//-------------------------------------------------------// The Miserable Life Of Rainbow Dash -by Swirly_Quill- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Prolouge:I'm a failure //-------------------------------------------------------// Prolouge:I'm a failure I used to be Equestria's best flyer. In all my life, since I was a filly, my dream was to become a great Wonderbolt. Performing in front of crowds of thousands, they will shower us in diamonds. It was my life long dream! I tried everything I could to impress the Wonderbolts. By wowing them, performing the Sonic Rainboom more than once, and saving them and Equestria from danger in total of 4 times! The name 'Rainbow Dash' should've been printed clearly on top of Captain Spitfire's clipboard ages ago! But no. I had failed my entrance exam by 2 points! Just two points! When I had demanded an answer from Spitfire, she said that my posture wasn't perfect enough. That day, I flew home and cried. The awesome Rainbow Dash does not cry. I kept telling myself to stop, but my brain betrayed me. I didn't come out of my cloud house for days. I gave Tank back to Fluttershy since I knew I can't take care of him since I am a rack that day. Since I haven't been taking care of the weather in Ponyville, I was fired. Replace by one of my co-workers Cloud Kicker. I had failed. I had failed the Wonderbolts. I had failed my parents, which I had promised them that I will be a great Wonderbolt one day. I've failed my all my best friends. Everyone of my best friends had accomplished their dreams and destiny. Rarity, the element of generosity, had fulfilled her dreams to become a great designer. She was the most popular dress maker in Equestria. Getting orders from celebrities such as Fancypants, Upper Crust, Jet set, and so on. She later decided to move to Canterlot with Sweetie Belle where all the numerous orders was coming from. She had also found a special some pony there too. She had told me that she was going to get marry next week. My best friend and rival Applejack, the element of honesty, and her family also later moved away to Appleloosa to help her cousin Braeburn run his apple farm. Yesterday, I received a mail from her saying that she and her family are making a lot of money. She also said that she was going to live their now. Hyper Pinkie Pie, the element of laughter, had to traveled back to her rock farm after Applejack. Her mother died in a terrible accident. As soon as she got the news, she hair lost all it's puff. I had visited her two weeks after she left. Gosh, did she look miserable. She couldn't even smile a bit. But eventually, she had also found a special some pony, and went back to laughing and smiling again. Quiet Fluttershy, the element of kindness, moved away next. She had found a job in a zoo in Fillydephia. She sent me a letter explaining every single detail about her job, and said she loves it so very much. Even a shy pony like her, soon found a special some pony too. Last but not least, Princess Twilight Sparkle, the element of Magic. She had been so busy as a princess she hardly made time for her friends. And not to mention she had married one of her guards named Flash Sentry and had foals. The last I had heard about her, she was delivering supplies to Appleloosa. Every one of my best friends had reached their destiny, found a special some pony. Everypony except me. I had failed everypony, and most importantly, I had failed myself. I don't have a family since my parents are dead now and little Scootaloo had moved to Manehatten with her family. I used to be somepony, a pony who is treated with respect. I used to be the loyal, fearless, awesome, and cool Rainbow Dash, but now I am nopony. My friends hardly visit me anymore. Why do I have to face all this? Why do my life have to be like this? Because I'm a failure. A failure. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 1: The Wedding Invitation //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 1: The Wedding Invitation [ Start Of Dream ]      "Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh! I am selected to the Wonderbolt entrance exam at 11:00 tomorrow! Awesome! I can't wait to become a Wonderbolt! I know I will get in!" I told my pet Tank, who is a tortoise. He smiled a great big smile back to me. I picked him up with my front two hooves and hugged him tightly before placing him back to my cloud floor. "I have to tell Fluttershy that! Want to come Tank?" My turtle nodded slowly in response. I strapped his helicopter on his back and voila! He can fly! I dash to my door, with Tank following me. I jumped of my cloud house and flapped my wings a few times, and headed to where my kind friend Fluttershy lives. I did a loop-d-loop in the air to wait for my flying tortoise, who was not far behind. When he caught up with me, I dived for Fluttershy's cottoage, breaking the sound barrier, and BOOM! I did my signature, the Sonic Rainboom! I landed in front of her house, and knocked impatiently on her door. "FLUTTERSHY! OPEN THE DOOR! I HAVE GOOD NEWS TO TELL YA! FLUTTERS-" Fluttershy quietly open her door, which had interrupted me. "Oh, hey Rainbow Dash. I have some good news for you too. But you can go first." She shyly said as Tank flew behind me. My Sonic Rainboom must've blown him away. "I got in the Wonderbolt entrance exam! I know I would ace the test! Then I could be in the Wonderbolts! Isn't it great? Picture me, in the uniform, performing for crowds for thousands! Applauding and cheering wildly as I perform daring tricks! Leaving them speechless!  I'll be known for centuries as the greatest Wonderbolt in all of history!" I daydreamed while telling best friend. "That's , um, nice! It's really great that you are going to be a Wonderbolt." She smiled. "Oh, and I have some news for you too. I got a job in a petting zoo in Fillydephia! I know that it's going to be great! Taking care of animals all day long! It will be so much fun!" I was shocked that one of my last best friend that is staying in Ponyville is leaving too. All my other best friends had moved away already, and now Fluttershy. "You're leaving too? When do you leave? Tomorrow? I mean it's really great that you found a job but, I just can't believe that all my best friends are going to be separated in different parts of Equestria!" The Fluttershy looks like she was going to have a heart attack. I realized that I said these without thinking! I totally forgot that she is very, very sensitive. " O-oh I-I am so, s-so sorry! P-please don't be mad at me! I won't go then! I will stay here! I will-" I placed my hoof on her mouth. "No, you're going, I will be fine on my on! Don't panic, I'm not going to be mad at you, it's fine really. I will also be leaving for the Wonderbolts soon anyway." My reassuring words helped Fluttershy relieved. "Okay, I will go, if it makes you happy.I will be leaving the day after tomorrow." "It will, Fluttershy. It will." The next day I woke up with my alarm clock beeping. It was 10:30 am, half an hour to go. I stretched my hooves, and hopped out of my bed, and went straight into the bathroom to take a quick shower to freshen up. I brush my teeth and comb my hair just once. I pour some tortoise food for Tank, and a sandwich for me. I ate quickly, while my turtle ate slowly and neatly. I looked at the clock, 10:50 am. "Bye Tank I will be back very soon, you can play with your toys and I will be back before you know it!" My tortoise nodded with a smile on his face. He loves play with his toy mouse that Rarity generously made for Tank when I adopted him. I rushed out of my cloud house, and into the open sky, heading toward the Wonderbolt academy, which I had arrived there sharp at 11:00 am. Noticing Spitfire waiting for the other flyers to come, I walked toward her to greet. "Good morning ma'am!" I said with confidence as she turned her head in my direction. "Ah, Rainbow Dash, not late, not early. Are you ready for the exam? It won't be easy, I warn you, not many flyers can pass this. And you will only get one chance to go through this in your whole entire life. No second chances." She explained to me. I nodded slowly, I can't fail this, or else my whole dream will be ruined! "Yes ma'am! I have to pass this test! It's my life long dream to become a Wonderbolt!" I spoke these words with courage, knowing I will pass. But it just made Spitfire smirk. "You sound just like me when I was young. But don't be so sure that you're going to pass! All the courses are made even harder than the one I did. And what if you failed? I had seen a lot of my best fliers fail through this, so good luck, Rainbow Dash." I went to the warm-up track to practice, with thoughts on my mind. 'What if Spitfire's right? There is a possibility that I will fail. What will I do after that?' I shook my head to clear those thoughts. 'No! I have to pass! And I will! I am the best flier in Equestria, besides the Wonderbolts of course.' After all the late ponies had arrived, it was time to start. I followed Spitfire and the other fliers to the obstacles, which had amazed me. Spitfire was right about the obstacles, it did look pretty complicated, unlike the ones we did in the academy. "Okay rookies? Who wants to go first?" Spitfire asked as nopony rise their hoof. "Fine, I will pick, Thunderlane! You're up first!" I watch as he zoomed into the obstacles, performing poorly as he constantly keep bumping into almost everything. When he had returned, his coat was full of bruises and small cuts. Obviously, he failed. I saw as Spitfire puts an X next to his name. Eventually, after everypony had gone though and failed, it was my turn. I gulp my saliva into my esophagus, licked my lips and stretching my hooves. "Rainbow Dash! You're up next!" Spitfire called out as my wings stretch out and I gave it a few flaps. I burst into the obstacles with ease, avoiding a tornado that was in the way. I flew through the rings of fire. Flying through heavy rain, strong wind and thunder, I had to focus on everything. Last but not least, flying trough numerous poles that was in every direction you face. I was almost to the finish line, but I had lost control of my flaps since I was so eager to crossed it. My wings were sore that I couldn't fly straight, and crashed landed on to the line. I must've failed. Wonderbolts were not supposed to crashed, but I did. I can't believed it, I had failed. [End Of Dream]       I woke up by the blinding sunlight that was shining on my face. The dream I just had was a flashback from three weeks ago. That day was a total nightmare. I did my usual morning routine which is to take a shower, brush my teeth and eat breakfast. I flew out of my cloud house to get my mail. Most of it was junk, but there was one that catches my eye. A letter from Rarity. I ripped the envelope and found a fancy purple card. Inside, it read: Dearest Rainbow Dash, You are conditionally invited to my wedding in a week time. I really hope you can make it there. It is in Canterlot Castle at  4:00 pm where the same event happened at Princess Twilight's wedding. I am looking forward to seeing you again after the past 2 years. Rarity My face lit up, after so many years I will be able to meet with my friends again. Now, I would just have to find a perfect gift for Rarity's wedding. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 2: Finding a Perfect Gift //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 2: Finding a Perfect Gift 'I have to find a gift for my generous friend Rarity's Wedding, but what exactly?' I thought with a hoof under my chin. 'Think Think Think! It must be something meaningful, nice, and memorable! So she will actually like it and reminds her of our friendship!' "You really think she will still wants you to be your friend? After all, she didn't even visit you even once in the past two years!" My shoulder devil said to me. Then, my other shoulder angel appeared on the other side of the shoulder. "Now now! Miss Rarity is still Rainbow's friend, since she had invited her to her upcoming wedding!" Angel argued. "And a  true friend never leaves one of her friends out in her of her parties!" I thought for a moment, with my guardian angel's angelic words in my head."You're right, Angel, a true, true friend never leave out one of her best friends! And Rarity did send me a letter saying she is looking forward to seeing me again!" My guardian devil smirked and grin wickedly. "Don't be so sure, loyal Rainbow Dash! Look at your letter again, did she signed her name saying 'your friend'?" I took out the purple letter and opens it widely as Devil points to Rarity's name with his pitch black hoof. "Did she?" I stared at the letter knowing the devil was right. It didn't say any 'your friend' or 'sincerely'. "S-she d-d-didn't. I guess you're right, Devil. Maybe she just invite me so it won't be rude. All the the words saying that she had wanted to see me could be fake. I guess I just shouldn't go, she might not had wanted me to come anyway-" "Nonsense, darling! You shouldn't even BE listen to Devil's advise! Those advice can give you tons of trouble! Wouldn't want THAT now do we?" I shook my head as in saying 'no'. Angel smiled warmly and continued with her speech. "You simply MUST go! Rarity would be very upset and worried if you don't! You do want to see all your friends again, now do you?" "Well you do have a point-" "Of course I do! I am a guardian angel! And it's my job to make sure you make the right choice when it comes to making hard decisions! Instead of listening to that stupid Devil's advice!" Angel and I chuckled a bit while Devil's face grew more and more blood red. "What did you just called me?! You are pretty much stupid yourself when it comes time to tell ponies about being a 'miss four goodie-shoes' other than being an awesome 'dare-devil!" "Excuuuuuussseeeee me? I help ponies do the right thing! Instead of getting into trouble like YOU are! When will you ever learn?" Angel shouted, puffing her pink cheeks. "Why should I learn? I am a devil, not one of those pesky angels like you!" "P-P-PESKY? US ANGELS ARE NOT PESKY!" "YES YOU ARE!" "NO WE AREN'T!" "YES YOU ARE!" "NO WE AREN'T!" I sighed, listening to my mini guardians fought back and forth, and back and forth. It was getting pretty annoying when I had interrupted them saying, "Alright! Cut it out! Both of you are supposed to help me, not to get into an arguments! Now help me find a perfect gift for Rarity's wedding! Something nice, meaningful, and memorable!" Devil and Angel stopped arguing with each other and thought hard. 'What could be object that has all three of the adjectives? A necklace? Nah, Flowers? A-' "A photo! A photo of you and your friends! A picture is always memorable! With nice frames of course! And it is meaningful to give to Miss Rarity since she knows how caring you are about the friendship between you and your friends! She would just LOVES it!" Angel interrupted my flowing thoughts with her awesome idea. "You're right! A photo of me and my friends is a great idea! It has the three somethings! Thanks you so much, Angel! Now, just let me get the photo first!" I flew up to my cloud attic, where all I kept my photo box at. I opened the lid of the box. A breeze of sadness hits my heart hard. Pictures of me as a filly, with my parents, on the Hearths Warming Eve, and me with my best friends. I felt my eyes getting hot, forming tears that will soon roll softly down my cheek. Every picture in the box was so memorable. See my parents and friends in the pictures just makes me want to hug them tightly. I took out the picture with me and my friends in a group hug at Sugarcube Corner. Me in the middle, Applejack on my right, Twilight on the left. On top of me was Fluttershy. On Fluttershy's right was Pinkie Pie, and on her left was Rarity. Angel flew down to the photo and examine it. "This will be perfect for Miss Rarity's wedding gift! Now let's go to the photo shop to find a fabulous frame!" Angel chirped as I nodded and took the photo and headed for the window in my attic. The flight to the nearest photo shop doesn't take too long with my incredible speed and high wing-power. Once I had arrived there, I entered the shop, greeted by a clerk named Photo Frame, and headed for the frame section of the store. Fortunately, the store was quite empty today other than one or two other ponies photo-copying photos. I looked at all the frames standing before me, all in different shapes, sizes, colors, and pattern. Gazing at them with my magenta eyes, there was one frame that catches my eyes. The frame was light brown, on the top, there was the words 'Best Friends' in cursive and pink, and at the bottom, there was a word that said 'Forever' in cursive and purple. It was perfect, and not to mention that it has the right size, too. "This is awesome! This will suit the picture that I am giving Rarity!" I exclaimed, to which Angel and Devil nodded as in saying 'yes'. I took the frame and headed for the clerk. "Five bits, please." Photo Frame said as I place down five bits and puts the photo into the frame. It was perfect. I started towards home again, with my mini guardians gently flying by my side. Rarity will love this gift, will she?  Or will she thinks the gift is too practical?