A World Without a Rainboom

The Show

"Okay, Twilight. It's been three weeks of practice and training. The high mages have given you all the training you can get in such a short time, the guild has taught you all you can learn. Now, it's time for your first show. If this goes well, we're one step closer to winning. Are you ready?"

Twilight closed her eyes and dozens of spells flew through her mind as she recited them and imagined mystic symbols and glyphs. She took in an extra large breath and held it until her lungs started to sting. Exhaling it all at once she smiled and hopped into a power pose. "Show time."

Shining nodded the mares all put on their cloaks and hoods. Shining stepped away as Twilight pulled the stage wagon into town from the border of the Everfree forest. It was heavier than usual since this time it was full of traveling supplies plus her show equipment, and even with her friends by her side she still chose to pull the cart alone. "Bye, Shining," Scootaloo shouted back.

"Hush, silly filly. We're on a secret mission, we can't ever say his name til we're done," Applejack scolded, "Plus, you ain't supposed ta say bye. Say 'see ya later.'"

Scootaloo trotted up next to Twilight and smiled a wide toothy smile. "Twilight, I can pull if it's too heavy for you. I'm a lot stronger than I look, you know. I could totally help you pull it," she said proudly.

"Tell you what, Scoots. Go behind and push, tell me when you start and I'll let you know if it's helping, okay?"

Scootaloo looked at Twilight and sighed before stopping to let the wagon pass. Trotting behind she reared and pressed her legs against the back and walked along with it. "I'm pushing, is it better?" She asked exasperatedly.

"Oh, my. It's like I'm pulling nothing at all, thank you Scootaloo, you're such a great help," Twilight replied excitedly. For a second Scootaloo smiled and her wings fluttered before she remembered she was being treated like a foolish foal. She stopped pushing and walked behind the wagon sadly.

Fluttershy trotted up to her from behind to her right and draped her one wing over Scootaloo. "Scootaloo, we're like sisters now, right?" Scootaloo sniffled and looked at Fluttershy sadly, then nodded. "Well, Twilight has a big event ahead of her, and, she's really stressed at the moment. She's not trying to get rid of you, or make you feel bad. She's trying to focus on what's coming up, okay?"

Scootaloo stopped and sat on the dirt path with Fluttershy. "Fluttershy, let me go." Fluttershy closed her wing and got up and galloped to catch up to the wagon. I'm not a foolish foal or a silly filly. I'll show 'em someday.

"Twilight, I think you should apologize to Scootaloo, you hurt her feelings making her feel inferior with that pointless task you gave her."

"It's her fault, Fluttershy. She's to little to fly, much less pull or even push a wagon. She should just climb on top and rest."

"Twilight Sparkle, that is a very poor attitude to take into your first show. You have to talk to her, now. And remember to use 'I feel,' not 'you,' or 'fault.'"

Twilight stopped and groaned. I'm so tired of having a psychologist on my team. She unhitched herself quickly and sighed.

"Hey, Sparkles? Why'd you stop the cart?" Rainbow called from the top of the stage wagon.

"Rainbow Dash! That's why the cart was so heavy. Get off there now before I," Twilight stopped and felt Fluttershy's eyes on her, "before I ask you nicely to come down again and offer you a reward to get down. From the wagon," Twilight said slowly through a forced smile and clenched teeth. The feeling of Fluttershy's glare dissipated as Rainbow jumped to the ground landing on her forelegs then her rear legs.