The Last Rainboom

Usually I look forward to practices. Not today though. I feel like my love for Fluttershy will overpower my love for flying. I may not get anything done. I may not even get into the Wonderbolts. But what I really want, more than being captain of the Wonderbolts, was to tell my feelings to Fluttershy. I have always held myself back, but today, no, today will be different. I can do this. This will be the day I go out with Fluttershy! I hope that she will feel the same way.

It was at that moment that a horrifying thought crossed my mind. What if Fluttershy was one who would not prefer to, well, have a relationship with a mare. What if she hates me after I tell her? Sweet Celestia, my life sucks! I can choose to keep my friendship with Fluttershy but feel nervous around her all the time, or I can risk throwing it away to show my feelings. I look to my nightstand hoping for some inspiration. There lies my calendar, and Tank, lazing around like I normally would. I decide to trot slowly to my front door and wait in the field below. Its 1:30. Still have 30 minutes until Fluttershy will show. Might as well warm up.

My warmup is sort of a ritual for me by now. I always start by flying through the row of trees below my house at high speeds. The wind, it feels excellent on my mane. This is what stress relief feels like. I love it. Now if only I could fly when I tell Fluttershy how I feel. Yes. I will tell her. Better to have tried it than never at all. I keep my mind hooked on this until a sharp pain runs through my right wing. It felt as if a needle was shoved through my vain. I probably dropped a good fifteen feet before I regain my composure. I attempt to soar up into the air but, very quickly, I stop myself. I notice a sillouhette off in the distance. Fluttershy.

As if on queue, my heart rate rises, and the persperation begins. I shoot downward to the ground to greet the pink-maned mare. She appears to be as nervous as me. Doubt it. She is not the one about to risk her entire friendship only to get out her own selfish desires.

"Er....ba...duh..." What the buck brain? Of all the times! "Er....hey Flu-u-ttershy!" I can barely get out these words when another pain rushes through me. Not as bad as the last, but still shocking nonetheless.

"Um...hey Rainbow," she replies. I swear, her voice will be the death of my "coolness" personality. "Um...ah....want to start?"

"Er.....sure...but, um, can we wait a sec? I need to tell you something." Pretty sure if Dr. Whooves saw my blood pressure right now, I'd be the one taking care of him. "Er....um....so.....ah......there is something that's been eating at me for the past couple of years." Past couple of years my hoof!

"Um....wait Rainbow. I think I know where this is going. Truth is, I wanted to tell you something too."

"Um...ah...okay. What is it?"

"I......I........I......." She seems as nervous as me! "I......have a crush on you."

"Say wha-?"

She quickly covers her mouth and runs away as fast as she could. Before I can grasp the what just happened, another pain surges through my body much worse than the last. The pain becomes quickly too much, and I pass out.

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"WAKE UP SLEEPY DASH!!!!"

I awake with a start, looking around as to what is the source of all the commotion. As I look slightly to my left, I see Pinkie Pie being......well, Pinkie Pie.

"YOU'RE GOING TO BE LATE!!!!"

"Eh? Late for what?" My voice is still groggy but at least I can still comprehend what is going on.

"WELL YOUR WONDERBOLTS AUDITIONS SILLY WILLY BILLY!"

SHIT! How long have I been sleeping?? I don't have a routine at all! Why didn't Fluttershy wake me any sooner? Is she worried about what happened at practice? What will my routine be? What should I do?

"Where is Fluttershy?" I ask, trying my best sound as calm and collected as possible.

"They are all at the stadium! Ready to cheer you on along with Scootaloo and ALL OF PONYVILLE!!!!"

Great. Everyone is there. What if I screw up? What if Spitfire just sits there and laughs as I do miserably. Well.....might as well get up. Not showing up, I'll be sure to not get in. I just need a routine. Just then, a memory pops into my head. When I went to go see Fluttershy, she asked if I could do my old routine. I guess I could try it. I mean, they were passed out after all. And maybe, just maybe, the Sonic Rainboom will be enough to convince them that I am perfect for the Wonderbolts. Have to try.

"How much time do I have?" I ask.

"NOW!!! YOU ARE FUNNY DASHIE!!!"

Well this is shaping up to be a great day. I fly out the window as fast as I can and rush to Cloudsdale.

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"WELCOME LADIES AND GENTLEMAN TO THE AUDITIONS FOR THE WONDERBOLTS!!! AN ELITE SQUAD NEEDS A NEW MEMBER AND THESE 5 PEGASI WHO HAVE SHOWN THEIR WORTH ARE READY TO SHOW THEIR BEST MOVES!!!"

I stand in a line next to the other four ponies. I don't recognize any of them, but what I do notice is who is in the crowd. Shit. Sitting in  the middle is every pony I know. To the right of the stands, my father. I continue to search, and quickly spot Scootaloo jumping up and down, even as high as Pinkie Pie. Seeing this is just enough to crack a quick snicker. But there was no time for that, as I looked up just one row. Fluttershy. She is covering her face so I will not notice her, but I know it is her. How can you mistake it?

"LET CONTESTANT NUMBER 1 STEP FORWARD!!!" The announcer booms his voice to let everypony auditioning to go to the tent and wait for our number. On the bright side, I am number 5. Maybe that will make my show seem like a finale. As soon as I hear the bell that tells me that the first contestant has started, the pains return. Nagging at my every sense. Let me just tell you that this is not my idea of exciting. I hear oohs and aahs from the crowd, but my pain is what is at the top of my mind.

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"CONTESTANT 5!!! LAST BUT NOT LEAST MS. RAINBOW DASH!!!!"

Shit.

I get up from where I was sitting and head to the entrance to the tent. While I can feel the pains still in my body, it doesn't compare to my anxiety. I gaze a quick peek outside the tent. I see the judges booth, Spitfire in the center, looking as authoritative as ever.

The bell catches my attention. I have five minutes to pull off the best routine I can. I fly upwards as fast as possible. Once I get to my preferred height, I shoot myself downwards, gaining speed. I flatten myself out at the floor of the stadium, well cloud really, and fly around a set of clouds I asked to be set up. I graze through each one, gracefully, and full of style! My nerves are going away, but the pain is coming in worse than ever. I bite my lip as hard as I can to avoid Spitfire seeing any tears. I fly upwards again and head to a nearby cloud. I fly as fast as I can around it in order to get it moving. At first, it doesn't move, causing me to begin freaking out. But to my relief, it slowly starts in course, until it eventually goes so fast that I kick it away. Now for the big guns! Then comes the piercing pain again, but this time it's unlike all the others. The pain is horrific. To make matters worse, this is the first pain that starts in my wings. I have to keep going. Spitfire is looking up, slightly angry looking. Gotta hurry!

I fly straight up, as fast as I possible can go, until I see nothing below me. I stop, ready myself, all while ignoring the pain. I fly downwards, my speed increasing. I eventually get enough speed to the point where my eyelids and mouth can't keep up. I inch closer and closer to getting the Rainboom started. Then, another pain, my wings starting it again. I have to ignore it! So close to the Sonic Rainboom! Go go go! Then, all so suddenly, a rainbow starts drifting out from my tail. Yes!! I did it! I feel like celebrating but something else is at hand. My wings aren't to pleased. Without warning, my heart begins to pound like a jackhammer, stabbing me each beat. Then another pain. I try to get out of the Rainboom but I am going too fast. The pain eventually becomes so unbearable, so gutwrenching, that I black out, only to hear one phrase out of Scootaloo, cheering louder than anyone.

"YAY DASH!!!!! I TOLD YOU SHE WAS INVINCIBLE!!!!!!"