Finding your Wings

Ripples radiated out to the edges of the puddle with every drip rolling off the park bench. Their source was a little orange Pegasus with a purple mane and tail. She wanted to be a good flier, truly she did. She wanted Rainbow Dash to be proud of her, to make her feel like she was worthwhile. Unfortunately, Rainbow wouldn't be back for another three days, and that was way too long.

Damn that Diamond Tiara and her mother! Normally, dealing with them was a cakewalk, because Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom were always nearby. But Sweetie Belle had gone to the Crystal Empire with Rarity, finally able to help with an order of dresses. At the same time, Sweet Apple Acres had been right in the path of a swarm of fruit bats, so Apple Bloom was too busy. As she didn't want to add an extra heap onto Apple Bloom's problems or ruin Sweetie Belle's good time, she was alone.

"I'm not a cripple," she sobbed quietly. "I'm not a freak..."

But no matter how much she said it, the words were useless if she didn't believe them. She couldn't fly; she was disabled. The doctor said she may fly in the future, but it was unlikely she would ever be able to do more than hover. She wanted to fly; she was a pegasus, and should have been able with little issue. But it was hard to hold onto hope.

As tears continued to steam down her face, she buried her head in her hooves. She couldn't go on like this. Her role models had more important things to do, her best friends needed to take care of their own lives, and she was left stranded. There was nopony here to lend her a helping hoof.

"Scootaloo?"

She looked up. "Spike?" She wiped her face, not wanting him to see that she'd been crying. She had to look tough, like Rainbow Dash would. "What are you doing here?"

Spike glanced around. "It's a public park. Anyone can walk through it. Have you been crying?"

"Of course not," she lied. "Tears are for babies, and I'm not a baby. I can handle all kinds of tough things."

Spike reached into the bags he was carrying and pulled out a card. "Twilight's organizing the installation of an optometrist. He's supposed to allow walk-ins. You should have your eyes checked out."

"I can see just fine," answered Scootaloo.

"Yeah, but there's something in there scratching up your sclera," he snorted. "Your eyes are really red, so, most probable reasons are either damage, allergies, crying or drug use. You don't have any other allergy symptoms, you say you weren't crying, so the next option would be a grain of sand or speck of dust. Unless, of course, you're on something?"

Scootaloo looked around. They were alone. "Can you keep a secret, Spike?"

"As long as it's not going to hurt anypony, sure."

Scootaloo took a deep breath and patted the bench next to her. Spike hopped up and set the bags beside him.

"I actually was crying."

"I know. I heard you."

"So why'd you even ask?"

Spike shrugged. "I wanted to know if you'd tell me. If you were comfortable telling me that you were upset, you would probably be comfortable telling me why. And then I could help you. But if you didn't want my help, there's not a lot I can do."

Scootaloo sighed. "Not a word to anypony."

Spike nodded. "So, what happened?"

"It was Diamond Tiara and her bitch of a mother."

Spike rolled his eyes. "Figures..."

"I was going over a jump on my scooter, and they came out from behind a blind corner. I tried to stop, but I was going too fast and fell off. When Spoiled Bitch told me to fly away, Diamond Tiara told her that I couldn't fly because I was too stupid to figure it out. I told her it was because of a medical condition, and Spoiled Bitch called me a cripple. A cripple! Even if I am disabled, it's not okay to say things like that!"

"That's rough," agreed Spike. "Still, that's something you should have expected from them."

"I did!" continued Scootaloo. "I called her a snob and started to walk off, and Diamond Tiara started to tease me, but then hre mom stopped her and told her "Don't lower yourself to the level of this crippled freak."" She sniffed. "I'm used to the abuse from Diamond Tiara, but that really hurt."

Spike winced at the insult. Even with his thick scales, he could feel that.

"And I didn't want to ruin Sweetie Belle's time with her sister or call Apple Bloom away from her emergency, and Rainbow Dash won't be back for a few days, so I didn't have anypony I could depend on."

"You can always come to me with your problems," offered Spike. "I'm a dragon who doesn't have wings. I know what it's like to have my own kind flying around when I can't. And once Rainbow comes back from her trip, she can pick you up and carry you around, and stuff. I'd do it myself, if I had a pair of wings. I'd pick you up and carry you all over Ponyville, just to see you smile. Even if we are spread a bit thin right now, always remember that you have friends who love you."

Scootaloo chuckled. "Thanks, Spike. I needed that."

"Plus, even if you can't fly, there's all kinds of things you can do that I can't," Spike went on. "I can't hover, I don't have the build for extreme sports, and nopony in all of Ponyville has as much control on a scooter as you do."

"Too true," smiled Scootaloo.

"And no contest, you're more polite than Diamond Tiara and her mom combined. They may be rich, but they have no class."

With a laugh, Scootaloo leaned in and hugged Spike. "That made me feel loads better."

"Always happy to help," hugged Spike back. "Just come to me if you need someone to talk to. I'll do my best to listen."

Suddenly, Scootaloo pulled back and kissed Spike fully on the lips, waiting there for a few seconds before pulling away. "One of these days, Spike, you're going to be a great coltfriend. I envy the mare who ends up with you."

Spike blushed. "And I hope you find the stallion of your dreams someday. He's a lucky one." He looked up at the sky. "It's supposed to rain soon. I should bring these bags to the mayor's office, and you should think about heading home for the night."

"Okay," smiled Scootaloo. "Thanks for listening. and remember, not a word to anypony."

"My lips are sealed," he answered, hopping down and grabbing his bags. "Have a good night."

As Scootaloo puttered off into the grey skies, Spike smiled to himself. It was always nice to help somepony in need, and he was glad that Scootaloo had found her smile again.