Falling Star
Wind filled her ears, muffling the noises of the land below her. It flowed across her body, softly caressing her form. With each stroke of her wings, she could feel the tips of her feathers ruffle in the air. They quivered from tip to stem. Accompanying the sensation was the feeling of her flowing mane, lightly flicking the tips of her wings, flashing its many colors in the warm sunlight as it flipped across her back softly. She gently soared across the sky above the trees, flapping her blue wings to keep aloft at a comfortable level.
The land shone brightly from the midday sun above. Bringing a calm with its warmth. As if everything was taking an afternoon snooze, relaxing in this wonderful day. Looking to the world below her, she saw the grass sway back and forth slowly with the breeze, causing rippling waves that flowed across the ground as if it were water. The leaves from the trees rustled every so quietly on their branches, leaving a soft whisper on the wind. Everything shone bright with colors under the dazzling sunlight. A sense of peace and calm filled her body. She took in every sight and sensation as she gently soared across the sky.
Drawing in a breath, she closed her eyes and focused inward on every inch of her body and what she felt as she flew. It was something she was never tired of. Feeling the wind flow around her, the pure sense of freedom, and vastness of the land around her. It was her favorite spot in the world. Out in the wide blue sky and breezing across on her own. There was no place she enjoyed more than her open sky. She could fly for hours before settling down on a comfy cloud to relax the day away. And with a day like this, she was contemplating doing just that. But there was only one thing that she could never get enough. More than this sensation of drifting around the sky in its wide blue embrace. She exhaled, her eyes snapped open, ready for her passion and love of one thing in life.
With a flap of her wings that sent a gust to the rustling tree branches below her, she soared straight up. Her speed made her a blur of wings as she shone like a prism in the sky, reflecting her colors like a dazzling multi colored rocket. Her heart beat faster and faster as she pumped her wings and flew higher into the sky. Streaking to the white clouds above her, she busted through them until she was surrounded by never ending horizon of clouds. Overtaken by the white landscape that was even more brightly lit than the ground below, she closed her eyes and let her wings float freely. Her body continued to drift up from the momentum. She arched her back as her speed slowed to a complete standstill. The hanging sensation of pure weightlessness filled her.
She reveled in this feeling that came moments before she would descend back to the ground. Opening her eyes, her world was turning upside down as she bent backwards and over, the clouds that were below her looked to be above now. Taking in the moment of this free floating upside down world, everything was still and silent. All she could hear was her heart beats and her feathers ruffling.
Before she could begin to descend, she twisted her body to right herself. Readying her wings she kicked out with her hoof. Her wings pumping as she shot herself across the sky. The soft lull of the wind that filled her near the ground was now a thundering roar that drowned out everything and filled her every sense. Her coat was flattened from the pressing wind, and her feathers shaking as if they would tear away at any moment from the sheer vibration. Her mane whipped wildly, her eyes became squinted to the tearing wind, her breathing accelerated at the exertion, her heart beat faster with adrenaline and pure joy. And with another burst of flaps from her strong wings, she flew faster still. She busted through a massive cloud and was met on the other side a beautiful landscape. She had left the field of clouds and could see the entire world below, stretching to the horizon. All of Equestria that she knew was within her sight. There was no where she could not see or could not go.
This was her life, and Rainbow Dash loved every moment of it.
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The pegasus landed on the ground panting with satisfaction. Looking back up, she couldn’t see a single cloud in the sky after the aerial performance she just pulled. After she had enjoyed her midday flight, she decided to clear all the clouds in Ponyville before it was to late. Smiling at herself at the job done and getting an amazing workout to, she couldn’t help but let a few laughs squeeze through her heavy breathing.
“Good morning Rainbow Dash!”
She looked up. A very familiar purple unicorn was trotting toward her. She of course also had an equally familiar dragon riding on her back, that was transfixed with the sky.
“Oh hey Twilight. Hey Spike.” She gasped in between her breaths. “Did you see the moves I pulled?”
“We definitely did.” Twilight responded. “I don’t think I’ve seen you fly that fast while performing those kind of moves. You were definitely pushing some limits there.” She trotted to a stop in front of her while Spike hopped off, still looking around the sky.
“Heh, ya well I have to pick up my stuff. After being at the Wonderbolts Academy I gotta push myself to new limits for next year! I’m gona wow them with what I got then!” Rainbow Dash replied.
Twilight grinned in agreement, “I’m sure you’ll do amazing next year. Just try to not push yourself too hard.” She added with some sympathy.
“Gosh Rainbow Dash, I don’t think you left a cloud in the sky. I can’t even see any outside of Ponyville. Not to mention some of those stunts you did were awesome. I never seen anything like them!” Spike exclaimed throwing his arms in the air.
“Well when you're awesome like me you gotta pull out some new things once in awhile. I got some ideas when I was away and I think I can do them if I get a little stronger.” Rainbow Dash said as she stretched out her wings.
“Rainbow Dash Rainbow Dash!” A young pony shouted. All three of them turned their heads to see a filly whipping towards them on top of a scooter. Just before it was too late she jerked the scooter to the side, skidding it to a stop a few hooves away. They flinched at the sudden her arrival. Spike had jumped away as if she was going to collide with him. “That was amazing! I haven't seen some of those stunts just did. Are they new? Do you think you could do them again?” Scootaloo asked excitedly while pulling off her helmet.
“I don’t know shortstuff, maybe next time when there’s some more cloud busting to do.” She said nonchalantly. “But yeah, there a few things I’m working on that I’m sure I could show” she added cooly.
“Yes!” Scootaloo shouted. “I definitely need to get a better spot to watch you at. I had to zoom across the entire town just to follow you.”
“You were able to see me around the whole town?”
“Of course, I think every pony could!”
The small group suddenly noticed the looks from other ponies in the distance. Some of the faces they meet were smile or and giving a hoof up in approval.
“Great flying Rainbow Dash. I’m sure you’ll impress the Wonderbolts next year,” one yelled across. Other shouted out things similar in nature.
Rainbow Dash couldn't help but grinned at the comments the townsfolk have been giving her lately. Ponyville was starting to wind down at the talk of one of their own pegasus could be a potential Wonderbolt someday when they heard how well she did at the Academy. Of course she loved every minute hearing about it.
Suddenly Rainbow Dash’s stomach let loose a growl. Crossing her hooves in embarrassment she spoke, “I guess I worked up an appetite with my flying.”
Twilight happily responded, “Would you like to join Spike and I for some lunch? We were just on our way to Daffodil Sprout Cafe.”
“Sure.” Rainbow Dash returned. Turning towards the young filly she asked, “Do you want to come to?” She knew the young pony has been waiting for a chance to hang out with her.
“I would love to!” She jumped at the offer. “Any other day that is.” She said reluctantly as she floated down. “I promised Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell I was going to join them for something though. Another time please?” She pleaded.
Rainbow Dash smiled, “Of course. See ya later!”
With a wide grin Scootaloo fastened her helmet and starting revving up her wings.“Bye Rainbow Dash. Bye Twilight!” She yelled right before she tore off across the ground and out of view.
As Twilight coughed up a bit of dust that she’d left, she said to the rest of them, “Alright lets go get some lunch.”
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“I didn’t get to ask, how was the rest of your time at the academy?” Twilight asked before biting into a flower sandwich.
“It went great. They said for me to definitely come next year and that they were keeping an eye on me. I think if I impress them a little more, they’ll to invite me to join!” Rainbow Dash said excitedly before biting into some hayfries.
After swallowing Twilight added, “That’s great, nothing less than I expect than Ponyville’s number one pegasus.” Rainbow Dash smiled at the compliment.
They continued to eat their lunch, talking from the new Daring Do novel to new spells Twilight was studying. They were having a good time and laughing when suddenly a shadow flashed over them. The two ponies and dragon looked up in time to see a silver streak race across the sky and disappear over some houses.
“What was that?” Spike asked.
“I don’t know, a falcon?” Twilight responded.
“No, that was a pegasus.” Rainbow Dash said staring wide eyed at the spot it disappeared at.
“That was a pegasus?” Spike asked aloud. “It was moving so fast though.”
There was a few moments of silence while they stared on. Suddenly the silver streak flashed again from the rooftop it vanished behind and back the other direction.
“There it is again!” Spike yelled. He and Twilight’s eyes struggled to follow it as it flew over them. But Rainbow Dash caught every moment. She clearly saw it was a silver stallion pegasus. And it was moving faster than she had ever seen another pegasus flew. Maybe even faster than her. Is that possible?. She shook her head at thought and jumped from the table and zoomed up to where she saw him gone. Twilight and Spike let out a yelp has she almost knocked the table over.
Clearing the buildings, she scanned for the pegasus. He was already out of the sky from what she could tell. Worried she had lost him, she then spotted saw a group of ponies gathering at a tree near the edge of town. A tiny reflection of silver caught her eye and she flew straight for them.
Rainbow Dash reached the group in no time. She landed a distance away and trotted cautiously toward the group. The silver pegasus was in the middle of five other ponies from Ponyville talking to him. As she drew closer, she started to make out what they were saying.
“-eren’t kidding were you? That has to be some kind of record!”
“Yeah, I don’t think anypony has gotten from here to Cloven Hoof Rock and back that fast. That was incredible!”
As Rainbow Dash came to the group she could see the stallion that had flown above her. He had a silver coat and a white mane, with one bang hanging over his face and a mohawk down his neck. He was built lean and strong and his eye reflected a teal pupil. As he shifted around, she was able to spot a shooting star as his cutie mark.
“I told you I could do it. And like I was saying, I’m the top notch flyer traveling Equestria. Looking for new places to train and pegasus to compete against. And I’m here in Ponyville to do my next training.” The speaking pegasus was met with some murmurs and compliments until Rainbow Dash got closer. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes at the statement.
“Wow, what kind of training are you doing?” One pony asked before the rest of the joined in. All of them curious and excited at this new and talented pegasus.
“One at a time.” The silver pegasus exclaimed. “I’ll answer any questions I can in between training sessions. Don’t worry, the best flyer in Equestria always makes time for some fans.” He added with a charming smile.
“You can’t be the best flyer in Equestria.” Rainbow Dash announced as she walked between the other ponies.
“Ya? And why’s that?” the stallion asked raising an eyebrow.
“Because, that’s me.” She said proudly.
The other ponies murmured around them. “Right, thats probably true. Rainbow Dash is one the best fliers I ever seen.” Other joined in agreement with similar statements.
Looking at the other ponies the silver stallion smiled and looked back to Rainbow Dash. “I see, you're the towns best pegasus.”
“Standing.” She responded coolly.
“Well, then meet Hoof Dale’s best pegasus.” He said with satisfaction. “And Trottingham, Clover Grove, Holly Tail, and Timbucktu.” He paused for a moment. “And possibly Ponyville.”
“What!? How could you be from all those places?” Rainbow Dash asked skeptically.
“I'm originally from Hoof Dale, but like I said, I’ve been travelling Equestria and to different towns to train. And because of my training I’ve been recognized as the best flyer and claimed that title from those towns. I’ve even beaten a few exceptional pegasus I’m sure that are just like you.” he said staring expectantly at her.
“No pegasus, is like me.” She smiled defensively.
“Good, I hope so. Because I’m always looking for the next challenge to push my limits.”
Rainbow Dash unfurled her wings and bent to trot the ground with her front hoof. “Well then buckle up, because this pegasus is going to give you the flight of your life.”
Lowering his head to her level he responded, “Looking forward to it. But first things first.” Quickly standing back up. “My name is Comet.”, he said giving a short bow.
“And I’m Rainbow Dash.” she said lifting her head up.
“Glad to meet you Rainbow Dash. I can’t wait to see how this turns out.”
