear to anypony with something they needed to say.

Spike, being the gentle dragon he was lead Rainbow straight to Twilight. She was in her library. Twilight had initially gotten up early to organise her books… Again. But Spike had convinced her to take a break from working and to how a relaxed day, thus Rainbow found her curled up, reading the latest instalment in the popular Daring Doo franchise, which Rainbow herself had intended to purchase. Spike left the two mares alone to continue with his daily chores.

“Hey Twilight” Rainbow said in a modest voice, feeling only slightly overwhelmed by the size of the library, its dark purple colour scheme that blended with Twilight’s own fur didn’t help.

“Oh, hello Rainbow Dash.” Twilight said cheerfully, putting down her book. “How can I help you today?”

“Well…I’ve got some questions Twilight, but first I need you to promise me that you won’t laugh and that if any pony asks, you’ll tell them I wasn’t here.”

“You’ve got nothing to worry about Rainbow.” Twilight said with a chuckle in her voice. “My door is always open to a friendship problem.”

“Well you see, the thing is Twilight, it’s not really a friendship problem, it’s more of a family one. It’s about Scootaloo and I.” Rainbow replied, unable to make full eye contact with Twilight

“Oh really? Did something come between the two of you? Look, I know fillies can be unreasonable sometimes, but she looks up to you so…”

Rainbow cut Twilight of before she could continue speaking, knowing that she had gotten the issue wrong.

“No no no, it’s not that Twilight.” Rainbow said in a much more impatient voice. “Scootaloo’s the same awesome little filly she’s always been and I’m proud to be there for her. It’s just that…”

Rainbow looked around to make sure that no pony, or dragon, could hear them. “Again, you tell NO pony about this.

Twilight just smirked and said, “my lips are sealed Rainbow Dash.”

Rainbow Dash took a deep breath and finally looked Twilight directly in the eye.

“I got really scared for her earlier, and not just scary campfire tales scared, I mean totally terrified.”

Twilight’s face went from that of complete confidence to that of confusion, like that of a colt in a school who had just been told something they hadn’t understood.

“Well um, okay Rainbow, how so?”

“Look, I know that Scootaloo is a mature filly for her age, and that she’s rode down so many big hills before. But I was with her on this tiny one earlier today, and I just lost it. I felt my heart go into my hooves as she went down, it was terrible! I thought she could’ve gotten seriously hurt! I think I knew deep down that she was gonna be fine, but I just didn’t care. This isn’t like me Twilight, I usually encourage her to do what she does, I like seeing fillies her age push themselves, but not today. Egh, what is happening!”

Twilight listened to Rainbow’s account of what had happened closely, trying to infer on why Rainbow was feeling as she did. Suddenly, a thought entered Twilight’s mind that made the whole situation make sense.

“Oh, I think I understand Rainbow Dash.”

“What, what is it?” Rainbow asked enthusiastically.

“You’re were just acting how a good big sister should”.

“Really?” Rainbow replied, unable to comprehend Twilight’s logic

“Well I know that when I was a filly, Shining Armour was always there to keep me safe, but I’d be lying if I told you that he never went a little too far in his attempts. But that’s just what older siblings do. Ha, I even heard from Cadence that he still goes crazy whenever we have to safe Equestria. I know that you and Scootaloo aren’t biologically sisters, but she clearly loves you and you clearly love her, it’s only natural that you would want to keep her safe.”

“Yeah… But it wasn’t like me Twilight. I knew she was fine, but I still got really scared.”

“What else can I say Rainbow Dash, you’re just going to have to except that you love this filly very much and that you want her to be safe. You’re going to get these feelings, and you’re going to have to learn how to live with them. Look, I’m here for you Rainbow, but I’d recommend you go talk to either Rarity or Applejack, they have first-hand experience with younger siblings every day, maybe they can show you how to deal with this anxiety.”

Rainbow’s expression finally changed to one of confidence, Twilight’s words had finally gotten through.

“Thanks Twilight, you always know what to say”

Twilight gave the same confident yet humble smile she gave whenever she knew that she had helped somepony.

“Any time Rainbow Dash, you’re always welcome.”

The two hugged each other good bye before Rainbow flew off to visit Rarity. As she left, Spike walked up to talk to Twilight.

“You sure seem happy, what happened in there?”

“Oh, nothing Spike, It’s just nice to see Rainbow show her emotions sometimes. I learned a long time ago that ignoring them isn’t healthy.”

“Ha, I guess you’re right.”

“I don’t know what she’s going to do, but I’m sure it’s what both she and Scootaloo need right now. Now come on you little rascal. We are going out for pancakes, don’t expect me to stop working and to not expect to stop working yourself. You’ve been going at it too hard yourself young dragon! And whilst the help is appreciated, I will not have my number one assistant go without his reward.”

“Thanks Twilight, I don’t think I say this enough, but I love you.”

“Ah Spike, I love you to.”
The two shared an affectionate hug, before Twilight put Spike on her back and trotted off to Sugercube corner.

A filly's risk

Scootaloo had spent her morning, and the vast majority of her afternoon, with her friends. They had counselled many ponies to help them resolve their cutie mark issues. However, they had no more appointments planned for the day and thus went their separate ways. Apple Bloom was to go on a day trip with her older brother Big Macintosh, and Sweetie Belle had come down with a sudden fever and thus had to rest. This left Scootaloo alone. She decided that this would be a good time to practice her flying, being very self-conscious about the fact that she couldn’t fly at her age, she often pushed herself to harm on numerous occasions. Though Rainbow Dash was often there to assist and train her, and to hold her back to stop her from hurting herself, this wasn’t one of those occasions. She stood on top of a small cliff that looked over the town of Ponyville, she intended to gracefully glide over the town and land safely in the centre of it. However, the last two times she had attempted this had ended with her only managing a few feet, before falling rapidly to the ground and injuring herself.

“Third time’s the charm.” She thought to herself, her nerves being completely supressed by her sheer desire to fly.

She was about to jump before an unfamiliar voice distracted her.

“Hey there, you’re Scootaloo right?”

Scootaloo turned around to see a dark red Pegasus stallion with a golden mane and a lightning bolt for his cutie mark.

“Yeah, I’m her, what’s it to ya?”

“My name’s Scarlet Speeder, I’m the fastest young flyer in the Cloudsdale flight school, but my parents have to be here for a little while on business and so I’m gonna be here over the holidays. But, that’s not important. I keep hearing about this awesome orange mare named Scootaloo who’s a bad flank on a scooter. Now, I don’t consider myself a sceptic or nothin’, but when I heard about you, I just knew I had to see if what I was hearing was true. So Scootaloo. I challenge you to a friendly competition, three races, biggest hills in this town, first to two wins is the victor, you in?”

Scootaloo was thrilled at the possibility of a competition, no pony in Ponyville was as good at stunts as her and thus could never really test herself. She also liked that the stallion had called her a mare and not a filly, it made her feel grown up.

“You bet I’m in, just don’t get too humiliated when I beat you.”

“Ha, we’ll see about that! Say, you’re quite a bit smaller than I had imagined, and I wouldn’t want to get any little fillies hurt. Um, how old are you?”

“Th…Th… Thirteen, I’m Thirteen years old”

“Ah, good. I’m fourteen myself, don’t worry, you should hit your growth spurt soon and look your age. Anyway, what hills should we do, I’m new here and I don’t know the best slopes yet.”

Scootaloo pointed to three hills that stood next to each other in the distance, the peak of the tallest hill was almost covered by the clouds.

“It’s settled then, meet me at the top of the smallest one in twenty minutes and prepare to lose!”

“You’re delusional if you think your gonna beat me big shot.”

“Del… what now?” The stallion asked with a confused look on his face.

“Oh, never mind, just go get ready.”

“Ha, see ya soon kiddo.”

The stallion flew off into the distance within a matter of seconds, whilst nothing in comparison to Rainbow Dash, his speed was still very impressive for a pony his age. Scootaloo just stood there, feeling very excited, but also a little nervous. She had lied about her age, in reality she was a mere eight years old and was surprised that the stallion hadn’t called her bluff, though he didn’t seem overly intelligent. However, that still didn’t change the fact that she still was very young and was putting her tiny body at a lot of risk by accepting this challenge. if she fell, especially on that last hill, she would be critically injured. She thought about this dilemma for a few seconds, but ultimately concluded that she would be fine, she knew what she was doing and, though she had never actually gone down the biggest hill before, she decided that it would be no different to what she normally did, just a little longer and a lot more exiting. She ran as quickly as she could to pick up her riding gear. So that she could to prover herself against the older stallion.

An intimate conversation

Rainbow Dash had spent the remainder of her morning trying to gather the courage to talk to Rarity. She had been incredibly hesitant to, as she had never been able to fully restore her stallion like reputation with Rarity after she had been spotted by her in the spa. Talking about her feelings would only go to make her look more feminine, an idea which she greatly detested. Though she knew that Applejack was away on a delivery, and she needed somepony with experience to talk to about being a good sister. She arrived at Rarity’s store and knocked on the door. Rarity opened it wearing an adorable pink dressing gown.

“Greetings Rainbow, Darling! How are you? I don’t suppose you’ve changed your mind on allowing me to design a gown for you for the next Wonderbolts social gathering?”

“Ha, you wish Rarity. But seriously, I’ve got some things I wanna talk about, it’s not like I’ve gone all sappy or anything, I just need to sort somethings out.”

“Well of course Dear, I’m all ears, come on in, though do try to keep your voice down, Sweetie Belle is fast asleep and she’s having the most adorable little dream.”

“Sure thing Rarity.”

The two went to Rarity’s living room away from the business area of her shop, Rarity offered to make Rainbow a cup of tea, but she declined.

“So then Rainbow Dash, what appears to be the issue.”

“You see the thing is Rar’… Look, if any pony asks, I wasn’t here okay. This is kind of embarrassing.”

“Don’t worry yourself dear, I wouldn’t dare tell anypony my friend’s confidential information.”

“Good, so I was coming back from Wonderbolts practice when I saw Scootaloo on top of a hill, ready to ride down it. I’ve seen her do that sort of thing a lot now and I know she can do it just fine. But still, I got really nervous when she went down. I reached out my hoof to grab her, but I was too late, she was already on her way. Celestia! The feeling was horrible, I felt like she was going to die! My Scootaloo would be… Never mind. I don’t know how I’d react if she was really in danger. What’s wrong with me Rarity? I’m usually so laid back, I’d even say I encourage her to do that sort of thing, it’s what she loves. But there, on that hill, somethin’ came over me, she was so small, and I just wanted, so badly, to keep her safe. D’ ya get me?”

Upon hearing this, a large grin entered Rarity’s face.

“Oh Darling, that’s adorable!”

“No, it’s not Rarity! I’m genuinely concerned about why I got so scared over something so small.”

“Oh but it’s just so cute Rainbow, yes who’s the most adorable little filly when she expresses her emotions.” Rarity said in a cutesy voice as she reached out her hoofs and played with Rainbow’s cheeks.”

“Rarity!”

“I’m sorry deer, but it’s nothing to be ashamed of, you’re just showing that you care for your younger sister’s wellbeing. Honestly, I’d be more worried if you weren’t having these feelings.”

“Really?”

“I’m certain Rainbow Dash. Now, being a sister is hard work, that feeling you had earlier is only the beginning of the worry and anxiety you’ll feel for Scootaloo. She could be doing the most mundane, ordinary thing imaginable, but all you’ll be able to see is the one thousand and one ways she could hurt herself. Ha, I remember an incident when Sweetie Belle was a little younger, she was using that sowing machine over there and… Now I knew she was safe, but that didn’t stop me from quickly picking her up and taking her to the safety of her room, I knew it wasn’t right, but I was just overwhelmed by the fear that she might get hurt.”

“Rarity that was two weeks ago! I remember Scootaloo telling me about it when we were training.”

“What?! She might have gotten a splinter! I will not have my Sweetie Belle be getting needlessly injured! Any who, the point is Rainbow Dash that there will be moments in your relationship with Scootaloo where your own fear will overwhelm you and you WILL become overprotective. You will just need to try and think rationally about what is happening and whether she is actually in danger, what I did to Sweetie Belle was wrong, and I know that now, I need to be able to let her be herself and not constantly treat her as if she were a new born foal. But, there will also be times where she will be in danger, and you will need to step in and show them what and why they were doing wrong. The fact that you’re having these feelings already is great dearie, it shows that you will be able to respond when Scootaloo is in peril. But you will also need to be able to recognise when she is completely fine, so you can leave her as she was. Now I know this sounds very complicated Rainbow, and there will be times where being a good sister is stressful, but it’s all worth it, allow me to show you why.”

Rarity singled for Rainbow to follow her. The two walked through the shop until they reached Sweetie Belle’s bed room, where Rarity gently opened the door to reveal the little white filly sleeping soundly with a stuffed rabbit in her hoofs.

“Isn’t she just the sweetest thing Rainbow?”

“Ok Rar’, I’ll give ya that one, she is kinda cute”

“You see Rainbow, its times of pure bliss like these, where nothing else matters that makes all the stress worth it, but that’s why we get so scared for them, they’re just so tiny and adorable that we can’t see them growing up. I had to face the fact that she wasn’t a baby foal anymore the other day when I was finally able to take some time off work from my shop in Canterlot to come back and see her. I found that she had grown out of all the things she used to love and that she was a much different and more mature pony that who she had been. So, we went out and found new things to do together, that we can enjoy together now that she’s older. I’ll always miss having a baby filly around, but she needs to be able to grow up and I can’t hold her back. So, Rainbow, as sisters it’s our role to find new things that we can do together with our younger siblings as they grow older, because no matter how old they get, they’ll always need us, and we’ll always be there.”

Rainbow was at the verge of tears from hearing Rarity’s words, when Sweetie Belle began to talk in her sleep.

“I…love…you...Rarity. You’re the…best…sister ever.”

The two grown mares both let out a passionate “dawwwwww” at Sweetie Belle’s words. Rainbow Dash made Rarity promise to never tell anypony.

“Enjoy it whilst it lasts Rainbow, they don’t stay such adorable little fillies, use every moment you have with her count. But, when they do grow up, we’ll both be there to see what beautiful young mares they become.”

The two mares looked at each other proudly, both knowing that the love they felt for their younger sisters could never be matched for that which they felt for anypony else.

“Thanks Rarity, I needed that, I need to control my feelings, but still know when to intervene, and enjoy every little moment I have with my little Scootaloo.”

“Correct.” Rarity said as she felt herself getting very emotional.

“I’m gonna go see if I can find Scootaloo, I think I need to talk to her now. You enjoy Sweetie Belle Rarity.”

“Oh, Rainbow Dash, thank you for letting me help you.”

The two gave a genuine hug before Rainbow left to find Scootaloo. Rarity spent the rest of the day caring for the sick Sweetie Belle, making sure that she knew she was loved.

Advice from a friend

Scootaloo was running to pick up her scooter, when she had an unexpected encounter.

“Apple Bloom? I thought you were going out with Big Macintosh this afternoon.”

“Yeah, but the harvest’s come in a little early this year, an’ with AJ away, Big Mac’ has to work extra hard to bring in all the apples. So, he said we could reschedule our trip till next week.”

The young filly had a little, understandable disappointment in her voice as she truly treasured her days out with her older brother, but she was otherwise completely okay.

“Sorry Apple Bloom, so what are you doing out here all by yourself them?”

“Oh, I’m just out takin’ a walk, it’s good to get some fresh air sometimes ya know. But, what are y’all doin’ Scootaloo?”

“Ha, glad you asked. There’s this new Pegasus stallion in town named Scarlet Speeder, he was one of the top young flyers in Cloudsdale! But he has to be here for a little while because of his… parents. Anyway, here’s the good part, he already thinks I’m awesome! He heard about how great I am on my scooter and he challenged me to a contest.”

“Oooohhh, sounds interesting, what’s the contest.?

“Ya know those three hills standin’ next to each other outside town, we’re gonna go down ‘em on our scooters, first one to two wins is the best.”

“Em, Scootaloo. Don’t one of them hills almost go as high as the clouds?”

“Yep, awesome, right?!”

Apple Bloom was beginning to worry for her friend, she knew how much she loved adrenaline, as well as her tendency to get herself hurt.

“Look, I don’t wanna freak y’all out Scootaloo, but that there hill is mighty dangerous. How old’s this guy anyway? Like eleven or twelve I bet, he has to be near to bein’ a teenager to think going down that hill ‘s a good idea.”

“Oh, he’s fourteen, and it was my idea.”

Apple Bloom stared at Scootaloo with a face of pure shock, had her best friend really just agreed to do something incredibly dangerous with a much older pony?

“Fourteen! You mean he’s six years older than us and ya still agreed to race him down the tallest hill, no, mountain, in Ponyville! You can’t be serious.”

“Look Apple Bloom, you don’t need to be so worried, sure it’s a little tall, and yeah Scarlet’s a little older than me, but I can handle this; this is me we’re takin’ about. Remember?”

“Well I guess, I still don’t know if this is such a good idea, but hey, it’s your choice, not mine. So, if y’all feel safe, then there’s nothin’ I can do to stop ya.”

“That’s right! And hey, we’ll only be goin’ down that one if I don’t beat him on the first two, like that’s goanna happen?”

“Ha, I guess Scootaloo, but if it don’t feel right, just promise me you’ll back out. Ya know, as a friend.”

“Don’t worry AppleBloom, I promise. But I gotta get goin’ now, or else I’ll be late, see ya later.”

“Bye Scootaloo.”

The two fillies waved at each other with innocent smiles stitched to their faces. Scootaloo had never been more determined in her life! She was half tempted to purposely lose the first race now, if only to show everypony else that she could handle that last hill. She ran as fast as she could to get her equipment and then head straight for the first hill. Apple Bloom on the other hoof didn’t feel so energetic, she knew her friend was more than capable, but was it really right for her to be doing a race that could plausibly get her VERY injured? Against a much older stallion no less. She thought that it wasn’t her place, and thus tried her hardest to stop thinking about it and just enjoy her walk. Approximately five minutes passed before Rainbow came flying over the market to attempt to locate Scootaloo, she instead noticed Apple Bloom in her peripheral vision and thus landed to ask her if she knew where Scootaloo was.

“Oh, hey Rainbow Dash, what can I do ya for?”

“Hey Apple Bloom. Look, I know you’ve finished your crusaidin’ for the day, but do you know where I might find Scootaloo, I’ve checked all the spots where she usually is, and I just got no sight of her.”

“Ha, luckily for y’all Rainbow, I do know. She was just here a few minutes ago, she was goin’ to get her scooter and then she’s got this competition with this new stallion in town. They’re gonna race down them three mountains just outside a town, first one to two wins is the victor and the awesome-ist, I guess.”

Rainbow stared into space with a look of pure terror, she knew the hills that Apple Bloom was referring to. The horrific feeling, she had experienced earlier had come back. She knew just how tall the final hill was and became very light headed as a result. All she could imagine was her Scootaloo, her precious, fragile little sister falling from such a height and… No, she didn’t want to even think about it. It couldn’t be a possibility. She would’ve shot up as fast as she could to the peak of that first hill as fast as she could, picked up the little filly in her forelegs and taken her back to the safety of her cloud home to check for boo boos, as if she were Fluttershy, if not for what Rarity had told her. She remembered how she had to control her emotions and assess whether Scootaloo was in any real danger or not. She thought about everything Scootaloo had done in the past, she remembered how capable and skilled the filly was. The thoughts calmed down the rainbow mare, if only a little. The hills slowly began to shrink in her mind as she thought more and more what Scootaloo was about to do, it couldn’t be any more dangerous than what she usually did. Could it?

“Em, Rainbow, are you okay?”

Rainbow suddenly awoke from her dazed state to respond to the yellow filly.

“Oh yeh, I’m fine Apple Bloom, thanks for telling me this.”

“You’re welcome Rainbow Dash, I’m just worried Scootaloo’s gonna get hurt doin’ this.”

“Na don’t worry about her, she’s awesome, like me, she’ll go so fast that stallion won’t even pass the starting line before she’s already won! Trust me you’ve got nothing to worry about.”

“Well alrighty, see ya Rainbow Dash.”

Rainbow Dash took off as fast as she could to reach the peak of the first hill. Her last comment to Apple Bloom had been a complete bluff, Rarity’s advice had made dealing with her fear easier, yet it was still rigorous in its torment of her. She decided that just watching the races from a distance, instead of actually intervening, was a good compromise between her fears and her rational thought. She would only step in if she had to. She would only step in if she absolutely had to. The thought repeated in her head on an endless loop.

A genuine sisterly bond

In approximately half an hour, the first two races had already been completed. Scootaloo had made the mistake of underestimating Scarlet’s abilities in the first race and thus had lost it, however she had won the second race with little struggle. Rainbow Dash had watched on from the side, making sure that she was always hidden and out of Scootaloo’s sight, she wouldn’t want her to think that she didn’t trust her. She had somehow resisted her powerful lust to intervene at the beginning of the first two races, using what Rarity had told her to calm herself down. Though now she was at the peak of the highest mountain for miles, and her lust only continued to bite away at her. She was surprised at how easily the older stallion had flown Scootaloo up to the top of it, she may have been impressed if she wasn’t so angry that an older pony was putting her Scootaloo in danger. The mountain was a fair distance from Ponyville. The town and the Everfree Forrest where mere specks in the distance. Rarity’s words became more and more faint in her mind as her fears once again took over, the mountain she stood on was ginormous, especially in comparison to the petite, orange filly, that she adored so deeply, that stood upon it; recklessly ready to ride down to a dangerously uncertain fate. Rainbow so desperately wanted to stop this final race from happening, the mental torment she had put herself through as she watched Scootaloo ride down the previous two races had been unbearable, she didn’t know if she would be able to bear it a third time. But she also knew how much her trust and respect meant to the filly, stopping her from racing would make her think that her idol didn’t have faith in her. She tried to rationalise the idea that Scootaloo was an experienced rider, that she would be fine, wouldn’t get hurt at all and would show that stallion what real speed looks like! The concept was practically impossible, but she knew that she had to try.

“Hey kid, you ready? Whoever wins this is the better rider.”

Scootaloo looked down the mountain with a worried expression, the fall suddenly seemed so steep. She got a weird, unclean falling that made her feel slightly sick in her stomach. Was… Was she scared? No. She couldn’t be. She never got scared on her scooter. And she had to prove to Scarlet, and herself, that she was a big mare, that she was old enough to do whatever she wanted.

“Em, kid, you ok?”

“Oh yeah, I’m good. Just thinking of all the different ways I could beat you!”

“Ha, you wish! Prepare to be out done!”

Scootaloo decided to push, whatever it was that came over her, out of her mind, so she could solely focus on the race, and the joy she would feel upon her victory. Rainbow Dash on the other hand, had failed to rationalise the idea of Scootaloo’s safety, all she could see was a tiny filly putting herself in harms way. Possibly even risking her life! Rainbow’s blood began to boil, her anger turning it to lava. It was here that she remembered the other important thing Rarity said.

“But, there will also be times where they will be in danger, and you will need to step in.”

This unchained any mental restraint Rainbow Dash had in stopping Scootaloo from racing. She launched herself from her hiding spot to save her.

“Okay, you ready kid?”

“As I’ve always been!"

“Then let’s get goin’. Three, two…”

Scarlet’s counted down was interrupted by a barrage of colour. Rainbow Dash cut through the air like a knife, grabbed Scootaloo and her scooter and held onto them both with a secure grip. She gave Scootaloo an aggravated look before putting her down far from the edge of the slope. She then went to express her frustrations at teenage stallion that almost got her little Scootaloo seriously hurt.

Scarlet looked at Rainbow with a face of pure terror, but also of wonder and shock. She knew Rainbow Dash lived in Ponyville, but Scootaloo knew her? She knew one of the fastest Wonderbolts? Of whom he had just enraged beyond any mercy.

“Now kid, I don’t know WHO in Celestia’s name you think you are! But if you think for a second that I’m just going to excuse anypony takin’ advantage of my little sister, then you’ve got another thing coming mister!”

Scarlet Speeder continued his look of terror and wonder, was Scootaloo really Rainbow Dash’s younger sister? Scootaloo just looked on at the scalding, feeling so very ashamed of herself, she knew it wouldn’t be long until Rainbow Dash turned to her.

“Look, I don’t care if it makes you feel big, or grown up, or just better about yourself! But putting tiny little fillies in danger is NEVER the answer to your problems. I mean, takin advantage of somepony so small and fragile is never okay. What if she had fallen, she would have gotten herself seriously hurt, and I don’t know if you know this, but she can’t fly yet! So, if she had lost her balance… Celestia. I don’t even wanna think about it!”

Rainbow began to feel her eyes swelling up, she was getting so emotional about everything today, this simply wasn’t like her. But that wasn’t important, what was important is that she had saved her little Scootaloo from harm and was enacting her vengeance on the pony responsible.

Scarlet gave Rainbow a confused look, Scootaloo had told him that her wings were injured, and that’s why she couldn’t fly. Moreover Rainbow had called Scootaloo a “tiny little filly”, but she was thirteen. Right?

“Em Rainbow Dash, I’m not one to get involved with your relationship with your sister, but you really should loosen up a little. I mean she’s not a little filly anymore, she’s thirteen, I wouldn’t dare put a little filly in danger…”

Scarlet looked as if he had a much longer speech planned in his head, but he was quickly interrupted by Rainbow Dash.

“Wait wait wait, did you just say thirteen? I hate to brake this to ya but… Say kid, whose idea was it to go down this mountain?”

“That would be your sister’s ma’am.” Scarlet stated without hesitation.

Rainbow finally put together what had happened.

“Oh, ha ha. I see what’s happened here kid. Look, you’re a great flyer, I saw how fast you got up here even with the weight of Scootaloo and the two scooters, but you really ought’a work on your common sense. Ya see, Scootaloo here.” She said rubbing the filly’s mane “is only eight.”

Scarlet gave Scootaloo a disappointed look.

“This true kid?”

“Yeah. Yeah it is.” Scootaloo replied, looking more and more embarrassed, failing to make eye contact with either of the older ponies.

Scarlet kneeled down in order to appear less threatening.

“You should ‘a just told me you were a filly Scootaloo, we’dve done something… A bit smaller yeah, but we still could ‘a had fun. And besides, my parents have to come here on business every few years anyway. Tell ya what, next time I’m here, you’ll be older, we can do this then, K?”

Scootaloo began to give a smile, she looked Scarlet in the eye and nodded. Though the stallion’s comment caused Rainbow to give a much sterner expression.

“Hey, easy pal. If you wanna get to Scootaloo, then your goanna have to get through me first!”

“Sorry! If you say it’s okay of course.”

Rainbow began to crack a smile.

“Ha, that’s better, but go on, me and our little friend here need to have a talk!”

Rainbow Dash gave a disappointed look to Scootaloo, who still couldn’t muster the courage to look her idol in the eye.

“Ha good look little one.” Scarlet said before flying off into the distance.

Rainbow was sure that she would one day see that young stallion at the Wonder bolt training camp. However, she quickly subsided that thought to focus her attention solely on Scootaloo.

“What were you THINKING Scootaloo, this mountain is WAY too steep for you! What if you’d have fallen, you’re SO small Scoots, I can’t bear to think what might have happened! Oh, and telling an older stallion that you’re thirteen, come on squirt, I thought you knew better than to lie!”

Rainbow Dash looked at the young filly, who looked tense, ashamed and very embarrassed, she had no intention of making her feel any worse than she already did.

“I’m not mad at you if that’s what ya think.”

“Re… Really?”

“Now what kinda pony would I be if I got mad from seeing you do something I did all the time when I was a filly.”

“What! You did this kinda stuff Rainbow Dash!”

“Absolutely! The amount of times my parents had to stop me from doing some ridiculous air trick that would’ve gotten me seriously hurt. Ha, I lost count when I was about six! Look Scootaloo, part of growing up is pushing the limits of what you can do, and that’s a good thing, you have all the potential in Equestria to be whatever pony you wanna be Scoots.”

Rainbow found her anger leaving her as she held Scootaloo in her forelegs and rubbed her mane, instead replacing it with a pride and happiness, of which she had never experienced before. Scootaloo also found her own embarrassment fade away into a blissful state of comfort that she sorely needed, she finally gained the ability to look her idol in the eye as she continued her lecture.

“But you need to accept that you are still a filly, that you can get hurt real easy. As much as I hate to admit it Scoots, as awesome as you are, as great as you’re gonna be, you’ve still got a tiny, little fragile body, and at this rate you’re going to get yourself into some serious trouble. I don’t know what I would do squirt… If I lost you then I… I just don’t know what I would do.”

Rainbow once again felt her eyes swelling up, she hadn’t known it, but she had been feeling this panic for Scootaloo’s safety for a long time now, it was good for her to finally express it.

“Scoots, I know you’re gonna keep bein’ you, you’re gonna keep being awesome and I’m gonna keep being there for you. But I need you to just be a little more careful for me. That fair?

Scootaloo had enjoyed being in the arms of her idol, though with her previous comments, she felt her confidence beginning to drain, was she really just a little filly? She gave the rainbow mare a stern look.

“So is that just what I am to you hu, just a little foal princess who can’t do anything for herself, who needs to be protected at all costs and babied all the time. I thought that you trusted me Rainbow Dash.”

“Now I didn’t say that Squirt, I mean Jeez I’m not Rarity.”

The two shared a little, innocent chuckle before Rainbow continued.

“I just want you to promise me that you’ll be more careful, ya know, be aware of your surroundings, know when to say no when things get too dangerous. I love you Scoots, and I won’t let you get hurt no matter what! Where sisters now squirt, you’re stuck with me.”

Scootaloo felt her eyes getting heavy. Had Rainbow Dash, the most awesome pony in all of Equestria, just told her that she loved her?

“Did… Did you mean that Rainbow Dash? Do… Do you… love me?”

Rainbow Dash looked at the filly and gave a bigger smile than she ever thought possible, the horrible fear that she had felt all day had finally been supressed, allowing for a much more sweat and tender feeling to enter her heart.

“Scootaloo, of course I do! You’re my little sister and I’m there for you, no matter what! I’ll be there to stop you if you’re about to do something stupid, if you ever need help or if you’re just scared for whatever reason, I know I’m not one for all the sappy an’ mushy stuff, but never feel like I won’t take what you’re going through seriously. An’ I may be busy sometimes squirt, but I’ll always have time for the toughest little pony when she ain’t feeling so tough.”

Scootaloo had never felt so welcomed and loved by anypony. She finally withered down and began to cry tears of joy, Rainbow Dash pulled her in for the hug of a lifetime. She felt proud of the little filly she had resting against her cyan fur. Having somepony so much smaller than herself take such happiness and comfort in her love felt just perfect.

“Ha, don’t go gettin’ to sappy on me now Scoots.” Rainbow said in a soft voice as she slowly stroked Scootaloo’s back with her hoof.

The two stayed in the hug for a very long time, Scootaloo loving each instance she had in her sister’s comforting embrace, by the time the she pushed away, the sun was already starting to set.

“Hey Rainbow Dash?” Scootaloo asked in an innocent tone.

“Yeah Squirt?”

“Thanks for being my big sister.”

Scootaloo’s comment made Rainbow feel touched to her very core, though she couldn’t decipher why, she loved the feeling.

“Ha, no problem Sport, it’s my pleasure, just make sure you tell nopony about me gettin’ all sappy before. K?”

“I won’t if you won’t.”

“Then we’re gonna be okay little buddy. But come on now, let’s get you home, I know it’s not that late, but it is starting to get dark out, I bet your parents must be getting real worried about ya.”

Scootaloo’s happy and blissful demeanour diminished a little when Rainbow had said the word “parents.” Not enough for Rainbow to question her on the matter, but enough for her to notice.

“Em, thanks Rainbow, but I’m gonna be fine getting home by myself, I could, em, use the ride back to get my mind workin’ again.”

Rainbow Dash could tell that there was something bothering Scootaloo, she wanted to ask her about it, but didn’t want to ruin the incredible moment they had created together.

“Okay Squirt, but at least let me get ya on the ground, ‘cause guess again if you think your riding down.”

“Thanks Rainbow.”

The two hugged once more before Scootaloo got on her sister’s back and Rainbow flew down in what felt like less than a second back to the town that had previously just been a tiny speck in the distance.

“Okay now Squirt, its startin’ to get real dark out, are you sure you don’t want me to take you home?”

Scootaloo backed away a little from her sister, trying to hide how she felt with an adorable smile.

“Nope, I mean thanks for the offer an’ all, but I’m good Rainbow Dash.”

“Okay then, but head straight there, and don’t stop for anypony!”

“Don’t worry, I won’t. Thanks again Rainbow Dash, for everything.”

Rainbow looked at the little filly, winked at her and smiled.

“Ha, no problem Squirt.”

Rainbow hugged Scootaloo and kissed her on her forehead, before the filly rode off into the distance, eventually being engulfed by the town and leaving Rainbow’s vision. However, she had left Rainbow with many questions, why had words such as “parents” and “home” made the filly so uneasy. In fact, now that she thought harder, had she ever her with parents? No. No she hadn’t, not even to pick her up at the school gates. And wouldn’t they have taken an objection when Scootaloo told them about her idea of racing down the largest slope overlooking Ponyville? Shouldn’t they have? Rainbow had never even heard Scootaloo talk about her parents, let alone see her with them! This thought left Rainbow Dash very determined to find out what was happening to her precious sister behind closed doors. Though she couldn’t go to Scootaloo directly, her uneasiness to those certain words made it apparent that she would be unwilling to talk about the subject. No, she would have to ask everypony she knew for insight and clues, and though she hated the idea, she may even have to spy on Scootaloo, but if push came to shove she would. She had to make sure her little Scoots was okay, that she had ponies other than herself who loved and cared for her. Though she did not know how she would get them, she knew she needed answers. For her, and her little sister’s sake.

To be continued!