//------------------------------// // Chapter 23 // Story: The Winning Failure // by marley //------------------------------// Chapter 23 Though the contestants were having fun, the three contenders made an early night of it. They went back to the compound and did a walk through of their routines. Rainbow Dash still refused to tell Windy her finishing move but she seemed so disappointed that at last Rainbow Dash relented. “I'll tell you if you swear not to tell anypony about this,” said Rainbow Dash. “I swear on my honor,” said Windy, very seriously. “Alright, I've taken you to the part where I go into my dive. As I dive, I start to spin and when I get to the right altitude I go into a quad inverted flat spin, flip to a second quad flat spin, pull out of that and into a flare wing stall and land like this.” She demonstrated the bow. Windyday looked at Firewing. “Is she serious?” “Yes, but the scary part is she's actually done it,” said Firewing. “You've done that move?” said Windy looking back to Rainbow Dash. “Yep, I've got it down now. It looks so cool,” said Rainbow Dash. “Cool?” repeated Windy soberly. “I didn't believe it either,” said Firewing, “and I've been trying to talk her out of it all week.” Windyday shook her head. “It's a good thing for you that you made me swear not to tell or I'd be on my way to see Spitfire right now.” Rainbow Dash was unmoved. “Look, I appreciate your concern, both of you, but I am going to do it tomorrow. I've done it five times this week and never came close to crashing. I'm telling you I've got it down.” “I won't tell, Rainbow Dash,” said Windy, “But I agree with Firewing, it's too dangerous.” “Yes, it's dangerous,” said Dash. “We do dangerous things every time we do a stunt! I have this worked out. Don't worry.” “Have it your way,” said Windy. “In a way I want you to do it just to say I've seen it.” She smiled. “Thanks Windy,” said Rainbow Dash. “I'm as prepared as I'm going to be. I'm going to take a little flight around the compound. I have to think about some things. I won't be long.” Rainbow Dash left the room and took flight. She circled the compound twice and then spotted a cloud not far off. She went there, laid down and watched the rising moon. Spitfire saw her flying and watched her land on the cloud. She looked at her for a while and thought she looked forlorn. She debated on what to do and then flew up and joined her. “Beautiful evening,”she said, “want some company?” “Oh, hi Spitfire,” said Dash calmly. “I was just doing some thinking.” “You're not nervous are you?” asked Spitfire. “You don't need to be. I'm sure you'll do well tomorrow.” “I know I will,” said Dash in a soft voice. “I'm not nervous or scared. I might not be the best choice for a Wonderbolt but I know I'm the best flier in Equestria. I feel more relaxed than I've ever felt. It's like the pressure is off.” “What makes you think you're the best?” asked Spitfire. She sensed something different in Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash shrugged. “Because it's true,” she said quietly. “I can do things that no other pony can, things they don't dare to think of. I'm the fastest and I can out-turn any pegasus in the sky. Tomorrow you'll see that I'm as graceful as Firewing and as perfect as Windy. I don't have to be a Wonderbolt to know I'm the best.” “Don't you want to be on the team anymore?” asked Spitfire. “Of course I do!” said Rainbow Dash, her voice suddenly rising. “It would be a dream come true! I still want it, I just don't need it to prove I'm the best anymore.” She laughed but it sounded strained and forced. “No pony can out-fly me!” “You're that sure of yourself?” said Spitfire trying to cover her alarm. Rainbow Dash stood and wheeled toward Spitfire with blinding speed. She looked Spitfire in the eye. “Wanna race?” The darkness and the moonlight combined with her narrowed eyes and fierce smile made her look evil and frightening. Spitfire found this side of Rainbow Dash more than a little unpleasant. “No, I'm not going to be drawn into this. Not now anyway. What is wrong with you?” Rainbow Dash's facade abruptly collapsed and she sat down. There were tears in her eyes and her voice was sad. “I'm sorry, Spitfire,” she said. “I just want it to be right for all of us...and I can't do it. I still want to be a Wonderbolt. I don't want to leave my friends. I don't want Firewing or Windy or Frost to be disappointed. I don't want the Wonderbolts to be less than the best. If I win, I lose. If I lose, I lose. I just can't make it all come out right.” Spitfire chuckled softly. “Oh not you too!” she said. Rainbow Dash looked at her with a confused look on her face. “I've been through this with Windy and Firewing already tonight and now you,” said the golden mare. “And the only pony left that has no qualms about taking the job is Frost and she doesn't think she deserves it because she thinks the other three are better than her!” She laughed again and shook her head. “I swear on Celestia's horn, if it was up to me I'd hire Razor, let you four have a good cry together and get on with your lives. Sun and moon! can't you pegasi just fly and let us make the decision?” The image of the four contestants hugging each other and crying somehow struck Rainbow Dash as funny. She stifled a laugh and a grin crept onto her face. Spitfire went on. “You didn't think you were the only one who felt this way, did you? We've all seen how this group has bonded. Firewing feels exactly like you do and so does Windyday, though she surprised me when I asked her to rate the remaining three. She couldn't do it. I never thought I'd see the 'Ice Queen' break down like that.” “She told us she couldn't do it because our skills were too different,” said Dash. “That's what she said,” said Spitfire, “but it isn't exactly true. Not if you saw her. You and Firewing had a great effect on her. You and she are a lot alike, I think.” “How do you mean?” asked Rainbow Dash. “She's always so calm and I'm...not.” “You both keep the real you bottled up most of the time,” said Spitfire. “You hide behind a wall of bravado and she behind a cold steel will. She tries to be perfect in everything she does in order to gain honor. You try to make everything right just by force of will and your physical abilities. You're both trying to do the impossible. There isn't anything wrong with trying to be perfect or make things right, but you can't let it consume you. If it doesn't destroy you, it will at least make you pretty miserable.” “That's for sure,” said Rainbow Dash. “So what do I do? I have to compete tomorrow and I want to win. I just feel guilty...selfish and I can't figure a way out.” “You do what you must,” replied Spitfire with a shrug. “Maybe there isn't a way out. You are quite a pegasus but you can't control everything. Don't feel guilty about pursuing your dreams Rainbow Dash. Would you blame any of your friends for going after theirs?” “No,” mumbled Rainbow Dash. “Then why should you feel guilty about going after yours?” asked Spitfire. “You haven't done anything except try your best to win. What's wrong with that? I'll leave you alone now. Think about what I've said and get yourself some sleep. You have to compete tomorrow and I want to see your best! Understand? If you're really the best then prove it to me, to your friends and to yourself.” “Thanks Spitfire,” said Rainbow Dash, “I'll be okay.” Spitfire turned to go. “Spitfire?” said Rainbow Dash. “Yes?” said Spitfire. Rainbow Dash turned her head toward Spitfire. “Make sure your shoes are nailed on tight tomorrow, otherwise my routine is going to knock them off.” There was a hint of a smile on her face. Spitfire laughed and took wing.