//------------------------------//
// S3 E7: Wonderbolts Academy (What If?) 
// Story: My Little Pony Friendship is Magic What If?: Volume 14 
// by SuperPinkBrony12 
//------------------------------//

Rainbow Dash and all her friends had gathered on a small hill outside of Ponyville. The brash speedster had informed them that she was expecting a very important letter from the Wonderbolts, more particularly about getting into their exclusive academy. Knowing how much this meant to her, her friends had agreed to be by her side while she waited for the news.

The weather was just right for a picnic as the friends waited by Rainbow's mailbox. They had even set up a rainbow colored umbrella and a picnic blanket (and Rarity was currently wearing sunglasses and sipping on a drink).

But Pinkie Pie was impatient. It seemed like it was taking forever for that letter to arrive and with it the news of whether or not Rainbow Dash had been accepted. So the pink party pony paced back and forth as the seconds seemed to tick by in agonizing slowness. "Ooooh, I wish that mailpony would just come already! I can't wait another minute to find out if Rainbow Dash got in or not! What could be taking so long?!"

Twilight Sparkle tried her best to calm her party planning friend down. "Pinkie Pie, it'll get here when it gets here. Now relax, you're more nervous than Rainbow Dash is. And it's her application."

Rainbow Dash confidently proclaimed. "I'm not nervous, not at all! When I get into the Wonderbolts Academy..."

"-If you get in!" Pinkie warned the pegasus. "It's not guaranteed yet, don't jinx it!"

Rainbow sighed and corrected herself. "If I get in, I'm sure to impress them. But I can guarantee you it's already in the bag! No way they'd deny me after all they've heard about."

Pinkie again warned! "Don't jinx it! You don't know for sure!"

Applejack only chuckled. "I'm with Rainbow Dash on this one. No way she's not gettin' in. She's the best flyer in all of Ponyville."

"Ponyville?" Rainbow boasted. "Try all of Equestria! I wouldn't be surprised if they just went ahead and made me a Wonderbolt on the first day," And as she spoke she effortlessly cleared a cloud, before leaning back and letting her head rest on her hooves. "Okay, so maybe that's a bit of a stretch, but my point still stands. This is my chance to get my hoof in the door with them! No way am I about to blow it!"

Just then a greenish-white coated pegasus stallion arrived. He had vibrant green eyes and a scarlet red mane and tail that had been cut short. He wore a purplish-blue jacket and matching hat (which sported the Wonderbolts' logo) and in his hooves he held a letter with a special seal. "Got a letter here for a Miss Rainbow Dash." He declared and hoofed the letter over, then departed with a tip of his hat.

The rainbow maned pegasus eagerly ripped the letter open and read over it carefully. Her moderate purple eyes seemed to shrink a bit as she glumly informed her friends of the unfortunate news. "I... didn't get in."

Everypony on the grass gasped! They couldn't believe their ears!

But then Rainbow Dash smirked as her eyes returned to normal! "Ha! Gotcha! As if I'd be turned down! Told you it was in the bag!"

Pinkie Pie couldn't contain herself upon hearing the news! She rushed over, tackled Rainbow Dash and pulled into her a tight hug while proclaiming at the top of her lungs! "Oh, I'm just sooooooooooo happy for you!"

Rainbow did her best not to look or sound too annoyed with her overly enthusiastic friend. "Uh... thanks?" She replied and then tried to push out of the hug. "I kind of need to get going, though. They're sure to be expecting me."

"I'm good," Pinkie replied as she ceased the hug. But then something else came to her mind. "Oh! And don't forget to write! I wanna know everything!"

"I'll... do what I can to remember that. No promises," The pegasus proclaimed. "But the sooner I get there, the sooner I can show 'em my stuff. See you girls in a week! Keep an eye on Tank for me!"

"Good luck!" Applejack called as Rainbow Dash took to the sky.

"Won't need it!" Rainbow Dash called back, and soon she was out of sight. She quickly made a beeline straight for the Wonderbolts' private academy. This was it, the first step towards achieving her lifelong dream! Yet she didn't anticipate that it was almost going to be the only step. An unexpected development would cause her to question the dream she'd had for so long, making her reconsider what it truly meant to be a Wonderbolt.



Wonderbolts Academy wasn't like most buildings in Cloudsdale. It didn't reside atop a cloud. It was situated on its own floating slab of land, complete with a runway for take offs and landings. The academy itself lay a ways back from the runway, and all sorts of hoops, windsocks and other associated props were scattered around the perimeter.

When Rainbow Dash arrived, she was surprised to see a couple of pegasi that had worked with her in the spring prior to lift water to Cloudsdale. No doubt, that had to have been how they ended up on the Wonderbolts' radar (seeing as Spitfire had been there to observe the whole process and everything).

Rainbow did her best not to sound too boastful as she mingled with the other chosen recruits. "Hey, guys," She not so innocently greeted. "Guess I'm not the only Ponyville native who caught the Wonderbolt's eyes. Whatever happens, no hard feelings. Hopefully, there's spots on the team for us all."

Just then, a sharp whistle split the air and made all pegasi stand at attention. Out trotted Spitfire, looking considerably different from the last time Rainbow Dash had seen her. The young captain had shed her flight suit in favor of a dark blue jacket with the Wonderbolts' logo stitched onto the left side. It was decorated with yellow and red buttons. Her eyes were hidden behind a pair of sunglasses with dark purple shades and bluish-green frames. Around her neck rested a whistle, tied with a red string. And it was now possible to see her cutie mark: A profile of a styling phoenix.

Spitfire greeted the cadets in a rather sharp tone of voice. "So, you're the latest batch of recruits who've come here for trials week? Bet y'all think you're Wonderbolt material, don't ya?"

"Yes, ma'am!" All the pegasi shouted together.

Spitfire eyed the cadets while adding. "Think you've got what it takes to be on the team and fly with the best?"

"Yes, ma'am!" All the pegasi shouted once again in response.

"Well, let me be the first to tell you," Spitfire declared before she raised her voice and bellowed "You don't! If you had what it took to be an elite flyer, you'd already be a Wonderbolt! You're all here because we think you just might have potential. And it's my job as your drill sergeant to sort out the true talents from the pretenders. That means I'm gonna put you all through your paces. You ain't gonna like me by the time this is over, but I'm afraid that's just what I gotta do. So don't take it personally if I'm hard on you. Operating under pressure is what we Wonderbolts do. But if any of you don't think you can handle that pressure, you'd best back out now," Then she looked at Cloudchaser and asked her. "Still think you're something special, hm?"

"N-no, ma'am!" Cloudchaser whimpered as she shrank from Spitfire's strong and stern gaze.

The young captain turned drill sergeant could only shake her head as she marched to the next recruit in line, Bulk Biceps, and asked him. "What about you? Ya think you're hot stuff?" Bulk didn't answer with words, but the whimper he gave off indicated how intimidated he was. Spitfire didn't press further, instead approaching Rainbow Dash. Despite knowing what the rainbow maned pegasus was capable of, Spitfire knew she couldn't show favoritism. "You look like you're pretty sure of yourself. But I'll bet you're secretly the worst flyer of the whole bunch. You'll probably quit after the first day just to save yourself the embarrassment!"

Rainbow Dash didn't flinch at all as she shouted back! "I'd never quit, ma'am! I'm no quiter!"

Spitfire laughed. "Ha, that's what they all say. We'll see if you're all talk," Then she trotted on to the next cadet in line: This one was a pegasus mare who looked almost like she could've been a sister or a cousin to Rainbow Dash given their relatively similar mane styles. Unlike Rainbow Dash, though, this pegasus mare had a turquoise green coat, a brilliant amber mane and tail with gold stripes throughout and eyes the same color of orange as the sky at sunset. Her cutie mark was a white lightning bolt with three stars (two orange and one yellow). "And what about you? Bet you couldn't fly past the first flagpole without getting winded."

The pegasus mare's response took Spitfire by surprise, along with most of the other cadets (who'd never dream of talking back to their superior). "Try me, ma'am."

"Oh, what's that?" The young captain inquired.

The pegasus mare maintained a straight face as she repeated. "Try me, ma'am. Let me you show what I can do."

Spitfire appeared to arch an eyebrow upward in response. "Oh, so you want a chance to prove yourself, huh? You've certainly got guts, I'll give you that."

The pegasus mare only laughed. "I've got more than guts, ma'am! And I'd be happy to show 'em off!"

"Okay then, if that's how you wanna play it. Just remember, you brought this on yourself," Spitfire declared in a somewhat ominous tone of voice. "Give me five hundred laps! All of you!" She ignored the moans and groans from the other pegasi (except for Rainbow Dash) as she added. "Now!" And then she blew on her whistle quite audibly (after all, it wasn't just for decoration).

Spitfire watched the cadets as they flew lap after lap around the academy grounds. Unsurprisingly, most of them could barely manage two hundred and fifty laps without getting winded. But she could see at least two pegasi who showed no signs of slowing down. They were definitely worth keeping an eye on. She'd expected this much from Rainbow Dash, but seeing another pegasus on the same level was definitely a surprise.

At last, the end of the exercise drew near as the drill sergeant barked out. "Lap four-hundred and ninety-nine! Don't give up now, recruits!"

"Just one more lap to go!" Rainbow Dash declared to the turquoise green coated pegasus mare flying beside her.

The mare nodded back and grit her teeth. "You're on!" The two flew faster and faster, and then skidded to a halt on the academy runway to complete their final lap!

Spitfire seemed to smile ever so faintly. "Not bad... for a couple of newbies, anyway. The other recruits could stand to learn a thing or two from you girls," Then she declared, "You're dismissed for now." and she trotted away to check on the other recruits.

The pegasus mare with golden streaks in her mare introduced herself once Spitfire had left. "Name's Lightning Dust, what's yours?"

"Rainbow Dash!" Rainbow Dash proudly introduced herself. "I'm impressed, I didn't think there was any pegasus who could fly as fast as I did."

Lightning Dust laughed. "I know, I was thinking the same way. Seems there's more to you than just looking like me," The two exchanged wing shakes and then Lightning offered. "Wanna go grab some grub in the mess hall? Reckon it'll be a while before Spitfire gets done dressing down the others."

Rainbow smiled and agreed. "Of course. I love a good meal almost as much as I love flying." And she trotted off with what she felt was a new friend. She was already looking forward to the rest of trials week if Lightning Dust was going to be part of it.





A little later, as all the cadets were now wearing specially designed flight suits of blue with yellow streaks (the streaks made to look like a lightning bolt), Spitfire stood in front of a purple curtain and said to them. "Okay, newbies. Time for your first lesson. And it's an important one at that," She cleared her throat. "Now, the Wonderbolts are the fastest, best precision flyers in all the known world. But spin-outs can still happen. And when they do, a Wonderbolt must be able to recover quickly to avoid an accident."

The drill sergeant then turned and gave a command to a pegasus pony behind her. The curtain was pulled back to reveal a large, circular object that had green and purple swirls. And off to its right side rested a gear like device that looked like it had room for one passenger. "Behold the Dizzitron," She declared. "It's gonna make you very – I repeat – very dizzy. Your task is to try and recover, and fly straight again as soon as possible. Once you have recovered, you must come in for a smooth landing. If you do happen to wipeout, don't worry. We've got a net to catch you. But of course, a wipeout won't get you a good score. And you'll want to get a good score if you have any hope of even being considered for the team."

Quite a few pegasi gulped. Merely looking at the Dizzitron before them made them feel dizzy and uncomfortable. And even with the reassurance of a net, they were quite worried about spinning out of control and crashing.

Spitfire didn't change the expression on her face at all as she simply asked. "So, who wants to be first? Any volunteers?" Unsurprisingly, only two did so. But that didn't stop the drill sergeant, not for a second. She ignored the obvious volunteers and just trotted up to the first pegasus in line: A mare with a peach pink coat, dull and light yellow locks the same color as straw for a mane and tail (all cut into neat little rectangles) and sky blue eyes. "You."

"M-me?" The mare gulped.

"You got a name, rookie?" The young captain questioned the frightened recruit.

"M-Meadow Flower, m-ma'am." Meadow Flower identified herself and shrank from Spitfire's gaze.

Spitfire wasn't deterred. "You're up first, Meadow Flower. So strap yourself in and get ready!"

Meadow Flower reluctantly did so, flying up and hoisting herself into the small, gear like seat. Two volunteers came over and made sure she was secured.

"Ready?" The drill sergeant asked the strapped in mare.

Meadow Flower reluctantly swallowed hard and tried to pluck up courage! "Ready! Do your worst!"

Spitfire smiled and shouted an order to the two pegasi manning the machine! "Go!" The Dizzitron quickly spun to life, spinning faster and faster! After a little bit, Spitfire then shouted! "Release!"

Without warning, Meadow Flower was flung off the machine and into the air! But she somehow managed to recover and straighten herself out enough to fly back, touching down relatively smoothly on the academy runway.

Spitfire looked at a stop watch she happened to have on her, gazing down at the time she'd recorded on it. "Fifteen seconds. Decent, especially for a first timer. But I wouldn't go writing home about it! It takes more than that to impress me!" She waited for Meadow Flower to walk off the runway before calling out. "Who's next?"

Unsurprisingly, Rainbow Dash trotted up as she was called into action. She was quite certain the Dizzitron would give her no trouble.

The young captain eyed the rainbow maned pegasus and appeared to smile ever so faintly. "Alright, Rainbow Dash. Let's see what you got. Better be good, for your sake."

"Yes, ma'am! You won't be disappointed!" Rainbow boasted as she was strapped into the same seat Meadow Flower had occupied just a short time ago.

Spitfire gave the same order as before, and again the Dizzitron began to spin rapidly! Soon, she gave the order for release and watched as Rainbow was ejected. Much to the captain's surprise, Rainbow Dash recovered even faster than anypony had expected and touched down on the runway in the blink of an eye! "Six seconds?!" She almost gasped. "That's an academy record. Good job, I do hope you keep that up."

Many other pegasi were immediately filled with admiration, especially as Meadow Flower proclaimed in near speechlessness! "You made that look so easy!"

The rainbow maned pegasus just grinned. "Please, I make everything look easy. I haven't even broken a sweat yet."

Meanwhile, it was Lightning Dust's turn to take her place on the Dizzitron. But as she was strapped in she had a most unusual and unexpected request to make. She had spotted a switch near the Dizzitron and quickly realized what it must be for. "Ma'am, can you put the Dizzitron at its maximum speed, please? I wanna push my limits."

Several pegasi gasped all at once as Spitfire questioned. "You sure you wanna do that? We usually save that for the end of the week when we know recruits can handle it."

"Trust me, ma'am. I can handle it now!" Lightning Dust declared with a confident smile on her face.

The young captain reluctantly obliged. "Well, if you're sure. You'd best be ready for the ride of your life, though!" And so the switch was flipped and the Dizzitron spun so fast it became a blur to the naked eye! Soon afterward came the call for release, and Lightning Dust was hardly noticed as she was hurled into the air! Yet just as quickly as she had been ejected, she was back on the runway looking none the worse for wear.

Spitfire examined her watch. "Whoa! Six point five seconds! Almost as good as Rainbow Dash! You weren't kidding when you said you had guts, kid."

Lightning just laughed. "I meant everything I said! I'll do whatever it takes to be a Wonderbolt, and I do mean whatever." She then trotted over to Rainbow Dash and the two high hoofed each other, confident that their times wouldn't be beaten by anypony.

But Spitfire was too busy focusing on the rest of the recruits to pay any attention to Rainbow and Lightning, so she just called. "Next!"

One by one, the rest of the pegasi were tested on the Dizzitron. More than a few unfortunately crashed into the net, though there were some who managed to make it back to the runway okay (usually after at least twenty seconds had passed).

Once the last recruit had taken their turn and had their results written down, Spitfire blew her whistle again and told all the pegasi. "Listen up! For the rest of the camp, you'll all be working in pairs: One lead pony and one wingpony. I'll post the teams tomorrow morning, and I reserve the right to change them as I see fit. So if you have any problems, take it up with me or keep your mouth shut," She then concluded her sentence by saying. "Good luck."

Lightning Dust smirked as she confidently whispered to Rainbow Dash. "Like we'll need it."

Rainbow Dash laughed and whispered back. "Yeah. As if."





The next day came and the teams were posted on a wall within the academy mess hall.

Rainbow strolled into the hall, confident that she would be a lead pony given her already proven talent for leadership. "So, which one of you lucky ponies gets the pleasure of working with me, huh?" But when she saw the other cadets giving her strange looks, she blinked and asked. "What?"

Cloudchaser reluctantly pointed a hoof. "You might wanna check the wall."

So Rainbow Dash did. And when she saw the chart that listed the teams (along with who would serve in what role) she was considerably less excited. "A wingpony?" She remarked and read over the list again. There had to be a mistake! Yet when she read it again she could see it plain as day. "No way!" Was all she could bring herself to say.

Lightning Dust smiled. "They made us a team! Isn't that awesome? I couldn't have asked for a better wingpony." And she draped a wing over her new partner.

"Y-yeah... awesome." The rainbow maned pegasus weakly muttered to herself. She was anything but pleased with this development, and she knew too that there was only one place she could go if she wanted to have it changed.

A short time later, the brash speedster was knocking on the door to Spitfire's office inside the academy. "Permission to enter, ma'am." She gave a salute.

Spitfire had taken off her sunglasses and was currently busy stamping her hoof on a stack of papers. Without even looking up she questioned with an annoyed tone of voice. "What is it, Rainbow Dash? I'm very busy."

Rainbow Dash didn't bother with formalities, immediately trotting forward as she declared! "I had the best time on the Dizzitron! Only six seconds! Only Lightning Dust came close, and even on the highest setting she couldn't beat me!"

"And your point is?" Spitfire asked as she looked up.

Rainbow held back a growl. "But you still made me a wingpony! I fear you're making a terrible mistake!"

The young captain shook her head. "It's no mistake, Rainbow Dash. I made you wingpony for a reason," She sighed. "Look, you know I can't show favoritism. I have to treat you the same as any other recruit, no matter how well qualified you may already be."

"Exactly!" Rainbow huffed! "But I've already proven myself!"

Spitfire nodded her head. "Yes, Rainbow Dash. You've proven that you're a born leader. There's more to being a Wonderbolt than just being in charge, though," In a more serious tone of voice she explained. "We work as a team. That means you have to learn how to follow orders. I know how much you like to give orders, so I need to know if you can follow them just as well. So grumble all you want, you'll be a wingpony and like it!"

The rainbow maned pegasus reluctantly realized she couldn't argue with such logic. "Okay," She weakly responded, before she thought of something else and asked. "But why pair me up with Lightning Dust, then? Shouldn't she be a wingpony as well?"

"I did think about it, but she displayed the kind of bold confidence we need in the Wonderbolts," Spitfire explained. "And I believe that together, you and her will be an unstoppable team! You'll inspire the others to pick up the slack if they don't wanna get left in the dust. Or do you not believe that?"

"No, ma'am," Rainbow reluctantly agreed. "But I still don't agree with making me a wingpony. If you're gonna pair me up with Lightning Dust I should be in charge!"

Spitfire only retorted. "And I think Lightning Dust likes to push herself a little harder than you do. She'll give you that extra nudge you need to be even better. Understand?"

Rainbow Dash wanted to protest some more, but found no words with which to frame her argument. So instead she found herself agreeing. "Yes, ma'am."

The sergeant smiled sincerely. "Good. Now get out of my office, and please don't bother me again unless it's absolutely important!" And with that, the door to her office was shut. The arrangement was finalized and nothing was going to change it.

Rainbow Dash was going to have to serve as a wingpony to Lightning Dust, a pony every bit her equal. And all because apparently she didn't have the drive to push herself as far as Spitfire wanted. At least, that's what it sounded like.

Still, orders were orders and Rainbow knew she had to obey them if she didn't want to be kicked out of the academy. Like it or not, she would be a wingpony. Maybe if she just tried hard enough, she'd be able to show Spitfire the error she'd made in such a decision.





A little later, the first team exercise of the week was given. And once again, Spitfire was presiding over and explaining it to the recruits. "Today you will all be participating in a flag hunt. We'll divide you into two teams, red and blue. Whoever finds the most flags of the opposing team's color wins. Simple as that." (Rainbow Dash and Lightning Dust were on the blue team. Lightning Dust was currently admiring a gold, lightning bolt shaped badge that served as indicator of her lead pony status).

Meadow Flower smiled. Flag hunting sounded so much better than another go on the Dizzitron or flying hundreds of laps around the academy. "Oh, this is going to be such fun!"

Spitfire frowned as she corrected. "If any of you think this is going to be fun, you'd better think again. This is for training purposes only, to test your search and rescue skills," And she explained the rules. "Lead ponies and wingponies must fly together at all times. If any pair splits apart for any reason, they will be immediately disqualified from this exercise. Teamwork is the key here! Do you understand?"

"Yes, ma'am!" The two teams of suited up pegasi firmly replied.

The young captain was satisfied with the answer she received. "Good, no grumbling. Now get going! And remember, you're on the clock. The faster you find those flags, the better your team's score will be and the more likely you'll be to advance when trials week is over," Then she blew her whistle again! "Red team, blue team, move out!"

Lightning Dust was eager to take off, flapping her wings as she called to her wingpony. "You ready to rock and roll?"

Rainbow Dash sighed but agreed. "Ready."

"Good," Lightning Dust smiled. "Don't worry, with me as captain we're sure to impress Spitfire. At least I know you won't slow me down like some of those other pegasi."

Rainbow nodded. "Yeah, good for them I guess." She was still not happy to be a wingpony even as she was trying her hardest to get into a "wingpony" mindset.

Lightning only commented. "Come on, stay focused! We're gonna win this exercise and make Spitfire proud! The others won't stand a chance!" And then she asked her partner. "You spotted any flags yet?"

"No, not yet," The rainbow maned pegasus called before she suddenly saw something red sticking out of a gorge. She pointed a hoof to it while shouting to her lead pony. "Wait! There's one down there, I think!"

The lead pony's smile grew brighter. "Good eyes, wingpony! See, this is why Spitfire paired us up! Come on, let's go get it!" And without hesitation, she swooped down and surged towards the narrow gorge where the flag had been planted.

Rainbow followed Lightning's lead. Yet as they drew closer, she saw something about the gorge that made her dreadfully nervous. She tried to bring it to her lead pony's attention. "I think we better slow down," She called. "I don't think we can both fit through the gap at this speed, it looks too small!"

But Lightning paid no attention to the warning and only shouted back! "Gotta be fast to be a Wonderbolt! Come on, follow my lead!"

So Rainbow Dash did. Just as she feared, the gap in the gorge was too narrow for two pegasi to occupy it safely. The edge of her wing brushed against the gap and a burst of pain shot up! "Ow!" She exclaimed while struggling to work through the pain and make it back up once Lightning had grabbed the flag.

Lightning Dust was quick to swoop over and deposit the flag in front of Spitfire, who reported back. "Lightning Dust and Rainbow Dash found the first flag! Blue team takes the lead! Better pick up the slack, red team, or blue team's gonna leave you in the dust!"

The pegasus mare with golden streaks in her mane was ecstatic, especially since she'd just been praised by Spitfire! As such, she didn't seem to notice her wingpony holding her left wing and groaning. "Hey, come on! Let's get back out there and find the rest of the flags! We can't let the others have all the glory!"

"Give me a second," Rainbow winced. "Can we take a break? I think I hurt my wing."

Lightning brushed off the concern with a hoof. "Oh please, you're made of tougher stuff than that. Or are all those rumors about you pulling off a sonic rainboom just that, rumors?"

The rainbow maned pegasus groaned. She absolutely hated it whenever somepony doubted her skills. Reluctantly, she decided to ignore the pain in her wing and resume flying. She'd have time to get it checked out after the flag hunt was over. 'I'm coming! I'm coming!" She declared while slowly flapping her way back up. It was as if her partner lacked any sense of an off switch. Even Pinkie Pie was never this gung ho about things.





Fortunately for Rainbow Dash, her hurt wing wasn't anything too serious. A quick bandaging and she was out of the medical tent in record time. "Just take it easy for the rest of the day and you'll be fine." was all she'd been instructed.

Even Lightning Dust smiled when she saw Rainbow in the mess hall later that day. "See, wingpony? It wasn't anything worth worrying about. You gotta be tough to be a Wonderbolt. And sometimes, that means you gotta work through the pain, am I right?"

"I... guess so." The brash speedster reluctantly agreed. Partnering with Lightning hadn't actually been all that bad even with the injury during the flag hunt. Yet as she went to bed that night, she kept thinking about everything her lead pony had been saying and doing since they'd partnered up. Rainbow did her best to put it all out of her mind, but she kept thinking to herself. "Does Lightning Dust care about anypony besides herself? Or has she just never gotten hurt before?"

Well, those thoughts weren't worth expressing to Spitfire. She'd specifically told Rainbow Dash not to bother her unless it was important, and since nopony got hurt it didn't seem like the captain would regard a personal complaint as important. Besides, Lightning Dust was the lead pony, not Rainbow Dash. Rainbow was supposed to be following orders, not questioning them.

So why was it that the rainbow maned pegasus had such a bad feeling about her fellow pegasus and the behavior she was showing?

Unable to find a satisfying answer, Rainbow decided to sleep on her concerns. And so she did, though she got the feeling there was something else she was forgetting to do.

Next day brought yet another training exercise, and Spitfire was once again explaining it to the recruits. "Today we'll be doing our famous air obstacle course. That includes flying through the clouds and past all our weather machines. The object of this exercise is to work on your precision flying under extreme circumstances. Just like before, you're to fly together at all times. And don't worry about winning. It's not a race. Precision is what matters, not speed. Now everypony, get on your marks!" The recruits did so. "Get set!" After a brief pause, Spitfire blew her whistle and shouted. "Go! Go! Go!"

Naturally, Lightning Dust and Rainbow Dash got out to an early lead. But it didn't last long before they found themselves flying behind other recruits (thanks in part to Rainbow not flying at her best). And Lightning Dust soon grew impatient as the two found themselves forced to flow at a considerably slower rate of speed. "Ugh! Can't they go any faster?" She impatiently grumbled. "I can't get around them."

Rainbow Dash gently reassured her lead pony. "Hey, it doesn't matter! Spitfire said this wasn't a race. Besides, we can still fly completely in sync and blow Spitfire's mind with our moves! Okay?"

"I guess." Lightning agreed as the two intentionally looped around to give the pegasi ahead of them more time to increase their lead.

But soon, the pegasi came to a cloud dark and heavy with rain. The wind picked up as rain began to fall. And it seemed like the ones in front were slowing down even more than they had been before. And it only served to make Lightning Dust complain. "What are they, a couple of snails? It's just a little weather. It'll take forever for them to get out at this rate."

Just then, lightning flashed and thunder clapped. And as it did, the pegasus mare with a turquoise green coat got an idea. "Come on, now's our chance to pass right by these slowpokes!" And she zoomed ahead without waiting for a reply.

Rainbow reluctantly followed. "Sorry." She apologized to the other pegasi before she and Lightning exited the cloud and landed back on the academy runway with a screech.

Spitfire hadn't seen what had just happened inside the cloud. All she knew was that Lightning Dust and Rainbow Dash had been the first to exit, and for some odd reason the other teams were stuck inside. "Not bad at all! And in record time as well," She commented. "It takes a lot to impress me, so congratulations on surpassing my high expectations. Definitely made the right call pairing you two up. Now if only the other teams could learn from how you two work together, seems like they had trouble with the precision part."

Rainbow Dash felt tempted to speak up right at that moment, but one look from Lightning Dust was enough to make her decide otherwise. After all, nopony had gotten hurt.

The young captain simply adjusted her shades and began to flap her wings. "I'd better go help sort them out. Why don't you two hit the mess hall early?"

"Yes, ma'am!" Lightning Dust eagerly saluted.

Rainbow reluctantly did the same. "Thank you, ma'am," But then she turned her full attention to her lead pony, right after Spitfire had taken off. "Hey, Lightning Dust," She tried to find the words she wanted to say without sounding too harsh. "Uh... maybe next time we shouldn't cut the other teams off like that. Just a thought."

Lightning only swished her tail and snorted. "Oh come on, it's no big deal. It's their own fault for being so darn slow. Imagine if we were actual Wonderbolts and we were needed somewhere. Slowpokes like that would drag us down and make us late. And if somepony were counting on us, that could be a problem. Really, though, we can't help it if we're better than everypony else. We both know that not everypony here is gonna become a Wonderbolt when all's said and done. Only the best of the best make the cut, right?"

The rainbow maned pegasus reluctantly agreed. "I... guess so."

Lightning laughed. "See? That's why I'm the leader and you're not. So stop your grumbling and let's go fuel up like Spitfire suggested! I don't know about you, but kicking all that tail has made me hungry," She was quick to warn. "Oh, and if you had any thoughts about telling Spitfire, I'd reconsider. I heard about you complaining to her about being my wingpony. Talking back to the captain is a big no no from what I've been told, especially if it's not for a good reason. So if I were you, I'd keep my mouth shut. Nopony likes a complainer. And I'd hate to see you get kicked out when you're the only pony who's at all on my level." Then she trotted off to the mess hall, seemingly unconcerned about anything or anypony else.





After lunch, it was time for another training exercise. But all the recruits were surprised when Spitfire wasn't around to tell them what they would be doing. Instead, Soarin was waiting for them on the runway with a midnight blue jacket with a black tie. He had on his flight goggles not unlike the way Spitfire had been wearing her sunglasses. And he too had a whistle, though this one was hung with blue string instead of red string.

Thunderlane was the first to ask the question on everypony else's mind. "Where's Spitfire?"

Soarin cleared his throat and explained in a tone of voice that sounded serious yet laid back at the same time. "Spitfire has some important documents she needs to sign and doesn't wish to be disturbed. As second in command of the Wonderbolts, that means I'm in charge in her absence. She's already filled me in on what you'll be doing, so don't think you can get away with anything you couldn't get away with under her," He then motioned to a chalkboard before pointing up to the sky. "We brought in a lot of clouds, and you'll be competing to see who can clear the most clouds in the time we give you."

"A cloud busting exercise?" Lightning Dust questioned. "What does that have to do with being a Wonderbolt?"

"This is a test to see how well you can communicate with your partner as a team," Soarin explained. "Teamwork is the most important part of being a Wonderbolt. It's not always about yourself. If you don't learn how to work together, you won't get a high score and your chances of joining the team will plummet. Just like with the other exercises, this isn't a race. You've got plenty of time to take care of the clouds in your section, no stealing from anypony else. Any questions?" Nopony said a word. "Good," Soarin smiled and blew his whistle. "Now get going!"

And so the teams fanned out, each taking up an assigned section to clear away their own patch of clouds. Some kicked them away while others used their front hooves, and Bulk Biceps even used his teeth to bite into the clouds as though they were cotton candy.

Of course, Lightning Dust and Rainbow Dash quickly pulled into the lead. Rainbow had plenty of experience with cloud busting, so this exercise was right up her alley.

Soarin watched the recruits for a bit, making sure they stayed within the limitations of the exercise. Everything seemed to be proceeding nicely, so he turned to one of the pegasi assigned to keep score and instructed. "Keep an eye on the recruits and let me know if anything comes up, I'm going to get a pie." And with a flap of his wings he was gone.

Almost as soon as Soarin left, Lightning Dust got a rather impulsive and rash idea. But to her it sounded like a good one. "Hey, wingpony," She whispered to Rainbow Dash. "I've got an idea on how we can literally blow the competition away."

Rainbow was immediately skeptical of the proposal. "But we're already way ahead. We don't need to do that!"

"I say we do," Lightning insisted with a huff. "The rules never said we had to restrain ourselves if we had a better way of doing things. So are you in or out?"

The rainbow maned pegasus hesitated for a moment, before remembering what Spitfire had told her a few days ago about why Lightning Dust was in charge. This must've been what Spitfire had been talking about. And if Spitfire though this sort of thing was okay, then it was okay for Rainbow even if something deep inside her told her it wasn't. "I'm in!" She declared as she tried to sound determined and enthusiastic.

The pegasus mare with a brilliant amber mane and tail flashed a smile so big it looked like it could've fallen off her face if such a thing were possible. "Great! Follow my lead! This'll practically guarantee we become Wonderbolts!" Then she started to fly around in a circle, and Rainbow Dash followed her. The two proceeded to whip up a massive tornado right in the middle of the academy grounds!

But as the tornado started to spin of its own accord, there was trouble! "I... can't control it!" Lightning yelled over the roar of the whirlwind!

"What?!" Rainbow hollered back in disbelief! She never would've agreed to such a dangerous thing if she'd known Lightning didn't have a way to keep the tornado from breaking loose.

Before either pony could say anything further, they were ejected from the vortex and the tornado spiraled out of control! The other pegasi had only seconds to get out of the way before they would've been pulled in!

As fate would have it, at that very moment a familiar looking pink balloon broke through the clouds below. Five mares instantly recognizable to Rainbow Dash were inside the basket, on their way to the academy. And they were on a collision course with the out of control tornado!

Applejack was the first to notice the sign of danger! "It's a twister!" She bellowed at the top of her lungs! But the tornado was approaching too fast for anypony to do anything!

"Hold on!" Twilight screamed as she started to try and power up her horn! She was hoping to cast a spell that might be useful given the current circumstances! But time was working against her as the balloon was pulled into the tornado and the five mares flung out of the basket, headed for the ground below and certain death!

"NO! NOT MY FRIENDS!" Rainbow Dash bellowed at the top of her lungs! And without waiting for anypony to tell her, she immediately sprang into action! She zipped past a still shocked Lightning Dust and swooped down to grab some low hanging clouds! Thinking fast, she combined them all together and placed the bundle beneath her friends as they descended!

Rainbow had never felt as relieved as she did when she saw her friends bounce back up, and several other recruits come to the mares' rescue (though Fluttershy was embarrassed upon remembering that she was capable of flight herself). Then, one by one her friends were carried to the academy runway and set down safely upon it. It was anypony's guess what had happened to the balloon (most likely, it had crashed somewhere and would be in need of repairs).





With the danger having passed and the tornado having thankfully dispersed, Rainbow Dash fluttered over to her frightened friends to check on them. "You girls okay?" She asked them.

One by one the mares nodded. "I think we are, thanks to you," Twilight breathed a sigh of relief. "Guess it was a good thing I thought to cast the cloud walking spell when I did."

Meanwhile, Rainbow noticed Pinkie Pie looking over some kind of package. The package itself looked battered but thankfully still intact. "Pinkie Pie?" She questioned, hoping to know what was up with the package.

But to the surprise of the rainbow maned pegasus, Pinkie's eyes began to water and she all but leaped into her pegasus friend's hooves as she happily exclaimed! "You... remember me!"

The brash speedster blinked in surprise. "Well... yeah, of course I remember you. Why wouldn't I?"

Applejack took the liberty of explaining. "It's a long story. Basically, Pinkie Pie started to worry when she didn't get any letters from ya. So she decided we should send you a care package, but then she didn't want it to get lost in the mail or sent to the wrong pony. So all we came here," Then she remembered. "Well, except for Spike. We offered but he said he preferred his claws on solid ground."

"We didn't know you'd be in the middle of a tornado drill or anything like that," Rarity commented. "We were told the skies would be clear."

"Where did that tornado even come from?" Fluttershy pondered.

Rainbow narrowed her eyes. She knew where that whirlwind had come from, or rather from who. She marched right over, prepared to give her fellow pegasus a piece of her mind.

By now, Lightning Dust had recovered from her initial shock over losing control of her own tornado. And she was all but jumping for joy as she exclaimed! "Whoa! That... was... awesome! Nice job covering for my... er... mishap, wingpony."

Rainbow Dash was anything but happy, even as Lightning was offering her a hoof to high hoof. "Seriously? You're gonna high hoof me after a stunt like that?!" And she angrily berated the pegasus. "Do you realize what would've happened if I hadn't jumped in?! My friends would've plummeted to the ground! They could've been killed!"

Lightning didn't seem to be aware of that reality as she casually replied. "Yeah, but they weren't, so what's your problem? We wiped out all the clouds, didn't we? And besides, civilians aren't supposed to be on academy grounds without permission. It's really your friends' fault for disobeying that rule and coming here in the first place. An accident like that was bound to happen sooner or later."

Rainbow's frown only deepened. "You don't get it, do you?! It seems you only care about yourself! Ever since we've been paired up you've constantly been putting others in danger just so you can show off! You made me clip my wing during the flag hunt! You made the other cadets wipeout on the obstacle course when nopony was around to help them! And now of course there's your out of control tornado that endangered my friends! What the hay is wrong with you?!"

The pegasus mare with a turquoise green coat just blinked in reply. "And your point is?"

"If anypony knows what it's like to want to be to the best, it's me," The rainbow maned pegasus responded. "But the way you go about is all wrong. Your desire to push yourself all the way isn't bold, it's reckless! Keep this up and somepony will get hurt, maybe even you!"

Lightning Dust only grinned. "Please, I know my limits. So I lost control of my tornado one time, so what? Accidents happen. You gotta take risks if you want to be a Wonderbolt. That's why they put me in charge."

"No, that's why Spitfire put you in charge," Rainbow protested, before gasping as she realized something! "Spitfire needs to hear this! Now I know for sure she's making a mistake!"





A short time later, Spitfire was interrupted in her work by a knock on her office door. "What is it now? I'm busy!" She impatiently grumbled.

From the other side of the door the familiar voice of Soarin called. "Captain, it's Rainbow Dash. She says she has to talk with you, and she says it's urgent. It's about Lightning Dust."

Reluctantly, Spitfire agreed with a sigh. "Fine, let her in. I at least have to hear her out."

So Soarin opened the door and let Rainbow Dash trot in. "Here she is, Captain."

Spitfire looked up from her desk, locking eyes with Rainbow Dash. "Soarin told you I wasn't to be disturbed unless it was important. So what's all this about Lightning Dust? You two are supposed to be in the middle of the cloud busting exercise."

"Already done with that, ma'am," Rainbow Dash declared. "That's why I needed to talk to you. You're not gonna believe what Lightning Dust did."

"I'll bite, what did she do?" The young captain questioned with what sounded like genuine concern.

Rainbow cleared her throat. "She decided to use a tornado. Except she lost control of it."

"Seems a bit excessive, but it was obviously successful in its objective if you're standing here now," Spitfire commented. "What's the problem?"

The rainbow maned pegasus explained. "The problem is my friends. They were coming here for a visit just as the tornado spiraled out of control. If not for my quick thinking, they wouldn't have survived."

"What?!" Spitfire gasped as her eyes widened! "Why am I only hearing about this now?! Civilians aren't supposed to be here without permission, and I didn't give permission!"

Soarin gulped. "It's probably my fault, Captain. I left the recruits for a minute to go grab a pie. If I hadn't done that, I would've been able to intervene before the tornado reached them and would've been able to divert them from the academy. But we can't send them away now, not after what they've been through."

Rainbow then added. "And regardless of any rule my friends might have broken, the fact remains that because of Lightning Dust they were put in danger. And that's not the only time that's happened. Lightning Dust has been endangering others since you made her a lead pony. I don't think she cares about anypony but herself," She then removed her wingpony badge as she reluctantly declared. "And if that's what it takes to be a Wonderbolt. If that's what gets rewarded around here, then I want no part of it! There's a difference between pushing yourself for the sake of it and pushing yourself in the right direction. I thought you guys knew that, but maybe I was wrong." Without waiting for a reply she ran out of the office, tears flowing from her eyes.

Spitfire and Soarin were speechless! And it was only once the shock had warn off (by which point poor Rainbow Dash had already fled the scene) that Spitfire found the courage to speak. "Soarin." She looked to her fellow Wonderbolt.

"Yes, Spitfire?" Soarin asked as he forced back a gulp.

"Go get Rainbow Dash, don't let her leave!" Spitfire declared. "As for Lightning Dust, I think we're gonna have to have a little chat about her behavior. If what Rainbow says is true, it's going to look very bad for Lightning. But she deserves a chance to be heard. A chance to give her side of the story," She then sighed. "I just hope it's not too late to do some damage control."





Rainbow Dash had managed to stop the waterworks by the time she made it back to the runway. She'd already packed up her saddlebags, preparing to leave the academy for good. And she'd also confessed to her friends about what had happened. Needless to say, they were all speechless!

"You did what?!" Applejack exclaimed with disbelief! "I don't believe it!"

Rarity was quick to add. "Being a Wonderbolt was your dream!"

Rainbow only shook her head as she glumly declared. "Not anymore. Now it's a nightmare."

Twilight reached out a hoof to comfort the pegasus. "I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash. I know how much this meant to you."

"I'll be okay..." Rainbow insisted even as her lips quivered. "I'll find some other way to spread my talents across Equestria. Guess this is why they say to never meet your idols."

But just then Soarin happened to come rushing out onto the runway as he shouted! "Rainbow Dash, wait!" He panted heavily and had to pause to catch his breath. "You... have to... come back to... Spitfire's office... right away. It's... urgent."

"Tell her I'm not interested!" Rainbow Dash protested. "Not if she's gonna tell me how wrong I am for speaking up!"

Immediately afterward, the voice of Spitfire called out. "You should listen to Soarin, Rainbow Dash. You haven't given us a chance to defend ourselves," And soon, she was coming out onto the runway as well. "I've already brought Lightning Dust into my office for questioning. But she won't say a word unless you're there," She added. "I promise, your case will be taken seriously. I know you enough to know you wouldn't make such accusations out of jealousy. You're not the kind of pony who'd do that."

Reluctantly, Rainbow agreed. "A-alright, i-if you say so. But I'm standing by my decision to resign." And soon, she was led back into Spitfire's office, away from all the other ponies.

Just like Spitfire had said, Lightning Dust was already in the office and tapping a hoof in impatience. "Can't believe you're doing this. I thought we were friends." She seemed to hiss at Rainbow Dash.

"That's enough!" The young captain scolded. "Soarin and I will decide who's telling the truth around here. After all, this isn't the first time we've been getting complaints about your behavior, Lightning Dust. Since the first exercise, I've been hearing quite a few cadets mention how concerned they were about the way you've been acting."

Lightning brushed off the statement by waving a hoof. "Please, they're all just jealous. They can only wish they were good as me. Besides, nopony's gotten hurt yet."

"So you don't deny that you ignored your wingpony's injury during the flag hunt?" Soarin questioned. "You don't deny that you knocked the other contestants out of the way during the obstacle course? And you don't deny using a tornado for cloud busting even though you had no reason to do so?"

The pegasus mare proudly proclaimed by puffing out her chest! "Of course not! Like I said, nopony got hurt. It was pure bad luck that balloon showed up when it did. And in each case I set a record, just like I almost did on the Dizzitron, which I had set to its maximum setting I might add. That was something nopony else did, and it's what made me a lead pony."

Spitfire could only shake her head. "It's just as I feared. I had hoped that making you a leader would get you to realize that being a Wonderbolt is a big responsibility. It's not always about yourself. You have to think about others, especially when you're the one others are depending on to lead the way or give them guidance. Seems like I gave you too much credit."

"But isn't pushing yourself all the way what it takes to be a Wonderbolt?!" Lightning complained! "Why should I hold myself back for the sake of others?! They should all be inspired by my example and do better, then they won't get left in the dust!"

Soarin immediately shot down the idea. "That's not how we do things, Lightning Dust. We didn't become Wonderbolts just so we could flaunt our superiority. We may be elites, but that doesn't give us a license to be cruel and careless."

"Against my better judgement," Spitfire then spoke up. "I'm willing to give you another chance, Lightning Dust. Since nopony got hurt, I can't justify kicking you out without a reason. However, if you stay you'll have to start over from the beginning. You'll be demoted to wingpony."

"With Rainbow Dash as my lead pony?! No way!" Lightning hissed! "I'm fit to rule and you know it!"

"I never said it'd be with Rainbow Dash," Spitfire pointed out. "You two could both probably benefit from learning how to follow orders. I'll dissolve your team and have you both paired up with other ponies."

But Lightning Dust snapped and narrowed her eyes! "Never! I'll never accept orders from somepony beneath me! Only the best of the best deserve respect, anypony who can't keep up isn't worth bothering with!"

The young captain frowned. "It's too bad you said that, Lightning Dust. Because you now leave me no choice," She grabbed Lightning's lead pony badge and ripped it off the uniform. "You are stripped of your rank and hereby dishonorably discharged. Pack your bags and go home! Your reckless attitude will get somepony killed!" She immediately motioned a hoof to the door of her office.

Soarin immediately moved to grab Lightning Dust by the hoof. "What a shame you had to drop out like this. You had so much potential." He appeared to lament.

"You'll regret this, all of you!" Lightning roared even as she was dragged away! "Someday you'll see it my way! Playing by the rules just gets you left behind." And soon, she was out of sight.

Rainbow could only sigh and shake her head. "Someponies just never learn, I guess."

Spitfire appeared to agree. "I guess not," And then she added. "I'm sorry it all came to this, Rainbow Dash. I should've realized Lightning Dust's behavior was a problem sooner and tried to correct it," She smiled ever so faintly. "I guess even a captain like me can learn a thing or two from a rookie like you. You're definitely not a wingpony anymore, not after the kind of leadership you just displayed."

The rainbow maned pegasus' eyes went wide! "You mean..."

The young captain smiled, hoofing over the lead pony badge and pinning it to Rainbow Dash's uniform. "Congratulations, Rainbow Dash. You're a lead pony. After the courage and bravery you showed in standing up for what was right, you've definitely earned it. And while I can't guarantee you a spot on the team just yet, I think you're definitely going to be reserves material the next time a spot opens."

"OhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygosh!" Rainbow Dash happily exclaimed while flapping her wings in excitement! "I won't let you down, ma'am."

"I know you won't," Spitfire smiled before leaning into her drill sergeant persona as she barked out! "Now get out there and give me twenty, on the double!"

Rainbow happily saluted. "Yes, ma'am!" And with that she dashed out of Spitfire's office, eagerly looking forward to the rest of the week at the academy. She only briefly thought of Lightning Dust, and secretly hoped that one day that pegasus might learn her lesson.