On The Wings of Wind

On yet another bright, sunny day, everypony was gathered under Rainbow Dash's house by her mail box as they all awaited the news. The Pegasus had informed them all of her letter of application to the Wonderbolt Academy and wanted to wait with friends and family. Because the mail-pony was late today of all days, some nerves were highly-strung.

Despite learning of it from Scootaloo beforehoof, Zephyr was still hyper nervous for his girlfriend as he sat completely still. He did have utmost confidence in her skills, especially since he helped her train, but it was something he couldn't help. When Applejack asked if he ate any apples, Zephyr admitted to having an apple-themed breakfast and was wondering if that was the reason why.

Zephyr wasn't the only nervous one as Pinkie Pie bounced around trying to work it out of her system. It wasn't working. "Why is the mail-pony late today of all days?! The suspense is torturing me over here!"

Twilight looks between the two with an amused look. "At this point, both of you are nervous enough for Rainbow that she doesn't need to be."

Deep down Rainbow was nervous, but was doing her best to hide it. "Come on, you two. Between all my new training regimes and my default awesomeness, I'll get in no problem!"

"There's still a big IF! Don't jinx it!" Pinkie seemed close to a mental breakdown over how nervous she was.

Ironically, Pinkie's antics allowed Rainbow to further squash her own nervousness. "Have more confidence like I do! I'll get in, I assure you!"

"DON'T JINX IT!!!"

"Pinkie, don't... just... don't, please..." Zephyr's voice was small because he was trying his best not to follow Pinkie into a mental breakdown. Fluttershy put a wing over him to try and comfort him.

"I guess Zephyr can't help it due to his strange 'apple-strung' nature--" Applejack gave Rainbow a flat look over the name. "-- but I'm the best flyer in Ponyville! At this point, they should skip the process and just give me the uniform!"

"Special Delivery for Rainbow Dash?"

Rainbow quickly took the letter from the mail-pony, though Rarity made sure to give him a sapphire as a tip for his trouble. The Pegasus happily read the letter, only for her face to suddenly turn crest-fallen. "I... didn't get in..."

While the mares were all shocked, sans Fluttershy who was on the verge of tears, Zephyr looked simultaneously heartbroken and agonized with tears in his eyes. After... all that training... and it was for noth--

"Gotchya! You really thought I wouldn't get in?" She shows the letter which confirmed that she actually got in, complete with a green check mark on it. "You guys are so gullible--"

"YOU LITTLE--" Rainbow suddenly found herself tackled to the ground and in a head-lock from an frustrated Zephyr. "THAT'S what your weird look earlier today was about! Don't do that to me!"

"Hehe, I was long overdue in pranking my boyfriend again and figured today was a good day to do so!" Despite being head-locked, Rainbow couldn't stop grinning widely.

Applejack rolled her eyes as she and Rarity finalized the preparation of Rainbow's saddle bag. "Alright, ya' lovebirds, Rainbow should get going soon."

Zephyr let out a sigh as he switched from a head-lock to a proper hug. "You probably don't need to hear it, but good luck at the academy. From what I heard, it's a VERY different atmosphere there compared to a Wonderbolts show."

"No sweat! I'll be back within a week to show you all just how much I improved!" With those words, Rainbow swipes her saddle bag from Rarity and salutes her friends before leaving the area proper.

Pinkie pie rushed forward a bit and pulled out a megaphone, which caused Zephyr to panic and throw up a wind-based sound barrier around his friends and sister.

"DON'T FORGET TO WRIIIIIIIIIITE!!!"

While the Falconite's efforts did help, Pinkie megaphone scream still ended up frazzling everypony. "Do you think she heard me?" All that got were a bunch of flat looks.

Twilight flapped one of her ears to get the ringing out before smiling at Zephyr. "Rainbow's not the only one working hard. Looks like my magic lessons are paying off for you!"

"It's strange that I needed a brush with Poison Joke of all things to get me on the right path with my magic." Zephyr paused for a moment before look back in the direction Rainbow went. "A whole week, huh?"

Fluttershy nuzzles her brother. "I'm sure it'll be over before you know it! Though you're not the only one antsy about it." She looks over at Pinkie, who kept looking in the direction Rainbow Dash went with a worried look.

"Well, no sense waiting around. Let's all get back to work." Applejack put that forward before everypony started leaving the area.

Zephyr was flying through town some time later when he spotted Pinkie Pie at her mailbox, constantly checking for a letter as if hoping one would magically appear. I'm beginning to wonder if that mare has some co-dependency issues... not that I'm much better.

Applejack also walked by and couldn't bear to see her friend like this. "Pinkie Pie, Rainbow hasn't even been gone a whole day! Ah' highly doubt she'd even have time to write a letter, what with settling in and the initial 'tryouts'."

Pinkie looked sadly at her mailbox. "I-I know that, but I still want to be here to get Rainbow's letter when it DOES come!" While he knew it was in slightly bad taste, Zephyr got a mischievous idea.

"Don't worry about it! Actually, ah' heard Princess Celesita sent Twilight some new spells to work on. Why don't you take a break and come watch with us?"

"Huh, that actually sounds interesting. Okay!" As the two started walking away, Pinkie had a thought and was about to say something when the two heard the mailbox rattle. "Wait, that might be Rainbow Dash's letter!"

She opens the mailbbox and was overjoyed to see a letter before quickly ripping into it.

We have been trying to reach you about your party cannon's extended warranty.

That completely baffled Pinkie with a dumbfounded look. "Who, what, when, where, and why? Also, my party cannon has extended warranty?" Hearing some snickering, the two mares look up to see Zephyr with a pencil in his primary wing and a mischievous grin. "Zephy, were you the one who wrote this?"

"Yup! I know it's in poor taste, but I couldn't resist the temptation."

Right as Applejack was about to tell Zephyr off, Pinkie burst out laughing. "I never thought Zephy would pull a prank like this, let alone one unprompted! I guess Rainbow Dash has been just as much an influence on you as you on her!"

"I guess so. I'm definitely getting more bold with things like this." Zephyr flies down to the ground. "Ah, but considering you were anxiously waiting for a letter from Rainbow, I guess I got your hopes up for no reason."

"Actually... you did help alleviate some of it thanks to that! Even so..."

Zephyr came up with an idea. "Since I feel the same way, if I had to be honest with myself, I can take over waiting for a letter while you take a break and hang out with your friends. You'll drive yourself loopy if you do this for too long."

"Thanks, Zephyr. Ah'll bring Pinkie along to Twilight's. Maybe I'll ask somepony to bring something that can entertain you during the wait."

"Thanks, AJ. Let me know how Twilight's spells go!" The two mares wave as Zephyr sat down beside the mailbox.

After some time, Rarity came by with a magazine that was popular with stallions so that the Falconite didn't get too bored with his vigil. I can't believe it, but my time as a Royal Guard actually came in handy here of all places...

After a bit longer, Pinkie returned to relieve Zephyr of his duty, looking a lot more joyful than before. Due to how late it was getting, Zephyr went home to cook dinner for Scootaloo, wondering all the while if Rainbow was alright and if she really was 'wowing' the instructors.

A day later, Pinkie was at it again constantly checking the mailbox. Eventually, Zephyr decided to try a new approach. "Pinkie, if you're still anxious about it, you can write Rainbow a letter and I can deliver it to her."

"You can, Zephy? What about your duties here?"

"All done, plus it's not like I'll be gone for a few days. I might not be as fast as Rainbow, but I'm still fast and I can make it there and back in no time. Plus, me doing this will have the added benefit of me letting you know how she is doing."

Pinkie thought about it for a bit before zipping into Sugar Cube Corner for a moment before zipping back out with a sealed envelope. "Oki-doki-loki! Have a safe trip!"

"No worries!"

With a wave to the pink mare, Zephyr takes off and heads towards the Wonderbolt Academy. While it was a trip and a half, the Falconite eventually reached the Academy. There was plenty of activity outside still, but it was clear it was either break time or the end of the training day since there weren't as many Pegasi out and about.

Quickly seeing that Rainbow was not outside, Zephyr approached one of the instructors and saluted him. "Excuse me, sir, but I have a letter marked for one Rainbow Dash!"

"Hmm, you don't look like a mail-pony... but I suppose you just wanted to deliver your letter yourself. Alright, but I'll have to accompany you while you do so." Zephyr nods and the two head into the main building.

The first place the instructor showed him was the mess hall and, sure enough, that's where Rainbow Dash was with a light-green Pegasus mare with yellow mane and tail. Approaching the two, Zephyr gives a salute. "Private Dash, you have a letter here for you!"

That startled Rainbow, especially when she saw who it was. "Zephyr?! What are you doing here?"

"Playing mail-pony today. A certain mutual pink friend of ours has been anxious about hearing if you're doing alright, so I offered to bring a letter to you myself." Zephyr gives the letter to Rainbow, who takes it with a slight wince which he notices. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm doing just fine--"

"You're not completely fine." Zephyr quickly honed in on the fact that Rainbow's wing was damaged, prompting him it caress it with his. "You're hurt. It might just be bruising, but even that can cause issues for flying concentration."

The wing hold made Rainbow blush a bit. "I-it'll heal in time for when I get to training tomorrow! Don't worry!"

Zephyr chewed on his cheek in disbelief, but chose to trust Rainbow's judgement. "Fine, but get yourself to the medical bay if the problem gets worse. I won't touch on HOW you got that bruise, but you already know my feelings on you being reckless, so please take care of yourself." With that, he leaves the mess hall.

The Pegasus sitting across from Rainbow Dash, Lightning Dust, cocked an eyebrow. "Who was that, your brother?"

"My boyfriend." That made Lightning give Rainbow a look of disbelief. "What? Do I look like a mare who doesn't want a boyfriend?"

"Yes, but that's not important I guess. His wings were pretty big compared to yours and that got me curious." She suddenly grins at her wingpony. "Just don't get sappy on me. We're here to prove we're the best of the best! I don't need you going soft on me when it counts the most."

Rainbow sighed at the statement, but chose not to comment on it. She was already having doubts about her "leader" but figured it would be pointless to try and argue about it further. She made sure to keep the letter sealed until she can read it more privately.

On his way out, Zephyr ran into Spitfire, who was surprised to see him. "Zephyr, while I do know you, no unauthorized ponies should be in the main building unless you're in the lobby or in one of the offices."

"Apologies, Commander Spitfire, but he wished to deliver a letter to one of the trainees. I made sure to escort him so he didn't do anything untoward."

Zephyr, understanding that it wasn't the time and place for catch-up, saluted his foalhood friend. "I have delivered my letter to my girlfriend and will be taking my leave. Apologies if my presence disrupted anything here."

Spitfire noted that the salute was closer to a Royal Guard one than a Wonderbolt one, making her wonder what Zephyr was up to in his life. In addition, it shocked her to learn he had a girlfriend. As much as she wanted to talk more with him, she had to remain in her drill instructor attitude. "Good, but try not to overstay your welcome next time. Next time you want to deliver something, hand it off to an Academy instructor or staff and let them deliver it. Dismissed!"

After getting escorted back outside, Zephyr took off and went right back to Ponyville. It was close to sunset when he returned, though he barely touched down when Pinkie zipped up to him. "So how was she? Was she doing fine? Was she eating well--"

"She's mostly fine Pinkie. She had a wing injury, but told me it'll heal by tomorrow. And before you say anything, I made sure to impress upon her that if it gets worse she should seek medical attention."

Pinkie looked uncertain but noted that, despite his main tone being even, Zephyr still had concern over his girlfriend. "Don't worry, Zephy! If I get a reply from Rainbow Dash, you'll be the first to know!"

"Just... make sure you take breaks, okay? Spend too long out here and the twins will miss you."

"That's just not fair!" Pinkie really didn't want to make Pumpkin and Pound sad, but she also didn't want to miss any potential letters.

"Nothing's fair in love and war, Pinkie." Zephyr couldn't help plugging one of his songs in as he gave her a wry smile, which the party pony rolled her eyes at.

"She really doesn't know how to take advice like that, does she?"

The next day, all of Pinkie's friends saw the pink mare STILL at the mailbox constantly checking whenever she wasn't falling asleep. It was to the point Zephyr's worry over Rainbow was getting overshadowed by his worry over Pinkie.

Fluttershy looked uncertain. "I wish there was something that could help--"

"Help me?" Pinkie had zipped over to the group, startling everypony. "The only thing that could possibly help me right now is a letter from Rainbow Dash! It's been three days already and she hasn't sent a single one! By now, she probably doesn't even know our names anymore! She probably can't remember our--"

"PINKIE!" Zephyr gave her a few soft wing slaps to the head before squishing her cheeks with both wings. "We get you're super worried about Rainbow, we really do! But you're not doing yourself or even HER any favors by stressing yourself out like this! Have more faith in her loyalty! It'll take more than a week of absence to make her forget us!"

When her cheeks were let go, Pinkie looked down sadly. "I-I know that I should... I just have a hard time being separated from one of my friends like this! Thoughts of being forgotten always pervade my mind..." That made Twilight wonder if Pinkie Pie has abandonment issues.

"Don't forget that you sent Zephyr to deliver a letter yesterday. I REALLY doubt she would forget us just like THAT." Rarity made sure to remind Pinkie of that fact.

Pinkie suddenly brightened her mood. "Maybe we could do one better! Instead of JUST a letter, how about a care package! It'll help motivate Dashie even more, even if she-- NO STOP IT PINKIE SHE WON'T FORGET US!"

Twilight could tell Pinkie was trying really hard to have more faith in her friend. "A care package does sound like a good idea. I just hope we won't annoy Rainbow Dash with all the deliveries."

Fluttershy could tell what Pinkie was thinking because she said, "maybe all of us can go this time instead of just big brother? W-while it might be a bother, I'm sure she'll appreciate all of us visiting to see how she is."

Rarity thought about it before smiling at the idea. "A hot air balloon trip would be nice. Perhaps I'll even gain some inspiration from the Academy while we're there!"

"Just remember that we can't go inside the building, so hopefully we'll catch Rainbow between activities outside." Zephyr made sure to point that out thanks to his own visit yesterday.

"Well, what are we waiting for?! Let's get that care package made and delivered!"

As the mares turned to leave the back alley, they all heard a thump behind them. Zephyr had fallen onto the ground with an exhausted look on his face. Applejack immediately knew what happened and smirked. "Got yer' magic drained again, sugahcube?"

"Yay for my weakness to Earth Ponies..." Despite the situation, the mares laughed at Zephyr's deadpan voice. Twilight quickly teleported away before coming back with a magic restorative, which Zephyr downed. "Ugh, I'm glad I'm training myself to handle bitter flavors."

Pinkie giggled, her more depressed mood now gone. "You have been ordering more dark chocolate items from Sugar Cube Corner lately. I think I can guess as to why you do so!" That got a blush from Zephyr as he got back up.

After everypony donated an item to the care package, they all loaded up in Twilight's hot air balloon and took off. Thanks to the magic restorative he drank, Zephyr felt fine enough to fly beside the balloon as he helped direct it towards the Academy.

When they breached the clouds near their destination, Applejack was shocked at what she saw. "It's a twister!"

"A WHAT?!" Zephyr zipped around the basket and saw the grey twister approaching the balloon, which made him panic. "Oh nonono, why is there a twister here?!"

"Big brother!" Fluttershy called out, terrified her brother was going to get shredded by the wind.

Zephyr grimaced at his sister's voice before looking at the encroaching twister with a glare. "You're not getting ANYPONY! NOT ON MY WATCH!"

Having already seen which way it was spinning, Zephyr put all his effort and magic into conjuring a light-green twister spinning the other way before launching it. Rainbow recovered enough to see the two twisters combine for a second before the green one vanished, though the grey one was massively slowed down.

Twilight watched in horror as every single feather on Zephyr's secondary wings turned to dust without even falling off first. "Zephyr! Get into the basket! You're in no shape to--" she was interrupted when the basket started rocking in the wind. Thanks to Zephyr's efforts, the balloon was in no danger of being destroyed.

Zephyr was too exhausted to even fight the weakened twister. Between getting drained by Pinkie Pie earlier and now his stunt, he got swept away and launched towards the ground. Rainbow saw it and cried out as she rushed towards where he was falling, barely catching him before he hit the ground like he had with her so many times in the past.

Zephyr coughed harshly before looking at his girlfriend. "I'm... sorry I disrupted you like that..."

"You idiot! That twister was partially MY fault and you had to clean it up for me to protect our friends! Now look what happened: Your secondaries are featherless and you're utterly exhausted!"

"Dashie! Zephy!" Rainbow saw the balloon land as Pinkie jumped off and ran right up to the pair with tears in her eyes. "You're okay! You're both okay~!"

Rainbow realized she had yet to ask a certain question. "Why is everypony here?"

Applejack brought out the care package that they managed to keep safe from the twister remains. "We wanted to give ya' a care package, sugahcube. Still, it seems like even Zephyr was caught off guard by that twister drill you were going through."

A wave of guilt washed over Rainbow but before she could say anything, Lightning Dust suddenly swooped in. "That was awesome! I don't know where that other tornado came from, but we busted so many clouds with the one we--"

"Awesome? I really don't think so..." Everypony who came from Ponyville started backing off when they heard Rainbow's voice drop dangerously low as she glared at Lightning. "That tornado could have seriously hurt my friends if Zephyr hadn't been nearby. Not only that, HE pushed himself beyond his limits just to try and fix OUR screw up! And all you can think of is how "awesome" it all was and how many clouds we busted?!"

Lightning was unfazed as she glared back. "Isn't that all that matters? We're here to prove ourselves to the Wonderbolts and make them want us on the team!"

"Putting everypony around you in danger is NOT the way to do it! I'm competitive, but there's a limit to how far I'll go before I back off!"

"And yet, Spitfire made me the leader. If that's not proof--"

That was the last straw as Rainbow got in Lightning's face with her glare even deeper. "You're no leader. You're just selfish and egotistical. If Spitfire really chose you because you represent what they want, then I know what I'm doing." With that, she shoves Lightning out of the way and heads towards the main building while the light-green Pegasus rolls her eyes in irritation and flies off. Zephyr, getting a bad feeling, did his best to follow his girlfriend while telling everypony he needed to go as well.

Spitfire was in her office when Rainbow slammed the door open. "Keep the door on the hinges, newbie. You're supposed to be--"

"Cleaning out the clouds. Already finished..." Rainbow was doing her best to keep her aggression levels down, but it was difficult considering what just happened.

"Wait, already? That's an Academy record as well! Care to tell me your methods?"

Rainbow decided to use this as a bit of a test for her idol. "Certainly, ma'am. Lightning Dust decided a tornado of all things would work."

"That's... excessive, but it's definitely effective considering your--"

"Effective? More like destructive!" The pedestal Rainbow once kept Spitfire on was beginning to collapse. "That tornado nearly maimed my friends and it took everything out of my boyfriend just to try and keep everypony SAFE! He exhausted everything and nearly had a bad fall, yet here you are praising the recklessness of it all!

"Is this really what it means to be a Wonderbolt? Is the only qualities necessary to become one is being reckless and disregarding the safety of everypony around you? If so, then I've had it."

While Spitfire was surprised to hear Rainbow Dash had a boyfriend, she was more concerned with what the blue Pegasus was saying. "Just spill it, newbie. What are you getting at?"

Rainbow slams her badge onto the desk. "I quit. I refuse to be a part of something that can hurt my friends and loved ones. I'd sooner abandon my dream if it means keeping them safe." With those words, Rainbow leaves the office and a stunned Spitfire.

Zephyr couldn't make it in time to help Rainbow out, but he did hear the tail end of what happened. "Rainbow... are you really going to abandon your dreams because of this?"

"Sorry, Zephyr, but that's how it is. I... I don't want what happened to you or what could've happened to our friends to happen if that's what they incentivize. I can always find a new dream to follow... but I can never get any of you back if something were to happen to you all..." While the post-quitting regret did settle in for Rainbow after she left the office, she stood resolute in her decision as the two headed towards the exit.

"But... what are you going to do now?"

"While I look for a new dream to work towards, I'll support your dream--"

Zephyr shook his head. "That's the thing, Rainbow. I don't have a dream I want to accomplish. When I heard Twilight was allowed to advance her studies in magic after the Crystal Empire, I realized... I had nothing. I'm coasting along in life with no direction and somehow stumbling into everything I do. That's why I came to the conclusion that... if I didn't have a dream to follow, then the least I could do was support yours."

While that did increase Rainbow's guilt, she remained steadfast. "I understand, but I'm not changing my mind. Perhaps, when I get a new dream, you can still support me then." Recognizing that his girlfriend wouldn't be swayed, Zephyr accepted it while mentally acknowledging he tried his best but the final decision was hers.

As the two went out, their friends got the same answers as Zephyr when they inquired about her quitting. When Pinkie was about to argue against it, Zephyr raised a wing to tell her it's already decided. Thanks to the hot air balloon being intact, the Falconite could be transported away due to him still being exhausted.

"Hold it!" Everypony looks over to see Spitfire approaching. "You left before I could say anything-- Zephyr?!"

The Falconite let out a sigh. "Spits... what's happened to you? You would have never approved of this back when we both lived in Manehattan all those years ago. Yet... here you are today, rewarding potential recruits for destroying either themselves or those around them if it means getting ahead. When did the light fade from your eyes?"

Rainbow was stunned when the two dropped the implication that they knew each other, but refocused when Spitfire sighed. "You're right... I lost sight of who I was a long time ago after I became Captain after my father. I had become obsessed with results... rather than keeping a close eye on the methods used to get them. It wasn't until Rainbow Dash unloaded on me did I realize... the Wonderbolts had drifted from their path."

Taking off her aviator sunglasses, Spitfire gives Rainbow a look of approval. "You're right, newbie... no, Rainbow Dash. Being a Wonderbolt isn't about being reckless, but about working together as a team to accomplish a goal. It's about pushing ourselves while minding those who wish to do the same around us. You stood up for what you valued and for that... you're no wing pony, but a true leader."

Spitfire suddenly attached a gold badge to Rainbow's uniform, one that denoted a leader. In the background, a shamed Lightning Dust was being escorted away by a couple of instructors, wondering what went wrong. Rainbow was overjoyed, but one thing still nagged at her as much as she tried to ignore it.

Spitfire, having reconciled with a high-potential recruit, puts her glasses back on and goes right back into drill sergeant mode. "Now, if you're done dawdling, GET OUT THERE AND GIVE ME TWENTY!"

Rainbow salutes excitably as she takes off. As the other recruits salute her, acknowledging Rainbow as their leader, they all fly to begin their training anew.

"Wait! You forgot to open your care package!" Pinkie Pie cried out while holding said package.

"Second verse, same as the first, Pinkie. Leave it here for her and she'll get to it on her own time." Zephyr watched his girlfriend fly off with a warm heart, happy she never had to give up on her dream.

Spitfire was looking out the window of her office wistfully when she heard a knock at the door. "Enter."

Rainbow enters the room with a bit of a nervous look. "Ma'am, is you calling me here about my actions before?"

"No, you had every right to be mad when it came down to the brass tacks. I went over the rules with my team and instructors to try and discourage blatant disregard to the ponies around you. However, that whole thing isn't why I called for you." Spitfire gives Rainbow a small smirk. "How did you manage to land Zephyr as a boyfriend?"

While the question was embarrassing, Rainbow saw an opportunity to find out about a nag she had. "I can if you'll tell me how you know him."

"Give-and-take, huh? I can respect it. I understand this is far outside the realm of professionalism, but I wonder about it... because he's my foalhood friend."

That revelation shocked Rainbow Dash. "He's-- REALLY?! That dork's going to get an earful from me for hiding that when I get home!"

"Truthfully, we've only known each other for 3 years before I moved out of Manehattan to start proper training to become a Wonderbolt. The next time I met him after that was at the Grand Galloping Gala. Did... he ever tell you about that night?"

"No. That was back when we weren't on speaking terms and that time period was painful for him." Spitfire was curious about what happened, but left it alone. "All I know is that I met you, you invited me into the VIP area, you started getting talked to by nobles constantly, only to suddenly start paying more attention to me. It was thanks to that last point that I didn't have to do anything reckless to get your attention... I was more reckless back then, truthfully."

That got a wry smile out of Spitfire. "Then it would interest you to know that he was the one who suggested I gauge your worth that night."

Rainbow was shocked by that revelation. "H-he did help me that night... and I never knew or realized..."

"He was even concerned that him recommending you would undermine your own efforts, something you know now wouldn't be true. And before you say anything, I took his advice not because he was my foalhood friend, but because he also had potential as a Wonderbolt even when he was younger. The reason he isn't one was because he was worried his "curse" would adversely affect the team dynamic. He was an excellent flyer back then and, from what I saw during the tornado creation, he's still good at it."

"Then... how do I compare to him?"

Spitfire studied Rainbow's face before chuckling. "I can't compare you two because it's an unfair comparison. There's two types of Pegasus fliers: Those who fly like the wind and those who race like lightning. The former can't fly the fastest but have excellent maneuverability with their wings and Zephyr is one of them even before he revealed his wind magic. The latter group, which you belong to, has a harder time with flight maneuvering but are capable of outracing everypony else."

Rainbow breathed a sigh of relief. "So I really am flying on my own merits. Thank you for all the answers, now it's time I give you mine."

After learning about how they reached their relationship status, Spitfire sighed. "I envy you, Rainbow Dash."

"Wha-- me?! You're on top of the world we're in, why would you envy me?!"

"Because... I missed my opportunity with him back when we were younger. Part of why I tried convincing him to join the Wonderbolts was so we could stay together. Now? I've got my career, but nopony to share it with in my private life." Spitfire glares at Rainbow. "Cherish him because the career path you're going down will not afford you any chance at genuine love, only ones who want to marry you for your status."

"I'm... sorry..."

"Don't be. I made my choice long ago. Just make sure you don't regret yours."