Raise the Sun

"Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh!" Rainbow Dash shrieked at the sight of the posters lining Ponyville town hall as she woke up that morning. Lined up along the second story, as if begging her to see them, were multiple posters and flyers announcing the Wonderbolts' performance the following morning at the Summer Sun Celebration. Briefly, the cyan pegasus was reminded of the first time this had happened, nine years ago when she met all her closest friends. Good times, even if the Wonderbolts never performed as they'd promised those years ago. Still this did nothing to dampen the mood of the best flier in Equestria, and she clapped her forehooves together with a satisfying clink. "This time I'll show 'em for real!"

After a quick look around the skyline, the pegasus took notice of a mouthful of stray clouds around, and she sat against her cloud castle's wall looking out with a retrospective pause. So much had changed since they'd all met nine years ago. Their lives grew fiercely together, learning yet another life lesson on a weekly basis. The life had been bliss for the young flier, so fast-paced and always moving forward! Now though, it felt as if the only acceleration she knew was the occasional hangout with Pinkie Pie, and even the bouncy party mare showed signs of noticing the strange tension. Looking from cloud to cloud, Rainbow idly calculated her best course of flight to clear the skies for the raising of the sun the next day.

"Prove it." She mimicked Twilight's words from nine years ago as if it were only yesterday, just before she took off through her window. A quick work of her wings sent her spiraling through arcs and lines of clouds, looping briefly to tackle a stray overhead and landing ceremoniously on the same pillar of the same bridge she had that day. "Ten seconds flat!"

To the proud young mare, it felt as if she was honoring that very day when she had been a part of something so grand her very coat had stood on end. Within the recesses of her heart though, she knew it differently. She wanted those days back.

"Wow Rainbow Dash!" Pinkie Pie's voice greeted her outward triumph. "That was amazing!"

"Oh, it's no big deal." Rainbow flourished with a waving of a forehoof through her mane. "Just gotta get it out of the way to get to my practicing!"

"For the Wonderbolts?"

"You betcha!" Rainbow beamed, spinning into flight as she did.

"Aww!" Pinkie sniffed, "Okie dokie then! I'll catch up with you later Rainbow Dash!"

"Wait!" Rainbow pleaded, chasing off after her pink friend. "What's up?"

Pinkie stopped her bouncing and pivoted to look at her best friend and fellow prankster. "Oh! Well I thought since the Summer Sun Celebration is being held in Ponyville again like when we all met Twilight, we could have a big huge celebration of our own like we did before the festival! Doesn't that sound fun?"

Overhead one of the Cloudsdale mailmares flew, promptly redirecting her route from Rainbow's cloud castle to Rainbow Dash herself upon seeing her hovering in midair as she was. "Mail for you miss Dash." She said, pulling an envelope addressed to her from the Cloudsdale Weather Facility, branch 4. The Rainbow Factory. The pegasus quickly undid the sealing as the mailmare flew off, but there was no letter inside. She sighed, defeated. She had been recalled to her job, at least momentarily.

"I'll be there tonight, Pinkie Pie." She said, her tone going somber. "I've got some business back home."

"Okie dokie lokie!" Pinkie said, bouncing away. "I've got to make some extra preparations anyway. Red Velvet cupcakes take so long!"

Red Velvet? Rainbow pondered. It had been months since Pinkie Pie had made a red velvet cupcake batch. Must be a special occasion to the whole of them in any event.

Just as she turned to make her way to Cloudsdale, she saw Pinkie offer a cupcake to another pony in the street who took it down quickly and promptly passed out after. Despite her curiosity to the pony's condition, her priorities lay elsewhere, and no doubt Pinkie knew where to find help. Leaving the situation behind, the rainbow-maned mare took off for Cloudsdale, reminding herself constantly of her duty.