Chapter 4: Suited For Success Google Docs
The Sun peeked its way over the early morning horizon. Alright! Time to get going! Dash leapt out of bed and rushed outside. She had been lying awake for what seemed like hours, itching to get back to training. The deep bags under her eyes betrayed the fact that she hadn’t had much in the way of sleep, but for once she was eager to start the new day as soon as possible.
At close to full speed, it didn’t take her long to get to Fluttershy’s cottage. However, just as she was about to knock, she paused. It’s still quite early, she thought, Fluttershy’s probably still asleep. She made her way over to the window, trying to peek inside and see if there was any movement.
“Um... Dash, why are you staring through my window?” Dash froze as she heard the unmistakable voice of Fluttershy coming from nearby.
Rainbow turned to face her, blushing slightly. “Oh... sorry Fluttershy. I just wanted to make sure that you were awake before I knocked. I guess you are. I wanted to get an early start today, but I didn’t expect you to be so keen to get going too!”
“Oh, I’m always up this early,” explained Fluttershy. “I have to feed all my animals. I was just about to let the chickens out. I’ll just be a few more minutes, then we can start. Um... if that’s okay with you?”
“Hey, no problem.” Rainbow’s stomach growled. “I just remembered that I haven’t had breakfast yet anyway. Take all the time you need.”
“I have plenty of hay,” offered Fluttershy, “take as much as you want. Spitfire is already up, so you don’t have to worry about waking her.”
“Thanks ‘Shy!” Dash pulled open the door of the cottage and stepped inside. Spitfire was indeed up, more literally than Dash had expected. She was out of bed, and tucking into some of Fluttershy’s supplies herself. “Hey Spitfire, I didn’t expect you to be walking around already. Are you sure that’s alright?”
“Morning Dash,” replied Spitfire, through mouthfuls of hay. She’d stripped out of her Wonderbolt uniform, and Dash couldn’t help but think she looked a little odd without it. Every time Rainbow had seen her before, she’d been in costume. “Fluttershy says it’s fine as long as I don’t do anything to put strain on my wing.” As Rainbow joined her and started to eat, Spitfire frowned slightly. “You know, I can’t help but feel we’re taking advantage here a little. After all that she’s already doing for us, here I am sleeping in her house, and here we both are eating her food...”
“Well you can hardly stay at mine if you can’t fly,” Rainbow pointed out. “Don’t worry, Fluttershy doesn’t mind. I’ll make it up to her later, pay for her lunch and stuff. Whether she likes it or not!”
“How did the training go yesterday?” asked Spitfire. “I tried to talk to Fluttershy about it, but she wasn’t very forthcoming.”
Dash stopped eating, and looked down at her hooves with a sigh. “Look... I don’t want Fluttershy to hear this. She’s trying so hard, and I don’t want to put her off any more than she already is... I’m not saying she’s completely nowhere, but she isn’t Wonderbolt standard, and she isn’t going to get there in six days. If we try to put her in one of your normal routines, she’s going to struggle to keep up. Or worse, get herself hurt. Plus I don’t think she’s ever going to get over her fear of loud noises, so we’re stuck with white clouds for her trail. I’m still not sure that this is going to work.”
Spitfire nodded. “Honestly, I was already kinda thinking that. But don’t worry, I have a few ideas on how to modify one of our routines to suit her better. I’ll work on it today. Not like I’ve got anything better to do.” At that moment Fluttershy walked in, so they left it at that.
“You ready to get going?” asked Rainbow.
Fluttershy glanced around the room, as if looking for an excuse to delay. “I... I guess so,” she said eventually.
Rainbow felt a pang of guilt. She’d been getting that a lot lately. “If you want to wait a little...”
“No.” For a moment, Fluttershy’s voice was surprisingly firm. But then it swiftly returned to its normal, quiet levels. “Um... I mean, please stop. If you keep trying to talk me out of this... I might just give in.” She closed her eyes, and shook her head. “And I really don’t want that to happen. I need all the practice I can get so... yes, I’m ready to go.”
Dash grinned. By Fluttershy’s standards, that was almost assertive, she thought. “Alright then, let’s go!”
Credit where it was due, Fluttershy really was giving it her all. They trained from dawn all the way to dusk, with only a brief break for lunch. Fluttershy’s confidence seemed to grow throughout the day, and although she was still having some problems with speed, her precision flying was excellent.
As the light faded, Dash was thinking that it was about time to call it a day. “Good work, Fluttershy. I think we deserve a rest though.” She yawned. “Wow! These early mornings really take it out of me. I could sleep for a week right now.”
“I think you’d miss something important if you did that...” Well, that wasn’t Fluttershy’s voice. For a start, it belonged to a stallion. Rainbow turned to see who it was that was speaking. In the growing gloom of the approaching night, she hadn’t spotted four pegasi approaching. Two stallions, two mares. Dressed in Wonderbolt costumes.
Of course, she thought, tomorrow we’ll be flying with the whole team.
“Where are your manners, Rainbow?” the stallion asked, with a cheeky grin on his face. “Aren’t you going to introduce us to your friend?” His name was Lightning Spark; she’d met him back at the young fliers competition. He was Soarin’s brother, and they shared the same dark blue mane. Lightning also had a blue coat, though it was a darker shade than his brother’s.
“Oh right.” She gestured at each Wonderbolt in turn. “Fluttershy, meet Lightning Spark, Ice Wind, Surprise, and Stormy Skies. Guys, this is Fluttershy.”
“Um... hi.” Fluttershy blushed, uncomfortable as always at being the centre of attention.
“Yeah, yeah, pleased to meet you and all that,” said Ice Wind, in a dismissive tone. She was one of the ponies that had tried to save Rarity at the young fliers competition. As such she had subsequently been saved by Rainbow, but they’d never actually spoken before. Now that Rainbow thought about it, it was a little odd that she’d never thanked her for saving her life. Her coat was yellow, and her mane two tones of blue. “Where exactly is Spitfire? She’s supposed to be training you! We’ve only got a few days left, for Celestia’s sake!” Dash decided that she didn’t much like Ice Wind.
“Oh right.” Rainbow winced. “You guys don’t know that yet. I’m afraid that there’s been... a complication. Spitfire broke her wing-” gasps all round from the Wonderbolts “-but it’s alright! We already have a replacement!” She put her foreleg around Fluttershy. The pair of them had forced grins on their faces.
Ice didn’t look impressed. “What, this little thing?” She snorted. “Celestia’s mane! I thought carrying one newbie was going to be a stretch, now you expect us to take on a complete unknown as well?”
“Now come on Windy, give her a chance,” interjected Surprise. Her mane was yellow, and her coat white. Dash knew her only by reputation; she was supposedly the ‘party mare’ of the Wonderbolts. Although if her competition was Ice Wind, gaining that reputation couldn’t have been that hard. “For all you know, she could be every bit as capable as Dash is.”
“Who said I was convinced that Dash here can cut it either?” countered Ice Wind.
“Now, now. That’s enough arguing.” The last of the ponies was Stormy Skies. He was the oldest, and most experienced, Wonderbolt of all. His coat was grey, and his mane completely white, but he could still keep up with ponies half his age while barely breaking a sweat. “Let’s just talk this over with Spitfire before we make any rash decisions. It’s nice to meet you Rainbow Dash. You too, Fluttershy.”
“Right back at’cha!” replied Dash, relaxing a little. “Spitfire is resting in Fluttershy’s cottage, just follow me.” She took the lead, with Fluttershy flying beside her; perhaps out of habit from the day’s training. Then again, perhaps it was a defense mechanism against the new, and not universally friendly, arrivals.
However, Surprise didn’t seem to have picked up on this, and inserted herself in between the two of them. “Don’t you guys worry about Windy,” she reassured them, in a conspiratorial whisper. “She’s always like this with new ponies. Once you get to know her, she’s a real sweetie!”
Yeah right, thought Dash, I’ll believe that when I see a pig do a sonic rainboom.
They arrived at the cottage, and Fluttershy lead them inside. It was a little cramped with all seven of them, but not enough to be uncomfortable. Spitfire smiled at them, glad to see her teammates arrive. Then she saw the expression on Ice Wind’s face, and the smile vanished, to be replaced with a concerned frown.
“Let me guess,” she sighed. “Ice Wind is convinced that these two are the worst pegasi in the whole of Equestria? And that now the Wonderbolts are doomed to fade into obscurity because our reputation is about to be dragged into the mud?”
“Pretty much,” admitted Lightning, smirking slightly. Clearly this was a bit of a Wonderbolt in-joke. “Just like when I joined. Just like when Surprise joined.”
“This is different!” protested Ice Wind. “We didn’t thrust you two into a performance a week after you started.”
“Rainbow Dash is as strong a flier as any of you,” countered Spitfire, in a stern voice. “You of all ponies should know that, Ice. As for Fluttershy... well okay, in normal circumstances I wouldn’t be picking her. But our hooves are tied. No offence, Fluttershy.”
“Oh, none taken,” replied Fluttershy. “I know I’m not as good a flier as any of you.”
“But that doesn’t matter,” Spitfire continued. “I’ve been working on a routine that will play to your strengths. What we’re going to do is-”
“You must be joking!” interrupted Ice Wind. “A new routine as well? How do you expect us to learn that in just five days?”
“Settle down,” growled Stormy Skies. “Spitfire is the leader here, not you. It’s a tall order, but we’re the Wonderbolts. Greatest fliers in all Equestria. Perhaps if you don’t think we can make it, then you’re the one who doesn’t belong here...” Ice Wind scowled at that, but stayed silent.
“It’s not an entirely new routine, just a variation.” Spitfire sighed. “Look, this was supposed to be a happy moment. We can argue later. Lightning, did you bring it?”
“I sure did.” Lightning Spark reached over into his saddlebag, and pulled out a piece of blue cloth, decorated with flashes of yellow...
“Is that... is that what I think it is?” Rainbow was giddy with excitement, all thoughts of Ice Wind now banished from her mind.
“Yep. Your very own Wonderbolt uniform.” Lightning passed it to her. “I’m afraid I only brought one, though.”
Rainblow squealed with glee, holding the uniform up against herself. Aw yeah! How I’ve dreamed of this...
“Don’t worry, Spark. Fluttershy can borrow mine.” Spitfire picked up her outfit from where it had been neatly folded, and passed it to the nervous Fluttershy. “Don’t worry, I washed it.”
“Oh... that wasn’t what I was...” Fluttershy blushed. “Thank you. It’s... very nice.”
“Well why don’t you two go upstairs and try them on?” suggested Spitfire. “I think that Rainbow’s going to explode soon otherwise. I have things to... discuss, with Ice Wind here.” At that, Rainbow shot upstairs, needing little encouragement. Fluttershy followed behind at a more leisurely pace.
Dash struggled with the costume, falling over herself as she tried to pull it on as fast as possible. After what seemed, to her at least, an age, she finally pulled the costume closed. As a finishing touch, she pulled on the goggles.
It was an odd feeling. It wasn’t often that she wore something that covered her entire body, head to hoof. The costume was tight, but stretchy, so that it didn’t really restrict her movement. But far more important than that was what it symbolised. It gave her a feeling of power, like she could do anything that she wanted.
What she really wanted right now was a mirror. Fortunately, Fluttershy had a full length one across from her bed. Dash flew over, and stuck some poses in front of it, admiring herself from every angle. “Aw yeah!” she said to herself. “Rainbow Dash always dresses in style!”
“Oh, yes, Dash. You’re looking very... um... cool?” Fluttershy hadn’t been in as much of a hurry as Dash, but her more careful dressing had been more efficient. She was now suited up as well. There was something slightly comical about the sight of her dressed as one of Dash’s idols, and despite herself Rainbow couldn’t help but giggle a little.
“Sorry, Fluttersy,” Dash apologised, trying to suppress her laughter. “I don’t mean to be rude. It’s just... I can’t say I ever thought I’d see you dressed like that.”
“Well... I don’t think I was really expecting it myself.” Fluttershy giggled a little as she looked at herself in the mirror. “It is pretty funny seeing myself like this. So... do you think it works? Can I pass for Spitfire?”
“Hmmm...” Dash looked her over. Fluttershy’s mane was the wrong colour of course, but they could fix that easily enough. She winced. That’s not the only problem with it. “Ah... I didn’t really think about this before but... we’re going to have to cut your mane.”
“Oh... right. Of course.” Fluttershy looked down at her hooves. “Spitfire does have hers cut very short, I guess I have to match.” Ever since they’d been foals, Fluttershy had always worn her mane long. Rainbow never usually gave much thought to mane-styles herself, but even she had to admit that the style suited her.
“I’m sorry, it just didn’t occur to me until I saw you in the outfit...”
“No, it’s alright, really.” Fluttershy smiled meekly. “With all the things I’m already doing, cutting my mane is the least of my problems! Shall we... shall we go down?”
Dash nodded, and the two of them headed downstairs. Lightning whistled as they swung into view. “Lookin’ fine, ladies!” Dash grinned at the compliment, but glanced over at Fluttershy to see how she’d react. Fortunately, the mask covered the inevitable blush that Dash just knew must be going on beneath the surface.
“Spitfire has explained our predicament,” announced Stormy Skies. “We thank you for agreeing to assist us, Fluttershy. We are all very grateful.” He glared at Ice Wind, who appeared to be sulking. “It’s going to be a difficult few days, but Spitfire’s routine sounds like it should work. I have every confidence that we can be ready in time.”
“Oooooh! You must be so excited!” Surprise rushed over to Dash, smiling widely.
“You bet I am!” Dash grinned. “I’ve been dreaming of joining the Wonderbolts my whole life!”
“Well of course, but...” Suprise gasped. “Wait! She hasn’t told you yet?”
“Told me what?”
“Well... since Fluttershy is going to be making a white cloud trail,” Spitfire explained, “I think it might be a good idea to let you keep your rainbow trail after all. That way she won’t look quite so out of place.” Rainbow grinned widely, but Spitfire wasn’t finished. “As you know, we’re a display team. So appearances are very important. That means we need to be symmetrical. Your rainbow trail doesn’t match our cloud trails... so you need to be in the centre of the formation.”
Dash froze. “But that means...”
Surprise laughed. “That’s right! You aren’t just going to be flying with the Wonderbolts, you’re going to be leading the Wonderbolts!”