Chapter 9: The Flightless Pegasus

Princess Celestia rose the sun to begin the new morning with Pikachu in her crown. Ash was in the CMC Clubhouse beginning to wake up with Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. He turned to the smaller blanket to find… no one there but a note. "Pikachu?" he muttered. Seeing the note, he pinned the note down and read it.

DEAR ASH,

I'M SORRY FOR TAKING PIKACHU AWAY FROM YOU AS YOU SPENT YOUR NIGHT WITH THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS. PRINCESS CELESTIA WAS HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME SLEEPING SO I BROUGHT PIKACHU TO HER FOR COMFORT. HOPFULLY YOU UNDERSTAND.

SINCERELY,
PRINCESS LUNA.

Ash breathed a sigh of relief, knowing Celestia had his partner with the princess in Canterlot. The Crusaders were curious to Pikachu's absence. "Ash, where did Pikachu go?" wondered Scootaloo.

"He's with the princesses," he reported. "I'm sure Princess Celestia will bring him back." The Crusaders sighed in relief, knowing nothing bad happened.

"That's good to hear," Apple Bloom nodded. "Anyway, we gotta get ready fer school. Yer free to join us."

"Right, since I did say that I'd visit your school with Miss Cherilee's permission," Ash recalled. He and the Crusaders were coming out of the clubhouse when…

"There you are!" sounded Celestia. Ash and the Crusaders peered up to see Celestia descend to meet the ponies. "Good morning, children."

"Good morning, Princess Celestia!" the Crusaders greeted. Pikachu jumped off Celestia to greet Ash.

"I bet you were a good sleeping aid to the princess," he teased.

("Oh, she was so gentle!") retorted Pikachu. Ash giggled, believing Pikachu had a great time.

"He was a great asset when my sister believed I had some discomfort in bed," Celestia bowed. Twilight flew in with Spike when they spotted Celestia. "Maybe in the near future, I could have you to snuggle with." Ash nervously laughed when…

"Princess Celestia!?" called Twilight. Everyone turned to Twilight with Spike hopping off to see the ordeal.

"Twilight!" welcomed Celestia. "Good morning to you as well." Spike chose to ask.

"So, what's with the morning visit?" he questioned.

"I was merely returning Pikachu back to Ash," Celestia replied. Twilight and the Crusaders giggled.

"Maybe that's something to try out at some point," Twilight pondered. Celestia decided to return.

"I'll be returning to Canterlot, knowing that Ash is doing as well as expected," she mentioned. With a jump, Celestia flew off back to her home. Twilight and Spike came to Ash to know what happened.

"Why would Princess Celestia want Pikachu over?" wondered Spike.

"Princess Luna did take Pikachu to help Princess Celestia sleep," Twilight briefed. "Maybe Princess Luna believed Princess Celestia had another vision like she had about Tirek." Spike shuttered to the thought. Ash turned to Pikachu for an offer.

"So, ready to attend school?" he asked.

("I am,") Pikachu cheered. Apple Bloom led the Crusaders, Ash and Pikachu to a school where young ponies were attending. The class had filled up as Cherilee met with Ash and Pikachu outside. After a few minutes, Cherilee entered the classroom.

"Good morning, class!" she greeted.

"Good morning, Miss Cherilee!" they welcomed.

"Today, we have a special guest, or guests," Cherilee started. "Of course, we all know him from seeing him with Princess Twilight Sparkle… Nevertheless, allow me to introduce Ash Ketchum and his Pikachu!" Ash and Pikachu entered the classroom to cheers of everypony inside. Fillies wooed the duo.

"Wow, that didn't take long," Ash shuttered. The coos and flirts were around, some making the Crusaders nervous.

"This many fillies afta Ash and Pikachu like that?" irked Apple Bloom. Cherilee decided to explain to her students.

"Now, most of you would know that Ash isn't a typical pony," she pointed out. "In fact, some of you will be shocked to know that Ash isn't a pony at all." A chorus of gasps echoed.

"Wait, this dreamboat isn't a pony?" a pale magenta pony repeated. She had a diamond tiara on her head over a grayish purple mane that had a white streak. The tiara was also her Cutie Mark.

"Dreamboat!?" the Crusaders gasped.

"You three can't be the only ponies who want to have him!" the magenta pony argued.

"Highly unlikely, Diamond Tiara!" snapped Sweetie Belle. Cherilee spoke up among the wishful ponies.

"Now, everypony…" she voiced. "I wager a lot of bits that you have questions about where he and Pikachu are from. Let's let Ash explain himself about his profession." The floor granted to him, Ash faced the class.

"See, I come from a world where Pokémon and humans live among each other," Ash started. "That's right, I'm actually human. I don't know if there's a way for me to show my human form without everyone gathering all over." An amberish gray pony with curly scarlet mane, glasses and two peppermint canes shaped like a heart rose its hoof.

"Do you have pictures to help show?" she asked with a lisp.

"I've got one," he briefed. "That's why I'm a little hesitant to show it off. It doesn't help that Discord returned the photo to its original size." Cherilee had an idea.

"Everypony can share a look to your photo and pass it around before returning it to you," she pointed out.

"Sure," Ash shrugged. He presented the photo to Diamond who showed it to a bluish gray pony with glasses and a braided shiny gray mane. Her Cutie Mark was a silver spoon with a heart on the handle. Ash explained the Pokémon World to which he explained about how humans and Pokémon worked together and the fun things that go on with battles. Apple Bloom hoofed the photo back to Ash. "Any questions?" The gray filly rose her hoof.

"Silver Spoon?" noticed Cherilee.

"Is there an age limit as to when you can have a Pokémon?" asked Silver Spoon.

"Not to own a Pokémon, but you can become a trainer at ten years old," Ash clarified. The amberish gray pony rose her hoof.

"Yes, Twist?" noticed Cherilee.

"How do you know if a Pokémon's right for us?" wondered Twist.

"You don't," Ash corrected. "You don't need to look for the right Pokémon. You let the right Pokémon come to you." Everypony agreed, believing Pikachu finding Ash was one case. Diamond rose her hoof.

"Diamond?" pointed Cherilee.

"Do you have a… special somepony?" pondered Diamond. The class gawked to Diamond's upfront question. Ash mulled to the question.

"I… wasn't really looking for someone like that," he shuttered. Diamond left her desk to reach Ash.

"Maybe it won't be that big of a deal if it's one of us," she offered. "Maybe me, or Silver Spoon… you can choose if you want." Her flirtatious winking made the Crusaders stand up.

"Oh no!" argued Apple Bloom. "Ya can't declare Ash as yers without provin' it!"

"You and everypony don't need to be pushy around him!" warned Scootaloo. "Besides, aren't you against Blank Flanks!?"

"Oh, don't get your wings twisted," Diamond sneered. "He may be a Blank Flank, but I'm sure I can find his Cutie Mark with a little convincing. It's a much different tale than a Pegasus who can't fly." Scootaloo gawked and scowled while a majority of the fillies joined Diamond's side.

"Flightless Pegasus!" they mocked repeatedly. Scootaloo felt betrayed, unsure what to do. That's when Pikachu released electricity that frightened everypony. Peace for the moment was granted.

"That little rodent can release lightning?" stuttered Cherilee. Everypony relented and the rest of the class had gone without a hitch with Ash observing. After school, Ash and Pikachu gathered with the Crusaders and faced Scootaloo.

"So, it is true that you can't fly?" asked Ash. Scootaloo looked about to cry. "Hey, I'm not mad. I'm worried." Fluttershy and Rainbow flew in to see the gathering.

"Hey, what's going on?" wondered Rainbow. Ash, the Crusaders and Pikachu turned to the elder Pegasi.

"Hi, Fluttershy," Sweetie Belle greeted. "Hey, Rainbow." Fluttershy came to Scootaloo and believed it was her wings.

"Did they bully you again, Scootaloo?" asked Fluttershy. Scootaloo nodded, a tear trickling down.

"Scootaloo's wings, from what I've been told, are underdeveloped," Rainbow explained. "My wings were bigger at her age, if that makes sense."

("That's awful…") whimpered Pikachu.

"And she looks up to you?" guessed Ash. "I can see why: she wants to be like you."

"I mean, can you blame me?" shrugged Rainbow. "How many other Pegasus ponies can go as fast as me? If I could, I'd fly all around the world in at least a day without rest." Ash whistled to the wish.

"That would be something," he awed. "Still, I feel bad for Scootaloo." Finally, Ash approached Scootaloo while Pikachu's on Fluttershy's head. "Let's get to flying, okay?" Scootaloo looked to Ash shock.

"Ash, ya know Scootaloo can't fly!" reminded Apple Bloom.

"I want to give her the ability to be a Pegasus than an Earth Pony, Apple Bloom," Ash started. "Besides, it reminds me of a flock of Pudgy Pidgey on an island which is closed off as a preservation site. Those Pidgey didn't want to fly because their bodies were bigger than their wings. However, a smaller Pidgey showed them what flying can do. Not to mention that I know of a Pokémon that has small wings and can fly fast." Scootaloo's eyes bulged wide.

"What is it?" she wondered as Ash showed his Dex to Scootaloo with an orange dragon that had a small horn on the crown and rather small wings.

"DRAGONITE, THE DRAGON POKÉMON," it registered. "DRAGONITE IS THE FINAL EVOLUTIONARY FORM OF DRATINI. WHILE THE WINGS ARE SMALL COMPARED TO ITS BODY, DRAGONITE CAN FLY AT AROUND TWICE THE SPEED OF SOUND." Rainbow laughed to the description.

"Now that sounds like a Pokémon to enjoy!" she giggled. "Right, Fluttershy?" Looking, Rainbow saw no sign of Fluttershy or Pikachu. "Fluttershy?" Taking Pikachu along, Fluttershy vanished. Rainbow hoofed her face. Ash wasn't paying attention and focused on Scootaloo.

"So, let's get to training," he announced. Scootaloo felt confidence with Ash and decided to join in. They were in an open field where Scootaloo frantically flaps her wings. She lifted herself for a few seconds about a couple of inches off the ground. After a minute, she stopped and laid on the dirt.

"Why can't I have Fluttershy's wings?" she complained. "She doesn't use them as much! Maybe Discord can swap wings?" Ash shook his head while Fluttershy and Pikachu returned.

"Scootaloo… There's something you need to know: there's a quick way and there's a right way. Asking Discord to give you new wings won't solve your issue of flying." Scootaloo felt defeated right then and there. "Here's something else you need to know about the Pudgy Pidgey: the little Pidget was able to fly into space… and we followed it on a hot-air balloon. When we returned to Earth, the Pudgy Pidgey were inspired by the will of one of their own that they can fly like the young bird and they began to fly themselves. They didn't ask of new wings or a new body and flew like no tomorrow." To Scootaloo, there were some Pokémon that were like her.

"So, what you're telling me is that instead of thinking about flying, I have to believe that I can do it?"

"Right…" They find a hill where Fluttershy had dressed herself with pillows all around. Ash and Pikachu looked to Scootaloo in hopes that she could fly with the guidance. Noctowl flew above for guidance.

'All this time,' Scootaloo thought. 'All I could think of is flying while admiring Rainbow Dash. Maybe… if I put faith into flying instead of thinking, and relax my wings… I can do it!' Scootaloo raced down the hill and at Fluttershy who braced for impact. With a leap, Scootaloo flapped her wings and leaped. With one flap, she lifted off the ground. She flapped more and more, suddenly gaining ground to which she had a close shave with Fluttershy's mane but she began to ascend and she looked up, realizing she had gained flight. "I did it! OH MY GOSH! I DID IT!" She flew higher and higher with Rainbow easily able to catch up.

"You did it, Scootaloo!" she cheered. "Nopony can bully you now!" Scootaloo laughed before she began to fall. Fluttershy, Ash and Pikachu raced beneath Scootaloo and Rainbow while Twilight and Spike watched it unfold.

"Scootaloo!?" wondered Twilight before racing out of the castle. Spike got a ride on her. Twilight and Spike spotted Fluttershy and seeing Scootaloo's descent to Fluttershy's gear, stopped her. "Allow me!" With a flash of Twilight's horn, she, Spike and Fluttershy were in front of Scootaloo's fall. Finally, Scootaloo crashed into the cushioned Fluttershy and an explosion of feathers scattered. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle joined Ash and Pikachu in reaching the others.

"Fluttershy, are you okay!?" worried Spike. Scootaloo and Rainbow emerged first with Rainbow's eyes blocked by feathers. Fluttershy looked unharmed.

"I am," Fluttershy winced. Rainbow shook the feathers off her eyes.

"Okay, that wasn't a bright thing to do," she regretted. "Should've caught her and glided her down slowly." Scootaloo came out and raced to Ash and Pikachu.

"Ash, I did it!" she cheered as she leaped to the sky. "Thanks to you!" She dove to Ash, tackling him to the ground with Pikachu jumping off. Her dive had her kiss Ash on the cheek pretty hard, enough to where a dent was in place. Ash looked unconscious for a minute.

"That's incredible!" awed Apple Bloom. "Ya can fly now!"

"We got a real motivator on hand!" cheered Sweetie Belle as they ganged up on Ash, tackling him to the ground. They hugged Ash who woke back up and felt the weight of the girls while they praised him.

"I'm not sure what forces brought Ash over but he's done a handful of miracles," Spike sighed with a smile.

"I'll say," Twilight agreed. "Whoever ends up being his Special Somepony will be set for life." Evening set and Ash and Pikachu were with Rainbow and Scootaloo at Rainbow's hut.

"So, you literally were heading to the moon once on a hot-air balloon?" repeated Rainbow. "All because one Pidgey wanted to fly as he could?"

"Believe me, Wilbur's Orville was a determined Flying Pokémon," Ash recalled. Scootaloo snuggled with Ash while Pikachu stayed by Rainbow.

"I find it funny that you can name a Pokémon whatever you want," Scootaloo giggled.

"Well, if you have a Pokémon as a pet like Tank or Opal, wouldn't you want to give it a name?" questioned Ash.

"I would, but something awesome," Scootaloo replied.

"Think about it this way, kid," Rainbow started. "You got your first experience with flying. The next thing we can work on is steering." Scootaloo nodded, knowing that her flightless days were gone into the wind. Meanwhile in a mountain far from Ponyville, a horde of chimpanzees were seen collecting rocks. Each rock that a chimpanzee hoisted had a faint white glow. They entered a cavern where a pile began to grow. If not for the curve inside the cavern, a faint white beacon would emit from there.

TO BE CONTINUED… IN 2021.

(These two stories will resume next year and soon enough, the start of the 12 Elements of AshMas will begin again)