Dashing Dreams

Ponyville, 3:50 P.M., October 24th, 2012

“So, what do you think they’ll think of our new routine?” Rainbow Dash asked

“Only one way to find out, let’s get started.”

“Sounds good to me. Now, where are our friends?” They looked around to see where their friends were waiting. They found them standing down by the fountain in the middle of the park. They flew down by the fountain and joined their friends who had been patiently awaiting Rainbow Dash to see her new routine. “Hey guys. So, who’s ready to see my new routine?”

“Well, of course, dear. We’ve been waiting a long time to see you blossom like this.”

“Thanks guys. Now, are you guys ready to be amazed?”

“Yes sirree!” Pinkie Pie said as she bounced up and down.

“Alright! Midnight, you know what to do.” She flew all the way to the end of the street in the park and readied herself to take off.

Midnight turned around to face their friends. “Folks, we have a very special guest for you tonight. I’d like to introduce, Rainbow Dash.” She began flying as fast as she could towards her friends. As soon as she was as close as she could, she quickly jerked herself to the sky. “Let’s hear it for the great, Rainbow Dash!” The ponies watching could feel the wind flying by them. She slowly began spinning as she went up and rainbows slowly began to trail off of the ends of her wings. “And now for a lesson in aerodynamic management. Let’s begin.” She began spinning faster and faster until she was completely engulfed in the spiral of 2 twirling rainbows. She quickly halted her spinning, and a small rainbow circle burst from the end of the spiral. “Alright now, wasn’t that fun? Let’s try something else.” Rainbow Dash flew up high above a cloud and stopped mid-air. She flew down towards the cloud as fast as she could, rainbow trailing behind her. As she passed through the cloud, she tried her hardest to turn as sharply as she could. Her efforts failed as she swerved through the air, making a long curve. “Damn it! I knew this would be the hard one for her.” She came down and landed by her friends.

“Gaah, I almost had it!”

“I told you, this one is gonna be the hardest for you to learn.”

“What were you two trying to do?” Twilight asked

“We were trying to make my cutie mark out of a cloud and the rainbow that trails behind me. The problem is turning sharp enough to make the lightning bolt.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll get it down eventually. We just need the practice.”

“Yeah, but we only have two weeks to get that down.”

“Well then that’s two weeks we’re gonna spend getting you to perfect that move.”

Rainbow Dash’s confidence was renewed, if Midnight believed she could do it, she would do it. “Okay. I’m gonna give it another shot.”

“That’s the attitude. Now, let’s see you try it again.”

“Yes sir!” She saluted to him and took off once more, starting at the top of the routine.

“You ready, Dash?”

“Ready!” She took off and went through her routine once more. As she came up to the third part of her routine, she heard Midnight call to her, “You can do it Dash!”

“Let’s do this!” She screamed back. She positioned herself above the clouds for her finally, and dove down. “I’m gonna do it this time, no mistakes!” But as she tried to turn, she spun out of control and started falling to the ground below.

“Rainbow Dash!” Midnight flew straight at her. He caught her just feet above the ground.

“Heh, my hero...” Rainbow Dash said sarcastically. “I was about to save myself, thank you very much!” But as she looked toward Midnight, she could tell he wasn’t buying it.

“*sigh* Rainbow Dash, you have to be more careful! These aren’t as easy as the tricks you’re used to!”

“I know, I know! *sigh* Look Midnight, you can go for now if you want. I don’t think I’m gonna perfect these new moves any time soon, and I’m sure you’ve got better things to do than watch me fail.”

“But what if you spin out of control again? What if something happens to you? What if-”

“Midnight!” Rainbow Dash interrupted. “I said I’d be careful! I’m a big girl now. I’m sure you know that by now...” She started to blush, thinking of all they’ve done.

“Yeah, you’re right...promise me you’ll be safe?”

“I promise, Midnight.” She gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “Now, go see if the girls want to hang out or something. I’m going to keep practicing here, you all have fun.”

“Alright, Dash.” He walked over to Rainbow’s friends and told them she was going to stay and practice and wants them all to go do something fun. “So what do you girls feel like doing?”

“Ooh! Ooh! Midnight! Midnight! We should totally play a game!” Pinkie said, bouncing with enthusiasm.

“Alrighty then! What game will we be playing then?”

“Hmm...Ooh! How about tic-tac-toe? I’m great at that game!”

“It’s true, darling” Rarity chimed in. “I don’t think any one of us have beaten her as of late.”

“Sure, why not?” Midnight said, thinking to himself the girls were over-exaggerating about the whole thing. But as the hours passed, he realized that they weren’t.

“Grrr...that’s 35 times in a row! Come on!” Midnight said, becoming more aggravated by the minute.

“Did we not tell you dear? Like I said, she is undefeated.”

“Hehehe!” Pinkie giggled. “It’s true! I don’t know why though, it could have something to do with my little ticks, you know, like the twitchy tail?”

“Twitchy...wha?”

“Ah, don’t worry your pretty little head none.” Apple Jack said. “T’aint nothin’ to worry ‘bout.”

“Whatever. I wonder how Dash is doing with her routine... Hey girls, I’m going to go check on Rainbow Dash. It’s been a few hours now, she’s had to make some progress.”

“Farewell!” “See yah later” “Bye Midnight!” “Um...bye...” “Bye-bye!”

Midnight flew back to the park. As he got closer he kept hearing a strong buzzing noise. Every so often he looked up to catch a glimpse at a rainbow streak in the air that quickly vanished. “Is she still practicing?” He got to the edge of the park and began watching Rainbow Dash continue to try, and continue to fail. “Wow, she’s still goin at it.” He thought, “She’s really determined to do this. Well, I guess that really shouldn’t be a surprise. This is leading towards her life long dream.” Midnight watched as she went through her routine time after time, failing the 3rd phase every time.

Rainbow Dash saw Midnight watching her on the ground as she came out of the failed turn in the 3rd phase. She flew out of her routine and landed down next to Midnight. ”Hey, how long have you been watching?”

“I just got here. I see you still haven’t got the 3rd phase down yet.”

“I know I haven’t. It’s a lot harder then I thought it was gonna be. I don’t even think I can get it down.”

“Dash, remember why you’re working on mastering this move.”

“I know that, but-”

“But nothing, this is your dream and I’m not gonna let you doubt yourself when you’re this close. You can’t let a little doubt get in the way of your life’s dreams. Now, show me that you’re ready and willing to master this move.”

“*sigh* Okay...”

“I don’t think that’s good enough. I think I’ve got something for that.” He reached down and locked his lips with hers. They stayed kissing for a few seconds and pulled away. “Now, show me your ready face.”

“Ready!” She shouted

“Alright, that’s the spirit! Now, let’s go through the routine once more.”

“Alright, let’s do this!” She took off to the end of the dirt road. Midnight watched as she seemed more determined than ever as she ran. She reached the end and quickly sprung into the air. She began spinning slowly, making the rainbows stream off her wings. They seemed more vivid than usual. As the seconds passed, she spun faster and faster, until she was fully engulfed in her double rainbow spiral. She completed that by stopping in mid air, making the rainbow circle burst from the end again, this time quite larger than when she first did it. She then flew above the cloud she was going to use for the 3rd phase. She looked down to Midnight, who in turn gave her a nod. She could do this. Diving as fast as she could, she thought of Midnight, she thought of The Wonderbolts, and all she’s done to be one of them. Reaching the end of the dive, she quickly jerked upward, determined, and to her and Midnight’s amazement, succeeded! She then quickly jerked down to complete the lightning bolt, and did it with no problem.

“It’s...beautiful...” Midnight said in awe, as he gazed upon what Rainbow Dash had created.

She flew down feeling succeeded next to Midnight. “Yes! I finally got it!”

“Indeed you did. Now, you see what a little motivation can do?”

“Yeah, I do. Thanks Midnight.”

“Now, you only got it down once. Remember, a rookie practices until they get it right. A professional practices until they know they can’t get it wrong.”

“True, but I’m beat. Can we just practice more tomorrow? We do have a week to get it down.”

“Alright, we can practice more tomorrow. Come on, let’s go home and get you to bed.