Chapter 21
Though the dining hall was fairly large, the ponies were crowded together at just a few tables. They were eating, talking and laughing as Spitfire entered and sat down at a nearby table to eat. The ponies quieted down a bit.
“Don't let me interrupt,” said Spitfire, “I'm just here for dinner. I did enjoy your little show. We watched it from Immelmane's office. We might have to hire you all before you form your own team and outdo us.”
The ponies laughed.
“Not a bad idea!” said Windy. She was the happiest that Spitfire had ever seen her. Firewing was sitting next to her and shoulder bumped her. She dipped her head quickly and stole a carrot from Firewing's plate. Rainbow Dash laughed and nipped some food from her opposite side. It didn't matter as there was plenty more. Firewing whacked them both on the back with her wings.
As the dinner calmed down and things start to come to an end, Spitfire arose. “Excuse me everypony, would all of the ponies that have been eliminated come by my table as you leave? I just want to talk to each of you briefly.”
One by one the ponies come to see Spitfire. Some of them planned to go into town together and were anxious to leave. First to come up is Sweet Clover.
“This is informal and won't have any bearing on who wins the position but who do you think would make the best Wonderbolt?” Spitfire asked Sweet Clover.
“I'm not a good one to ask,” said Sweet Clover. “Frost is my leader and my friend so I'm biased towards her. Of the others I have to say Rainbow Dash. She's just so athletic it's unreal.”
“That's fine dear,” said Spitfire. “It's just for my own curiosity.”
She asked the next pony, Goldmane. “Firewing. Her moves are just perfect and she's a lot of fun too.”
Razor was next and her answer was exactly what Spitfire expected.
“I still think Frost would be best,” said Razor, still loyal. “Rainbow Dash is a better athlete and Windy and Firewing have just excellent precision but Frost has a lot more experience in formation flying.”
Starshine answered with an insiders knowledge of Rainbow Dash's special ending. “Rainbow Dash, no question that she's the best flier here. She can do anything.”
“I'm glad it isn't my job to choose,” said Sunrise Cloud, “as much as I want to say Frost, I have to say Windy.”
Spitfire looked up just in time to see Frost's hindquarters going through the door. She followed her back to her room and stopped her as she was going in.
“Pardon me, Frost, but I'd like to ask you a question.”
“Sure, Spitfire. What's on your mind?” replied Frost.
“Excluding yourself, rank the remaining contestants,” said Spitfire. “This is more or less unofficial.”
“Having a hard time deciding?” laughed Frost. “I don't blame you. Wow, this is tough. I have to put Firewing first. She isn't as strong a flier as me or Dash but she's as precise as Windy and more graceful. After her it's even closer. Dash is better technically than I thought but Windy is still better there. But Dash is such a great natural flier. I have to give the nod to Windy. I think technique is more important than what Dash brings to the table. But that is real close and I might give a different answer after the individual exercise tomorrow.”
“Thank you Frost.” She turns to leave.
“Spitfire, I'm fourth,” said Frost sadly. “Honest answer. They're all better than me. I didn't do well yesterday and they all looked great.”
“Well, you still have a shot,” said Spitfire with a smile. “Good luck in the individuals.”
“Thanks,” said Frost as she entered her room.
Spitfire went to Windyday's room but she was not there. Going to Rainbow Dash and Firewing's room where she found all three of the remaining contestants.
“Hi, good to see you all enjoying yourselves,” said Spitfire. “I want to ask each of you something in private. It will only take a second.”
“Why not just ask us together?” said Rainbow Dash. “ We're just going to tell each other anyway.” They laughed.
“Humor me,” said Spitfire. “You're first Rainbow Dash.”
Rainbow Dash got up. “Oh alright.” They went into the hall and Spitfire asked her the same thing she asked Frost.
Rainbow Dash didn't hesitate. “Firewing is the best, then Windy, then Frost. All three are great fliers but Firewing has it all. We've been working together all week. I helped her on her speed and some special tricks and she helped me on my technique. I think I got the better end of that deal. Windy is as good as Firewing but she just doesn't have the grace that Firewing has. She's kinda mechanical.”
“Thank you Rainbow Dash, please send Firewing out now.”
“Of course it doesn't matter because I'm going to beat them all tomorrow,” added Rainbow Dash.
“Oh really?” said Spitfire. “I think the other contestants might have something to say about that. Send Firewing out please, and don't tell Windy what the question is..”
Rainbow Dash entered the room. “You're up Firewing.”
Firewing went into the hallway and Spitfire repeated her question.
“Rainbow Dash is the best pony here, the best I've ever seen,” said Firewing. “She can do just impossible things. And she's been so helpful this week. There's no way I'd still be in this without her. She might be a little raw but when I think of what she's done this week with Frost and Twister and tonight she even got Windy to come out of her shell. She'd make a great Wonderbolt. Windy is next. She's stronger than me and her moves are just dead on the money. She has a quick mind. And she's kind of, I don't know, serene. I know you can depend on her no matter what. Frost got a raw deal. She just hasn't been herself since the first day. It just isn't fair what happened to the Cloudsdale ponies.”
“No, it wasn't,” said Spitfire. “We were partially to blame for that. We had heard some things about Twister but didn't know if they were true or not. I wish we could have checked on her more closely. So your answer is Rainbow Dash, Windyday and then Frost. Thanks and good luck tomorrow.”
“Thanks,” said Firewing. “And thanks for a wonderful week, no matter how it turns out. I'm sad that it's almost over. I'm afraid to win. I don't want to lose the others as friends, especially Dash. She really doesn't like to lose.” She looked plaintively at Spitfire.
“I don't think you need to worry,” said Spitfire with a smile. “Send Windy out now.”
Firewing went into her room and Windyday came out. Spitfire again repeated her question and was surprised at Windy's reaction.
“I don't know how to answer,” she said as she stared at the floor. “Firewing and Rainbow Dash have treated me..better than any pony ever has. Even from the beginning and I ignored them. They treat me like a friend. I don't think I remember anypony doing that before.”
She shook her head and her voice was broken. “I guess other ponies have tried but I wouldn't let them. Maybe that's why I don't have any friends. And tomorrow I have to do my best to beat them.”
“You mean why you didn't have any friends,” said Spitfire. “You appear to have two now.”
“And I don't want them to hate me if I beat them tomorrow,” stammered Windyday.
“I don't think they will,” said Spitfire. “Sure they want to win, but it isn't their decision, or yours, who the winner is. You four ponies that remain are in a stiff competition. I'd hope that you are all mature enough to accept that only one of you can get the job. I'd love to fly with any of you.”
“I feel confused,” said Windy as she hung her head. “I've never felt this way before a competition. It.. it hurts!”
“Oh Windy, it's called emotion,” said Spitfire. She moved closer and put her hoof on her shoulder. “I don't know what made you the way you are but I'd much rather fly with a pony that cares about her teammates than a pony that doesn't care about anything but doing a perfect routine. There's more to life than that.”
“I know that now,” said Windy. She sniffed. “You know, even if I look at Firewing and Rainbow Dash the way I used to analyze my opponents, it's still hard to pick one over the other.”
“What about Frost?” asked Spitfire.
“She's last,” replied Windy. “That's easy. Frost is really good but she hasn't flown well. If you let her try out again, don't pick anypony else from her club. She spent as much time looking after them as she did on herself. That's a big disadvantage. I really don't think I can pick the other two in order. It depends on what you want. Rainbow Dash is a pure flier. She has the most talent, hooves down, not to mention the speed and maneuverability. Firewing is the best at technique, maybe even better than me and I'm considered the best. Very clean, very smooth and she's a natural performer. How can you compare two completely different talents like that?”
“It's not easy and I won't ask anymore from you,” said Spitfire. “Thanks Windy. Just one thing though; everypony expects your very best tomorrow and that includes your friends.”
Windyday drew herself up and smiled. “You'll have it then.”
Windy went back into the room. Rainbow Dash and Firewing are talking and laughing.
“That was some kind of question, wasn't it?” said Firewing.
“So who did you choose as number one?” asked Windy. “I couldn't choose between you two. You're too different.”
Firewing and Rainbow Dash pointed at each other.
“That figures,” said Windy. “I can't fault you there. I'd put both of you at the top anyway.”
Firewing stood up. “Hey! We're all at the top. Ladies, we are the best there is!”
“Hear, hear,” said Rainbow Dash. “Does anypony want to go into town? I haven't been into town since I got here.”
“For a little while,” said Firewing, “I'm feeling kind of cooped up myself.”
“Sure, I think some of the others already went, maybe we can meet up with them,” said Windy.