Chapter 78
They spent the rest of the day practicing. Rainbow would run through her act and then Fluttershy would dance with Firewing or Frost. Rainbow Dash was impressed by her progress and worried that she might have to actually pay for the dinner after all. Fluttershy made them all stay for supper and it became a party of sorts though much more relaxed and quieter than the ones Pinkie Pie planned.
Even the Cutie Mark Crusaders stayed, oblivious to the trouble they were bound to face for staying late. Fluttershy suggested that the pegasi see the little ones home and they agreed. Rainbow Dash took Scootaloo while Applebloom laid on the back of Firewing and Frost let Sweetie Bell ride her. Vinyl started her long walk home, though she planned on making a stop at Ponyville's only pub on the way. Fluttershy was left alone to take care of her animals for the night.
They had not traveled far when Rainbow Dash spotted Applejack walking towards Fluttershy's home. Guessing that she was hunting for her sister, Rainbow Dash dove down to meet her. The others followed. Only Scootaloo found this sudden dive enjoyable. Both Sweetie Belle and Applebloom screamed in piercing tones. Applejack looked up and saw them coming to meet her.
The pegasi landed in front of Applejack who viewed them with a stern expression. Apple Bloom jumped down and trotted over to her sister.
“I guess I know where you've been,” said Applejack, “so I won't ask. You were supposed to be home over an hour ago.”
“I'm sorry sis,” said Apple Bloom, “I guess I just lost track of time.”
“Yeah,” said Rainbow Dash, “it was my fault too. We were just so caught up in flying that we weren't thinking of anything else. By the way, this is my friend Frost, from Cloudsdale. She flew in last night.”
“Pleased to meet you, Frost,” said Applejack. “Rainbow Dash has told us a lot about you.”
“Uh oh,” said Frost, with a laugh, “that might not be good. Nice to meet you too, Applejack.”
Applejack laughed. “I reckon if I can handle livin' in the same town as RD, I can get along with you. Anyway, she didn't say anything too bad about you. I ain't so sure about you though,” she said, with a look towards Firewing. “What were you doing up there with my sister? She can't fly, you know.”
Before Firewing could respond, Apple Bloom spoke up. “Aw sis, I was okay. You really ought to try flyin' some time. It's fun!”
“Fun huh,” said Applejack, “we'll see how much fun you think it is when you're doing extra chores for a week.”
“Oh come on Applejack,” said Firewing, “we were just giving them a ride home. It was faster than walking.”
“Yeah,” said Frost, “lighten up mare. They were having a blast.”
“Seriously AJ,” said Rainbow Dash, “do you really think we'd drop them? We're some of the best fliers anywhere.”
“Accidents can happen,” replied Applejack, “I'd appreciate it if y'all wouldn't take her up again.” She gazed at each of the pegasi in turn. Her expression showed that she expected her wishes to be obeyed.
Rainbow Dash nodded and Firewing mumbled a sorry but Frost just rolled her eyes. She glanced back at Sweetie Belle and asked if she was ready to go home.
“Sure,” said Sweetie Belle, “we'd better go. My sister will be getting worried too. My parents probably wouldn't be as much of a problem as Rarity. She's kinda fussy.”
Frost laughed and took off.
“See ya tomorrow AJ,” said Dash and followed Frost.
“Sorry, AJ,” said Firewing, “we were being careful really.” She lifted off and flew after her friends.
* * *
As they flew, Rainbow Dash and Firewing spoke. Firewing was worried that Applejack was mad at her.
“I wouldn't worry about it,” said Dash. “There was no harm done. Applejack is just very protective.”
“I hope Apple Bloom isn't in too much trouble,” said Scootaloo. “The clubhouse is out at Sweet Apple Acres and those extra chores might mean she can't spend as much time with us.”
“I'll have a little talk with her tomorrow night at the party,” said Dash. “It wouldn't be fair if she gets punished and you and Sweetie Belle don't. You won't get punished, will you?”
“Nah,” said Scootaloo, “they probably won't even notice I'm not there.”
“I think you should get along with Frost,” said Dash. “Tomorrow, why don't you hang out with her a little bit. I think you two might have a little in common.”
“Um, okay,” said Scootaloo, “we can still hang out though, right?”
“Sure we can,” replied Rainbow Dash. “I don't want anything to change between us but I think it would be good for you to get to know some other great fliers. Maybe you'll pick something up from them. We all fly different.”
“Besides,” added Firewing, “Rainbow is going to be flying a lot. I'm going to be working out tomorrow too. We'll be glad to answer any questions you might have.”
Frost was a little bit ahead of Dash and Firewing and Sweetie Belle was both directing her and holding on for dear life. There was even a little glow around her horn as if she was using her limited magic to stay stuck to Frost's back. Frost began to descend to Rarity's shop. She flew in gentle circles this time to avoid scaring the filly.
They landed in front of the shop and Frost knelt down to allow Sweetie Belle to get down more easily. She had scarcely put her hoof on the ground when Rarity came out of her shop. The expression on her face was as grim as Applejack's.
“You, young lady, are late,” said Rarity. “I suppose you lost track of time watching the air show. That's still no excuse for you being late for supper.”
“Sorry, sis,” said Sweetie Belle, “but after the Wonderbolts were done practicing, Fluttershy made us all supper and I guess one thing just led to another.”
“We figured you would know she was with us,” said Dash. “Sorry if we made you worry for nothing.”
“I did assume that she was with you,” said Rarity, her tone somewhat softer. “I wasn't too worried.”
“You didn't mind me flying with them?” piped Sweetie Belle happily.
Rarity's eyes opened wide. “You were flying?” she said.
“We, uh, gave her a ride home,” offered Rainbow Dash.
“It was fun!” said Sweetie Belle. Belatedly, she turned to Frost and thanked her.
Frost smiled at her. “You're welcome. I'll take you up anytime.” She turned to Rarity. “She was using her magic to hang on. I could feel it like a rope around me.”
Rarity was shocked. “Well, I suppose it would be alright if you promise me you'll be careful,” said Rarity.
“I will,” said Sweetie Belle.
“I wasn't talking to you,” said Rarity, “I was talking to our pegasi friends.”
“I'll treat her like she's my own sister,” said Frost. “Good to see you're not such a hard-flank like Applejack.”
Rainbow Dash stifled a laugh and Rarity glanced at her. “AJ was a little bit more upset about us taking the girls flying,” explained Dash. “I think Apple Bloom is grounded in more ways than one.”
Frost chuckled at Dash's joke but Firewing was still feeling guilty about the misunderstanding with Applejack. At last Rarity smiled. She felt that the pegasi would take care of her sister and she was also pleased that Sweetie Belle was starting to use her magic.
“Well, I would appreciate it if you're careful and have her home on time,” said Rarity, “but otherwise I have no objections to her flying. I know what it's like.”
“You do?” said Firewing.
“Twilight gave her wings for a day,” said Dash, “it didn't turn out so well.”
“But I did get to fly,” said the unicorn, “Not as well as you do but it was beautiful.”
“Are you going to try it again?” asked Dash.
“Um, no I think not,” said Rarity. “I'll leave the flying to those with real wings.”
“Good idea,” said Frost, “but if you really want to fly, we could take you up.”
“”That's alright,” said Rarity, “I'm a bit bigger than Sweetie Belle. I think you'd find it hard to fly with me on your back.”
Frost laughed. “Well, I probably could do it but I meant a chariot or cart.”
“Oh, of course,” said Rarity, “how silly of me. I might take you up on that.”
Scootaloo got down from Rainbow Dash's back. “I can make it home from here,” said the little pegasus. “I'll see you tomorrow.”
“Sure squirt,” said Dash. “I guess we'll be out at Fluttershy's place around ten or so. Does that sound good?”
“Great!” said Scootaloo. She hugged Dash's foreleg and Dash hugged her with one wing.
“I'll see you tomorrow,” said Scootaloo. She turned to Firewing and Frost. “You two were great to watch too. I can't wait to see more.”
“It was our pleasure,” said Firewing. “I think Windyday will be here soon so you'll get to see her fly too.”
“Oh wow,” said Scootaloo, “what's she like?”
“She won the first open position,” said Dash. “What's that tell you?”
“That, um, she's even better than you?” said Scootaloo, nervously.
“Out of the mouths of babes,” mumbled Frost to Firewing. Firewing coughed and looked away.
“She is not better than me,” said Dash tersely. “She is a great pegasus that has a lot of formation flying experience but I can out-fly her.”
“It's on,” whispered Firewing to Frost. Frost snickered.
“There's reasons that the Wonderbolts picked her for the first open slot,” said Dash. “It can get kind of complicated but sometimes even being the best at something isn't enough. Sometimes there are other reasons that a pony might be a better pick for a job than just skill. You'll get it when you're older.”
Scootaloo cocked her head. “That's just a grownup’s way of saying kids are dumb.”
Dash planted her hoof on her forehead. “Okay. Look at it this way; what if I had been chosen for Windy's job? I'd have had to move away to Cloudsdale. I'd have had to learn to fly in a completely different way. Soarin, Spitfire and Mr. Immelmane would have had to work harder to get me ready and they're already short of time. You see? There are other reasons.”
“I see,” said Scootaloo. “Could Windyday do your job?”
“No way!” said Dash but after thinking about it she went on. “She might be able to do it if I taught her. She doesn't have all my tricks. She can't go as fast or turn as tight either but she could look good. The same goes for these two,” said Dash with a smile. “Great fliers but they can't do what I do, not yet anyway.”
“So nice to know she thinks that there's hope for us,” said Frost.
“Very generous of her,” said Firewing. “I wonder if that's an offer for us to become her students.”
“She doesn't have the guts to do that,” replied Frost. “She'd be afraid that we would get better than her.”
“I'll show you anything that you ask to see,” said Dash. “I owe you that. No students right now though, I already have one.” She gave Scootaloo a hug with her wing.
Scootaloo smiled up at Dash. She would have happily stayed there like that for the rest of her days.
“Go on home now and get some rest,” said Dash, “we'll see you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow,” said Scootaloo. She trotted off to the farewells from Frost, Firewing and Sweetie Belle. Rarity couldn't speak. She was too choked up by the show of affection between Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo.
“When do you think Windy will get here?” asked Firewing.
“It depends on when practice is over and how tired she is,” said Frost. “I was pretty beat before I flew out and I stayed to eat supper first. If she left right after practice she could be here by now but I think she'll rest and eat before she leaves. I'd make a guess at maybe another couple hours or so.”
“Will, ahem, excuse me,” said Rarity, finding her voice, “will you be bringing her to meet me tomorrow?”
“I hope to,” said Rainbow Dash. “That's why we're not going to Fluttershy's until ten. That will give us time to have breakfast and come see you.”
“That will be fine,” said Rarity. “Feel free to stop by latter tonight, if you'd like, as long as it's not too late.”
“We might,” said Dash, “but it will depend on how Windyday feels. Frost was pretty tired when she got here.”
“That's for sure,” said Frost. “It was a long day of practice though. Maybe today won't be as bad.”
“It varies?” asked Firewing.
“Oh yeah,” said Frost. “Sometimes there's a lot of walk-throughs and classwork. Other days it's practicing the same move over and over again or doing the whole routine from start to finish. Soarin said that on really hot days we might work in the evenings instead of the afternoons. We need to train for night shows anyway.”
“At least that should keep things from getting stale,” said Firewing. “I guess they really keep you on your hooves that way.”
“You never know what to expect when you show up in the morning,” said Frost. “They help each other with weak points and show you what you're doing wrong.” Frost laughed. “Sometimes that takes a long time.”
“Like sky dancing?” asked Dash.
Frost shuddered. “Exactly,” she said. “Some of the others have their problems too. This one day, Fleetfoot just couldn't get her timing right and kept getting too close to Spitfire. Eventually they put Windy in the lead and Spitfire flew behind her telling her what to do in real full speed maneuvers. That was real exciting to watch and Fleetfoot got it down in a couple of tries.”
“Windy must be doing well if they let her lead,” said Firewing.
“You've seen her fly,” said Frost. “She's ready to perform, no doubt about it. We all have to learn all the positions though, I flew lead for the first time yesterday.”
“Figures,” said Firewing. “She is still the perfect flier. That much didn't change about her.”
“You sound disappointed,” said Rarity, “don't you want her to succeed?”
“Of course I do,” said Firewing, “it's just that she is so perfect about everything she does. It's kind of frustrating the way she makes it look so easy.”
“Don't be jealous of her,” said Dash. “I had some time to talk to her and found out how she does it. It's kind of scary. I don't think I'll try it.”
“So how does she do it?” asked Firewing.
“She just switches everything else off,” said Dash. “I know we all do it when we're concentrating on something but Windy is a level above that. She used to do it so much that she was like that almost all the time and not just when she was flying or performing. No emotions, no feelings, no sadness or happiness just...nothing. It was like she was a machine.”
“No wonder everypony thought she was cold,” said Frost. “Everything she did was just a calculation, wasn't it?”
“Yeah,” said Dash, “that's pretty much it. She'd been trained to win. She'd been trained to gain honor and glory but it didn't mean anything to her. She was just going through he motions.”
Rarity was shocked. “Can we talk about this some other time,” she said. “I don't think this is for a young pony to hear.”
“Sweetie Belle went inside a few minutes ago,” said Dash. “I think we were boring her.”
“Sweetie Belle is in my house...alone?” said Rarity. “Good evening everypony, I'll see you tomorrow.”
Rarity turned and ran inside.
“Protective of her sister too, I take it?” said Firewing.
Dash laughed. “Not exactly. I think she's more afraid of the destruction Sweetie can cause on her own.”
Frost and Firewing both laughed. “Come on,” said Frost, “let's go relax for a while until Windy gets here.”