A Hero Comes Home
Rainbow Dash was on her way home from the Wonderbolts Academy. She had gotten high scores in everything and graduated top of her class. She was going to tell her friends about all the new tricks she learned and the new equipment she was going to get. She was also looking forward to seeing Scootaloo again. She knew the orange pegasus Filly was anxious to see her again ever since she had taken off for training. Scootaloo's parents weren't always around to take care of her, so once Rainbow Dash and her friends were informed of this, after Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash had formed their special sisterhood, they took it upon themselves to look after her when her parents had a lot on their plate, being that her father was in the Equestrian Royal Guard and her mother was working overtime in Cloudsdale, and it had helped the two pegasus ponies out a lot, knowing their daughter was in good hands. When Rainbow had taken off for the academy, she made sure that her friends looked after Scootaloo, should the parents not be able to be around, and all had been going well from what she had been told in her letters.
Rainbow Dash took it upon herself to get up early this morning to get a head start on making it down to Ponyville. She thought 'Oh, this is going to be so awesome to surprise all of them. I can't wait to see the look on Scootaloo's face when she see's me. In fact, I cant wait to see the look on everypony's face when they see me coming.'
As she flew Ponyville, she saw that the streets were pretty empty. 'Huh, must have arrived pretty early since the sun's just come over the horizon, I would have at least expected to see Fluttershy and Scoots though. Their both early risers usually,' the rainbow maned pegasus thought to herself.
She kept flying for a minute or so to see if she could spot anypony, when she heard, "Ahhhhhhhh!"
Rainbow Dash turned in the direction of the scream and saw Scootaloo, running frantically through the streets of Ponyville, with a group of timber wolves hot on her tail. "Oh no, Scootaloo. Hang on Scoots! I'm Coming!" Rainbow Yelled, not sure if the little filly heard her.
"Help!" Scootaloo yelled.
Unknown to the both of them, Ponies woke up and went outside to see what was all the commotion. Many see that Rainbow Dash is in pursuit of the wolves chasing Scootaloo. Scootaloo was running as fast as her legs could carry her, since her wings were not yet strong enough to get her off the ground. With the wolves closing in on her, she didn't know how long she would be able to keep herslef away from their grasp. Just as she thought she may have outrun them for sure, one of the timber wolves stretched out it's claw, and struck Scootaloo so hard, she went flying into the nearest building and got the wind knocked right out of her. As the dazed purple maned filly saw the wolves creeping in slowly on her, she thought she was done for. Then, out of no where she saw a flash of Rainbow fly in front of her and land. "R-Rainbow Dash," she said.
"Don't worry kid, I'm here," Rainbow Dash said.
Rainbow dash then used her flying skills to start fighting off some of the wolves. She bucked a few back making them break into pieces, but soon other wolves took their place as they reformed. Rainbow Dash was putting up a good fight until one wolf got behind her and struck her in the head, which sent her flying towards Scootaloo. She got back up and was about to go at it again when another wolf charged her and sent her flying once again. "Rainbow no!" Scootaloo yelled.
As if to tell her to stop talking, another wolf strikes Scootaloo again and sends Scootaloo flying into Rainbow Dash ending in an, "Oof."
The two look at each other and then at the wolves surrounding them and as Scootaloo was starting to lose consciousness from the two massive blows she had taken, she said, "Rainbow Dash, I'm scared."
The blue pegausus puts a hoof on her back and looks at Scootaloo with reassuring eyes, as if to say 'it's gonna be okay'. She then struggled to get up on all fours and stood over Scootaloo to try and show the wolves she wasn't going down that easily, but she honestly didn't think she had the strength to keep the wolves at bay anymore, for she was losing consciousness herself. Just as the wolves prepared for another charge, Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo saw that rocks started hitting the forest terrors. They both weakly look in the direction the rocks are flying from to see Applejack, Big Macintosh, Twilight, Spike, Pinkie Pie and Rarity all throwing or bucking rocks at them with either their hooves, claws or magic. Fluttershy was heading around the line of fire to get to Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo. She was soon next to them and the wolves were soon running as they see more ponies joining up to chase them away. Once the wolves were sent heading for the Everfree Forest, all of Rainbow Dash's and Scotaloo's friends start running towards them. Rainbow Dash looks at Scootaloo lying on her side and the filly said, "R-Rainbow Dash, th-thanks for s-saving me."
The new Wonderbolt smiled weakly and said, "Any time champ."
Scootaloo could no longer keep her eyes open and fell into unconsciousness. Rainbow Dash, who was not far behind her was collapsing from the fight that had taken most her strength. Fluttershy caught her and said as she gently laid the Element of Loyalty down, "Take it easy Rainbow, you and Scootaloo have been through a lot this morning."
Rainbow only heard mumbles and saw blurred figures as she soon joined Scootaloo in a state of unconsciousness. When Rainbow Dash came to once more she heard her friends say things like, "Talk about Element of Loyalty" or "She was so brave to protect Scootaloo like that," and of course one said, "Look, she's waking up."
As her world came into focus again, Rainbow Dash saw all her Friends looking at her while she was laying on a hospital bed and she said, "Hey guys."
"Hi, hi, hi Rainbow Dash!" Pinkie Pie said excitedly.
"Ow, Pinkie not so loud please," Rainbow Dash pleaded.
"Oops, sorry Rainbow," Pinkie Pie.
"It's fine, how long was I out?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"A few of days actually. Doctors say It should be about a week till you and Scoots are fully healed from the fight," Twilight told her.
"Scoot's? Where is she? Is she okay?" Rainbow Dash asked with worry.
"She's fine sugar cube. The hospital's packed so they laid her next ta ya, since the bed's big enough for two," Applejack said.
Rainbow looks to her right to see Scootaloo resting next to her. "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh, Scootaloo," Rainbow Dash said frantically.
"Relax, she'll be okay, but the little darlin hasn't woken up since the attack, so don't try ta force wake her," Applejack said trying to calm her friend down.
As Rainbow Dash calmed down Twilight said, "That was very brave of you to protect Scootaloo like that Rainbow, and word has quickly spread around parts of Equestria about your feat, faster then anypony anticipated. Even the princesses are amazed at your act of valor. They have already arranged for Scootaloo's parents to come and see her, and you."
"Me?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Yes Scootaloo's Parents sent us a letter saying they wanted us to inform both of you of their visit and wished to speak with you in private when the chance came," Twilight replied.
"Well that was unexpected, to say the least," Rainbow Dash said.
"Oh, one more thing before I forget. The Princesses and the Wonderbolts wish to see you in Canterlot when you feel your ready to travel again," Twilight informed her.
"I just got back from the Academy and already they want me back. I guess that makes me twenty percent cooler," she said while trying to sit up.
She immediately laid back down putting a hoof on the bandage wrapped around her head, feeling pain and light headedness rush to her. "Take it easy there sugar cube. Ah'd say what happened made ya forty percent cooler, but don't let it go ta your head, I don't think it can handle it," the orange earth pony said.
"Hmmm, you got me there," Rainbow Dash replied, and they all laughed.
"I dare say, what you did, not many other ponies would have done," Rarity said.
"Well not all ponies are bearers of the Elements of Harmony are they?" Rainbow Dash points out.
"Very true, but still, what you did, I can see why the Princesses and the Wonderbolts would summon you," Rarity replied.
"I just wonder if they will let Scootaloo come along, that is, if they don't mind," Fluttershy says.
"I'm sure they wouldn't mind at all Fluttershy. Not many ponies would just jump into danger for each other like that. I've seen sisters and brothers do stuff like that for one another though, and Rainbow and Scoots have bond much like sisters. I can see why Rainbow Dash would do that for Scootaloo," Twilight said.
"Well yeah, sure we're like sisters, I mean the the kid looks up to me like, well like I'm her role model, which I guess I am in a sense. Never thought we'd be as close as sisters when I took her under my wing to teach her flying, but look how far we came," Rainbow Dash explained.
"Quite, You have become much closer since that day. I guess we should leave the two so that when Scootaloo wakes up, she won't feel so intimidated to thank Rainbow Dash for saving her," Rarity hinted.
"Yeah, oh, and as soon as both of you are better, I'll throw a big welcome back/glad to see you back on your hooves again party," Pinkie Pie said.
"Thanks guys, oh Twilight. I heard two new copies for Daring Do came out and I was wondering if," was all Rainbow Dash said before Twilight said, "I knew you were going to ask me about that, so I set them on the nightstand next to you. Maybe you could read one to Scootaloo when she wakes. She told me she likes the book series too."
"Thanks Twi, I'll keep that in mind," Rainbow Dash replied.
Soon the five mares walked out and Rainbow looked at Scootaloo. She then said as she gently rubbed Scootaloo's back and tears formed in her eyes, "Oh Scoots, I don't know if you can hear me right now but, I'm sorry for not getting to you quicker and just getting you out of harms way. I guess I thought I could take the wolves on, but I was wrong, and now look what's happened. I should have gotten you out and let them chase after me after I knew you were safe. This is turning out to be the worst day ever. You're like the little sister I never had and I failed to stop you from getting hurt. I swear, from now on I will do whatever I can to be like the best big sister to you and do my best to keep you out of trouble. Even if I have to be with the Wonderbolts, I will find whatever time I can to help you fly, and maybe even earn your cutie mark, I promise."
She was pretty sure Scootaloo was out cold, but then she heard," Rainbow dash."
"Scoot's?" Rainbow said, listening closely.
"R-Rainbow Dash," Scootaloo said loud enough for Rainbow Dash to hear her clearly.
Scootaloo slowly opened her eyes and stared at Rainbow Dash who was looking down at her with sisterly eyes.
A Sisterly Conversation
"Oh Scoots, thank Celestia you're awake. I thought you might not wake at all," Rainbow Dash said, pulling the pegasus filly towards her in a hug.
"Dash, how... how long was I asleep?" Scootaloo asked, still trying to regain her senses.
"A little longer than I was. Both of us have been out for like four days kid," Rainbow Dash told her.
"Wow, no wonder I feel so drowsy," Scootaloo said.
All of the sudden, both pegasi hear a sound come from their stomachs. "And hungry," Rainbow Dash added in a joking manner.
Both laughed at the comment and Rainbow Dash calls in a nurse, and soon Nurse Red Heart walked through the doors with food on two trays knowing sooner or later they would have wanted food after being out for four days. Rainbow Dash thanks her and soon the two ponies dig into their lunch. Once they were finished, Scootaloo said, "Hey Rainbow?"
"What is it kid?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Well, I was kind of wondering, why did you come to save me. I mean, I'm not ungrateful, but...." Rainbow Dash cut her off in mid sentince and said, "I guess you didn't hear what I said earlier. You're like the little sister I never had Scoots. When I saw you running for your life, I just couldn't bare the thought of you getting hurt, or worse. Call it sisterly impulse if you will."
Rainbow Dash started to tear up again as she continued, "But I didn't get there in time. I'm one of the best flyers in Equestria, and yet, you still got hurt. As soon I saw that, I was furious, not just at the wolves, but at myself. I should have gotten there quicker and gotten you out of harms way, but instead I tried to fight them. My mind was telling me to do one thing, while my heart was telling me to do another, and I trusted my head. That's why we're in here now. It should just have been me getting injured if anything."
Scootaloo was shocked at everything she had heard and replied worried, "Rainbow Dash, don't say that. My mom always tells me, 'do what you think is right', and that's what you were doing. You thought you could protect me by fighting them."
"I guess you're right, I was doing what I thought was right. I guess nothing more could have been asked of me," Rainbpw Dash said.
"Well, you are the Element of Loyalty. I couldn't ask for a better hero then you or the other five," Scootaloo said, trying not to make it sound like the other Elements of Harmony didn't matter.
Rainbow Dash smiled at her, wiped her tears away and said, "Well, somepony does their studying. Oh, before I forget, your Parents are coming to visit us. They were given time off to see both of us."
"Wow, really?" Scootaloo asked with enthusiasm.
"Yep, and if you want to, once you feel ready to travel, you can come with me to Canterlot, that is if it's alright with your parents," Rainbow Dash said.
"Why are you going there?" Scootaloo pressed her for more info.
"Well the Wonderbolts want to see me as well as the Princesses," Rainbow Dash informed her.
"Wow, I wonder what their going to do for you," Scootaloo commented.
"Eh, probably thank me for being so awsome," Rainbow Dash joked.
The two ponies laugh again. "I didn't even know that word had gotten to Canterlot yet," Scootaloo exclaimed.
"Well from what Twi told me, word spread around Equestria faster then anypony anticipated, so it doesn't surprise me that the Princesses and the Wonderbolts already know. Maybe I can convince them to make you a Wonderbolt too," Rainbow Dash said.
"But I can't even fly yet," Scootaloo complained.
"I'm going to teach you how to fly, and besides, Your not even of age yet, not for at least another three years. Took me forever to get in, so I'm gonna try and make it easier for you. By the time I'm done teaching you, I'll bet the Wonderbolts will want you in their ranks early. Course, you'll only be as good as me," Rainbow Dash bragged, making the orange pegasus smile.
"Well what are we waiting for ah, ah," Scootaloo said as she put a hoof on her forehead and laid back down.
"We are waiting for that to go away kid. We're gonna be stuck here for at least a week. But don't worry, Twilight brought us Daring Do to read. She told me you were a fan of these books," Rainbow Dash said.
"Well yeah, ever since my mom got me the first book. I didn't know two new copies were out," Scootaloo stated.
"Well, you do now. Looks like we got a lot of time to read them too, that is unless our friends come in for a visit. You know I'm surprised Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom haven't come in yet, or maybe they did while we were asleep," Rainbow Dash assumed.
"That sounds, what's the word I'm looking for? Oh, logical," Scootaloo said.
"Hey, don't become an egghead like Twilight on me Scoots," Rainbow Dash said.
"Was that too smart of a word?" Scootaloo asked as she giggled.
"Just a bit," Rainbow Dash confirmed.
"Well maybe they'll come and see us a little later today. It's more then likely that their sisters will tell them we were waking up," Scootaloo says.
"Maybe, I mean they know I'm awake. Maybe that will be enough for your fellow crusaders to come and see if your awake, but don't get you hopes too high kid," Rainbow Dash said.
"Well, no crime in hoping, I'm guessing this wasn't what you had planned on your trip back, huh?" Scootaloo asked.
"Not really, but life's unpredictable. I learned that around your age. You never know what clouds may run into. You just have to have the mindset to fly through and keep gliding forward, you know what I mean?" Rainbow Dash explained.
"I think so, you'd probably confuse some earth ponies and unicorns with that saying though," Scootaloo said.
"Yeah probably," Rainbow Dash replied.
All of the sudden lightning flashed and the thunder roared from outside the hospital. Scootaloo jumped a bit in Rainbow Dashes direction yelping a bit and burying her face in Rainbow Dash's chest. "Scared of thunder kid?" Rainbow Dash asked finding it cute.
Scootaloo nodded with guilt on her face. "Well don't worry, we're safe in here, and you know something, when I was your age....(Looks around making sure no one else was in the room)..... I was scared of lightning and thunder too. But like I said with the campfire stories, 'If you ever tell anypony else, I'm gonna deny it.' Got it?" Rainbow dash asked.
Scootaloo nodded, hugging Rainbow Dash and said, "Thanks 'big sis', for saving, and for being there for me."
Rainbow Dash was caught a little bit off guard by her statement, but smiled, for it felt right for Scootaloo to call her big sis, and she replied as she hugged back, "You're welcome, 'little sis'."
The two ponies laughed and soon heard rain on the window. "Sounds like a stampede out there. Remember when those cows almost came running into Ponyville?" Scootaloo asked.
"Yeah, and it was a good thing Applejack was there, or we may not have had much of Ponyville left," Rainbow Dash said.
"That would have been bad," Scootaloo said.
Rainbow Dash nodded but then looked up above Scootaloo and saw a lot of envelopes, some treats and some balloons that said 'Get Well Soon' on them. "Well looks like we got some tokens from the town's ponies," the blue pegasus pointed out.
Scootaloo looked behind herself and saw the envelops and treats, all stacked neatly in three piles. One for Scootaloo, one for Rainbow Dash, and one that was for both of the pegasi. She smiled and said, "Looks like we got some ponies who care about us that we didn't know about, and Twilight just had to organize them," Scootaloo said.
"I'll say, I've never seen that many envelopes before, at least not that many adressed to me," the rainbow maned mare exclaimed.
"Me neither," Scootaloo added.
"Maybe we'll read those later. I'm sure you want to find out what Daring Do does in her next adventure," Rainbow Dash said.
"Of course I do, don't you?" Scootaloo asked.
"How'd ya know what I was thinkin?" Rainbow Dash joked.
"Hey, sisterly impulse, remember," Scootaloo said.
"Touche`," Rainbow Dash said, and both giggled once more.
Soon Rainbow Dash pulled off one of the Daring Do books on the nightstand and let Scootaloo 'scoot' under her leg as she opened it up. "Daring Do and The Horseshoe of Invisibility," Rainbow Dash started as Scootaloo listened to what sounded like the best Daring Do book yet.
