Fallen Pegasi

Most Pegasi could only dream about becoming a Wonderbolt. For most, the young and the old, it was an unreachable goal; only the best fliers in Equestria could become a Wonderbolt. Rainbow Dash was in the minority that was selected to begin the rigorous training at the Wonderbolt Academy. Every summer she would go to the school, and go through excruciating trials. Still, Rainbow Dash always loved a challenge ever since she could remember.

One day, Rainbow Dash went to Spitfire's office to talk to her about her training. The orange-colored Pegasi was sitting behind her desk, looking over thousands of papers.

"Ma'am, can I talk to you?" Rainbow Dash asked.

Spitfire didn't even bother to look up at her student. "Make this quick, Rainbow Dash. Several new recruits will be joining the academy soon, and I'm up to my ears in paperwork."

"Well, it's about my training." Rainbow Dash began.

"Are you complaining, cadet?" Spitfire asked.

"No, no, no. Of course not. It's just that...well...it seems too easy for me, ma'am." Rainbow Dash said quickly.

Spitfire finally looked up and frowned. "Too easy? One hundred laps around the school, wing-ups from dawn till dusk, obstacle courses that most Pegasi would dread, is "too easy" for you?"

Rainbow Dash backed up slightly, taken aback by Spitfire's outburst. "What I meant to say, ma'am, is that I think I'm ready for the advanced training."

Spitfire settled back into her seat and went back to looking at her papers. "Out of the question, Rainbow Dash."

"What? Why, ma'am?"

"Because advanced training is too dangerous for those that aren't ready."

"With all due respect, ma'am, I am ready."

Spitfire looked up again. "No, Rainbow Dash, you only think think that you're ready. Just like every other recruit here. I tried to take a cadet out of beginner's training too soon, and you know what happened to him? He nearly got himself killed and was in traction for two whole years. You've got lots of potential, Rainbow Dash, but that's exactly why I don't want to see anything bad happen to you."

Rainbow Dash sighed in defeat, but then suddenly was grinning from ear to ear. "Ma'am, can I make you a deal?"

"What sort of deal?" Spitfire asked.

"What if I take advance training for an entire week, and if you still don't think I'm ready, then you can put me back with the beginner's."

Spitfire leaned forward. "A lot can happen in a week." She warned.

"Please, ma'am? You have my solemn promise that I will back out if things look too rough."

Spitfire ran a hoof through her mane. "Fine, Rainbow Dash, but only a week. Nothing more."

Rainbow Dash nodded eagerly and saluted Spitfire. She rushed out of the office, bouncing up and down like an overexcited filly.

So, the next day, Rainbow Dash showed up at the advanced training, which was run by Soarin. Needless to say, most of the recruits there did not seem pleased to have a rookie among them, but Rainbow Dash was too excited to notice as she joined the lineup. Soarin began pacing up and down.

"So, let me remind you, foals, that this isn't going to be easy. There will be pain, there will be days when you want to quit, but let me say this: I don't abide quitters in advanced training." Soarin explained.

Rainbow Dash was surprised. She had never seen this side of Soarin before. He'd always been the calm, level-headed one among the Wonderbolts. She just hoped this wasn't the only surprise that awaited her.

"Today, we will be using the flaming hoops. Everypony must fly to that pole and grab the horseshoe. You might get burned, but being a Wonderbolt isn't without it's risks. Now, do I have volunteers?"

All of the ponies looked up at the flaming hoops. Twelve large rings that had been lit on fire, with the flames rising. Most of the recruits began to recoil, and Rainbow Dash knew this was her chance to prove that she could make it. She boldly took a step forward.

"Sir, ready for the hoops, sir." Rainbow Dash said loudly.

"Excellent, Dash. I like this enthusiasm for a rookie. Get up there." Soarin said.

Rainbow Dash flew straight up towards the start of the flaming hoops. She looked down at Soarin, who gave her the signal to start. Giving a large gulp, Rainbow Dash took off through the hoops. She whizzed past them, feeling the heat of the flames up against her wings. She quickly grabbed the horseshoe and started back.

Perhaps she wasn't paying close enough attention, or perhaps she had slowed down when she shouldn't have; but Rainbow Dash suddenly felt a sharp pain in her wings and turned to see what was going on. All she could see was her beautiful blue feathers were now on fire. The pain was nothing like she had felt, as if thousands of warm, sharp knives had been driven into her back and were digging at her flesh and bone. The heat was just as bad, as if she were sitting inside of Equestria's hottest fireplace.

Her eyes rolled in the back of her head, and the young Pegasi was soon hurling towards the ground at an unstoppable speed. All the recruits, and even the fearless Soarin, could do was watch on in terror.

Once Rainbow Dash had hit the ground, everyone seemed to snap out of it and rushed over to her. Soarin's immediate attention was on Rainbow Dash's severely burned wings. The feathers were singed beyond recongition, and were covered with blisters and burns. There was no way her wings would ever be the same again, and Soarin knew it.

"Somepony find the medics and hurry!" Soarin ordered.

One of the recruits flew away hurriedly, while Soarin could only shake his head sadly. Knowing that even if Rainbow Dash survived, her potential as a Wonderbolt was dead and buried.