Night had fallen. Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo were resting on the guest room’s massive bed, but Rainbow seemed dissatisfied.

''Hey Scoots, I'm gonna go out and bring a cloud in. That okay?''

''What? Why?''

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. ''So I can sleep on it, duh!''

''Oh yeah... can you get one for me too?''

''Of course! But I thought you were more into sleeping on beds.''

''I am! Buuut, I’ve never gotten to try sleeping on a cloud, so...''

Rainbow Dash nodded. ''Okay.''

After flying out the window, Rainbow Dash picked out the two best clouds she could find and took them inside.

''Now let’s go to bed... I mean cloud. We have a lot to do tomorrow, Scootaloo.''

''Just one question: how do we find the Wonderbolts?''

“The Wonderbolts Derby is tomorrow, of course.”

''Okay, and how do we get in?''

''Ever heard of backstage passes?''

''Oh...''

The next day, Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo were seated in the front row, waiting for the Wonderbolts Derby to begin.

''Who is going to win?'' Scootaloo asked, her small wings fluttering in anticipation.

''Sorry, pipsqueak. I can't predict the future like Pinkie Pie.''

''Maybe not, but you probably know everything about the Wonderbolts, so who do you think is going to win?''

''Probably Fleetfoot or Spitfire...''

''Spitfire, really? But I thought Fleetfoot was the fastest one. You said so yourself about four weeks ago!''

''Yeah, but Spitfire is starting to catch up on that front. I actually think she might win this one!''

''Oh! Oh! It's starting!''

The announcer’s voice was projected throughout the cloudiseum. ''Welcome, everypony, to the Wonderbolts Derby! Today's racers are: Soarin, Spitfire, Blaze, Fire Streak, Fleetfoot, and Misty Fly! All Wonderbolts, take your positions! On your mark... get set... GO!!!''

All of the Wonderbolts took off at an incredibly fast speed, but still not even half as fast as Rainbow Dash could fly, which Dash noted with no small satisfaction.

''I tell you this, everypony,” the announcer boomed, “This is an incredibly exciting race. I’ve never seen Spitfire fly at this speed before. It’s amazing! I actually think she might have a chance against Fleetfoot today! The final lap is almost over and the winner is... Spitfire!!!''

''Ha, I told you Spitfire was going to win!'' Rainbow said with a smirk.

''Yeah, whatever. Let's go backstage!''

It took the pair a few minutes to find their way, but before they knew it, Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo were backstage with their idols.

''Hey, Spitfire! Spitfire! It's me, Rainbow Dash!''

''Rainbow Dash?''

''Yeah, I want to talk to you. In private!'' Although Spitfire hadn’t said anything to make her angry, Rainbow’s earlier anger at the rejection letter crept into her tone.

“Okay, okay; chill out! What’s the matter?'' Spitfire asked as the three of them stepped into an empty room.

''Why won't you let me join the Wonderbolts? I'm a good flyer. No, I'm a great flyer. Wait - wrong again - I'm the BEST flyer in all of Equestria!''

''Take it easy, Rainbow Dash. I'm not the one who made the decision. In fact, I wanted you to join! Just because I'm writing the letter doesn't mean I’m the one deciding if you can be a Wonderbolt or not!''

''Then who made the decision!?''

''Our trainer, Ariel.''

''Where is he?''

''I don't know. Probably in his office.''

Rainbow Dash was about to yell again, but she caught herself. ''I'm sorry. I thought you were the one that rejected me.''

''It's okay. By the way, who’s that filly with you?''

''This is Scootaloo. She’s my sister.''

''Oh... is she a good flyer too?''

''Well, to be honest, she hasn’t learned to fly yet, but she’s still got the guts and the coolness of her big sister''

''No I don't!'' Scootaloo said, simultaneously proud and embarrassed by Rainbow’s praise.

''Then there’s no doubt she’ll be flying soon. Now go find Ariel.''

''Yeah,” Rainbow smiled. “Goodbye, Spitfire.''

Scootaloo hopped up on Rainbow Dash's back and they started flying toward the Wonderbolt Management Office.

When they arrived at the office, there were two royal guards standing on either side of the door.

''What? Why would there be royal guards here!?'' Scootaloo asked.

''I don't know...'' Rainbow Dash answered. She walked to the door and the guards stopped her.

''Halt! You do not have permission to enter.”

''But I just want- I need to speak to the manager!'' Rainbow stammered.

''By the princess’ orders, we cannot let anypony in except royals.''

Rainbow Dash sighed. ''All right… come on, Scootaloo.''

''Okay,” Scootaloo said with a frown. Then, when they were out of earshot, “Now do you believe me!?''

''Believe what?''

''That the princess is hiding something.''

''Yeah, I guess so.''

The two sisters walked around to the back of the building.

''Rainbow Dash, we can't go in there!'' Scootaloo hissed as they approached the back door.

''I know, I know. I'm eavesdropping.''

Pressing her ear against the door, Rainbow Dash heard a conversation between the Wonderbolts’ manager and the princess.

''Ariel, you have to listen to me. It doesn't matter what you think. Rainbow Dash can't join!

''But!''

''No buts. Rainbow Dash is not joining the Wonderbolts. Do I make myself clear?'' Celestia cried.

''Yes, princess,'' Ariel said after a moment of silence.

''Good!'' Celestia said, then left the room.

''I don't understand... why?'' Rainbow Dash said quietly.

''Rainbow Dash, this is just getting weirder and weirder!''

''Yeah, I know... Do you think Celestia’s still in there?''

Scootaloo put her ear to the door as well. ''No, I can’t hear anything. She must have left.''

Rainbow Dash opened the back door, stomping in with an angry look on her face.

''What did she say!?'' Rainbow growled.

''Uh... Ra-Rainbow Dash, what are you doing here!?'' Ariel said with a panicked expression.

''I'm here for information. Now answer my question! What did she say!?''

''Uh... Security!'' Ariel shouted and two well-muscled guards burst into the office.

''Gentlemen, Rainbow Dash and the little filly were just about to leave. Would you be so kind as to show them the way out?” Ariel said with a smile.

''Yeah, we just got lost is all,” Scootaloo said, sweating. “We were just about to leave. Right, Rainbow Dash? Rainbow Dash?” she repeated.

Several seconds passed before Rainbow Dash spoke. ''Yeah...we were just about to leave...'' she said with a threatening look.

Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash both left the room, the latter filled with angry thoughts about the manager.

''Gosh, I hate that Ariel dude...''

''Rainbow Dash, why are you mad at the manager? He may not have been nice, but he was only following orders from Princess Celestia. She IS the ruler of Equestria, after all!''

''You're right!'' Rainbow Dash shouted. “We should be talking to Celestia, not him!”

''No! As I said, she’s the ruler of Equestria. Just think, she might banish you to the Everfree Forest!, Or even worse, she could banish you to the moon!'' Scootaloo explained with a terrified expression.

''Take it easy, Pipsqueak! Just because she’s the one preventing me from making my dreams come true doesn't mean she’s evil! There has to be a good explanation, and I’m gonna find out!''

''Okay…” Scootaloo groaned. “Let's get this over with.''

The sisters flew over many shops and markets.

''Hey Rainbow Dash, isn't that donut Joe's bakery?'' Scootaloo asked, pointing at a donut shop as they passed overhead.

''Yeah. What of it?''

Scootaloo gave Rainbow Dash her best pleading grin. ''Can we buy some donuts on the way home? Spike said they were awesome!''

''Sure, I guess. But first, we have a princess to talk to!''

Author's Note

Thanks to Cormac mcCloppy