//------------------------------// // A letter from another country // Story: Inazuma Eleven GO: The Equestrian prodigy! // by Tythen //------------------------------// The next morning, Rainbow Dash woke up to a brand new day. She lazily trudged down the stairs still in her pajamas into the living room. There, she saw her father smiling back. "Good morning honey!" Rainbow Blaze greeted, "ready for another day of school?" "Not yet..." Rainbow yawned "too busy playing games last night." "Oh dear, don't tell me you've decided to play games as celebration for your victory yesterday? It's not an excuse to not do your homework." "Sorry dad..." "Anyway, you need to quickly dress up, eat breakfast and get to school." "Yes dad..." "By the way, that fellow friend of yours who called me for your phone number..." "You mean Flash Sentry?" "He called once again, he said he couldn't reach your phone number, so I said because Rainbow always oversleeps." Blaze laughed, "Dad!" Rainbow replied embarrassed, "Anyway, he wants you to meet him at school. Apparently, it's regarding this letter that appeared in the mail today." And handed her a letter "addressed to you." "To me?" Rainbow questioned as she looked at the front of the envelope "to Rainbow Dash, address, postcode, etc... Probably some kind of junk mail." "If I were you, I'd read it along with him when you meet him." Blaze advised, "but tell me what it is when you get back, okay?" "Okay then," Rainbow smiled "see ya dad!" And Rainbow headed towards the front door. "... Aren't you going to at least change?" Blaze reminded, "Oh crud!!!" After eating some food and changing into outdoor clothes, Rainbow Dash rushed across the street, hoping to get to CHS before the bell rang. As she thought over that letter, she probably thought it was another advertisement for some sports equipment with the sports shop she subscribed to. and was greeted by everyone who passed by, congratulating on her win in yesterday's match. After the first set of classes, Rainbow frantically looked through the hallways to find Flash, only to bump straight into him, making him drop his drink. "Oops! Sorry!" Rainbow Dash apologised, "Oh dear, you okay?" Flash asked as he hoisted her up, "Geez, I'm becoming a lot like Princess Egghead from the other side." "Tell me about it." Flash sighed, "Anyway, what do you know about that letter?" Rainbow replied, "Do you know what it is?" "I think its some more advertisements about promotions down at Revel Sport." "Really? Check it one more time." Flash replied, as Rainbow pulled it out, she read the front contents once again. "It's addressed to me. Who else but the sports store would know." "What's on the other side?" Flash sighed, Rainbow turned around and started with great astonishment. On the opening of the letter was a gold-colored wax seal of some special symbol. "This is new..." Rainbow stated, "I don't think Revel Sport would be fancy with that type of thing." Flash replied, "But... How do you know about this letter?" "Because of all the people studying in Canterlot High..." Flash started, pulling out a letter similar with the same wax stamp, "you're the only likely person that would receive something like this." "Wait... You mean you've read yours?" Rainbow gasped, "what's it about?" "I think you should find that out for yourself, and with Sunset, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rarity and Applejack." Flash stated, "but I'll join if you want me to." "I want to? I need to!" Rainbow corrected "you're the only one in the same situation as me! You come to my table at the canteen in lunchtime." "Fair enough." Flash replied, "Hello Rainbow Dash!" Sunset greeted as Rainbow and Flash arrived at the table "and what a pleasant surprise Flash! What brings you to our table instead of your friends?" "The situation has temporarily changed today." Flash answered "Rainbow shall brief you on the matter, but it's still good to see you again Sunset." "A situation?" Pinkie asked, "sounds very important! What is it?" "Flash and I received a letter this morning." Rainbow presented the letter "and due to the wax seal, it's from the same person." "A wax seal?" Rarity propped up with interest "how fancy!" "Do you know what it's for?" Fluttershy asked, "Nope!" "Then why don't you open it?" Applejack asked, "surely it'll be a great surprise!" "Okay then uhh..." Rainbow wondered as she looked around the wax seal and tried to stick her fingers underneath it. "I have a feeling that this is going to be hard to open..." "Need to borrow a letter opener?" Flash asked as he pulled out his Swiss army knife and pulled out the letter opener. "Wait... Aren't Swiss Army knives not allowed in school?" Sunset asked, "I removed all lethal blades out of it." Flash answered "now it contains non-lethal tools. Letter opener, can opener, bottle opener, screwdriver heads, both Philips and Flat, and small scissors." "Looks like someone's handy with their tools!" Pinkie teased, "Well okay thanks... Why's that?" Rainbow asked as she used the letter opener, "I wouldn't want you wrecking such a delicate letter." Flash smiled, "Psh..." Rainbow sighed "greenie..." And as she slipped the opener underneath the wax slip, a few slices managed to prop out the wax seal and open the flap. "So... What does it say?" Applejack peered. Rainbow took a deep breath and read it out. Dear Rainbow Dash What was originally a vacation in Equestria for the Governor and Chairwoman of the school has changed drastically. She has discovered great potential in your sporting ability during your soccer match. At her request, we are offering a scholarship for you to study abroad in our prestigious school of Raimon Junior High in Inazuma, Neighpon. Should you accept or decline by ticking either box below, you are to hand it to the clerk in Regal Canterlot hotel clerk for room 1211 before the end of the week. However, you shall not be the only one, as another student from your school will also be going with you. Before you make any decision, make sure to discuss with your family, principal and friends about this situation. Best Regards Hirai Shinzou Director and Principal of Raimon Junior High, Inazuma, Neighpon As Rainbow finished reading the words, everyone around her, including herself, but except for Flash, was flabbergasted. "No way..." Rainbow whispered, "You... You..." Pinkie stammered, excitement welling up in her bones before jumping high in the sky "you're getting accepted into a school overseas!" "So that means Flash is going there too!" Sunset gasped, "congratulations!" "Just out of curiosity, what'd you get in for Flash?" Applejack asked, "Well..." Flash nervously spoke "it says that I'm sort of... Related to Rainbow's case. But I feel like they're dragging me along because they don't want Rainbow all alone." "What?" Rainbow sneered "I can last in Neighpon without you!" "I understand that, and I think the same of you." Flash continued "but you'll have different things to handle than here in Equestria. Though it may be a dream to live there, there are many difficulties associated with it: Culture, tradition, rules, clothing..." "Wait... What??? Clothing!?!?" Rainbow gulped, "The education system in Japan requires every student to wear 'school uniform', like the Private schools in Equestria." Flash explained "You've got to be kidding me... I don't want to wear a skirt!" Rainbow protested, "But aren't you wearing one right now?" Fluttershy cut in. "These skirts are different! The school ones though... It's a pleated skirt!" "It's not that bad if you think about it." Flash replied as he pulled out his laptop and fiddled with the keys, "I did a check this morning on what both boy and girl uniforms look like. You can have any colour of your skirt (as long as it's pleated), shoes and any type and colour of socks or pantyhoses." He turned the screen to show the girls a standard Sailor Fuku school uniform "However, you need to wear a white shirt and a pink ribbon on your neck to denote that you're a--" "A WHAT!?" Rainbow furiously slammed her hands on the table. "--A first-year student." Flash replied calmly but with the same loud tone as Rainbow "Neighpon's education system is split into three categories. Junior from grade 1-6, Middle from grade 7-9, and High from 10-12. We're in our seventh year, despite me and the others being 14-15 years old. You on the other hand..." "Yeah, we know. I'm 13, the correct age." Rainbow sighed "so what? We have to wear uniform to symbolise our age and grade?" "Private schools here do that." Rarity piped up "so that means Grade 7 here is First-year Middle School over there?" "Affirmative. But the most important thing to handle in Neighpon, is language." "Oh... Crud." Rainbow gulped, "If we are to stay in Neighpon for as long as what we get, we need to learn their language as English isn't their main." "Well... If I had to make a decision now..." Rainbow looked around, "I would decline." Flash interrupted, "Wait... You too?" "So you were also intending to decline the offer as well Rainbow?" "Not because it's hard to adapt to Neighpon and anything, and I really would like it there. But I promised all of you guys, as well as Twilight..." She turned to Sunset and the rest "... That I would always stay by my friends. I'd only go if you all came along." "Loyalty." Flash stated, "I understand, as I too, share the same reason." "You too?" Rainbow turned, "I have two younger siblings to take care of." Flash explained "I don't know what would happen to them if I'd leave them alone." "Don't worry, then have your mommy and daddy to take care of them!" Pinkie advised, "That option is negative." "And why?" Pinkie asked, Flash glared back with a fierce look, but with an upset face. "Sorry I asked." Pinkie lowered her head, "My condolences." Applejack put her Stetson over her chest. "Such are the consequences of war." Flash replied, revealing a Bronze Star war medal underneath his leather jacket. "My younger brother has my father's DMSM, while my younger sister carries the HSM belonging to mother. Military traditions and their memories still run in the family. When they always go to war, I made a promise to take care of them when they're gone. I will not dishonour their wishes by leaving my siblings alone." "Well, I guess that wraps up our decisions then. Sorry Ms Governor of Inazuma." Rainbow apologetically sighed as she held the pen, ready to tick the 'I Decline' box. "Hold on." Sunset stopped, "What?" Rainbow and Flash looked up, "You really shouldn't pass on such an opportunity just because of us." Sunset explained "we know you've always been there for us." "Yeah!" Pinkie jumped, "You support us, we support you!" "Darling, truly I am the luckiest girl to be friends with such a loyal friend like you. But what really makes me happy is to see my friends take marvellous opportunities in their lives. Going to Neighpon would be a dream come true. I wish I could go, but I just don't have the time and the opportunity. For you having the chance to study there, it would just be the same as fulfilling my dream." "Besides." Fluttershy replied "we can always stay in touch, can we? That's what phones and computers are for!" "Really? Are you sure?" Rainbow asked, "I think you should talk with yer coach, principal and yer old man." Applejack suggested, "it's still yer choice if you want to go or not, but just so you know, ah'll support you with whatever decision you make!" "You'll have my support too." Rarity smiled, "Go for it Dashie!" Pinkie cheered, "You have my acceptance to going to Neighpon." Fluttershy nodded, "You... You girls..." Rainbow sniffed, tears welling in her eyes. "No matter what we do." Sunset started, embracing the rainbow-haired girl "if we remember each other, we will always stay together, even if we're separated between dimensions." Rainbow started crying as she clutched Sunset harder, the rest of the girls joined in too. Happiness brimming in their faces. "Sigh... Why do I have to be the sole guy?" Flash sighed, "By the way Flash..." Fluttershy remembered after the touching scene had passed "when I look at you closely now, you remind me of someone familiar... I wonder..." "Yes?" "Is your younger sister... That young girl always following Rainbow Dash around?" "Wait... Are you talking about Scootaloo?" Rainbow jumped with surprise, until it dawned on her as she remembered the little girl's conversation from yesterday. "Pink-purple haired, darker orange?" Flash asked, "as a matter of a fact, yes. Scoots had always been talking about Rainbow over dinner every night." "Flippin' heck Flash!" Applejack jumped "you hold so much surprises and secrets about yourself! Why didn't you tell us?" "The same reason why I never told Twilight." Flash replied, "In that case..." Rarity decided "You should also go with Rainbow to Neighpon." "But..." "We'll take care of your sister and brother too!" Fluttershy joined in "they'll be in good hands. I'll make sure of that." "Have you discussed it with them yet though?" Rainbow asked, "Not yet..." "Tell you what, I'll go to the coach first, then the Principal, and we can finish off our decisions with our respective families!" "Y-Yes madam." Flash replied, "Well Coach Crescent?" Rainbow asked her coach, "what do you think?" "You know?" He replied "I wouldn't miss this chance for your team, you should go." "But..." "No buts Rainbow. Spitfire, Soarin and Fleetfoot would say the same thing. I'm sure we can handle things when you're not here. Neighpon is a great place, I'm sure you know soccer is very popular there." "Yeah..." "This is a good chance to make new friends and players!" Crescent encouraged "You'll learn a lot of soccer there!" "I understand what you mean," Rainbow continued "It's just, I've never left you guys before. I've been living and studying in Canterlot all my life." "You still don't get it?" A voice came from behind the coach, Rainbow looked onward to see Spitfire stand up from behind the oil barrel. "Oops, gave away my spot." Spitfire gulped, "You were listening the whole time!?" "Why wouldn't we?" A male voice came out. All of a sudden Soarin, Fleetfoot, Dumbbell and the rest of the soccer team came out from their hiding spots "you're our team member Rainbow, our friend. We work and play together, when you get upset, we get upset, but when you get courage, we get courage." "We do understand that you've always been for this soccer team." Fleetfoot started "and that our time together will never be forgotten or changed. What we have played, we played. So you should take our time together with you to Neighpon!" "Don't worry Rainbow Dash!" Dumbbell replied "I'll keep on standing in goal for you, and we can always keep in touch over the internet!" "Yeah I know, my friends say the same thing." "I guess we've all agreed," the coach replied "we're supporting you to go Neighpon, and no matter how far we are, we're behind you all the way." "You guys..." Rainbow started, tears welling up in her eyes again. "This is the second time now..." And she embraced her team mates with open arms and tearful cries. "Everyone! Huddle together!" Spitfire called, "this is for Rainbow Dash and her upcoming trip to Neighpon!" "Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!" The team replied, After the discussion of Neighpon with the Principal and Vice-Principal, Rainbow had one more person to talk to about it. She was weary of making a decision, but it all came down to what will happen. "I'm home!" Rainbow called, "Ahh! My dear little girl!" Blaze greeted as he rubbed his fist lightly on his daughter's hair. "Heh heh, I'm not a little kid anymore..." "So, have you decided?" Blaze asked, "Decided what?" "that if you want to study abroad in Neighpon or not!" "Wha-? How did you know!?" "I was pretty curious of what was in that letter, so I decided to call up your friend Flash, since he knows about it. Told me everything there is. I won't be able to come, since you know how expensive it is to go to Neighpon let alone move there, but you're quite lucky to go for scholarship there!" "Not yet, I haven't decided." "Well, you've got the week's end, so take your time!" "Actually, I'm here for your opinion." Rainbow replied "what do you think dad?" "What do I think?" Blaze asked with interest, he took a deep breath and a whistle and started "you know dear, since your mother left us, I've had a hard time trying to raise you up, with jobs, bills and what-not." "Uh-huh." "But I always loved to see you compete in sports, I'd even take a day-off just to see you play your best out there." "Yeah I know, you did that about 50 times." "You really are like me," Blaze laughed "very sporty, and sick of reminders." "Yeah..." "Honestly, despite being sporty, you've seen me in the Equestria games when I'm in my days of glory," "But..." "Oh wait! I'm still competing today! Ha ha ha!!!" Blaze joked "but despite that, I was aiming even higher than that..." "For what?" "Every 4 years, there is a sporting competition just like the Equestria games, only that it involves the entire world. Held in different countries, I always wanted to leave Equestria and see many other countries, but I was never able to qualify for them. The only time I managed to get into the World games, that was when the events were held here in Equestria. Although I didn't go to other countries, I did get to meet their inhabitants. It's quite an amazing experience, shaking hands with your international opponents and getting to learn different things from one another, it felt like I was still in another country..." "Dad..." "I know you don't want to leave me alone when you go all the way to the east of the world, but promise me, I'll be fine on my own, or I can take care of your friend's siblings too. It truly is a small world, when your number 1 fan is your friend's younger sister." "But he's not my friend." "Well you certainly treat him like one, due to why he's decided to call me. No matter what, you two are off to Neighpon, so you'd better stick together from now on. As long as you remember that you always have me, your friends, and your team to support you all the way, you'll never be alone either." "Dad..." Rainbow started, tears beading up in her eyes for the third time "why am I crying so much today?" "It's okay to cry dear." Blaze replied "there's nothing wrong in doing that. If you want my suggestion, here it is right now: go for it. Go for it all the way. If you do come back, do remember to bring something good though" "Dad! Waahhh!!!" Rainbow burst into tears as she held her dad as hard as she could. "You'll always be my little girl." Blaze smiled, "no matter where you are, I'll always be there for you." "Well?" Flash spoke into his mobile, "Yes from friends, yes from team, yes from the principal, yes from dad." Rainbow sighed "what about you?" "Same response from my members, except my siblings did bring out some conditions." Flash replied, "How's Scoots?" "She says when me and you both go to Neighpon, she wants me to protect you at all costs, or she'll never forgive me." "Well, that's Scoots for you," "I can understand that she can be a pain every now and then," Flash explained "but if I don't stay with her or follow her wishes, I don't think my parents could ever forgive me." "I guess it sucks for losing your mum and dad." "I guess Applejack felt this way too." Flash replied "listen, now that I've been given two choices on who should take care of Scootaloo and First, either your friends, or your dad. Your suggestion?" "I think my dad could handle this." Rainbow chuckled "he won't feel lonely then, but that's not my concern. What is your decision?" "I think my decision will be the same as yours." "How am I supposed to know that?" "Only you know what you want to choose. You may get suggestions from friends, but it always comes down to you in the end. Face it, you do want to go to Neighpon in the first place." "Yeah... I guess so, I'm always up for going to new places." Rainbow smiled as she pulled out the letter one more time. "Think you can meet me outside the hotel?" "Dear, I don't know what Twilight will think of it when you and I leave Equestria. It's like, ever since you dragged me from that class, we're frequently getting in touch." "And we'll be sticking together sooner than you think." Rainbow joked, "Such is fate or destiny. Although it may be uncontrollable in the long road, it can be altered within the split second of it happening. So yes, I'll meet you there." "Glad to hear that." Rainbow smiled as ticked the box on the letter labelled 'I Accept'.