Author's Note

Revisions are planned! :D

Honoring Rainbow Dash

Looking around the room I hadn't noticed just how many ponies were there. They were all wearing suits and high-quality dresses. Some were more beautiful than others though most were quite unique in their designs. Rarity had outdone herself yet again on the dress she was wearing and anypony here could tell which dresses were designed by the beautiful white unicorn.

Noticing one of the more prestigious mares in Equestria entering the room I took one last drink of my wine before setting the glass on a nearby table. Walking towards the mare I started thinking of what I could possibly say, perhaps something about her gown or something regarding her purpose at that particular gathering. Hmmm...

As I approached the mare she turned towards me, bowed, and smiled. “Your highness, you were the last pony I had expected to meet here. What brings you to a Wonderbolts coronation?”

“Well, Rainbow Dash is a friend of mine. I only thought it appropriate that I made an appearance for her.” I spoke with a smooth voice even though I was nervous. It's still strange to have so many ponies bowing down and silencing themselves by your mere presence. “And please, just call me Twilight. How have you been doing, Spitfire? Proud to have Rainbow Dash joining your ranks?”

“It's been some time since we've had a pony with her talent join us. Though I hadn't expected this party to be so... formal.”

“Honestly, neither had I.” I answered with a laugh, Spitfire laughed as well.

“Well, I'm glad I was able to make it here in time. Have I missed anything yet?” Her expression showed little concern as if she already knew the answer.

“Not at all, Fluttershy should be almost ready to begin the main event.”

“Really now, well hopefully Rainbow won't mind me showing up. After all, isn't tonight her last night here in Ponyville?” Spitfire asked as she began walking towards the beverage table nearby. Bottles of wine, apple cider as well as many other beverages lined the table with glasses set out so anypony could take a drink at any moment. Though there were two ponies there to pour and serve the drinks.

“Actually, I think she'd be delighted to have you speak on her behalf. Oh and yes, tonight is her last night with us. As you know, she'll be leaving us to move to Rainbow Falls. Of course, her friends and I will miss her dearly.” I bowed my head for a short moment, “I imagine the weather team will get along without their loyal leader.

“I'm proud to have her join us. She should have been amongst our ranks a long time ago when she first proved herself at the academy. You know, she graduated top of the class, both on paper and in the air.” Spitfire nodded towards the wine and a stallion standing near the end of the table stepped over and poured a drink for her.

Off at the other end of the room, Octavia's band had slowed to a stop and the rooms lights were dimmed. After only a few moments, Fluttershy's birds began their song as Mayor Mare stepped out onto the stage and a spotlight landed on her. “Looks like the ceremony has started, Come on Spitfire, we have to get up there before too long.” I smiled and began heading towards the edge of the crowd forming around the stage.

“With all that I've seen from the amazing mare we're here for, I must say it makes me sad to see her go. Rainbow Dash, please come up here.” Mayor Mare said into the microphone and almost immediately, Rainbow Dash came flying through the room and landed on the stage wearing the rainbow dress Rarity had created for the Grand Galloping Gala those many years ago. As the crowds cheers came to a slow rumble Mayor Mare began to speak, “Rainbow Dash, I want to award you with this medal. It represents our town and those who you've helped, we all want you to take this and treasure it for us. Through all the storms and sunny days you've spent here in Ponyville. We're saddened to see you leave. You've saved our town many times and you've saved our residents more than once. Such as saving young Aura from the well when she had fallen in. That young filly will always remember you for that good deed. With this medal, we hope you will represent your home and help others like you had helped us. With Celestia herself as my witness, I wish you the best of luck with the Wonderbolts.” Mayor Mare turned towards Rainbow Dash and placed the medal on the fringe of her dress.

“Thank you, Mayor Mare. I promise to do my best, for all of Ponyville!” She smiled a big smile and looked out over the cheering crowd. I'd never seen her so happy.

I watched as Mayor Mare stepped aside and allowed Applejack to step up to the microphone. “You're one of my best friends and I know you'll be well off with your new friends there in Rainbow Falls, and anywhere else you end up going. Celestia chose well when she gave you your new title.” Applejack had turned towards Rainbow Dash and gave her a hug. Applejack had whispered something to her friend before stepping back and standing next to Mayor Mare.

The next pony to step forward was Pinkie Pie, wearing her Grand Galloping Gala dress as well. She bounced across the stage and stood squarely with the microphone. “Hey, everypony! My friend Rainbow Dash has always been there for me whenever I needed her, even remembering my birthday when I had forgotten about it! That's pretty impressive because I always remember everything about everyone and it just slipped by me. When I believed I had lost my bestest of friends, she was willing to drag me all the way out to Applejack's barn and prove to me that I did have a friend and that they had planned a surprise party just for me! I'm going to miss you Rainbow Dash and I know I won't be able to prank you again for a long time. So cheers!” She held up two glasses of wine, one for herself and one for Rainbow, who accepted without thinking twice, once their glasses touched they both took drinks. Rainbow Dash began coughing and panting almost immediately while Pinkie Pie just laughed. “Hot sauce tastes good doesn't it Dash?” A Stallion, one of Mayor Mare's staff stepped forward from the edge of the stage and gave Rainbow Dash a cup of water to clear her throat. He also left with both glasses of wine, giving Pinkie a dirty look on his way off stage.

“Good one, Pinkie Pie. You got me,” she laughed.

Once Pinkie had taken her place near Applejack. The Next pony to step onto the stage was Rarity, sporting a new dress she had designed herself. A beautiful off-white dress which sparkled with small diamonds and had beautiful sapphire designs which had rubies set in their centers. It was quite stunning, even I had some trouble keeping track of the designs. They may as well have been moving!

After a few short moments to show off her dress, she stepped up to the microphone and looked out across the crowd before turning her attention to Rainbow Dash. Speaking into the microphone she said, “You know, Rainbow Dash, we never got along simply because we're from two different worlds, but you will always be a sister to me. A pony I know I can count on. A pony I know I can trust with even my life. You've always been there for me when I needed you, even though dressmaking isn't exactly your cup of tea. You've always been willing to help out in any way you can. I'm so proud of you!” She stepped away from the microphone and gave Rainbow Dash a bit hug before stepping back and standing next to Pinkie Pie.

After Rarity, I watched as Scootaloo stumbled nervously out onto the stage. Scootaloo took a deep breath and closed her eyes, trying to focus herself and stop shivering like she was. Once her eyes opened again she stepped up onto a stool, in order to be tall enough to speak into the microphone comfortably. “Hello everypony, I'm Scootaloo and I'm here to tell my hero, Rainbow Dash, goodbye.” She was already breaking, but not from pressure. Her eyes were beginning to water and tears were rolling down her cheeks. “Rainbow Dash has taught me so much about being a pegasus, and about being a friend. She's like a sister to me, the older sister I never had. Seeing her leave does make me sad, but it makes me happy to know that she's achieved more than she'd ever hoped for!”

Pausing for a moment to clear her eyes and glancing down at her two best friends who sat at the front of the crowd, along with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. Something happened between them earlier this year and all five of them were nearly inseparable. Scootaloo took another deep breath, “Rainbow Dash is the one who showed me what it's like to fly.” With tears flowing she stepped off the stool and stepped towards Rainbow Dash. Rainbow had met her halfway with tears in her eyes. They embraced in a long hug as they whispered to each other. Rainbow Dash pulled away and rubbed a hoof against the top of her head effectively ruining Scootaloo's mane style.

Scootaloo stepped back to stand beside Rarity as Fluttershy's birds sound louder. “That's my cue,” I said finally turning my head towards Spitfire. Surprised, she's not there, but she is stepping up onto the stage. A round of gasps spread across the ponies already on stage, Spitfire wasn't supposed to be a speaker tonight.

I watched as she took her spot at the microphone, “Rainbow Dash. You've been an inspiration to everyone here. Even me. You're brave, strong, and loyal. You have inspired me to be the best leader I could have possibly been. Every time I've seen you, you've proven to me, that you are one of the best flyers in all of Equestria. I remember seeing that beautiful display of speed and power you demonstrated in the young flyers competition all those years ago. I'm proud to have you take my place as commander of the Wonderbolts, no pony is as fit for the position as you are.” She stepped aside to a round of cheers filled the room. She gave Rainbow Dash a hug before floating up into the air and over to take a spot next to Scootaloo, who seemed jittery to just to be standing next to Rainbows idol.

Finally, it was my turn to take a spot on stage. Using a simple teleportation spell, I appeared in front of the microphone and as soon as I appeared with my wings spread wide and head held high, every pony in the room fell silent and bowed, even Rainbow Dash and those who stood on the stage bowed. After a moment, ponies began to rise and cheer for their princess. “I am here to thank Rainbow Dash for all that she's done, for helping me recapture Discord, for helping me dispatch the changeling invasion, for helping me in so many more ways than I could possibly say. Rainbow Dash. You are a loyal friend, a brave pegasus, and you will make a fine leader.” With nothing more to say I walked over to Rainbow Dash, pulling her in to give her a hug, I noticed that she was crying once again.

“Thank you, Twilight.” I heard Rainbow whisper as she hugged me back. “Thank you for everything.”

I took my place next to Spitfire and waited as Rainbow Dash herself took the stage, another round of cheers rose from the audience. “Hey everypony, I was honored when I was first accepted into the Wonderbolt Reserves but I had never thought it possible for me to become a legendary leader like Spitfire is. I've always wanted to be a Wonderbolt, it's always been my life long dream to become one, and when that finally happened I hadn't wanted anything else. I was fine with being in the Reserves and still working with the Ponyville Weather Team. Though I can't work with them now and I will miss Ponyville, but it's time to take a step in my life. It's time for me to move to Rainbow Falls and take my role as a Commander of the Wonderbolts.” She paused to allow the anxious crowd explode into a roaring cheer. Many ponies were bouncing up and down in excitement while many others were crying. Most of those who stood on stage were silently crying, but out of happiness for their friend. After the crowd quieted down Rainbow Dash spoke again, “Let's party!” She flew up into the air and across the room to land next to a white pony with a bright blue mane, she had whispered something into the ponies ear. The white pony nodded, smiled, and took her glasses off, her red eyes looked sad from where I stood, but she hugged rainbow dash and then used her magic to put a disc on her spin table.

I didn't really know what to do, so I teleported myself over to the beverage table, where I had left my glass of wine sitting. I picked it up using my magic and took a sip. Rainbow landed next to me and I looked over at her and smiled. “Twilight,”

“Yes, Rainbow?”

“Thank you for coming tonight. I know you've been busy bouncing around Equestria, but I'm glad you could make it to my farewell party.”

“I wouldn't have missed it for all the daisy sandwiches in Equestria.” I laughed and looked at my friends dress, “That dress looks as new as the day Rarity made it, how'd you keep it so pristine? Mine is in shambles and is ready to be retired.”

“Actually, I took it to Rarity's boutique about two weeks ago and had it touched up, see,” Rainbow did a little twist to show the dresses skirt, which now had the Wonderbolts insignia stitched into it dead center both sides, “I asked her to add the insignias.”

“It's beautiful, but that's to be expected from Rarity,” I said with a smile.

“I guess you need to talk to Rarity then, don't you?” They shared a laugh.

“Well, everyone is going to miss you, Rainbow, but you're under royal control now. So I get to deal with you more than anyone here.” I glanced around the room, every pony there was enjoying the party. Some formed small circles and talked while others danced to Vinyl's music. The night would go on for a few more hours but I had to go back to Canterlot to report to Celestia and begin preparations for the actual event that would give Rainbow Dash her title as Commander of the Wonderbolts.

“Well Twilight, I can't think of anyone else I'd rather take orders from.”

“I'm sorry to be leaving so early, but I have to go back to Canterlot now, Celestia asked me to return as soon as the main events had passed.”

“That's alright, Twilight, I'll see you later.” Rainbow Dash said with a smiled, noticing Spitfire flying over the crowd, “I've been needing to talk to Spitfire anyways. Night!”

“Farewell, Rainbow Dash.”