Chapters My day started off fine. I got up preparing for what would be the biggest day of my life or so I thought. I awoke exactly 30 minutes before the alarm clock would blare through the cottage. I stretched out my wings and got ready to try out for the wonder bolts. I had already done so many things for them before. I even saved some of them before, but I still ahve that nagging fear of failure in the back of my mind that will haunt me forever.
Then, Mystery awoke to the alarm clock.
"Shut that off.", he grumbled.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you, sweetie.", I said.
"Well, i'm up now. Why are you up so early?", he asked.
"You know today is the day I try out for the Wonder bolts. I've been telling this to you for weeks now. Haven't you been listening?", I said.
"Of course I've been listening. How am I supposed to not listen? You only talked about it every second for weeks.", he stated.
"Well, get up. You can come on my morning flight if you want.", I playfully joked.
"Of course, I'm coming.", he said.
An hour later we were both racing through the sky. Mystery is the only other pony I know who can keep up. I hope I don't have to slow down for the Wonder bolts.
We got back to the cottage with still two hours to prepare. I know Mystery, along with my friends will be in the crowd cheering me on which will help.
"I'm gonna jump in the shower real quick, okay?", I called out.
"That's fine", he called back.
I had met Mystery when he helped me destroy the Rainbow Factory and get Scootaloo back, too.
I showered off and exited the shower only to get my wing caught on the shower curtain somehow. I yanked it off but my wing gave out a short shot of pain through it. I held it up and it was fine. Whew, that could've been a lot worse I have to be careful.
"You ready, Mystery?", I asked.
"Yeah.", he said.
We arrived at the competition and I was ushered backstage and Mystery went into the crowds to sit with his friends. I looked out and saw Pinkie practically falling over the edge of the stands as she waved to me, but luckily Fluttershy was holding on to her.
I reluctantly made my way to the starting platform. I started my stretches by stretching my wings and getting ready. I was going to do the same routine as the one I did at the Best Young Fliers competition, but this time I wasn't going to mess up.
"This is what we're looking for. We want a fast, agile, and young pony. Are you up to the challenge?", yelled Spitfire.
I nodded my head cocking my legs getting ready to start.
"Well, then go.", she said.
Then the small starter pistol shot and I was off. I perfectly maneuvered through the clouds and started to spin them. I felt the pain shoot through my right wing that had been the one caught in the curtain earlier.
"Oh no.", I mumbled.
The pain went through my wing again and it immediately tucked itself against my side. I immediately flopped to the side and flew awkwardly. I pulled it back out and ignored the pain. I started to push through the sound barrier, the pain intensifying and the stretch becoming audible.
I couldn't take it anymore and the elastic barrier fought back and I was sent crashing right into Pinkie Pie. I got up and all I could feel was the crowds' looks of shock and dissapointment at me and I know I have failed yet again.
I bolted off towards my cottage hearing the shouts of Mystery telling me to slow down behind me but I couldn't. I couldn't face my fears of failure, because I should just face it I am a failure. Instead, I flew past the cottage heading away from Ponyville i'm a failure and every pony knows it. They saw it and I can't deny it.
I made my way through the thick underbrush of the Ever free Forest. Tonight, I would go back gather my stuff and move someplace else. I can't stay here I have failed for the last time and it's time to move on.
I went back and ignored the calls of my name and flew past Mystery making my way towards our room. I picked up the small saddlebag and shoved only my important belongings in there. I flew past him, again. I glanced into the room and there on a dresser was me and my five friends. The ponies also known as the mane six but I left it behind.
"Dashie, don't leave. Everything is going to be all right. Please don't leave me alone.", cried Mystery.
I turned to him and yelled, "I can't be a failure anymore. I have to go."
He looked at me with sorrow and misery in his eyes. I kissed him one lest time and left the cottage behind. I can't stand to hurt Mystery but I guess I have to.
I went back to the forest and i fell to the ground crying in my misery. I couldn't stop crying.
"Rainbow Crash. Rainbow Crash you're a failure.", I heard the tormenting swirl in my head.
"Why are you all alone?', I heard some pony say.
I looked up and saw a tall stallion wearing a costume that resembled the Wonder bolts costume but it was dark.
"Wh- Who are you?", I asked wearily.
"You don't remember me? That's kinda disappointing, Dash.", said the shadow bolt.
"No, i'm sorry I don't remember you.", I said.
"That's sad to here, Dashie. I'm Star Fire and I guess you need to be re introduced to the others as well", said Wind Fire.
Then 6 other ponies in the same costume stepped forward.
"Here's Soarin', you'll see he has the same name as a wonder bolt.", he leaned in," but don;t mention that to him he gets a bit angry. Then, there's just ole' Sky Dream . He's my brother. Here's Primrose, she's my girlfriend.", he said proudly as the small mare blushed beneath the fabric.
"Then, there's Cyan skies.", again he leaned in and whispered," don't tell but I told but he has a little crush on you.", he winked.
"There's Rumble, watch out she's a little shy. Last but not least, Sunny Daze, that's Rumble's sister.", he said.
I was cautious of these seven ponies.
"Well what do you want with me?", I asked.
"We want the same thing we wanted last time. For you to join us to help us rise to the top to over throw the Wonder bolts. Just think about it, they look of their faces when they see the big mistake they have made.", he said.
"I don't know.", I said wearily.
"Oh come on Dashie. This could be a new beginning for you and you get all the fame and attention you've been looking for.", he pleaded.
This could be my new beginning. I could finally find my way and stop being a failure.
"Yes i'll do it.", I said confidently
"Really?", they all said in unison.
They did seem truly excited and sincere.
"Yes really.", I said growing more excited.
They all cheered and told me to follow them back to official Shadow bolt training camp. I followed excitedly trying to contain my excitement.
We arrived at the large gloomy camp. The weather ponies didn't seem to be doing there jobs here.
"Well of course it's training season so let's get started. You go out and do some laps while I get you costume.", said Primrose.
"OK, and thanks for letting me have this opportunity", I said.
I was making my way to the field when Sky Dream came up beside me.
"Hey you think you're gonna have it easy here?", he said angrily.
"No of course not.", I said.
"You can;t leave now. You're going to help us rise up.", he said.
Then he flung himself into me and knocked me into the wall.
"Yeah, you're not gonna have it easy. Star Fire may let you have it easy but I sure won't", he yelled.
He stepped on my wing and snapped it.
"Now, go out and do you laps.", he yelled.
"How can I? My wing might be broken.", I said fighting tears.
"I said go!", he yelled.
I went out to the field and stared out at the gloomy field with the misty cloud rings and set off trying to ignore the pain that seared through now both of my wings.
I slowed a bit from the pain and stopped for a break at the same moment Sky Dream walked in.
"ARE YOU RESTING?!", he yelled.
I immediately got back up and doubled my speed despite the pain. I tried to ignore Sky Dream chasing me and yelling answer me. I flew off the course into the clouds. I was trying to escape them to get back home but i'm pretty sure Sky Dream is the only one acting like this. I still can't go home.
"Get back here it's lunch.", yelled Primrose.
I turned back around because I do believe Primrose isn't as bad as Sky Dream. I flew back on landed on the small platform tucking my wings instinctively against my sides. It was good to give them a rest after all the pain they've been through.
"Follow me, the lunchroom is this way.", she said looking at me disdainfully.
Great I guess she's like Sky Dream, too. I followed them at a distance studying their body language. Sky Dream seemed to be happy about something because his wings were standing up. I snickered but luckily he didn't hear.
The lunchroom was quite small which was to be expected since there were only 8 of us. They had protein shakes but that all so I grabbed one and headed to a table in the corner. There were only two tables and I didn't really want to be with the rest of the ponies. I studied them as they sat down. I was paying attention to how they joked and I was listening to see if they were talking about me.
"Hey, Star Fire do you have an infirmary?", I asked cautiously.
"Yeah, why what's wrong?", he asked seeming genuinely concerned.
"I hurt my wing.", I said lifting it to show its mangled form.
"Oh, it's right across the hall. Do you need me to take you there?",he said.
"No i'm fine.", I replied sadly as I noticed Sky Dream glaring at me.
I made my way over to the infirmary. I tried to ignore Sky Dream following me but it was hard. Luckily the infirmary was only across the hall.
I walked in to find Nurse Red-heart there.
"Oh hello Dash. It's a surprise to see you here. What can I help you with?", she asked.
"I hurt both my wings.", I said.
"Oh just take this medicine.", she said.
"Okay, thanks.", I said.
I took it then went back to the lunchroom to find it empty. I suddenly felt a burst of energy and my wings didn't hurt anymore. I flew off towards the training grounds and found them doing weights so I joined them.
"Ahem, aren't you supposed to be flying?", said Sky Dream.
"Uh, yeah i'll go do that.", I said nervously.
I flew off and did 20 laps before my spurt of energy dissapeared but they weren't hurting at least. I kept going , hoping Sky Dream wouldn't come out. I groaned and realized that I've made a mistake I should be at home with my friends who would've eventually gotten over my failure and accepted it instead of messing up my wing.
It's been so hard keeping myself within the boundaries of the prison of the training camp. I can watch and wait for one day to see my five friends faces again. Ti remember me and be with me.
At least my wing is healed now. i don't need the medicine anymore for it, but I do need it for other minor things that Sky Dream likes to break of me, like a worthless vase someone keeps constantly breaking for fun then replacing it but just ends up doing to same thing with it.
"Let me go home.", I cried out.
"Home? This is your home.",said Sky Dream all while snapping my wing again.
"No back home to Ponyville.", I cried.
"You know i'm actually tired of hurting you. Why can't you just accept this is where you belong. Rainbow don't yo see it's been awhile since you first came here. Don't you think your friends would have found you by now if they were looking?", he said kindly for the first time.
"I don't know", I said.
I pushed faster through the air. I crossed over the finish line for the thirty- second time and it felt kind of good. I looked past the gloomy clouds towards Ponyville. Oh, what I would do to go back. I have realized that there is times in a ponies life when they need to fail. They will get over it and they will move on. But, I think I have figured this out a bit to late.
"Go faster!", yelled Sky Dream.
He had broken so many of my bones in the past three months that I don;t even feel it anymore. That's ok with me as long as i'm part of the Shadow bolts. We will rise to the top. We will be the best. I am what they call a Shadow Bolt.
We are leaving to go to Ponyville for our very first air show. I pull on the tight form fitting costume and get ready. Now, that I have done better Sky Blaze has a eased up a little bit on me. We leave in a hour and I get to perform. Now, I get to show every pony what I have become. I can show them i'm not a failure. I can especially show the Wonder bolts what i have become.
We arrive to the cheering stadium. I look over and see the five ponies formally known as my best friends making their way towards me.
"Hey, where have you been? I didn't know you were a Shadow Bolt. Why did you leave so long? Are the Shadow bolts cool?", pinkie rambled on.
"No.", I said blatantly.
"No, what do you mean No?", she said clearly taken a back.
"I mean No.", I said.
Pinkie instantly started to deflate, while Twilight stepped forward.
"You do remember the last time fame went to your head. The Mare Do Well incident.", said Twilight.
"How could the fame have gotten to my head if i'm not even famous yet?", I said.
"I don't know", said Twilight thinking hard.
"Maybe, It's just I don't want to be any of your friends anymore.", I said coldly.
Then I listened to Pinkie cry as I walked away. It was better to get rid of them now that I have the Shadow Bolts as my friends. They don't care about me.
"Why didn't you save me.", I whispered.
I looked back for my last time as I saw all five of my former friends telling Mystery what happened. He turned and saw me staring. Maybe, at that moment I would've gone back but instead he did nothing to come after me. I guess everything Sky Dream said was true. He just wanted me to know the truth but I wouldn't listen.
For so long I had though I was trapped at the training camp as if it were my torture cell, but it wasn't. It was the place to stop my failure and continue to make my self better and now I have and I vow never to fail again. I have left behind the things that have held me back so long. The biggest one of all being my fear.
Eventually, every pony was going to move on for each other I just speeded up the process and left first which also meant I wouldn't go through the pain of losing any pony. I find it better this way.
