Shattered Dreams

Warmth washed over Scootaloo’s tired body as she quietly relaxed under the protection of a giant blossom tree. Soothing colors surrounded the young pegasus, and she hummed softly to the rhythm of the swaying petals and the frequent gusts of the dancing wind. It was a rare occasion. Usually Scootaloo would be leading her two friends Applebloom and Sweetiebelle on an amazing adventure, but instead, she was resting. Applebloom had to help her sister harvest the freshly grown apples with her family, and Sweetiebelle was assisting Rarity with the mare’s fashion designs, leaving Scootaloo to do what she pleased. The filly had spent her entire morning practicing exhilarating stunts and agonizing wing exercises that strained her muscles and strengthened her wings, making them healthy and strong. Perfect for flying side by side with Equestria’s number one flyer, and her idol, Rainbowdash.

Slowly flapping her sore wings, Scootaloo closed her eyes. She pictured the sky swiftly shooting past her, the air cutting through her feathers, and the adrenaline of the flight coursing through her blood. She could feel the boiling heat sizzling inside of her, challenged by the icy chill that slapped  across her face as she pushed herself faster, faster, faster. And when Scootaloo turned her head, Rainbowdash was right beside her, matching each and every one of her wing beats.

Gradually Scootaloo folded her wings and gently brought them to her sides.Determination hissed in her belly, and when she opened her eyes, a mighty fire burned. “I will fly.” She vowed solemnly. “I will fly.”

Scootaloo pushed pushed herself up off the tender grass, letting out a long breath as her stiff legs took the weight of her small body. When she felt her strength returning she leisurely stepped towards the hill in front of her, taking pleasure in the strong cold breezes sliding over her worn out muscles from the base of the grassy slope. Spreading her wings, Scootaloo allowed herself one last stretch. Then, without mercy, she threw herself down the tempting hill.

Cutting winds slashed across her tightened cheeks and pulled back on her flying mane. Below Scootaloo her small hooves drummed across the flying hill. Without relent,  the daring pegasus launched herself off the rolling ground and into a soaring leap. Quickly she spread her wings and paddled the air with every feather, with every bit of strength she possessed. She would not fail. She would not fall. She would not give up. Below her the ground slowly got closer. And with a final stroke of her powerful wings, Scootaloo landed safely on the ground, the warmth of the earth quickly coursed through her hooves.

Everyday the filly got closer to her goal. It was clear to her that the practicing was paying off. And she felt happier than ever now that she had perfected her gliding. In another few days, flying would be a breeze. Nothing would stop her from claiming her desire. A flight, side by side with Rainbowdash, under the setting sun. That was all she wanted.

When Scootaloo trudged through the door of her families house, her parents were waiting for her impatiently, both wearing unpleasant snarls, as always. Staring up at them with cold eyes, the filly waited for the screaming, and she tensed her muscles in case they decided to hit her this time too. Her mother, a soft red pegasus, began first with the traditional smack to Scootaloo’s bruised face and a scolding lecture. “How dare you leave the house without permission and worry us like that!” She snorted without any consideration of what her daughter was feeling. Glaring straight into her mothers brilliant magenta eyes, Scootaloo hissed toughly, “Oh, I’m sure you were very worried.”

Anger charged through her mother’s eyes. Instantly Scootaloo was thrown to her knees as she was again abused by her parents. It was begging to damage her. Sometimes she thought about running away and living on her own somewhere, but she would never be able to feed herself. At least with her parents she was fed decent sized meals, usually leftovers though. Sometimes the young filly even thought of just ending it all. Leaving her parents was the easy part, the hard part was leaving her friends, and dying without a cutiemark wasn’t an option in her mindset. So she dealt with the pain that her mother and father scarred her with. Living each day hiding the truth, and covering her purple marks with bandages, lies, and fake smiles.

“Don’t you ever speak to me that way. Don’t you ever . . . I want you to get out of my site you worthless pile of flesh! Or do you want me to hit you again!”

Head down in brutal submission, the young mare crept away from her mother and father. Only them letting thin crystal tears fall from her eyes as she heard her father growl, “I never asked for a child.”

Moonlight flooded through the dusty glass windows and onto the old wood paneled floor, the small amount of light illuminated Scootaloo’s small room, and as the young filly tucked herself into her ragged bedding, she sent her worries far away, leaving only a blank mind. Little warmth was offered from the think sheet covering her shivering body, but it was enough to satisfy her. Laying her head down on her pillow, Scootaloo closed her eyes, and drifted into a settle sleep.

High pitched ringing hummed in the silence when Scootaloo opened her still tired eyes. A blinding radiant light shimmered in the center of the now pitch black room, and an icy chill crawled down Scootaloo’s shaking spine as an ominous silhouette took form in front of her. Straightening herself up in an unconscious manner, Scootaloo stared at the strange ghostly figure in front of her. It’s wings were twisted and crippled in a horrifying mess. Worn feathers hung off the skinny broken bones, and the joints were all out of place.

Looking right at the stranger in her room, Scootaloo asked, “Who are you.”

And the mare responded, “I am you.”