It was a rather windy day in Ponyville, with the town quiet in the early morning. And then there were the cutie mark crusaders, who were at Sweet Apple Acres making quite the racket. This was because Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom were cheering on Scootaloo’s attempts to fly in the field.
“Woo! C’mon Scootaloo!” Apple Bloom cheered on happily.
“You can do it! Don’t give up!” Sweetie Belle encouraged.
Applejack looked out of the window to her bedroom, her eyes baggy and her facial expression tired.
“It’s 3 am.” Applejack groaned as she tried to use her pillow to cover her ears. Big Macintosh was in the kitchen, dragging himself to the coffee maker.
Scootaloo was flapping her wings as fast as she could, to get off the ground. Her efforts weren’t without reward as she was able to come off the ground. Apple Bloom gasped upon seeing this.
“She’s off the ground! She’s off the ground!” Apple Bloom said. Sweetie Belle used a ruler to measure how far she was off the ground. As soon as she got the measurement, Scootaloo ran out of stamina and landed back on the ground.
“Good job Scootaloo, you got 7 inches off the ground this time.” Sweetie Belle said as she marked it on the ruler. Scootaloo panted and looked back at Sweetie Belle.
“How far did I get off the ground last time?” Scootaloo asked. Sweetie Belle looked at the ruler and saw that last time, she was 11 inches off the ground, she looked at Scootaloo, crossed out the 11 mark and marked 5 inches instead.
“You got 5 inches off the ground last time.” Sweetie Belle answered. Scootaloo looked unamused.
“Sweetie Belle, I saw you cross out higher on the ruler.” Scootaloo told her. Apple Bloom walked over to the ruler.
“Don’t worry Scootaloo, we’ll find a way to get you flying in no time. You’ll be among the stars and the moon in no time!” Apple Bloom said before looking towards the roof of the barn. “I got an idea.”
Applejack was motivated to get out of bed when she caught the scent of coffee. With a stumble and a near tumble down the stairs, she got down to the kitchen to see Granny Smith pouring herself a cup of the left over coffee. There was just enough for one more cup, so she just walked over and began drinking it straight from the coffee pot.
“Mornin’ Applejack.”
“Mornin’ Granny. Girls wake you up too?” Applejack asked her.
“Unfortunately. Good thing Big Macintosh made coffee.” Granny Smith said. That’s when Applejack realized something and started to look around.
“Where is Big Mac?” Applejack asked.
“He’s at the barn making sure the girls don’t hurt themselves on the roof.” Granny Smith answered. Applejack nodded and kept drinking the coffee. Granny Smith looked at her, as if she was waiting for something. Applejack continued to drink the coffee, chugging it until it was empty before wiping her mouth. There was a few seconds before her eyes widened.
“Sweet Celestia!” Applejack exclaimed as she dropped the coffee pot.
“There it is.” Granny Smith said before the coffee pot broke against the ground. “Aww, you broke another one.”
Applejack ran outside as Granny Smith walked off to grab a broom and dustpan.
At the barn, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were on the roof of the barn with Big Macintosh at the bottom looking up at them with a coffee mug in his hoof and some hay bales beside him. Applejack ran to him, looking up at Scootaloo who was at the edge of the barn.
“Girls! You get down from that barn this instant!” Applejack exclaimed. Big Macintosh tossed a hay bale, which Apple Bloom landed on. “Not like that!”
“You said get down this instant.” Apple Bloom shrugged.
“You know what I meant Apple Bloom! What in tarnation were you doing on the roof anyway?” Applejack asked her.
“We’re trying to help Scootaloo fly.” Apple Bloom told her.
“She hasn’t given up yet?” Applejack asked getting nudged by Big Macintosh. Apple Bloom shook her head. Big Macintosh threw down another hay bale, that Scootaloo landed in.
“I think we’re making some good progress.” Apple Bloom said with an encouraging smile.
“Eenope.” Big Macintosh said, getting nudged by Apple Bloom.
“And you were just gonna watch this happen?” Applejack asked Big Macintosh.
“Eeyup.” Big Macintosh answered, tossing another haybale, which Sweetie Belle landed on.
“Girls, if you’re going to try to get Scootaloo to fly, don’t you think throwing her off of the roof of the barn is a little too dangerous?” Applejack asked.
“It wasn’t too dangerous, Big Mac was here to keep us safe.” Apple Bloom said.
“And what if he wasn’t?” Applejack asked.
“But he was, so nothing went wrong.” Apple Bloom responded.
“Let’s say in a hypothetical scenario-”
“Didn’t happen AJ.” Big Macintosh interrupted. Applejack glared at him.
“You are not helping.” Applejack told him.
“I’m not supposed to be helping.” Big Macintosh responded. Applejack facepalmed before looking at the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
“Listen, hypothetical scenarios aside, can you find a safer method to trying to get Scootaloo to fly, that won’t give a life insurance agent a heart attack?” Applejack asked. The girls looked at her confused, so Big Macintosh chimed in.
“Find a way to fly without jumping off the roof.” Big Macintosh told them.
“Oooooh.” They all said.
“Okay, come on girls, lets go see if Twilight can help us.” Apple Bloom said as she got out of the haybales. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle got out too and they began to make their way to the library. Applejack glared at Big Macintosh.
“What happened to taking my side?” Applejack asked him.
“What happened to closing my door all the way when you walk out of my room?” Big Macintosh asked as he walked back to the house.
“Seriously!? That’s what this is about!?” She called out after him.
“Eeyup!” Big Macintosh said back. Applejack sighed with a facepalm. “And stop breaking the coffee pots!”
Spike was carrying books up a ladder to put them in their designated spots. He got to the top of the ladder, the Cutie Mark Crusaders opened the door with enough force to knock the ladder over.
“TWILIGHT!” The trio called. Spike landed face down onto the ground in front of them. Scootaloo walked over and helped him up.
“Hiya Spike, is Twilight here?” Scootaloo asked the baby dragon, rubbing the bruise on his forehead.
“I’m fine from that fall, just a bruise, thanks for asking. Twilight is in Canterlot meeting with Princess Celestia.” Spike said. Sweetie Belle then gasped.
“That’s it!” She said happily.
“What’s it?” Spike asked.
“We can ask Princess Celestia if she can use her Moon Cannon to help Scootaloo fly!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed. Spike raised an eyebrow.
“Scootaloo’s trying to fly?” Spike asked.
“I sure am!” Scootaloo answered with a salute.
“You haven’t given up yet?” Spike asked. Scootaloo bonked him. Spike groaned and rubbed his head.
“Spike, do you think you could tell Princess Celestia about our situation, so she can help Scootaloo fly?” Apple Bloom asked him. Spike rolled his eyes.
“Sure, but while I do that, see if there are any alternate ways to fly.” Spike said as he walked off to grab a quill and paper.
In Canterlot, Princess Celestia was walking to her throne with Twilight and talking to her about something completely irrelevant. It was at that moment when a scroll appeared in front of her, having been sent by Spike.
“Hmm?” Princess Celestia asked as she took the scroll and opened it to start reading it. “Dear Princess Celestia, I have contacted you to inform you that Scootaloo hasn’t been able to fly, and currently requires your assistance.” Princess Celestia read out loud.
“She hasn’t given up yet?” Twilight asked from next to her, Princess Celestia nudged her with her wing as she continued reading.
“The Cutie Mark Crusaders are currently asking if Scootaloo could use your Moon Cannon in order to, and I’m quoting this so you don’t think I believe this, ‘Maybe the higher she’s off the ground, the more time she has to get her wings flapping to fly’. I’m not too sure this is a good idea, but if you’re helping them. I’m sure this is worth a shot. Sincerly, your trusty dragon assistant, Spike.” Princess Celestia read before looking further down to see if there was a P.S. Turns out, there was one. “P.S: You have a Moon Cannon?”
Princess Celestia looked outside at the moon, still in the sky and smirked a bit.
“We still have some time.” She said before turning to Twilight. “Twilight, bring the Cutie Mark Crusaders to me, quickly.”
“Are you seriously about to-”
“Yes.” Princess Celestia answered. Twilight looked at her in shock for a moment. “Relax, I’ll put Luna up there so she won’t turn into a PegaPancake.” Princess Celestia said as she walked off. Twilight began to light her horn.
“I’ll take words with horrible implications for 500.” Twilight muttered as she teleported away.
After a long night of dreamwalking, Luna was walking to her bed with her eyes baggy, and looking forward to the dreams awaiting for her. She walked over to her bed, got under her covers. She grabbed a sleep mask and placed it over her eyes. The very second she drifted off to sleep, Princess Celestia kicked open the door.
“Luna!” She called.
“Noooooooooo!” She exclaimed as she placed the pillow on her head, which Princess Celestia snatched away from her.
“Two words…..Moon Cannon.” Princess Celestia said. Luna paused for a moment.
“Who are you sending?” Luna asked.
“You’ll see, I need you on the moon so-”
“We don’t get a PonyPancake?”
“PegaPancake, and yes.” Princess Celestia told her.
“CelestiTroll has returned. I’ll be on the moon, but interrupt my sleep again, and I’ll throw you into the sun.” Luna told her.
“Huh?” Princess Celestia asked, as if she didn’t hear her.
“I said-” Luna tried to tell her, but she was on the moon before she could finish, having been teleported there by her troll of a sister.
“Celestia you b-”
Spike was back on the ladder, putting the books away that he was trying to put away earlier. He was still on the ladder when Twilight teleported to them.
“Girls?” She called as the ladder toppled over. Twilight used her magic to catch Spike and have him land upright. “Princess Celestia sent me to bring you girls to Canterlot, something about a Moon Cannon.”
“Woohoo!” The girls cheered happily as they all got on Twilight’s back.
“Are you ready to finally fly Scootaloo?” Apple Bloom asked her.
“I’m so excited!” Scootaloo said with a wing flutter.
“This is gonna end horribly.” Spike muttered as he walked over to the ladder and walked off with it. Twilight sighed, feeling as though he was right. She teleported to Canterlot with the 3 fillies on her back, and when they got there, Princess Celestia had a large Cannon in the throne room, pointing out of the window. Twilight’s jaw dropped, the cutie mark crusaders on the other hand, were pretty excited to see this. They scrambled off of Twilight and ran over with varying comments of wonder.
“It’s so cool!”
“It’s so amazing!”
“I really like the cannon!”
“Princess, are you sure this is safe?” Twilight asked as she walked over to her.
“Irresponisbly used, it isn’t but I guarantee you, I’ve taken every precaution needed to make sure Scootaloo has a safe trip.” Princess Celestia told Twilight.
“And, what about a trip back?” Twilight asked her. Princess Celestia just looked at her with a prolonged silence, so she turned to look at the Crusaders and walk over to them.
“So girls, let me show you how it works.”
“Your highness No-” Twilight tried to say before a bubble was formed on her head. This magic bubble was used to silence her and keep her from warning the girls. It also kept her from using her own magic to take it off. Twilight was trying her hardest to pull off the bubble.
The girls gathered around as Princess Celestia got to them, she placed a paper before them.
“Girls, do you mind putting your names on the bottom of this paper please?” She asked them as she hovered quills in front of them. Sweetie Belle looked up at the top of the paper.
“The participant(s) going in this moon cannon have agreed not to sue Princess Celestia if something is to-” She tried to read before Princess Celestia rolled up the top half to keep her from doing so.
“Just sign it.” Princess Celestia told them. The girls took the quills and started to sign as Twilight ran into a pillar to try to break the bubble on her head. She ended up knocking herself out.
“Okay, now that I know I’m not getting sued, please come over here.” Princess Celestia said as she gave the waiver to a nearby guard. Princess Celestia walked them towards the cannon.
“Oh, I almost forgot. The inside of the Cannon needs to be cleaned.” Princess Celestia said as she turned to look at the trio, then her eyes set on Scootaloo. “Scootaloo, could you be a dear?”
“You got it Princess!” Scootaloo said with a smile and a salute. Princess Celestia smiled and gave her a scrub brush and a helmet.
“Make sure you scrub from the open end of the barrel all the way down to the end.” Princess Celestia told her. Scootaloo nodded as she put the helmet on and taking the brush before climbing up the back of the cannon and shimmying her way to the barrel. Once she was inside, Princess Celestia turned to Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle.
“Girls, if you could follow me please.” She told them as she walked closer to the cannon. They followed her as they were now at the side of the cannon, with Scootaloo offically inside the cannon, scrubbing away from the top down. “So, as you girls know, this is my trusty Moon Cannon. Capable of sending any pony to the moon, regardless of size, shape, or even age.”
“I wish I had one of these things.” Apple Bloom said.
“They used to sell them when I was your age believe it or not.” Princess Celestia told her before scratching the back of her head. “Then the shooting star incident happened, thanks a lot Luna.”
“Shooting star incident?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“Moving on, and here is the fuse.” Princess Celestia lifted them to a small rope that was on the side of the cannon. “Thankfully, to reduce a fire in the palace, all you have to do is pull the strong in order to activate the timer on the cannon.”
Apple Bloom grabbed the string and pulled. There was nothing.
“You have to pull a little harder than that.” Princess Celestia told her. She pulled harder, but to no avail.
“Like this Apple Bloom.” Sweetie Belle said as she used her magic to pull the string, but it also had no effect on the cannon.
“Brilliant display Sweetie Belle.” Apple Bloom said sarcastically. Sweetie Belle shoved her a bit and the two glared at one another.
“Try pulling it at the same time.” Princess Celestia told them. They looked at each other and then at the string. The two of them grabbed the string and pulled. That’s when an hourglass came out of the cannon, above the string they pulled. It was counting down and they all looked at it.
“That did it!” Sweetie Belle said as Princess Celestia put them both down.
“I can’t wait to see Scootaloo fly!” Apple Bloom exclaimed. Princess Celestia used her magic to adjust the aim of the cannon. The barrel now looked to be above the moon rather than directly at it.
“Okay, everything is ready. Now, all that’s left to do is wait.” Princess Celestia said as she walked over to the timer and saw just how much time was left. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle walked over with her.
“How much time is left?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“25 seconds.” Princess Celestia answered. This got the two of them excited.
“Can we do a countdown?” Apple Bloom asked. Princess Celestia giggled a bit before nodding her head.
“Why of course, I’ll start us off.” Princess Celestia said as she looked at the hourglass. “Okay…….now. 15.”
“14…..13…..12….11…10-”
Inside the cannon, Scootaloo was scrubbing away at the bottom of the inside of the cannon. She was so focused on her assigned task that she was currently oblivious to the countdown Princess Celestia, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle. That was until she slowly began to feel heat on the bottom of the cannon she just cleaned. Feeling the heat, her focus shifted to what she was now able to hear.”
“4…..3….2….”
Scootaloo’s pupils shrank when she saw the cannon light up fully.
“Uh oh.” She said.
“1!”
And just like that, the Cannon when off with a big boom, similar to the sound of a volcanic eruption, and Scootaloo was sent flying through the air and eventually, through the stratosphere…and then the atmosphere.
On the moon, Luna was readying a dictionary and marking a few of the words with a marker. Next to her was a large mattress with a giant red X on it.
“Okay, so Backwood wasn’t as big of an insult as I thought. These other words should be more offensive.” Luna said before something crashed into the mattress, causing it to go deep into the moon in the form of a crater. Luna turned to look inside of the crater and saw Scootaloo face down into the mattress, which softened her fall. “Scootaloo? Are you alive down there?”
Scootaloo looked up and was very clearly dizzy from the launch, though her movement was enough to give Luna a sign she was okay.
“Oh, good, we do not have a repeat of the Shooting Star incident.” Luna said as she used her magic to pull her out of the crater.
“Shooting Star incident?” Scootaloo asked.
“Moving on.” Luna said as she put her down. “How was your journey here?”
“It was……pretty fun actually.” Scootaloo said. Then she looked at her wings and remembered the lack of gravity the moon had compared to Equestria. She smiled and began flapping her wings, only to get nowhere.
“What are you doing?” Luna asked her.
“I’m trying to fly.” She strained, before running out of stamina and landing back on the ground.
“You hath not given up yet?” Luna asked her. Scootaloo looked at her unamused.
Princess Celestia was looking through a telescope, seeing the impact of Scootaloo to Mattress after the launch.
“Bullseye!” She said happily.
“I’m happy Scootaloo finally got a chance to fly, even though she had to shot out of a cannon.” Sweetie Belle said with a smile.
“That reminds me, Princess. How long is she gonna be up there?” Apple Bloom asked.
“A while.” Princess Celestia answered.
“How is she gonna get down?” Apple Bloom asked.
"Oh you wanted her back down after a while?” Princess Celestia asked before chuckling a bit. “Well, I guess I’ll wake up Twilight for a tellportation spell..."
Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom looked at each other with nervous expressions on their faces.
Author's Note
The first commission I was paid to write. This was a unique experience and I was happy to do my first commission!
