Well, it's not the ideal flight team I had in mind to represent Unityville. But, hey. They were selected, so that speaks way more about their ability than their looks. Rainbow Dash thought with a small smirk as she looked over Bulk Biceps and Derpy. Plus, with my skills, I'll be more than enough to land us the top ranking to make it into the Unity Games!
"You sure seem happy Dash." Steel Edge said with a smile as he flew alongside his girlfriend. "Let me guess. Competing in the Unity Games is another one of your dreams?"
"You bet!" Rainbow Dash said with her signature grin. "When I was a little kid, I wanted Cloudsdale to be where the games were held sooo badly! Unfortunately, that didn't quite pan out. But still, it's not the location that matters. Unless it's the Crystal Empire. THAT'S a place that NEEDS to have the games be held there! Those people were gone for a thousand years. It's part of why me and the girls worked so hard to make sure the representative for the games thought it would be the perfect location!"
"And I'm guessing you're flying to represent Cloudsdale in the games?" Steel asked with a barely visible smirk.
"Eh. Cloudsdale is my original home." Rainbow Dash said with a shrug. "But Unityville's my home now." She then turned serious for a moment. "And I don't think I'd want certain people gawking over me being in the games."
Well this is new. Steel Edge thought to himself. This is the first time I've ever heard of Rainbow Dash not wanting somebody's attention. Come to think of it. . . I don't think she's ever had me meet her parents. Granted, I don't know which of us is supposed to show the other to their parents first. Oh well. No sense thinking about it too hard. "Well, good luck out there. If you need me, I'll be wearing this." Steel Edge then slipped on a t-shirt depicting the phrase: Rainbow Dash is Best Girlfriend. "And holding this." Steel then whipped out a sign he'd made that read: 20% cooler, 80% awesome, 100% percent my girl.
"Gee Steel." Rainbow Dash said with a slight blush. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were one of my biggest fans."
Steel Edge smiled. "I'm your boyfriend. It's part of my job. Besides, I know how much you love being cheered for. Might as well go all-out for my girl."
"You know me so well babe." Rainbow Dash said with a smirk as she hovered over to Steel and kissed him. "You know, I never did get to pay you back for taking care of me when my wing was busted."
"No need to repay me." Steel said with a smirk of his own. "It was, my honor." The two shared a brief chuckle over the pun. "Good look up there Rainbow."
"Thanks. But I'd rather rely on skill!" Rainbow Dash said with a wink as she led her teammates to practice. It came as no surprise that Rainbow Dash was the best flier on her team. The actual qualifier for the Unity Games began not long after Rainbow Dash's Unityville team started practicing. Much like the rest of the Main 6 predicted, Rainbow Dash more than made up for the flying ability of her team with her own speed and flight ability. She even managed to keep up an even pace with the Wonderbolts! Something that the elite flying team took great note of.
Sure enough, the beginning portion of the qualifier, Soarin crashed! Spitfire and Fleetfoot shared a knowing look at each other and smirked before slipping on their sunglasses. Right as Rainbow Dash was helping Soarin up from his crash.
"You alright?" Rainbow Dash asked. Soarin gave her a weak thumbs-up before wincing in pain as his wing twitched in pain when he tried to flap it. He also limped since his crash had broken one of his legs. Thankfully, the medical staff were quick to respond and carted Soarin off to receive help. Rainbow Dash then saw the remaining members of the Wonderbolts team walk up to her.
"Hey there! Rainbow Dash, right?" Spitfire greeted. "I remember that sick recovery you pulled off back at the Grand Gala. I guess this is twice now that you've helped Soarin out of his messes."
How can they remember me when I barely even talked to them? Rainbow Dash though to herself. "Well, you know, it's no big deal. Just doing my hero thing, you know?"
"Well, obviously." Fleetfoot said with a smirk. "I'd say you're the aerial support of your friends. And if how you've been performing in just this qualifier is anything to go by, you've got more than enough skill to probably land your team a spot in the games!"
"Really?! Thanks!" Rainbow Dash said with a grin.
"Too bad it doesn't look like we'll be able to make it through though." Spitfire said with a sigh. "Not with Soarin out of commission."
"Oh man." Rainbow Dash said as her wings drooped at the revelation that without a full team of three, it wouldn't be likely the Wonderbolts would advance to place in the games. "Yeah. That does kinda suck."
"Unless. . . " Spitfire said with a smirk. "You take up Soarin's place on our team."
Rainbow Dash's jaw dropped. Here it was. The chance to make her lifelong dream of flying alongside the Wonderbolts come true. "That. Sounds. So. AWESOME!" Rainbow Dash almost flew circles around the qualifier grounds, but managed to contain herself. "So what do I gotta do to join up with you?"
"Easy." Fleetfoot said with a flex of her wings. "All you gotta do is make up an excuse to leave your team and join up with us! The winning team! I mean, it's not like your team is pulling their weight in getting you all into the games." And the second Fleetfoot finished her remark. Rainbow Dash marched right up to her and Spitfire's faces. "Whoa. What's with the intensity Dashie?"
"You don't have the right to call me that." Rainbow Dash growled. Her wings flaring out to reflect her rising temper! "You can take your offer and buzz off. I'm not going to leave my team hanging. Yeah, they won't be able to get into the games on their own. That's why I need to stick with them! Because they're counting on me to help take them there! Maybe they're not the fastest. Maybe they're not a team of elite fliers. But you know what? They're giving it their all. And in the end, that's all that matters. If you're willing to give up on your own teammate so easily? Forget it."
Rainbow Dash's mind flashed back to the events of Discord's return. "I left people hanging when they needed me one too many times." She then turned away from the remainder of the Wonderbolts team. "And it almost cost me more than I'd ever be willing to pay."
"Hey! D-Don't you realize what you're turning down?!" Spitfire pleaded! "I saw how much you were trying to get our attention at the gala!"
"I'll take my chances with the reserve member exam." Rainbow Dash retorted. "Because I want to earn my place. Not taking an easy pass to something I've worked so hard for. But maybe that flight suit doesn't look as good on me as thought it would." Rainbow Dash flew back to her team, and smiled. "Sorry if I kept you all waiting. I miss anything important?"
"Just proving why you're awesome as the Element of Loyalty." Steel Edge said with a loving smile as he wrapped his arms and wings around Rainbow Dash. "I'm happy you're standing with the people you care about."
"Yeah." Rainbow Dash said with a small smile. Tightening her embrace around Steel Edge but in a way that was barely noticeable. I won't make the same mistake of not doing that. Never again. . . The rest of the qualifier carried on as normal, and Rainbow Dash and her team made it into the Unity Games. As the team was celebrating, Soarin approached the group. "Hey there. Sorry you missed out on your chance."
"Hey, no worries." Soarin said with a friendly smile. "Here's a little something to celebrate you qualifying." And with that, Soarin handed her a medal. "I heard Spitfire and Fleetfoot going on about how you told them off. But that's not why I'm giving this to you. It's because you stuck by your team when they needed you. If that hasn't made you a Wonderbolt already, I don't know what will."
"Thanks." Rainbow Dash said with a smile. She then spared a glance at Steel. "Let's just say I had someone who taught me a lot about honor." Her smile only deepened. Someone. . . whose side I never want to leave.