Appearance, talent, or attitude? Which is more important? What truly makes a mare who she is?

Spitfire asks herself these questions as she watches Rainbow Dash change her image to join the Wonderbolts. But does she really want to let the young pegasus she's admired for her skill and integrity change who she is because of a silly rule?

Preread by Fahrenheit, and Timaeus.

Cover art by viwrastupr.

There are certain rules every Wonderbolt has to follow so no pony can accuse them of cheating their way to the top, every prospect faces the same tests and is expected to make it themselves. Fortunately, Captain Spitfire seems eager to help Rainbow achieve her dream and finally don the iconic blue and yellow of her heroes.

But come to think of it, why should Spitfire take that much of an interest in her?

Editing and prereading provided by Cryosite, Fahrenheit, Jondor, Melon Hunter, and Timaeus.

Special thanks to Fahrenheit for brainstorming with me!

Original artwork by yoonny92.

Rainbow Dash thought her troubles were over once she came to terms with Tank needing to hibernate. Then she got a letter telling her to report to the Wonderbolt Academy ASAP. It turns out there was an incident at the Weather Factory, and Spitfire wants answers. While Rainbow is ready to come clean, she's deathly afraid of what will happen next.

My mini-epilogue to the episode Tanks for the Memories.

Dramatic Reading by TheCaptainSand

Rainbow Dash's courage and ego are put to the test when Spitfire challenges her to a race through obstacles only expert pegasi dare to face.

There's nothing worse for a pegasus than falling.

[CHALLENGEFIC]: Under 3000 words, not about Twilight or the Princesses, and NO TALKIN'!

Featured on Equestria Daily, 7 May 2012.

When Spitfire finds herself grounded on the team injured list just before a show in Manehatten, she prepares for her life to crumble around her. The experience leads her to come across Rainbow Dash, temporarily managing the Manehatten weather teams. The two fliers will discover that sometimes it takes the darkest moments of our lives to find the brightest ones.

The Sequel: Feathers of Blue and Gold is out now!
Review in progress by Inky J
Video Review by Goomba Brony!
Video review by the wonderful ChaoticSeven!
Edited by the wonderful Taxus, Sorren, and Sojourner.
I do my own cover art.

Dash gets what she always wanted: a spot in the Wonderbolts and Spitfire by her side. Their relationship is all speed, all adrenaline, all passion, and absolutely, positively doomed.

A trainwreck of a romance in an ongoing series of slice-of-life snapshots, clop-free.

Restraint, or Lack Thereof - Spitfire knows what she wants, knows how to get it, and knows exactly how wrong this could all go.

Day In, Day Out - Soarin needs to know why Spitfire's been distracted and out of sorts lately, and there's a good chance he already knows the answer.

Been a While - Spitfire isn't the only one in this relationship who's been nursing a crush on her idol for years. Difference is, Dash has been doing something about it.

Burden - It isn't easy being a hero, especially if you're not the hero you thought you'd be.

Forgive and Forget- Dash makes a terrible mistake. Making it won't get her in trouble; trying to fix it could be disastrous.

Wings - Sometimes you get your dreams handed to you on a silver platter. Sometimes that's the last thing you want.

Touchdown and Takeoff - Somepony's gotta put out fires for the Wonderbolts before the team implodes, and Soarin' just drew the short straw.

Shattered - Spitfire is royally ticked off at Rainbow, and RD has no idea why.

Unscheduled - Spitfire gives the Wonderbolts the week off only to find that Dash left a few things unfinished.

What Has Been Seen - The Wonderbolts are taking bets on Spitfire and Dash self-destructing, and Soarin' just wants a nap.

Now featuring beautiful new cover art courtesy of Celebi-Yoshi!

These stories are in continuity with Luna's Librarian and The Rustic & The Romantic.

All chapters originally written as separate entries for flash-fic blog Thirty Minute Pony Stories (TMP). I highly recommend a visit to TMP if you're looking for some of the best 1000-word gems in pony fiction. Many thanks to TMP for inspiring me to write!

After being summoned to a meeting with Wonderbolt Commander Spitfire, Rainbow Dash finally learns the truth about why she has been passed over by the Wonderbolts all this time. A little bit of Rainbowfire.