Scootaloo cheered, flailing her forehooves above her head, as Rainbow Dash torpedoed toward a towering cumulus cloud high above her. She stood beside Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle on a hillock on Ponyville's outskirts. With a sharp intake of breath, Scootaloo brought her forehooves to her muzzle as Rainbow pierced through the cloud, erupting from the other side with a rainbow-coloured blur in her wake.

Rainbow banked around and punched through the cumulus from another angle. Her velocity increased with each pass. Though the cloud remained whole despite its Pegasus perforation, it soon looked as if a rainbow bomb had detonated in its core, and the multicoloured streaks shining from the holes were the blast waves.

Sweetie gazed skyward. “Wow, this is so cool!”

Scootaloo clapped her forehooves together. “You haven't seen nothing yet!”

Rainbow, as if she had heard Scootaloo from below, spun like a drill and bored a larger hole through the side of the cloud. Without a backward glance, she zoomed toward a smaller cloud above her. Instead of breaking it apart, she flew around, using the wind from her wings to propel it toward the hole she had made. She gave it a final shove, and it shot clean through the cumulus.

Rainbow intercepted the cloud on the other side, dispersing it with a sharp kick of her hind legs. She flew around the cloud, compressing and shaping it in a blinding display, until it resembled a fluffy white bust of her. She pumped a forehoof in the air. “Aww yeah! Now that's what I call awesome!” After performing a quick loop the loop, she smashed the remainder of the cloud into nothingness and then set course for another head of clouds hanging over Ponyville's pastel buildings.

Apple Bloom whistled. “I gotta admit, that was pretty amazin'.”

“This is why you've been following her all week...” Sweetie turned to Scootaloo, beaming. “Does she always do this?”

“Every time there's supposed to be a clear day.” Scootaloo stared wistfully after Rainbow. “That's why I always check the schedule.”

“Why do you think she does it?” said Sweetie.

Scootaloo waved her forelegs. “Uh, hello? Because she's awesome!”

“I mean other than that.”

“Well... I...” Scootaloo scratched her head. “Because... she's awesome?” She waved a forehoof where the clouds had been. “I mean, did you see that?”

Apple Bloom and Sweetie nodded.

“I wish I could do that...” Scootaloo kicked the ground with a forehoof. Her friends glanced at her wings and then made a point of avoiding her gaze. She snorted. “If I can't fly like that, then—” In the distance, Ponyville's clock tower chimed ten o'clock of what was, thanks to Rainbow, a clear spring day. “That reminds me... Come on!” She hopped aboard her scooter and sped downtown at full velocity, her friends struggling to keep up.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders wove through the streets, dodging a growing crowd of Ponyvillians, until they reached the heart of the small town. Scootaloo pointed toward a large poster across Ponyville's high street. Even among the forest of bulletins stapled to the building's side, its lack of wrinkles and tears made it stand out from the rest. The thick, bustling crowed between it and the Crusaders failed to prevent the picture from glowing in Scootaloo's eyes. It depicted a filly and a colt leaping into the air, trying to headbutt a rainbow-coloured ball.

“It's up! It's up!” Scootaloo hopped up and down before leaping on her scooter and revving her tiny wings.

“What's up?” A slightly winded Apple Bloom followed Scootaloo's gaze, but did not meet the object of her friend's attention.

Scootaloo pouted, sniffled, and rolled her eyes. “Can't you see? It's the new poster! I think it was supposed to be up a week ago.”

Sweetie squinted and frowned as she tried to discern the hundreds of different postings from one another. “There's like... a thousand posters. How're we supposed to see with all these ponies in the way?”

Scootaloo blew a puff of air upward, rustling her mane. “I was pointing right at it. You need to get your vision checked.”

Sweetie glared at her. “Do not!”

“Do too!” Scootaloo stuck out her tongue and blew a raspberry.

Apple Bloom rushed between the two, stood on her hind legs, and threw her forehooves to her sides. “Girls!”

Scootaloo sniffled again, blinked, and wiped her snout. “Okay, okay, I'll show you. Come on!” Once again flaring her wings, she bolted across the high street. Weaving this way and that, she avoided the throng of ponies going about their business. She finally came to a halt in front of the poster, hopped off her scooter, and tapped a hoof on the cobblestone.

Soon, Apple Bloom and Sweetie stood beside her, gazing at the poster, which had the words “THIRTY-FIRST ANNUAL FILLIES 'N COLTS BOUNCEBALL COMPETITION – MAY 23RD” emblazoned on it in curvy, pastel lettering.

Scootaloo, despite her best efforts, could not remain still. “Awesome, huh?”

“Well...” Sweetie's hoof traced small circles on the ground.

A small snort escaped Apple Bloom's nostrils. “It is somethin'.”

“Augh, read the fine print!” Scootaloo jabbed her forehoof at the fine text written on the bottom of the poster.

Apple Bloom leaned in closer. “It says, 'Participants must be aged ten and up.'”

Scootaloo's wings buzzed and lifted her a foot into the air. A devilish grin adorned her muzzle as she flexed her forelegs in the most impressive pose she could pull off. “I'm ten, I'm entering this year, and I'm gonna win!”

A lopsided compromise between a smile and a frown dawned on Sweetie's face. “Scootaloo, it's just a contest. This is why you made us come out here?”

Upon landing, Scootaloo grabbed Sweetie's cheeks and pulled her in until they were muzzle to muzzle. “Last year, I practiced and practiced and practiced for weeks, and when the big day came, they wouldn't let me play 'cause I was three months, one week, and five days too young. Well, this time, that's not happening, and I'm gonna win this thing, just like Rainbow Dash did when she was my age!”

Apple Bloom pushed the two apart. “Okay, okay, yer gonna go in and beat everypony's horseshoes off. We get it. Do ya have a plan?”

“Wait, wait, wait,” Sweetie said. “Didn't Rainbow Dash live in Cloudsdale when she was our age? How could she win Ponyville's competition if she wasn't around?”

Scootaloo's reddening face scrunched. “I'm sure Cloudsdale totally had 'em, too!”

Apple Bloom and Sweetie leaned on the poster, pensively looking at one another.

“Knock it off!” Scootaloo waved her forelegs like an Earth Pony attempting unaided flight. “The tournament's in a week, and I want to be ready. You two are gonna help me train, starting now.”

The only sounds remaining were the whirling conversations from passersby and hundreds of hooves clopping on the road.

Apple Bloom fidgeted with her bow. “Do what?”

Sweetie looked at Scootaloo's flank and then her own. “A cutie mark in... ball playing?”

“Ugh.” As if struck by rigor mortis, Scootaloo froze and fell over backward. “No, no, no.” She rolled her eyes and dusted herself off, shaking her head. “I just want to win this thing. If anypony gets her cutie mark, that's a bonus.”

“Well...” Apple Bloom rubbed her muzzle. “If yer gonna be spendin' the whole week training, and yer stayin' at the farm while your folks are in Cloudsdale... I guess we could use one of them fallow fields out west.”

In one quick spring, Scootaloo lunged at Apple Bloom and wrapped her forehooves around her. “You're the best!”

Apple Bloom gave Sweetie a wide-eyed look. “It's no problem, really. Uh, Scootaloo?”

“Yeah?”

Apple Bloom squirmed. “Yer squeezin' a bit too tight.”

“Oh, hah.” Scootaloo relaxed her grip, patted her friend's head, and nodded. “Sorry.”

Apple Bloom straightened her bow and pouted slightly. “Don't mention it.”

Sweetie cleared her throat. “Anypony got a ball?”

The Crusaders exchanged glances.

“No, but Pinkie Pie has a stash of emergency bouncy balls hidden all over Ponyville.” Something made Scootaloo's snout wrinkle and prompted a loud sniffle. She hastily wiped it with a foreleg, frowned at the sight of mucus and then rubbed her leg against her body. “I'll go get one.”

Sweetie's eyes were fixed on Scootaloo's foreleg. “Gross.”

“You're soundin' like Rarity right now.” Apple Bloom ribbed Sweetie, chuckling.

With a quick buzz of her wings, Scootaloo hopped aboard her scooter. “See you at the field!” She tossed them a half-wave, half-salute before speeding off through the crowd.

* * *

Scootaloo's sneezing and sniffling grew steadily worse as the day progressed, but she pressed on. As the sun began to sink below the tree line, she gave the ball one last headbutt, sending it into the empty apple bucket. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and admired her handiwork. “Good practice today.”

The long day had taken its toll on everypony, but fatigue was not what made Apple Bloom frown at her. “Except for the time yer sneezin' screwed up that crazy bouncing thing ya were doin'.”

A crease formed on Sweetie's face. “And it kept you from reaching fifty straight bounces...”

Scootaloo hopped up and down. “I'll be fine!”

Apple Bloom heaved a sigh. “If ya say so. I still think I should tell AJ.”

“I said no!” Scootaloo shook her head emphatically.

She turned to leave, but Sweetie stepped between her and her scooter. “Come to think of it, this really reminds me of what happened a while back. We were trying to get our snowpony-making cutie marks; then, I got sick. When I was in the hospital, they told me it was a good thing Mom and Dad forced me to rest so much, or it could've been a lot worse. I think you should take it easy tomorrow and maybe the tomorrow after that.”

Apple Bloom sidled up to Sweetie. “Yeah. I reckon ya need some rest.”

Scootaloo folded her forelegs. “No! Like I said, it's probably just allergies. Look, I'll get enough rest tonight; then, it's back at it tomorrow, bright and early.” She attempted to sidestep Apple Bloom, who would not let her past.

“No, you'll definitely need a day or two's rest,” Apple Bloom said with a nod. “Yep, that'd be the smart thing to do. After a few days, you'll probably be just fine for the competition. It's a whole week away, so losing a few days won't hurt if it means you'll be in good shape for the big day.”

Scootaloo looked winded. “A few days? A few days? That's a few days for everypony else to get an edge on me! If I'm gonna win, I'll need the best set of tricks in Ponyville—no, all of Equestria! It's bad enough that I've gotta waste all that time sleeping every night. If I don't win, how am I gonna impress everypony like Rainbow Dash does?”

Apple Bloom gave her a stern look. “But if ya don't rest, think of how bad it could get in a week.”

“Look, I'm gonna win this contest, and no measly sniffle is gonna stop me!” Scootaloo barreled past her friends, hopped on her scooter, and put on her helmet. “Besides, how bad will it be? It's not like I've got feather flu or something.”

Sweetie sat on her rump and folded her forehooves across her chest. “Every Pegasus gets feather flu once, don't they?”

Scootaloo turned to face her. “Yeah, so? At the very, very worst, it's just a cold! It's not like I've started moulting.”

“Well,” said Sweetie, “moulting doesn't happen until it's really got you. There are a lot of early signs... like a head cold.”

“What are you, a doctor?” Scootaloo tossed her head and snorted.

“No, I just did the homework on Pegasi that Miss Cheerilee gave us while you were busy galloping around, you ostrich!”

“Hey!”

Apple Bloom rushed between Sweetie and Scootaloo. “Hey, hey, break it up, y'all!”

Scootaloo grumbled and placed her muzzle on a forehoof. After a few moments, she said, “Okay. Okay, fine.”

Sweetie cocked an eyebrow. “'Fine,' what?”

“I think you two may be right.” Scootaloo sighed and looked at the grass between them. “Come to think of it, I am feeling kinda lousy. Maybe I should take it a bit easy tomorrow. I still wanna practice, you know, just to be safe.”

Apple Bloom grinned. “Really?”

Scootaloo looked her in the eye. “Yep. If I wanna win, I've gotta be at my best. I think we should also practice in Ponyville so I can get used to playing there.”

The Cutie Mark Crusaders nodded to each other and walked off into the sunset.

* * *

Scootaloo rode her scooter at a snail's pace through Ponyville. She inhaled deeply, but precious few of the innumerable scents registered in her nostrils. She folded her wings and manipulated the scooter's handlebars, grinding to a halt at the town's fountain. She grunted and wiped her snout vigorously.

“Hey, squirt!”

Scootaloo's head snapped up in the direction the voice had come from. A waving Rainbow Dash circled above, gradually descending before touching down in front of her. Scootaloo waved back.

Rainbow eyed her up and down. “You all right, kid?”

“Yeah, of course I am!” Scootaloo sniffled and puffed out her chest. “What makes you say that?”

“It's just that you stopped following me around. I was doing some pretty sweet stuff yesterday, and I didn't see that little orange speck on the ground.” Rainbow leaned closer and arched an eyebrow. “Are my tricks getting boring?”

Scootaloo waved her forehooves in front of her, nearly losing balance on her scooter. “No way! I'm practicing tricks of my own. Well, not flying tricks, but they're still cool. You know, with a ball.”

Rainbow's wings snapped open. “Ooh, I love playing ball.” She grinned. “Say... you aren't entering that big ball competition next week, are you?”

“You bet. Not only that, I'm gonna win it, just like all those contests you won when you were in flight school—achoo!”

Rainbow chuckled and ruffled Scootaloo's mane. “Heh, I know you will, kiddo. Too bad they didn't have ball contests in Cloudsdale. Just one flying contest after another!” She frowned. “Are you all right, kid? Now that I think about it, you do sound a little hoarse...”

Scootaloo's face scrunched. “I'm not a little hoarse!” Her wings buzzed, lifting her hooves a few inches off the ground. “I'm fine, really!” She gave a small flex before her wings failed her and she landed flat on her belly.

Rainbow chuckled and gave Scootaloo's head a pat. “Okay, okay, I believe you!” She extended a forehoof. “Hey, just remember, take it easy, okay?”

Scootaloo stood up without Rainbow's assistance and nodded.

“I guess there's really nothin' to worry about, right?” Rainbow clapped a forehoof on her chest. “I mean, I won practically everything when I was your age. If you're anything like me, you've got this thing in the bag, no problem!”

Scootaloo went rigid, barely managing to nod. “Heh... heh... yeah... no problem.”

“I'll let you get back to it.” Rainbow took off and hovered ten feet in the air. “Schedule says it's nothin' but clear skies all week. Perfect training weather for you, if you ask me. Good luck!”

Scootaloo waved after Rainbow as she rocketed toward a large patch of cloud above the town. When Rainbow was out of sight, Scootaloo gulped. “Oh no... if I take too much time off, how will I be good enough not to let Rainbow Dash down? Now what am I gonna do?”

* * *

The ball landed some twenty feet from Apple Bloom. “Uh, Scootaloo? I'm over here, ya know.”

Scootaloo ruffled her wings. “I know. I just missed.”

Sweetie trotted toward her, wearing a lopsided frown. “Yeah, for like the eighth time today.”

“Seventh!” Scootaloo's wings flared with vehemence.

Apple Bloom approached the misguided ball. “Actually, that's number nine. I've been keepin' track.”

“Argh!” Scootaloo pawed at the ground. “Those first two times didn't count. They were just practice.”

The ball went sailing through the air, and Apple Bloom's aim was true; it landed directly in front of Scootaloo. “And this ain't just practice?”

Scootaloo gave the ball a begrudging punt, sending it into Sweetie's forehooves. “That was... practice for the practice. You know...”

“I think you've gotten worse since we started. It's that cold of yours. Not exactly going away like you thought, is it?” Sweetie dribbled the ball a few times before kicking it to Apple Bloom with a hind hoof.

“Haw, haw, really funny. Pass it here, Apple Bloom.” Scootaloo crouched and licked her lips.

“Okay, here goes.” Apple Bloom flung the ball.

It came arcing toward Scootaloo, sailing almost lazily through the clear spring skies. With a flex of her right foreleg, Scootaloo charged up a hammer blow. Before she could swing, a sneeze violent enough to make her jump two feet in the air blasted from her mouth. The ball thudded squarely on her head, leaving her facedown on the cobblestone.

Sweetie rushed to her side and held out a forehoof. “Are you sure about this, Scootaloo? What if that happens in the middle of the contest?”

Glowering, Scootaloo rose to her hooves without Sweetie's aid. “It won't. Rainbow Dash never lost when she was my age, and I'm not going to, either!”

“How do you know?” Sweetie's hoof remained extended.

Scootaloo grabbed it with both her forehooves. “I. Just. Know.”

After wrenching her forehoof from Scootaloo's grip, Sweetie clapped it on her forehead. “You've gotta be kidding. Everypony knows the best way to get rid of a cold is to rest and get your vitamins. You should eat some oranges. Those have a lot of vitamins.”

Narrowing her eyes, Apple Bloom grabbed Sweetie's cheeks and turned her head toward her own. “Watch what yer sayin' about consumption of them oranges 'round these parts. Got that?”

Sweetie gulped. “Got it.”

Scootaloo turned and grabbed the ball. "Enough about apples and oranges! I'm not hungry. Let's get back to practicing. Sweetie Belle, go long!"

Sweetie ducked from Apple Bloom's clutches and trotted across the road.

"Hey, Scootaloo?" said Apple Bloom. "Why the sudden change, anyway? Yesterday, you said ya were gonna take it easy, and now you're worse than ever."

Scootaloo's ears flattened. "Things just change, okay? This morning, something made me realize that I can't just give up. I can't lose. I won't lose. Everypony's gonna be watching, like—argh, never mind. Let's just practice some more, okay?" She ambled off across the street and grumbled to herself, preparing for another throw. She punted it toward Sweetie, who headbutted it back at her. Scootaloo's wings buzzed, and she leapt into the air. She aimed a hind hoof kick, but she sneezed powerfully enough to send her spinning out of control.

Her errant kick sent the ball spiraling toward a building. It slammed into a teetering ladder supporting a bulky white stallion who had a rope clutched in his mouth. The rope supported a piano. The ladder wobbled for a second, then collapsed. The stallion let out an alarmed whinny as he and the piano smashed into the ground, the instrument splintering into a cacophonous pile of wood and keys.

Scootaloo grinned sheepishly at the destruction she had wrought and rubbed the back of her head. “Hee, hee... whoops...”

Everypony else stared at the wreckage. Apple Bloom was the first to recover from the stunned silence. “Run for it!”

* * *

Scootaloo's condition had grown steadily worse over the course of the week, but she did her best to hide it during the grueling practice sessions, which she only paused for meals. After what had happened the previous day, they were once again confined to Sweet Apple Acres for a training space. Ignoring Apple Bloom and Sweetie's mounting concern, she pushed herself to greater heights, but found her form had declined along with her health.

Her friends tried to reason with her repeatedly, saying things like, “Yer pushin' yourself too hard!” or, “You missed that? How'd you miss that? Something's wrong,” to which Scootaloo replied, “It's just something in the air,” or, “Relax. I'll be fine.” Even when they had told Applejack of her condition, Scootaloo brushed it off and disguised it as a mere sniffle. Her ears began to clog as her cold took firm hold over her whole head, but she ignored it.

When the sun had finally risen on the twenty-third of the month, Scootaloo could not stop grinning in anticipation. She made her way to the town centre, where Twilight Sparkle and Pinkie Pie were overseeing the setup of the competition. Bleachers formed a loose perimeter around a rectangular field, and multicoloured balloons and streamers adorned them and the surrounding buildings.

When Twilight spotted Scootaloo, a warm smile broke out across her muzzle, and she trotted over. “Good morning, Scootaloo. Are you competing this year?”

Scootaloo cocked her head, ears twitching. Twilight's voice sounded like a barely discernible buzz. A long, trumpeting snort heralded her reply. “You bet!” She staggered. A thick fog had coalesced inside her head.

Twilight frowned. “Scootaloo, are you all right?”

Scootaloo nodded emphatically. The effort made her head spin.

“You don't seem all right,” said Twilight, eyeing her up and down. “In fact—” Scootaloo sneezed “—you look pretty sick, if you ask me.”

“I'm not a stick!”

“Hmm...” Twilight's brow furrowed. “Let's see. Sneezing, stuffy snout, dizziness, and definitely a bit of a hearing problem... Looks like somepony's got a pretty bad head cold... or worse.” She wrinkled her snout and gave Scootaloo a piercing stare.

Scootaloo wiped her muzzle. “I don't have a head cold!”

“Don't use your hoof. You'll spread your germs!” said Pinkie in a sing-song voice, bouncing up beside the two. She tossed Scootaloo a box of tissues. “Use these instead!” She continued singing to herself as she hopped toward an area that needed decorating.

Twilight called, “Thanks, Pinkie!” She then used magic to pluck a tissue and held it in front of Scootaloo's snout.

Scootaloo blew, soaking the thin material. “I'll be fine. I can get plenty of rest after this contest.”

“Are you—?”

“Yes!”

“But—”

“I'm fine!”

Twilight clapped her face with a forehoof. “Something tells me this is a bad idea. In fact, I know this is a bad idea.” She rubbed her muzzle and looked skyward and heaved a sigh. “Are you sure about this?”

Scootaloo solemnly held up her right forehoof. “Okay, I promise I'll see the doctor.”

“Good.” Twilight's stern expression melted into a cheerful smile. “That's very—”

“After I win this competition.”

Twilight sighed again. “Well, I guess you just have to learn for yourself sometimes. Good luck today.”

“Thanks. Um, Twilight? Do you think Pinkie will mind if I keep these?”

“Of course she won't.” Twilight placed the tissue box on the scooter.

The rest of the morning was a groggy blur. At first, spectators trickled in, but soon they came in droves until the bleachers were filled to bursting. Scootaloo used up the whole tissue box long before ten o'clock, when the tournament would begin. She looked to the crowd, and her heart leapt when she spotted Rainbow sitting beside Applejack and Twilight in the front row. Twilight had just finished muttering in Rainbow's ear before flying off across the arena.

Scootaloo waved frantically. “Hey, Rainbow Dash—achoo!”

“Good luck, squirt!”

“Right.” Scootaloo tilted her head down and wiped her snout. “I got this. I won't fail...”

Apple Bloom clapped a forehoof on her shoulder. “Ya sure do!”

Scootaloo spun around to see both of her fellow Crusaders beaming at her. “You guys—you're here?”

Sweetie grinned. “Of course. We're gonna be right out there with you.”

“Really?” Scootaloo's eyes widened.

“Yeah-huh!” Apple Bloom nodded. “We talked with the judges, and they said we could help. Ya know, you tell us what to do if ya need help starting up any of your tricks, like the one ya did on the first day.”

Hopping up and down, Scootaloo clapped her forehooves. “This'll be so great!”

“Attention, fillies and gentlecolts!” Cheerilee stood upright, resting her forehooves on a podium between two bleachers. “The Thirty-First Annual Fillies 'N Colts Bounceball Competition is about to begin. We have a great turnout this year, with many ponies vying to get their names engraved on this!” She reached behind her and held up a large golden trophy. It was a gem-encrusted ball resting atop a three-ringed plateau. “It is quite an honour, to be sure, but remember: Winning isn't everything! Why, I entered a few times when I was your age. I never won, but have many fond memories all the same.”

Hundreds of hooves stomping on wooden planks signaled the crowd's approval.

“Now for the rules.” Cheerilee cleared her throat. “Everypony has a maximum of ten minutes to impress the other judges and me.” She gestured toward a table at the opposite side of the makeshift arena, at which sat Big McIntosh, Twilight, and the Mayor. “When I call your name, you may begin.”

Pinkie appeared beside Cheerilee. “And I'll be giving everypony the play-by-play!”

Cheerilee nodded and called Snips out to play.

“Piece of cake!” Snips grabbed a ball and pushed past Scootaloo and her friends. “They should've saved the best for last.”

Snails waved after him. “You go get 'em, eh!”

Scootaloo snorted. “Snips? Really? If he's the best competition I've got, then I've—achoo!”

Sweetie's lips quivered as she tried to maintain a straight face.

Apple Bloom did not possess her friend's mental fortitude; she had fallen on the ground, guffawing at Scootaloo. “Hah! Scootaloo, I know yer confident and all, but... but I don't think these other ponies are nothin' to sneeze at!”

Sweetie buckled and clutched her muzzle with her forehooves. “Stop it, Apple Bloom. You're killing me!”

Without bothering to wipe her snout, Scootaloo stood over them. “You guys!”

Apple Bloom's eyes widened when she saw a long strand of mucus hanging from Scootaloo's muzzle. “Okay, okay! Don't get any of that on me! I don't want what you've got!” She scrabbled back to her hooves with a speed borne of desperation.

“Now who's sounding like Rarity?” Sweetie stood up, wheezing and wiping tears from her eyes. “Sorry. I'm sure you'll be fine.” Scootaloo snorted again, trying to inhale the stray mucus. “I think...”

Pinkie's mile-a-minute commentary heralded the start of Snips's routine. He used his limited magic to great effect, performing a series of bounces and spins that were dazzling enough to make Scootaloo shift her hooves as she watched. Aside from almost hitting Pinkie with the ball and bashing his head into it a little too hard, his set went worryingly well. Snips announced his grand finale with a gusto that reminded Scootaloo of Trixie. He bounced the ball over and over again, reaching twenty-five, thirty, forty bounces before it landed squarely on his horn and deflated, drooping over his eyes.

Scootaloo snickered until her congested snout made her pause for breath.

“Very good, Snips.” Cheerilee stood up, placing her forehooves on the judge table. “All right, next up is Featherweight!”

With a fresh ball entrapped in his tiny legs, Featherweight glided toward to the arena's centre, gracefully flapping his wings. After performing an awkward midair bow while still clutching his ball, he tossed it into the air. As the ball descended, he flew up to meet it, spiking it into an arcing trajectory. Before it could sail over the bleachers and out of the playing field, he zoomed in front of it and smacked it back toward the field's centre.

His dazzling display elicited more frantic commentary from Pinkie. With a final punt, Featherweight directed the ball toward the judge's table, and it came to a stop directly in front of them. He bowed and flapped back to the knot of competitors, wiping sweat from his forehead.

Cheerilee once again stood up. “Well done, Featherweight. Our third competitor will be...” She looked down and consulted a scroll. “Scootaloo!”

“All right!” Scootaloo leapt into the air, minute wings buzzing with excitement. “Time to show everypony who's boss. I'm gonna impress and dazzle everypony, just like Rainbow Dash. She's gonna be so proud of me!” She broke out into a full gallop, reaching the centre of the arena in seconds.

“Uh, ya forgot yer ball!” Apple Bloom called.

Soft chuckles erupted from the crowd, and Scootaloo's cheeks pinked. “I knew that!” She turned around, stood on her hind legs, and puffed out her chest. “That was all part of the plan! Sweetie Belle, pass it here!”

“Okay! Heads up!” Sweetie tossed the ball toward Scootaloo with the aid of her magic.

Scootaloo licked her lips, coiling her body and preparing to spike it as high as she could. The ball drew nearer and nearer. She sprang up, and the ball smacked her in the face.

“Ow!” Scootaloo rubbed her right temple and glared at the offending ball. “What was that for?”

Sweetie trotted toward her. “Are you all right?”

Apple Bloom retrieved the ball a few dozen feet away. “She did say, 'Heads up.'”

“I know, I know. I... uh... wasn't ready.” Scootaloo shook herself and swallowed. A series of bubbles and pops sounded in her ears. She staggered and fell on her side, blinking.

“But... you just called for it...” Apple Bloom scratched her head.

Sweetie rushed to Scootaloo's side and rested a forehoof against her. “Can you get up? Can I get somepony to help you?”

The words sounded faint and garbled, as if they were being passed through a thick filter before they registered in Scootaloo's brain. “What? Yeah, I'm fine.”

Apple Bloom rolled the ball toward Scootaloo with a gentle push from her muzzle. “Are ya sure? Ya seem awfully rattled, and Sweetie Belle didn't throw the ball that hard.”

Scootaloo's ears flattened as she placed her forehooves on the rainbow-coloured ball. “Get back. I'm gonna bomb this one.”

Apple Bloom cocked her head and gave Scootaloo a quizzical look before galloping to the other end of the makeshift arena. “All right, lay it on me!”

“Laze it off you?” Scootaloo called back, scratching her head. “Are you calling me lazy?”

Sweetie took a couple steps back. “Uh, Scootaloo?”

Scootaloo snorted. “I'll show you lazy!” She wound up for a big kick, but as she released, she sneezed violently and kicked the ball in nopony's direction. A wave of dizziness hit her as she watched it go, and she stumbled and landed on her rump.

Approaching her fallen friend, Sweetie sighed and rolled her eyes. “You sure bombed it, all right.”

“Who are you calling a bum?” Scootaloo's face scrunched as she struggled to stand back up.

Apple Bloom's bow bounced as she galloped toward her fellow Crusaders. “Scootaloo, is something wrong?”

Scootaloo awkwardly plunked back down in the grass. “Nothing's wrong!”

Apple Bloom threw her forehooves around Scootaloo. “Ya can't hide it.”

Scootaloo writhed, but could not escape her friend's embrace. “I said nothing's wrong!”

“You aren't yourself, Scootaloo. This is not nothing.” Sweetie stood on her hind legs and folded her forehooves to her chest.

Apple Bloom's embrace tightened. “Yeah, we're here to help!”

“I'll get the ball,” said Scootaloo with a pout.

Sweetie scrunched up her face. “No, you'll tell us what's bothering you. It's worse than a cold, isn't it?”

“Fine!” said Scootaloo. “I just feel a bit weird, is all. Well, really weird. But I can't let that stop me now—not in the middle of the contest, and sure not with Rainbow Dash watching.”

Reaching forward, Sweetie tried to take a closer look. “Are you—”

Scootaloo leapt back. “Yes, I'm sure!” Without another word, she turned and galloped to the errant ball, her hooves making soft thudding noises on the firm ground. A violent coughing fit stopped her in her tracks. Her lungs and throat burned as she collapsed to the ground, rolling around and moulting feathers. She could not control her hacking and sneezing.

Rainbow bolted to the fallen Scootaloo's side. “Oh no—Scoot, are you okay?”

Sweetie and Apple Bloom galloped across the field to join their friend. Sweetie knelt beside Scootaloo and fought the tears spilling from her eyes. “We tried to warn her! All week, we tried to warn her!”

“Oh, Scootaloo, why didn't ya listen to us?” Apple Bloom clung to Sweetie.

In a flash of magenta, Twilight appeared at Scootaloo's side. “She needs to see a doctor right away!”

“I'll take her.” Rainbow collected Scootaloo in her forehooves. “I'll make sure she gets the best treatment in town.” With that, she zoomed off toward the Ponyville Hospital.

* * *

Scootaloo awoke to find herself tucked into a bed with pristine white sheets, inside a large, sparsely furnished room with soothing blue walls. A thick fog filled her head. Rainbow stood to her left, ears drooping, shifting her hooves, and struggling to maintain a neutral expression.

Rainbow raised her eyebrows when she saw Scootaloo regaining consciousness. “How're you feeling, squirt?”

“Ooh... what happened? Where am I? I started coughing, and then...”

“You'll be all right. You're in the hospital.” Rainbow gave Scootaloo a gentle nudge. “Look, I told you to take it easy, remember? Lots of hard training is important, but even top athletes like me need rest.”

“I know... I should've—” A jolt of nervousness rocked Scootaloo, and she tensed a bit. “Wait, who won?” She tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness made her collapse back onto the large pillow beneath her. “Who won the competition?”

Rainbow looked away. “Snails.”

A lump formed in Scootaloo's throat. “Snails? Snails?”

“Turns out those long legs of his are pretty useful.” Rainbow forced a laugh that did little to ease Scootaloo's discomfort.

Scootaloo slammed a forehoof into the bed. “How'd you find out? Did you watch?” Tears began forming in her eyes.

“No, but Twilight came and told me when she checked up on you.” Rainbow laid a hoof on Scootaloo's shoulder. “Look, kid, I know it's a tough break, but there's always next year, right?”

Scootaloo closed her eyes and looked away. She could not let Rainbow see her like this. “I tried so hard... I was sick for a whole week, but I practiced through it. I thought I could be like you and win if I just pushed hard enough.”

Wiping away Scootaloo's tears with a forehoof, Rainbow smiled. “Sounds like something I'd have done at your age. Really, though, you should've taken things a bit slower.”

“But... but I wanted to win so badly...”

With a sincere smile, Rainbow closed her eyes, leaned forward, and wrapped her forelegs around Scootaloo, who leaned into her hug as affection and warmth spread through the filly. “I know, kiddo, I know. You did your best, and I'm proud of you. You know, I have had this happen to me before.” Rainbow cradled her like a mother nursing her injured filly. “I tried to race after I hurt my wing, and I ended up crashing into the spectators. Sometimes, it's just not worth it, even if you're way better than anypony else competing. Don't do this again, huh?”

“I won't.” Scootaloo nuzzled against Rainbow. “I promise.”

“Good.” Rainbow ruffled Scootaloo's mane.

Scootaloo gulped. “So... am... am I gonna see the doctor?”

Rainbow shook her head. “She was in here an hour ago.” She pointed to the bedside table where a glass and a huge bottle of pink liquid with a picture of a feather on it sat along with a folded piece of paper. She grabbed the paper and read it for a few seconds. “Says here that it's time to take your medicine.”

Scootaloo sprang a couple of feet into the air. “No, no, no, no! Not medicine! That stuff tastes gross!”

Rainbow gave her a sympathetic smile. “Sorry, squirt, but that's how it's gotta be. If you don't listen to what the doctor says, your feathers may not grow back properly.”

Scootaloo glanced at what was left of her wings. They resembled little more than puny orange twigs. She yelped, burrowed under the blankets, and curled up into a quivering ball.

“Hey, buck up.” Rainbow removed the covers and patted her on the head. “If you can survive feather flu, you can survive this.” She unscrewed the bottle and poured its bubbling pink contents into the glass until it was nearly full. “This first dose will be pretty huge, but you only need a few spoonfuls after this. The paper says you only have to take it once before breakfast and once after dinner each day. That's not so bad, huh?”

Scootaloo shook her head and extended a trembling forehoof. Rainbow passed her the glass, Scootaloo covered her snout with her free hoof, and drank the whole thing in one gulp. It writhed and squirmed on the way down, burning a path through her throat.

Scootaloo gagged as her stomach and brain felt like they were on fire, and steam hissed from every pore she had. She fell back on the bed, clutching her stomach. Finally, after far too long, the sensation subsided, and Scootaloo looked at Rainbow with bleary eyes. “Rainbow Dash?”

“Yeah?”

“Can I write a letter to Princess Celestia? I've seen you write to her before.” Scootaloo bit her lip.

Rainbow climbed off the bed. “Of course! I'm sure Spike would love to deliver it. I'll get a pencil and paper.” Rainbow soon darted back inside and dropped a pencil and paper on the table next to Scootaloo.

“Okay, I'm ready.” Scootaloo grabbed the pencil in her mouth and began to write.

Dear Princess Celestia,

Today I learned something really important. I wanted to win a competition I'd been looking forward to for like, forever, and I let that get in the way of everything else, even my own health. I got really sick and had to take yucky medicine. But I'll be all right! From now on, I'll take better care of myself and listen to my friends. Nopony should refuse help offered to them, especially from her friends. If something's wrong with you, don't ignore it. Change something, and see somepony who can help you.

Your recovering subject,

Scootaloo

Scootaloo nuzzled against Rainbow's body, finding comfort under the feathery blanket. “I'm sorry.”

“Hey, don't worry about it. Sometimes, you just make mistakes, and you've gotta learn from 'em. And you know what?”

Warmth flooded from Scootaloo's heart and to the rest of her body. She met Rainbow's gaze. “What?”

Rainbow smiled down at her. “When you get a painful lesson, the pain goes away eventually, but you remember the lesson, and that's worth it.”

“I won't forget. I promise.”