//------------------------------// // Chapter 41 // Story: The Winning Failure // by marley //------------------------------// Chapter 41 “I just want to run through my routine once more,” said Dash. “I have it down already. I guess I should come up with a little more than that since it's so short.” “Why don't you do that while I work with Fluttershy for a while,” said Firewing. “I can work on my routine later. I think I'll just string one of my old routines in front of the one I did in the try outs.” Rainbow Dash nodded. “Okay, see ya later.” She took off, rapidly gaining altitude. “Alright Fluttershy, why don't we try a little something,” said Firewing. “I'm going to fly and I want you to follow me and do what I do. If it's something you can't do or don't know how to do just tell me. Alright?” “Okay,” replied Fluttershy, “are we going very high up?” “High enough to be safe but not so high that the ponies on the ground won't be able to see us well,” said Firewing. “Higher is safer?” said the yellow pegasus nervously. “Sure,” said Firewing, “if you're too low and something goes wrong you have no time to correct it. Remember what they told you in flight school? Most accidents happen during take offs and landings. Don't worry, I'm not going to do anything real hard. I'm just going to teach you a little dance. It isn't very strenuous.” Fluttershy smiled. “Alright, I'm ready...I guess.” “Good. Now there are only five moves in this dance; the loop, the stall, the spin, the turn and the half loop. Can you do those?” Firewing felt like she was talking to a much younger filly. Fluttershy nodded her head. “I think so.” “Then follow me. Stay back a few lengths so you don't run into me,” instructed Firewing. They took off and gained altitude. One by one, Firewing led Fluttershy through the moves. Though Firewing is going at a slow pace, Fluttershy is a move behind by the end of the exercise. Firewing dropped back and flew beside Fluttershy. “Are you tired?” “Oh no,” said Fluttershy happily. “That was easy.” “Could you do it a little faster?” asked the new teacher. “I guess so,” said Fluttershy. “I'm not really used to going fast.” “You don't have to go real fast, just a little bit faster,” said Firewing, trying to encourage her. “Lets try it with some music. It will be a lot easier if you can hear the beat. Watch me first.” She went over to the DJ unicorn and asks her to play the dance music. She took off and when she reached altitude, she waggled her wings and the DJ started the music. The maneuvers where made to fit the length of the song when performed three times in sequence. Firewing had done this dance since she was a filly did it perfectly. She returned and landed beside Fluttershy. “There! That's all there is to it. Do you think you can do that?” said Firewing. “I think so,” said Fluttershy. She was becoming more confident. “I'll fly along with you and call out the tricks and then say 'now' and you do them, okay?” said Firewing. “I think that would help a lot,” said Fluttershy. “Let's fly!” said Firewing. They took off again. When they got to altitude Firewing asked if Fluttershy was ready. Fluttershy nodded and Firewing signaled the DJ to start. “First move is a shallow dive into a loop. Now!” Rainbow Dash was practicing her routine at a higher altitude and rode the currents to watch her friends below. Fluttershy, acting on Firewing's direction, was actually performing the dance pretty well. She started to follow along with the moves. Firewing had Fluttershy perform the dance four times before she noticed that Fluttershy was tiring and allowed her to land. Rainbow Dash decides to go congratulate her. “That was pretty good for your first try,” said Firewing. Fluttershy smiled but was too out of breath to say more than “thank you”. “When you're rested we'll try it together,” said Firewing. “Just do what you just did and ignore me. I'll be doing a mirror of your moves and it will be my job to make sure we don't collide.” Fluttershy was startled. “C..collide?” “Don't worry,” said Firewing, “I've done this before and with ponies that were a lot worse than you.” Rainbow Dash landed. “You looked pretty good up there Fluttershy.” “Thank you, this is harder than it looks,” said Fluttershy. “Really?” Rainbow Dash found in hard not to laugh. “It's mostly trying to do the maneuvers on the beat,” said Fluttershy. “I was constantly trying to speed up and slow down.” Firewing smiled. “You practice that same dance everyday for an hour and I guarantee that in a week you'll be doing it so smooth and easy that it won't tire you at all.” “You really think so?” said Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash answered her friend. “Sure Fluttershy, practice is usually the answer. That and having a good teacher.” “That's right,” added Firewing. “We all learned from some pony.” “If you want to rest a little longer, I'll get the DJ to play my music and run through my routine,” said Rainbow Dash. “Sure, go ahead,” said Firewing. Rainbow Dash went to the DJ. “Do you have a longer version of this song?” “Sure,” said the white pony in the sunglasses, “it's just an extra two verses and there are vocals. But yeah, I have it.” “I guess it will have to do,” said Dash. “Let me get up there and level out, then start the music.” “You got it,” replied the pony with a grin. She was enjoying this. It wasn't often anypony got a private show from two Wonderbolts. Rainbow Dash took off and quickly reached her desired altitude. The music started. Firewing instantly noticed that Rainbow Dash wasn't doing the same routine from the tryouts. It's slower and the tricks are all different. This continued through the first two verses and into the third when she started the routine she used in the tryouts. She worked her way into the dive and her landing maneuver, her new safe version, and landed by her friends as the music ended. Fluttershy was stunned. “Wow! Rainbow Dash, no wonder they wanted you to be their solo performer. That was great!” “Thanks Fluttershy. I wish you could have seen it the old way.” “This is just as good Dash,” said Firewing. “Don't try that old way again” “Yes, I don't need to see it,” said Fluttershy. Despite a secret wish to see Dash's old stunt, she knew from Firewing's description how dangerous it was. “Don't worry, you won't,” said Dash with a little laugh. “Think that will satisfy the crowd tomorrow?” “Oh yes,” said Fluttershy. “Everypony is going to love that.” Firewing agreed. “You looked good. I really liked the way you built it up from the slow maneuvers to that full speed routine you used in the try outs. That's the kind of thing you'll have to do at all the Wonderbolt shows.” “I know. I'm glad I have a choreographer to help me,” said Dash. “I'd never be able to come up with a fresh routine every show. I have lots of tricks but I've only put a routine to music a couple of times.” “Oh come on!” said Firewing, “you looked as good as anypony at the tryouts. I don't know about Frost but Windy and I have been doing this for years.” “I watched a lot of competitions and aerial shows. I guess I picked a lot up from just watching other ponies. Starshine helped a little bit too.” Rainbow Dash laughed. “Mostly I just put on something that rocks and start flying.” “You're just a natural Rainbow Dash,” said the yellow pony. “It's like I am with animals or Twilight is with her magic.” “You really don't usually fly to music?” asked Firewing. She was still skeptical. “Well, no,” said Dash. “I like to fly to music but I don't usually have the option. I just guessed at how long the tricks would take during the tryouts. I was lucky to get as close as I did on the first try.” “Well, if Fluttershy is rested we'll try a little flying to music while you take a break,” said Firewing. Fluttershy arose. “Sure, I could fly some more now.” “Okay,” said Firewing, “when we get up there I want you to pick out a point and fly towards it. Fly straight and level and at a constant speed. I'll get into position and signal the DJ to start the music. When it starts just do the moves like before and ignore me. I'll adjust to you.” “Alright, I'll try,” said Fluttershy. She sounded a little stressed. “Just try to relax Fluttershy,” said Rainbow Dash. “Remember, this is supposed to be fun.” Firewing and Fluttershy took off while Rainbow Dash watched them from the ground. The music started and Firewing and Fluttershy began the dance. Firewing turned away from Fluttershy as they circled in opposite directions. They flew towards each other, dropped into a shallow dive and into a loop towards each other. They almost touched as they passed on the upward arc of the loop. As they completed the loop they veered away from one another and performed a spin. They turned towards each other again and did a half loop. The dance continued. Rainbow Dash is surprised at Fluttershy's rapid progress. The dance ended and the pair returned to the ground. “Wow Fluttershy, you looked like a real pegasus up there. Nice flying!” Rainbow Dash really meant it and briefly wondered if she could have done a better job helping Fluttershy along. “That was really good for a first time,” added the Manehatten pony. “I wish I had more time to work with you.” “Thank you both,” said Fluttershy as she blushed. “I didn't know I could do that. Maybe I could come to Cloudsdale when Rainbow Dash visits sometimes. I'd really like to learn more, if it's not too much trouble.” “Sure, I'd be happy to,” said Firewing. “You might even be able to find a real teacher there and fly with a class.” “Well maybe,” said Fluttershy. “I'd like to get a little better before I went to a class. I'm afraid I'd be embarrassed if I went to a class now.” “I'll help you get better,” said Firewing, “and I'm sure Rainbow Dash would be willing to help too.” “Sure!” said Dash enthusiastically, “I'm going to take your advice and learn a little about this sky dancing myself. We can practice together.” “Why don't you take her up for a while so I can practice my routine?” said Firewing. “Okay with me,” said Dash. “Think you can fly a little more Fluttershy?” Fluttershy shook her head. “I'd like to rest a little more first if it's alright with you.” “Sure, we can watch Firewing for a while,” said Dash. Firewing went over to the DJ and selected some music. Soon she was airborne and swiftly gained altitude. The music started and Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash are treated to a private show. Rainbow Dash sighed. “Beautiful, just beautiful.” “She's almost as good as you,” said Fluttershy. “She's better in some ways,” replied Dash. “I've never seen a more graceful flier. I thought she was better than Windy and Windy thought so too.” “Then how did she win?” asked Fluttershy. “Because Windy is an extremely talented pegasus,” replied Rainbow Dash. “Very precise, very smart and she has more experience. I think the judges picked her because they felt that Firewing would need more training. It's funny, I didn't like Windy at first. Frost knew her and said she was cold and didn't have any friends. I thought she was kind of stuck up, like she was better than everypony else.” “And now?” asked the pink maned pony. “She changed last week,” said Rainbow Dash. “Before she was always just calculating her next move, doing whatever it took to win. Always trying to be perfect at everything. The day you saw her first perform was the day she really changed. She can still just go into that … I don't know what to call it, she just gets outwardly calm and really focused on whatever she's doing. But now she enjoys being with other ponies, she does things for fun. And you can tell just by looking at her. Maybe if she hadn't woken up, Firewing would have won the first spot. She's really nice to be around now.” “I hope I get to meet her when we go back to Cloudsdale,” said Fluttershy. “When “we” go back to Cloudsdale?” asked Dash. “Of course! I'll be going with you and Firewing when you leave on Wednesday. I have to visit the shops with Rarity's designs,” said Fluttershy. “I didn't think about that. Sure, you can meet Windy. I'm sure you'll like her.” Rainbow Dash shifted her attention back to Firewing as her song ended and she landed next to them. “Like the show?” asked the performer with a toss of her red mane. “Oh yes! It was lovely,” replied Fluttershy. “I'm sure everypony will enjoy it tomorrow.” “Awesome as always,” added Dash. “Thank you both,” said Firewing with a dramatic bow. “You know, you're the first pegasus Rainbow Dash said could fly better than her,” said Fluttershy. “Really?” said Firewing. “That's quite a compliment.” “What I said was that you were better in some ways,” corrected Rainbow Dash. “I never said you could out fly me.” “What's the difference?” asked Fluttershy. Firewing couldn't resist teasing Dash. “Yeah, what's the difference?” Rainbow Dash was taken aback. “I can um.. but you're more..aah... I'm faster and can do more tricks but you're more graceful and .. and you look better while you're flying!” It came out in a rush. “That was hard for you wasn't it?” Firewing laughed and Fluttershy joined in. “You are faster than me and you do know more tricks. I'll give you that. I think you are the best Dash, it's just that you haven't had the benefit of formal training.” Rainbow Dash stuck her nose in the air. “phht Formal training. That's just a bunch of ponies telling you what you can't do. Like that move you wanted to do in our show on the last day.” “But you didn't know how bad some of your moves were until I told you,” reminded Firewing. “You can't see how you look when you perform. You need some pony with a good eye for that.” “And I'm grateful for that,” said Dash. “That's another reason I'm really glad I've got Immelmane on my side. He'll do more than keep me safe, he'll help me look good too.” “So you do need help sometimes?” asked Firewing. “Sure, but I'll bet I wouldn't have as many tricks if I had the same training as you,” argued Dash. They were interrupted by the DJ. “Are you gals going to fly or talk all day?” The three pegasi laughed. “Sorry,” said Dash. “Come on Fluttershy, you should be rested by now.” “Okay, lets go,” said Fluttershy. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash took off and flew up to performing altitude. The music started and the pair began the dance. For two inexperienced dancers they did fairly well. Both tried to adjust their speed to match the other and the music helped them stay coordinated. When it ended they flew down to join Firewing. “You were right,” said Dash to Firewing, “that's not as easy as it looks.” “It was probably my fault,” said Fluttershy. “I know I was too slow at first.” “Now don't get discouraged,” said Firewing as she put a hoof around her shoulder. “You're just starting out. It'll come with practice. You both did okay for being new to dancing.” “I wonder if I could do a little of that as an intro before I start my routine?” said Rainbow Dash. “Maybe I could get Frost or whoever the new reserve stallion is to dance with me, then when that's over I'll be at altitude and start my routine.” “That's not a bad idea,” said Firewing. “It would give the reserve ponies some practice too. Get them used to being in front of a crowd.” “We can talk about it latter,” said Dash. “Let's practice some more. Gotta look good for the home crowd.” They practiced the rest of the afternoon and took turns working with Fluttershy. By the end of the day they had convinced her to join in the demonstration the following day.