Dashing Dreams

Cloudsdale, 11:49 A.M., October 24th, 2012

Midnight and Rainbow Dash were walking with the large crowd to the ticket booth. “I can’t believe it. After all this time, we finally get to go together to see The Wonderbolts performing.”

“The last time we actually went to a show together was just a few months before the incident at flight camp.”

“Yeah, that show was pretty awesome.”

“It’s been more than 6 years since I’ve seen The Wonderbolts perform. I wonder how much they’ve improved.”

“They’ve improved a lot! I actually saved their lives at the best young fliers competition last year. That was the second time that I had ever done a sonic rainboom. I won the competition because of it and I spent the rest of the day with The Wonderbolts.”

“Well, that’s pretty sweet, I hope it improved your chances of joining.”

“I hope so too. Even our 3 asshole friends from flight school actually complemented me about it and wanted to hang out with me.”

Midnight suddenly remembered what he had done to them just before Rainbow Dash and her friends had saved him from total control by Nightmare Moon. “Oh, yes, those three...”

“What’s the matter, Midnight?”

“It’s just...” He struggled to tell her about his encounter.

“What is it?”

“Promise you won’t be upset with me?”

“Of course. I don’t see why I would be.”

“Well, just a few hours or so before I ran into you in Ponyville while I was still under Nightmare’s control, I ran into those three at the weather factory. Nightmare Moon, she fed on my anger. She fueled my anger. In my anger, I killed all 3 of them with in my own free will.”

“Oh wow. Midnight, I...”

“I understand if you’re mad at me.”

“Mad at you? I’m proud of you!”

“Proud of me? Well, there’s more. I killed an entertainer in Manehattan named Trixie. She said that she “vanquished” Twilight after she had brought the Ursa Major into Ponyville. I was so angry with her; I took her life as well. And the same with Gilda, just outside of Ponyville, just a few minutes before we ran into you.”

“Oh, so that’s what that huge tower of fire was.”

“You don’t care that I killed the griffin that you hung out with?”

“Well, just a few weeks before you showed up, she totally flipped out at Pinkie Pie for no good reason. So I guess I realized how bad she really was and how right you were about her.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re not mad at me. You have no idea how good it feels to get that off my chest.” The two had finally come to the entrance gate. They came up to a familiar looking old pony at the ticket booth.

“Tickets please.”

Midnight pulled out both of their tickets and gave them to the pony. “Hey, I remember you. You’re the pony who was running the ticket booth during the first ever Wonderbolts show in Cloudsdale about 8 years ago.”

“That’s me. Glad to see some familiar faces. Enjoy the show you two.”

“Thank you, sir.” The two walked in through the front gate. The stands were crowded; hardly any seats were left open. “Well shit.”

“Don’t worry, Midnight. I see a perfect spot right over there.” She pointed to an open seat way in the distance. “Race you there!” She took off leaving Midnight behind, but he wasn’t going to give up. He quickly picked up his pace and caught up with her. Rainbow Dash landed on the cloud and Midnight landed just a few seconds after. “Ha, I totally beat you there!”

“You did beat me, but I’m not gonna say that you beat me fair and square.”

“Fillies and Gentlecolts.” A voice came from over the intercom.

“Well, It looks like we got in just in time.” Midnight said.

“Please put your hooves together for our celebrity performance you all came here to see, The Wonderbolts!” The 6 ponies came dashing overhead, thunderclouds trailing behind them. Ponies from all across the audience cheered wildly for the ponies in the sky. Rainbow Dash and Midnight were cheering ecstatically as well.  The Wonderbolts came straight back down at the crowd. All six were within reaching distance of each other, flying in perfect sync as they circled around the audience within reaching distance of the audience.

“See, I told you they got a lot better.”

“I never doubted you for a second, Rainbow Dash. I can’t wait to see the day that you’re flying up there with them.”

“Yeah, I have no idea when that will be though.”

“Well, haven’t you presented yourself to them? I’m sure you’ve done something to get closer to joining haven’t you?”

“Well, there is when I saved a few of their lives at the best young flier competition about a year ago.”

“Good, good. Anything else?”

“Well there is... Hmm...”

“What?”

“Well, I did try talking to them at last years Grand Galloping Gala, but they were too busy doing other things, and that Gala kinda ended up in a disaster.”

“That’s okay. I’m sure you’ll find plenty of other opportunities to capture their attention.”

“Yeah, I hope so.” She had suddenly realized how far she was from her goal. “Am I really that far? After all these years of trying to join, I’ve gotten practically nowhere.”

Midnight saw the demise in her eyes. His only choice at the time was to try and cheer her up. “Come on, Dash. Don’t let that get you down. I promise you that after the show, I’m going to do all that I can to help you get closer to joining The Wonderbolts. For now, let’s just enjoy the show.”

“Alright, I’ll try.” For the rest of the show, she tried to enjoy watching her idols soaring through the air, but she couldn’t keep her mind off of the fact that she’s nowhere near as close as she thought she was to becoming one of them. Seeing them perform just made her think of it more. After a few hours, the show had finally ended. Rainbow Dash and Midnight were walking out through the entrance gate with the rest of the ponies who had been watching.

“Ow wow. I know it’s been a long time since I’ve seen them perform, but I didn’t think they got that much better. That was amazing! What did you think, Dash?”

She didn’t quite hear him at first. ”Huh? Oh yeah...the show. It was alright.”

“Alright? The Wonderbolts? Rainbow Dash, this isn’t you. Are you still worrying about the fact that you’re still not a Wonderbolt yet?”

“Midnight, I’ve been trying to be a Wonderbolt for most of my life. I’m no where near actually joining. All I’ve done was spend a day with them.”

“But that’s more then most any pony could ever say. You’re closer then you really think you are.”

“No, I’m farther then I thought I was, and at this lousy pace, I’ll never actually be a Wonderbolt.”

“I already told you, I’m going to do everything I can to help you join.”

“I know, but just because you said it doesn’t make me feel like it’s true.”

“I know what you mean. I think I have an idea. Why don’t you head on home? I’ll catch up with you later.”

“Alright, I guess I’ll see you in a few then.”

“Okay, see you at home, Dash.”