Where Loyalty Lies

by Timeman202

Rating: teen
Tags: Shadowbolts, Soarin, Rainbow Dash, Adventure, Wonderbolts, Tragedy, Profanity, Lightning Dust, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Romance
Length: 7125

Rainbow Dash is finally part of the Wonderbolts, but the reasons behind it don't sit well with Soarin

With the Wonderbolts hitting rock bottom, Spitfire decides to take advantage of Rainbow Dash's fame and skill for her own exploits in an effort to get the wonderbolts back on top and then proceed to crush Rainbow Dash's dream into the ground. However, unbeknownst to her, Soarin; who has a romantic interest in Rainbow Dash; will find his loyalty lies more with the cyan mare more then his own captain very quickly.

Additional Information: This is an idea presented in the story "Above the Clouds by Lynked", where the wonderbolts have hit rock bottom in popularity and finances. The story in question is pretty much dead, but you can check out what's written here: Above the Clouds - Fimfiction
But let me make it clear that while I am using the same idea here, this is not the exact same story, going so far as to include a romance between Rainbow Dash and Soarin while also focusing on Rainbow Dash's most important characteristic: Her Loyalty and how it is only for those she trusts. Essentially the title of this story should tell you that much.

Warning: There's swearing involved in later chapters once Rainbow Dash finds out the secret Spitfire kept from the cyan pegasus.

Side note: Thank god there's a "Shadowbolt" tag that's not for Equestria Girls. I hate those specials.

Published 2021-01-19 07:10:00 UTC
Last updated 2021-01-19 20:00:04 UTC

Chapter 1: Plan Omega

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN WE'RE STILL LOSING MONEY?!" Spitfire yelled at the manager, Crescent Moon. "We did awesome at our last show!" She said.

"But not awesome enough apparently. I'm not going to lie, if you guys don't up your game soon, your next show could be your last. And that's IF you ever GET a next show. It's bad enough that I had to cut back practically everyone but the top five wonderbolts." Crescent Moon said. "I suggest either all of you start looking for other work, or improving your game. And at this point, I could care less how for the later." He said and then flew off.

"...You don't care huh? Guess that means it's time for Plan Omega." Spitfire said, smiling.

Soarin was down in Ponyville watching Rainbow Dash from afar.

"...Oh Rainbow Dash..." He said, before sighing dreamily. "I really wish you could fly together with the rest of the wonderbolts. That would be super awesome. But at this point, I'm thinking of just dropping out and joining you in our own special group...just the two of us..." He said. But he came out of his fantasy before it began. Suddenly Spitfire came up to him.

"Yo Soarin...you still check out that mare who saved your pie at the gala a few clicks back?" Spitfire asked.

"Can you blame me? If it weren't for the cut-backs, she would be part of our flight team easy. Don't lie about it either." Soarin said.

"Yeah...yeah. Speaking of that, Crescent Moon said he doesn't care how we up our game. Which means it's time for me to impliment Plan Omega." Spitfire said. Soarin suddenly gasped.

"But...if you implement that plan...and it works to the letter...then you'd crush Rainbow Dash's hopes and dreams of ever becoming a full Wonderbolt!" Soarin said.

"Sometimes, some dreams have to be destroyed in order for others to grow to fruition." Spitfire said. "And her dream failing is a small price to pay for that. Trust me on that one." Spitfire said. "I'm gonna go talk to her. And you better stay on the plan until the end, Soarin." She said before flying off.

"...That's where your wrong Spitfire. I have a plan of my own already in the works. I had long anticipated you'd do what your father did and give rebirth to Plan Omega. Thing is, I know how to beat it. As does someone else who is now co-captain of our top rivals: The Shadowbolts!" Soarin said. "For now, I'm going to play along with your plan though, and just when you think the plan is going to go off without a hitch, I bury it in the dirt. Sorry Spitfire, but I can't be loyal to you and her at the same time. And I'd rather be loyal to her." Soarin said.

Rainbow Dash was taking a break from containing her training for her potential Wonderbolt admissions test for when they opened those up.

"Getting better at making sure I keep my cool; imagining a crowd as big as the Young Fliers competition has really helped." Rainbow Dash said.

"Yo." Spitfire suddenly called out to Rainbow Dash as she came next to the cyan mare.

"Oh hey. Your Spitfire right? Look, if your here to talk about the Grand Gallaping Gala, I suppose I can overlook what happened. But break my trust again, and I'll start looking elsewhere to take my awesomeness." Rainbow Dash said. Spitfire sweated a bit but recovered quickly.

"Actually Rainbow Dash...I was hoping that if your willing, then the next time the Wonderbolts get a show, you'd be willing to join. Normally we don't allow this but...I really want to show our manager your Wonderbolt material and don't really need to go through the same training as everyone else does. He still believes you have an ego problem, but I'm sure that we can get that toned down enough in time for the next show." Spitfire said.

"...Your not pulling my leg this time, right?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Nope. It's all legit this time. I really would love to fly with you Dash. You deserve to be flying with the best. And the Wonderbolts are it." Spitfire said.

"Yeah. Yeah I do deserve to be flying with the best. And with people who are actually loyal to one another. Consider this your final chance though. If this turns out to be a trick, well...those Shadowbolts are looking tempting to me." Rainbow Dash said.

"Oh you don't wanna join those two faced back stabbers." Spitfire said.

"...Your kidding me, right Soarin?" A sea-green mare, turned around in her chair said. Another mare; this one pure blue; was nearby.

"No. She's doing it again. She's initiated Plan Omega. And Rainbow Dash is her target. I'm going to gain her trust my way, making Spitfire think I'm following through on her plan, and then surprise the latter when the time is right by pointing her in your direction." Soarin said.

"If Rainbow Dash applies once this counter plan works, we can talk about potentially allowing you to apply with her." The Blue mare said. "After all, this would be great! Two very good fliers on our team!" The Blue Mare said.

"Settle down there, Wild Winds." The seagreen mare said. "Unlike the Wonderbolts, we need to be certain their both Shadowbolt material. Though I have no doubts about Soarin, I'd like to have a chance of seeing what this Rainbow Dash mare is like for myself." She added.

"Oh don't worry, I know the perfect place for you to watch her. You'll find me training her tomorrow at Ponyville Park..." Soarin paused. "...Lighting Dust." He said. The mare turned around.

"I told you to call me Lieutenant Duster, Soarin." Lightning Dust said.

"Sorry, Lieutenant Duster. But you might wanna come in disguise. From what I understand...Ponyville is full of a lot of Shadowbolt fans." Soarin said.

"...Good piece of advice. I'll see you and this 'Rainbow Dash' tomorrow." Lightning Dash said and waved off Soarin. "...Wanna know something funny, Wild Winds?" Lighing Dust asked.

"What is it?" Wild Winds asked back.

"I feel like I've heard the name Rainbow Dash before, but can't put my finger on where...oh well." Lightning Dust said. "It'll come to me eventually." She added.

Chapter 2: Reunion

"I finally remember why I know the name ‘Rainbow Dash’.” Lightning Dust said, getting on her disguise.

"Really? That's great. So, where do you recognize the name?" Wild Winds asked.

"I remember this cyan filly who dropped out of flight school due to a race she participated in causing her friend to fall out of Cloudsdale. I haven't seen or heard anything from her since. All I remember is the name she gave me; Rainbow Dash; and if I had my doubts about anyone who uses the name, to keep an eye out for the Sonic Rainboom" Lightning Dust said as she finished putting on her disguise.

"The Sonic Rainboom?! But that's just a myth!" Wild Winds asked.

"You weren't there. I remember seeing it during the race in question. That same cyan filly was the one who pulled it off. And...I need to know if this Rainbow Dash is the same Rainbow Dash." Lighting Dust said and flew off.

"Your Soarin, right?" Rainbow Dash asked Soarin.

"Yeah. That's me. I figured that, before you start your training next week, I figured I might as well see if you have any tricks you wanted to show off." Soarin said.

"You bet I do. In fact, there's even something else I've got, and while I would like to keep it a secret, I want to get your opinion on it. But you've got to promise not to talk about it to the other Wonderbolts." Rainbow Dash said.

"No problem. I hope you don't mind, I did ask for someone to watch your tricks with me. Don't worry, she's just someone who I'm friends with and their not part of the Wonderbolts. I don't have any feelings towards her or anything." Soarin said.

"Heh...I suppose having two people watching me will be interesting." Rainbow Dash said. Suddenly the disguised Lighting Dust showed up.

"If you want to know about the disguise, it's..." Soarin said.

"I get it. She's probably really some famous person who leads a double life. Don't worry, I got a friend of my own whose like that." Rainbow Dash said. "Now, get ready to see some of my tricks." Rainbow Dash said, and started off with some basic tricks.

"...Huh...not bad so far." Lighting Dust said, fascinated.

"She's just warming up, I'm sure." Soarin said as Rainbow Dash started going for more advanced tricks.

"Wow...okay, yeah. She's pretty good." Lightning Dust said. Defiantly Shadowbolt Material; I'll have to talk with Wild Winds later.

"Oh this? This is nothing." Soarin said.

"Yeah. If you think I'm awesome now, wait until you get a load of what's next." Rainbow Dash said, before doing tricks that usually take Wonderbolts days to master, and here's Rainbow Dash pulling them off as if they were nothing.

"Wh-whoa..." Lightning Dust said, taken aback. C-could it be? Could this cyan mare be the same person? She said.

"Damn..." Soarin said. Yep, I am so making the right call in doing Lightning's Counter Plan

"Now I hope the two of you are ready for a treat..." Rainbow Dash said, flying super high into the sky.

"Whoa...what is she doing now?" Lightning Dust said.

"I don't know...I don't think this is a simple trick." Soarin said as Rainbow Dash soon stopped very high up into the air.

"I HOPE YOUR READY TO HAVE YOUR SOCKS BLOWN OFF, BECAUSE YOUR ABOUT TO WITNESS A SONIC RAINBOOM IN PERSON!" Rainbow Dash yelled before starting her decent and picking up speed; and fast too.

"WHAT DID SHE SAY SHE WAS GONNA DO?!" Lightning Dust said.

"A Sonic Rainboom; I was there when she used it to save the lives of the wonderbolts when that one unicorn knocked us out." Soarin said.

"But there's only one person I know who can do that!" Lighting Dust said. Suddenly Rainbow Dash pulled off her signature trick: The Sonic Rainboom. "...And...and..." Lightning Dust was taken aback. It IS her...it's the same person! Oh my gosh! It's Rainbow "Danger" Dash!

Rainbow Dash soon landed near the duo after slowing down enough to do so. "What do you think? Pretty awesome right?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I was rescued by it the first time I know you pulled it off; and now you've pulled it off again, and I actually got to SEE the results this time." Soarin said. "So that's a Sonic Rainboom? Your super awesome Rainbow Dash!" Soarin said.

"Yes...she is awesome...and loyal." Lightning Dust said before starting to remove her disguise.

"...What the..." Rainbow Dash said before Lightning Dust got rid of the rest of her disguise. "You...it's you." The cyan mare said.

"Hey Danger." Lightning Dust said.

"Danger?" Soarin said.

"That was the nickname I gave her when she was in flight school with me." Lightning Dust said. "Always looking for thrills, so I gave her the nickname of Danger. Way better then the stupid hurtful name the other bullies gave her." She said.

"Really? What name is that?" Soarin said.

"No!" Lightning Dust said. "You ARE NOT going to be hearing it from me." Lightning Dust said.

"Yeah. Me neither." Rainbow Dash said. "So, Lightning Dust...how's things going for you?" She asked.

"Doing great actually. I thought for sure I'd never see you again, Danger. Which reminds me, did you ever find your friend Fluttershy?" Lightning Dash said.

"Yep. Not only did I find her, she was being taken real good care of by my friend Rarity. We were just normal friends at first, because I owed her as much because she took such good care of Fluttershy for the two years I spent searching for her, but over time, that friendship only grew." Rainbow Dash said.

"Wait...why were you searching for Fluttershy? Is there a reason for that?" Soarin said.

"Long story short, during a race where Rainbow Dash performed the Sonic Rainboom as a filly, this one pegasus named Fluttershy fell to the ground and none of our usual recovery scouts found her. Since Fluttershy is Rainbow Dash's friend, Rainbow Dash dropped out of flight school to go search for Fluttershy." Lightning Dust said. "Which means, we have so much catching up to do." She said.

"Hey, why don't we all grab something at Sugarcube Corner; the cakes are out and it's only my friend Pinkie Pie there today." Rainbow Dash said, smiling.

"...A lot of catching up to do..." Lightning dust said. This is super PERFECT; not only do I get to be reconnected with Danger, but if things work out correctly, Rainbow Dash will be joining the Shadowbolts!

Chapter 3: Soarin's Loyalty

"...Wow...you've been busy Danger." Lightning Dust said. Rainbow Dash just filled her old friend in on all her adventures; some even Soarin didn't know about.

"It was nice catching up with you LD, hope we can hang out again soon." Rainbow Dash said, waving off her old friend.

"Oh don't worry, we will Danger." Lightning said. "...We will no doubt be hanging out again." She said before properly leaving.

"Wow...didn't think she was the daughter of the old flight school headmaster." Soarin said.

"She's a very loyal old friend. She understood me. She let me drop out to find Fluttershy because I was Fluttershy's only real friend back in flight school." Rainbow Dash said.

"Her father signed off on it?" Soarin asked.

"It was my race; I wanted to take the responsibility of finding Fluttershy myself. Besides, I'm awesome enough without flight camp. I've been working on my...nervousness." Rainbow Dash said.

"Yeah. You've got a lot of awesomeness behind you." Soarin said. "Listen Rainbow Dash, going forward, your going to need loyalty from one of us Wonderbolts. And if you'd like, I think I'd like to show that loyalty to you. I'll help you get ready for your Wonderbolt Training, and I want you to remember one thing: No matter what, my loyalty lies with you." Soarin said. "Not only have you saved my life, but you also saved my pie that one time. I owe you a lot Rainbow 'Danger' Dash." Soarin said.

"Heh...it's nice to know you care so much Soarin. Maybe after the next Wonderbolts show, we can have an actual hang out." Rainbow Dash said. That took Soarin by surprise.

"Wait...you'd want to hang out with me?" Soarin asked, stunned.

"Hey, you reuninited me with my old friend Lightning Dust; I'd say you've proven your loyalty enough for me to give you a chance. I'm not too big on romance so...don't expect that from me." Rainbow Dash said.

"So long as you be yourself, Rainbow Dash, I'll love anything you do." Soarin said before leaving.

Lightning Dust and Wild Winds soon approuched the door of their manager.

"...So...it's time huh? Time to talk with our manager about Rainbow Dash joining once Operation Counter Strike is done with huh?" Lightning Dust asked.

"Considering your father...he'll 100% agree to this whole spiel. After all, once is more then enough." Wild Winds said before opening the door.

"Welp, here we go..." Lightning Dust said. "Hi dad." She said.

"Hello there, Lightning 'Striker' Dust; how are things? Did you check out this Rainbow Dash that's become the target of Wonderbolt Plan Omega?" The stallion in the office who had the same coat as Lightning Dust but a different mane color.

"Yep. And I will say up front, Rainbow Dash is defiantly Shadowbolt Material. She was able to pull of stunts like what the Wonderbolts and Shadowbolts do as if she had been doing them her entire life." Lightning Dust said.

"So, what your saying is is that you believe she is definate Shadowbolt Material?" The stallion asked.

"Yes Mister Lightning Strike; that is exactly what Lightning Dust is saying." Wild Winds said.

"Perfect. I didn't want us to proceed with Operation Counter Strike unless my own daughter was sure of this mare's skills." Lightning Strike said.

"Considering who Rainbow Dash is, I should've expected this as soon as I heard the name. Dad...you should know, that once she was done doing the tricks, she pulled off one final trick. One I know only you and me have ever seen happen once." Lightning Dust said.

"Oh? And what trick is that?" Lightning Strike asked.

"Father...this Rainbow Dash...is the same Rainbow Dash from flight school. I saw her pull it off...the Sonic Rainboom." Lightning Dust said. This caused her father to gasp.

"You mean the element of Loyalty, the one who aided in the defeat of Nightmare Moon and Discord, stood up to the Changeling invasion, and helped restore the crystal empire is Rainbow 'Danger' Dash?!" Lightning Strike said.

"Well...yeah." Lightning Dust said.

"...How soon does Rainbow Dash's training start?" Lightning Strike asked.

"Next week, as our double agent Soarin has told me." Lightning Dust said.

"Tell him once the training is done, that it's time for him to show where his loyalties lie: With his captain, or with us." Lightning Strike said.

"His loyalty to Rainbow Dash is what we really need to focus on father; from what I've been able to tell, he has a romantic crush on her. And he wants to show his loyalty to her. What better way then with Operation Counter Strike?" Lighting Dust asked.

"Huh...what are the odds?" Lightning Strike asked.

"Wait your serious Soarin?" Spitfire asked her co-captain.

"Yeah. She was pulling of the sort of stunts we were doing like they were nothing. I think she's been improving in her spare time." Soarin said.

"Doesn't matter..." Spitfire said. "We don't have the funds to handle her full time. Maybe in a couple of years when we get the funds to do so." She said.

"But if you reveal to her that this is only temporary, she'll never want to join the Wonderbolts; you'll crush her dream into the ground!" Soarin announced.

"Like I said Soarin, some dreams have to be crushed in order for others to soar. If this is what crushes Rainbow Dash's dreams of being part of a Grade A stunt flier team, then that's a price I'm willing to pay, and you need to be willing to pay it too. Time for you to show me where your loyalties lie Soarin: Are they with the Wonderbolts, or Rainbow Dash?" Spitfire said, and then left the room.

"...Spitfire, we're not a Grade A stunt flier team anymore. We've hit rock bottom. As soon as Rainbow Dash's training is complete, I'm going to call Lightning Dust and tell her it's time to execute Operation Counter Strike." Soarin said. Suddenly he got a call. "Hello?" Soarin said.

"My dad wants to know if your loyalty is really with Rainbow Dash One Hundred Percent. Is it?" Lighting Dust said from over the phone.

"Of course it is. Which is why once her training is done, I think it's time for Operation Counter Strike." Soarin said.

"...Huh...I guess I was right. Your loyalty is to Rainbow Dash above all else. I can't wait to see you flying fully with us, Soarin 'Loyalty' Skies." Lightning Dust said.

Chapter 4: A Week of Training

Day 0

Not much occurred leading up to Rainbow Dash's training, other then Soarin getting things ready for Operation Counter Strike. During that time, the day before Rainbow Dash's training began, he invited Rainbow Dash on a picnic.

"So, tomorrow is the start of my Wonderbolt training huh?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Yeah. Listen though, you should know the Wonderbolts have hit a bit of a rough patch. Which is why your being invited like this. But the full extent of it is something I'll tell you about when your training week is complete. Look, I want to know that no matter what happens, you still think we can be a thing." Soarin said.

"So long as you don't do something like what Spitfire did and break a promise to me, then I'll have no problems to you. Speaking of which, has Spitfire mentioned anything about after the next show?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Didn't she tell you that this was a trial run? See if your really ready to fly with the best?" Soarin asked.

"Yeah. Yeah she did say that. Several times over." Rainbow Dash said.

"Good. I want you to keep that in mind for the rest of the week. Remember, Spitfire has lied to you once already. I've never lied to you. So I'm not going to lie about anything. So while I can't tell you why I want you to keep things in mind until the week is through, I want you to trust in me." Soarin said.

"Soarin, I do trust you. It's Spitfire I don't." Rainbow Dash said.

"Then we're good." Soarin said.

Day 1

"Whoa!" Spitfire said, as Rainbow Dash finished up. "...That was just...it was..." She said.

"Super amazing right? Told you I could handle it." Rainbow Dash said. "Same time tomorrow?" She asked.

"Yeah...sure..." Spitifre said, waving Rainbow Dash off. "...Plan Omega is working out too well. I've got to try more difficult maneuvers first thing tomorrow, or someone on my team is getting replaced by some upstart who doesn't know how the real world works." Spitfire said.

Day 2

"I'm real glad we can spend time together when I'm done with Training, Soarin." Rainbow Dash said.

"Yeah. And you've been doing very well with the tricks so far. Spitfire is even thinking about you doing a couple with one of the others tomorrow." Soarin said.

"Ha! I've got this training week in the bag!" Rainbow Dash said.

Day 3

Spitfire was soon approached by Crescent Moon as she prepared to leave.

"Plan Omega? Really Spitfire? Really? Are you going to repeat your father's biggest mistake of all time?" Crecent Moon asked.

"And what if I am? You said that you didn't care how I got the Wonderbolts back on top. And Plan Omega is the way to go." Spitfire said.

"What makes you so sure the same thing will work this time when Rainbow Dash is clearly overperforming even your most advanced tricks and is so in synch with the rest of the Wonderbolts?" Crescent Moon asked.

"Some dreams have to be crushed. And tomorrow, I'm planning on adding even more members to the training." Spitfire said.

Day 4

"Geez, you're on fire Rainbow Dash." Soarin said. "Even with three Wonderbolts joining you, you haven't had ANY troubles. what's your secret?" He asked.

"I don't know what it is...but whenever I'm flying with you guys, I just feel like I actually belong with you guys. I really hope after the next show, I'm a full-fledged Wonderbolt." Rainbow Dash said.

"Put a pin in that thought would you? I want you to remember it for the end of the week." Soarin said.

"Sure, I trust you Soarin." Rainbow Dash said.

Day 5

Lighting Dust went wide eyed suddenly. "What...even when all six of you were together? Damn. Spitfire must be getting desperate. Next thing you know, Spitifre will make an audience of cardboard cut-outs. ...What do you mean that's her next big plan?" Lighting Dust asked.

Day 6

"I've tried everything..." Spitfire said. "Even the cardboard cutout of an audience doesn't phase her. Ugh...tomorrow I have no choice but to call in the mock audience." She said.

"Spitfire, listen...why don't you just cancel Plan Omega already? It's not too late to do so." Crescent Moon said.

"No! Plan Omega is still a go!" Spitfire said. Crescent Moon left and then went to Soarin.

"...Do you have a way to get Rainbow Dash out of this whole mess with her reputation and her loyalty intact?" Crescent Moon asked.

"Yes sir. May I have your permission to activate it tomorrow after practice?" Soarin asked.

"Yes; yes, you do." Crescent moon said and left. Soarin soon called Lighting Dust.

"It's time." Soarin said simply.

Final Day of Training

Soarin and Rainbow Dash flew over to Rainbow's house after training.

"You've been such an amazing teammate, Rainbow." Soarin said.

"Thanks, Soarin. So, do you think I'm going to be a full-fledged Wonderbolt after..." Rainbow Dash noticed Soarin's changed expression. "What's up, Soarin?" Dash asked.

"It's this whole thing. I wanted you to wait until the end of the week for me to tell you. You remember Lightning Dust, right? Go find her at her home first thing tomorrow. Here's the address." Soarin said and handed Rainbow Dash an address.

"There's something you're not telling me, isn't there?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I’m not telling you for a good reason Rainbow Dash. Lightning Dust will be able to take you to someone whose situation matches what's going on right now. You may think you're going to be a full-fledged Wonderbolt, but the truth of the matter is, this has happened before, and I can't bare to see you get hurt. So, I'm pointing you in the direction that I am so that you don't get hurt." Soarin said. Suddenly Rainbow Dash kissed him on the cheek.

"Well then, thanks for looking out for me so much Soarin; I won't forget this. Ever." Rainbow Dash said, and headed inside her house.

"...She kissed me..." Soarin said, before he suddenly took off. "RAINBOW DASH KISSED ME!" He yelled out before flying off pretty fast.

"...Soarin, this was a great act of Loyalty you've shown me. I trust you." Rainbow Dash said before she went over to her poster of Spitfire. "...But I no longer trust Spitfire." She said before she proceeded to tear up the poster in question.

Chapter 5: Operation Counter Strike

Rainbow Dash flew over to Lighting Dust's house early the next day, making sure to knock on the door.

"Ugh...one second..." Lightning Dust called from within. A few seconds later, she answered the door. "Oh. Hiya Danger. Your here sooner then I thought you'd be." She said.

"Wait...you knew about this whole thing?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Yeah. It's a plan to get you flying with the best of the best properly and keep your dream alive. In a way that is." Lighting Dust said as she got things prepared. "Tell me Rainbow Dash, do you know about the Shadowbolts?" Lightning Dust asked.

"Kind of...Spitfire called you double crossers, and Luna used them to try and trick me when she was Nightmare Moon." Rainbow Dash said.

"Well after the Nightmare Moon incident, me and a few other stunt fliers who were turned down by the Wonderbolts started up a whole new stunt team of our own to show the Wonderbolts that they were wrong to turn us away. We decided to use the name you inspired from that whole incident and your Nightmare Night costume." Lightning Dust said. "All of us Shadowbolts were rejected from being part of the Wonderbolts for one simple reason: We were victims of Spitfire's various plots to make her team the best of the best. With me and the captain of the Shadowbolts being the only two exceptions as we were the first two on the team." She explained.

"So, your co-captain of essentially Wonderbolt Scheme Victims?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"It's not the entire Wonderbolt Squad, Danger. Believe it or not, we've had a double agent since we've started the whole thing. You might know him." Lightning Dust said.

"Soarin. But what does that have to do with me?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Come with me, we're going to see my father." Lighting Dust said.

Lightning Dust knocked on the door of her father's house.

"So your dad decided to manage the Shadowbolts once he retired from Flight School?" Rainbow Dash said.

"Yep. Just so you know, Soarin, me, the captain of the Shadowbolts, and my father have all been working on a secret operation to stop you from becoming another Wonderbolt Victim. See, believe or not, your not the first pony whose gotten jipped like you have by the captain of the Wonderbolts." Lighting Dust said. Lighting Strike answered the door.

"Ah. Good to see you again, Rainbow 'Danger' Dash. We should get caught up once we're done here. It's time I told you about Plan Omega; that's what your wrapped up in." Lightning Strike said.

"Plan Omega?" Rainbow Dash said.

"Have you noticed how financially screwed the Wonderbolts are?" Lightning Dust asked.

"Somewhat. But I doubt it's super bad." Rainbow Dash said, but then Lighting Dust showed the cyan mare a popularity chart; the Wonderbolts were the least popular group right now. "...Okay, NOW it's super bad." Rainbow Dash said.

"This isn't the first time the Wonderbolts have hit rock bottom. It happened with Spitfire's father. See, Spitfire's father had a plan ready for such an occasion." Lightning Dust said.

"The plan's name was Plan Omega. The plan involved inviting someone who wanted to be in the Wonderbolts since they were young, butter them up, and then once the hopeful does a show with the Wonderbolts, that hopeful's dreams get crushed into the dirt." Lightning Strike said.

"But when I noticed the Wonderbolts on the decline, me and Soarin decided to create a counter operation to Plan Omega. We call it 'Operation Counter Strike'." Lightning Dust said.

"I'll be honest with you Rainbow Dash; my daughter has seen your potential, and considers you Shadowbolt Matarial. And they are all just as good if not better then the Wonderbolts. Soarin has been acting as our double agent, and now that Plan Omega has been activated, there's only one question that really matters." Lighitng Strike said.

"Rainbow 'Danger' Dash, where do your loyalties lie? Before you answer that quesiton..." Lightning Dust said, and brought out a laptop. "Soarin got us a copy of a certain video to play for you. Surprise: Spitfire's in it." Lightning Dust said and started up the video.

"Hey. Hate to break this to you, but your not going to ever become a full-fledged wonderbolt. I just used you for some free publicity. But at least you were a Wonderbolt for a while. Hope there's no hard feelings about this. Have fun with your no-name status now...no name." Video Spitfire said. Rainbow Dash's eye twitched.

"Why that double crossing, two timing Wonderbolt!" Rainbow Dash yelled out.

"And now you know why Soarin wanted to make sure you didn't end up like I did. It took me ten full years to finally pick up the pieces after Spitfire's father did the same thing to me, that she was going to do to you." Lightning Strike said.

"So Soarin really cares that much for me...going so far as to make sure I knew that Spitfire is a two-timing schemer. Well, consider me a Shadowbolt from now on." Rainbow Dash said.

"That's the spirit Danger. But first, let's give Spitfire some payback." Lightning Dust said.

"Oh you know me too well, Striker." Rainbow Dash said, smiling.

Rainbow Dash delivered a video laptop to her Wonderbolt room and then arrived home. Shortly after getting inside and getting things ready to be a Shadowbolt, her doorbell rang. Rainbow Dash answered it to find Soarin there.

"Hey. I'm guessing Operation Counter Strike is in full effect huh?" Soarin asked.

"I may not like having secrets being kept from me." Rainbow Dash said, getting Soarin inside and shutting the door behind him. "But I am glad you were doing it for me Soarin. Thank you. You've proven your loyalty to me beyond a shadow of a doubt. So, what do you say next time we have a date, it'll be my treat?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I already cannot wait." Soarin said.

"Now...as for your reward, I've got two things. First, I'm going to teach you how to pull off your own Sonic Rainbooms." Rainbow Dash said.

"Okay. What's the other reward?" Soarin asked. The cyan mare put a hoof under Soarin's chin.

"This." Rainbow Dash said before kissing Soarin right on the lips.

Chapter 6: Where Loyalty Lies

"Yo, get the lead up, Rainbow..." Spitfire said before opening Rainbow Dash's door, only to find the Computer that Rainbow Dash left there. "Huh...what's this?" Spitfire said, powering up the computer. There was only one file on it: A video labled "For Spitfire".
"How nice of her. Maybe Plan Omega will be in full effect after all!" Spitfire said and started playing the video which featured Rainbow Dash.

"Hey Spitfire, do you remember when you were not able to spend the entire gala with me? At the time, I chocked that up to 'wrong place wrong time' because I figured eventually you'd see me for how awesome I really am. However, then someone decided that they couldn't go through with your whole scheme. I know all about Plan Omega, and what it entails. So you know what I say to you? How about you go die in the fires of fucking tartarus? Yes. You heard right: Your plan has been derailed bitch! I used to think you were cool, but now I know the truth. You and the wonderbolts don't deserve my loyalty. By the time your playing this video, I'll already be telling Princess Celestia everything so don't bother trying to get out of this one. Did you really think you'd get away with doing the same thing as your father, Spitfire? Now I get to tell you that you'll never be a Wonderbolt after this, because you'll be a no name...NO NAME!" Video Rainbow Dash said.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Spitfire Yelled out. Suddenly she looked dark. "Whoever it was that spoiled my plans, will pay with their..." She said before going out, find her team being put into handcuffs. Including Crescent Moon but excluding Soarin who wasn't there.

"Hey...um...guess what? I think Soarin sold us all out." Crescent Moon said. Spitfire went even further into despair.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Spitfire Yelled all over again. "CURSE YOU SOARIN WINDS; CURSE YOU TO TARTARUS!" She yelled.

"So...no more wonderbolt for you, huh?" Rainbow Dash said to Soarin.

"Yeah. And thanks for telling Celestia that it was me who aided you in getting to the bottom of things." Soarin said.

"It's the least I could do for everything you helped do for me. The Shadowbolts will be drafting me in a couple of days and afterwards, we'll have time to get together for a date before you get drafted." Rainbow Dash said.

"I'm glad they didn't cut me loose." Soarin said.

"Actually, I told Lightning Strike that if he wanted me, he had to accept you not too long after me. From now on, we're a packaged deal when it comes to flight teams, Soarin. You've shown a lot of loyalty to me during this whole thing. And that means everything to me." Rainbow Dash said.

"You know, Spitfire asked me several times to show her where my loyalties lied: Were they with the Wonderbolts, or were they with you? Well the choice was easy for me." Soarin said. "Because, Rainbow Dash, ever since you saved my pie from the gala, I've had a crush on you. And you know what? If I had to choose betweeh the Wonderbolts and you, I'd pick you every time. Never forget that Rainbow Dash." Soarin said.

"Ugh...that is so cheesy." Rainbow Dash said.

"Oh...I'm sorry..." Soarin said but then Rainbow put a hoof under his chin.

"But for some reason, I don't mind you being cheesy." Rainbow Dash said before giving Soarin a kiss on the lips. "See you later for practice. I really want to teach you how to do your own Sonic Rainboom." Rainbow Dash said.

"Thanks for bringing me up to speed on Fluttershy. I'm glad she was so well taken care of." Lightning Strike said.

"Took you two years after you dropped out, but you did it. Talk about yet another adventure for Danger, right dad?" Lightning Dust said.

"Danger indeed...what is with you and being involved in so many activities that are dangerous?" Lightning Strike asked.

"Hey, gotta have some fun." Rainbow Dash said. "Later, I promised Soarin I'd teach him how to get to my level." She added.

"Hey wait Rainbow Dash." Lighting Dust said.

"What's up, Striker?" Dash asked.

"You know, I'm glad we got to reconnect again. If you were to ask me if my loyalty lies with the Shadowbolts or you, I'd say it's a very close tie, though if I was ever kicked out of the Shadowbolts, I think my loyalty would skew more towards you." Lightning Dust said. "Do you think you could teach me how to do something akin to a sonic rainboom sometime too?" She asked.

"It's the least I could do for all you've done for me, Striker." Rainbow Dash said and sped off.

"Well said Danger; well said." Lightning Dust said.

After helping Soarin out for a while, the two had a fantastic dinner for two at a restaurant; a very normal restaurant but it was one none the less.

Rainbow Dash thought to herself where her loyalties lied the most with, and she found that her loyalties lied with those who show true loyalty. The Shadowbolts are who showed her that. She could not wait for tomorrow's trial to show them where her loyalties lied.

"We hearby find the defendents of all the Wonderbolts sans Soarin Winds, guilty. Henceforth, the Shadowbolts will become the new emergency response team for threats around Equestria when the Elements of Harmony are unavailable." Celestia announced.

"RAINBOW DASH, HOW COULD YOU? DIDN'T YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BE A WONDERBOLT?" Spitfire yelled out.

"I did once. Now I want to be a Shadowbolt. And I'll tell you why very easily..." Rainbow Dash said. "Because unlike you, they are very loyal ponies. And if you must ask where my loyalty lies, it lies only with those who have shown me true loyalty. And that is what the Shadowbolts have shown me. UNLIKE YOU!" Rainbow Dash said.

Spitfire and the rest of the wonderbolts sans Soarin were taken away. Rainbow Dash smiled as she looked at Soarin. She knew where her loyalties lied. And she had shown as much here today.

Author's Note

Epilogue is up next. Prepare yourselves for a time skip.

Epilogue: Loyal Until the End

Eight Years Later...

A young cyan filly with a yellow mane soon swoops in to finish first in the flight school race.

"And our winner of the first ever Flight School Race, is one miss Loyal Winds!" An announcer said as the young cyan filly was gifted a winner's medal. During the race, she had pulled off a Sonic Rainboom.

"Way to go Loyal Winds!" A cyan mare with a rainbow mane suddenly grabbed Loyal Winds.

"Mom! Stop, your embarrassing me!" Loyal Winds said just as her surrogate brother Rocketloo, as well as her best friends Lighting Blast and Amelia arrived.

"How can Auntie Dash embarrass you? You just beat the socks off the competition, Adventurer!" Lightning Blast said.

"Yeah. And that's awesome." Rocketloo said. Suddenly Loyal Winds's surrogate aunt Scootaloo, as well as her aunts Lightning Dust, and Fluttershy came over.

"Hey there Squirt. Nice going." Scootaloo said, she was all grown up now.

"Oh I think you look lovely with your victory medal. Your your mother's child alright." Fluttershy said.

"And she helped me out a lot too." Amelia said.

"I'd say your just as loyal as your mother." Lighting Dust said, smiling. "I think we have a future Shadowbolt on our hands here." She added.

"It's too bad Lightning Streak and Wild Winds never got to see this day." Rainbow Dash said.

"Yeah. Dad feel victim to a stroke while Wild Winds was killed in action." Lighting Dust said.

"Cheer up you two." Rocketloo said.

"Yeah. All that matters is that the three best friends from their time in flight school are here to see Loyal Winds's victory." Lightning Blast said.

"As well as Aunt Scootaloo who was my mom's protogee." Loyal Winds said.

"I'm not your mother's actual sister, Loyal Winds." Scootaloo said.

"Own it mom; you've come a long ways; what with being in the Shadowbolts and all." Rocketloo said. Scootaloo couldn't help but smile as Rumble and Soarin soon joined them.

"Yeah...yeah I guess your right." Scootaloo said.

"That's saying a lot." Rumble said, smiling as he kissed Scootaloo.

"It's funny, the two of you were not so keen on the mushy stuff." Soarin said.

"One problem Soarin: That wasn't mushy." Rainbow Dash said, smiling.

"Heh...good point. Shall we all go for a great big get together?" Soarin asked.

"SHADOWBOLT PARTY!" Rocketloo shouted.

"Ugh...I swear Pinkie Pie has rubbed off on young Rocketloo." Scootaloo said.

"Could be worse; it could've been Rarity." Rumble said.

"OH GOD NO! WHY DID YOU HAVE TO GO AND PUT THAT MENTAL IMAGE IN MY HEAD?!" Scootaloo exclaimed.

"Ugh...are you all done here?" A female voice called out, before a very old and very stripped down Spitfire said coming up to them.

"Yes; yes we are." Lighting Dust said. Everyone but Soarin started flying off.

"...Why did you do it Soarin?" Spitefire Asked. "The Wonderbolts could've been on top!" She added.

"Because Spitfire, Rainbow Dash deserved to be on a team that was loyal to her and who she is. And that's why I'll be loyal to her until the end. You lost loyalty with me that when you initiated Plan Omega." Soarin said before flying off.

"...Loyal until the end huh? I guess we'll see how far that goes for you now, won't we? Then again, I don't think you'll have problems with that, considering how popular the Shadowbolts are with no way of any team taking you out of the running. Trust me, I tried, and I failed. Hard." Spitfire said. "I suppose I'll just have to be happy for your success...and your life." Spitfire said.

If only Spitfire had chosen loyalty over her own dream, then maybe she wouldn't be in the mess she's in.

But as a great big happy group composed of friends and family heads into Sugarcube Corner...

It does give Spitfire a smile on her face knowing that she was right all along: Some dreams are meant to be crushed for others to soar.

Her dream of being captain of a Grade A flight team may be over, but it was crushed in favor of Rainbow Dash's Dream of being on a Grade A flight team.

And that was enough victory for the now ex-captain of the Wonderbolts turned new flight school overseer.