Chapter 36
At Twilight's house the five friends met up to plan for Rainbow Dashs' homecoming that day. The library was decorated and everything was ready for the welcome home party.
“Well, that about does it,” said Applejack. “All the foods ready except for the cake and Pinkie Pie has that covered.”
“All the decorations are in order,” added Rarity. “Applejack, when Rainbow Dash says she won, all you have to do is pull on this cord and the Wonderbolt banner will drop.”
Applejack examined the rope. “I got it.”
“I do hope we can all show that we're happy for her,” said Fluttershy. “It won't be easy but we just have to.”
“Fluttershy?” said Twilight, “why don't you tell the girls what you told me last night?”
“Alright,” said the yellow pony. “Um... I think that I should tell you what I saw in Cloudsdale first. At the end of the day, when the ponies returned from the training area to the city, they put on a little show before they went home. All of the ponies, even the ones that were eliminated, were very good. They were all very talented fliers. Three of them were especially good and our friend Rainbow Dash was the best of all.
“I never did any stunt flying myself or even sky dancing,” continued Fluttershy. “But seeing them made me wish that I could. I can't tell you how beautiful it was. You're not pegasi so you can't know how hard it is to do some of the tricks they did or how they made it look so beautiful. All I can say is that a pegasus like Rainbow Dash doesn't belong in a little town like this. Every pony in Equestria should see her fly. She's special girls, we just can't keep her here to ourselves. It just wouldn't be right.”
“I never heard you speak this way about flying, Fluttershy. It must have been a sight to see,” said Rarity.
“I've seen the Wonderbolts perform and it was really something,” said Applejack. “I thought it was thrilling and a little scary. I never thought it was beautiful though.”
“What the Wonderbolts usually do is thrilling but pegasi sometimes do other things too,” said Fluttershy. “There's sky dancing, individual displays to music and large groups in formations doing slower precision shows.”
“But Rainbow Dash is all speed and crazy stunts and rain booms and stuff” said Pinky Pie. “Are you sure she'll be happy doing those other things. Won't she get bored?”
“Oh no, those things are hard to do too. Well, not as physically hard but hard to make look as good as the professionals do. I'd love to learn to sky dance. Besides, during long shows the performers need to catch their breath sometime, even the Wonderbolts.”
“I'll have to take your word for it Fluttershy,” said Applejack. “But if I get a chance to see one of their shows, I'll sure go. Heh, since we have a friend in the show I'll bet we can get some good seats too.”
“I still don't want her to go but hearing what you had to say makes me feel better. Thanks Fluttershy,” said Pinky Pie as she gave Fluttershy a hug.
“You said some of the ponies liked my designs,” said Rarity, who still didn't want to think about Rainbow Dash leaving. “Maybe we'll get to meet some of the ones that didn't make the team.”
“I'm sure you will,” said Fluttershy. “Razor, Frost, Sweet Clover and Sunrise Cloud are from Cloudsdale and that isn't too far away, especially for fliers like them. Sunrise Cloud was the pony that got hurt on Monday. She's going to be okay though. Frost is the most impressive of them. She's blue with white on her mane and tail and has a snowflake for a cutie mark.”
“It'll take some getting used to, not having Rainbow Dash around but I reckon we'll survive,” said Applejack. “I just hope the next weather pony does as good a job as she did.”
“I'm sure everything will work out,” said Twilight, as much to convince herself as her friends.
“Spike should be here soon with the gift I got for her. When is the cake going to be ready Pinky Pie?”
“Soon, I'll go get it after lunch,” said the pink pony sadly. “Mrs. Cake is lettering it for me. I was afraid I'd cry on it.”
“Maybe we won't miss her too much after a while,” said Rarity. “It will be quieter for one thing.”
“Yeah,” said Applejack, “we won't have to hear her boasting anymore.”
“Or her being rude,” said Fluttershy.
“Or losing her temper,” said Pinky.
“Or her practical jokes,” said Twilight.
“But she has been a great friend to have,” said Rarity.
“Yep, always there when you need her,” said Applejack.
“It's good to have such a brave pony around,” said Fluttershy.
“And she's really a lot of fun too,” said Pinky Pie.
“I'll miss her laugh,” said Twilight.
“I miss her already!” cried all the ponies together.