An offer she can't refuse
“Thank you so much, Rainbow Dash,” Fluttershy whispered. “With the stage fright, I mean. I’m so looking forward to the tryouts for the relay race. You really di-”
Fluttershy was startled by the arrival of two pegasi in Wonderbolts outfits.
“Hey, Rainbow Dash!”
“Spitfire?” Dash gawped at the two Wonderbolts. “Spitfire!?”
“Aaand Fleetfoot,” Spitfire said with a grin, stepping aside for her partner to step up next to her.
“Whaaaaa......?” Dash sat there, mouth agape, trying to figure out why her heroes were standing in front of her.
Snowflake sat down in shock.
“We are here to inform you that you have been chosen to represent Cloudsdale in the Equestria games.” Fluttershy hid further and further behind her mane with every word Spitfire spoke. “You have been chosen to compete in the relay race alongside...” Spitfire’s smirk widened as she built up some dramatic tension. “Fleetfoot and Spitfire.”
“Training starts in two days. See you in the Cloudsdale Cloudisseum,” Fleetfoot added before hoofing her a piece of paper.
~~~
There she was, Spitfire was flying towards her with the baton. The wind was whipping her hair and lips back as she barreled straight at Dash. The golden horseshoe-shaped baton on her outstretched hoof caught the sunlight. Spitfire barely slowed as Dash grabbed the baton in her own hoof. The crowd cheered as she flew through each of the rings and burst into deafening applause as she crossed the finish line well ahead of everypony else!
~~~
As they left, the gust from their wings blew back Dash’s mane.
Oh... My... What an honor...” Fluttershy whispered to her friend, putting on a fake smile.
“I. Get to fly. With the Wonderbolts! InTheEquestriaGames!”
As Dash sat with her forehooves up to her mouth and wide eyes glistening, a tear splashed against their baton.
“OhMyGoshOhMyGoshOhMyGoshOhMyGoshOhMyGoshOhMyGoshOhMyGoshOhMyGosh!”
She was snapped out of her fangirling by the baton in Fluttershy’s hooves.
“Oh, no! I’m so sorry, Fluttershy.”
“It’s okay, Dash. This is one of your greatest dreams.” Fluttershy quickly wiped away the tears and smiled before Dash could see her pain. “We can do something else later. “Or maybe Derpy can take your spot? It’s not like we were going to win gold even if we did qualify.”
“You sure, Flutters?”
“Oh... Yes... I could never take this opportunity away from you.” Fluttershy gave her best attempt at a convincing smile.
“Thanks, ‘Shy, you’re the best!”
Snowflake sat there, looking uncomfortable as Dash flew off to prepare.
After a day of making arrangements for the weather team during her training, she stopped by Rarity’s.
“Hey Rare,” She called out, opening the door to the boutique. “Want to get ya to make me an outfit. I’m going to be training with the Wonderbolts and want to make a good impress-”
She heard sobbing coming from the other room.
“A-and I-I was s-so hopeful that-that I’d finally be able to overcome m-my shyness...” Dash heard a little hiccup followed by some comforting noises that sounded like Rarity. “But I can’t take her dream away from her!” Fluttershy’s squeak of anguish broke Dash’s heart.
Dash quietly pushed the door open to find Rarity levitating a fresh hankie over to a distraught Fluttershy only for it to get sodden within moments and added to the growing pile on the table in front of them. A new one was given from the stack next to Rarity.
Dash made up her mind and quietly left the boutique.
Dash wiped away the tears from her eyes before opening the door.
Spitfire looked up from her desk.
“You came early. Planning on starting training already?” An arrogant smile came to her face as she slipped her sunglasses over her eyes. “That’s what I like about you. Always up for a challenge.”
“No.”
Spitfire’s glasses fell off her nose.
“Excuse me?” Spitfire stared at Dash like she had just grew another set of wings.
“I mean, I’m sorry... I really am... And thank you,” Dash said, frowning slightly. “But I can’t be part of Cloudsdale’s team.”
Spitfire’s frown turned into a smile. “That’s another thing I like about you, Dash. You can pull a mean prank.”
Dash scratched the back of her head. “I’m really sorry, but it’s not a prank. I’ve dreamed of this since I was a filly, but I’ve got a promise I just can’t break.”
Spitfire’s eyes narrowed. “You’re going to give up this once in a lifetime opportunity because you don’t want to break a promise?”
Dash closed her eyes. How do I explain something as big as this to her?
“I’ve already promised to be on Ponyville’s team,” Dash said, deciding Spitfire wouldn’t understand.
“Ponyville?” Spitfire’s frown turned into a scowl. “You’re going to give up this to play on some third rate team that probably won’t even qualify?”
“Yes.” Dash sighed with regret. “A friend of mine needs me to help her and that was how I had promised to do it.”
Spitfire glared at Dash. “I stuck my neck out for you, Dash. Don’t expect to ever get this chance again,” She warned. “The council will see this as a betrayal of Cloudsdale. I’ll make sure of it. I don’t care how good you are. They’ll never let you join the Wonderbolts if you do this.”
That struck home. Spitfire herself wanted Dash on her team. A tear rolled down Dash’s cheek. She would have to betray somepony. It was only a question of who.
Fluttershy would forgive her for choosing Cloudsdale. Spitfire would never forgive her if she chose Ponyville.
Us or them. I can’t be a Wonderbolt if I help Fluttershy.
Well, that makes the decision easier. Not easy, but at least easier.
She looked up at her idol, not even bothering to wipe away the tears running down her face and said the hardest words of her life. “I can’t betray my friend.”
Saying it lifted the weight on her heart and she was able to stand tall once more.
“So, that’s it, huh? I’ll inform the commission that we have to replace your spot with Soarin.”
Dash turned around and opened the door to leave.
“I didn’t give you permission to leave yet, Rainbow Dash.”
Dash turned around just in time to catch a golden pin.
“I wish I was half the pony you are,” Spitfire said as she flashed her a sassy grin. “Give us a run for our money.”
“You what?!” Fluttershy’s screaming was even louder than what she did at the Grand Galloping Gala. “No, Rainbow Dash. You have to be part of the Cloudsdale team. You said yourself that you got your cutie mark when you realized how much you love to win and the Wonderbolts have been your dream since we were fillies. I can’t let you give that up for me.”
This was the maddest she’d ever seen her friend. Fluttershy even attempted to use ‘the stare’ on her.
“You will march right back to Cloudsdale, young filly, and let them know you’ve changed your mind. You will compete for your hometown and be teammates with your idols.”
“Fluttershy. I. Chose. You.” Dash glared at her friend while Twilight and the rest watched with smiles. “I made a promise to you and I don’t leave my friends hanging.” Dash crossed her forelegs in her usual arrogant stance.
With a final attempt at a growl, Fluttershy ran at Dash, tackling her with a teary hug. “You’re the best friend ever.”
“Yeah!” Snowflake yelled, wiping a tear from his eye.
Dear Diary
Sometimes you have to choose between what you want and what your friends need. Sometimes your friends will even give you permission to follow your dreams. But sometimes, being a friend means ignoring that permission and doing what you know to be right. It might hurt to give up a dream, but it would hurt even more to know you’ve hurt a friend.
Besides, I’ve realized that I’m much too awesome for the Wonderbolts.
-Rainbow Dash
Author's Note
Thank you to my prereaders, especially Techogre as he's the one that tears my stories to pieces the best.
