“Finally” Scootaloo said, as she quickly rolled out of the sleeping bag.
She and the other two crusaders spent the night in the tree house where they hold their meetings. After the experience she had while camping with rainbow dash and the others a year ago, sleeping in tents and caves, she wasn’t really that scared of the night anymore.
“W-what? What ya’ll talkin’ about Scoot?” Applebloom said as she sat up, her mane was a mess from falling asleep with her bow still in.
“Gosh Applebloom! Don’t you remember what day it is today?” said Scootaloo
“I can’t reckon I do”
“Argh!, its Rainbow dashes first performance in Ponyville with the Wonderbolts!” Scootaloo was so proud of her hero finally getting to fulfill her dreams.
“Oh yeah!.... Ahh! I forgot Scoot I can’t go. Big Mac and Granny needs help with crushin’ grape juice today, and Sweetie Bell said she would help.. didn’t ya sweetie?”
“mmmmfhgg!” replied Sweetie Bell, still half asleep
“aww!. You mean you both can’t come?, but it’s the first performance for RD in Ponyville and all, everypony is going to be there! Even Applejack!”
“I know, but Granny said we could earn our first few bits workin’ for her n Big Mac today!”
“BITS!!, I forgot about that part!” yelled Sweetie Bell as she leapt out of the sleeping bag and down the ramp to the ground.
“Come on Applebloom!..time is money!”. Sweetie Bell obviously picked up that trait for her older sister.
“Well, ill tell you both how it was when I get back!”
“Ok, see yall, have a good time!” Applebloom yelled out as her voice faded away.
“Oh boy oh boy” Scootaloo said to herself excitedly as she ran to Fluttershy’s cottage to get ready, where she had been staying for a few nights.
As a few hours passed, the crowd was starting to build in the arena where most of the events in Ponyville had taken place. Only this time there was a long stretch of runway placed down for what was surly going to be a spectacular air show. The excitement was building for the 11am start on such a beautiful, dry, summers day.
The Mayer of Ponyville’s voice came over the loudspeaker
“Fillies and Gentlecots!, I welcome you to the first annual Ponyville aerial flyers show!”
The moment she said that, came a loud thundering BOOM! From the sky and 6 of the best and brightest flyers in all of Equestria came to a dusty halt on the runway below and made their way over to the podium.
Scootaloo jockeyed for position in the crown to catch a glimpse of her hero through the sea of brightly colored ponies and manes.
“There she is! there’s Rainbow Dash!!” Scootaloo yelled excitedly.
Soarin and Spitfire approached the microphone and said thank you to the big crowd along with the usual safety speech that was mandatory to give before any performance. Rapidfire, Fleetfoot, Raindbow Dash and Iron Wing Stood guard on the runway.
“These are very dangerous tricks and should NOT be attempted by anypony, Pegasus or not, we are trained professionals, accidents do happen if something does go wrong today keep your distance and allow the medical professionals to do their jobs” Spitfire had said.
Everypony just kind of brushed the speech off like it was nothing. If only the crowd knew how much those words resonated fear within the close friends of Rainbow Dash, standing together in the audience with a big (RD is #1) sign that Pinkie Pie and Rarity put together the night before.
“Let the show begin!” Yelled the Mayer
With a huge could of dust the 6 took off in succession gathering together in the air, flying in formation, each trailing their own signature trail behind them for effect. None more noticeable, than the now famous Rainbow Dash.
The crowd screamed with delight as the wonder blots kicked everything up a notch. Flying figure 8’s, loop de loops, Rainbow Dash looked like she was flying with them for years!, she was just that good.
Two of the Pegasus, Spitfire and one of the other newcomers, Iron Wing, had grounded themselves after one of the manoeuvres to approach the microphone, leaving the other 4 still flying in formation. Spitfire took the mic and started to speak over the loud thunderous sounds of the Pegasi breaking through cloud cover.
“This feat is one of the most dangerous maneuver of all, something that your very own Pegasus has performed many times over” The crowd cheered loudly “Only this time... with a twist”
The crowed gave a loud “Oooo” sound as the young strong looking Pegasus Iron Wing took to the sky in fast chase of rainbow dash, taking back into formation alongside Fleetfoot and Rapidfire.
Spitfire started to explain the maneuver to the crowd
“Ok folks, this is how it goes, Rainbow Dash is going to start into the dive for the Sonic Rainboom. While doing that, Iron Wing and Soarin will stay as wingponies on Rainbow Dash’s side. When she reaches the point of (no return) to where the Rainboom happens, the two wingponies will break off and move those lightning clouds into place causing the first ever (Lightning Rainboom)”
The crowd took into gasp as they knew this was extremely dangerous for Anypony. The close friends just looked a bit nervously at one another, but all had confidence in Rainbow Dash. They knew she would not take on a maneuver she wasn’t ready for. The friends all held up the home made sign that said (RD is #1!)
Rarity overheard Twilight mumble something to herself “What was that darling?, where you speaking to us?”
“N-no” Twilight said nervously was she spoke up. “I was just wishing the new flyer good luck”
Rarity gave a confused smile, then said “Well, he did look rather dashing in his Uniform hmm?”
Twilight just blushed.
The crowd drew silent as the ponies disappeared above the clouds. Then came a low rumbling sound, and the bright rainbow colored tail of Rainbow Dash followed by the two wingpoines trying their best to keep up.
Rainbow Dash pushed herself harder, her eyes tearing up even with the protective goggles on, she was getting close to the (No return) point, any second now …. The other wing ponies broke off so quickly, Rainbow only saw Soarin from the corner of her eye but lost contact with Iron Wing, she assumed everything was okay.
A faint sound drifted into Rainbow Dash’s left ear where Soarin’s position was, …..”Rainbow Dash!.. look out!!” it was barely audible.
Rainbow Dash said “huh?” to herself, but in that instant, she caught the flash of colour from Iron Wings mane streaking straight towards her as fast as she had ever seen anything come at her before.
(THUD) Iron Wings body slammed into Rainbow Dash, sending her into a frenzy of uncontrollable tailspins.
Iron Wing had blacked out from the G-forces exerted by the breakaway maneuver just a few seconds beforehand.
The ground was approaching fast, and Spitfire had taken off in a cloud of dust rushing to aid the two surly hurt Pegasi.
The crowd stood on their hooves and the 5 friends screamed frantically for their friend. Scootaloo rushed over to Fluttershy in tears, she couldn’t look. Fluttershy cupped her wing around the young filly and told her to stay put and keep looking at the ground.
Being the best flyer in Equestria also meant being the best in recovery manoeuvres. Rainbow Dash composed herself and quickly straightened out to a controllable fall, even though she was in agonizing pain. She looked down to see the newest rookie still falling at an alarming rate.
Spitfire knew what Rainbow Dash was going to do, she yelled loudly.
“Rainbow Dash no!, your too close to the ground, you’ll never make it!”
Rainbow Dash knew she had to try, she couldn’t stand the thought of another Pegasus being hurt, or even worse, killed after attempting a trick that she invented.
The crowd grew silent; it was almost sickening to watch. Rainbow Dash took into another hard dive, faster and faster to the point of no return, but this was the lowest altitude she had ever attempted the dive.
Rainbow Dash was fast approaching the lifeless looking body of Iron Wing. Getting ever so close to the ground …
(KABOOM!) came the sound from sky, with a blinding white flash, followed by a ring of bright rainbow colors.
The sound seemed to echo on for what seemed forever. It was the only sound, no one was yelling, there were no sounds from anypony, just a low rumble echoing through all of Ponyville, and dust filled the air.
The other Pegasi landed with a skid on the runway, and quickly galloped over to where the dust was the thickest. The slowly clearing dust reviled two silhouettes lying motionless on the ground.
The crowd drew their attention to the commotion on the runway. The close friends of Rainbow Dash lifted their heads to look at each other before they turned to face what was sure to be a hopeless situation.
Before they could turn to face the horror, or get a word in…little Scootaloo yelled out with the most painful and haunting sounding scream any of them ever heard. It echoed and It sent chills down their backs.
They slowly turned around…Time seemed to have stopped. There, lying on the hard ground where two Pegasus, one with a brightly colored rainbow mane covered in blood.
As if time was in slow motion, Fluttershy grabbed Scootaloo and took her away from the rest of the crowed while the nurse ponies rushed over as fast as they could gallop.
The Mayor came over the loudspeaker “Everypony, please exit the arena in a safe and orderly fashion, I’m afraid the rest of the arial flyers show has been cancelled”
Rarity, Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack where all standing around outside of the bleachers, just trying to comprehend what happened. Fluttershy had walked Scootaloo back to her cottage.
A mare with a stethoscope cutie mark approached the friends, “Who is Twilight Sparkle?”
“I-I am” replied twilight as she wiped away her tears
The Doctor replied “Can I speak with you a moment”
The other three just watched as the Doctor pony took her aside and walked out of ears range. A short conversation ended when Twilight suddenly dropped to the ground and began to cry uncontrollably, the other three just looked at each other and teard up.
They knew how the conversation had ended. They rushed to be by Twilights side. And comfort one another.
The crowd split apart in front of them while two tall Alicorn’s approached the sobbing friends. The two sisters kneeled down beside the friends and shed a few tears themselves “I am so sorry” Said Princess Celestia, “I will arrange everyting for you”
Luna began to speak “if there is anything I can do, please let me or my sister know”
“W-we will” sobbed the Friends
A raspy sounding voice floated in from the distance
“S-so what did you guys think if my new maneuver?”
Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie Pie all leaped up to their hooves “RAINBOW DASH!!” they cried uncontrollable tears.
Rarity spoke first “B-but I thought you where”
“Dead?” Rainbow Dash interrupted. “Naw, it takes more than a few ruffled feathers to bring me down”
Rainbow Dash stepped to the side of the friends, she was covered in bandages and splints “Twilight?” Rainbow Dash said.
Twilight looked up at her, soaked in tears.
“I-I really tried to save him”
“I know you did Rainbow”, the others looked confused and worried about Twilights condition.
“Let me help you up” Rainbow Dash said.
“It’s ok, I’d rather be alone right now” Twilight replied
Rainbow Dash looked towards her friends, and hugged them gently as she was in allot of pain. “I have to go back with the doctors now”
“Wait a darn minute” Applejack said, “What’s wrong with Twi?, You.. are alive aint ye’, yal’ll aren’t g-ghost or nothing”
Rainbow gave a faint smile then bowed her head. Iron Wing was a Pegasus, she grew up with back in Canterlot. She told me she used to have a bit of a crush on him, but was too into her studies to take it any further than that. When Iron Wing got accepted into the Wonderbolts, I told her about it and they started writing to one another
“Wait a cotton candy pickin minute here” pinkie pie yelled, “we are her friends too ya know!, why didn’t she say anything to us?”
Twliight Sparkle, overhearing the conversation had stepped in “I guess I was just embarrassed . I was going to tell you guys I swear, but I told Rainbow Dash first because I thought she could help me, you know…get to know him a bit better” (*sniff) she started to sob again “but that will never happen now”
Rainbow Dash Hugged Twilight as tears ran down her muzzle. Rainbow Dash turned around and limped off to the doctors, while the other ponies embraced Twilight, and walked her back to the library where spike had run off to once he heard the news of Iron’s Death. He knew Twilight needed him at home to get things prepared.
Under the Doctors advice, and after being released from the hospital, Rainbow Dash began the slow agonizing trot to Fluttershy’s cottage where she knew she would get the best of care, and where her little friend was waiting to see her.
She hated not being able to fly, but had casts and splints all over her wings.
It was almost a coincidence that the Pegasus ponies had planned a dreary morning filled with dark rain clouds ready to downpour. This being on the day of the Funeral.
The Friends all gathered around Twilight and each embraced her with a hug. In the distance a low rumble came from the sky and 4 Pegasus ponies wearing an almost military looking ensemble stood guard around the open hole in the ground.
Dressed in the same outfit, Rainbow Dash said “That’s my cue” as she gave Twilight a final hug before limping up to the front of crowd.
Spitfire whisperd in Rainbow Dashed ear as she walked by “Its no ponies fault, keep yourself strong” then snapped back to attention.
As strong as Rainbow Dash was, she immediately started to tear up and stood there whimpering while trying her best to keep composure.
The sound of hornpipes filled the air, as a Pony stood tall and strong as a silhouette off in the distance, the haunting sound echoed through the yard of stones and trees.
Soarin approached the microphone. “We are not gathered here to grieve. We are together as Pegasus, Earth and Unicorn Ponies alike to honor and respect the life of our friend Iron Wing. He was a gentle stallion with the heart the size of a Manticore. Iron Wing will be forever known in our hearts, in our minds, in our wings and in our horns. What happened was a tragedy, it was no ponies fault” He said while looking at Rainbow Dash.
Soarin continued “We will all take time to adjust. Just remember for those of you close to Iron, you will always have your memories with him” twilight began crying again “for those of you who knew him as a Wonderbolt, his name will forever live on as one of the bravest rookie flyers to ever cross our path”
As the rain began to fall, and everypony went on about their lives, Twilight knew what she had to do when she returned to the Library.
“Spike, take a letter” she said as she trotted through the door, her mane soaking wet and head hung low.
“Twi, are you sure you want to do this now? Said Spike
“Yes Spike”.
“ Dear: Princess Celestia
Today I learned how quickly life can change. I never really knew Iron Wing that well, we had just began to call each other Friends before this tragedy. What I do know for sure, is that the moments we spent writing each other and the memories we shared will not be forgotten. I learned that it’s not about how much time you spend with somepony, it’s what you do with it. For the first time I realized how fragile our lives in Equestria can be, and want to spend my time with the ponies in my life who mean the most... I don’t want to leave this letter short, but I think I should gather my friends this evening and make some new memories.
Your Faithful Student: Twilight Sparkle.
END