Chapter 37
Firewing and Rainbow Dash woke later than usual and, after their ritual brushing, headed to the dining hall. Windyday was already there as were Goldmane and Starshine. They were talking quietly as they ate. They looked up as Rainbow Dash and Firewing entered, their hoof steps echoing through the near empty hall as they made their way to the table.
“Seems kind of lonely,” commented Firewing.
“You just missed Spitfire and Soarin,” said Goldmane. “I think all the Cloudsdale ponies went home last night.”
“Well, they went somewhere last night,” giggled Starshine.
“Do tell,” said Firewing with a laugh.
“I know Sweet Clover left with Weathervane,” said Windyday. “Hey Rainbow, I talked to Spitfire and she's going to set up a course for our race. I thought we could fit it in before lunch, around eleven or so?”
“I almost forgot about that,” replied Rainbow Dash. “That sounds good to me. Firewing, get your dad to come out for the race and I'll demonstrate that flat spin for him. May as well get that out of the way too.”
“I'll do that,” said Firewing, “right after breakfast. I'm starved.”
Windyday smiled. “I'm looking forward to this. Our first race was a little short and crowded. Now I'll get to see what you can really do. I'm going to go back to my room and pack my things. I have to move to my permanent room. Guess I'll have to find time to go back to Canterlot and get my stuff sometime. I only packed for a week.”
“I'll give you a hoof if you'd like,” said Goldy.
“Sure, me too,” said Starshine. “I'd like to see Canterlot again.”
“Really? That would be great and I'd be glad to show you around,” said Windy. “I'll talk to Spitfire or Mr. Immelmane and get back to you before you leave.”
“We'll see you at the race,” said Starshine.
Windy smiled and headed for her room. When she was gone, Goldmane started to talk. “You're not going to believe what just happened. We were just sitting here talking and Windy got all serious and apologized to me and Starshine. She said she was sorry for the way she treated us and the things she said.”
“Wow!” said Firewing, “she really has changed.”
“I think she meant it too,” said Starshine. “She said she didn't want to be the way she used to be. She asked us to forgive her.”
“Looks like she got more out of this week than a spot on the Wonderbolts,” said Rainbow Dash. “ I knew she changed but not how much.”
“Did you forgive her?” asked Firewing.
“Well, sure,” said Goldmane. “At first I thought she was saying it because she had won the competition and was just trying to make herself feel better but the more she talked, the more I believed her.”
“Yeah,” said Starshine, “she seemed to be sincere and sad or maybe ashamed.”
After breakfast the ponies went to their rooms to finish packing. Firewing left to find her parents and Rainbow Dash donned her flight suit and went towards Windyday's room as it was nearing the time for their race. As she got closer she heard voices arguing.
“What do you mean you aren't doing your workout today?” said a stallions voice.
“I'm taking the day off, dad,” said Windy. “I promised Rainbow Dash a race and then I'm spending some time with my friends before we have to say goodbye. Besides, it's been a rough week and I need a break. I start training with the team tomorrow in case you forgot.”
“You shouldn't have stayed out so late last night,” said a mare. “That's why you're tired.”
“Oh, drop it mom,” replied Windy in an exasperated voice. “I had a great time last night and I have no regrets.”
“There are more important things to do than have a good time,” said her father. “You made the team and we're very proud of you but you still have to keep working to be the best on the team. If you do, you're sure to become a flight leader or even the captain.”
Windyday snorted. “And then what dad? Maybe I should grow a horn and try for Celestia's job? What is enough?”
“Windyday!” exclaimed her mother, “how dare you talk to your father that way!”
Rainbow Dash peeked around the corner and saw Windyday draw herself up into the regal pose she had when they first met. All warmth left her eyes. Her voice changed back to the calm, icy cold, remote voice she had used before her transformation. Rainbow Dash was surprised to find it more frightening than when she had been speaking in anger. It seemed that her parents noticed the change also as they took a step back.
“Father, mother,” she said, “you will always have my love and respect and I hope you will always be there to give me advice and guidance if I ask for it. I am sorry, but I am a grown mare and I am quite capable of running my own life. I am a member of the Wonderbolts now and I have trainers and coaches to keep me in top form and I will follow their instructions.
Frankly, I have no idea what I will be doing when I'm not working with the team and the trainers but I can hardly wait to find out. I learned a lot this week and not just about flying. I have a full trophy case at home but no pony would ever want to see it. Before I came here I didn't have a friend in the world. No pony cared about me. If I dropped dead right now, the line of ponies waiting to dance on my grave would far outnumber the mourners and it's my fault.”
“Now wait,” interrupted her father, “what about all the ponies in your flight club? They're your friends.”
“They could have been my friends,” answered Windy, “but I was so occupied on my mission to become the perfect flier and advance my career that I was blind to their feelings and any kindness they showed me. The elected me their leader because they knew I was the best and I could give them victories. I repaid them by taking something they loved and I turned it into something awful. I made them so miserable that at last they couldn't take anymore and voted me out, even though I gave them their wins.”
“I told you they did that out of spite and jealousy, Windy,” said her father, “that's all it was. The Wonderbolts are professionals. It will be different here.”
“You're wrong father,” said Windyday, “it was my fault. I was cold, insensitive, and worst of all, I didn't care as long as they got their moves right. It was all calculated down to the finest detail. What do we have to do to win at any cost? Which competitions do we enter to get the most wins? How can I get that pony out of the lineup? I'm the only one that benefited from all that. Some quit and the rest are still flying in Canterlot while I'm here having a Wonderbolt uniform made. If you think that this,” she pointed to herself, “is what the Wonderbolts want in a flight leader or captain, then you are sadly, terribly mistaken.”
Her voice never wavered. There was no rise in volume and barely any intonation. Her parents were silent as Windy paused for a moment. When she spoke again her voice was more relaxed and lighter in tone. “Now then, in a few minutes I'm going to race the fastest pony in Equestria. I doubt if I have a chance of winning but it doesn't matter because I'm doing it just for fun. You are welcome to come and watch but I think there is something else you should do instead.” She pointed out the window. “Do you see that mountain to the left of the tallest peak? You and mother should fly toward that mountain. A couple of miles from Cloudsdale you will find a small lake. Land there and do the appropriate thing. I think it will do you a world of good. Perhaps it will wash some of the nonsense out from between your ears. I know it helped me immensely. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go meet a friend.”
Windyday turned and walked towards the door. Rainbow Dash was so shocked that she barely had time to take a few steps back to avoid being seen.
“Oh! Hey, Windy,” she said as Windy came out of her room, “all set?”
Windyday smiled. “Yes, let's fly! Follow me, I know where Spitfire is setting up the course.”
The pair trotted past the doorway and Windyday's parents watched them go down the hallway.
“Did...did she just tell us to go jump in a lake?” said her perplexed father.
“Yes dear,” said Windy's mother.