//------------------------------//
// First Show 
// Story: A Test of Loyalty 
// by KendallBunny 
//------------------------------//

"Thank you so much, guys, for helping me pack" Rainbow Dash spoke while tossing the last few of her items into a cardboard box. 
Today was her moving day, and she was to perform the night after she arrived. She had been training for almost two solid weeks for this night. Her friends had been there through all of it, helping her get everything ready, get herself ready (according to Rarity), and pack all of her things to be moved into her new Cloudsdale home. Still, she would really miss Ponyville.
"You guys are coming with me, right"? She asked her friends.
"Of course, Rainbow, we wouldn't miss your first show for the world" Twilight replied confidently.
"Thanks" Dash said, feeling better already. As much as she hated to admit it, she really did need her friends there, at least for her first show.
After loading everything into the moving vehicle, all seven of the ponies and a baby dragon packed into a flying chariot parked behind the vehicle. When the two vehicles lifted off, all of them waved their goodbyes to Ponyville. For everypony else, this goodbye was temporary. For Rainbow Dash, this goodbye meant more than it should.
The chariot was very nice, mostly because it was used to escort the Wonderbolts to their destinations. They had been kind enough to allow Rainbow's friends in too. Voices filled the air as everypony chatted about going to Cloudsdale again ever since the Best Young Flier's competition. A certain cyan mare was silent, though. Dash didn't know if it was from nervousness about becoming a Wonderbolt, or sadness about leaving Ponyville behind. Somehow, though, Rainbow fell asleep.
A hoof prodded the pegasus in the shoulder. 
"Wha-what is it?" Rainbow stammered sleepily.
"Look, we're almost there!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed.
Everypony looked over the side of the chariot. Cloudsdale was just coming into view, and it was beautiful. The tall pillars stuck out, along with the flowing streams of rainbows and pure white clouds that made up the city. Rainbow was looking forward to seeing Cloudsdale again, and she smiled. Spike, having never seen the city before, was staring in awe.
The chariot landed on a small patch of clouds with a gate connecting it to the city. All seven of them hopped out and headed over to a dark green pegasus stallion who was letting ponies in the gate. 
"Here's a map of our city, and have a nice day!" The stallion shouted happily, while handing each of them a map. He shot uneasy glances at the earth ponies and Spike. He obviously hadn't heard of the cloud-walking spell before. 
Rainbow stopped to look at the map.
"We need to head left, that's where the Highcloud Condos are, where my new home is supposed to be".
They walked past numerous buildings, including the Cloudsdale Mall and a restraunt before finally reaching the Celebrity District. Dash could already tell that the Wonderbolts dwelled here because of the signature emblem that adorned the gates. Inside, there were nice restaunts, some houses, and some apartment buildings. They arrived at a noticeably large one, and right above the door were the words "Highcloud Condos". 
The design of the building looked like the rest of Cloudsdale, but with more plant life. There were pots of different flowers and trees that really added to the design, and there was a spiraling staircase in the center of the lobby. 
"You call this an apartment building.." Applejack gasped under her breath.
They waited there for a while before a professional-looking mare escorted them to Rainbow's new apartment. The Wonderbolts emblem was smack dab in the middle of the door, and the inside was even more Wonderbolt. The furniture was modern, and yellow, blue, and white were the main colors of all the rooms. There was even a takeoff platform from the living room.
"Whoa!" Everypony gasped. 
The moving crew arrived to unpack all of Rainbow's things, so she had some time to spare with her friends. They headed back down to the lobby.
"I'm starving, we should go get some food" Twilight said. Everypony nodded in agreement. 
Down the hall from the lobby was two large doors leading into an equally large room. There was dozens of tables, and a band was playing elegant music on the stage. Rainbow and her friends seated themselves at a large round table.
"This is the last night we'll see you before your big performance!" Spike exclaimed.
"Yeah" Dash replied, trying to sound casual, but she was really nervous. She could feel the shivers run down her spine.
Rarity automatically detected the cyan mare's nervousness. "You'll do just fine, Rainbow, we're counting on you".
~~~
The next morning was pretty normal for such a big day. It's almost as if she felt at home, even with waking up in a new bedroom. She went downstairs, where Fluttershy and Twilight were waiting for her. 
"Hey.. where are the others?" Dash asked. They were all supposed to meet her here in the morning.
"They went to get a little.. something" Fluttershy giggled.
Right after she had said that, the rest of the gang came trotting down the stairs. They were carrying large signs, necklaces, and foam fingers. The signs, in rainbow paint, read, "GO RAINBOW DASH!", or, "RAINBOW DASH IS BEST WONDERBOLT".
Dash smiled. "Didn't this take you a really long time to do?"
"You bet it did," Pinkie exclaimed, "But it's all worth it for our faaavvvorite flyer!"
The seven friends headed to walk around the Celebrity District. It was absolutely amazing. The towering buildings, beautiful and sophisticated architecture, and clothed ponies were the main features. The plant life was very unlike the rest of Cloudsdale. There were different types of flowers sitting in marble pots along the streets. 
"Where do we go first"? Fluttershy gasped.
"Ooh.. do they have a bakery here? Because if there is a bakery here, and this place is reeeaally fancy, then the bakery food must be reeaally fancy too, and well made, and REALLY sweet, and I really love sugar! I love sugar so much, and-"
"Pinkie.." Twilight growled.
"Oh, heh, yeah..sorry." The pink pony smiled innocently.
"How about we try Cloudsdale Mall first? I heard it harbors the best pegasi designers' works, and Rainbow, I will not let you go to your meeting without proper attire" Rarity smirked.
"Honestly, I think we should try the Historical section. Cloudsdale has a lot of background" Twilight suggested.
"I.. think we should just walk around..." Fluttershy murmured. 
"I agree" Spike replied, "I have so much to learn about this cool place".
~~~
A few hours of hanging out later, the newly appointed Wonderbolt had to go to her apartment to get ready. Twilight and the others headed up to the Wonderbolts stadium, anxiously waiting for the show to start. 
About 30 minutes later, an announcer's voice rang out through the stadium,
"Fillies and Gentlecolts!" I would like to present.. the WONDERBOLTS!"
The stars of the show flew out in a perfect triangle, Dashie near the back. They performed their opening show, which was an assortment of flips, smoke trails, and cool displays the wowed the crowd. 
Afterwards, Spitfire stepped up to the mic.
"I would like to present to you, Rainbow Dash, our newest member!" She smiled.
Rainbow flew over to her proudly and puffed her chest out, like a hero who was coming to save her city. 
"I have so much to say. This has been my lifelong dream. I always fantasized about joining this group, ever since I was a filly. I never actually thought I could achieve this until the day I got my cutie mark. That was the grand moment, guys. I aspired to do more, train harder, and reach my dream. Throughout all of my wins and failures, though, no one helped me push on better than my best friends from Ponyville. Twilight, ever since you moved to Ponyville you've always helped me learn new things, and first introduced the brilliant idea of reading to me. Fluttershy, I've always been stubborn and tough, and you helped me soften up inside and relate to others' feelings. Pinkie Pie, no matter how mad I am about something, you can ALWAYS cheer me up. Applejack, you're the only pony who can beat me in a race, and I love that about you. Rarity, even though I'm a tomboyish athlete, I honestly don't mind when you dress up my hair. You always know how to inspire me. Spike, you're a cool dragon to have as a friend. I honor your devotion to Twilight and all of us. You're always there to take down a friendship lesson. Thanks, guys."
The crowd roared. Rainbow's uniform was hiding it, but tears were flowing freely down her cheeks. She wasn't the only one. All six of her friends were reacting the same way, and even Spitfire was starting to choke up. 
The rest of the show was great. Rainbow, being a new Wonderbolt, let her nerve get the best of her at some points, but nopony could notice her minor flaws.
Her friends were waiting for her outside, prepared to give their congratulations. Soon enough, the flash of cameraponies signaled her departure from the building.
"Rainbow!" All six of them exclaimed at once.
To their surprise, Dash looked.. irritated.
"What's wrong?" Fluttershy asked worriedly.
"I messed up!" The cyan mare almost shouted.
"Now, what in the hay are you talkin' bout? If you messed up, nopony noticed it" Applejack reassured her.
"Yeah, I just need to go to bed. Tomorrow, I practice harder!" Dash exclaimed, and shot off to her apartment.
All six of the friends just exchanged nervous glances.