Chapter 50
Rainbow Dash left the office and exited the Town Hall. She headed towards the library still in a state of shock at Derpy's unexpected skills. As terrible as she was at practically everything she touched, the forms and protocols that baffled Rainbow Dash made sense to Derpy.
Twilight and Spike were sweeping up in front of the library when Rainbow Dash arrived. 'Score one more point for living in the clouds,' thought Dash with a smirk.
“Good morning Twilight, hi Spike,” called Dash as she landed.
“Good morning Rainbow,” said Twilight, “you're up and about early this morning.”
“Not by choice,” replied Rainbow Dash, “but as long as I'm up, I need a couple of things from you. I need a book and I need to ask you a question.”
“I told you that I won't have the new Daring Do for another month,” replied Twilight.
“No, it's not that,” said Dash, “I need a book on sky dancing for Fluttershy. I have a copy for myself but she needs one to study too.”
“Oh, well, I'm sure I have something in here,” said Twilight. “Spike, come help us look for a book, please.”
“Sure Twilight,” said Spike, glad to stop sweeping for a while. He followed Rainbow Dash and Twilight into the library.
“It's a book on basic sky dancing,” said Dash. “I should have brought my copy but I'll recognize it if I see it.”
“We don't have a lot of books like that,” said Spike, “you pegasi aren't exactly big readers.”
“That's not fair Spike,” said Twilight, “just get what we have.”
“It's a small book,” said Dash, “and it has a blue cover.”
Spike went to look for the book and Twilight asked Dash what she wanted to talk about.
“It's a couple of things really,” said Dash as she looked at the floor. “First let me ask you; what do you think of Firewing and do you consider her a friend?”
“I'd say she is a friend,” said Twilight thoughtfully. “We aren't real close like you probably are but I like her and think she's a fine pegasus. I'd be proud to call her my friend.”
“Good,” said Dash, “I was hoping you would feel that way. The rest of the girls feel the same. The reason I'm asking is that I know being an Element is important and I wanted you to be prepared in case something happens to me. If I crash or something, I think Firewing would be a great replacement for me.”
“Rainbow Dash! Don't talk that way!” cried Twilight. “No pony can replace you.”
“Think about it Twilight,” replied Dash, “I live a pretty dangerous life. It could have ended just the other day. I'd feel better if you'd consider Firewing as a replacement, just in case.”
“I never considered what would happen if one of us...couldn't be an Element anymore,” said Twilight. “I'm not even sure how a replacement would be made. I'm not even sure a replacement could be made.”
“I didn't think about it either,” said Dash. “I accidentally let it slip that I was the Element of Loyalty when I was talking to Firewing. She said that she was surprised that Celestia even let me do stunt flying if I was that important. I hadn't thought about it before but I guess that if I couldn't be replaced, the Princess would have stopped me by now.”
“That makes sense,” admitted Twilight. “I suppose I should send the Princess a letter and find out for sure. We should consider the other Elements too, just in case.”
Rainbow Dash laughed. “What could happen to them? Rarity getting a fatal needle stab? Pinky Pie burning a hoof getting cookies out of the oven? Okay, I could see you turning yourself inside out with a messed up spell but I think the rest of them are pretty safe.”
“Accidents can happen to anypony,” said Twilight. “It wouldn't have to be fatal either. What if one of us permanently injured ourselves and couldn't travel anymore?”
“I never thought about that,” said Rainbow Dash, “but you see what I mean now? Anyway, Firewing likes you all and you like her, and she's loyal. Applejack said so too. She didn't want to be my replacement at first but she promised she would try anyway.”
“Sounds like you picked a good friend for a replacement,” said Twilight with a smile. “I wonder who I could pick?”
“I don't know any unicorn with your kind of power, Twilight,” said Dash, “or any ponies for the others either.”
“It's more than just power, Rainbow,” said Twilight. “They also have to have the quality of their element too, not to mention being able to be friends with the other Elements. You can say what you want about Trixie but she does have a pretty high level of power. I can't imagine her being friends with the rest of you though.”
“No kidding,” said Dash. “I guess we could find other ponies that are generous, kind, honest or happy, but not like we are. I couldn't imagine replacing any of you either. I guess I'm the most replaceable one of us all. If not Firewing, you could always pick Windy or Frost. I think you'll like them too and I can't think of more loyal ponies. All you'd be losing would be my awesome flying skills.”
“Not true, Rainbow,” said Twilight, “that is just not true. We couldn't replace you like a wagon wheel or something. I can't imagine not having you around and I don't want to. You are my friend and that's all there is to it.”
“Thanks, Twilight,” replied Rainbow Dash with a smile, “I feel the same way about all of you. So what do we do now? Why don't you take care of writing to Princess Celestia and I'll write my own letter about what I learned about friendship last week. I also want to ask if I can perform at a party in Canterlot next month. Princess Celestia is having it for Princess Luna to try to reintroduce her back into the court.”
“Oh, that would be great,” said Twilight. “I'm sure you'll be a hit. I'll write the letter to the Princess and ask about the replacement issue. I just hope she doesn't ground you.”
“Not happening,” said Dash, “she knows how I fly.”
Spike walked up carrying a small stack of books. “These are all I could find,” said Spike. “I hope one of them is the right one.”
Rainbow Dash looked through the stack and found what she was looking for almost immediately. She continued to browse the titles to see what else was there. There was only six books and it didn't take long.
“This is the one I need, well, the one Fluttershy needs,” said Dash. “I'd like you to keep the rest handy until Firewing comes back. She'll have a better idea of what to try next. Of course, Mr. Immelmane might have something to suggest too. I've got a lot of work to do.”
“You also have a letter to write,” said Twilight. “Why don't you dictate it to Spike while I write to the Princess? We can send them off together.”
“Alright,” said Dash, “come on Spike. Let's get started.”
Dear Princess Celestia,
As you probably heard, I tried out for the Wonderbolts last week. It turned out great and I'm now the featured soloist for the Wonderbolts. I'll still be living in Ponyville most of the time so if you need me as an Element, I'll be ready.
I learned a lot about friendship last week and made friends with all the other contestants except one. I won't go into that right now. You'll probably hear about it if you haven't already. I found out that old friends are still friends even if you haven't seen them in a while. I found out that some ponies are easy to make friends with while others take more of an effort. I also found out that it's worth the effort.
There was another thing I learned about friendship and that is the consequences my behavior has on my friends. I don't mean that I did anything wrong to my friends on purpose or anything like that. I was doing something dangerous and it upset them. It upset them a lot. I didn't understand then but I do now. I feel bad for doing that to them but I feel good that they actually care for me that much. It's a lousy way to find out something I should have seen for myself and I don't want to go through that again.
I guess the most surprising thing I learned was that somepony you thought was your enemy really wasn't. That might be the best feeling of all. I made up with a pony I knew from school that I thought hated me but I found out he only wanted what he thought was best for me. It's sad that I missed having that friendship for all those years but I'm glad we're friends now. I also learned that he lost a friend when he was young and still misses him. I wish I could find his friend and get him to return to Cloudsdale but I'm not going to hold my breath on that one.That's what I learned about friendship at the Wonderbolt try outs. If I think of anything else, I'll write more.
I was told while still in Cloudsdale that the Wonderbolt's would be performing for you next month at a party for Princess Luna. I would be honored and very happy if you would allow me to perform at your party. It would be my first public performance as the Wonderbolt's solo aerialist. Please let me know so we can put on a show worthy of the occasion.
You Loyal Subject,
Rainbow Dash, Wonderbolt
P.S. It was Twilight Sparkle's idea to put in the part about 'a show worthy of the occasion', like I'd put on a bad show for the rulers of the Sun and Moon. Your student thinks too much.