Chapter 4
The next morning the six friends met outside of Rarity's shop. Rarity and Rainbow Dash entered the shop while the others waited outside at Rarity's insistence. It's a somber group but eventually the silence became too much for them and they began to talk.
“Well, I reckon this is it,” said Applejack. “Ya know, even if I'm gonna miss her, I sure hope Rainbow Dash makes the team.”
“Me too,” said Pinkie Pie. “She deserves it and deserves to be happy.”
“I hope she makes it too,” added Fluttershy, “she would just be crushed if she doesn't.”
“We can be here for her; win or lose,” said Twilight Sparkle. “I just wish we could watch the tryouts.”
At last the door opened and Rarity came out. “Ladies,” she announced dramatically, “I give you the next Wonderbolt, Rainbow Dash!”
Rainbow Dash came out wearing her new flight suit. Her friends cheered and stomped their hooves. The blue pegasus was clad in shimmering gold that glistened in the morning sun. A bright red lightning bolt emblazoned with sequins glimmered on her chest.
“Is this the best flight suit you've ever seen or what?” asked Rainbow Dash enthusiastically. “Thanks Rarity, you did a great job.” She spun around so they could get the full effect.
“Wow Rarity!” exclaimed Twilight, “it's beautiful!”
Rarity had difficulty being modest. “Not bad for my first attempt, if I do say so myself. She looks stunning, don't you think?”
“I've never seen one like that before, Rarity,” said Fluttershy. “When they see that in Cloudsdale you're going to be swamped with orders.”
“Really?” replied Rarity, somewhat surprised.
“I'm sure of it,” said Fluttershy. “Rainbow Dash looks gorgeous in it.”
“Really?” said Rainbow Dash, blushing. She was used to accolades for her flying skills but no pony had ever called her gorgeous.
“Hey! Rainbow Dash,” said Applejack, “after you're a Wonderbolt, you and Rarity can open your own line for Pegasuses. She can design and you can model.”
“Maybe I will...and it's pegasi,” said Rainbow Dash.
“I never thought about a sports line,” mused Rarity.
“Are you going to wear it when you fly to Cloudsdale today?” asked Spike.
“No way!” said Rainbow Dash. “This is for the tryouts only. I want it to look just like this when I show them my stuff.”
“She looked so lovely, I insisted she model it for you before she left,” explained Rarity.
“Which I'd better be doing,” said Rainbow Dash. “Come on Rarity, help me pack this baby up.”
Rarity and Rainbow Dash reentered the shop.
“I wish she'd go and get this over with,” said Applejack. “I don't know how much longer I can keep this up.”
“I know what you mean,” agreed Fluttershy. “This is going to be a terrible week. The not knowing is going to be awful.”
“Yeah,” said Pinkie Pie, almost to herself. She had an odd look on her face, as if she was thinking of something.
“Well, we'll just have to endure it,” said Twilight. “There's no way to find out what's going on.”
“I reckon so,” said Applejack, but she didn't sound convinced.
At last Rarity and Rainbow Dash came back out. Dash wore saddlebags that contained her new clothes and the few things she would need in Cloudsdale. They also held a parting gift of apples from Applejack and Pinkie Pie's leftover cake from the night before.
“Well, I guess this is it,” announced Rainbow Dash. “I'm gonna miss you girls.”
They all came forward and hugged their friend, giving the blue pegasus words of encouragement and best wishes. Rainbow Dash was touched by this display but felt she must leave before she lost her cool. She walked forward, said one last goodbye, and took wing. She paused to wave from treetop level, did a loop and was gone.
* * *
The ponies were silent and started to make their way to their respective homes. Applejack and Fluttershy were together and Pinkie Pie ran after them.
“Wait up, I need to talk to you!” called Pinkie Pie.
“What is it Pinkie Pie?” asked Applejack sadly.
“You know how we want to keep track of Rainbow Dash at the tryouts?” said Pinkie Pie.
“You heard Twilight,” said Applejack, “there ain't no way to do it.”
“I think I might know a way,” whispered Pinkie Pie. “we'll get a spy!”
“Pinkie Pie, are you serious?” said Applejack doubtfully. “Where are we gonna get a spy?”
“All we have to do is get somepony that can be quiet and can go unnoticed and can fly along near the ground. Do you know anypony like that?” said Pinkie Pie with a grin.
Applejack slowly turned her head towards Fluttershy, a smile forming on her face.
Fluttershy realized what they were implying. “Oh! Oooh no Applejack! You're not thinking what I think you're thinking. Pinkie Pie, you can't mean it! Tell me you don't want me to spy on Rainbow Dash!”
“You're the only pony for the job Fluttershy,” said Applejack. “Besides, you can't tell us that you don't want to know what's going on too.”
“But I can't get into the tryouts!” protested Fluttershy. “You heard Rainbow Dash; it's closed to all but contestants.”
“But the tryouts have to be in the sky,” countered Pinkie Pie. “They can't close off the sky. All you have to do is get close.”
“Yeah,” said Applejack, “or be on the route they take back to Cloudsdale. You could see if Rainbow Dash looks happy or not.”
“Yeah! That would at least give us a clue,” agreed Pinkie Pie.
“But what if I get caught?” said Fluttershy desperately. “What if she sees me? I'm not doing it.”
“Aw c'mon Fluttershy,” cajoled Applejack, “you know ya want to. Anyways, we're not asking you to eavesdrop or steal the results or somethin'. You only gotta get close enough to see what's going on.”
“Does Cloudsdale even have eaves?” wondered Pinkie Pie aloud. “Maybe we could borrow Twilight's telescope? Then you wouldn't have to get so close.”
“That's a great idea Pinkie Pie!” said Applejack.
“Not so great,” said Fluttershy. “It takes a unicorn to use a telescope right. I can't work one with my hooves!”
Applejack was forced to agree. “You're right there. But I don't think Twilight would go for this.”
“See? It's impossible,” said Fluttershy, thinking she had found a way out. “See ya later.”
“Hold on there Fluttershy,” said Applejack, holding Fluttershy back, “we ain't givin' up that easy.”
“What about Rarity?” suggested Pinkie Pie. “She's a unicorn and I'll bet she's just as curious as we are.”
“If you don't think Twilight would do this, what makes you think it's a good idea?” argued Fluttershy.
“Twilight's a little too much into rules and such,” said Applejack.
“Besides, it would take her a week just to research the subject,” said Pinkie Pie with a laugh.
Applejack joined her in laughing. “Yeah, but I'll bet the farm she has a book on it! Come on, let's go see Rarity.”