“That was—!” Rainbow Dash began as her tiredness interrupted her. She collapsed onto her father’s back and yawned happily. “…awesome.”

She clung to her father’s neck as he trotted out of the stadium’s entrance. Flying out was a little quicker, but he told her that nopony ever goes out the entrance and there was less chance of crashing into somepony who wasn’t looking. The few who were exiting on hoof were receiving studied glances from the ponies outside, who were trying to determine the victors from their expressions. Much to their confusion, it seemed both red and blue supporters were carrying something to smile about.

“Nopony’s seen them like that since they won the league three years ago,” Rainbow Dash's ride said. “Who knows? They might someday be a better team than the Wonderbolts.”

Rainbow Dash perked up from his back and shielded the setting sun from her eyes. “What? No way!” she protested.

“Yeah, you’re right. They’re already way better.”

“Why?” she asked with a scrunched-up look of disapproval.

The stallion stopped his trot and scanned the orange Cloudsdale clouds, attempting to judge the time of day from their colour.

“Can you fly?” he asked his tired daughter.

“Uh-huh!” she responded, before lifting off beside him. He took off as well and the two started the short journey home.

“The last few minutes of that game was the real Cloudsdale. Not the in-fighting, overconfident, weirdly optimistic players who were getting whooped in the first half. They learned from each other. They didn't exaggerate each other’s mistakes. They knew their own weaknesses and they knew each other’s strengths. That’s how they played and that’s how they scored.”

"They play to each other's strengths..." Rainbow Dash repeated.

"And that, my little Chimera fan, is something that the Wonderbolts will never have."

She frowned and looked to her father with a lack of appreciation before flying onto his back and holding his neck from behind. "Sure they will," she asserted.

"Oh, yeah?"

"Yeah, they'll have that when I join them next week... You'll see."

Her father rolled his eyes and laughed in defeat. The filly herself laughed a little into his mane. "Welp, I tried. Wanna get some ice cream?"

“Sure!”

“Alright, but if your mother asks: it was your idea.”

Author's Note

This story could be way better If you agree, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

M-