Chapter 16
The next day the ponies were interviewed individually after breakfast. The three judges asked only one question: 'Why do you want to be a Wonderbolt?'
“I've wanted to be one for as long as I can remember,” answered Rainbow Dash. “They always seemed like super ponies to me when I was little and that's when I decided that I wanted to be the best flier ever. To do that, I knew I had to be a Wonderbolt. I changed a little bit when I grew up. I still want to be the best but I want the Wonderbolts to be the best too. It's more important that you guys keep going, that you're there for other foals to look up to. I'd like to be part of that. I still dream about it but you're not idols anymore, you're real. This is real. Except for my close friends, nothing means more to me than the Wonderbolts. It's kind of funny. I like showing off, I like being the center of attention but if I learned anything over the past few years it's that it's better to be a part of something. I know what it's like.”
* * *
The ponies spent the rest of the day learning a short basic routine and practicing with the Wonderbolts. Late in the afternoon they were released and the three judges talked amongst themselves.
“This is a good group,” said Soarin. “Any of them would make a good teammate.”
“I'd fly with any of them,” agreed Spitfire. “It's going to be tough to cut some tomorrow.”
“Harder than I thought it would be,” said Immelmane. “We'll have to be looking very closely at the little things to decide who goes.”
“Those answers this morning don't make it easier either,” said Spitfire. “Starshine sounded almost desperate to be on the team. Razor, well Razor seemed to lack confidence. I think she looks up to Frost so much she can't imagine getting picked over her.”
“Frost does really want the job,” commented Soarin. “Maybe she's still embarrassed about the incident yesterday, but she spent more time trying to say what a good Wonderbolt should be rather than answering the question.”
“Yes, I got that impression too,” said Immelmane. “Windyday was all about honor and prestige. I'd say she was doing it just for herself but she kept mentioning family and Canterlot, like she was trying to live up to someone's expectations.”
“Yes, and I can't say it's a bad motivation for trying to do your best,” said Spitfire. “She seemed very controlled through the whole thing; through everything I've seen her do since she's been here really. Very calm. She's smart too; a quick decision maker.”
“I like that about her,” said Soarin, “but she doesn't seem to be having much fun. I guess there's no reason she has to but I'd rather be around somepony who is more affable. Firewing for instance. She wants to perform in front of crowds like her father. She'd be a natural at it; just a joy to watch.”
“And then there's Rainbow Dash,” said Spitfire. “I loved her answer. She really is a fan and has followed the Wonderbolts since before any of us were on the team.”
“I agree,” said Immelmane. “I can't tell you how much she's changed. She still has the fire to succeed and she still has a bit of a temper but I truly believe she is passionate about the importance of the team.”
“Yes, but there was something else there,” said Spitfire thoughtfully. “Those close friends come first and what she said about the importance of being part of something. I don't think she meant the Wonderbolts when she said that. It was like she was remembering something.”
“Maybe,” said Immelmane. “Well, maybe the contestants will make it easy for us tomorrow.”
“Ha!” snorted Soarin, “not very likely!”
* * *
Late Tuesday afternoon, Rainbow Dash and Firewing were practicing by the lake again. This time it is the routine they learned during the day.
“I don't think I can get much better than I am right now,” said Firewing during a break, “and we get to practice tomorrow morning before the exercise. I think I'll work on that trick you told me about.”
“I have the moves down,” said Rainbow Dash, “but I feel like a dunce when I watch you. I'm telling you, Firewing, they're nuts if they don't pick you.”
“Until they see my boring individual routine,” replied Firewing. “But thanks Dash, it means a lot.”
“Go ahead and practice your trick,” said Dash, “I'll take a break and watch you.”
Firewing started to practice the spinning barrel roll that Rainbow Dash had described to her. It was a move she had developed from one of the Wonderbolts own moves and was difficult to perform. During a regular barrel roll the top of the flier was always on the inside of the loop but Rainbow Dash had figured out a way to incorporate a spin into it so that one spin was completed at the same time as each roll. After practicing it for sometime, Firewing was able to perform it as well as Rainbow Dash had ever done, not that she would admit to that.
“So how was it?” asked Firewing.
“Looked real good Firewing,” said Dash. “How many are you going to do?”
“I was thinking of one,” said Firewing surprised. “Why?”
“No, you should string them together,” said Rainbow Dash with a shake of her head. “Do at least two or three so the judges get a good look.”
“Not a bad idea,” admitted Firewing. “Are you going to practice your ending again.”
“Yeah,” said Rainbow Dash, a determined look forming on her face, “I have something I want to try out. I'm taking too much speed into that stall. I'm going to add another rotation to each flat spin. I'll have to go into it a little higher up. I want to look more graceful when I hit the stall. The way I do it now looks really rough. Kinda hard on the wings too.”
“Why not just go slower to begin with?” asked Firewing.
“Because it's more dramatic for the audience if they think you're going to go splat,” replied Dash with a grin.
“You keep it up and you will go splat,” admonished Firewing. “If you're going to do it, go ahead. I want to practice that routine some more and you need to work on that more than I do. We can practice on the way back to Cloudsdale.”
Rainbow Dash nodded and took off. As before, she gained altitude and then dove. Before long Firewing realized to her horror that Rainbow Dash was not aiming at the lake but was coming straight at her. The added altitude and the extra spins worked as Rainbow Dash expected but she pulled out of them perilously close to the ground. This time the stall was much more gentle and indeed Rainbow Dash looked graceful as she floated to the ground and went into her bow.
“You are going to give old Immelmane a heart attack when he sees you do that you know?” said Firewing shaking her head. “That is an awesome move Dash but it's so dangerous. I still wish you'd drop it. Your tail almost touched the ground when you pulled out.”
“Then it was perfect,” said Rainbow Dash fiercely. “Yes! I feel good. Come on, lets practice the routine.”
Firewing nodded and looked away. She knew it was useless. She took wing and Dash followed.
“There are twelve moves to the routine,” said Firewing. “Lets do this; we take turns naming a move and then on the count of three we do the move.”
“Sounds like fun,” said Rainbow Dash. “You go first.”
“Number four,” said Firewing, “one, two, three, GO!”
The pair proceeded towards Cloudsdale performing this weird aerial dance. As they got closer they attracted the attention of some of the residents and by the time they arrived there were a few small groups of ponies cheering them. Rainbow Dash and Firewing both loved this and did a few tricks before heading into the Wonderbolt's compound.
When they landed, they were surprised to find Windyday waiting for them in the courtyard.
“Hi, Windy,” said Firewing, “what's up?”
“I told you I'd let you know if I wanted to practice the routine with you,” said Windyday, in her typical calm voice. “My answer is yes, I'd like to practice with you both tomorrow morning, if the offer still stands.”
“Sure!” said Rainbow Dash, “we'd be glad to have you. With three of us we can fly just like a real wing.”
“You should have come with us after practice,” said Firewing, “we put in some good work.”
“I thought about it,” said Windyday, “but I wanted to do my training regimen before supper.”
“What did you do?” asked Firewing.
“It's Tuesday,” said Windyday, “so today I went to the gym and worked with weights for half an hour. Then I flew down and ran on the ground for ten minutes. After that I flew and stretched my wings to cool down. Afterward, I took a short swim in the pool and got a rub down.”
“We took a dip in the lake,” said Rainbow Dash, “then practiced the routine and a little bit for our individual routines for Friday.”
Windyday gave one of her rare smiles. “Counting on being a finalist? That's good. I think you both have a good chance. So does Frost, if they don't hold yesterday against her.”
“I hope they don't,” said Rainbow Dash. “I might have done the same thing if it was my friend that got injured.”
Windyday looked away. “I understand,” she said. She seemed troubled about something.
Firewing broke the silence. “Come on, let's go eat. I'm starved.”