//------------------------------// // 4 The Spirit of Competition // Story: What's Really the Most Important? // by KrishnaKarnak //------------------------------// “So, is this what I've been reduced to? The great Rainbow Dash, fastest flier in Equestria, wielder of the Element of Loyalty, known throughout the land as one of the bravest and most skilled of Princess Celestia's trusted champions... sitting down in the shower, afraid she's not going to impress a dude,” Rainbow spoke quietly to herself, clutching her hooves to her head. Dash watched the water rush continuously down the shower drain, feeling it beat the back of her neck and soak through her hair and fur. Two hours to go and then she would head to her doom. She had already been sitting here with the water running long enough that the heat of the running water was running out. Shivering, Rainbow reached up and twiddled the 'hot' valve a little further. “Luna's moons, I'm falling apart! What's wrong with me? These nerves are nuts... way worse than I've ever felt in my whole life... 'the hell am I worried about?" Dash asked herself, staring at her tail tucked between her legs under her. She looked sideways into a mirror that had been screwed into the walls of the shower. Some of her crimson-coloured hair strands were dangling down the centre of her face, hanging off her nose and dripping. “He's just a stallion. I mean... I've been with plenty of them! Just look at me! Okay, so, not as many as Rarity, but enough that this shouldn't be so hard... One does not attempt to beat Rarity at promiscuity! She is simply the best there is. OH CELESTIA, I'VE LOST IT!” Rainbow roared suddenly. The faucets creaked as she turned them off, throwing the shower curtain aside and spraying the bathroom with water. “Enough is enough. Pull yourself together, Rainbow Dash!” she told herself, throwing out her chest as she stepped out of the shower. “You can handle anything. Nopony walks with your grace!” She slipped. The mirror over the vanity rattled as she landed hard on her rump. Dash's back, wings, and shoulders crashed into the side of the tub fixture. Employing a handful of her favourite swear words, she carefully made it to her hind legs, aching all over. She snatched a towel off the holder, her lip trembling. “Yep, nopony. A lesser creature would have broken their neck just now.” Fuming, she limped from the bathroom. She paused sadly outside of Scootaloo's empty bedroom. Dash wouldn't mind Scootaloo for some moral support right now, especially considering that she was presently falling apart at the seams. Perhaps the fillies were at Sweet Apple Acres already? It was noon and Rarity had them for the full day prior, so she may have dropped them off early, Dash thought. She decided to stop by there on her way to the try-outs. Feeling slightly more cheerful at this idea, Dash went to her room to brush out her mane. Perhaps if she got to know Soarin better as his partner, she'd learn that he might be dating Spitfire? That would be a blow, but Rainbow would feel better knowing she had a right to be nervous. Of course, there's always the possibility that she might screw up and lose. It's entirely possibly that there will be a pegasus just as skilled or even better than herself, she reasoned. Unlikely, but possible. Losing would suck, but it would spur her on to greater heights, cause her to push her limits further. That would not be an unwelcome outcome, though very disappointing. But what if she won, and Soarin was single? Would she get a chance to make her move? 'Oh man, there's the butterflies again.' Maybe he wouldn't be interested, but Dash knew that she was going to go for it if she had even the slightest chance of success. She's never had a crush on someone this badly or for this long. Well, whatever happens, happens. Rainbow Dash left shortly thereafter, realizing it was impossible to try and eat anything. She still had plenty of time, but perhaps arriving early would quell her unease a little. Or maybe make it even worse? Her stomach couldn't decide what it wanted to do. Rainbow Dash touched down in Sweet Apple Acres. She gave a wave to Big Macintosh, who was out in the carrot field, dragging a plough. 'If things don't work out, there's always Biggie Mac... He's kinda handsome, gotta admit! Best earth pony bachelor, by far!' Rainbow thought to herself as she approached the barn and pressed her ear to the wall. They were in there, she realized with a rising sensation in her chest. Her heart leapt higher as she heard Scootaloo's voice. She could also hear a saw and the noise of a hammer. Wonder what the Crusaders are up to? She probably didn't want to know. Rainbow moved just outside the sliding door, which was ajar, and knocked three times. “Yes, Applejack?” Apple Bloom asked after a moment, her hairbow proceeding her head as she leaned out. “Oh! It's you, Rainbow Dash,” Bloom said, smiling up at her before twisting around to yell into the barn. “Scootaloo! It's yer mom-sis pony!” Thud. Apple Bloom went flying as Scootaloo knocked her aside. “My mo-, uh, my Rainbow Dash?! Where?!” Scootaloo asked frantically, her head zipping every which way until her eyes caught the blue pegasus. “Sis!” she gasped, wings abuzz. Scootaloo jumped into Dash's arms and squeezed her chest tight. “You came to see me!” Rainbow nodded, nuzzling her face against Scootaloo's hair. “I couldn't go on to the airshow try-outs without seeing my little sister first! Dashie missed you.” Scootaloo beamed. “Really? Can't I come too?” Rainbow shook her head. “Sorry, kiddo. They're not letting anypony watch. Just for the competitors. But I'll come see you again once it's over, okay?” Scootaloo sighed, but nodded. “Okay... good luck, Sis!” She watched Scootaloo return to the barn. Apple Bloom stumbled in after her, looking aggrieved. 'I love you, Scootaloo... I wish you could call me 'Mom' more often, because that was just the word I needed to hear right now! Dash thought, grinning as a feeling of great contentedness spread throughout her body. 'I wish I understood why you're not comfortable with saying it all the time, but I trust you've got good reasons, kiddo... Misty Skies being one of them.' She flew to the farmhouse and peered through a window, trying to keep her elated feeling from bursting. Applejack was standing over a stove, placing a pot of water on the boil for the potatoes she had peeled. She was humming happily to herself. Rainbow Dash felt her grin broaden. “Hey there, green-eyes!” Dash shouted loudly, slipping through the open window and causing Applejack to bang her forehead against the vent over the stove. Applejack rubbed her head, turning to glare at Rainbow Dash. “Really? I mean, REALLY? Must y'all act like a foal?” “Sorry!” Rainbow said earnestly. “As awesome as that was to witness, I... really didn't want you to bang your head! Startle you, yes. Hurt you, not today. That was pretty funny, though. Not gonna lie! I'm just in a great mood right now!” Applejack gave a start. “The try-outs are over already? Hoooo-whee! Judgin' by yer smile, yer his partner! That's great news.” "Whoa! Slow down, hammer hooves, I haven't tried-out yet! I'm on my way there now. I'm just feeling a lot better, that's all. I came to see Scootaloo,” Dash explained. “I see...” Applejack said, still rubbing her head. “Golly, what a smack... Well, glad to hear yer feelin' better. Scootaloo was happy you came to see her, I bet! Anyway, feel free to bump yer head on a nice big rock for me, but y'all may wait until the competition is over first." Dash grinned at her. “Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. And yes, she was! But not as happy as I was to see her. Well, see ya later! Hope that doesn't bleed!” Dash jumped backwards through the window adeptly, twisting in midair and extending her wings. With a great flap, she ascended through the air and was off. She soared back over Ponyville, flying south. She knew the stadium had been built on the field southwest of town hall. She found out in the days after Pinkie Pie had told her about it that the try-outs would be held there as well. She felt her nervousness creep back into her as she approached the structure. Rainbow Dash descended quickly, her blurred rainbow streaks trailing her to the ground. She landed in the middle of the field, and glanced around. Blue Skies was already there, stretching on the grass with Thunderlane and Snowflake. Silverspeed, Bluebell, and Airheart descended not long after. Clearly, Dash wasn't the only one who thought to be early. Rainbow dropped to the ground and began doing pushups with her wings to distract herself while she waited. Seconds later, however, she heard voices drifting up from the entrance to the stadium. Her stomach seemed to fall out of her body as a group of Wonderbolts walked out on to the pitch, flanked by a few security personnel. Spitfire and Soarin lead the group in their military uniforms. Fleetfoot, Lightning Streak, and Blaze were behind them, each wearing the iconic Wonderbolt flight suits. “I can see some worthwhile faces here, but not many,” Spitfire said, shaking her head in disappointment as she lowered her sunglasses, peering over them at the gathering. “Rainbow Dash is here, though. Well... that's at least one good attempt we'll get to see. How long are you going to wait?” “Uh, not too long. Maybe we'll wait for a few more and get this wrapped up early? I mean, these ponies are fine...” Soarin shrugged, folding his arms and flying a few feet into the air to get a better view of the pitch. He watched as the burst brothers, Sunburst and Starburst, landed onto the field. “I'd be happy with a few of this group...” Rainbow saw him look towards her and she turned away, her cheeks feeling hot as the sun. 'Deep breathes...' she thought to herself. 'Why does he have to look absolutely gorgeous today...?' “That's two more. I'll get them started. Feel free to keep waiting if you want,” Spitfire called up to him. "It's your partner we're talking about, after all." Spitfire stormed forward, extending her wings to their fullest extent. She drew all eyes, though her own did not move. She stopped in the dead centre of the field, next to Rainbow Dash. “Captain,” Dash said, inclining her head to Spitfire. “Rainbow Dash,” She nodded in return. “I am happy you showed up. You deserve proper accolades for your time in the Wonderbolts Academy. Now...” She took a deep breath and yelled, using the full strength of her diaphragm. “LINE UP, MAGGOTS. Ladies on my right, fillies on my left.” Some of the pegasai who had flown closer looked confused, including Wild Fire, having just landed on the field. Spitfire rolled her eyes. “Look, stallions on the right, mares on the left. MOVE IT.” The collected group did as they were told, Rainbow Dash being the first one standing at attention on Spitfire's left. Next to her stood Wild Fire, Silverspeed, Airheart, and Bluebell. Opposite them stood Starburst, Thunderlane, Snowflake, Sunburst, and Blue Skies. “You disappointing bags of feathers know why you're all here! You are being given an opportunity of the highest honour!” Spitfire's voice rang out, as she paced down the field between the two lines. “In TWO weeks, this stadium will host its FIRST GAME. THE WONDERBOLTS have been contracted to PERFORM AN AIRSHOW. There will be TWO pegasai. FIRST OFFICER SOARIN WILL BE LEAD PONY, but he has decided that inviting a non-member to put on a show with him would be an excellent publicity stunt. PUBLIC IMAGE, FOALS; It's where we get our funding. NOW, which one of you think you're worth your weight in press photographs? Who's the best one for the job?” No one spoke up. Rainbow assumed that, like herself, they all thought that the question was rhetorical. “What was that? I couldn't hear you all over the PATHETIC SILENCE,” Spitfire spat. “I REPEAT! WHO. WILL. BE. SOARIN'S. WING. PONY? SOUND OFF LIKE YOU'VE GOT A PAIR." “I will” Each pegasus sang out at once, Rainbow Dash throwing out her chest as a sharp 'YEEEAH!' came from the right lineup. “Then LET'S GET STARTED, FOALS!” Spitfire yelled, jumping into the air and catching herself with her wings. “Fly forty laps around this field. The last two ponies to finish ARE DONE. MOVE!” All ten of them launched into the air, zooming to the edge of the field and turning left to begin their laps. Thunderlane took an early lead, with Airheart behind him. Rainbow Dash was in no rush, however, and was already in 7th or 8th place. The other three Wonderbolts seemed to be there to keep track of who was on what lap. Soarin flew to the centre, landing next to Spitfire. “Well, that's strange,” Spitfire said, taking off her glasses and gesturing them at Dash as she passed close by them. “I expected Rainbow to be in the lead from the start.” “Is it really that strange, though? She was top of her class at the Academy. I believe... since she's unsure of how the rest of these trials will play out, that Rainbow Dash is merely reserving her energy. She understands this isn't a race; she's pacing herself. As long as she doesn't place in the last two spots, she's still in this,” Soarin explained. “Hmm! You may be right. That's probably the wisest thing to come out of your mouth in many months now. I'm impressed,” Spitfire grinned. “I thought you were more impressed with my action figure collection?” Soarin laughed. “Not a day goes by that I don't realize that I hate you.” Spitfire nodded, slipping her sunglasses back on. “How a dork like you always ends up as my wing pony, I will never know.” Keeping her pace was indeed Dash's plan. She made sure to stay ahead of at least two ponies. The entire forty laps, she did not allow Snowflake or Bluebell to pass her. While Snowflake may be easily the strongest of the pegasai who turned up for the try-outs, he was certainly not the fastest. And neither, it seemed, was Bluebell. “Nooo...” Snowflake huffed, giving a tremendous sigh and bowing his massive head. “Sorry. You two? YOU'RE GONE.” Spitfire yelled at them. “Work on your speed and impress me next year at the Academy. THE REST OF YOU, FALL BACK INTO FORMATION!” The other pegasai fell back into their original lineups. Most of them seemed a little tired after attempting to beat each other in the laps, while Rainbow felt perfectly relaxed. At least, until she caught Soarin staring at her. She inhaled deeply, trying to calm herself as her face flushed. “And then there were eight. Less ponies, less competition, and greater your chances of being Soarin's wing pony. That means you each have... you each have... Ahem. FLEETFOOT? NUMBER CRUNCH,” Spitfire roared. “EACH PONY PRESENT WILL HAVE PRECISELY A TWELVE POINT FIVE CHANCE OF WINNING, MA'AM!” Fleetfoot called out immediately. “Precisely what I said! You each nearly have a thirteen percent chance to win this, ASSUMING YOU MAGGOTS ARE OF EQUAL CALIBER, WHICH YOU MOST CERTAINLY ARE NOT! Now, PROVE ME WRONG!” Spitfire yelled. “LIGHTNING STREAK. GET YOUR WORTHLESS FLANK OVER HERE, PRONTO!” The orange and yellow maned Wonderbolt walked forward, standing next to Spitfire. “Wings,” Spitfire said to him. With a loud flap, Lightning Streak extended his wings. “This next test is for STRENGTH. Pity Snowflake is out, isn't it? OTHERWISE HE WOULD DESTROY YOU MAGGOTS with his TINY, TINY WINGS. Each of you will march forward IN TURN, and attempt to push Lightning Streak away from you USING ONLY YOUR WINGS. If you can't overpower him, YOU'RE GONE. Airheart, FORWARD!” The pink pegasus marched forward, spreading her wings and pressing them against Lightning Streak's. On Spitfire's whistle, they began to grapple. Unfortunately for her, Airheart was on her back after less than ten seconds. “GONE,” Spitfire spat. “Blue Skies, so we can keep this ALPHABETICAL. You're UP!” And so she went through the list. One by one, Lightning Streak locked wings with them. Blue Skies was the first to survive the round, managing to cause the Wonderbolt to slip on the grass, which was enough to satisfy Spitfire. Silverspeed lasted the longest, keeping Lightning Streak at bay for a full two minutes before he finally pushed her aside. Neither of the burst brothers were able to overpower him. Thunderlane was, however, as indicated by the streak of dirt as the Wonderbolt was shoved back. Rainbow Dash pushed him straight onto his back within five seconds, receiving an approving nod from the Captain. Lightning Streak recovered enough to push away Wild Fire just as fast. Spitfire had yelled herself hoarse at every pony to fail. “Pathetic showing! Only three left! What say you, Soarin? One more trial. We'll make it... interesting.” Soarin's gaze passed over the three remaining as Lightning Streak returned to the sidelines. His eyes paused briefly on Rainbow Dash. “Hmm... yeah, let's make it interesting. What did you have in mind, Captain?” “A race. However... we're gonna compete ourselves,” Spitfire grinned wickedly. “And if either myself or Soarin win, then I'll be doing the airshow with him. I'm upping the ante, screw the public image! So... winner take all." "How fun it will be, Spitfire!" Rainbow Dash said, narrowing her eyes. "How fun it will be to beat the Captain of the Wonderbolts in a race.