Rainbow Dash let out a short breath as she removed her flight goggles, beaming with pride. Flying’s always an exhilarating rush, but to fly with the Wonderbolts…
She sighed happily as she trotted to the showers and pulled on the zipper of her rental Wonderbolts uniform. Ya never know...you just might be my permanent uniform one day, she thought. After slipping out of it and folding it neatly, she set it aside on a nearby table and turned on the shower handle. Shots of water rained down on the pegasus, making her sigh as the warm water sprayed her coat, washing away the dirt and sweat of the day before.
Rainbow Dash lifted her hoof to hold down one ear so the water could get in behind it. Ahh, that feels good. She continued to stay directly under the shower nozzle, letting the water drench her mane. Even though she was in a state of euphoria, she couldn’t help but feel something else.
Regret.
Why?
She didn’t do anything wrong, at least she thought she didn’t. She certainly didn’t feel bad about Wind Rider…. She sighed.
Except for the fact that her own idol set her up like that. She mentally shrugged it off and kept scrubbing. He got what he deserved, no question about it. She owed Rarity big time for that. She turned over her right wing and let it rinse. Still….Rainbow shuffled around until she was facing the nozzle and allowed the water to hit her face. It was then when one name popped into her head. Lightning Dust.
She bit the corner of her lip. Even though she never spoke of her, Rainbow thought of Lightning almost everyday. How quickly they became the best of pals, the crushed and dejected look on her face when Spitfire stripped her of her Lead Pony status...
Rainbow frowned deeply.
But then she remembered the terrified shrieks of her friends as they plummeted to their deaths. At least, It could’ve turned out that way if Rainbow hadn’t gotten there in time. It still somewhat rattled her to this day. The possibility of losing the most important ponies in her life was too much to think about. The mere image of them falling usually erased any trace of sympathy she had for Lightning. But not today.
Grunting, she switched the shower off and grabbed a nearby towel. Lightning Dust, Wind Rider….two powerful competitors of hers. One had the potential to be a fully fledged Wonderbolt. The other was a living breathing Wonderbolt legend, who’s had more speed, agility, and experience than any pegasus she knew. Both had their dreams and careers ruined by her. She discarded the towel and shook herself dry.
Weather it was her pride, stubbornness, or bluntness, it always seemed to affect somebody, no matter how good her intentions were. “Well. No point in feeling sorry for yourself, Rainbow. What’s done is done. Nothing you can do about it.”
Once she was dry, with the exception of her dripping mane, she collected the towel and goggles with one forearm before staring down at the Wonderbolt uniform. She knew it would easily become hers one day. Hers, and not theirs, never theirs.
“...Nothing I can do.”
Rainbow Dash turned back to wave goodbye to Spitfire as she left her office. She trotted down a bright blue hallway, the echoes of her hoof steps bouncing off the walls. Rainbow started to whistle as she came upon the Wonderbolt Wall of Fame, stopping to admire the portraits.
Now that everything’s returned, maybe Rares could hang out before I...
Her train of thought screeched to a halt when her eyes met his. Those hazel eyes that she once thought were warm and brave were now cold and vindictive, piercing her with their gaze, even from fifteen feet away. It wouldn’t matter so much, if Wind Rider hadn’t been blocking her path. An involuntary shudder shot up her spine, but Rainbow swallowed it back and took stance. I so don't need this right now. In truth, she was slightly worried by his sudden appearance, but refused to show it on the outside, twisting her mouth into a frown. “Look. I’m leaving, okay?”
Unexpectedly, Wind Rider smiled, taking her aback. “See those portraits on the wall, Rainbow Dash?”
The mare in question didn’t take her eyes off the ex Wonderbolt. “I’ve seen them,” Rainbow said with a thread of suspicion in her tone.
“Ah, those were the greats. The founding Mothers and Fathers of this…” He made a sweeping gesture with his hoof. “...Grand Empire. That’s what we refer to it as. An Empire. Only the best of the best are lucky enough to be chosen to be a part of it.”
“Luck has nothing to do with it,” Rainbow fired. “It takes effort and practice, and--”
Wind Rider’s laugh boomed throughout the halls. “Do my ears deceive me, or are you, a mere rookie, telling me what it means to become a Wonderbolt? Have you ever heard such arrogance coming from a mare? Look behind you! My own father is on that wall! Look at me! I’m the embodiment of what a true Wonderbolt should be. What they can be! I’ve dedicated thirty years of my life to this academy! And they’re more than willing to throw it all away! And for WHAT?”
Rainbow visibly flinched as Wind Rider took a step forward. “An overconfident reserve who’s just in it for the thrill ride. That’s what you are.”
He took a few steps closer, and leaned into Rainbow’s snarling face, his sharp smelling cologne assaulting her nostrils. “Because...compared to me? You’re nothing.”
Rainbow trembled inwardly, but narrowed her eyes and spoke through gritted teeth. “Back. Off.”
Wind Rider snorted and looked down on her in a condescending way. “Or what?”
“Now you’re just asking for it, Wind Rider. I didn’t want to before ‘cause you’re old. But now…”
“You heard her. Back off, Wind Rider.” Rainbow’s eyes widened. Wind turned to see Soarin standing behind him, without his uniform.
Wind seemed unfazed by Soarin’s demand. “If you don’t mind, we’re having a conversation.”
“Like hay you are!” He marched over and pushed the older pony back. “You’re supposed to be packing your things! I thought you’d be a Gentlecolt about it and leave with some dignity. If you don’t leave right now, I’ll have no choice but to call it in!”
Wind Rider frowned darkly. "I taught you everything I knew, Soarin. I took you under my wing. Are you really going to set it all aside... for her?"
Soarin's expression softened, but not by much. “Please. I'm asking you....as a friend. Leave."
“...You can’t get rid of me,” Wind Rider whispered as he slowly started to back away. “I am the Wonderbolts...You're making a big mistake, Soarin....I’m not beaten…” With that, he slipped away. Soarin waited until he was sure he was long gone before turning to Rainbow Dash.
“You okay?”
Rainbow tore her gaze from the hall Wind Rider went through and looked up at Soarin with a lackluster smile. “Y-Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks.”
Soarin searched her face, knowing that something wasn’t right. “Hey, what’s wrong? He didn’t do anything to you, did he?”
“No, no, nothing happened. It’s nothing, really. Nothing’s wrong.”
Soarin nudged her slightly, smiling a little. “Something.”
Rainbow’s eyes shifted to the floor. “You…. remember Lightning Dust, don’t you?”
“Hmm, her. How can I ever forget?”
“It’s like I’m having a deja vu. First her, now Wind Rider. His whole life was just ripped away from him….because of me. Everytime I get one step closer, somepony always suffers. That's not what I want at all."
There was a long silence that followed before Soarin decided to speak up again. “Dash, why do you think we chose you out of all the other reserves?”
Rainbow looked up at the ceiling. “Because I’m fast.”
“Right. But not just because you’re fast. It’s because we trust you. You’ve been there for us more times than I can count. You’re able to push yourself in the right direction without anypony having to tell you. You’re a leader, Rainbow Dash, a true Wonderbolt at heart. Anypony could see it by watching you, and so did Wind Rider.”
“Unfortunately for him,” Rainbow muttered.
“Yeah, unfortunately for him,” Soarin agreed. Rainbow looked at him. “He ruined his own career, Rainbow Dash, not you. He let jealousy get the better of him, and it eventually lead to his own downfall. The same goes for Lightning Dust.”
His eyes trailed away. “They’re afraid of you, Rainbow Dash. They might pass you over at first glance, but when they see you...that’s when they start to get nervous. They know you have a place here, and ponies like them will stop at nothing to get you out of the picture. There's nothing we can say to change that, but we can choose to not let their actions stop us from doing what we love.”
Rainbow let it all sink in. As disturbing as it was, Soarin was right. Being the fastest mare in Ponyville, maybe even the entirety of Equestria, doesn’t come without its drawbacks. Of course she’s bound to make some enemies along the way. Besides, she and the rest of her friends aren’t strangers to having targets on their backs. It’s just how it is. Why should joining the Wonderbolts be any different?
And that’s just it, Rainbow thought to herself. It isn’t. I just have to keep being me, and do my own thing. I've come this far, haven't I?She grinned to herself. “Thanks, Soarin.”
Soarin smiled back. “Now there’s the Rainbow Dash I know! Hey, no problem, all right?” He paused before nodding his head towards the existing hall. “Walk you outside?”
Rainbow froze before snorting. “It’s right there. You don’t have to walk me.”
“I think I do. I still don’t trust that Wind Rider.”
“I can take care of myself!”
“Then do it for me.” He gave a cheesy smile. “As an apology. It would also help improve my testosterone, or so I’ve been told.”
Rainbow rolled her eyes, suppressing a smile. “Fine. For your testosterone.” As they walked down the hall together, Rainbow added, “You were only doing your job, you know. A missing Wonderbolt is serious business.”
“I know that. Still, I shoulda known you’d never do that to Spit. You’re practically one of us. After all, you kept me company when I was in the hospital--more or less for the right reason.”
Rainbow smirked. “Is that why you gave me an extension?”
The stallion raised an eyebrow. “Hmmm?”
“C’mon, Soarin, you know the protocol. I should've been hauled off for questioning right then and there. I studied all that for the Reserves, remember?”
The corners of his mouth twitched. “I have no idea what you're talking about.” He pushed the glass door open, stepping out into the sun. Rainbow followed, letting the gentle breeze dry the rest of her mane.
Soarin stared as Rainbow Dash brushed her bangs from her rose colored eyes. He blinked and coughed when she looked him square in the eye. “Uh...hey, listen, thanks. For listening, I mean. I still feel kinda betrayed and all, but I really do hope Wind Rider finds something that makes him happy. Lightning too.”
“Just keep doing what you do best, kid,” Soarin said, giving her a side hug. “And you’ll do just fine.”
“...Kid?” Rainbow questioned as he pulled back. She chortled. “Please. You’re not that much older than me.”
Soarin laughed. “I dunno. I’d say that’s still up for debate.”
“Yoo hoo! Rainbow Dash!”
Both pegasi turned to see Rarity trotting toward them, grinning from ear to ear. Rainbow faced Soarin again and flashed an apologetic smile. “I gotta go.”
The Wonderbolt nodded. “I understand. And hey...see you at the next show!”
Rainbow’s jaw dropped as Soarin took to the air. “Really? You--you mean it!?”
Soarin gave a salute before sailing into the clouds. “Duh!” he shouted.
“Are we ready to go, darling?” Rarity asked, appearing beside her. She followed Rainbow’s gaze and glanced up into the clouds and adjusted her coat. “Oh, yes. Don’t you just love how the clouds are patterned like that. It certainly is a beautiful day today, is it not?”
Rainbow smiled, barely containing a squeal. “Yeah. Sure is. C’mon, Rare. Let’s go home.”
Author's Note
I loved this episode, it was super fun to watch. This was just a thought I decided to put in for after the show. Can't wait for Friendship Games, ya ya ya!!! 
