In Rainbow Dash's eyes, Ponyville wasn't always the most exhilarating town. There were the occasional problems and incidents which put the town on edge; monster attacks had to be the most notorious. Despite the moments where her heart raced in excitement, the mood around Ponyville was often duller than she liked; all day, the common folks stopped by shops or gossiped about their personal lives. Rainbow's favorite subject may have been herself, but even such a topic produced yawns after some time.
Yet, after a wild excursion through Canterlot and elsewhere with her future on the line, a radiant grin formed across her face upon trotting across Ponyville's grasslands. Warmth coursed through her veins as she accustomed herself to the open lifestyle Ponyville was known for on most days. No more brushing shoulders with posh ponies that refused to look down.
"And thank goodness everything worked out in the end," said Rainbow. She wiped her brow; a sigh of relief escaped her lips. "I just kept digging myself deeper that day. I'm glad the Wonderbolts gave me some time to clear my name."
Flapping her wings, Rainbow took to the skies. A relaxing flight was all she needed. She slowly glided across the glowing, dew-covered grass and closed her eyes. "All's well that ends well, right?"
Just then, Rainbow's forehead collided with something solid, a loud grunt echoing in the air. A sharp twinge pierced her head. She massaged her aching forehead, the pain slowly dying down until it vanished seconds later.
"S-sorry," Rainbow muttered. She pushed herself upright. "I didn't mean to push ya like that."
The mare before her stood up, adjusting her goggles and chuckling for a second. "It's okay, Rainbow Dash," she said. "Just be careful for next time, please." Rainbow scanned the mare before her. Skipping a beat was all Rainbow's heart could do. The blue and yellow Wonderbolts uniform coupled with the round goggles adorning her head painted the whole picture. Her tan coat and light blue mane provided even more detail; Rainbow knew who stood before her.
"Misty Fly, what are you doing here?" asked Rainbow, her tone high-pitched. She tilted her head. "I didn't know you'd be here."
Misty cracked a smile. "I just finished visiting a close friend of mine. She's a real sweetie."
"Cool! What's her name?"
"Amethyst Star."
"I think I know her." Rainbow snickered into the tip of her hoof. "I tried opening a jar of peanut butter for her once. It totally wasn't easy."
"I'll be sure to put a good word in for you when we meet again." Misty winked. "Amethyst likes making new friends, and somepony as loyal as you would make for a wonderful friend."
"That's awesome!" Rainbow extended her foreleg out, Misty grasping her hoof and shaking it for a second. "How has everything else been?"
"Everything's calming down now, which is definitely welcomed." Her head hung low. She sighed. "I'm sorry about what happened in Canterlot. I-I just didn't know you well and I thought Wind Rider was this amazing stallion." Misty rubbed her eyes. "Look, I understand if you're mad at me."
"But I'm not."
Misty's eyes widened. She assumed eye contact with Rainbow. "Huh?"
"I mean, even I thought Wind Rider was cool before we solved the mystery." Rainbow wrapped a foreleg around Misty and smiled. "And if I was in your hooves, I'd join the accusations as well. You were worried about your friend and the signs all pointed to me back then. That's totally understandable. And besides, I already know the real you." The dozens of letters Misty sent to her profusely apologizing and asking how she was provided enough proof about her nature. "You're a good pony, Misty Fly. And everypony gets angry at times. That's totally normal."
"Oh." Misty smirked slightly. "Well, thanks for forgiving me."
"Besides, I've made my own fair share of mistakes. Remember the letters I sent back telling you about the Mare-Do-Well situation? Remember the letter about my accidental rudeness toward my friends?"
Misty nodded. "I do."
"So hold your head up high and keep fighting. One of my close friends said that mistakes are what make us ponies and that nopony is right or perfect all the time. And you weren't even doing anything bad."
"Thanks for understanding." Misty's smile widened; her eyes shimmered. "I appreciate it."
"Though I do have one thing I'd like to say." Rainbow released her grip. Her eyes locked with Misty's. While blurting such a thing out would feel out of place, she needed to let Misty know. "You remember when you and the other Wonderbolts interrogated me, right?"
Misty nodded. "I do. What about it?"
"Well, there's something about how you looked when you asked me about one of the clues. Well, a clue before we found out what really happened." Rainbow paused, throat tightened. She knew it wasn't the best thing to mention, but a Wonderbolt would benefit with such knowledge. It might prove useful for her. "Misty Fly, I know this is going to sound weird coming from me, but you look cute when you're angry." Rainbow's cheeks turned warm. "Really cute, and I don't say that about most ponies."
Misty sighed. "Not again."
"Huh?"
Ruffling her wings, Misty then placed a hoof to her chest. "I've been trying to become tougher ever since I became a Wonderbolt." She paused, eyes widened. "Sorry if that sounds rude or silly, but being cute isn't exactly intimidating, you know?"
"No need to apologize. Heck, you apologize more than Fluttershy."
"Yeah, I get that a lot."
Rainbow crossed her forelegs, a grin adorning her visage. "Say, how about we practice becoming scary right here? It'll be fun!"
A few seconds passed. Only the rustling of leaves reached their ears. Misty rubbed her muzzle, humming and tapping her hooves against the ground. Then, she glanced back up to Rainbow and nodded. "Okay, I'll do it."
"Awesome!"
"Where do we start?"
"Hmm." Rainbow closed her eyes for a moment. Multiple scenarios passed by her mind; some of them seemed plausible while others just wouldn't fit. A situation about not getting broccoli had to be the worst of all. Perhaps starting with a recent event would work out. "Let's play pretend for a second."
"What's the scenario?"
"Pretend I'm that slimy Wind Rider and that I just confessed everything bad I did. You're mad at him for what he did and won't hold back." Rainbow straightened her posture. "Now then, give me your best shot!"
Misty nodded and exhaled. She cleared her throat, then hovered up and placed her hooves on her hips. A forced scowl decorated her face. "Wind Rider, you terrible stallion. How dare you trick us into thinking Rainbow Dash was guilty. If I had known who you truly were, I'd never waste a second associating with you."
Rainbow rolled her eyes. "You're—still cute."
With sagging shoulders, Misty released another sigh. "Figures. What did I do wrong?"
"Well, your pose and expression convey a cute kind of angry, not a scary kind. First off, I'd recommend skipping the pose."
"Like this?" Misty dug her hooves into the soil, her scowl a near-perfect replica of the one she wore before.
"Again, you're still cute."
The faint scowl Misty bore turned into a frown in a flash. "So it's more than just the pose?"
"Yep."
"Wait a second." A brief image of Rainbow glaring at her friends, winter looming in the background, reached her mind. Her pupils dilated and brightened. "That's it! Just be angry! Like this!"
Rainbow took a deep breath. Scrunching her muzzle, she assumed the same furious face she bore when she denied being angry to her friends, complete with the faint grunting.
Misty hopped a few inches back, wings opened. "Wow! That's quite the face," she said. "You've got that angry look down."
Rainbow donned her bright, confident smile once more. "Yep. Try and match my face!"
Crossing her forelegs, Misty then shrugged. "I don't know."
"C'mon! Confidence is key!"
"Okay. I can do this." Misty exhaled. "I can do this."
"That's the spirit!" Rainbow pumped a hoof into the air. "Show me what ya got!"
With a deep breath, Misty scrunched her muzzle. Steam erupted from her nostrils. Yet, her mild frown failed to get Rainbow to budge an inch. The only reason she'd done so back during the interrogation was because Misty got a little too close to her, but seeing such a face on her didn't freeze her blood.
It might as well have warmed her heart instead.
Misty removed her scowl; she replaced it with a blank stare. "Not good enough?"
Rainbow shook her head. Nope."
"What did I do wrong this time?"
Rainbow rubbed her muzzle for a second. Perhaps this was one of those things where a solution wouldn't come in a day. Sure, Twilight being able to fly took time, but never had such a mission felt so hopeless. Moving the entire city of Canterlot with her bare hooves had to be easier than making Misty truly scary.
"Let's discuss this over some lunch," said Rainbow. "We might need to plan this out."
"Sounds fair to me." Misty ruffled her wings. "You can pick where we go, Rainbow Dash. It's only fair."
"Awesome." Rainbow trotted to her left; she motioned toward Misty, who followed close behind. "Sugarcube Corner is a wonderful place to go. Follow me!"
When it came to having a talk over lunch, Sugarcube Corner always delivered. The salads they provided didn't hold a candle to the sweets they were most known for, but such simple meals served their purpose. Misty sat across from Rainbow. She twiddled the goggles around her neck or pursed her lips, while Rainbow simply took large bites.
"Say, maybe we should get to know each other better," said Misty. "How about it?"
"I'm up for it," Rainbow replied. "How's your relationship with Spitfire? The two of you get along so well."
Misty cracked a smile. "Honestly, Spitfire is the best friend I've ever had. She's intelligent, strong, and always looks out for her fellow Wonderbolts. That was especially true after the Equestria Games tryouts. Ever since we first met, we've been looking out for each other."
"That's awesome! I bet you two make a great team."
"Naturally. Spitfire would help me become better at physical activities, while I'd help her get through tough times and rekindle her spirit. We're such a close pair."
"Sounds like you truly care for each other." Rainbow's cheeks turned a hot pink. "No wonder you were so upset when she went missing."
"Yeah."
"I'd have felt the same way in your hooves there as well." Rainbow adjusted her seating position, the metallic surface poking her coat. "Anyway, Spitfire is quite the mare. She may make mistakes, but how much she learns and how smart she is what makes her worth idolizing."
"That's true."
The pair continued babbling, the world trotting past them as Rainbow was absorbed in the conversation. Listening to Misty discussing some of her past and the struggles she encountered earned smiles, laughs, and sympathetic words; hours passed by to the point where both of them had long since consumed their meals. Their interests, Misty thanking Dash for saving her life at least ten times when that episode was brought up, Misty's awkward meeting with Iron Will, and even Rainbow discussing her adventure in Griffonstone were among the topics they shared.
Yet, throughout the winding conversations and dozens of stories they shared together, Rainbow could only reach one conclusion.
Misty Fly somehow spoke to her heart. Maybe it was how she'd cheer up and give advice to her fellow Wonderbolts. Perhaps it was the story where she risked her life to save somepony when the plunder seeds attacked Ponyville. Fluttershy came to mind throughout some of her stories as well, though while she wasn't the epitome of kindness Rainbow's close friend was, most tales saw her coming incredibly close. Despite Rainbow's feelings, she knew it wasn't love. Rainbow recalled the juxtaposing warmness and coldness love produced.
This was just warm.
"And that's what the Grand Galloping Gala last year was like," Misty concluded. "It sure doesn't hold a candle to your experience."
"Maybe, but getting forcibly dragged around the place must've been so lame."
Misty chuckled. "No kidding. Blaze wanted to punch the next stallion that shoved her in front of a camera, but thank Celestia that didn't happen."
"I'd have done it earlier if I was her." Rainbow snickered. "So much for relaxation."
"Yeah."
"By the way, do you mind if we talk about something a little more serious?" Rainbow took a quick breath. She forced her muscles to loosen. "You know, about the whole being scary thing?"
Misty's smile vanished like a mirage. She nodded. "Go ahead."
"You know, maybe you're worrying too much about this. No offense, Misty Fly."
Misty cocked her head. "What do you mean?"
"Let me put it this way. You're—" Rainbow paused for a second "—you're actually fun to be around. I mean it."
"Um, thank you." Misty pressed her hooves together. "I don't see what that has to do with becoming more intimidating."
"That's kinda the point. You're fine the way you are." Rainbow's lips curled into a smile. "I mean, we make mistakes and we might not be good at everything, but it's the whole that counts most of all. You're a good pony."
"I do get that a lot." Misty rubbed the back of her neck; she sheepishly grinned. "So what you're saying is that I should just stick to my true personality. I shouldn't worry so much about fitting in. No matter how I come off, what matters is that I present myself as who I am. Is that right?"
"That's—" Rainbow blinked "—right. Huh. And you added more stuff to it."
"Well, I think you do have a point. This isn't the only time I've tried becoming more intimidating." Misty placed her hooves atop the table. Her eyes peered into Rainbow's. "And—I've been wrong before, as you already know. So thanks for steering me on the right track. You'll be on the main squad in no time."
"You're welcome." Rainbow pushed herself off the chair, her back crying out in joy. Having a cold, metallic plate rubbing it grew old after some time. "Say, wanna go flying with me? It'll be so awesome!"
"I'd be honored."
Both Misty and Rainbow departed Sugarcube Corner with mile-wide smiles. They cut through the air, weaving around clouds and performing short loops. Even the most basic of stunts got Rainbow's blood pumping. Laughs and cheers only added to it all. Rainbow could only come to one conclusion.
While the Wonderbolts weren't a symbol of perfection, they still deserved to be idolized in Rainbow's eyes. They were living proof of how everypony had their own quirks and personalities. They made mistakes, but they learned from them or accepted they missed the mark just like Misty did in her talk. And if the investigation in Canterlot was anything to go by, they'd learned a lot. They stuck with each other, looked out for each other, gave second chances, and accepted when they were wrong. Rainbow learned the same kinds of lessons throughout her life. And in a way, these made the Wonderbolts better. They were ponies.
Rainbow wouldn't have it any other way. She couldn't wait to spend more time with them.
