Three years ago:
“Come on, Rainbow Dash,” a very excited Scootaloo nearly yelled, jarring me from the wonderful dream I was having. “I don't want to be late today!”
My trainee was happily jumping around. She still hadn't gotten her cutie mark yet, but I'd been teaching her how to fly, since she couldn't go to a proper flight school in Cloudsdale, or one of the big pegasus cities. There is a school in Ponyville, and Scootaloo is officially enrolled, but she's learned way more from me than from her instructors at the flight school.
Today, though, was a special day. Probably the best day of my life, the day I finally get my chance to try out for the Wonderbolts. Sorin was the one to give me the invitation, and he told me they wanted to see something spectacular from me. They'd already seen a Sonic Rainboom, so that wouldn't exactly be spectacular, even if I'm the only pony who's ever been able to do it.
So I came up with a plan, I've never done more than one in a row. Instead of just a single Sonic Rainboom, I wanted to preform not a double, but a triple Sonic Rainboom. I've been practicing like crazy in Ponyville, and I think I have it down. I really hoped my nerves wouldn't factor in enough to make a difference.
“I made breakfast,” Scootaloo told me as I got out of bed. She scampered off, out of my room. I was really glad I asked her to come with me. Even though we're not related, all the time I've spent with her over the last year or so has really made me understand Applejack and Rarity, and their relationships with their sisters. Especially since Scootaloo stopped being an obsessed fan girl, and more of a real person around me. It's much easier to talk to someone when they don't have stars in their eyes.
That's something I had to learn for myself too, seeing my idols as ponies, instead of the perfect, untouchable pegasi I imagined them to be in my head. I mellowed out, matured, and maybe that was what finally got me the audition. I know the Wonderbolts have seen me perform, and have seen what I can do.
And today, I will be the happiest mare in all of Equestria. I will get that spot on the Wonderbolts.
~
After I ate with Scootaloo, I headed down to the field where the Wonderbolts practice everyday. I was a little early, but I wanted to get a feel for the air today. Not accounting for wind, or humidity, or any other factor could cause me to completely fail at what I'm going to try doing today. I could hurt myself, or worse, blow my chance at becoming a Wonderbolt.
It's a closed try out, so which it made me sad Scootaloo couldn't come, she told me she'd take the time to shop for presents to bring back home to Applebloom and Sweetie Belle. Not seeing anyone around me, I take off. I quickly increase and decrease speed as a quick warm up for my wings. Next on my normal warm up routine is sharp turns. As I make my second abrupt turn, I notice a light gray pegasus on the ground looking at me. He looks very official, even though he's not wearing any sort of uniform. Not going to take any chances, I land near the pony.
“Rainbow Dash?” he asked curtly.
“Yes, that's me,” I reply.
“I'm Silver Streak,” he introduces himself. “I'm the head trainer for the Wonderbolts. I'm going to be here on the field talking you through your try out, while your judges are in the top box.”
It takes everything I have in me not to glance towards the top box. I wanted to give the best air of confidence that I could.
“Now, I'm going to be honest with you, I like you, kid,” Silver Streak told her. “I've seen what you did at the Best Young Flyer's Competition and your Sonic Rainboom at Princess Cadence's wedding. I hope you have something spectacular planned.”
“I do hope you find it spectacular.” I thought it odd that Silver Streak used the same phrase that Sorin did when he gave me the invitation, but I didn't have time to dwell on it.
“Excellent, well lets get started with the basic maneuvers we need to see from you,” he says before giving me a list of fairly complicated flying maneuvers that I was expected to perform in a row. “And then, when you're done, we want to see what you've planned for us. We'll ask you to wait in the locker room, where you can freshen up, if you do desire, and wait for your decision.”
I give a nod, afraid saying anything will ruin my thought process. I didn't want to forget anything. He tells me to take off when I'm ready. I give myself a moment of last minute wing stretches, and then take off. My run through of the asked for maneuvers takes me a while, but I'm more than sure I didn't forget any. Finally, I get to the moment I've trained for. All those weeks would pay off right now.
~
I scrubbed at myself nervously as I waited in the locker room. I was very sweaty after almost a full hour of intense flying. I pulled it off, the Triple Sonic Rainboom. Three in a row, like fireworks, they went off. Boom, boom, boom. I wish I could see the judges faces as I broke the third one, and slowed down to write “Wonderbolts” in the sky with my trail. I hoped they were watching, because it would fade fast, and I've worked for a long time to improve my sky writing.
Still, the time spent waiting in the locker room is just about killing me. This is when I start to doubt myself, and wonder if it was good enough to secure a spot on the Wonderbolts. The shower was giving me something to do while I waited. I turned off the water, and started to dry off my prismatic mane. I heard the door to the girl's locker room open and, towel still draping around my head, I trotted back to the main area of the locker room to find Spitfire, captain of the Wonderbolts before me.
“Congratulations, Rainbow Dash,” she tells me with a smile. “Welcome to the team!”
I swear, I nearly faint, hearing the words. My mouth hangs open, very wide. I can't believe it, my dream, the thing I wanted most in the whole world, is happening, here, right now.
I'm in a daze as Spitfire gives me some information about practices and upcoming events. She takes my size for a uniform order. She leaves, and I finish drying off my mane and tail. Upon exiting the locker room, hardly anyone is around. I only seen Silver Streak, and a few other ponies I recognize as former Wonderbolts. Many of them congratulate me, though one or two seem to pretend not to notice me.
Eventually I excuse myself and try to find Scootaloo in the shopping district. It doesn't take too long to find her, and I propose getting lunch at a cafe nearby.
“Well did you get in?” Scootaloo asked as we were sat at a table. “Come on, I know you got in, with that smile on your face.”
“I did get in,” I tell her, and she squeaks in joy.
“Congratulations, Rainbow Dash! I'm so happy for you!” she says cheerfully.
“They're throwing me a welcome party tonight. They told me I should bring someone. Would you like to go with me?”
“Of course!”
Despite the fact neither of us particularly like shopping, we decided to get new dresses for the party. I felt a little bad that I wasn't buying from Rarity, but I knew she wouldn't mind in the end.
~
Only a few hours later, I was giving my name at the door of a gigantic mansion. It's the kind of house I want to be able to afford one day.
“Rainbow Dash, and plus one,” I told the big pony at the door. I assumed he was there to keep the uninvited out. He smiled at me and waved us in.
“Rainbow Dash! You're here,” I heard very loudly as soon as I'd stepped through the door. I turned my head to see Sorin walking towards me.
“Is this your kid sister?” he asked, referencing the filly behind Rainbow Dash.
“Yeah, and my personal student. This is Scootaloo,” I introduce. “Scoot, this is my teammate, Sorin.”
“Reminds me of my sister back in Las Pegasus,” he says, fluffing Scootaloo's hair. “Let me introduce you two ladies to some important people.”
The entire night, it was just like being on Cloud Nine, not that I've actually ever been to Cloud Nine. I met pony after pony, pegasi, unicorns, and even a few earth ponies. Former Wonderbolts, trainers, sponsors, and big players of Canterlot society.
Several people even asked who I was wearing. I must have looked as confused as I actually was, because one of my new team mates explained they were asking what designer I was wearing.
“Oh,” I replied. “Well, I don't remember who made this one, I normally get all my clothes from Rarity, back in Ponyville. She's one of my close friends.”
“Oh I get all my best dresses from her,” one unicorn squeals. “Isn't she fabulous? I do hope she opens a boutique in Canterlot soon. It's such a long trip to take all the way to Ponyville.”
“I'll bring that up to her,” I tell the pony. “I know she misses Canterlot, but she has family in Ponyville, and may not want to move.”
While I was talking, Scootaloo even found a few fillies and colts her own age to play with. After hours of mingling, I knew I was ready to get home and sleep for a long time.
“C'mon, Scoot,” I say to the filly. “Let's get back to the castle.”
I'm pretty sure I left that party the happiest mare in Canterlot. Possibly in all of Equestria.
