Firefly

"Welcome to the team, Cloud Bouncer." teased Firefly as the two walked out of the mayor's office,  "Now's the time all fo the team should be gathering up."

Rainbow Dash grumbled in annoyance.

Soon enough every pony arrived. Firefly began speaking. "This is Rainbow Dash. Our newest Cloud Bouncer."

Rude chuckles emerged from the crowd.

Rainbow couldn't stand to be humiliated like this, "Hey. I'm sorry I'm better than you guys!"

A sarcastic "OOOOH..." came from the crowd.

Rainbow Dash growled. "Think I'm so bad? Race me! Let me show you how much more awesome I am than you!"

"I'll race you! Want me to trot so you can keep up?" a voice came from the crowd, and laughter broke out.

"Yeah, race me! Trot's all you got, isn't it?" Rainbow dared.

A grey stallion came from the crowd.

Rainbow turned around to see Firefly, amused by the challenge.

Rainbow could tell by the look on Firefly's face that the stallion was going to lose.

"No, no." Firefly interrupted, "No races. We've got a job to do."

Firefly looked at Rainbow Dash.

"A storm coming from Canterlot is rolling in two days early. Make those clouds less thundery, would you?" Firefly asked.

"Can do!" Rainbow Dash said, and took off to bounce the thunderclouds back to normal.

The rest of the team did what they normally would.

***

The day was over.

Rainbow Dash saw everypony go back to their normal lives. Gosh, they were so rude! Rainbow lay in her bed and thought about what she could do to earn some respect.

Suddenly an idea popped in her head.

That's it! All I have to do is that and they'll all see how awesome I really am!

***

Second day of work, Rainbow Dash spent it busting the second wave of Canterlot clouds while all of the other ponies, who were way worse at flying than her doing all of the cool stuff. Soon she'd be promoted though. She knew it.

After work, the team had a meeting.

"I'm surprised you showed up, retard replacement!" a green pony called from the team.

Rainbow Dash flew up to them, "What did you just call me?"

The green mare was not threatened at all, "We had a retard on our team once when were desperate for members. Firefly and the mayor fired her because she was, y'know, a retard. Terrible at her job. Just like you."

Rainbow Dash was just going to punch the green mare, then one voice called out, "Hey, there's retard right now!"

The pony owning the voice pointed at a grey pegasus with yellow eyes and yellow mane and tail. The eyes were crossed. The grey mare looked over and quickly started to run away, while the crowd called out, "Retard! Retard! Retard!"

The poor mare ran away crying.

Maybe now's the right time to start punching them. Rainbow Dash thought.

"Listen!" Rainbow Dash yelled and flew up into the air so every pony could see her.

"If I'm such a retard, then everyone of you will be able to knock me out in a snap. Who thinks they're good enough to beat me?"

The same grey stallion walked up, "I will. I'm Thunderlane! The strongest pony on the team."

"Well, Thunderlane. Your title just got stolen!" And with that, Rainbow Dash gave him a powerful punch under the chin.

Thunderlane went soaring after her, but Rainbow Dash was faster. She caught Thunderlane from behind, and bucked his back.

Thunderlane howled, but managed to flip over and kick Rainbow Dash in the belly. Rainbow Dash yelped, but continued on, and gave a powerful, two-hoof hit in the chest. While she was doing that, Thunderlane managed to grab her legs and swing her around, and let go, letting her fly through the air. Rainbow recovered and charged toward him grabbed his back legs, but Thunderlane bucked her in the chest. Rainbow Dash used advantage of this and let go, quickly kicking his belly.

Her goal was to make him unconscious. She guessed that was his goal, too.

He went charging after her but she evaded, turned sharply and landed on his shoulders, as if she were riding him. She wrapped her hooves around his neck and pulled back, avoiding any air from getting into his lungs.

Thunderlane used his front hooves to kick Rainbow Dash's back legs but Rainbow Dash would not let go. Then Thunderlane stopped flapping and Rainbow Dash was holding him by his neck, while the rest of his body dangled. Quickly, she set him on the ground, and let him lay on his side, so he could get some air in.

Rainbow Dash breathed heavily, "Well?" she asked, looking at the shocked crowd.

Firefly came up slowly, a bemused look on her face.

Rainbow prepared for the worst, but instead...

"You've proved yourself Cloud Bouncer," Firefly said, "Promotion."

Then there was coughing and Thunderlane got up.

"Ugh...did I just get beat up by a mare?" he asked, rubbing his head.

"Pretty much." Rainbow Dash said, approaching him.

Thunderlane gasped, and backed away, "Please no!"

"Listen, everypony." she said, looking at the crowd that now feared her. "I'm not a monster. I don't fight a lot. My last fight was in tenth grade. But I proved myself."

The green mare walked up.

"No you haven't."

Rainbow Dash went in her face, "What do you mean I haven't?!"

For once, the green mare showed a sign of fear but said, "You can fight. But you haven't proved your speed."

Rainbow Dash growled.

"Alright then." She turned and faced Firefly.

"I, Rainbow Dash, challenge Firefly to a race."