What Would Rainbow Dash Do...

What Would Rainbow Dash Do...

Who are you!? The question resonated throughout Scootaloo's mind as she hovered parallel to her idol. Does Rainbow Dash really not recognize me? Do I look that different? Scootaloo would have reviewed her change in appearance more thoroughly had Rainbow Dash not be staring at her quizzically.

"So, umm... Not much of a talker?" Rainbow Dash asked the floating pegasus statue. After waiting another few seconds for a reply, the weather pony gave a soft, awkward chuckle, and tried to excuse herself. "Okay, well... I gotta get going," Rainbow Dash lazily lied, turning in the opposite direction.

Snapping out of her daze, Scootaloo shook her head and yelled "wait!" Rainbow Dash pivoted back towards the bewildered pegasus. Scootaloo, not wanting for Rainbow Dash to leave, but also wishing to avoid another awkward staring contest, she began roughly with "I... I..." Saying the first thing that popped into her head, Scootaloo elaborated "I heard you're really awesome...?"

Scootaloo grinned nervously, trying to hold back a much needed facehoof. "Well not to brag," Rainbow Dash obviously leading into a boastful anecdote. "But I did win the Young Flyer Competition using my signature Sonic Rainboom!" Scootaloo watched in wonderment as her hero posed as if receiving much praise from a massive audience. Fading back into reality, Dash looked at the other pegasus and asked "So how did you know my name?"

Washed over with another coat of anxiety, Scootaloo began to stutter. "Well, umm... ya see... You're Rainbow Dash! Everypony whose any pony knows who you are!" The weather pony's ego, having just ingested a full feast, left nothing but a triumphant smile on Dash's lips.

"Yeah I guess I shouldn't be surprised that more ponies know about the greatest flyer in all of Equestria!" Leaving her bragging nature behind her, for now, Rainbow Dash inquired "So what's your name then?"

"Rainbow Dash, it's me, Sc..." Holding that last sound, Scootaloo remembered how Rainbow Dash couldn't even recognize her new body. What would Rainbow Dash do if she knew I went through this change? Should I tell her? Agreeing with herself on how to get herself out of this pickle, Scootaloo finally released the next part of her word. "Sc...orchin." Scootaloo accepted the fib untruth she had just fabricated. "My name is Scorchin'," Scootaloo reiterated.

"Scorchin'?" Rainbow Dash inquisitively repeated. "Scorchin'!? You wouldn't happen to be Soarin's, the Wonderbolt Soarin's sister?"

Thinking on her hooves, Scootaloo murmured "Ye... I mean, no... well, not exactly..."

"Don't try to fool me! I know you're his sister! None of the magazines I've read have said anything about his family, but you two have the same cheekbones and wing patterns. So c'mon, just admit it!"

Scootaloo was surprised by all the knowledge Rainbow Dash actually knew about the Wonderbolts. Due to the constant egging on from her idol and her own yearning to please Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo found herself staring down at her hooves as she stated "looks like you got me."

Rainbow Dash's face lit up. "OHMYGOSHOHMYGOSHOHMYGOSHOHMYGOSH! Even though your not a Wonderbolt, you're related to one so you get the Wonderbolt treatment, except I left out one 'OHMYGOSH'."

"Thank you?" Scootaloo felt more sick than the time she tasted Sweetie Belle's attempt at a cooking cutie mark. Scootaloo wasn't expecting flattery from Rainbow Dash, and knowing that it was because of a lie made the feeling even more nauseating.

"Do you know any of the Wonderbolts' tricks? Could you get them to come to Ponyville? Do you have Spitfire's number!?"

That last question sparked a bit of jealousy within the grown filly. Spitfire!? That no-talent hack doesn't deserve my Rainbow Dash! I- I mean Rainbow Dash. Wait, this is my thoughts... Spitfire will never ever get close to MY Rainbow Dash!

Finalizing her interrogation, Rainbow Dash concluded "Do you want to go for a fly Scorchin'?" Scootaloo bit her lower lip in an effort to stifle her squeal.

"Of course I would love to go for a fly!"

"Cool."

"Cool..." Scootaloo smiled lightly, her uncontrollable anxiety from before withering away, as Rainbow Dash turned and began to soar at a decent pace. Following a bit behind her, Scootaloo struggled to keep up with Rainbow Dash. After a few seconds, Scootaloo gradually caught up next to the fellow pegasus. Rainbow Dash gave a brief glance over at Scootaloo and smiled at their flying side-by-side. The two mares remained silent throughout their flight, simply enjoying each other's company. Every so often, Scootaloo found herself subtly checking Rainbow Dash's face to make sure she was as content as she was. Each time Scootaloo peeked, the same grin that was glued onto her face was also on Rainbow Dash's.

The journey to Rainbow Dash's house took about fifteen minutes. Scootaloo knew Rainbow Dash was not going as fast as she normally would. She was also sure that Rainbow Dash had guided her through a more scenic route than necessary, but it didn't matter to Scootaloo, for it just meant more time with Rainbow Dash. Luna's night air was calm tonight and the temperature was not too humid or too cold, it was just... cool.

Rainbow Dash began to dip down and landed on top of firm cloud patio that acted as the mouth of the river of coolness, awesomeness, and radicalness that flowed from within the walls of nimbus home. Following her lead, Scootaloo descended towards the house. As her hooves touched the fluffy ground, a radiance caused Scootaloo to squint her eyes. Her vision slowly adjusting to the light, Scootaloo saw that Rainbow Dash had opened the door to her abode. "You comin' in?" Dash playfully asked the tan pegasus.

Thrown off by the break in silence, Scootaloo's uneasiness returned. "Oh umm, yeah... Haha, I mean, I wouldn't just stay out here because you invited me to your house and now we're here, at your house..." Scootaloo concluded her ramble with a quiet chuckle and stared at her hooves.

Rainbow Dash began to gleefully guffaw. "You're funny, Scorchin'!" Seeming as though her embarrassing rant had been overlooked, Scootaloo joined in with a small giggle and trotted into the house.

The wall's were sparingly decorated; red curtains bordered each of the windows with their only companions being two photos and a clock that had the words 'BEING AWESOME' circumnavigating its outer rim. The first picture was of Rainbow Dash by herself. She was wearing a tight-fitting racing suit that had the number one on the side of it and a blue ribbon was pinned to it. Scootaloo remembered this photo from when Rainbow Dash won the bi-annual Ponyville Marathon. The latter photo was a picture of Rainbow Dash and the other five that she always was around. No real furniture was found save some weights, a treadmill, and other workout equipment miscellaneously placed around the room.

Scootaloo was quite unimpressed from Rainbow Dash's house. She always imagined her house to be blasting the sweetest jams from speakers that reached the roof; The walls to be riddled with cases that each held the shiniest and heaviest of trophies in all of Equestria; a disco ball hanging high above a single couch that Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo would rest on. Rainbow Dash would yawn and then lean against the school filly. Scootaloo would watch Rainbow Dash's head set upon her shoulder. A strand of red hair would fall away from the rest of the rainbow mane and in front of Dash's face. Scootaloo would gently brush the hair out of Rainbow Dash's face. Rainbow Dash's eyes would smoothly open and meet Scootaloo's. The two mares would slowly gravitate towards one another and then Rainbow Dash would try and...

Scootaloo shook her head vigorously to snap out of her fantasy and to not arouse her wings too much."Your house is... neat," Scootaloo cautiously complimented, making sure to find the correct word.

"Huh? Oh I don't really do much in here. I mainly hang out in my room." Continuing through the house, Rainbow Dash strolled towards one of the two other doors in the room besides the front door. Scootaloo followed Rainbow Dash into the room. "This is my crib!" Exiting the bland and blank room, Scootaloo's eyes turned into saucers and her lower jaw decided to pay a visit to the floor.

Now this is the room I had imagined! One whole wall was dedicated to the numerous trophies that Rainbow Dash had one, some almost falling off the ends of the shelves due to lack of room. Another wall was strung with pictures of Rainbow Dash with each of her trophies. Scootaloo found it amusing to match each picture with the corresponding award. The floor was littered with Dash's new favorite energy drink, Red Bull, each can empty. Strobe lights were fastened to the roof along with a dual speaker system. A large Celestia-sized bed covered a corner of the room. Rainbow Dash didn't hesitate to pounce on the bed as it began to jiggle when she made contact. The water bed relaxed and Rainbow Dash motioned for Scootaloo to hop on it too. No, this is better than what I imagined!"

Scootaloo waltzed over to the weather pony, occasionally stepping on one of the countless cans in Rainbow Dash's collection. Scootaloo joined Rainbow Dash on the water bed. The bed shook for a few seconds before settling again. Rainbow Dash bent back and laid on her bed as she boastfully asked "So what do you think of my pad?" Rainbow Dash probably already knew what Scootaloo thought of her room by the expression on her face, but the egoist inside her must of wanted to her it in words.

"Your pad is killer! This is what I always dreamed it would look like!" With that unnerving remark, the kaleidoscope with wings sat up and stared at the school pony.

"What you always dreamed it would look like...?" Rainbow Dash parroted.

Realizing her mishap, Scootaloo began to pan for a golden solution. "Oh well, ya see... I mean that I heard about how cool you were and... I could have guessed that a radical pegasus like you would have a kick-flank room to match." Confident with her excuse, Scootaloo grinned at Rainbow Dash.

Unable to ignore the flattery she had just received, Rainbow Dash retorted "Yeah, I knew that's what you meant. Oh but I haven't even shown you the icing on the cake!" With that brief prelude, the rainbow mare clopped her hooves together twice causing the regular solar lights to be replaced by the flashing strobe lights and the stereo system to begin pumping some hardcore beats. Clopping her hooves again as before, the room returned to its previous condition. "What did you think?"

Attempting to suppress her immature squeals of jubilation, Scootaloo finally squeaked out "Sweet!"

Licking her lips, Rainbow Dash plopped off the bed. "Hey, I'll go whip us a couple of Pinkie Bombs! Sound good?"

Unsure about what a 'Pinkie Bomb' was, Scootaloo just replied "sounds good," assuming that if Rainbow Dash liked it, so would she. Rainbow Dash departed from the room and headed through the other door that Scootaloo had not gone through before. Surly this was her kitchen.

Scootaloo once again examined her idol's bedroom, soaking in all of its glory. Noticing a smaller door that she didn't notice before, the curious filly trotted over to it. She pulled the door ajar, and what she saw made her wonder... or should I say Wonderbolts! On the other side of the door, a magnificent poster took up the whole side of the door. Random Wonderbolts merchandise was organized on a table. The conglomeration of memorabilia ranged from the Wonderbolts' action figures to the Wonderbolts' filly meal box. The filly meal wasn't even a Wonderbolts product, they were just advertising it. I only get the filly meal when they come with the My Little Human toy. That show is the best! Scootaloo noticed a large scrapbook that was planted in the dead center of the closet on its own platform. Scootaloo opended the book and began to flip through it.

The volume contained mostly pictures of the Wonderbolts with an occasional news clipping entitled something that praised the Wonderbolts; however, the last page was a slight exception to this pattern. The final page was solely dedicated to Spitfire. There were head shots, drawings, and reports scattered widely across the page with the only thing connected them being a giant, crimson heart outlining the page. Jealously sprouted once more in Scootaloo. I don't get what Rainbow Dash sees in this mare anyhow! She probably doesn't even do her own stunts! Rainbow Dash could fly circles, squares, and what other shapey-thingies there are around her.

With an aggravated hoof, Scootaloo slammed the book shut. "Spitfire, Shmitmire!" Yearning to cool off, Scootaloo shut the closet door and returned to the wavy bed. Curled up on the bed, Scootaloo noticed a certain... mark that caused her to squeal with glee. Her face staring straight at her flank, Scootaloo saw an image. She was no longer a blank flank! On her hip was a picture of a black-tire wheel with a yellow center. Nothing to complicated, but it was something. I've got my cutie mark! I've got my cutie mark! I wonder what my talent is though? Who cares?! This is the greatest night ever! How could it get any better than this?!

"Who's ready to drop the Pinkie Bomb!?" Rainbow Dash rhetorically questioned as she reentered the bed with a tray carrying two glasses filled with a mixture of liquids. She set down the tray and passed Scootaloo a drink. "Bottom's up, Scorchin'!"

Apprehensively peering down at the glass, Scootaloo trusted her hero and tasted a sip... What the heck is in here!? I hope Rainbow Dash didn't here me gag just now. I don't think I've ever wanted to vomit just so that I could have the taste of vomit in my mouth! Does she really expect me to like this? I wonder if this is a prank? Fighting off mixed emotions, Scootaloo let out an elongated "mmmmm" to appease the drink's creator.

"Knew you'd like it!" Taking a deep sip from her own glass, Rainbow Dash pleasantly sighed.

Tongue still quivering, Scootaloo moaned "What is this exactly?"

"Well my friend Pinkie Pie whipped up some new drink called Pinkiemeister and started selling it to us older ponies. If you drink a bunch, you start to feel really good. But the drink I made is a mixture of Pinkie's stuff and Red Bull." Scootaloo shuddered a bit as the aftertaste of the drink struck her taste buds. Gulping down half of her concoction, Rainbow Dash added "my two favorite drinks make the ULTIMATE DRINK!" Scootaloo forced a grin to show false agreement. The school filly set her drink nonchalantly beside the bed to get out from finishing the gag-inducing brew.

For the next hour and a half, the pegasi sat on the water bed discussing all sorts of things from racing to pranks to celebrity crushes. Unfortunately for Scootaloo, the name 'Spitfire' was brought up a little too much during that last topic. Rainbow Dash also presented Scootaloo with her trick book. The page only contained a bunch of X's and lines, but Scootaloo imagined the weather mare doing each barrel roll, flip, and every other maneuver. Scootaloo lucked out in the conversation not having to discuss Soarin' too much in detail, retaining her ploy.

Finishing off a story she was telling, Rainbow Dash chortles "And then, and then she says 'and that's how Equestria was made!'" The two mares chuckled simultaneously, regardless to the fact that both new how that story was going to end.

"So what did those fillies call themselves again?" Scootaloo questioned, trying to squeeze out what Rainbow Dash thought of Scootaloo.

"Oh those three? They call themselves the Cutie Mark Crusaders 'cause they're obsess about getting their cutie marks."

Rushing to the point, Scootaloo interrogated further. "What do you think of them?"

"Ehh... They're cute, but they are still fillies."

CUTE!? She only thinks we're cute!? And she called us fillies! Well we are fillies, but that's beside the point!

"Is that it?"

"Well actually, one of the three is pretty cool. She's worked with me before and she's a tough pony. Who knows she may one day reach half of the coolness I have." Scootaloo's disposition perked up.

I'm tough. I'm cool. She's gotta be talking about me!

Inching on the dialogue, Scootaloo started, "And her name is..."

Scootaloo!

"Apple Bloom." Scootaloo melted.

"Why her!?" Her rage almost broke her charade. Recovering, Scootaloo explained, "I mean what's wrong with the others?"

"Well, Sweetie Belle, my friend's younger sister, is too soft. Plain and simple. As for Scootaloo, well..." Scootaloo braced herself for her idol's criticism. "I would love to hang out with Scootaloo, but she's a pegasus that doesn't fly! If she had ever asked me to help her or something, then it might be a different story."

Scootaloo was convulsing and shouting, in her mind that is. If I had just asked her to help me fly! Why didn't I ever think of that before!

Attempting to mend her reputation, Scootaloo said, "Who knows. Maybe she's just worried about what your answer would be."

"Why would she? It's not that serious of a question. She needs to have more confidence if she's gonna wants to hang out with Rainbow Dash!" Rainbow Dash jokingly scoffed, unknowingly hurt the filly's feelings.

Scootaloo remained still and silent on the bed, pondering what her role model had revealed to her. After a moment, the young mare realized how unnaturally quiet it was and inspected Rainbow Dash who now laid down on the bed. Seeing that her eyes were shut, Scootaloo woke her up with a light tap on her shoulder.

Yawning and lifting her head, Rainbow Dash whispered, "Oh sorry Scorchin'. I guess I'm a little worn out from my training today."

"Even the fastest flyer in Equestria has to get rest sometime," Scootaloo stated.

Accepting the compliment, Rainbow Dash suggested "You should probably go soon, before it gets too late."

"Yeah."

"Where are you staying, Scorchin'?"

"Me? I'm uhh..." Thinking on her hooves, Scootaloo fabricated another lie. "I am staying in the hotel addition to the Luxury Lotus Spa."

"Oh someone's fancy schmanshy!" Scootaloo giggled at Rainbow Dash's remark. Rainbow Dash huddled under the covers of her bed as Scootaloo headed towards the door. "Would ya mind hitting the lights for me Scorchin'?"

Scootaloo answered with a flick of the light switch, leaving the glistening moon as the remaining light. "Good night Rainbow Dash." Scootaloo murmured as the door creaked closed.

"Hey Scorchin'!" Rainbow Dash called out, a bit more awake and urgent.

Scootaloo poked her head through the crack in the doorway. "Yeah?"

"We're friends now, so you can call me Dash or R.D.." Scootaloo had always honored and revered Rainbow Dash so greatly that she never noticed that she always called her by her full name.

"Oh alright Rai---" Adjusting to the break in habit, "Dash." With that, the door closed and Scootaloo left Rainbow Dash to be taken away by the Sandpony.

Scootaloo was left with a dark, calm flight back to Everfree Forest to retrieve her scooter and then her house. All the events that had occurred throughout the course of the night replayed themselves in her head, over and over. She first thought of the awkward meeting, the lies, the pictures of Spitfire, the drink. Should I have done this? How will I keep this up? Rainbow Dash is going to find out! But then she recalled their flight, Dash's room, their long conversation, Dash's parting words to her. Oh I Rainbow Dash is so cute at night! She acts... better around Scorchin'. And she said we were friends!

Eventually, after picking up her scooter, Scootaloo arrived at her own house. She rested her vehicle outside her house, then stealthily sneaked into her home, avoiding confrontation from her parents that may or may not exist for obviously breaking curfew. Without even bothering to turn on the lights to her room, Scootaloo slithered into her bed, exhausted. All this flying is killing me. How does Dashie do it all the time? Barely able to read it, Scootaloo could make out that her clock pointed the time to be currently 11:45 PM. I really stayed out late. Oh well, it was totally worth it. The serenity of her cozy bed began to take the filly. Whatever Scootaloo was about to dream about couldn't compare to the night she just had. With one thought left on her mind, Scootaloo fell asleep.

Dash...

TO BE CONTINUED...