The Light Behind the Darkness

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 5

Chapter 1

It had been nearly two weeks since I sent by admission letter. Two long weeks of opening my mail box expecting to see if I got in, only to find nothing but bills or an occasional invite to Pinkie’s latest party. Two weeks I have waiting for word from the Wonderbolts. Finally, after all that waiting, I hold in my hooves a golden colored envelope with a winged lightning bolt seal, signaling that it is from the Wonderbolts.

I stare at it for probably an hour in shock that it is finally here, in excitement to see if I got in, and nervousness to see where my future will take me. This letter will either lead me to my next step of becoming a Wonderbolt or it will take me down and I will need to work even harder to achieve my dream. Slowly but carefully, I open the envelope, taking off the seal, lifting the fold, pulling the out the letter,and unfolding it to read the what the Wonderbolts have to say.

Dear Ms. Rainbow Dash,

Thank you for your letter to join our Wonderbolt boot camp. After looking through your information to see if you are eligible enough to join, I can gladly say you pass the criteria to join. I can’t wait see you at the Wonderbolts Headquarters to start your training.

The boot camp starts in a month.You will be given more information in the packet provided. Pack what you need and notify your loved ones.

-Captain Spitfire.

I stare at the letter. I reread what it says just to make sure it was real and I didn’t misread anything. I reread it again and again. After rereading it for the 4th time, I look up from the letter and scream in excitement. Then I cry. I don’t cry very often, and in front of other ponies because of my reputation, but this is different. Nopony is around and I just learned I am one step closer to achieve my life long goal. I cry for who knows how long, letting the tears flow.

I got in, and if I graduate I will become a Wonderbolt. I guess you could say I’m already a Wonderbolt, but only as a reserve, but if pass this camp, will officially be a full fledged Wonderbolt.

I need to tell my friends the amazing news. I grab my coat and head for the door. Upon opening it, I let out a cold breeze and am greeted with the sight of white snowflakes falling from the sky. I let body get used to the cold then take flight to the castle Twilight resides in.

My friends have known about the admission letter I sent even before I it was sent. They were the ones who even encouraged me to send the letter. I would have taken the offer anyway but I needed to make sure it was okay with them because how long I would be away. Of course they told me to go a head, I had no doubt, but I just wanted to be certain of their okay.

I see Twilights castle up in the distance and pick up the speed. In two seconds, I land roughly in front of the golden entrance, and knock. A moment passes and a little purple and green dragon opens up.

“Hey, Spike,” I greet him and he smiles.

“Hey, Rainbow. What brings you here?” He ask.

I respond with, “I have big news and want to tell you and the girls.”

He nods and lets me in. “Twilight!” Spike hollers, “Rainbow’s here and has some news!”

I could hear Twilight’s hooves speeding towards us. “Rainbow, it’s good to see you,” she says as she appears in the hall.

“Hey,Twi,” I greet her with a wave of my hoof.

“So you have some big news, what is it?”

“Well, I sort of want to tell everyone together.”

“Oh, well in that case,” she turns to Spike, “can you write a letter to the girls, Spike?”

Spike nods, “Can do.” And with that,he left to go write and send the letter to the girls.

Twilight turns to me, “While we can wait in the throne room.”

I nod and head in the direction leading to the throne room.

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We wait around half an hour for the others. Apple Jack was the last one to show.

“Hey girl. Sorry it took so long, I had to finish my chores at the farm. Now tell me why we’re meetin’ up.”

“Rainbow says she has some big news!” my friend Pinkie explains in her cheerful voice.

Applejack looks in my direction, “Well RD, why don’t you tell us then?”

“Well since everypony is here,” I say as I take out the letter from my pocket I had stuffed it in. They don’t seem to notice it yet. “You guys remember when I sent that admission letter to join the Wonderbolts boot camp?” They all nod with eager faces, telling me to continue. “I finally got word from them,” I exclaim as I hold the letter from Spitfire.

Twilight grabs the paper with her magic and begins to read it along with the other girls and Spike. When they finish, they look up with the biggest smiles on their faces as I annouce “I got in.” They stare at me with the biggest smiles on their faces, and then scream, similar to the way the way I did before I came here. They scream some more and rush to hug me.We hug for a few moments before letting go.

Pinkie's face then brightens even more, and I, along as everypony else, knows what’s coming up. “You know what this calls for,” she yells as we all brace ouselves, “a PARTY!” she finishes quite loudly while pulling out her party cannon from who knows where.

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The party was a lot of fun. It was at Sugarcube Corner and went on like any other party that throws. There was punch, cake, games, and the most of the population of Ponyville attended. Everypony congratulated me and told me how much they would miss me and not to forget Ponyville while I’m gone, of course I told them I could never forget Ponyville, the quaint little town would always be home.

The party was over and the last of the guest were leaving, I stayed to help Pinkie clean up since everypony had head home due to the time it being dark and all. It was pretty quiet so I figured I should break the silence, “Thanks for the party, Pinkie. It was a lot of fun.”

For some reason, she stays quiet, which is not like her at all. I look at her to see what she is doing. When I saw her, I surprised at the sight. She was cleaning off a booth that had left over cake, she was seemed normal except the fact was Pinkie was smiling and her hair was a little deflated, similar to a balloon. I become concerned at walk up to her.

“Pinkie,” I call her name, making her stop picking up food. “Pinkie, are you okay?”

Pinkie sighs and turns to me, “Yeah, I’m fine, just thinking.”

“What are you thinking about?” I ask out of curiosity.

She looks down at her hooves and sighs again, “Well, how long did you say this boot camp would be?”

I then realize why she is acting this way, “About two months, longer if I become a Wonderbolt,” I say. Her balloon like hair deflates a little more. “Pinkie, you know I would be gone for a long time.”

She looks at me, “I know, I just didn’t think it would be so long. I mean, what if you forget about me,” I can see tears forming in her eyes.

“Pinkie, you know I would never forget you, or anypony for that matter. You’re one of my best friends, you're like a sister to me, I could never forget my sister.”

“Will you at least write to us?” she says in a gloomy tone, I immediately feel guilty.

A little less than a year back, I went to the Wonderbolt Academy for a week. While there I had forgotten to write to them, at least till they came to visit me and give me a care package. I can see why Pinkie thinks I won’t write to them, so to reassure her I won’t forget to write this time I cross my heart with my hoof and then place in on my eye while saying, “Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye,” and as I finish the Pinkie Promise, I can tell she feels better.

She smiles and hugs me, “Thanks, Dashie.”

Chapter 2

As the letter said, I had a month before leaving, and what a month it was. Everyday I was either with one of the girls or all of the girls. I spent some time with some of Ponyville’s residents, since I know everypony in town. I wanted to spend as much time as I could before I left for Cloudsdale since I wouldn’t be seeing them in so long. I would miss everypony and of course Ponyville, it would always be home.

I did various activities with my friends during my last 31 days. Some were normal, some were different than usual, and we did go on a few adventures when the map summoned us, I hope the map doesn’t need anything from me while I’m away. I also did separate things with my friends. I helped Applejack at Sweet Apple Acres and did had few competitions with her. I talked with Rarity in her boutique, then somehow become a model for her next line. I played pranks with Pinkie. Me and Twilight would talk about the next Daring Do book and what would most likely happen to Daring. I’d help out with Fluttershy and her animals and we would converse while having a leisure flight. I hung out with Scootaloo when she got off from school and gave her flying lessons, which I started after her trying out to carry the Ponyville Flag at the Equestria Games. I would sometimes go to where Tank, my pet tortise, was sleeping and talk to him as if he heard me.

Of course the day came that I had to leave. Thank Celestia, it was the day after Winter Wrap Up, so I got to see before I left. I made sure Fluttershy would take good care of him while I was gone. I wish he didn’t have to hibernate during my last month in Ponyville. “You promise he’ll be okay Fluttershy?”

“He’ll be fine, Dashie,” she reassured me. “What time are you leaving?” she asked while tuning her head towards my direction.

“In about three hours,” I say quietly, looking down at my hooves.

“Okay, I’ll come say goodbye to you with everypony else.”

“Okay, I’ll see you then,” I look at her and fake a smile, which she returns with a more force one.

I pick up Tank and open the door and leave. Once I close the door, I spread my wings and take flight with Tank in hoof, heading to my cloud home. Upon arrival to my residence, I open the door to be meet with the sound to nothing, just utter silence. I sigh and head to my room as Tank follows, able to keep up with the magical propeller strapped to his shell.

As I walk through the hall to my room, I can only hear my hooves and sound of Tank flying, reminding me how lonely felt. I haven’t even left, yet I already miss everypony. I wonder why I even signed up for the boot camp, being a reserve was just fine, why my friends encourage me to sign up, knowing I would be for who knows how long, why do I have to be separated from the ones I love to complete my life long dream. It’s so confusing.

I stop at my door and open it to let me and Tank in. I sit on my bed and look around, knowing it would be a long time since I would be in here. I look at my tortoise. “Why does it have to be this way?” I blurt out as Tank nuzzles me in comfort, which I return, feeling a little better with him here. “Thanks, Tank.” I hug him.

I get up head to my closet and grab my saddle bag to back up what I need while at the camp. I mostly pack light, even when gone for months. All I back is a few toiletries, some Daring Do books, I picture of my friends, and a jacket. The last object I look for is a locket gave to me by Twilight. She gave all of us one, since we don’t have the Elements of Harmony, Twilight felt we needed something to symbolize our friendship, so she gave each of us a locket similar to our element with a picture of all us on the right side and the caption “Friendship is Magic” on the left side. I think we don’t need anything to show that we are lifelong friends, but when I look at it and where it around my neck, I just can’t but feel at home.

I find it on my desk, and put it on. I look at my mirror to see my reflection with the necklace on. I will never take it off while away from my friends, for I know this will be the closest to them I will be in a long time. With the picture of my friends inside and the similarity of the read lightning bolt jewel I once wore to ward off evil, I feel content with it’s gold chain around my neck.

Looking away from my reflection, I turn my sight to to my saddle bags. That should be all I need, the Wonderbolts should be supplying me and the other cadets with what will need. I then turn my attention to the clock to see an hour has passed since I got home, which means I say goodbye to everypony and leave Ponyville. I decide to head out to see the town one last before I depart, and give Tank some fresh air since he had been sleeping in a hole all winter. I put Tank on a leash, head for the front door, and head out.

*********************************************************************************************************

“Goodbye Mr. and Mrs. Cake,” I say as I leave Sugarcube Corner and head to home to grab my bags and give away goodbyes.

With Tank in my hooves, we zoom toward the cloud structure. As I get closer to the home, I can see the girls, Spike, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders. I pick up the pace, and holler at them to give away my existence. They see me and wave as I speed up.

As I land, Applejack is the first to greet me, “Where’ve you, sugarcube? We’ve been wait’n for you.”

“I just had to say bye to the Cakes before I left,” I tell her. “Can I grab my saddlebag real quick?” I ask. I receive a nod from AJ, giving me the okay. It takes me a few minutes to grab my bags and double check to see if I have everything and see if my locket is around my neck. In a flash of rainbow, I am back on the ground, ready to exchange good byes with everypony. As I see everyone there I get ready to tell them how much I will them and how I will every single day, but upon looking at them, knowing this is the last time I will see them in such a long time, my throat clenches up, enabling me to speak.

I can feel my stomach get jumbled into a knot. I can feel the tears forming, but I don’t let them fall. We all stare at each other, and the more I see them and their solemn faces, the more the tears build and the tighter the knot gets in my stomach. I jerk my head down and clench my eyes in an effort to stop the flow of the tears, but the harder I try, the more they come. Soon enough the dam breaks and I am balling my eyes out.

My eyes are still closed, but I can still feel the comfort of a group hug. This calms down my crying and now am just stifling softly as the last of the tears fall off my face and down to grass. I finally open my eyes and see everypony smiling weakly at me with tears in their own eyes. I let out a feeble laugh, “Sorry guys.” At these words they just hug tighter, Scootaloo holding the on more than the others, and I can understand why.

They let go, all but Scoots, who is still clenching to me as if I were a last remaining piece of life. “Hey, Squirts,” I say to her in a calm voice. She looks up, then stuffs her face in chest. I can feel the tears coming from her eyes and she softly whimpers. I hug her tight, forgetting that there are other ponies around. “It’s okay, Scoots. I’m really going to miss you, too.”

She looks up all puffy eyed from crying, “Do you have to go?” she chokes out, and wrap my wings around her to comfort the little filly.

“I wish I didn’t, but in order to become a full fledged Wonderbolt, I have to go,” I say to her.

“I’m really going to miss you, Rainbow Dash.” Scootaloo whispers.

“I’m going to miss you, too, Scootaloo. I promise when I come back we will get back to those flying lessons.”

“Okay,” is all she says.

“Hey, Scoots,” I lifting up her head with my hoof, “I love you.”

At this she hugs me tighter and in reply says, “I love you, too.”

We hold each other in an embrace before breaking apart. I smile at her, which she returns and runs off to join her friends. As I watched Scootaloo leave, I turn my attention to the five ponies, all smiling at me with tears forming in their eyes.

I walk up to them return their smiles the best I could. “I’m going to miss you guys so much,” I hug them and another group hug forms.

“We will, too,” they say unison, all while still hugging.

After what felt like hours, we part, “I already Pinkie Promised to Pinkie that I would write everyday, so I need you guys to Pinkie Promise to write a letter to me everyday and send it through Spike so I can get it as soon as possible. They nod and repeat the same motions and phrases I used when I promised to Pinkie. After they finish we hug once more, along with the CMC and Spike, but soon enough, we break the hug, all knowing I need to leave to be there on time. We all say one final goodbye before I spread my wings and take flight in the direction of Cloudsdale, wondering how life would be without those great ponies in my life would be while training at this camp.

Chapter 3

Here it is, the Wonderbolts HQ. The answer to my future is through these doors that stand in in front me. Once I step through those doors, my entire future could change and all of the work, time, and dedication I put in to become a Wonderbolt will pay off. There’s just one problem that I can’t shake off. Why am I hesitating?

After a lifetime of certainty of knowing what I was meant to do, I’m hesitating to open the doors to the HQ. Why, after a lifetime of dedication, do I just freeze up? I’m just standing here, staring at a pair a doors, and contemplating whether or not I should open them.

“Don’t you want to be a Wonderbolt?” I say to myself, and as those words come out of my mouth, my eyes widen.

Do I want to be a Wonderbolt. I mean all my life I have dreamed of flying with my heros. I have made a life goal to join their ranks, but after spending nearly two years or so being an Element of Harmony and learning so much about friendship, I don’t want to leave it behind. All of the ponies I have come to know and all the adventures I have faced with my friends, do I really want to say goodbye to that. Also, after meeting the some Wonderbolts face to face, do I want to be on a team that will leave behind a comrade just because there is someone better. Now I have to give some of the Wonderbolts credit, I haven’t met all of them, I don’t know what all of them are like, and I have met some decent ponies from the Bolt’.

I go ahead and push the doors open to the lobby area of the HeadQuarters. In corner of the lobby, there is a desk with a mare behind it talking on the phone. I walk up to the desk and wait for her to finish her conversation.

“Goodbye,” she finally says. She hangs up the phone and looks at me with a smile, “Can I help you?” she asks cheerfully.

I pull out my papers and the exception letter from Spitfire. “Yeah, I here for the boot camp.”

“Oh, well let me see your papers please.” She takes my papers and starts reading through them. After she finishes, she says, “Alright, everything is in order, here the key to the room you will be staying in, the room number will on the key, and your roommate is already checked in. Also I am to inform all the cadets that they are to come down to the mess hall at 5:30 for announcements and dinner.”

I take the key in my hoof, thank her, and leave to find room A22. As I walk the long halls, I wonder what my roommate will be like, I hope she isn’t like the mare I met at the Wonderbolt Academy, Lightning Dust. I soon come upon a door with A22 engraved in metal and plated to the door, giving the indication that this is the door to my room. I take a deep breath preparing myself for the worst and open the door.

My rooms looks okay. It is seems wide enough for three ponies, even though there are two beds. Each bed is accompanied with a nightstand bye its right side and a trunk at the foot of the bed. There are two other doors I think would be the bathroom and the other, a closet. There is also a set a drawers with a mirror, and two desk on opposite sides of the each other. One bed seems to already be taken, so I aquire the other by setting my saddlebags on the it.

I start to ponder where my roommate is, seeing as her stuff is here but her presence is absent. I begin to unpack, as I open my bags, the door to what I think is the closet, opens up and out walks a blue pegasus mare with a brunette mane and tail that could is slightly messy but mostly wavy, and lime green feathers on her wings that I must admit looks pretty awesome.

“Oh!” she yelps in surprize upon seeing me but recovers from the shock. “You must be my roommate. I’m Artistic Melody, and you are?”

“I’m Rainbow Dash,” I say and hold out my hoof for her to shake. She does and says it is nice to meet me.

“So where are you from, Rainbow Dash?” she ask curiously.

I respond with, “Well, I grew up in Cloudsdale, but my real home is Ponyville.”

She nods, then says, “I did grow up in Ponyville, but then my dad got a job and my family moved to to Vanhoover. So why are you here Rainbow?”

I sigh and begin, “When I was little, I was the biggest fan of the Wonderbolts. Every chance I could I purchase a ticket to one of their shows and go see them perform. It wasn’t until I got my cutie mark,” I gesture to my cutie mark, “that I made a vow to join their ranks. So I trained for years, even got acquainted with a few of the members, and now here I am.”

She looks at me with wide eyes, “Wow, so you have always wanted to be a Wonderbolt. If it was when you got your cutie mark that you knew you wanted to be a Wonderbolt, how did you get.”

A grin spreads across my lips, “You’re going to want to get comfortable for this,” and I tell her the story of how I stood up for Fluttershy by flying in a race and beating the two bullies by performing a sonic rainboom.

She looks at me in amazement, “Wow, I thought it was just a myth.”

“You wouldn’t be the first, so why are you here?” I ask, eager to know.

“Well, before I start, it won’t be as interesting as your story,” I nod, “When growing up, I didn’t know much about the Wonderbolts, then in my tween years, my best friend, Flaming Shield,who was a fan, asked me to come with him to a show taking place in Ponyville, so I went with him. Seeing that show piped my interest in them, so me and Flaming Shield both trained to become Wonderbolts, and after all that training, we both got in to this camp.”

“I see, so you and Flaming Shield are both here?”

“Yeah, when we go down to the mess hall, I could introduce you two?”

“That would be great,” I suddenly wonder, “by the way, how did you get your cutie mark?”

She lifts her wing to show a quill and paintbrush crossing each other with a music note in front, forming a sort of star like form. I wonder what her special talent is because her cutie mark doesn’t look like it would represent anything to do with flying.

“Well, I have always loved dealing with creativity, such as drawing, writing, etc. When I was a filly I would do nothing but draw and sing, but I hated reading. When I meet Shield, he persuaded me to read a book I could not put down. When I finished it I thought that it amazing someone could put that together through written words, so I started to read a lot more. As I got older, I started to write my own stories, but I never stopped my love of drawing and singing. One day I had wrote a poem that with illustrations to go along with it, my sister took a look at it and made into a song since she can play the violin. She showed it to me and I thought we could perform it together. So we perform it showing off the illustrations and a ariol dance to go with it. When we finish I get my cutie mark.”

I just stare in shock. If her talent is being artistic, then why is she wanting to become a WonderBolt? “Then how come you want to become a Wonderbolt if your talent is being artistic?”

She just laughs a little and smiles, “Because I may love drawing, but I also love coming up with creative moves. You don’t just have to be good at flying to be in the Wonderbolts.” I just nod. “You might want to start unpacking, we only have half an hour left before we leave for the mess hall,” she points out.

“Yeah,” I say and start to unpack again. I pull out the picture of my friends and my Daring Do books and place it on the nightstand. I put my toiletries in the bathroom, and hang up my jacket in the closet. After finishing with unpacking, I glance at a clock on the wall to see the be 5:53.

“Should we head down?” asks Melody.

“Yeah, let’s go,” I say trotting out the door with Melody.

Chapter 4

We walk alongside each other as me and Artistic Melody headed towards the mess hall for some food. We pass some ponies, either Wonderbolts or cadets. It was quiet on our way to dinner, so I thought I’d start off with some small talk.

“So, any family back home?” I ask.

She nods, saying, “Yes, I’ve mentioned my dad and little sister. I also have a mom and two dogs back home. What about you, anyone missing you?” Melody ask all of a sudden.

“Oh,well… in Ponyville, I left behind some amazing friends who I would consider family.”

“What about a dad or mom?” I flinch at the word mom, which she takes full notice of, “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry if I brought up a bad subject. Just forget I said anything,” she says frantically.

I shake my head and hold a hoof up, “It’s okay, you didn’t know,” I sigh deeply then begin, “My dad is here in Cloudsdale, but my mom is…” I hesitate, “gone, it was cancer... that took her.” I finish.

Melody looks at me weakly, “I’m sorry, we can change the subject...uhm… any pets?” I smile at her understanding of how the subject of my mom hurts. I really am glad to have a roommate like her and not some feather brained, idiotic jerk.

“I have a pet tortoise named Tank.” I tell her.

She stops and stares at me with a confused look showing across her features, “Really?” she trots up to me to catch up. “I would love to her how you acquired a pet like that,” and I begin my tale of how Tank to be in possession.

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“And so I got some magical propellers to help Tank get up into the sky and so I wouldn’t have to stay grounded,” I finished my story as we entered the mess hall, finally. We head to the lunch line to grab some food as we continue conversing.

“Wow, Tank sounds like an extremely loyal pet,” says Melody, placing carrots on her tray.

“He is, and I’m lucky to have him,” I sigh as I go for the hay fries and grab a carrot dog.

“It certainly sounds like it,” we go to find a table. Melody points one out that is occupied by two stallions. “That table is already taken,” but she ignores me and heads over there anyway. I sigh and follow suit.

She waves as we get closer yelling out, “hey.” To my surprise, one of the stallions waves back.

We make it to the table. “Hey, Shield, these seats taken?” she asks the stallion. So this must be her best friend she was talking about.

“Nope, go ahead and sit,” he says, gesturing to the a pair of seats at the table. Melody sits next Shield while I sit across from her and next to the stallion Shield was conversing with.

Flaming Shield is a pretty buff looking stallion with a white coat. His mane is brown with tints of orange in a spiked style. His cutie mark was a blue shield engulfed in flames. His friend that I am sitting by was not as muscular as his friend, but still looks strong. His coat is black, and his mane is short and wavy with a shade of admiral. His cutie mark is metal wings.

“Shield, this is Rainbow Dash, she is my roommate,” Melody introduces me.

We both shake hooves. “Nice to meet,” he says, still shaking my hoof.

“Like wise,” I say as we stop shaking.

Shield then points to the stallion next to me, “This is Steel Wings, he is my roommate.”

“Hey, what's up?” Steel wings holds out a hoof for someone to bump it.

I give him a hoof bump. “Nothing, much.”

“So you want to be Wonderbolt?” Steel Wings asks, smirking, and I know where this conversation is heading.

I smirk as well, “Yup The only thing the Wonderbolts have been missing is me.”

He nods, still smirking, “ Well, we’ll see if that is true, but who knows,” he looks directly into my eyes, a cocky, determined look in them, “I might just be the what they really need.

I return his gaze, “Keep telling yourself that.”

We hold our gazing contest for a moment before something catches my ear, “Hey Rainbow, long time no see.” I knew that voice from anywhere. I look away from Steel Wings to see a cauliflower blue stallion with his windswept navy blue mane out of uniform, trotting in my direction. The others just stare as stops at the edge of the table.

I smile and give a small wave, “Hey Soarin.” Everypony a the table was now gaping at me. I can only imagine the mind process they all are going through right now. “I haven’t seen you seen you since the Equestria Games. How have you been?” I ask.

He smiles at me, “I’ve been fine. How about you, anything interesting?”

“Well besides, my life goal finally being achieved, to much,” I say shaking my head and thinking about the most recent monster me and my friends have fought and the places the map sends us.

He nods, taking note of my behavior, “I’ll take your word for it.”

“Yeah.” I then wonder out of curiosity, “How has Spitfire and Fleetfoot been treating you?” His demeanor slightly changes and his smile slightly shrinks, looking more forced, making me wish I hadn’t asked.

“They aren’t as bad as they were during the Equestria Games Tryouts, but they are still hard on me during speed and agility training,” his tone is a bit more quiet and not as energetic when he greeted me.

I smile at him, putting my hoof on his shoulder, “I’m sorry I brought it up.”

His smile changes from forced to genuine as he looks at me, “It’s okay, not everypony can be as understanding as others.”

“True,” I say, thinking of my fillyhood.

“Well, I should go, Spitfire should begin giving the announcements soon, bye Dash,” I starts to leave.

I wave, “Bye Soarin.” He waves back then trots away.

I look around the table, for I had forgotten there were other ponies. I blush in embarrassment. They were all staring at me, and I could tell they were trying to figure out why Soarin just walked up to me and had a casual conversation.

I laugh awkwardly. Melody is the first to reside from her shockened state, “Okay, how, what, where, and when?” is all she says.

“It’s a long story,” I really don’t want to explain how I know the Wonderbolts, there is just way too much detail to go into.

“I would still like to know how you a know a Wonderbolt?”

We are interrupted as the screech of a microphone and voice of Spitfire, the captain of the Wonderbolts. “Welcome to the Wonderbolt Boot Camp cadets. I am Captain Spitfire, while you are here you are to address me as ma’am,” she said in a strict, commanding voice. “Now, your stay here will not be easy, in fact it will mostly be training to see if you can handle the life of a Wonderbolt. You were all accepted to come here because you have a talented background, don’t make me regret accepting you.

“Now you may think that being a Wonderbolt just racing derbies, aerial performances, fame, and fans, but that is only part of it. The Wonderbolts are part of the Equestrian military and must be ready to fight when duty calls for it. You need to be prepared to defend Equestria and the citizens within our country. This means you need more than skill and physical strength, you need to have bravery, strong will power, and undefiable loyalty to your country and comrades. You will need to be a leader and a follower. You will need to be dutiful.

“There were many ponies who sent applications to be part of this boot camp, roughly 30 letters were sent. Out of those 30 ponies, only ten fit the bill. You are the ten ponies who have the skill and talent to become a Wonderbolt. Know how lucky you are. Not many ponies have what it takes to be a member of our team.

“Now with that said, I have information to give. First, the cadet uniforms should now be your closets and with your names on them. You need to try them on to see if they fit and if there are any problems that need to to be fixed with it. Second, I figure you will want to send letters to your families and friends, so we have a mailmare that is here everyday at 7:00, that is also the time dinner will end, so I advice you to bring your letters with you when heading to eat. Third, you are to follow our orders and show your commanding officers respect. Fourth, if you are reckless and cause damage and/or injure anypony, you will be kicked out. Fifth, if you have any questions or comments, you may come to me of any other members. Remember, we want you to join our ranks and the only way for that to happen is for us to be hard and push you over your limit. That is it.” She turns to leave the stage, but turns back to use, “Also, training will begin the day after tomorrow so you can settle in. That is all,” she turns and leaves.

I look at a clock posted on the wall. It reads 6:20, which gives me just enough time to finish eating and right a letter to my friends. I eat quickly, leaving the table at 6:35, head to my room, find some paper and a quill, and write my letter to my friends.

‘Dear Twilight, Fluttershy, Pinkie, AJ, Rarity, Spike, and Scootaloo,

Well, I’m finally here, I’m finally on my way to become a Wonderbolt. I’m really excited to be here, but I wish I didn’t have to leave you guys. It hasn’t been a day yet, but I already miss you guys to death. I can’t wait until we see each other again.

The camp is fine, I met my roommate and we are already good friends, she introduced me to her friend, Flaming Shield. I didn’t get much time to talk to him, but I’ll make sure we get to know one another. I saw Soarin and we caught up a bit, it was great to see him. You know how we become close friends at the Equestria Games. It’s good to know I have some friends here to hang with, but they still aren’t you guys, know that.

We start training the next day, so I’ll let you know you know how training is then.

Yours Truly,

Rainbow Dash’

After signing my name, I put the letter in an envelope, write down the needed information to send it, and head down to the lobby the lobby to give my letter to the mailmare. I enter the lobby area to be greeted with a wonderful sight. A grey pegasus mare with a blond mane, a wall eye, and bubbles as her cutie mark, was standing at the door, eating a muffin.

“Derpy!” I cheer happily,as I zoom toward her for a hug. She turns around and smiles as my forehooves are wrapped around her in a hug.

“Rainbow Dash!” she cheers, too, as Derpy returns the hug.

When we soon release I just stare at her in amazement that she is here. “What are you doing here, and why didn’t you tell you would be here when I said goodbye?” I ask.

She giggles, “Oh, sorry, I didn’t know which camp you were attending,” she explains.

“Okay, well, what are you doing here?” I press, curious as to why she is here.

“Since I’m a mailmare, I work the routes in Ponyville, Canterlot, and Cloudsdale.”

“Oh, well I came here to give you my letter to my friends back at Ponyville.” I hand her the letter, which she gladly takes.

“I’ll make sure to get it them as fast as I can,” she smile.

I hug Derpy one more time, “Thank you, Derpy.”

We say goodbye to her and head to my room. Melody is already there, “Where did you run off to?” she ask.

“I had to hurry down to the lobby to send a letter to my friends,” I explain.

She nods as I climb onto my bed. Once settled, I grab the picture of my friends, and set it back on the nightstand. I place my hoof on the locket just to check incase it fell off, even though Twilight enchanted it to never be lost. I then grab a Daring Do book to read until I go to sleep. I got to chapter 15 out 25 before Spitfire came to tell us lights out.

I now lay in bed, cover over body, staring at the ceiling, Melody slumbering peacefully I am here… I am finally here... This is not a dream… This is reality… I am on the path to become a Wonderbolt… I just wonder why I’m not as ecstatic as I thought I would be.

Chapter 6

Everypony was screaming and asking me question all at once I couldn’t possibly answer them due to them speaking over one another. I cover my ears with my hooves to drawn out the constants questions being thrown at me and close my eyes because they are really close to me, and crouch down in my seat.

I slowly open my eyes when the sounds of questions start to die down. When they open, I see Flaming Shield and Artistic Melody in front of me, backing everypony away and getting them to leave. Eventually all the cadets leave, and Melody smiles at me, “Okay that should do it,” she says.

“Yup,” now Shield turns to face me. “So, you know the princess of friendship?” I knew that was coming.

I groan, “Yeah, please don’t ask how though. That is classified,” I explain. Shield raises an eyebrow, but reluctantly nods, as does Melody. I’m glad they understand.

“Why don’t you read your letter while you can,” Melody says. I smile and nod.

“Thanks,” I tell them. I start to read the letter.

‘Dear Rainbow,

We all miss you dearly and wish you didn’t have to go, but remember, even though we are not physically there, we support all the way. Pinkie really misses you, she isn’t as cheerful as she use to be. Fluttershy is taking good care of Tank, so don’t worry about him, he just a little slower and not his usual self, that’s what Fluttershy said, though. Scootaloo really misses you, she keeps on looking in the direction of Cloudsdale every now and then.

You would not imagine the surprise we got when Derpy came to give us your letter, and of course the joy. We’re glad that you are making new friends and that you can see some familiar faces, too. You should have Rarity’s face when you mentioned you and Soarin ‘catching up,’ she wouldn’t stop going on and on about how jealous she was.

Good luck and we miss you dearly.

Love,

Twilight, Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie, Scootaloo, and Spike

PS: This is Twilight writing.’

I stare at the letter, trying my hardest to hold back the tears. I may have cried in front of my friends, but they are my family, so I can let loose any tears with them. These are ponies, I haven’t got to really know them. I may be good friends with Melody, but we haven’t known one another all that long. I manage to keep the tears in, but that doesn’t stop my eyes from getting a little misty. I will have to write my letter back to them soon, but that can wait, plus I have food that needs to be eaten.

I begin eating again. When I finish I stay to wait for Melody and Shield because they are still well into their meals. I soon get bored, so I tell them I’m going to explore the camp and leave. I haven’t been here ever since I won the Best Young Flier's Competition, so the place was a little like the castle labyrinth , just not as confusing and more familiar. I walk into a hall I think I have in before, to see two cadets conversing with each other.

I was about to pass them when one of them speaks, “Well, look what we have here,” says a smooth, sinister, mare like voice.

A mare with a light blue coat, golden mane, tail and wings, and a cutie mark of golden wings, appears in front of me. She is followed by another mare with navy blue coat, silver, white mane, and a shooting star cutie mark, who I know as Shooting Comet. “You don’t look like the type to know a princess on a personal level, how did that happen?” she asks snidely.

“I don’t have time for this.” I start to leave, but she put a hoof in my way. I glare at her.

She jeers at me, “Don’t you have a little attitude. That was kind of rude you know.” Does this girl seriously want me to slap her. Of course I wouldn’t do that, or else I would be saying goodbye life dream.

“You blocking my way is kind of rude, too, you know,” I bark back at her. Why won’t she let me leave.

“I just wanted to talk. Get to know the competition,” She sneers.

I look at her, confused, “Seriously.”

“Yes, if anypony is going to get to the top rank, it’s me,” she points to herself.

I stare at her, trying to hold in my laughter, “You know that everypony is going to be the same rank after graduation.”

“Hmm, maybe for you.” This mare is obviously full of herself, even more than me. Now that is saying something.

“Who are you anyways?”I ask with slight disgust.

She giggles annoyingly, “Oh how silly of me. I am Golden Wings,”

“Listen I just want walk the hall, is that too much to ask?”

“Well, if that’s the case,” she picks up her hoof, walks behind me, then pushes me. The force causes me collide into another pony who probably just walked into the scene be accident.

“Uhg,” I hear the familiar voice of Soarin groan, great. I look up to see the Wonderbolt on the floor, in uniform.

I turn to glare daggers at the two mares who were laughing, “Well have fun exploring Rainbow Crash.” Okay now I want kill her. I clench my teeth, but then remembered somepony hurt.

I get up and walk to Soarin. He has his eyes clenched, groaning. “Are you okay Soarin?” I ask with concern for my friend.

He opens his eyes to meet mine, “Yeah.” I offer a hoof to help him up. He takes it and soon he soon got on his hooves. “What happened?”

“Some cadets giving me a hard time and pushed me into you, sorry about that,” I apologize, turning my head to the direction Golden and Comet were standing, but no longer present. They must have ran when they saw it was Soarin I bumped into.

I stares at me with a bit of concern, “Some cadets giving you a time?” I nodded, “Who were they?” He asked.

I shake my head, “It doesn’t matter, nothing I haven’t dealt with in the past,” I mentally shiver at the memories of flight school and the name, ‘Rainbow Crash.’

He nods, “Okay. Just come to me or somepony if it gets out of hoof.”

“Don’t worry, I can handle it,” I claim.

“Alright, well I don’t have training until later this afternoon. Do you want to hang for a bit?”

I casually say sure, but in the inside, my internal fangirl is going crazy. I may be good friends with Soarin, but that didn’t mean I don’t get excited about hanging out with my idol. I am glad that I have right to call him a friend and him call me a friend in return. It feels good to know him on a personal level.

We walk alongside each other. I speak first after a few seconds, “So, how is life as Wonderbolt?” It was the first conversation starter I could come with.

“It’s hard, I won’t lie. Getting up early. All the training. Don’t get me started on the paparazzi. But it is all worth it to perform and amaze the fans and know you put a smile on their face,” Soarin finishes.

I smile, “I hope I someday have that feeling.” I sigh and look at him.

“You will someday, just get through with this camp and you’ll get the chance to wow Equestria.” We turn a corner.

I nod.

“So what is in Ponyville like?” Soarin ask.

“Where to begin,” I say, “It’s nice, crazy, chaotic, quiet, and friendly.”

Soarin looks at me, confused, “I’m sorry you lost me.” I chuckle.

“Yeah,” I pause, “Ponyville is a small town with friendly ponies, but there has been some chaotic moments,” I explain.

“I hear it’s the home of Princess Twilight Sparkle. She’s a friend of yours, right?” he asks.

I nod, “Yup.”

“I remember there being a report about a dragon attack there and even took down a few Wonderbolts that were sent to handle it. Do you have any idea what happened to the dragon? The reports say it mysteriously disappeared.” Soarin looks at me curiously.

“Yeah, I know what happened to him,” I look down at the tiled flooring, remembering time Spike took greed to a whole new level.

“Do you mind telling me?” he asked.

I up at him, “You’re in for one heck of a ride.” I begin, “Twilight has this assistant named Spike. He’s a dragon,you might remember him from the Equestria Games.”

“The purple dragon that attempted the Cloudsdale?” I nod, “Yeah, I wish I didn’t remember,” I laugh.

I continue with the story, “It was Spike’s birthday. You see, he never got very many presents, so when he was being showered with them, he started getting greedy. He started to grow in greed and size. He was the dragon that attacked Ponyville and took down those Wonderbolts,” Soarin’s eyes stops in his tracks as he stares at me with dinner plates as eyes. I stop to let the stallion register the information, then I start again. “So Spike goes on his rampage, taking everything in sight, he even took my friend Rarity.” We start to walk around the HQ again. “My friends tried to stop him, but in the end, Spike saw this gem he gave Rarity that she wearing. He realized what he was doing and turned back to normal. Me and my friend, Fluttershy caught them. Thats what what happened.”

Soarin nods, probably thinking. “I’ll have to tell Spitfire this.” He smiles at me with a slightly goofy grin, “Thanks for telling this.”

I return the smile, “No sweat.”

He then stops walking again, his eyes shrinking slightly as if realizing something. “Hey do you know what time it is?” His tone sounds a little worried and frantic.

“I don’t know, do you know where a clock is?”

“Yeah,” and off he sprints with me in hoof. We end up in a vacant hall we walked through earlier, in front of a clock. Soarin read the clock. “Oh horse apples! I need to head to head to training!” He frantically ran down the hallway, “Nice talking to you, Dash!” and disappeared into a corner.

“Okay,” I say slowly and walk back to the room.

***************************************************************************************************************

Back in my room, I find Melody and Shield talking. When I walk in, they smile. I smile back. They go back to their conversation while I get out a piece of paper, quill, and ink to write a letter to my friends. I trot on over to my desk. I set the supplies down and think.

I pick up the quill and begin writing,

‘Dear Twilight, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie, Scoots, Spike,

Today has been okay. I met a few new cadets, hanged out with Shield and Melody more. I got to hang more with Soarin, too.

I also got your letter, and now everypony knows that I am friends with the Princess of Friendship. Thank you Spitfire. Anyways, thanks for the words of encouragement, and please don’t be down about my absence, I’ll be back home before you know it, cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye. About Rarity, though, I don’t know why she would be jealous about me hanging out with Soarin.

I’ll write soon write about training tomorrow. That will be when training starts.

Love,

Dashie.’

I finish the letter, leaving out the part about Golden Wings. I head to lunch, leaving the note on the desk. Shield and Melody follow me.

***************************************************************************************************************

I lay in bed, thinking about tomorrow. Hopefully I can meet all the cadets I will be training with tomorrow, and hopefully none of them are as shallow as Golden Wings. I turn to look at Melody. I hope some of the cadets are like her, and Flaming Shield, too. They are good ponies to be friends with.

I look over to the clock, wondering what time it is. It read 11:46. I need to get some sleep if I don’t want to be completely miserable tomorrow. I close my eyes and slowly fall asleep.

Chapter 7

“GET UP YOU TWO! WE HAVE TRAINING AND YOU AREN’T DOWN THERE IN TIME, YOU ARE GOING HOME!” screams Spitfire’s loudly, obnoxious voice.

Melody and I spring out of bed and rush to the closet to get our cadet uniforms on. I grab the piece of clothing, and slip it on as fast as I can. Melody does the same. We grab our flight goggles, and rush out the door, down the hall to the cafeteria.

Me and Melody are the second ones here. A black mane and whited coated stallion is here sitting at one of the tables alone.

As we pass by him, I hear somepony speak to me, “So you’re the famous Rainbow Dash?”

I stop and turn to face who said that. “Uh… yeah. Why do you ask?” How does he know who I am? I haven’t even meet this guy.

The stallion stares at me with a black gaze. “Just wondering if you were the pegasus mare everypony keeps talking about,” he says in a silk like tone.

I raise an eyebrow, “Who are you?”

“I am Moon Shadow.” He offers me his hoof. I shake it slowly.

I realize something, “ Wait ponies talk about me?” I question.

His blank look changes slightly to one of confusion, “Well, not everypony can perform a Sonic Rainboom.” I nod. “It looks like your friend is waiting is waiting for.”

My attention is now on Melody sitting at a table alone, watching me. “Well, then I better go to her. Nice to meet you, Moon Shadow,” and I trot to the table Melody chose to sit at. I would glance a few times at Moon Shadow, wondering what just happened.

I find a seat across from Melody. “Nice to see you join me.” She looks at me curiously, “Who was that?”

I shrug my shoulders, “Just some cadet by the name of Moon Shadow.” I look in his direction, then turn my attention back to Melody.

“Ooh, mysterious. So what did he want?” I shoulders again.

“He asked if I was Rainbow Dash?” I answer.

My blue friend looks at me, confused, “That’s all he wanted?”

I nod, “Yup.”

As me and Melody converse, more ponies start to rush in the mess hall. Eventually, Flaming Shield joins us, but with his roommate, Steel Wings, absent. Soon, the last cadet arrives, and Spitfire shows up.

“So, before you start your training to become a Wonderbolt, there are some things you will you need to know,” Spitfire motion a hoof. A few Wonderbolts, who I recognize as Surprise, Fleetfoot, and Soarin, walk and stand behind the captain at attention. “The ponies who stand here will be your instructors, each handling a different skill you will need to be Wonderbolt material.” She motions a hoof to the three Wonderbolts. “Surprise,” the white mare with a yellow mane, same to Pinkie’s, and white coat, steps up, “will handle agility and aerial acrobatics. Fleetfoot,” another mare coated sky blue and a mane of silver white steps up, “she will be handling your speed ability. Soarin,” now Soarin steps up, “will be in charge of combat. And I,” Spitfire motions to herself, “will be in charge of getting your strength up. You will first be joining Surprise in the gymnasium .”

Spitfire makes a little nod with her head, and the others walk away, making her the center of attention, “With all that said, training begins in half an hour,” She turns and leaves.

***************************************************************************************************************

Half an hour passed by, and everypony followed Spitfire to the gymnasium to start our first day of training. I have to admit I am a bit nervous. I mean, what if I do something completely embarrassing and be known as a joke instead of the most awesome flyer in Equestria.

“Nervous?” Melody snaps me out of my thoughts. I look at her. I nod, sheepishly.

“A little.” I look down to avoid eye contact with her. Was it that easy to tell I am nervous. I look back up at her.

Melody smiles, “It’s okay. I’m nervous, too.”

Soon, everyone arrives at the doors to the gym where Surprise stands before us. I don’t know much about Surprise, but I have seen her at Pinkie’s parties before, since they are cousins. I do know she almost as crazy and random as Pinkie Pie.

“Okay everypony,” she begins in a high pitched voice, “for now on, you will come here everyday after breakfast,” she pauses, “Now less talking and more flying,” Surprise cheers, jumping up excitedly.

Everypony grows an eager face and I could tell they are ready to become Wonderbolts, as am I. Surprise opens the doors and zooms inside with everypony in tow. I follow behind a grey pony with a red tail with Melody beside me, and Flaming Shield beside her, all grinning from ear to ear.

I fly through the doors, and met with quite a sight. The gymnasium was huge, about as large as my cloud home back in Ponyville, and the ceiling was about 30 feet above my head. There are different contraptions, some I could recognize, some looked familiar, but some just looked odd. I can some weights and exercise machines. In a corner of the large gym, was a padded area with nothing but space. There’s even a balance beam and trapolin, but I don’t see how that could really benefit in improving my flying.

I turn my attention back to Surprise who is motioning for everyone to follow her to the open padded area. It looks like I’m the only pony to notice while everypony else is distracted by the new setting, so I head in her direction.

She smiles at me, “Long time no see, Rainbow Dash. How have you been?”

“Fine...um…” I look around the the room and it looks like ponies are still busy absorbing the seen. “Shouldn’t you get everypony’s attention?” I ask.

She looks around, and giggles, “Yeah, I guess so. We will have to talk some other time. I know you’ve gotten to talk to Soarin already.” She giggles again in a similar matter that reminds me of Pinkie, reminding me how much I miss my friends and wish I see them.

I shake my head, putting the regret of leaving my friends in the back of my mind. I walk to Melody and Shield, who have finally gotten use to the large gym. Surprise gathers up all the cadets, and eventually everypony is now with their focus on training.

Surprise steps in front of us. She stops a hoof on the ground to get ponies’ attention. “Okay, now before we do anything, we need to stretch first. I want you all to step up on the paded area, get into two lines, and do what I do.”

I trot on to the mat and stand between Steel Wings and a sky blue mare with her mane in a long, wavy mane a shade lighter than her coat and cutie mark of a cloud. She almost reminds me of Fluttershy in a way. She seems to hind behind her mane and looks tense, just like Fluttershy would.

I look at Surprise as she begins to speak. “Okay, cadets, follow my lead.” Surprise stands on her hind legs and reaches up. I do the same, as does the others. Next she sets her hooves back on the ground, and stretches them as far as she can while keeping her back hooves in place. We all do the same. Surprise does other stretches with the cadets all copying her.

“Okay, everypony, now that we are all stretched out, we can begin. Today I just want to see what you guys can do. Since this session of training is acrobatics, I want to see what you can do.”

“Um… how are we gonna do that with so little room to fly?” the stallion who I saw in front of me earlier asks in a rude tone.

Surprise bounces over to a button on the wall. “Like this, silly,” she giggles, pressing the button. All of sudden the ground starts to shake a bit. There is the sound of something mechanical opening from above. I look up and stare at the ceiling opening up, to reveal a crystal clear sky. I stand there, gaping up at the opening above me.

Coming back to my senses, I shake my head, then look back up, then look at everypony else. Some look to have resided from the shock, but most still look dumbfounded.

“Okay, cadets,” Surprise says, stealing everypony’s attention. “It time to start,” her tone turning more serious. “Okay,” she yells, “I want you all to make a line on the wall over there,” she points a hoof to an empty space on the wall, “and when I call out your name, all be doing the same stunts I tell you to do. Everypony got that?” everypony nods, most looking a little timid at the sudden change of attitude, excluding me because I was use to Pinkie doing it. “Great,” her voice changes to cheerful once again. “Okay, first is,” she looks at a clipboard that came from nowhere, “Sky Blue!”

The pony I stood next flies up, looking a little skittish, again reminding me of Fluttershy.

Surprise speaks, “Ready Sky Blue?” Sky Blue just nods. “Okay, let’s start with a triple flip, then I want you to dive down for three seconds, pull up and twirl to finish it off.” Sky Blue nods, then gets ready to start her performance.

She looks down at everypony nervously, telling me she is scared. She is taking a long time to pick up the courage to start. I watch with concern, as she keeps hesitating. “Why won’t she just fly?” Golden Wings voice catches my attention. “It’s not that hard.” Golden puts her hooves up to abilify her her words, “Would you just do the stunt already, Shy Blue?”

I glare at her, “She’s trying,” I say in Sky Blues defence, “She’s just nervous!”

Golden rolls her eyes, “What ever Rainbow Crash,” I really want to hurt. So, bad. “Why do you care?”

An ear piercing holler stops me from telling her, “SHUT UP!” I turn to see Surprise with a random megaphone similar to one Pinkie owns. “Okay, girls!” she put the megaphone away, “Go on Sky Blue.” The blue mare looked even more terrified now, and I kinda felt bad for interrupting her.

I look at Surprise who is busy watching Sky Blue, then at everypony else who are also waiting for her to start. I do a doubletake before lifting off. No pony seems to notice me, except Golden Wing, who looks at me confusing. I look away from, turning to my target.I show up beside Sky Blue, who doesn’t look to good. She’s shaking and has a terrified look in eyes when looking up at me.

I hear Surprise yell something, probably telling me to come down, but I need to help this poor mare.

I place a hoof on her shoulder, making the terrified pegasus flinch, “It’s okay, just ignore them and fly,” I tell her in calm voice that resembles the way I speak to Fluttershy when she is scared.

The poor mare stares at me in the eye for the first time, and I can spot small tears building up, I give her an encouraging smile. She looks at the ponies below us, then back me. She gives me a weak smile and nods. I nod in return and head back to my place on the ground.

Sky Blue takes a deep breath, then telling Surprise, who was glaring at me for not following orders, she is ready. Surprise turns to Sky Blue. “Oh, well get started then,” She says, staring at me with a face of ‘what did you do’ written on it.

Sky Blue takes a deep breath, then begins, and wow, did she perform. She starts off flying upward, when she reaches a good height, she does a graceful triple flip. After her third flip, she nose dives downward, her body straight, front hooves angled, and back hooves pointed. After three seconds she pulls up before hitting the ground. When she pulls up, she corkscrews up in a graceful manner. To finish, she stops her upward motion, only staying in one spot still twirling.

When she stops, everypony, including me, are all staring in amazement. Surprise didn’t give her a hard task, but the way Sky Blue was able to make such simple stunts look so graceful and majestic. It was quite a sight to see, and after witnessing such a performance, I really want to more of what she can do.

Sky Blue flies down, landing next to Surprise, who says a few words to her. The blue mare then walks in my direction, then stops at my hooves. She averts her eyes, still reminding of Fluttershy. “Thank you...for the encouragement,” she whispers.

I smile at her, “No prop, and you gave quite the performance.” She looks up at me, smiling, then walks away.

“Okay, next up is Flare Chaser,” Surprise calls.

A grey stallion with a red mane in need of a haircut and a flame as his cutie mark, walks up. He looks a little tense, but in the way Sky Blue did. He had a look on his face that said ‘don’t bother me’. He looked like the type of stallion you don’t want to mess with.

He walks up to Surprise, “Alright, Flare Chaser, I want you to do what I told Sky Blue. Start with a triple flip, then dive down for three seconds, pull up and twirl to finish it off. Got that,” he just nods.

Flare chaser flies up to get started. He stops, centered above us. He pauses for a moment, then begins. Like Sky Blue, he flies upward, except he doesn’t stop to do the flips. Instead he stays in an upward direction while doing the stunt. He goes for the dive on his last flip, waiting three before pulling up. He stays at a straight angle. He then changes his direction, going vertical while he spins. He finishes, hovering down to get Surprises opinion, then trotting back over to his spot in line.

I have to say, his performance was pretty good.

Surprise calls the next pony, “Shooting Comet!” Comet flies up to Surprise, who tells her what to do. Comet then flies up to the center.

She starts off going straight to the flips, then diving down for three seconds, keeping her body straight. She pulls up doing a graceful corkscrew. She soon finishes the simple, yet graceful and impressive show.

“Next is Rainbow Dash.” Surprise calls my name. I trot on up to her, trying to hide the fact that I am dying on the insiding. Surprise goes over what I need to do, then telling me good luck.

I fly to the center, like all the other cadets did before they began. I take a deep breath, my eyes closed.

“Hurry up!” I hear Golden shout. I just ignore her. I exhale deeply. I inhale sharply, narrowing my when I am focused enough.

I speed upward to right height. I stop my upward motion to tuck my legs to my chest and do the triple flip. I then let go of my back legs, straighten and angle my body to gain speed as I nose dive to the ground. I count three seconds, before pulling up at that sharpest angle I can, and corkscrew upward in a speed so that it looks like a spinning rainbow. I start to slow down, as I finish the presentation.

I hover down to Surprise, who has wide eyes and a shocked look on her face. “I knew you were good, but I didn’t know you were superspectaculrific!” I chuckle a little. I didn’t think I was that good. My awesomeness surprises me sometimes.

I walk back the wall where the other cadets stand.

“Tickle Feather,” Surprise calls out.

An orange stallion with a crazy green and yellow mane and a shaking feather as his cutie mark, trots up to Surprise with a spring in every step. Surprise smiles and tells him what to do.

Instead of flying to the center of the gym like everypony else did, he shoots off from the ground, doing three flips. He dives down, going at an impeccable speed. Three seconds. He makes a sharp upward motion, corkscrewing. He finishes, looking happy as can be, grinning from ear to ear.

He trots back to the line with the same spring in his step. What a weird pony.

Surprise calls the next pony, “Artistic Melody!” I see Melody walk up to Surprise, who tells her the aerial performance.

She walks to the center, takes breather, then shoots off vertically. She gets to a high enough altitude before tucking her back legs to her chest and doing three flips, going down. She then straightens her body, diving in a vertical angle. I don’t know how she did it but she managed to pull up, and corkscrew upward. To finish it of she she twirls in place for a few seconds.

I have to say, her true talent may be writing and art, but she can really fly.

“Moon Shadow.” Moon Shadow walks up. I swear, even the way he walks is mysterious.

Surprise tells him what to do. He flies to the center, and begins. He does a triple flip, nose dives for the three seconds, makes a sharp upward pull, flies straight, then stops to twirl, all while keeping a straight face.

Something about this stallion is just not right. I mean he isn’t even breathing heavily or break a sweat. Surprise even looks sceptical of the pegasus.

“Okay,” Surprise says, “Flaming Shield.”

His performance starts off with him doing the triple flip a little sloppily, then him diving down with a great amount of speed. He pulls up, doing a corkscrew.

He hovers to ground, talks to Surprise, and heads back over here.

“Golden Wings,” Golden Wings smirks when her name is. I wanted to smack it off so hard.

She trots up to Surprise who gives her the drill on what to do. She nods, her smirk growing, and takes off. She starts in an upward direction, going into a graceful triple flip. She dives down for three seconds and pulls and finishes with delicate twirl. She hovers to the ground, a smug look on her face. I hate to admit it, but she could be Wonderbolt material. If it weren’t for the spoiled attitude.

“Last but not least,” Surprise announces, “Steel Wings.”

Steel Wings walks out of the line. “Of course they save the best for last.” He struts up to our commanding officer. I try to hold back my laughter at how funny it looks.

Surprise starts to tell give him the drill, but he stops her, “I got this in the bag,” he cheers.

Surprise gives him a funny look, “Okay,” her tone unsure, as am I.

He starts off zooming to the sky, going right for a sloppy triple flip, then nose diving for a total of three seconds, pulling up not so sharply. He rockets up, with a shaky corkscrew, and finishes with twirl. He ends the show with a smirk similar to Golden Wings. He hovers down to Surprise. I need say it, he may be fast, but he needs work on grace… a lot.

“Okay, that is all for training today, oh and look at the time,” I look at a nearby clock. It read 9:30. “Head on out to the track where you will meet Fleetfoot to begin your speed training,” Surprise orders.

We all file out of the gymnasium and head to the track.

Chapter 8

Everypony is standing outside, where the track is, waiting for Fleetfoot. We have been standing here for who how long, waiting for her. All I hear is annoyed and impatient ponies groaning, one including Melody.

“When is she going to get-” Melody is cut off by an icy blue blur zooming, catching everypony attention.

Fleetfoot skids to a stop, making a screeching noise as she comes to a stop. “Hello, everypony!” she shouts in her raspy voice. “Welcome to speed training. Brought to you by yours truly. Now who is start training!” I hear many ponies cheer excitedly, but I to hold the urge to facehoof, knowing what truly is like.

Fleetfoot eyes me, and smirks. I think I just died inside. “Well, well, well. Long time no see, Rainbow Dash.” Definitely dying inside. “You don’t seem to as pumped up as the other ponies. What’s wrong, not as awesome as were,” and now I’m dead.

I blush at the stares everypony is giving me. “I’m just ready to start training, ma’am,” I say. Fleetfoot nods.

“Good, because you cadets better be ready to train hard!” She then blows a whistle that was around her neck. “Okay, for your first form of training, you will be racing one another. No partners everypony against everypony. Six laps, which will be a mile and a half. I will be keeping score of your time to see how fast you truly are.” She smirks. “And the winner of the race will take me on in a race!” there are now murmurs.

I grin at the task. I got this in the bag. I’m the fastest pony in Ponyville and helped get Ponyville to victor at the Equestria Games!

Fleetfoot breaks me from my thoughts, “Before the race, I want you to stretch for about five minutes.

After stretching with given amount time, Fleetfoot hollers, “In position!” Everyone lines up at the track’s start. “On your mark!” she raises her hoof as I narrow my eyes and feel the rush of determination course through me. “Get set!” She raises her hoof higher. I spread my wings. “Go!” I shoot from the starting line, but make sure not to go over my limit just yet, a lesson I learned a year ago from Twilight not to go over my limit.

I end up beside Steel Wings. He turns to me, “You’re going down!” he laughs.

I grow a cocky smirk, and repeat the same words I once said, “In history!” I push myself a bit more, still not hitting my limit, and speed past him, making me eat my dust.

I pass many other ponies, including Golden Wing, and end up in third place on my third lap. In front of me are Shooting Comet, in second place, and Moon Shadow with the lead.

I strain my wing, now at their limit, as I pass Shooting Comet and gain up on on Moon Shadow. I push myself more, straining my wing as I do so. Now on my fourth lap, I feel I will lose to the pony in front. Then, like always before I accept fate, memories of being tease, bullied, and picked on come back to me. I feel that same rush of adrenaline as I remember what I promised myself, never accept defeat.

I exhale deeply, and push my wings. This action gives me an extra burst of speed, drawing me closer to the finish line. I push harder, harder. My eyes on the target, I push past Moon Shadow, now left in the dust. I see him stop, eyes wide as I speed past him. Faster, faster.

And I finish in first place. I skid to a stop, breathing heavily, as I let my wings fall the ground, not bothering to tuck them in. I turn to Fleetfoot, who is looking at me, shocked.

Soon the other cadets make it to the finish line, with Flare Chaser coming in last place.

Fleetfoot looks at a clipboard, “Okay, Flare Chaser you came last place with 10 minutes.” Flare Chaser kicks the ground, growling. “Hey, you did better than Soarin can,” why did she have to say that. Soarin is still one of the best Wonderbolts around.

“Artistic Melody,” Melody looks up, “ you came in 9th place with a time of 9 minutes and half,” Melody shrugs.

“Tried my best.” I look at her in amazement. How can she handle a time like that, and coming in ninth place?

“Steel Wings came in 8th place with a time of 8 minutes and 3 seconds,” Steel Wings just grunts at his time.

Fleet continues with the names. Golden Wing ended in 7th place and time of seven minute and 52 seconds, her reaction to her time was priceless. Shield came in 6th place and a time of six minutes and 46 seconds. Sky Blue came in 5th with a time of six minutes. Tickle Feather was 4th place and ended with a time of six and a half minutes. Shooting Comet finished 3rd with a time of five minutes and 20 seconds. Moon Shadow came in 2nd, making a time of four minutes and 12 seconds, he hid his reaction pretty well, but I could see he was disappointed with his result.

Fleetfoot finally calls my name and my results, “Rainbow Dash came in first with a time of three minutes and 37 seconds.” Fleetfoot stares at me, as does everypony else for the hundredth time. “Wow girl, I knew you were fast, but geeze, you’re nearly as fast as me.”

I smirk, “Well then you have some competition for that race.” Fleetfoot nods.

“You ready to start it then?” she asked in an eager, competitive tone.

“Can I get some water first?”

“Fine. Everypony pony, you have ten minute water break. There is three water fountains by the restrooms on the first floor. Make it quick.”

Everypony zooms into the building. We all soon get some water, and are back in time.

Fleetfoot smiles eagerly, “Okay everypony, line up outside of the track to watch. Rainbow, to the starting line.” We walk up to the start. “Two laps, since you just finished one.” I nod and get into position. “Ready,” I spread my wings, narrowing my eyes. “ Set...Go!”

Me and Fleetfoot rocket from the starting line. We are neck and neck as we speed past the other ponies watching. I pass myself, still going at a fast speed though. I can tell Fleetfoot is doing the same, she is barely breaking a sweat.

I speed up a tad bit, making sure not to go at a speed I might injure my wing after straining them so much in the last race. Fleetfoot gains speed as well, making us neck and neck again. I look at her, she looks back with a smirk. I turn my head back, on the track, focusing on the race. I need to win this.

I flap my wings harder, now on the last lap. I now go as fast as I can, Fleetfoot still at my side. I push harder, now the feeling the pain in my wings from earlier. Fleetfoot chuckle, and zooms past me.

My eyes widen, and I gain more speed, but I can’t get ahead of her. I just behind the Wonderbolt, pushing my wing over their limit once more, but this time right after a race that strained to win. I flap my wing harder and harder, but even as I give my all, Fleetfoot still finishes the race.

As I cross the finish, I come to stop, breathing heavily, and feeling defeated.

Fleetfoot walks up to me, “Haha, I won. Good race.” I just fake a smile.

Melody comes up to me, beaming, as Fleetfoot walks away, “Wow you were amazing. I’m surprised you didn’t win, you almost had her beat.” I nod, looking down and defeated. Artistic smiles at me weakly, “You know, if you didn’t just finish a race, you probably would have won.”

I look at up at her and smile, “Thanks, but it still sucks to lose.” My smile fades.

She touches my shoulder, “Well, just do I what I do.” I look at her confused. “Just take your failures, set a goal, and improve.” That is actually a good idea.

“Good advice.” She smiles, happy that she could help me in some way. “I guess my goal is to beat Fleetfoot in a race.” She nods, agreeing.

For the rest of training we just ran laps on the track. Soon Fleetfoot said the training session was over and to go to the mess hall for lunch. I ate with Melody, Shield, and eventually Sky Blue joined us. She didn’t talk much, but it was nice that she joined us.

Chapter 5

BANG! BANG! BANG!

“Ah!” I fell out of bed with a thud.

Somepony was banging on the door. “Com’on cadets!” the voice of Spitfire commanded, “We may not be training today, but that doesn’t mean you should still be asleep!” She kept banging on the door.

“We’re up, ma’am!” I heard Melody scream, the obvious annoyance in her tone showing she is not a morning person.

Spitfire stopped banging on the door, “Breakfast starts in an hour! Show in a better attitude.”

“Yes ma’am,” I say groggily, rubbing the sleep from my eyes with my hooves. I soon hear footsteps leading away from the door.

I look at Melody. She didn’t look to happy, she had a look with the full intent to kill the next person she sees, which scared me a little. I look away from her to see to the time. 5:01 AM. Wow. Well, this should be a fun stay.

I get to my hooves and straighten out my bed since my blanket fell with me. After my bed was made, I turned to see if Melody had cooled down a bit. “Morning, Melody,” I tell her. She just turns around giving me the evil eye.

She groans, “I hate getting up.” She looks at the clock, and groans again.

“What do you want to do to pass the time?” I ask.

“Sleep,” is all she says.

I chuckle a little, but immediately regret it when Melody give me the deadliest look that could beat King Sombra’s bloodthirsty stare. I back away with my ears folded back at the gaze she was giving me.

“I’ll just leave stop talking now,” I say awkwardly, and slowly turn around to face my bed.

A few minutes pass before I her Melody speak with a much calmer voice, “Sorry, I’m not really a morning pony.”

I nod. “I can tell,” I say.

“Do you want to talk while we wait to eat?” she ask.

“Talk about what?” I ask.

Melody grins mischieviously, giving me a bad feeling, “How did you and Soarin meet?” There it was, I knew she would ask me sooner or later.

I sigh, “Okay,” and I start my story. “About two years ago, I competed in the Best Young Flyers Competition so I could hang out with the Wonderbolts if I won. I did win, but not how you would expect.”

“How did you win?” she ask.

“Well my friends had come to support even though they are not pegasi. My friend, Twilight, used magic to give my other friend wings and the rest the ability to walk on clouds for three days. Rarity’s wings got her a lot of attention so she signed up for the competition. So me and Rarity had to share a turn due to the time.

“During her routine, Rarity’s wing had evaporated, making her fall to death. The Wonderbolts had gone to save her, but were knocked out in process. When I saw them falling, I disregarded my routine and chased to save them. The only I could to them was to break the sound barrier, and I did, making a sonic rainboom in the process. I saved them and won the contest. I got to meet all the Wonderbolt, but I mostly hung out with Soarin since the rest seemed to be busy or didn’t give much mind to me.”

Melody smiles, “Did you meet any other times?”

“Yeah, I went to the Wonderbolts Academy and he trained us with a few things like combat. I also hung out with him at the Canterlot wedding, we even danced,” I pause, looking at Melody, and the shocked expression she was giving me. “My friend’s brother was the one who was getting married. I also got to perform the sonic rainboom,too.” I get back to the topic when her face turns back to normal, “We also met up at the Equestria Games Tryouts.

“Spitfire and Fleetfoot wanted me to fly with them and take Soarin’s place. They told me Soarin was still healing from an injury, which was a lie, but I didn’t know that.” I look down in regret, “I wanted to fly with them, but I also didn’t want to let Ponyville down because I went with the better team. I couldn’t decide, so I faked being injured.

“I met Soarin in the hospital, where we learned we had both been deceived. I realized I couldn’t let down my friends or hometown, especially with a team that would lie to their own comrade. I did hesitate, but I ended up telling Soarin I wasn’t injured. I thought he would be mad, but he was actually quite understanding, and we both got to compete in the Games, where we also got to hang out.”

“Wait, you competed in the Equestria Games? Thats… how… why…” Melody looked at me questionably, “How are you not a Wonderbolt already?”

I smile, “I guess you could say I am, I’m a reserve actually, but I want to be a full fledged Wonderbolt,” I explain.

Melody just nods, then looks at the clock again. I look, too. It read 5:40.

Melody turns to me, “I you want to head to the mess hall for breakfast?”

I nod walk to the door with Melody right behind me.

***************************************************************************************************************

In line for breakfast, I got eggs, wheat toast, hash browns, and grits. Melody and I are the first ones here, so there were plenty of empty tables. We chose one and sat down to eat. I started to eat my eggs, when more ponies started arriving.

I heard Spitfire say during the announcements, that ten ponies made it to this camp. I my goal today would be to meet and get to know the ponies I would be training with. I have already met three of them, which meant there were still six ponies to become acquainted with. Of course we save the two vacant seats for Steel Wings and Flaming Shield who were coming this way.

“Hey guys,” I greet them.

Shield waves, “Hey.” He puts his tray on the table and sits next to Melody.

“Sup girls,” Steel winks at at us. “I mean to bale on you guys, but I’m going to sit with the other cadets,” and he leaves.

“Okay, well see ya around,” I say to nonexistent presents. I turn to Shield, “We didn’t talk much yesterday.”

He looks at, “No we didn’t,” he smirks, “You were to busy talking with a famous Wonderbolt, I must know how you know him.” I groan, but Melody tries not to laugh, but fails and starts cracking up.

Melody starts to calm down, at least enough to get some words out, “I just asked her that in the room.” She starts bursting with laughter again.

I glare at Melody, “Honestly, Melody, it’s not that funny.”

Still laughing, she gets out the words, “Yes it is.” I groan.

Shield uses a hoof gesture that says I’m waiting. In defeat, I tell Flaming Shield what I told Melody. Once I finish, I chuckle a little at the face he is making. It looked a lot like Melody’s.

“So let me get this straight,” he begins, “you save the Wonderbolts by performing a sonic rainboom, went to the Wonderbolt Academy, danced with Soarin at the Royal Canterlot wedding, tried out for the Equestria Games, and flew in them?”

I chuckle, “I don’t know, I actually know them on a personally and they know my talent. Oh and I forgot to say Ponyville won the Equestria Games with 37 medals.”

Both Shield and Artistic Melody stare at me in awe.

“Forget the Wonderbolt, just create your own team or at least join one that lets in talent.” Shield says.

I start to eat my eggs, when a ball of green fire and the sound of flames catch my attention. I am over the moon when the note pops out of mid air. The action did not go unnoticed when everypony, including the captain, appear at our table with confused looks. I blush in embarrassment.

Spitfire glares at me, “Explain cadet,” she commands.

“Sorry ma’am, it is a letter from loved ones,” I explain.

“Okay,” she holds out a hoof, “Care to let me verify that.”

“Yes ma’am,” I say, hoping she doesn’t read it out loud.

My wish came true when she started mumbling the letter to herself. Her eyes widen, then go back to normal. “Sorry, I forgot you were close friends with Princess Twilight,” I really wish she didn’t say that out loud. Now everypony will ask how I know a princess. I can’t tell them about the elements because, as public as they may be, Celestia thinks it would be better to keep me and my friend’s identity's from the public. “I let you read your note now,” says Spitfire as she gives me back my letter.

“Thank you, ma’am,” I mumble and leaves, leaving me to deal with everypony.

There was silences, just all the cadets staring at me, as if I have two heads. And then… they all bombard me with, “How do you know the Princess of Friendship?!”