//------------------------------// // Chapter 40 // Story: The Winning Failure // by marley //------------------------------// Chapter 40 The ponies all met at an outdoor cafe the next morning. At first they were left alone but more ponies soon arrived to see the celebrities. After breakfast, the three pegasi and Rarity headed for her boutique. As they walked through the town, a small entourage followed them. The pegasi considered flying but they saw that there were quite a few pegasi above them too. The mayor approached them and blocked their way. “Welcome home, Rainbow Dash,” she said. “I understand you won the competition. Congratulations!” “Well, not exactly,” explained Dash. She swished her rainbow tail in annoyance. “I won the position of full time solo aerialist and reserve Wonderbolt. I'm the first pony to hold the job. Firewing here will be a Wonderbolt in about three weeks and another friend of mine started training today for the present position.” “So you didn't really win?” said the Mayor. She sounded disappointed. Firewing was upset for her friend. “She's the best aerialist in Equestria. All the judges agreed on that. If that isn't winning, I don't know what is.” The Mayor brightened. “I see. So you are a Wonderbolt? That's wonderful. We're planning a little celebration for tomorrow. We want to give every pony in town a chance to show their support and celebrate one of our own becoming a star. If it's alright with you, we'd like to start at eleven o'clock. I'll give an introduction and act as mistress of ceremonies. Your friends will be on the podium with you of course and can say a few words if they would like. And Miss Firewing, we would be honored if you would join us too.” “The honor would be all mine,” said Firewing. “That sounds good to me,” said Rainbow Dash. “Maybe you'd let us put on a little show for everypony?” “Oh! Would you?” said the Mayor. “I was hoping you would.” “I think we can put something together,” said Dash, amused by the Mayor's reaction. “We could do the routines we did for the competition,” suggested Firewing. “And I guess we could do a little synchronized stuff but it won't be all that great with just the two of us,” said Rainbow Dash thoughtfully. “Why don't you do a little sky dancing?” suggested Fluttershy. “I love watching that.” “Because I've never done it for one thing,” replied Dash. “Firewing could do some I guess but she really needs a partner.” “Whatever you want to do is fine,” said the Mayor. “I'm sure two fliers like you can come up with something.” “Where are we going to do this?” asked Firewing. “We'll start out in front of the town hall,” said Mayor Mare, “but if you could perform just to the north of town there is a large open field. Every pony could watch you there.” “I know where you mean,” said Dash. “That would be good.” “Could you send whoever is handling the music out to that field this afternoon so we can practice?” said Firewing. “Of course,” said the Mayor. “This will be wonderful! I'll let you go so you can work on your speech and practice your show. I have a lot of preparations to make. This is going to be the biggest celebration we've had in a long time!” She ran off. “Speech?” said Rainbow Dash with a frown. “Let's see, how about 'Thanks every pony! Let's eat!'.” Firewing laughed. “Not into public speaking? Doesn't sound like you.” “It's not that,” said Rainbow Dash peevishly. “I just wanted to relax for a while. We got back yesterday, practice today, perform tomorrow and head back to Cloudsdale the day after. I just want a break.” “I wish I could help,” said Fluttershy. Firewing thought for a moment. “Maybe you can. You said you wanted to learn some sky dancing.” Fluttershy giggled. “I couldn't learn much in a day. You said so yourself.” “You don't have to learn much,” said Firewing. “Just enough to give us a little break and pad out the show.” Rainbow Dash thought she should try to nip this idea in the bud. “Firewing, Fluttershy really doesn't fly very well. She's a great friend and has a lot of great qualities but I don't know if this is a good idea.” “She's right,” agreed Fluttershy sadly. “Even after knowing Rainbow Dash all this time, I still don't fly all that well. I've gotten stronger but that's about all.” Firewing was not to be put off. “Look, just come and practice with me. If you can't do it, nothing is lost.” Fluttershy brightened a little bit. “Alright, you said you were going to get me started anyway.” “Well, if that's settled,” said Rarity, “let's get over to my boutique. Come on or I'll never get to work on your suits.” * * * The three pegasi followed Rarity to her shop. The white unicorn immediately starting levitating several drawings from a stack of papers on her work table. “Here are some of the designs I've been working on. Most are a little further along than the ones I sent with Fluttershy. These are variations on the one I made for Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy, I was thinking this one might be nice for you. I could make it in variations of yellow with pink trim. A two tone pink would be a good look too. Firewing, I given some thought to colors for you too. The gold silk I used for Rainbow Dash's suit would work for you too. I'd make it a little different of course. Maybe trim it in brown or red and leave off Dash's symbol. What do you think?” “I think I'd like that,” said Firewing as she gazed at the drawings. “Let's keep it in mind. If I went with a full body suit would it be easier?” Rarity thought for a moment. “It would give you a greater color selection because we'd only have to match the red. The problem with matching red and brown is it limits the palette. You can go with red, brown, gold or yellow hmm maybe tan or an orange. What are you wearing now?” “Red and white in a roll pattern. It's just a practice outfit,” said Firewing. “The only other flight suit I have is from my old team.” “What's a roll pattern?” asked Rarity. “Big rectangles like a checker board. Only eight for the whole suit,” said Firewing. Rarity was puzzled. “I see...no, I don't see. Why in Equestria would you wear that?” Rainbow Dash giggled. “It shows off spins and rolls better while you're flying. It's not for fashion.” “Right,” added Firewing “but I want this suit to actually look good.” Rarity smiled. “That I can do. If you want to still show off your moves we could put in a stripe or maybe a pattern of sequins.” “That sounds cool,” said Firewing. “This one with the diagonal stripe looks good” said Rainbow Dash. “I could see myself in that. Maybe a two tone blue with lots of sparkles.” “If you like that, you'll love this.” Rarity showed Rainbow Dash another design. This one is red on the front and gold on the back. The red tapered to a point on the underside of the suit. Firewing and Rainbow Dash both loved the suit. Even Fluttershy pictured herself in a version of it. “Wow, that is something Rarity,” said Dash. “See Firewing, I told you she was a genius.” “Oh my, well thank you,” said Rarity. “I'm glad you like it. But there's more.” “More?” said Firewing, Dash and Fluttershy together. They spent the rest of the morning looking at designs, fabric and taking measurements. In the end Dash decided on three suits and Firewing took two. Fluttershy was satisfied with one. Rarity joined her three customers for lunch. Afterward the three pegasi went to practice and Rarity returned to her shop to begin work.