The fierce mid-morning sun shone down on Cloudsdale, warming the skies with its powerful rays. A swift wind blew, creating cross breezes where warm and cold air met. It was the type of day that made any pegasus feel alive, and made the blood boil in their veins from its beauty and power. But the weather was not the only reason why she felt alive.
Rainbow Dash banked along the warm updrafts, carving the wind with her powerful wings to create more thrust. This is what life’s all about she thought to herself, reveling in the freedom of the skies. She glanced over her shoulder to see Spitfire mere inches from her wingtip. It could have been inches, it could have been miles – they wouldn’t crash. She let a smile of pure exhalation flash across her face, only to have a similar smile returned to her. There was a slight twinkle in her eyes, in anticipation for what was coming.
“Are you ready?” Spitfire asked.
“No. But were going for it anyway” she replied, having a bit of fun with her flying partner. Giddy with excitement, she lead Spitfire headfirst into a dive.
The Cloudsdale Arena was visible far below them, only a minute speck on the horizon of the ground below them. They dove together, as a single flying entity. Her left wing was overlapping Spitfires right, as they gained un-matchable speed at a frightening rate. A single cone of air began to form around the two of them.
Rainbow Dash looked at the arena, fast approaching below them, before glancing up into Spitfire’s eyes; she knew their thoughts were the same. In unison, they gave a single, powerful flap of their wings. In unison, they broke the crucial barrier, the 20 wing power mark. They broke the color barrier.
The reason it's called the color barrier is self-explanatory. Immediately the sky exploded into a rainbow of flames, the combined effects of the Sonic Rainboom and Sonic Flameboom in unison. Using the immense strength of her wings, she fought against gravity and the massive air pressure around her to break the freefalling embrace of death they were locked in. Banking her turns, she arced around the stadium. Her rainbow trail was alight with flames, igniting the air; She crossed right over Spitfire's trail of flames, every color imaginable, that burned across the sky. She could hear the cheers of the crowd, distorted from the immense speed she circled the arena at. She knew what they were saying.
“RAIN-BOW-DASH! RAIN-BOW-DASH!”
One voice cut through the cacophony of sound. A voice she recognized.
“RAIN-BOW-DASH!”
Was that…
“Rainbow Dash!”
Twilight?
………
“Rainbow Dash!”
She opened her eyes to see the purple unicorn standing in front of her, and quickly closed them again. It was only a dream. But a beautiful one at that! Any dream where she could fly with the Wonderbolts, especially Spitfire, was a beautiful dream. She remained silent, wishing to recapture the exhilaration of her dream for just a few more seconds.
“Rainbow Dash?”
At long last, she opened her eyes to acknowledge her patient friend.
“Oh, thank Celestia. I thought you were going to sleep all day.”
She glanced around the room, startled to see an unfamiliar pristine atmosphere. She lay on a white bed, covered by white sheets, surrounded by white curtains, and with a metal railing around her bed. She pulled herself into a sitting position.
"Twilight. Why am I in the hospital?"
"The doctor wanted to make sure you didn't strain your wings after the hurricane that lifted the water to Cloudsdale. And since you wouldn't agree to go I..." Twilight's gaze dropped to the ground, and she started idly pawing it. "I kinda, lulled you to sleep with magic."
"Twilight!" Rainbow Dash rolled over onto her legs, giving a menacing look to the unicorn.
"Calm down Dash. Everything's fine, your wings are good, I was just coming to tell you it's time to go home."
Relief was evident in Dash's body as she relaxed from her poised stance.
"As long as everything's find, than no harm done. How long was I asleep."
Twilight blushed and returned her gaze to the ground.
"A week."
The resulting cry could have been hear across Ponyville.
"A WEEK?"
"Don't worry Dash, it's nothing to do with your health. I just... I couldn't find the counter spell to wake you any sooner. Sorry."
Rainbow Dash got up out of the bed and stormed out of the room. A week! I've lost a week of my life because she couldn't find the counter spell. She slammed the door of the hospital behind her, stretching her wings and taking to the sky. The strain of physical activity always helped to calm her anger, and though her wings protested from lack of use, she forced them to co-operate. Now I'm going to have to train extra hard to make up for the missed time, the cloud patrol is going to give me double shifts, and Fluttershy's going to think I'm a jerk for standing her up at the annual bunny census. Her rapid flight did little to let her flaming soul simmer down. Not wanting to face the world for a few more minutes, she landed at her home and went inside.
The first thing noticed was how pristine the place was. During the time she was asleep, somepony had come and looked after it. Tank had plenty of food and water, and was still happily sleeping into the day; her books were (inadvertently) found and organized, except for the current edition of Daring Do, still opened under her cloud-pillow; the weeks editions of "Equestria Daily" were laid out on her bed-side cloud-table, and organized based upon date; her mail was sorted, neatly piled beside the papers, and waiting for her to read. On the top of the pile was a note, laid out with care to be the first thing read.
I'm sorry Rainbow Dash. Everything's been looked after, I helped Fluttershy with the census, got you time off work, renewed your library books (you can't hide them from me!) and kept everything in order for you. I can't reverse time to prevent that spell, but if there is anything I can do for you, please let me know. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?
Your dedicated friend
Twilight Sparkle
It would take more than just a letter to make her forget her friends betrayal of trust, but she was genuinely regretful, so Dash felt the burning sensation that accompanied anger die down. Setting aside the newspapers, she sifted through her mail. Fan mail, coupons, party invite (to celebrate her waking up). She flipped to a pure white envelope with flames embroidering the edge. It was sealed in a formal fashion by the Wonderbolts wax seal. And old fashion style but it definitely made it's mark. Everything else left her mind but that letter.
Perhaps Spitfire was also disappointed about the hurricane she thought, as she unsealed the letter, careful to keep the seal intact.
Dear Miss Rainbow Dash, Cloudhouse, Ponyville
For some time now, the Wonderbolts have been considering you as a candidate to join our prestigious ranks. Your actions have not gone unnoticed, and we have constantly been impressed by your results. The hurricane that just passed was intended as a final test, to determine if you are capable of joining our ranks.
The total wing power reached by the hurricane was 800, the bare minimum required to lift water to the sky. A special anemometer attached to you revealed that your personal wing power reached the 19.2 mark. That power is an impressive feat, however becoming a Wonderbolt requires more than just individual capability.
The most important thing to note from your efforts is that, even in adverse circumstances, you did not give up. You were able to lead your team to prevail. Never before has such a feat been accomplished by such a small group of ponies. It was from your coaching and guidance that almost every single one of them was able to surpass the 10 wing power mark.
And so the Wonderbolts would like to extend a formal invitation for you to join our ranks. Your leadership is unmatched for results across Equestria, your skill and dedication is admirable, and you have the talent required for such a position.
If you wish to accept this invitation, please meet us at the Cloudsdale Training Arena on the 12th day of spring, a week after the hurricane, at the peak of the suns flight through the sky.
Sincerely
The Royal Wonderbolts.
A small note was hastily scrawled on the corner of the page:
Congratulations Rainbow Dash! I've been looking forward to this day for years. You'll make the greatest flier in all of Equestria, I'm sure of that. I look forward to flying with you.
-Spitfire.
Words escaped her mind.
The only thing left was emotions.
Joy.
Overwhelming joy.
A dream long chased;
A dream come true.
Finally,
After years of hard work,
Years of dedication,
She had made it.
Relief.
No longer having to wonder,
To doubt her own abilities,
To think herself not strong enough.
At long last she had made it.
She was invited to the Wonderbolts!
Still unable to comprehend it all
Another bout of euphoria struck her to the bone
That white letter embroidered with flames
Proclaimed her dream had come true.
The shock from the letter slowly wore off Rainbow Dash, as her thoughts began to organize themselves in a more coherent form. "I'VE DONE IT" she shouted, unable to contain her excitement. She flew out the door and towards the sky, reveling in her joy and the heat of the mid-day sun. Thank-you Celestia she thought, glancing towards the sky. It was a beautiful day, as the sun...
No.
Not now.
Not after so long.
It just couldn't happen.
The sun was almost at it's peak in the sky.
WHAT DAY IS IT?
She rushed inside, looking around for any indication. Her eyes landed on the newspapers
9th
10th
11th
12th. And it appeared to have arrived this morning.
Stuffing the letter under her wings, and wedging it securely in her feathers, she rushed out the door and towards Cloudsdale. She had to make it. This was the most important day of her entire life. The ecstatic feeling from earlier was replaced with dread at missing the deadline. She couldn't let the Wonderbolts down. She couldn't let herself down. Even though fighting against gravity, a sonic cone started to form around her body. Just on the horizon. Almost there. The barriers between wind and color began to blur. Just a few flaps further.
"RAINBOW DASH!"
The cry pierced through the wall of air around her, but she didn't slow.
"Dash, it's alright." The words were coming from... beside her? She looked, and could barely make out the shape of another pegasi flying beside her. It was Spitfire.
"Slow down Dash, you've made it."
Extending her wings as air brakes, she slowed from her near-sonic state and was able to make out the clouds beneath her. Rising out of them was the largest stadium in existence, miles away from Cloudsdale, and so huge that the far side wasn't even visible. Everything from race tracks to housing was within the stadium, a city of itself designed solely for a few pegasi to ever use. They were at the Cloudsdale Training Arena.
"So, what do you think?"
All the pictures and tales of the arena could not fully capture its majesty. "It's everything I ever dreamed it would be."
"And now you're here."
A blue streak came racing around the track that encircled the arena, banking at the end of the lap and aiming straight for them. Seconds before a crippling collision, it came to a dead halt.
"Rainbow Dash! Glad you've finally made it."
"Soarin?"
"You're gonna fit right in here. Wish I could talk, but I got another few laps before I can take a break." In another streak of blue, the pegasus was gone, already disappearing towards the horizon.
"He's right, this is the place for you" said Spitfire, gliding down to the cloud level. Rainbow Dash idly followed, her mind still trying to take in everything that happened. "It's been a big day, so I'll show you to your new room. Training starts tomorrow, but we'll make time to move all of your stuff up here on the weekend."
As they flew through the complex, there was only one thought that kept crossing Rainbow Dash's mind.
I've done it. I'm a Wonderbolt!