A few days later............
Rainbow woke up. She stretched and yawned. A grin quickly spread on her face, just like it did every morning when she remember she had escaped. And that her Father and Firefly have yet to find her. She sat up and felt for her flash light/ lantern, she found it and clicked it on while shielding her eyes from the light.
She parted the clouds and stepped into her kitchen. She grabbed her light and sat it next to the other one on her simple cloud table. She loved these lights because they could be a lantern or a flash light it stood up straight and if you pushed the button once it turned into a flashlight turn it off and on again and the whole body of it will light up like a lantern. And they were really bright and brightened up the entire room.
She went over to her snow cloud she reached inside and shuffled the contents, around until she felt the milk. She pulled out the jug and sat it on the table. She looked to her left and grabbed the oats cereal and a bowl. After breakfast she trotted up the stairs and once outside, she dumped the leftover milk out and used a small peace of cloud to wash it out. She sat it in the sun to dry.
Rainbow Dash reached up into the trees branches and pulled a hidden rain cloud down. She gave it a hard kick and rain started coming down in a steady beat. After a quick warm shower, she kicked the cloud back up into its hiding place and shook herself dry. She brought her dishes back inside and picked up her brush she brushed her mane/ tail before going back outside to brush her teeth.
Then her ears pricked up at the sound of the school bell. She grabbed her new saddle bag and slung it over her shoulder and flew to the school leaving a Rainbow trail in her wake. Even now Rainbow was no longer as bony with her ribs showing or constantly crashing into things because of injured wings or lack of energy. Instead she was turning into a very nice young mare, with a sleek coat, strong wings and a determined attitude! Nothing could knock her down, not now! Not after everything she's been through nog again and not ever! The way Rainbow Dash looked at it, was not that it would happen! But if it did, their was always a bright side. Because when you hit rock bottom theirs only one place left to go! And that's up into the sky, because the skies the limit!
Her coat and wings were so much softer and healthier. She looked like a whole different pony, and she liked it, she liked it a lot! Rainbow was now 6 years old, and she stayed in constant contact with her little brother comet streak. And today was the day! Her and Soarin would be performing in front of the Wonderbolts captain himself, Rapid Fire!
Flashback.....
"Happy birthday toooo youuuuuu!" Were the only Echoes that could be heard from the school.
YAY! The class shouted, now waiting to receive their cupcake.
"Ok every pony lets thank Rainbow Dash for sharing her birthday with us every pony!" Mrs.windith said in a loud and clear voice to her class.
"Thank you! Happy Birthday Rainbow Dash!" All the fillies and colts yelled happily.
Rainbow dash had just won her first race, and got her cutie mark! But what really put the Icing on the cake was that it was her birthday! And best of all she had all her friends their with, and her favorite Stepmom Comet Blaze! And ware would the world be without her little brother Comet Streak! They both came. And with cupcakes for her and her class, and a present!
"Happy Birthdayyy Wwwainbowww!" Comet streak yelled giggling.
Rainbow Dash hugged him as he crawled in her lap and giggled. Rainbow snuggled him, while they both are their cupcakes. However it wasn't long after that he fell asleep in Rainbows lap. His mother took him and tucked him up gently into her wing.
"Hey um,.."
Rainbow turned her head towards Billy, Hoops and Dumbbell."
"Hey rainbow crash- dash, dash! sorry. We just wanted to say were sorry. Maybe you could show us how you did that neat trick!?!"
"Rainbow dash!?!" Mrs.Windith called.
Rainbow turned around to look at Mrs.Windith curiously.
"Rainbow I've been meaning to give this to you."
She said giving Rainbow Dash some forms, rainbow stared at them in utter confusion.
"These is a free spot into the pre teen Wonderbolts academy!"
"Awweeeeessssooommeeeeeee!!!!!" Rainbow yelled doing flips in the air.
"Now." Rainbow stopped dead it her tracks turning back to her full attention.
"Now, you have been a chosen by Rapid Fire himself,and! Mrs.Windith continued, before she lost Rainbow's attention do to more flips and loops. You have to pass an addition to see if your good enough. They will come to the school to see you perform. Here at the school in 8 weeks! Rainbow Dash's wings snapped shut, as she fell landing on all fours nervously.
"Oh come on! I'm positive you'll do fine. You have always been the most determined pony I've ever met! Comet Blaze cut in with little Comet streak still nuzzled up into her wing dead asleep.
"Besides maybe our gift will help to motivate you." Comet Blaze continued
She handed her a box, but it turned out to be a large book wrapped in cyan blue tissue paper. Rainbow Dash ripped open the paper and turned the page of her new scrap book. Rainbow smiled softly at the photo of her and her 3 year old little brother. Rainbow flipped through the pages, and was only half was through, when she saw a letter in the scrap book the first line read;
' Dear Rainbow Dash, the sweetest little filly that I couldn't be happier to call my step daughter." Rainbow didn't even finish the letter she jumped up and hugged her mother tears threatening to fall from her face Comet Blaze hugged her back!
"I love you my little Rainbow Dash." Comet Blaze said,
"I love you too!" Rainbow said.
Rainbow turned her head back and smiling, at Soarin.
"Hey Rainbow Dash! he said grinning. Did you open my present yet?
"No, but I have it with me. I was saving it for my birthday."
Rainbow pulled it out of he saddle bags
"Well it's your birthday now, is t it?" Soarin said
Rainbow opened it it was a pair of flight goggles. It had Rainbow Dash's name embroidered in rainbow letters along the strap, and it was signed by Rapid Fire himself on the side of the goggles. Rainbow sat their in disbelief she looked at him, and he grinned back!
"I knew that was the perfect present. Soarin said Rainbow Dash hugged him as tight as she could, and comet Blaze snapped a picture.
Evey pony laughed when they saw Rainbow Dash and Soarin had froze, their eyes the size of dinner plated and blushing deeply.
"Okay every pony!" Mrs.Windith said getting every ponies attention. "Today will be a free day, you all have been working very hard and we do have a birthday today don't we?" She said smiling at Rainbow Dash.
YAY! They cheered.
"Bye sweetie, I'm sorry but I have to go its comet streaks nap time"
Rainbow looked at the sleeping colt and smiled.
"Yeah, I can tell." She said grinning
Comet Blaze chuckled and smiled "Okay bye!"
'Bye!" Rainbow Dash repeated waving as she trotted out the door.
"Okay every pony go out and have fun, but don't go out of the play ground area!" she said
"All the foals darted outside cheering and laughing, as they made their way to the play ground equipment."
"Are'nt you two going to go and play?" Mrs.Windith asked after realizing Rainbow Dash and Soarin were still here.
"Umm, no, I think I'll fill out my forms for the pre teen wonderbolts academy." Rainbow grinned
"That sounds like a plan have fun, and happy birthday Rainbow Dash!" Mrs.Windith said trotting away.
"Wow, that's really great! You get the chance to be a WONDERBOLT!! Soarin cheered, "I'm so happy for you! Your such a good flier!" Soarin congratulated.
Rainbow smiled, "thanks soar, but stopped as soon as she realized something. They wouldn't be wonderbolts together, and Soarin would probably wouldn't ever make the cut to be one..................
"Rainbow hello? Equestria to Rainbow Dash?" Soarin called
Rainbow shook her head. "Huh?"
"You kinda spaced out, you okay?"
"Huh? Yeah of course I am! I just thought of something"
"Thought of wha-" NOTHING!" Rainbow interrupted.
Rainbow looked at Soarin him clearly knowing something was up, she had to think fast!
"Oh um, sorry just just really excited! um, why don't you pick out a game. while I fill out my forms and get them sent! I'll join you in a minute.
"Alright" Soarin said smiling.
Rainbow quickly trotted up to her desk and pulled out a pencil, she filled out the forms then Rainbow flipped it over
'Dear Captain Rapid Fire of the Wonder-bolts,
Sorry to bother you but I have a little favor to ask.'
After forms are finished:
Rainbow zipped outside leaving nothing but a rainbow trail, eager to find Soarin. She knew what she had to do. Rainbow Dash snapped into reality and slamed on the breaks stopping mere inches before colliding into Soarin.
"Whoa Rainbow, I know your excited, but hold up! Your going to get one of us if not both of us killed!" He joked
Rainbow laughed "yeah... Excited." She said, before shaking her head while receiving a worried look from Soarin.
"Okay? What do you say we train for my upcoming audition, instead of playing a game?! We need all the practice we can get, and I want you to preform with me!" Rainbow said an idea hatching in her head.
"What!?! But Rainbow Dash I'm a horrible flier! I'll just drag you down!" Soarin said sadly.
"Staying and sulking down here you will, now come on! If I were in your horse shoes do you really think I'd be giving up already?"
Soarin sighed knowing the answer all to well. "No" He said a smile making its way onto his face. This is going to be difficult, Soarin thought.
"Come on! let's start with 25 no 50 wing ups!"
"Wait what!?!? 50 wing ups!?!?"
"Relax Soarin you'll get their, but you have to push yourself and you can't give in! Come on Soarin, just do your best and I'll be proud. Because weather you like it or not, your training and I don't care what you say!"
Soarin Sighed and shakes his head while smiling. "Alright," he replied.
"Good answer! I thought I was going to have to beat that out of you," she joked.
Soarin gulped not knowing it was sarcasm. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes once she saw the scared expression on his face, and face hoofed.
Week one:
current wing power 2.5
"Come on Soarin you can do it!" "50 wing ups. It's kinda hard when your standing on my back! Soarin said straining, to make it all the way up. "Oh come on! but are you going to let that get you down, privet?" "No!" "Good! Come on 5 more you can do it! You've already done 45 and you are more than capable to do at least 5 more!" Rainbow yelled
Week two:
Current wing power 4.0
"Come on Soarin, you can do it! Rainbow Dash said as always cheering him on, while once again standing on Soarin's back. "I can do it!" Soarin said. Rainbow stepped off Soarin looked at her confused. Rainbow grinned. "Keep going see how many you can do I think you will be surprises by how much you can do"...............................................................
"Come on Soarin! 193,194,195,196,197,198,199, and....200! 200wing ups!"
"Really!?!? But that wasn't any ware as hard as before! When I did them with out you standing on my back!?"
"Yes, because I pushed you, I stood on your back so you could improve your strength. after you got that down, its easy to do the basics! Example wing ups, you can improve a lot easier now by yourself because you can do them without struggling.
"Wow! Thanks, I didn't even think about that. Nor how much this would help me improve-"
"Yes Soarin, I know." Rainbow interrupted.
"How?'
"Because every pony who knows you knows all your thoughts are based on pie." She said bluntly
"How did you know what I was thinking!?!? Are you some kind of mind reader!?!?" Soarin panicked!
"Oh good grief for the love of Pete," Rainbow Dash said face hoofing.
Week three:
Current wing power 5.5
330 wing ups!
"How you doing on those laps Soarin?"
"Good! I'm on my 25th the lap"
Impressive! At this rat you'll end up being faster than me
Oh um, no, I don't think so I'll never be as good as you rainbow dash!
Rainbow smiled thanks for the complement soar, but I'm not so sure! she called with a smile
Week four:7.0
Week five:8.5
Week six:10.0
Week seven:11.5
End flashback
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////Week eight: 13.0
Okay rainbow dash, relax everything's fine. He's ready and captain Rapid Fire of the Wonderbolts will be watching. It's not a big deal! Only it is a big deal, if something goes wrong! Then, this is bad!" Rainbow said pacing the classroom.
Mrs,Windith trotted up to her Soarin in tow looking just as nervous. "Come on I haven't seen your routine but both of you have really improved and worked hard! I'm sure it'll be great!"
"Yeah, as long as the world doesn't come falling down!" Rainbow yelled
"Yeah! What she said!" Soarin said looking as if he was about to pass out from nerves."
"Oh come on! It's now or never, and he'll be here in... Oh goodness it's time! Come on, we all need to get ready!" She said pushing them out the door.
"In this together?" Rainbow said
"In this to together." Soarin said "and... If we mess up?"
"Doesn't matter, as long as we did our best, ever pony will be proud anyway!" they said in unison both smiling in relief.
They trotted outside.
"Soarin!" Soarin turned his head to see his parents coming.
"Oh no, not this again. He said feeling his confidence deflate."
"Honey are you sure you want to go through with this? I mean honey you could get hurt! And your not the strongest flier!" She said the last part slowly not sure if that's something she should have said.
Soarin took a deep breath "yes mom! And your wrong, my flying has really improved over the last few weeks!"
His mom looked at her husband with pleading eyes, her husband understood but he played it no heed instead said,
"Go gett'em tiger! Do your best! Show us what you got, so I can finally prove to your mother that this is what you truly want! His father told him with a smile.
"R-really?!? Thanks dad! You'll see this show is going to be amazing!"
"Ready?" Rainbow Dash said trotting up to them.
"Heck, yea! I'm not nervous anymore, look out Equestria here comes Soarin!" He said galloping off and preparing, with some warm ups.
Rainbow grinned, "hey wait for me!" Rainbow said zipping after him, leaving nothing but a rainbow colored trail behind her.
"Whoa, she's fast!" Soarin's mother and father said in unison.
"Yea, and theirs another reason you mustn't worry! She's obviously Rainbow Dash, the little filly who was training Soarin. And you shouldn't say things about his flying! That will lower his self esteem!"He said sharply with an accusing tone.
"I know I regret saying it! He has my support, but I don't want him getting hurt! Who knows what could happen!"
"Only time will tell, and soon at that" He replied to his wife
"Alright, Soarin and Rainbow Dash, I presume." Rapid Fire said through a mike.
"Yes sir!" Rainbow Dash said in her best military voice while in a salute position.
Rapid Fire chuckled, "okay then solders, show me what your made of!"
Rainbow dash and Soarin then took off at break necking speeds! Every ponies jaw dropped, when they split up and started circling the clouds causing the clouds to spin, to the point to ware they started shooting lightning!
E very pony gasped in panic, Then Rainbow Dash and Soarin easily dashed, and looped and crossed over, so close their backs were touching! Witch caused goosebumps on Soarin's back. Finally they separated again kicking off each other's back hooves, then they started up above the clouds crisscrossed again before driving straight down like a hawk dead center into the thunderclouds. They broke up and explode into a five long shots of lightning going straight into a cloud witch had been carefully place, prior. Those clouds too exploded into a firework show, ware Rainbow Dash and Soarin continued with their routine. After they zipped towards the only two clouds left, over the audience. Only about 7 ft in height. They paused, and at the exact same time sprang open their wings open. Sending out a burst of fire, from their wings. A secret trick Rainbow had taught Soarin witch he promised not to tell. Their wings were now in flames, as they stood their listening to the crowd go wild! Rapid Fire still sitting their slacked jawed, like Most of the rest of the audience. They Finally closed their wings, when they cut the fire and closed them. The tips of Soarin's wings staying a deep navy to match his mane, same with Rainbow Dash. Unknown to them that Rainbow had accidentally given Soarin powers identical to hers.
Soarin's parents ran to Soarin has he glided to the ground. "Soarin that was truly amazing!" His parents said in unison
"So,so I'm not a weak flier?" Soarin asked looking down scuffing his hoof against the clouds surface.
His mother looked at him guiltily. "Honey no, of course not I'm- I was just worried about you getting hurt. I never let you really learn how to fly dispute how much you tried to sneak past. But that was no excuse. I'm sorry and if you really want to peruse flying. Then that's alright with me! Your, your own pony after all. Your not going to stay small forever. Your going to have to grow up sometime and I support that I fully! I except that now. I'm so sorry honey! I didn't relies, how much this was bothering you."
"I'm sorry too." Soarin said as his mom picked him up into a group hug, his father joining in as well.
Rainbow who was watching the scene after talking and getting the approval letter for the preteen flight academy, thought it was time for her little surprise!
"Hey soarin! Look I got approved! look at my name!" Rainbow said handing him the form of approval.
"Wow, Rainbow congrats! I'm happy for you! Wait, what!?!? This had my name?!?"
"Yes soarin, In all the time I met you, you had the same determined and caring heart, and wonderbolt spirit! That is something not too many ponies have anymore! Being a wonderbolt isn't just about flying but about looking out for others and setting an example. As well to inspire young colts and fillies to do great things, to know that the skies are the litmit. That they can do anything, if they truly put their mind to it! Weather it be for your family, friends, team or who knows. Maybe just a little random filly or colt who needs help. Soarin even with your poor flying, you weren't going to give up! Because you thought you were helping me! You were doing that as a friend. You didn't care who made fun of you or laughed when you crash landed, you got right back up and tried again! No matter what happens weather you become a wonderbolt or not. Let me be the first to tell you are truly a wonderbolt at heart.
"Couldn't have said it better myself." Rapid Fire said trotting up.
"RAPIDFIRE!! Rainbow Dash said I surprise and excitement fighting back the urge to jump up and down.
He smiled, Rainbow Dash in all my career, you are the only pony I've met who truly knows what it means to be a wonderbolt at heart! I look forward to flying with you and having you and the team Someday, both of you, Soarin with the scholarship Rainbow Dash has so generously given to you, school will only cost the price of your dorm room or extra activities. If you continue to get more scholarships which I can tell you will most likely have no problem doing it will continue to be free, but you need to get scholarships. Not only does it improve your chances of getting into the bolts and graduating, but the school normally costs hundreds of thousands a year! So it's a school only for the best! It's a boarding school too, so you'll have to move into a dorm but do you think your up to the challenge?
Soarin looked at his parents."Don't worry about us, this is your choice, son. Never will we stop you again, if flying is what you really want to do!"
"Really!" Soarin said
"Really!" His mother replied smiling. "But only if you can get the scholarships we may not be able to afford it otherwise.
"Just you wait and see! I will! But I'll see my parents though right?" He asked
"Well on the weekends you can come home. We even have escort that can take you home if your parents can't get you. Same thing when it comes to returning to the school. They can always come watch you practice or visit you after class and during your two hour lunch break.
"Two hour lunch break!?!" Soarin's father said
"Yes sir, Rapid replied flying is serious business! Every pony at the academy is pushed hard! Way past their limits. It's important to make sure their are enough breaks, and that they get proper rest. He'll be getting his wings massaged and checked daily too, but those are required!
'Mom, Dad? Can I?"
His mother bit her lip and sighed, she smiles "yes Soarin."
"YES!!" Rainbow Dash and Soarin cheered.
"I need you signature then it'll be official"
Rapid said handing the form to his parents who signed it.
"He starts next Monday, an escort will come to pick him and his things up, you all are welcome to accompany him and help him get acquainted to his roommate setting up his dorm.
"Thank you!" Soarin said excited
"Your welcome, see you soon!"
Rapid Fire trotted away.
" I'm so excited!" Soarin yelled but the realization sunk in,
"Wait.... Will I ever see you again?" Soarin asked Rainbow Dash
"Oh! Well we could always write! And you could come visit me on you breaks!
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, totally! Just don't forget about me when you become the next best celebrity!"
"Forget, you!?!? No way! Your my best friend! I'd never forget you!"
Soarin said as the hugged each other tightly!
"Goodbye Soarin I'm going to miss you." Rainbow Dash said
"Goodbye Rainbow Dash I'm going to miss you too." Soarin said