//------------------------------// // Chapter 31 // Story: The Winning Failure // by marley //------------------------------// Chapter 31 The contestants followed Frost and the other Cloudsdale ponies from place to place. Sometimes they accepted invitations to dance and there was never a shortage of food and drink but oddly the four winners were not the targets of most of the attention. Most of the colts seemed to be somewhat intimidated by the new stars. At last Frost bumped into a guy that she knew and joined the other dancers. The remaining three new Wonderbolts sat and talked by themselves. “What's wrong with us?” asked Firewing. “No pony has asked any of us to dance.” “Maybe they think we're too good for them?” suggested Windy. “Humph,” said Rainbow Dash. “Well, if that's what they think, then we are.” “And you have an extra ticket to the dinner tomorrow,” said Firewing. “If you see a pony you like, maybe you should ask him.” “No, I don't think so,” said Rainbow Dash. “Anyway, there should be plenty of guys at the party tomorrow and I don't think a bunch of hot shot fliers are going to be too scared to ask me to dance.” “True,” agreed Windy, “I think the pickings will be better tomorrow too. I'd still like to have a little fun tonight though.” Firewing sighed. “Yeah.” “Hey! Rainbow Dash,” said Windy suddenly, “there's that guy from last night.” “Who?” said Rainbow Dash looking around. “The one Sweet Clover was talking about,” said Windy. “The waiter from the cafe that was talking with your friend from Ponyville.” “Sweet Clover!” said Rainbow Dash, “there's the guy you're looking for. Get him to come over here.” “Oh, Weathervane!” exclaimed Sweet Clover. “Sure, just a sec.” Sweet Clover went over to Weather and started talking to him. She easily convinced him to join them. “Weather, this is Windyday, Firewing and Rainbow Dash,” said Sweet Clover. “Ladies, this is Weathervane.” “Pleased to meet you. Just call me Weather.” “Hi,” said Firewing. “Hello Weather,” said Windy. “Hi Weather,” said Rainbow Dash. “I understand you met a friend of mine from Ponyville.” “err Yes, I did.” stammered Weather, “she was a representative for some fashion designer named Rarity.” “Fluttershy?” Rainbow Dash stared him in the eye. “Yes,” admitted Weather. “She was showing me some designs she was taking around to the shops here in Cloudsdale.” “You have a interest in ladies clothing?” teased Rainbow Dash. “Oh ..ah no, I was.. a.. I was just trying to be nice,” said Weather. “Um hmm,” said Dash, “and she had no interest in the Wonderbolt tryouts, did she?” Windyday and Firewing had a difficult time keeping a straight face as Weather squirmed under Rainbow Dash's questions. “She might have mentioned it,” said Weather with a nervous smile. “Everypony has been talking about it all week.” “I'll bet they have,” said Rainbow Dash still staring at the uncomfortable waiter. “You're a terrible liar Weather.” She started laughing and was joined by Windy and Firewing. “I know Fluttershy has been spying on me all week!” said Dash. “Firewing and I saw her at the cafe where you work. You've been helping her haven't you?” Weather sighed. “I guess there's no use trying to hide it anymore.” “Don't worry,” said Rainbow Dash, “I'm not mad. I just want to know where she is and what you told her.” “I had dinner with her earlier,” replied Weather, relieved that he didn't have to keep up the facade any longer, “and then she said she was going back to her hotel to get some rest. She's planning on leaving tomorrow morning.” “Without waiting to hear if Rainbow Dash won or not?” asked Windy. “I know that you three are all Wonderbolts now,” said Weather, “and Frost too. Some ponies have friends that work in the Wonderbolt's compound. We always take an interest whenever the Wonderbolts do anything, so when tryouts happen there's naturally a little spying going on. What I don't understand is why they're adding four females when only one is leaving, two if you count the one that's retiring next month.” “He knew more than we did!” exclaimed Firewing. “We didn't know about that until after the tryouts were over.” “Oh, I didn't know until after the show you put on,” said Weather. “I guess that you won the open position, Rainbow Dash.” “There will be a press release tomorrow,” said Rainbow Dash. “You'll find out then. Did you tell Fluttershy I won?” “Well, yeah,” said Weather, “I mean it was obvious. You had the most awesome solo routine any pony has ever seen. And we all thought that since you went last, that you were the one selected. Oh I get it, I'm sorry. You wanted to break the news to her yourself didn't you? Look, I know she's happy for you but she just doesn't want you to leave Ponyville. She's kind of upset about it. I'm sorry but I was just trying to help her as best I could.” Rainbow Dash planted her hoof in her forehead. “Great. I'd better go see if I can talk to her before she flies back to Ponyville with the wrong news. You shouldn't jump to conclusions Weather.” “Wait a minute,” asked Weather, “are you saying that you didn't win? Oh wow! did I ever blow it.” “Look, you're right and you're wrong too,” said Rainbow Dash. “Yes, I'm in the Wonderbolts and no, I'm not the winner of the open position. I have a different job. One that doesn't require me to move to Cloudsdale. So now Fluttershy is all upset. I have to go tell her the truth.” “So who did win?” asked Weather. “You don't give up do you?” There was an edge to Dash's voice now. “Come on Dash, lay off Weather,” said Sweet Clover. “He was just trying to help your friend. He's a nice guy, really.” “Oh, we may as well tell him, Dash,” added Firewing. “What difference does a few hours make?” “If he'll keep it quiet until tomorrow, okay?” said Rainbow Dash. “I don't know how the Wonderbolts feel about having their doings spread all over Equestria.” “I can do that,” said Weather. “I kept your friends secret all week...until we got caught last night.” “Windyday won the open position, Firewing has the one opening next month and Frost is a reserve pony,” said Rainbow Dash. “I'm the new featured soloist. I'll open for them and perform during intermission.” “Wow, that's going to be a big announcement alright!” said Weather. “My source didn't say anything about a soloist or a reserve pony. The rumor now is that they expanded the team. There's a lot of colts getting all worked up because they figure there's going to be a tryout for them soon.” “Might be true,” said Windy. “They'll be adding a reserve pony for the male section, unless they already have a pony in mind.” “I'd better get over to Fluttershy's hotel, it's getting late,” said Rainbow Dash. “I can take you to it,” said Weather. “Aw..I was hoping we could get in a dance or two,” said Sweet Clover sounding disappointed, “but it's okay.” “Sweet Clover,” said Dash, “what are you doing with your tickets to the party tomorrow?” “I'm giving them to my parents, why?” said Sweet Clover. “I have an extra one,” said Dash. “I'll give it to Weather so you can go with him.” “Really? Oh! thank you,” said Sweet Clover. “Thanks!” said Weather, “Come on, lets go.” “I think I'll leave too,” said Windy, “it's getting boring just sitting around.” “Me too,” said Firewing, “may as well go get some rest.” They started to leave when Frost approached with the colt she had been dancing with and another colt in tow. “Where are you off to?” she asked. “Weather is taking us over to see Fluttershy at her hotel,” explained Dash. “I have something important to tell her.” “Are you leaving too Firewing?” asked Frost. “Cirrus here wanted to meet you.” Windy whispered to Firewing, “Go ahead and stay.” “Well, I guess I could stay for a while,” said Firewing. The ponies said their good nights and Rainbow Dash, Weather, Windy and Sweet Clover left. Rainbow Dash looked back and saw Firewing talking to Cirrus as they headed to the dance floor. Rainbow Dash smiled and trotted to catch up to the others. It turned out to be a wasted trip. * * * “I'm sorry ma'am,” said the desk clerk, “but she left before dark. She was booked for tonight but checked out early.” “Well that's just great,” muttered Rainbow Dash. “I'm sorry,” said Weather, “she told me she wasn't leaving until tomorrow. She must have changed her mind.” “It's not your fault,” said Dash. “I should have tried to get in touch with her earlier.” “Maybe you could catch her,” suggested Sweet Clover. “She has at least a two hour head start,” said Dash. “She's slow but not that slow. She's probably almost to Ponyville by now and it's getting dark. I'm not going to worry about it tonight. I'll just have to straighten things out when I get home.” “I'm going back to my room,” said Windy. “I'm tired. It's been a long day.” “Me too,” agreed Dash. “We practiced, did two hard routines, went swimming and wandered around Cloudsdale all evening. I'm beat.” “I'd like to go back to that club for a while,” said Sweet Clover. “I can tell Frost and Firewing where you went.” “Thanks Sweet Clover,” said Rainbow Dash, “that will save us a trip. Good night, stop by my room tomorrow and I'll give you that ticket.” “Good night you two,” said Windy. “See you tomorrow.” The two pairs headed their separate ways. “They make a nice pair,” said Windy. “She seems to have known him for a while.” “How about you?” asked Dash. “Anypony back home?” “Not really,” replied Windy. “I was always either practicing or performing. I've gone to some of the more formal affairs on dates but nothing ever came of them. You?” “No,” said Dash. “I used to hang out with older ponies when I was younger and then I went to Ponyville. A lot of the pegasi there are on the weather team and I'm in charge of that. Kind of weird for them to date their boss. Besides, I don't have a lot in common with them. I'm a top flier and none of them can do more than simple stuff. About the only time I went on dates was a few times my last year of flight school.” “Maybe we'll find some guys tomorrow,” said Windy. “I'm willing to work hard at this new job but I'm going to start living a little too. You and Firewing taught me that much.” Rainbow Dash laughed. “Me? All I do is fly. Firewing is the one.” “But you fly for fun, Dash,” said Windy. “I didn't do that before. I had more fun flying the last two days than I've had in my whole life.” “It has been fun hasn't it?” said Dash. “Except for Monday, it's been a great week. Especially today; I can't tell you how relieved I was when Immelmane offered me the solo position. If I had won one of the regular positions, I'd have taken it but I really didn't want to leave Ponyville. I was kind of messed up last night.” “I didn't see it in you and I'm pretty good at picking up on that sort of thing,” said Windy. “I'm pretty good at hiding it,” said Dash. “Spitfire helped me get my head on straight. If you need somepony to talk to, she'd be a good choice.” “I'll remember that,” said Windy. “Here we are.” They arrived outside the Wonderbolt compound and the gates were closed. Windy rapped on the gate with her hoof. A groggy looking guard approached and after seeing who it was, he let them in. Windy and Rainbow Dash said goodnight and went their rooms. Firewing was not back. Rainbow Dash collapsed on her bed and was soon asleep.