November 29, 1948
Near Rainbow Dash’s Home

Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash were flying back to their home in the clouds, the flightless pegasus strapped to Rainbow Dash’s back. They were returning from the Ponyville Movie Theatre where they had seen the film adaptation of Daring Do. The film had lived up to their expectations, giving the pair of them much to talk about on their way home.

“What was your favorite scene, Scootaloo,” asked Rainbow Dash.

“I liked the opening where Daring Do evades the booby traps in that cave,” replied the orange and purple pegasus.

“That was pretty awesome. My favorite scene was the ending where the true identity of the villain was revealed. It was a real plot twist.”

“Really? I saw it from a mile away!” teased Scootaloo.

“Really squirt?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“Totally!”

Looking back ahead, Rainbow Dash saw that they were back at their house.

Landing on the cloudbank in front of her home, Rainbow Dash lowered herself in order to let Scootaloo hop off her back.

“Hey Scootaloo.”

“What mom,” asked Scootaloo. Even though they had been living together for several months, Rainbow Dash still felt weird being referred to as a mother. However it was a “good” kind of weird, if there was such a thing.

“Could you go please inside and feed tank. I see Derpy approaching, she probably has some mail for us.”

“Sure thing mom,” said Scootaloo before zipping inside. She may not have the ability to fly that her mother had, but she did share the same love of speed.

Rainbow Dash turned to face the landing grey mailmare. “Hello there Derpy,” said Rainbow Dash, greeting her friend.

“I got you some mail!” shouted the tone-deaf pegasus. Reaching back to her satchel, she picked up a series of letters and handed them off to Dashie.

“Thanks,” said Rainbow Dash as her friend took off.

“See you later,” said Derpy Hooves before taking off on an erratic and meandering flight path.
Rainbow Dash turned back towards her home and walked in through the front door. Laying the mail out on her kitchen table, she separated the mail into two different piles, one for junk mail and the other for actual mail.

“I’ll get it,” said Rainbow Dash. She walked over to the phone and cradled the phone in her hooves.
“Hello,” she said.
“Hello Rainbow Dash, this is Princess Celestia,” said the instantly recognizable voice.
“Oh, hello there your highness,” said Rainbow Dash, surprised by the fact that she was on the phone with Equestria’s leader.
“I’ve need you to come to my palace in Canterlot immediately.”
“Why? What’s the matter Celestia?”
“I can’t discuss it over an insecure line. I’ll have to brief you on your mission when you arrive here.”
“Okay, I’m on my way Princess!”
“Thank you Ms. Dash.”
Rainbow Dash put the phone down and began to make her way to her bedroom. She didn’t know how long she was going to be gone or where she going and needed to bring clothing. She wasn’t a fashionista like her friend Rarity, but she knew that Celestia could be sending her off on a mission to someplace with extreme weather such as YakYakistan.
“Was that Celestia on the phone?” asked Scootaloo, excitedly.
“Yeah, it was squirt.”
“What did she say?”
“Not much. She’s just summoning me to Canterlot. She said that it’s secret and that she can’t tell me what it’s about over the phone.”
“Will you be gone long?” asked Scootaloo.
This wasn’t the first time that Rainbow Dash had been forced to leave suddenly to go on a mission for Equestria. The Cutie Map had been keeping her busy lately with lots of “Friendship Missions.” However, this was her first time doing a solo mission for Celestia.
“I don’t know Scootaloo,” said Rainbow Dash. “But you know the drill.”
“Yes. Pack my bags and head on over to Twilight’s place while you’re away.”
“That’s right.”
“Mom, can I ask you a question?”
“Sure thing Scootaloo.”
“Why can’t I say here at home while you are gone? I’m sixteen. In two years I’ll be an adult.”
“I understand that you want to be independent,” said Rainbow Dash. “I was once a teenager as well.”
“However,” she continued, “It wouldn’t be a good idea to leave you up here on the cloud by yourself. That’s not because I don’t trust you, but rather because it would be impossible for you to fly to school or to visit your friends due to your… condition.”
An awkward silence fell between Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo. Dejectedly she said, “Okay, I understand,” before trotting off to pack up her stuff in her room.
Rainbow Dash turned and entered into her bedroom. Opening a satchel, she proceeded to place a light jacket and a scarf into the small bag. She didn’t want to over pack as that would make flying all the way to Canterlot difficult and tiresome. Besides, if she needed anything else, she could simply buy it before going off on her mission.
A few minutes later, her and Scootaloo were away from home and off to adventure.