Rainbow Dash was panicking. She wasn't able to go fast enough to perform a sonic rainboom and it didn't help that she will have to perform soon.
Then, out of the blue, there was a purple flash. Then, there stood Twilight. She stood there for second, as if she realized something.
"Dashie, listen to me." Twilight said, slightly panicking.
"Twilight? What are you doing here?" Rainbow stopped. "Wait, did you just call me 'Dashie'?"
"That doesn't matter. What matters now is that you have confidence. You don't need to be afraid of failing. You will always be the best flyer in my heart and uh, our friends." Twilight encouraged.
"But-"
"No buts."
Taking a breath, Rainbow smiled. "I guess you're right. I shouldn't worry so much. Thanks, Twilight. I needed that."
"You're welcome. Oh, and remember to save Ra-" In another flash Twilight was gone, leaving behind a very puzzled Rainbow Dash.
Before Rainbow could think about anything else, the manager called Rainbow. "Number fifteen, let's go!"
Then, a door opened, revealing a dolled up Rarity. If it didn't hurt Rarity, Rainbow would have probably said that she looked really ugly.
"Rarity is ready!"
"Look, ladies. I don't know what to tell you. There's only time for one more performance. If you both want to compete, you'll just have to go out there together!" The manager said.
"Well, Rainbow Dash? Shall we?" Rarity asked.
"Sure." Rainbow answered.
Flying out of the backstage, the announcer announced their presence. "And now, for our final competitor of the day, contestant number fifteen! Uh, and apparently contestant number four."
The crowd cheered. Never had there been two competitors performing at the same time.
"Good luck, Rainbow Dash. Just do your best. I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of changing our music. That rock and roll doesn't really match my wings." As soon as Rarity finished the sentence, classical music started playing.
"Heh, I don't need music to show that I'm awesome. Just tell me beforehoof next time, alright?"
"Alright." With that, the two started their routines.
After finishing her first two phases without any mistakes, Rainbow flew higher in preparation of doing a sonic rainboom.
"Alright. Everything has been going well so far. I can do this!" Rainbow ensured herself.
At the same time, Rarity flew higher as well. She needed to get high enough so she could let all the ponies see her wings in all its glory.
Once high enough, Rarity stopped and let the sunlight illuminate her wings.
The crowd cheered once again. "Look upon me, Equestria, for I. Am. Rarity!" She shouted. However, her wings were too delicate and they burst into flames.
"Uh-oh!" Was all Rarity could said before she started failing to her doom. She screamed.
The moment they noticed, the Wonderbolts flew in an attempt to save Rarity. However, Rarity flailed in fear and she accidentally knocked out the three Wonderbolts.
From above, Rainbow noticed and flew as fast as she could. "Hold on, Rarity! I'm coming!"
She flew faster and faster, and a barrier started to form around her. She flew even faster and before she even knew it, she broke the barrier, causing a sonic rainboom.
The crowd gasped in amazement. Rainbow flew below the four ponies and landed on her back. She made a ninety decree turn and flew back to Cloudsdale but not before making a rainbow.
Ponies in Cloudsdale quickly flew down and helped Rainbow Dash carry the ponies.
"I did it! I did it!"
After sighing, Rarity said, "You sure did. Oh thank you, Rainbow Dash. You saved my life!"
"Oh yeah. I did that too. Ha, best day ever!"
Rainbow made a mental note to thank Twilight for encouraging her the next day.
The next day, Rainbow knocked on the door of the Golden Oak Library.
Twilight opened the door. Upon seeing Rainbow Dash, she gasped. "You actually used the door? Who are you and what have you done to Rainbow Dash?" Twilight joked.
"Ha ha. Very funny. Can I come in?"
"Sure." Twilight stepped aside and allowed Rainbow in. "So, what are you here for?"
"Oh, yeah. I wanted to say thank you for encouraging me backstage." Rainbow answered.
After closing the door, Twilight asked, "Huh? What do you mean? I didn't go the backstage."
Initially confused, Rainbow soon recovered. "Oh, Twi, you don't need to be modest. You helped me big time!"
"I told you I didn't g-" Twilight was stopped by Rainbow Dash.
"Right. So do you want me to help you do anything? I owe you one."
"Well, I suppose you could read some books. Oh, a reading buddy! I always wanted one!" Twilight clapped her hoof.
Rainbow sighed. "Really? Of all the things, you want me to read a book!?" Twilight looked rather disappointed. "Urg," Rainbow muttered. "Fine, I'll read your books."
Twilight's spirits were lifted. "Oh, I've got a book that I'm sure you'l love! It's called Daring Do and the Sapphire Stone!"
As much as she loathed it, she decided to read the book. After all, she still owed Twilight one.
Much to her surprise, Rainbow started to like reading books, even if she denied it at first. Twilight and Rainbow even had reading sessions. It was during this period the two started developing romantic feelings for each other.
Two years have passed. They are now married and have adopted Scootaloo from the orphanage as their daughter, much to Scootaloo's delight.
"Hey, Dashie?"
Looking up from her book to look at her wife, Rainbow answered, "Yeah, Twi?"
"I've been wondering what you were talking about those years ago with me encouraging you backstage." Twilight said.
Rising an eyebrow, Rainbow said, "Well yeah. You appeared in a flash, called me 'Dashie' and said that I don't need to be afraid of failing, that no matter what happened, I will always be the best flyer in all of our friends' and your heart."
"But I didn't go backstage. I was with Fluttershy, Pinkie and Applejack in the seats."
"But, you were there! If only there were some way you could see it..."
"That's it!" Twilight shouted.
Rainbow hushed her. "Softer, Scoots is sleeping right now. So, what is it?"
"Sorry." Twilight gave a sheepish smile before she continued. "I remember reading about time travel spells in the Canterlot archives, but the spell will only last for a while before the user is forced to return." Twilight explained.
"Well, do you still remember it?" Rainbow asked.
"Yes." Twilight said as her horn lit. "Come on, come on. Just a bit mor-"
Then, in a flash of light, she was gone. After opening her eyes, Twilight found herself backstage of Cloudsdale, where she found Rainbow Dash panicking in the corner. Then it hit her. She knew exactly what to do.
"Dashie, listen to me."
Author's Note
Found a mistake? Tell me in the comments and I'll fix it. Chances are, I probably made a lot of mistakes.
Also, special thanks to Bobbatron808 for pointing out a lot of mistakes.