Skyscraper

Chapter 3: PreFlight

She couldn't find her anywhere. Scootaloo had been searching for Rainbow Dash for what felt like an hour, but couldn't find any sign of her. She’d checked her home first, and while she wasn't exactly able to knock on the door, after calling out for several minutes she’d figured nopony was there. She’d checked all around town, but came up with nothing. It was around five o’clock when she was walking up to the door of the library; Twilight’s house. Scootaloo was hoping that either Rainbow Dash was here, or that Twilight could at least point her in the right direction. Scootaloo rapped on the door a few times.

“Coming.” Came a very un-Twilight-like voice from inside. The door opened to reveal Spike. “Oh, hey, Scootaloo. How’re you?”

“I’m okay. You?”

“Can’t complain.” The little dragon opened the door further, stepping out of the way. “Come on in. Lookin’ for anything in particular?”

“Actually, I was just looking for Twilight, or maybe Rainbow Dash, if she’s here.”

“Neither of them are. They all left for Canterlot sometime this morning. Said it was some kind of event they had to go to.” Spike scratched at his chin, “Should be back sometime later tonight, I think.”

Great.

“I could have told you that,” Added another voice. Sweetie Belle came to the door from inside. “Rarity spent all day yesterday finishing a bunch of new dresses she made for it. Hi Scootaloo.”

The library wasn't exactly anywhere Scootaloo expected to Find Sweetie Belle, but felt it would be rude to say as much.

Scootaloo turned to Sweetie Belle. “Well, my plans are shot. I’m going to the club house. Want to come?”

“Sure.” Sweetie Belle in turn turned to Spike. “Spike, you want to come, too?”

“Sorry, I’m really busy. Have to clean and re-sort a bunch of shelves.” Spike said, sounding like he was already tired of it. “I’ll be lucky if I’m done before Twilight gets back.”

“Later, then.” Scootaloo said, already turning to leave.

Spike gave a simple “Yup.”

Sweetie Belle exchanged a lengthier goodbye before rushing over to join Scootaloo. They were well on their way when Sweetie Belle asked, “So, what’s the plan?”

“No plan, just flying practice.” Scootaloo replied. “You hang out with Spike?”

“Not really, I was just returning a book." Sweetie Belle said, before adding, "But I’d like to. It’d be pretty cool.”

‘Cool’ was not a word Scootaloo had ever really thought of in relation to Spike. To her, he seemed more like Twilight’s sidekick, or errand boy. “How do you figure that?”

“Oh c’mon, he’s a dragon. That breathes fire. How awesome is that?” Sweetie Belle pantomimed blowing fire, with the requisite sound effects. Scootaloo chuckled at the display, but had to admit the idea of breathing fire would be more than a little cool.

===================================================

It didn't take long for the pair to reach their clubhouse. Scootaloo was stretching her wings, while Sweetie Belle watched, eating some snacks they kept stashed away. After she felt like her wings were limber enough, Scootaloo started flapping.  She started slow, quickly building speed until she was flapping as fast as she could. When that failed to produce any results, she switched tactics, flapping slower, but harder. Scootaloo noticed Sweetie Belle kept looking like she wanted to ask something, but had stopped before speaking each time.

Scootaloo stopped and looked to her friend. “What?”

Sweetie Belle started to fidget. “Just wondering, why the sudden flying training every day?”

“I thought it was about time. I'm tired of being stuck on the ground.”

“Why?” Sweetie Belle asked. She caught Scootaloo before she could rebuke the obvious question. “I mean, why the hurry, all of the sudden?”

“It’s… I should be able to.” Scootaloo stated. “Diamond Tiara was making fun the other day, and it really bothers me that’s she’s right. I should be able to; I need to work at it until I can.”

That’s mostly true. She thought to herself.

“That was really mean of her,” Sweetie Belle agreed. “But that’s not why you’re doing this.”

Scootaloo blinked. “Huh?”

“Applebloom said not to bring this up, but you did the same thing six months ago, and again six months before that. Both times you went all super focused on flying for a bit, then suddenly stopped and got really sad for a while.” Sweetie Belle looked to Scootaloo with a surprising intensity. “So, what gives? You've been doing this since you moved here.”

Scootaloo was sure the surprised look on her face only confirmed her friend’s assessment. While Sweetie Belle might have had the reputation of being the more simple-minded filly in their trio, she had a tendency to be remarkably perceptive.

Scootaloo shifted uncomfortably. She didn't want to have this conversation. “Nothing, I’m just tired of not being able to fly.”

“So,” Sweetie Belle persisted, “why the deadline?”

“What deadline?” Scootaloo was again surprised.

“You’re acting like somepony that has to do a bunch of homework, but didn't start until it’s time to turn it in.” Sweetie Belle had a look like someone trying hard to piece things together. “So, there’s a due date, and it’s soon, and you don’t think you’re ready.”

“I...” Scootaloo fumbled. ”I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I’m not stupid.” Sweetie Belle took a more concerned tone. “You can tell me.”

“…Fine,” Scootaloo relented, “I have a test coming up. Saturday.”

“A flying test.” Sweetie Belle clarified. Scootaloo nodded, looking away. “What happens if you don’t pass?”

“Nothing.” It was true.

“And what do you get if you pass?”

That was the question Scootaloo was hoping to avoid most. It was still to early to worry about that. “It…it’s important, okay.”

“I get that,” Sweetie Belle pressed, “but why?”

“I don’t want talk about it.” Scootaloo decided the interrogation was over. “Let’s either talk about something else, or just…not.”

Sweetie Belle sensed that was all the answers she was getting, and nodded in agreement. After a few uncomfortable moments of silence, Scootaloo resumed her flapping. She quickly got frustrated, and jumped. She didn't even hover, falling straight back down. Sweetie was still watching, finishing off a packet of crackers. Scootaloo wasn't sure what bothered her more, that nothing was happening, or that it’s what she was expecting. She looked back to her friend. Maybe it hadn't been a such a good idea to invite her along. It was bad enough to consistently fail, but it was so much more embarrassing with an audience. Scootaloo tried to ignore Sweetie Belle’s watching eyes and starting flapping again.

“So, apart from when you jumped from clock tower, have you ever flown before?” Sweetie Belle asked.

Scootaloo stopped with a huff. “No.”

“And you can’t think of what you did different.” Sweetie Belle again adopted a thoughtful expression for the second time that day. It was an expression that was started to worry Scootaloo. “I know! Follow me.”

Sweetie Belle went outside the clubhouse and jumped up, scrabbling onto the roof. Confused but curious, Scootaloo followed her up, her legs kicking as she had a little more difficulty. Sweetie Belle was standing on the opposite end of the clubhouse, staring intently over the side.

“Okay, why are we up here?” Sweetie Belle didn't reply. Scootaloo walked beside her, and looked over, too. “What’re you looking a-“

Without a word, Sweetie Belle slipped behind Scootaloo, and shoved her over. Scootaloo’s interrupted question turned into a shout as she fell. To her amazement, she managed to land on all fours.

“You okay?” She heard Sweetie Belle call out above her, her head poking over the edge.

“What was that?!” Scootaloo snapped back. “What even was that?!”

“You’re okay, right?” Sweetie Belle repeated.

Scootaloo did a quick self check, and confirmed that she was. It didn't make her any less angry. “What was that for?”

“You jumped off the clock tower, so I thought if I pushed you off the roof, maybe you’d fly.” Sweetie Belle reflected on what she’d just said. “…This might’ve been a bad idea.”

“Yeah, it was!” Scootaloo shouted back.

“Y’know, it looked like you stopped for a little bit. Floated, I mean.” Sweetie Belle said. She climbed down off the roof, joining Scootaloo on the ground.

Scootaloo’s mood instantly lifted. “Really?”

“Kinda. You fell really slow.” Sweetie Belle said with a shrug. She pawed the ground, “Sorry. I just wanted to help.”

Scootaloo took a deep breath to calm herself, coming back down from the sudden adrenaline rush granted by being shoved off a roof. “Thanks, I think, but I’d rather not have to worry about you dropping me off anything again.”

“Heh, ok.” Sweetie Belle said with a nervous chuckle. She was noticeably embarrassed at her blunder. “I should head home. I have…stuff to do.”

The two said their goodbyes and Sweetie Belle disappeared into the woods. Alone, Scootaloo went back inside the clubhouse and started stretching her wings again. She was already as limber as she was going to get, but it felt like something she should do anyways. It was probably better this way, practicing without her friends watching. At least this way, when she failed, nobody would be able to see it. Scootaloo stopped her stretching, realizing how pessimistic that was.

Scootaloo looked up at the ceiling, a thought forming. She briefly chiding herself for even considering it, before admitting she no better ideas. Scootaloo went outside, and climbed back onto the roof. She looked over the edge.

Sweetie Belle did say I floated. Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea. It’s not really too far down.

After hyping herself up, and one false start, Scootaloo jumped from the clubhouse roof, and started flapping.

She fell like headfirst like a stone.

Scootaloo landed hard on her front hooves, her legs crumpling. Her face slammed into the ground, and she flopped onto her side.

Scootaloo spat out a clod of dirt, rolled over and got back up. That was stupid.

She rubbed the dirt from her face. Scootaloo winced when she found a cut above her right eye. Before she could chastise herself further, she was interrupted by the sound of mocking laughter. Scootaloo looked around, and saw Diamond Tiara coming up the hoofpath, followed by Silver Spoon.

“What do you want?” Scootaloo shouted.

“Just wondering how your flying was coming along,” Diamond Tiara said with a smirk, “and judging by that performance, I’d say it’s pretty promising.”

Diamond Tiara turned to Silver Spoon. “A beautiful dive, but the landing could have used some work.”

The pair broke into more laughter, advancing on Scootaloo.

“You know, I’m no expert on this whole flying thing, and that was a magnificent dive,” Diamond Tiara continued, “but I’m pretty sure you’re supposed to go the other way.”

Scootaloo felt her lip quiver. “Leave me alone!”

“And miss the show?” Diamond replied. “How about you try again? I swear you almost had it.”

Scootaloo blinked uncontrollably as her cut bled into her eye. Scootaloo blindly threw a pinecone at the pair. It landed off to Silver Spoon’s side.

Diamond Tiara nudged her friend. “Wow, that went farther than she did.”

More laughter. Scootaloo started to back away, with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon matching her stride. Silver Spoon stopped laughing when she saw the cut on Scootaloo’s head.

“Hey, are you okay?” she asked, gesturing to her face.

Scootaloo didn't answer; she turned and ran. Scootaloo ran until her legs got tired, and kept running. Her vision blurred by tears, but she refused to let them out. She only slowed down when she got to the hoofpath to her house. Scootaloo entered, nobody was there. Butterscotch always worked later on Wednesdays. She looked to the clock, Butterscotch was probably already on her way home. Having her caretaker worry over her again so soon was not an appealing prospect. Scootaloo went to the washroom, quickly scrubbing her face. She cringed when the washrag rubbed into the cut. Scootaloo looked into the mirror; she wasn't too bruised anywhere, the only obvious thing was the cut. She brushed her mane over it, looking at it from a few angles to make sure it wasn't visible. Scootaloo had just entered her room when she heard the front door open, and Butterscotch call out “I’m home.”

“I’m in my room.” She answered.

Scootaloo perked her ears and listened. There was the sound of the cupboard opening, a glass set on the table. The icebox opening , something pouring, and the icebox closing. The sound of the washroom sink running. It stopped abruptly. A split second later there was a knock at Scootaloo’s door. Butterscotch entered, she was still wearing her work shirt and saddlebags, with the text “Rich’s Barnyard Savings” stitched into the sides.

“You okay?” She asked, looking the filly over.

“W-what? Yeah. Why?”

“Why?” Butterscotch pulled a washrag from her saddlebag, a spot of blood in it. “What’s this?”

The mare noticed Scootaloo’s face was still damp, and brushed her hair aside, exposing the wound. “Please don’t tell me fell out of another tree.”

“No, well, yes, but no.” Scootaloo stammered. She took a breath. “I mean, I fell, but not out of a tree. Well, a treehouse. I fell off a treehouse.”

Butterscotch put her hoof under the filly’s chin, pointing her face to hers. She looked around her eyes. “Have you been crying? What’s the matter?”

Scootaloo batted the hoof away. “I wasn't crying! I just fell. On my face. I had junk in my eyes.”

Butterscotch gave a particularly stern look.

Scootaloo buckled. “Rainbow Dash was out of town today, so I was practicing by myself. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were watching and making fun of me when I fell off the clubhouse.”

“Fell off-fell off the clubhouse?” Butterscotch asked, suddenly furious. She pointed to the cut. “Did they do this?!”

“What? No! I…might have jumped. They watched me crash and thought it was funny.”

Butterscotch calmed back down from her maternal rage. “Those two could really use a good swift smack. They're like the perfect argument for corporal punishment. But why in Equestria would you go and jump off a roof?”

“I thought, if I jumped off the roof, I might fly again.” Wow, that sound seven worse when I say it.”Y’know, like when I…fell out of that tree.”

“And we both know how that turned out.” Butterscotch commented. Her voice softened. “Can you maybe not keep doing that? We don’t want you coming home too broken to fix.”

Scootaloo chuckled. “Okay. I won’t jump off anything too high, only stuff I can land from.”

Butterscotch smiled and gave Scootaloo a hug. “Good. You shouldn't push yourself too hard.”

Scootaloo didn't squirm and allowed the hug, but neither did she return it. “I won’t, but I’ll still keep pushing, as hard as I need to.”

Butterscotch eyed Scootaloo’s face again. “I’ll grab a band-aid for that.”

Butterscotch headed for the door, she was almost out of the room when Scootaloo spoke.

“I-“, she started. Butterscotch stopped, “I feel like I’m running out of time.”

“You have all the time you need.” Butterscotch replied, and left.

===================================================

Scootaloo didn't go to school the next day.  She had much more important work to do, and the filly could go to school any day. Saturday was only a couple days away, and no matter what Butterscotch said, she was running out of time. Scootaloo had briefly seen Rarity in her Carousel Boutique, but she hadn't known where Rainbow Dash was.

That had been over thirty minutes ago, and Scootaloo was getting impatient. The filly finally found her target near the post office, on a cloud talking with another pegasus about three storeys up. Scootaloo was about to call out, but paused.

Okay, think. ‘Hi Rainbow Dash, it’s me, Scootaloo. Remember when you said you’d help with the whole flying thing? Um, how ‘bout now?’ No, maybe ‘Hey Rainbow, remember me? We went camping’. No, uh, maybe ‘Sure is a nice day for flying, and lessons about that.’ Why is this so hard? Just wing it.

Scootaloo looked back up and shouted “Hey, Rainbow Da-“, just in time to see her finish her conversation and fly off. “Great.”

Scootaloo started to trudge along after her when she looked up and caught the eye of the other pegasus; a grey mare with a yellow mane. At least, she thought she did; her face was pointed at her, but only one eye was looking her way. She was a mailmare, judging by her bags, but Scootaloo didn't know her name. The wall-eyed pegasus said something Scootaloo couldn't hear.

“Huh?”

She flew down from the cloud ungainly, the weight of her mailbags setting her off balance. The mare landed in front of her, smiling. “I said, ‘Something I can help you with?’”

“Uh, no, that’s ok.”

“You sure? ‘Cause you were down here for a while, lookin’ like you needed something.”

“I’m just looking for Rainbow Dash.” Scootaloo cocked her eyebrow. “Wait, how could you see me? I was behind you.”

“I have good eyes.” The strange mare blinked, her eyes changing directions, still opposite each other. It was just shy of unsettling. “Anyways, she said she had to go help Twilight with something. Sounded busy.”

Scootaloo sighed, “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

Scootaloo was about to walk away, but stopped. “Actually, can I ask you a question?”

“Sure, shoot.” She said with a chipper nod.

“How-“ Scootaloo tried to think of way to ask without sounding stupid, “-how do you fly?”

“Oh, that’s easy; I flap my wings and I go up?” The mare tilted her head to one side. “How do you fly?”

Scootaloo frowned. “I…I can’t. That’s why I’m asking. I was hoping Rainbow Dash could show me something.”

“Oh.” The mare’s smile faltered. “I’m sorry. Why not?”

“Don’t worry about it.” Scootaloo started to trudge off. “Sorry to bother you.”

“Hey, it’s no problem.” the mare put herself back in front of Scootaloo. “Maybe I can help. I mean, a pegasus is a pegasus is a pegasus, right? Maybe show me what you’re doing, and I’ll see what I can teach you.”

Scootaloo was about to turn down the offer. This had the potential to be incredibly embarrassing. She looked around, and found that there weren't many ponies nearby, and none really looking in their direction. She looked back to the mare, still smiling at her.

Can’t argue with that. Scootaloo admitted to herself. Might as well.

Scootaloo turned to the side and started flapping her wings. “I flap, but nothing ever happens. Not usually, anyways.”

The grey mare put her hoof to her chin, watching her wings with a studious look. Well, about as studious as one can look with neither eye pointing in the right direction. “That’s because you’re doing it wrong.”

Scootaloo stopped. “What?”

“You’re flapping them all wrong. Wrong angle and everything. They also look kinda small for your size, but I wouldn't know much about that, or anything.” The mare turned to her side and very slowly flapped her wings. “You gotta do it like this.”

Scootaloo watched for a minute before trying to mirror the movements.

“Here,” she gently took hold of Scootaloo’s wing and guided it through the motions a few times, “like this.”

After a few more slow cycles to get a feel for it, she let go, and Scootaloo started to flap her wings in earnest. It felt awkward. She was about to give up, when she felt her weight shift. Scootaloo looked down to see her front hooves leave the ground. Her back hooves were still grounded, but she felt herself grinning. She renewed her efforts, adjusting her angle. Her front hooves touched back down, and her rear hooves lifted. Scootaloo switched back, getting tired, and her legs again traded places. With a final burst of energy, she kicked off. Scootaloo hovered for a few moments at eye level with the helpful mare, finally sharing her smile, before hovering back down.

“There you go, much better.”

“I did it! I flew! I mean, I almost flew, kinda!” Scootaloo said between excited pants. “Thanks. Thank you so much.”

“You’re very welcome.”

Scootaloo could barely contain her excitement. This was the most progress she’d had since the incident with the clock tower, and without any injury or lecture about being safer. It still wasn't flight, but it was a big step in the right direction. She couldn't wait to get better, and rub it in Diamond Tiara’s face, from above. Maybe drop something on her. Then, she could pass her examination Saturday, and go back to Cloudsdale and-

“Oh, look at the time. Sorry, I've got to get going.” The mare said, snapping Scootaloo out of her fantasy.

“Huh? Oh, ok. Thanks again.”

“Happy I could help.” With that, the mailmare hefted her bags, wobbled, and took off.

Scootaloo watched her fly away a moment before returning to her thoughts.

I gotta show my friends.

The filly rushed off, faltering when she remembered they were still in school. They still would be for a few more hours. She headed for the clubhouse instead. There was plenty of time to practice, and there wasn't anypony around to make her nervous or make fun of her. In retrospect, she should have done this much sooner. Entering the clubhouse, Scootaloo spread her wings, and got to work.

===================================================

Scootaloo was just getting her second wind. She’d lost track of how long she’d been practicing, but decided ten minutes was a long enough break.  The filly was about to start again when she heard a pair of voices outside. She went to the window and saw her friends approaching the clubhouse.

“-my dad says it’s perfectly natural to eat fish. They’re actually really good if you make ‘em right.” Sweetie said to Applebloom.

“I’ll just take yer word on that.” Applebloom replied. She spotted the pegasus. “Hi Scootaloo.”

Scootaloo rushed out to the balcony. “Hey guys.”

The pair ascended the ramp to the clubhouse, joining Scootaloo on the balcony. Getting closer, they noticed Scootaloo was, in a word, filthy. Her knees and front legs were scuffed, her mane was disheveled, and there were patches of dirt and grass stuck in her coat. Her face looked like she’d rubbed one side into the ground, and  she smelled like dried sweat and grass stains.

“You missed school.” Applebloom said, eyeing Scootaloo. “What happened to you?”

“Yeah, I didn't go.” Scootaloo replied. “Been too busy.”

Sweetie Belle was sheepishly rubbing one foreleg over the other. “Sorry again for pushing you off the roof.”

Applebloom’s head whipped to Sweetie Belle. “What?”

“It’s fine. I mean, you were just trying to help.” Scootaloo replied.

Applebloom looked back to Scootaloo. “Wait, what?”

“Hey, check this out.” Scootaloo said. Without further explanation, she climbed onto the balcony railing, steadying herself when she almost tumbled over.

Before either pony could ask what she was doing, Scootaloo leapt straight off. Her legs outstretched and her wings pumping, her trajectory had a slight but noticeable upwards curve. After climbing a few feet, the pegasus lost momentum and arced downwards. She landed lopsided, falling to her knees and skidding forward before tumbling onto her side. Unperturbed by her landing, Scootaloo quickly righted herself. She had traveled a good twenty feet.

“Did you see that?” she asked excitably, brushing herself off.

Sweetie Belle was clapping her hooves. Looking from the balcony, Applebloom now noticed several spots of flattened grass and scuffed earth around the clubhouse matching Scootaloo’s landing site.

"I suppose that answers one question." Applebloom said to herself.

Sweetie Belle finished her round of applause. “Wow, that was great. That’s the farthest I've ever seen you go.”

“I've been practicing all day. I've actually gone a little farther.” Scootaloo pointed a hoof at another rut in the ground a few feet away.

Scootaloo ran back to the clubhouse, and when she had picked up speed, jumped again. She landed halfway up the ramp to the tree house, trotting the rest of the way.

“I haven’t been able to get back up yet,” she said, panting, “but I’m getting closer.”

“This is a huge change from last time.” Applebloom said. “Did you finally get Rainbow Dash to teach you?”

“No, some other pony. Some grey mare with funny eyes.” Scootaloo answered.

She jumped in place, hovering for a few seconds before fluttering down. A wide grin was plastered across her face. “But she was really helpful. I mean, yesterday I couldn't even get off the ground, and now look at me. At this rate, I’ll be flying in no time.”

“Yeah, now you’re sure to pass that flying test-thing.” Sweetie Belle added.

“Test? Hold on, I feel like I’m missin’ a few pieces here.” Applebloom said, holding a hoof up. “How did we go from you gettin’ pushed off a roof to a flyin’ test?”

“I was trying to help.” Sweetie Belle replied.

“I’m gonna assume that makes sense.” Applebloom said, turning to Scootaloo. “You have a flying test? Like, for school or sumthin’? I didn’t hear Cheerilee mention it to any of the other pegasi.”

“I don’t think it’s a school test.” Sweetie Belle said to Applebloom. “Is it like an entrance exam to a flight school or something?”

“No, nothing like that.” Scootaloo’s grin started to fade. She weighed her words heavily. “It’s a test with Redheart.”

“So it’s a medical exam?” Applebloom asked. “Is sumthin’ wrong with yer wings?”

Scootaloo decided to ignore the latter question entirely. “It’s just a little test I have to take to see how well I can fly.”

“What’s it for? I mean, what happens when you pass?” Applebloom asked.

That was the inevitable question Scootaloo has been dreading. She knew it was coming and she knew she couldn't keep dodging it. It was going to come up sooner or later. The filly cycled through a few answers before settling with “I get to go to Cloudsdale.”

“You’re taking a trip to Cloudsdale?” Applebloom guessed.

“Sure, kind of.”

“I don’t get it. Why would you need a medical exam to go to Cloudsdale?” Applebloom asked.

“Well, you know, Cloudsdale is really high. I've wanted to go for a while now, but-“ Scootaloo broke eye contact, looking down while she formed the next few sentences. She looked back to Applebloom. “-You guys know I can’t really fly. They said that Cloudsdale wasn't really safe for somepony that can’t fly, so I have to take a flying test so I can go b-…so I can go.”

Sweetie Belle’s ears perked and she again had that worrisome expression of someone assembling the pieces. The unicorn looked between her friends, but kept her thoughts to herself.

“When’s yer test?” Applebloom asked, oblivious.

“Saturday.”

“That’s only a couple days away.” Applebloom smiled. “Good luck.”

“Thanks.”

Scootaloo was glad that she was able to show her friends her progress, but decided she didn’t want to allow the conversation to explore any further. After all, there wasn't much point in telling them everything when she hadn't even passed yet. There was still a chance that everything would go back to the way it was. Her excuse to leave presented itself when her stomach audibly growled.

“Been at this all day; I’m starving.” Scootaloo said. “I’m gonna head home and eat. Should probably make sure I’m caught up for school, too.”

The trio exchanged their goodbyes, with Sweetie Belle looking surprisingly sullen. Scootaloo didn’t want to press the issue, but she could guess why. The little pegasus climbed back onto the railing and leapt off again. She stumbled, but managed to keep her footing when she landed. Scootaloo looked around; she was farther away from the clubhouse than any of her previous landing marks. Her smile crept back onto her face. She waved back to her friends before turning to leave.

Should go to the pond first; wash off before going home. She thought, changing direction.

Applebloom was watching her friend leave, when she noticed Sweetie Belle staring at her. The unicorn looked upset.

“You didn’t catch that?” Sweetie Belle asked, though it sounded more like a statement.

“Catch what?”

Sweetie Belle softly smacked the back of Applebloom’s head. She spoke up before her friend could offer any complaints.

“When Scootaloo was talking about her exam. She said the test was so she could get to go to Cloudsdale.” Sweetie Belle looked back at the receding pegasus. “What she almost said was that she would get to go back.”