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// 5 Reward and Recognition 
// Story: A Flight to Remember 
// by Bronyxy 
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Later that evening, conversation was alive around the Apple’s kitchen table as the two fillies repeated their stories of the day to Big Mac and Granny Smith. The stories had been repeated many times over, but the adults were just happy to hear and feel so much happiness in the heart of the family. 

After having dropped off Clear Skies in Ponyville Hospital, the exhausted weather ponies who had been searching for their colleague ever since the storm, said their heartfelt thank yous before going home to catch up on their much needed sleep. Spitfire shared a mischievous smile with Scootaloo, before the two Wonderbolts too, had to go their own way.

The two friends had gone round to Carousel Boutique to see if Sweetie Belle was back, but Rarity told them she was still with her parents, however they told her the story anyway. After this, they went round to tell Fluttershy, then Twilight, and then rounded it off with tasty treats at Sugarcube Corner where they told Pinkie Pie all about their day too.

With the day now beginning to ebb away, they stopped off at the hospital to ask about Clear Skies, and were told that she would be making a recovery, although the medical staff were cautious about saying how complete that recovery would be.  Specifically, they avoided making any comment about whether she would be able to fly again, but were instead very keen to focus on telling the fillies that if they hadn’t been so prompt in rescuing her, she would probably have died from her injuries.

Finally, they returned happily to Sweet Apple Acres to gather around the kitchen table and relive all the excitement over again.

Suddenly, their story telling was interrupted in mid-flow by a knock on the front door.

“I’ll get it” said Granny Smith, struggling to her hooves and tottering towards her door.
When she opened it, she was only partly surprised to see Rainbow Dash at the front of a crowd of happy ponies.

“It’s for you kids” she called back, without even bothering to ask. She knew full well that such deeds as they had done were not going to go unrewarded.

The fillies jumped down from the table and trotted curiously over to the door.

“Hey Rainbow Dash!” cried Scootaloo excitedly.

“Hey yourself” she replied with a broad smile, “Some friends wanted to come round and say thank you for what you two did today.”

As there was clearly insufficient room to get all the ponies into the kitchen, Big Mac gave Apple Bloom a gentle nudge with his muzzle, and they all moved outside, only then noticing that Rainbow Dash was in her flight suit and secondly, that tables piled high with food had appeared in the courtyard.

“As the only member of the Ponyville weather team who also happens to be a Wonderbolt" Rainbow began, with no attempt at modesty, "It falls to me to thank you both for your good work today. Firstly, Clear Skies’ parents are very grateful to you for having found their daughter and they have laid on this feast for you. They look forward to meeting you, and send their apologies for not being here in person, but, as I’m sure you’ll understand, they’re not wanting to leave the hospital right now."

The fillies looked around the cheering sea of faces before them as they took in the applause; there were townsfolk, school friends and a whole lot of pegasi they had never met before. As Apple Bloom's was taking in the fact that the Element Bearers had also turned out, she saw a sight that made her squee with excitement, for ambling towards her was an orange pony with a Stetson hat, beaming happily, and alongside her was Sweetie Belle.  She grabbed Scootaloo's foreleg and gave it a few quick enthusiastic tugs, directing her friend to see the two latest arrivals.

“Oh yeah” Rainbow added casually, as Sweetie Belle broke ranks and ran to be with her Crusader friends, “… Nearly forgot to mention, we brought a couple a special guests back for the occasion too ...”

“Next” Rainbow continued, I have two certificates from the weather team, entitling each of you to weather of your choice once a month in the Ponyville area …”

“Also …” Rainbow resumed, once the applause had died down, I have two further certificates here commemorating your first flights …”

She extended a framed certificate signed by all the Wonderbolts to Apple Bloom, along with a rare silver wingpony badge and added, “I think I can safely say this is the first time a Wonderbolts badge has ever been awarded to an earth pony for their first flight! Thanks for everything you did.”

Then she gave Scootaloo her signed certificate along with a highly sought after gold lead pony badge saying, “You’ve earned this, kid. I’m so proud of you!”

At this, the applause ratcheted up a notch and reached a deafening crescendo.

“Finally” she concluded, once she could be heard, “You have front row tickets to the next Wonderbolts show.”

“When’s that?” asked Scootaloo, almost breathless with excitement.

“Right now” replied Rainbow simply, as she and the other Wonderbolts leapt into the air at her cue to perform an exclusive one-of-a-kind performance for their very special guests.