Beyond Expectations

Chapter 4: Better

It was an average day as the clouds hung low over PonyVille. Ponies below were going about their day’s business heading in and out of shops, buying supplies at the market, and making conversation with one another.

Suddenly from above the clouds a loud boom was heard. The towns residents took no heed of it and thought of it as just thunder. Two figures suddenly burst through clouds leaving two gaping holes that allowed sunlight to shine through. In front was what seemed like a blue blur followed by a short rainbow. Just a little behind it was an orange and purple blur that was quickly catching up on the leader. Both blurs immediately changed their direction at a perfect ninety degree angle as they flew parallel to the ground through PonyVille’s streets. As both figures flew through the streets they overturned tables, chairs, carts, and smaller ponies with the gust of wind that followed them. They tore through the entire town with dust and leaves being scattered everywhere.

Once they reached the end of town they flew above the tree tops of the EverFree forest causing the birds, squirrels, and any other little woodland creatures to run for cover. The two then made their way to Ghastly Gorge where they dove into the canyon closing the distance to their objective. The blue blur made the final turn first and hit the ground hard kicking up dirt and rocks as it skidded across the ground before finally coming to a complete stop in the middle of a dust cloud. Out of the dust emerged Rainbow Dash who began to brush herself off as she waited expectantly for what was to come. “Still has trouble with those rocks I guess.”

From around corner of the gorge the orange blur fast approached but did not hit the ground like Rainbow Dash did. Instead it flew straight up before coming down hard for a landing that kicked up dust into Rainbow Dash’s face. Rainbow coughed looking rather annoyed that she had to dust herself off again. “You came close this time but still no dice. I win again Scootaloo.”

Scootaloo flared her wings suddenly pushing the dust away from her and onto Rainbow Dash once again. “Whoops, did  I do that?"

Rainbow Dash wiped the dust from her face before putting Scootaloo into a hug. “Don’t sweat it Scoots, just shows me that you’re putting those wings to good use.” Scootaloo opened her wings proudly showing them off to Rainbow Dash. Rainbow still could not believe just how much the little filly’s wings had grown.

Six years had passed since Scootaloo had learned to fly and they had begun training together as partners. In fact Scootaloo wasn’t such a little filly any more.  She was about Rainbow Dash’s size now and her wings were the same size if not larger than Rainbow’s were. Scootaloo had come a long way indeed from being the little squirt that she used to be.

“Hey Scoots, you got a little dust on your flank still. I'll get it for you.” Rainbow Dash dusted off the filly’s flank with her wing and revealed a cutie mark.  It was about three years ago that Scootaloo had finally managed to earn her cutie mark during a training session of punching holes through the clouds letting sun shine through. Her cutie mark was rays of the sun breaking through a cloud and she couldn't be prouder of it.

“Lets go grab some chow Scoots, I’m starving!” Both Pegasus flew up out of the gorge and landed under the tree where they had their lunch every day. Waiting for them under the tree was a basket filled to the brim with apple treats that Fluttershy had left for them.

They dug into the basket and started popping food into their mouths. “Gee Rainbow, looks like Fluttershy is definitely getting better with cooking ever since she and Big Mac started going steady.”

Rainbow Dash leaned over and grabbed a slice of  apple pie. “Apple Jack's cooking lessons with her are finally paying off. I guess Apple Jack figures that if Fluttershy is going to be with her brother then she’s got to know how to cook for him.” Both Pegasus enjoyed a brief laugh before turning back to their food. Rainbow Dash finished off the apple pie slice before turning to Scoots. “Speaking of which, heard any news from Apple Bloom?”

Scootaloo looked up from her pie. “Oh yeah, I got a letter from her the other day saying that she got promoted. She's working hard in Canterlot it looks like. I also got a letter from Sweetie Bell yesterday.  She and Rarity are doing awesome in Manehatten!”

“That’s good to hear, been years since I’ve seen Rarity. Glad to know that she’s doing okay with her sister.” They finished their lunch and bunched up the napkins and picnic cloth back into the basket. “Sooo Scoots, you ready to try that trick again?”

Scootaloo gulped nervously, she knew what Rainbow Dash was referring to. “Ummmmm…I don’t know Rainbow. Last time I tried that move I almost broke my right wing.”

Rainbow just laughed at her friend’s nervousness. “Come on Scoots, it’s time for you to make your mark in the sky!”

“Any chance we could just race again? I mean…you do still owe me that rematch from last month.” Rainbow thought for a moment unsure of what to do next. True, she did owe Scootaloo a rematch after accidently making her crash into the PonyVille water tower last week.

“Let’s save that rematch for tomorrow Scoots. I think we’ve caused enough collateral damage to the town today from that race. I don’t want Mayor Mare getting all up in my face again and I’m definitely not in the mood for Twilight to lecture us on the principles of being a responsible PonyVille citizen.” Scootaloo knew that what Rainbow Dash said was true but she really did not want to attempt her new trick again.

. It was five months ago during one of their training sessions that Rainbow Dash had decided that it was time for Scootaloo to have a signature move. Rainbow Dash had the Sonic Rainboom and the Buccaneer Blaze but Scootaloo still had nothing that she could call her own. They spent weeks planning and fantasizing about what Scootaloo’s own signature move would be.

It was during lunch one day that Scootaloo had thrown an idea out in the open that immediately caught Rainbow’s attention. They kept the idea secret from all the others except for Twilight who Scootaloo wanted to consult with for good measure to be sure that the move was even possible. After vast calculations Twilight had concluded that while the move was possible it was very unlikely that it could be done by Scootaloo. That had been enough for her and Rainbow Dash to begin the numerous attempts at accomplishing it.

Scootaloo picked up their lunch basket and put under the shade of the tree where Fluttershy would be able to find it latter. “Well I guess it couldn’t hurt…that much…to try again.” Both Pegasus flew up into the air until they were above the cloud layer. They then closed their wings and landed on the fluffy surface of the clouds.

The feeling of standing on clouds is one that Scootaloo very much enjoyed. She liked the way that they wrapped around her hooves as they sunk into them. “Okay Scoots, you know what to do right?” Scootaloo nodded, it had been years since she had felt nervous like this. The last time was when her lessons had begun with Rainbow Dash. “Now dive Scoots and make sure you have a good amount of clouds around you this time in order to cushion yourself if things go unexpected again.”

In a moment Scootaloo dove into the clouds but did not pop out from under them.  Instead she began to slowly flap her wings so that the clouds would warp around her. She made sure that every inch of her body was touching the cloud before she began. She flapped her wings in a fluid motion with slow heavy strokes as she began to move forward. The cloud started to move with Scootaloo but needed to be pulled by her tail in order to move along with her at a reasonable rate.

. Finally when both she and the cloud were moving in perfect harmony she took a steep dive towards the ground dragging the cloud down with her. As she began to pick up speed the cloud around her began to dissolve leaving only the parts that were touching Scootaloo directly. She pulled up steeply and opened her wings to scatter any part of the cloud that was unwanted. She flew back up into the sky but now covered in what seemed an armor of clouds. Her cloud body gave her an exaggerated look five time her size .To any pony that was watching it looked like there was a giant Pegasus made out of clouds galloping across the sky.

Rainbow smiled knowing that finally her training partner had accomplished her own signature move. The cloud pegasus flew up towards Rainbow Dash before shaking violently as the clouds that surrounded Scootaloo began to scatter in different directions. Scootaloo stood there at the center of the mass of clouds with the biggest smile on her face and tears in her eyes. “Rainbow Dash! I did it! I actually pulled it off this time!”

She flew up to Rainbow Dash and put her in a giant hug. “Whoa easy there Scoots, you’re going to make me start tearing up with all this sappy love.”

Scootaloo quickly released Rainbow Dash from the hug and wiped her eyes.“Sorry about that.”

Rainbow put Scootaloo back into the hug. “Don’t sweat it Scoots. Now how about we head into town to celebrate your new move? I’m sure Pinkie Pie wouldn’t mind throwing you a party!”

“But isn’t she babysitting Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake today?”

Rainbow chuckled a little, “Well if she is it just means that party is going to be even wilder!” Both pegasus laughed as they made their way into town and headed into Sugar Cube Corner.

The party lasted long into the wee hours of the morning. At first it was just Pinkie Pie, the Cake twins, Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash but soon word started to spread that Pinkie was throwing a party and sure enough almost every colt and mare in town with some free time had joined. It was at the party that both Pegasus had announced Scootaloo’s new move to the crowd of partying ponies. One colt had asked what the name of the move was called which was actually a good question since neither Scootaloo nor Rainbow Dash had even thought of a name. After a few minutes of talking between themselves Scootaloo announced to the crowd that the new move was called, “The Pegasus Knight!”

Even Twilight and Applejack showed up to the party to congratulate Scootaloo. Eventually Big Mac and Fluttershy entered the building together and slowly through a sea of stares made their way over to Scootaloo to give her a hug. She wished that her friends Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom could be there but she knew that that they were off pursuing their own dreams and goals.

Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash were the last to leave the party. They both offered to help Pinkie clean up but she insisted that she could handle it. “Well Scoots, I say that was a night well spent. I’m going to take off and get some sleep. I’m pretty beat.” Rainbow took off and headed in the direction of her cloud home. Scootaloo was pretty tired too but figured she would head back to the gorge to try her signature move one more time.

“Definitely got the hang of it now!” Scootaloo had perfectly completed her new move and was shaking off the last bit of cloud from her body.

Just as she was about to head home though an unfamiliar voice came from behind. “Hey! You! Hold up a second will ya? I think we need to talk.” Scootaloo turned around scanning the area for the source of the voice. “Up here kid!” Scootaloo looked up and saw the outline of a pegasus. It was still pretty dark forcing Scootaloo to squint her eyes in order to focus on the unknown pegasus. “Hold up a sec, let me get closer.” The pegasus flew towards Scootaloo and it was only then that she realized that the stranger was sporting the WonderBolts colors. Scootaloo then immediately recognized the pegasus as Fleet Foot, the current captain of the WonderBolts since SpiteFire had retired a couple years ago. “Your names Scootaloo, right?”

Scootaloo nodded her head. “Ummm…how do you know my name?”

Fleet Foot took off her goggles before answering. “Well you see I’m actually from PonyVille and I come back from time to time when I’m not training for some r&r. I heard from some ponies on the street that you’re one awesome flyer which is why I’ve come to make a proposition to you.”

Scootaloo’s mind raced with thoughts and ideas. “What kind of proposition?”

A smile formed on the WonderBolt Captain's face. “How would you like to join the WonderBolts?” Scootaloo’s jaw dropped and she thought that it had hit the ground. “From what I’ve seen you’re just what we need in our group of flyers. I heard that you’ve been training with Rainbow Dash and I can safely say that from what I’ve seen you might just be better than her at this point. Just come by the academy so we can train you properly and you'll be part of he team in no time!”

It took Scootaloo a moment to comprehend those words. “Better?” She asked making sure she had heard the WonderBolt correctly.

Fleet Foot nodded. "Definitely, so what do you say Scootaloo? Ready to join the elite?”

Scootaloo turned away from Fleet Foot, looked off in the distance before turning back to her. “Thanks for the offer, but I can’t do it.” Scootaloo quickly turned away and flew as fast as she could from Fleet Foot leaving the WonderBolt Captain confused and speechless.