Rise of Ruinous

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic: RISE OF RUINOUS

Chapter 4 - Rainbow's Rival

The time: A week after finding the inactive Elements of Harmony.

Rainbow Dash was soaring through the air, much as she was during the dream she had in "May The Best Pet Win."  Instead of a hybrid of the other ponies' pets whizzing by her, however, a multi-colored streak did.

R.Dash: What the?!

The weather pony growls, turning on the afterburners in an attempt to catch up to whatever pony it was.  But to her utter shock, no matter what she did, not only could she not catch whoever it was, she ended up crashing into Twilight Sparkle's tree!

T.Sparkle: *dashes outside, looks around in front of her, then behind her over her left shoulder with a gasp* Rainbow?!

R.Dash: What the..... Who WAS that?

*INTRO SEQUENCE*

Rainbow Dash walks through Ponyville to Sugar Cube Corner.

R.Dash (to herself, louder than she thinks she is): What pony WAS that?  She MUST be from WAY out of town, NOpony here is THAT fast.  Nopony in Cloudsdale is that fast!  It-seems-as-if-she-can-do-a-Sonic-Rainboom ON-COMMAND!

Virtuna (off-camera): WHO-can-do-a-Sonic-Rainboom-on-command-Rainbow-Dash?

R.Dash: HUH!? *looks up* Oh, sorry, V.  I was just out on a fly-around and I saw this streak zoom past.  I tried catching up to it and - this is a first - I COULDN'T!

Virtuna: Wha-at?!  You?!  Out-sped!?  You're Rainbow-freakin'-Dash, for Celestia's sake!  NOPONY can out-speed YOU!

R.Dash: I thought that was true.....

Sighing, Rainbow Dash walked slowly into Sugar Cube Corner.  Just two seconds later, a Wonderbolt-blue pegasus with red, yellow, green, white, black and checkered stripes in her mane and tail lands in front of the arcade.  Virtuna murrs at the new arrival, somewhat impressed.

Virtuna: Whoa, baby!  *heads outside*  So you're the pony that's been makin' all the noise!  Who you?

????? (British-Irish accent): Name's Pitstop McGowan, luv.  Who are YOU?

Virtuna: I'm Virtuna.  Pleased to meet you - although I doubt if Rainbow Dash would.....

Pitstop: Hold-the-phone-luv.  You know Rainbow Dash?

Virtuna: *enthusiastic nod* Uh-HUH!  She's one of my best pals!  She's.....

R.Dash (off-camera): YOU!

A VERY miffed Rainbow Dash glares at Pitstop from the door of Sugar Cube Corner.

R.Dash: Do you HAP-PEN to know who... you... FLEW-PAST-UP-THERE?!

Pitstop: *looks at Virtuna somewhat uneasily* Is-this-how-she-usually-is, luv?

Virtuna shrugs and groans a bit.

R.lDash: You just SPED BY ME without as much as a "Hello."!  Do you REALIZE that I... WON... the Best-Young-FLIERS'-Competition?!  That I... AM... the BEST... FLIER in-CLOUDSDALE?

Pitstop: You came from CLOUDSDALE, luv?  I come from Trottingham, and I-!

R.Dash: I-DON'T-CARE-IF-YOU-COME-FROM-LE-MANES!!! (Le Mans) NO!  PONY!  OUT-SPEEDS!  ME!!!

Rainbow Dash speeds off, leaving a dumbstruck Pitstop and a shell-shocked Virtuna.

Virtuna: Uh........  What in Equestria just happened?

Later that day, Rainbow Dash was on her couch, her pet tortoise Tank nearby.

R.Dash: I just can't believe it!  Was she REALLY that much faster than me?  I'm the best in Cloudsdale!

Tank blinks at Rainbow Dash, the cyan pegasus sighing.

R.Dash: Maybe I'm just taking this too personally.  I'm sure she didn't mean to upstage me..... Right?

Now not knowing what to think, Rainbow Dash sighs, her front legs behind her head and looking straight up.

R.Dash: *SIGH*  I NEVER had this happen before, Tank, even in Flight Camp.  Who IS that pony?

Meanwhile, Pitstop is being welcomed to Ponyville by an authentic Pinkie Pie party, having a good time despite the verbal barrage from Rainbow Dash earlier.  Fluttershy understood totally.

Fluttershy: Well, she's always been very proud of her status as the fastest pony in all of Ponyville, and sometimes, she feels somewhat threatened by somepony else having as much if not more speed than she does.

T.Sparkle: You should've been here for when we all dressed up as The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well to give her a lesson on humility.  Trust me, she'll warm up to you, Pitstop.

Pitstop: I hope so, luv, she right about blew up when she saw me.  All I was doing was me fly-around, I didn't mean to intrude on her.

T.Sparkle: "Me" fly-around?

Pitstop: *chuckle* I'm from Trottingham, luv.

T.Sparkle: Oh, I see.

Both ponies laugh, then Fluttershy shyly joins in.  The next day, Rainbow Dash checks her mail and finds something that strikes her fancy - an invitation to exhibit her skills for her life-long heroes, the Wonderbolts!

R.Dash: *girlish squeal* YES!!!

Rainbow Dash takes off and flies around excitedly, not knowing that across town, over Fluttershy's cottage, Pitstop got the same letter!

Pitstop and R.Dash: This is MY chance to prove that I can cut it!  I'M GONNA BE A WONDERBOLT!!!

The two pegasi fly to Cloudsdale, to the arena where Rainbow Dash won the Best Young Fliers competiton.  When Rainbow Dash spots Pitstop, she snorts a bit, still peeved over their last meeting.  Pitstop gives Rainbow Dash a slight smile.  Outside in the seating area, ponies from all corners of Equestria filed in to watch not only the Wonderbolt hopefuls, but the Wonderbolts themselves.

Announcer: Everypony please rise and welcome our beloved princesses.  First, Princess Celestia!

Princess Celestia enters the arena as she did during the Young Fliers Competition.  As she waves to the crowd, night falls instantly, the sun goddess smirking a bit.

Announcer: And next, Princess Luna and..... NIGHT.. MARE... MOON!!

The crowd is stunned to see the Mare in the Moon arriving with the moon goddess.  As soon as the two black alicorns land, the sky lightens back up, Princess Celestia smirking a bit at Nightmare Moon.

N.Moon: *blush* Now THAT is an entrance.

All three laugh as Virtuna smiles from her box.  The rest of the Mane 6 are seated by her as she watches the attendants set up an obstacle course.

Announcer: And now..... please welcome..... THE WONDERBOLTS!!!

A loud whoosh heralds the arrival of Equestria's top air-stunt team.  Virtuna gasps, seeing them live for the first time.

Fluttershy: Quite a sight, huh?

Virtuna nods, seeing the Wonderbolts take their spot, near Nightmare Moon.  Spitfire notices the former foe, her eyes popping.

Spitfire: So she DID change.

Soarin: *nod* VERY impressive.

Spitfire nods, then they begin watching and judging the hopefuls.  Backstage, Rainbow Dash was wearing number 4 while Pitstop had number 8.  Rainbow Dash smirks as she looks at Pitstop.

Pitstop: May the best pegasus win, luv.

R.Dash: Why, thank you for the vote of confidence in me.

The pegasus wearing number 3 trots out to the arena.

R.Dash: *smirks at Pitstop* Stand back and watch me work.

When it came time for her routine, Rainbow Dash was completely on-point with everything.  Loops, twirls, swoops, dives, she even did high-speed figure-eight that she then did in a circle!  Backstage, Pitstop was fairly amazed.

Pitstop: -OK, luv, that is impressive.....-

Rainbow Dash then broke out of the pattern, rainbow-colored stripes still circling around in the air.  She flies way over the arena, then turns downward, gathering speed.

Virtuna and Pitstop: -What's she doin'?-

Rainbow Dash continues going faster and faster until a wall appears in front of her.  Virtuna, Pitstop and Nightmare Moon were mesmerized as the wall bent over the plummeting pegasus.  As soon as she touched the streaks left by her figure-eight-circle, BANG!!!

Crowd: OOOOO!!!!!

Virtuna: WHOA, BABY!!

T.Sparkle: That..... is a Sonic Rainboom.

Virtuna: *BLINK!*  OHMISTARS!  THAT is what she was talkin' 'bout yesterday?!

Twilight Sparkle nods as Rainbow Dash flies over the arena, painting a rainbow in the sky overhead.  Nightmare Moon was as impressed as Virtuna at Rainbow Dash's performance.

N.Moon: This is.....

P.Celestia: *nod* Uh-huh.

N.Moon: Awesome.

Rainbow Dash lands and receives the loudest round of applause - so far - of the exhibition.  Most humbling was when she spotted the Wonderbolts applauding her performance.

Spitfire: Wow.  Once again, your skills are on display.

Soarin: *nod* Indeed.  That reminds me of the performance I had when I got into the Wonderbolts.  Awesome performance.

R.Dash: *blush* Aw, thanks, guys.

The Wonderbolts clap again as Rainbow Dash bows to the princesses and Nightmare Moon before returning to the backstage area to well-deserved congratulations from her fellow competitors.  When it came time for Pitstop to perform, she heads out and flies to the center of the arena.  When her music starts up, she takes off, using the skies in and around the arena to do her high-speed routine.  Even the Wonderbolts had a hard time keeping an eye on the high-speed pegasus.  But that was nothing compared to her grand finale: A massive figure-eight that crossed in the middle of the arena and surrounded the royal box in one loop and the Mane 6's in the other.  Gathering speed, the same wall appeared in front of Pitstop, bending over the pegasus.....

T.Sparkle: Oh.....

P.Celestia: .....my.....

R.Dash: ......................No way.

BOOM!!!  The crowd is shocked and in sheer disbelief as Pitstop reels off Sonic Rainboom after Sonic Rainboom everytime she flies through the hole in the bottom of the arena!  Rainbow Dash nearly faints in disbelief as she sees her rival upstage her - again!  A pegasus that already went gets a couch and lays the shell-shocked cyan mare onto it.  Outside, Pitstop's finale ends to the raucous cheering of the crowd.  Just as before, during the Young Fliers Competition, Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie and Applejack were stunned into silence - but this time, Virtuna, Rarity and Fluttershy joined them.

N.Moon: Rainbow-Dash..... did-only..... ONE... of-those..... big... BOOM!-things, right?

The princesses nod in total shock.

N.Moon: Then..... how in Equestria.....

Pitstop lands in front of the shocked Wonderbolts, smiling proudly.

Spitfire: *looks at Soarin* And you said Rainbow Dash was awesome.  *The crowd turns a bit*  Not to say Rainbow's wasn't good, this pony's was incredible!

Pitstop: *embarassed giggle* Aw, shucks.  Me routine may be impressive, but I'm not gonna toot me own horn over it.

N.Moon: *head cock* Well-now.  I never thought of you as the humble type.

Pitstop: It's how I was brung up.  Me parents told me to always be thankful of your talents and to NEVER talk yourself superior to others.

T.Sparkle: Well, those are amazing traits to have, Pitstop.

Pitstop: Aw, thanks, Twilight.  I only wish Rainbow Dash could see that, luv.

Everypony applauds by either clapping their front hooves or stomping them on the floor.  Pitstop takes a bow as the crowd shows their admiration.  Later that day, the contestants are all gathered in front of the Wonderbolts, the princesses and Nightmare Moon.

N.Moon: First of all, I must say, all of you were impressive.

Spitfire: Nightmare's right, you all did very well today.  But there were two standouts..... Contestant number 4, RAINBOW DASH!

Everypony cheers as the cyan mare trots forward.

Spitfire: The OTHER stand-out is..... Contestant number 8, PITSTOP!

Everypony cheers as the dark blue mare trots up.  Pitstop smiles at Rainbow Dash as soon as the weather pony sees her.

Pitstop (mouthing words): Good luck, luv.

Rainbow Dash blinks a bit in shock, then both pegasi turned their attention to the Wonderbolts.

Spitfire: *looks at Rainbow Dash* Rainbow, there is no question you are VERY highly skilled.  The fact that you used that amazing Sonic Rainboom of yours so well is just an example of how well you can control yourself in the air.  There are Wonderbolts who've done this for longer than we have that haven't exhibited such mid-air mastery of their bodies.  This is incredibly important in our group as we're almost wingtip-to-wingtip during some formations.  But, of course, you already knew that since you've watched all our acts since you were a filly.

Both Spitfire and Rainbow Dash laugh, then Spitfire turns her attention to Pitstop.

Spitfire: And YOU!  GEEZ!!  Where in Equestria did you get that SPEED?!  No wonder you needed to fly out of the stadium for some of your tricks!  But you've also possessed the confidence to push yourself to that limit.  You aren't afraid to push yourself to the extreme, and we look for THAT as well.  *sighs and paces a bit* (while pacing): This is a tough, tough call..... *stops pacing and looks at Rainbow Dash*  Do we go with the pony who exhibits amazing body control in mid-air, has incredible speed and whose skill has been proven over time..... *looks at Pitstop* .....or the pony whose speed and fearlessness has taken everypony in this arena by storm, but is humbled and almost honored to receive even the slightest compliment?

Everypony is silent as Spitfire pulls out a single Wonderbolts costume.  The rest of the Mane 6 and Virtuna look at Rainbow Dash, hoping Spitfire tosses her the costume..... Then.....

N.Moon: Hang on!

Everypony looks at the Mare of the Moon as she rises.

N.Moon: The true test of a new Wonderbolt is how well they perform with the existing group, right?  I mean, ANYpony in here could've blown you all away with speed, control, tricks, appeal, etc., but if they can't function well with the rest of the team, it's a waste of talent, right?

Spitfire: Yeeeeeeeeeah?

N.Moon: I propose a fly-off between Rainbow Dash and Pitstop.  Rainbow Dash will be performing with Spitfire and Pitstop will be performing with Soarin, and the crowd will determine who wins!

The crowd gasps in shock as the two Wonderbolts agree on it.

P.Celestia: *looks at Nightmare Moon increasingly-impressedly* You're good.

N.Moon: Each brings something good to the table that even the best Wonderbolts can't teach.  The only way to truly test their talents is by seeing them in action the way they would be if they were Wonderbolts.

P.Luna: Oh, man, did we make a good move with you!

Both moon goddesses laugh as Virtuna smiles from her box.  Some time later, the fly-off is set up.  A pegasus with a coin with a sun and a moon on it flies in.

Pegasus M: OK, *shows the sun side* This is heads, *shows the moon side* and this is tails.  Dash, call it.

The pegasus flips the coin.

R.Dash: (while the coin flips): Heads.

Sure enough, it's heads!

Pegasus M: OK, Dash, you and Spitfire go first.

Spitfire: ok, dash, we're gonna do the routine we did for princess celestia's 10,000th birthday.

R.Dash: aw, my favorite!

Spitfire chuckles low, then the two take their spots, Soarin and Pitstop watching from the Wonderbolts' box.  The music starts up, a classical theme - almost like a baroque classic - and Spitfire and Rainbow Dash launch into a graceful display of air tricks, including backflips, loops and twists, ending with Spitfire spelling out "Happy 10,000th Birthday" and Rainbow Dash spelling out "Princess Celestia" in cursive!  Nightmare Moon gasps as she sees this display.

N.Moon: Oh, wow.....

P.Celestia: I know.....  VERY cool.

Pitstop looks at Rainbow Dash, visibly impressed at how well the cyan pegasus performed with Spitfire.  The two pegasi land to a storm of applause from the crowd, exchanging a brohoof.  After a while, it was Soarin and Pitstop's turn as Spitfire and Rainbow Dash sit in the Wonderbolts' box.

Spitfire: ok, dash, where did you get THAT?

R.Dash: guess it happened when i was sharpening my skills after the young fliers competition.

Spitfire nods in acknowledgement.

Soarin: ok, pitstop, what WE'RE gonna do is the routine we did to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the most recent defeat of discord.

Pitstop: i heard of that one, that was huge.

Soarin nods, then they take their places, Pitstop on the far end of the stadium.  A more pop-rock-style theme began and the two pegasi launched into a routine that had them tracing the Elements of Harmony in the sky.  Even Rainbow Dash was impressed as Pitstop traced her element's symbol in the air near the Wonderbolts' box.  The rest of the Mane 6 were blushing a bit, seeing their elements on full display, the presentation ending with a tracing of the star-like seal of the Elements of Harmony!  The crowd cheered about as loudly for Pitstop and Soarin as they did for Rainbow Dash and Spitfire!

P.Celestia: *looks at Nightmare Moon*  Sounds about dead even.

N.Moon: *nod* Indeed.

Everypony begins casting their vote, Rainbow Dash and Pitstop anxiously awaiting the results.  It certainly didn't help that the scores were about dead even.  Fluttershy was more than her usual fidgetty self as she saw her best friend and the newcomer trade the lead in the vote back-and-forth.

T.Sparkle: My gosh, this is tense.

Applejack: *nod* Yeah..... Rainbow's been waitin' fer this her whole life.  I don't even wanna know how bad she'd take fallin' short here.

P.Pie: Yeah.....

P.Celestia: The results are in!

Everypony, Virtuna, the Mane 6 and Nightmare Moon especially, look at Princess Celestia.

P.Celestia: It was the closest audience vote in the history of the Wonderbolts, but we do have a winner.....

Rainbow Dash and Pitstop begin sweating like ice in a furnace, everypony seemed to hold their breath.....

P.Celestia: The vote went..... *sigh* to-Pitstop.....

The Mane 6 and Nightmare Moon, Rainbow Dash especially, were shocked!  Spitfire dashed to Rainbow Dash as the cyan mare broke down and cried.

Spitfire: *looks at Rainbow Dash face-to-face* Look-at-me.  You did an amazing job.  You should be proud of yourself, especially that fly-off performance.  It really could've gone either way, OK?

R.Dash: *sniff and nod* ok.

Rainbow Dash flew back to her friends, immediately hugged by them all.

T.Sparkle: Well, how-are-you-feeling?

R.Dash: *sniff* Still kinda bummed, but..... I-gotta-give-her-her-due, she's-an-amazing-pony.

Virtuna: That's nice to hear after you kinda flew offa the handle earlier.

R.Dash: It's because she was the first pony to just zip right by me like I wasn't there, Virtuna.

T.Sparkle: Yeah, she's fiercely proud of her skills as a flier, Virtuna.

Virtuna: *chuckle* I've seen ponies like you in my arcade.  Some talk a better game than they play.  YOU seem to be the other way.

R.Dash: Aw, *nuzzles Virtuna* thanks, V.

Everypony watches a VERY humble Pitstop accept her membership into the Wonderbolts. the Mane 6 and Virtuna applauding.  Pitstop notices a smiling Rainbow Dash and smiles back.

Pitstop: This is quite an honor, and I feel proud to be included amoungst some of the greatest names in Equestria.  I do, however, have one humble request: *She turns back to the Mane 6's box and points directly at Rainbow Dash* Please, let-her-in, too.

Rainbow Dash could not believe her ears!

R.Dash: Did she just..... I mean.....

Rainbow Dash lets out an overjoyed girlish squeal before flying to Pitstop as if shot out of a cannon!

R.Dash: I can't believe this!

Pitstop: Look, Dash, can I level with ya?  *Rainbow Dash nods*  I really wanna apologize for rubbin' ya the wrong way before.  I was just talking with Twi and I found out how proud ya are of being as good as you are, and frankly, I didn't realize it 'til I saw ya close-up.  *Rainbow Dash smiles at Pitstop*  I really hated the thought that I may've accidentally lost ye as a friend before I even met ya.

R.Dash: Naw, Pitstop, it was me.  I let my pride in my abilities cloud my judgement of you.  I should've realized that it doesn't matter if you can do something better than I can.  Besides, you really impressed me with how you traced my Element of Harmony symbol in the air like that.  *extends a hoof*  Friends?

PItstop smiles, then hugs Rainbow Dash, the weather pony hugging back as the crowd cheers.  Then, the two newly-minted Wonderbolts launch into a spontaneous routine!

Soarin: Whoa.....

Spitfire: Wow.

[A/N: For this letter, Rainbow Dash and Pitstop are reciting it as a voiceover to their routine, which combines both their fly-offs into one long show!]

R.Dash and Pitstop: Dear Princess Celestia,

R.Dash: YOU go first.

Pitstop: Thanks, luv.  *clears throat*  Today I learned an important lesson about friendship.  I learned that there is a time for puttin' yourself out there and a time when you have to keep it to yourself.

R.Dash: And I learned that it's not important if someone you just met is better at something you love than you are, it's all about the pony they are inside.  Your loyal.....

Pitstop: .....and humble subjects, Miss Rainbow Dash.....

R.Dash: *laughs* and Miss Pitstop.

As Pitstop flew around during the routine, she ended up getting her cutie mark under her Wonderbolts costume, a green flag crossed over a checkered flag at the flagpoles about halfway up.  In the Canterlot antechamber, one of the dormant Elements of Harmony started turning from coal black to chalk white, then it began glowing.....

TO BE CONTINUED