Everypony was gathered in Spitfire's office as Zoom Blade had finally been put in her place. Even though her crippled wings prevented her from flying away, they guards had still taken extra precaution to make sure she didn't go anywhere. She had been wrapped up in a straight jacket with a mask over her muzzle, as though she were some kind of cannibal, and strapped to gurney. Everyone, especially Spitfire, could see the look of raging vengeance in her eyes.
"I'm sorry things had to turn out this way, Zoom Blade." Spitfire said with all honesty. "But maybe your time in prison will do you some good."
"Ha!" Zoom Blade scoffed. "The only good it'll do me is give me time to come up with something better. You all better watch your tails, 'cause someday, I will come back." She made herself sound as threatening as possible, giving a maniacal laugh as the guards wheeled her out the door. "So long, Spitty! So long, Dashie!"
The door was closed and just like that, Zoom Blade was gone. "So long, old friend." Spitfire said almost under her breath with just a hint of remorse. Rainbow Dash, however, could not say the same for herself.
"Man, if I never see that slime ball again, it'll be way too soon." Rainbow exclaimed.
"You said it." Applejack agreed.
Spitfire turned to Rainbow Dash with a proud smile on her face. "Congratulations, Rainbow Dash. You took down a maniac and saved the Wonderbolts and all of Equestria."
Rainbow Dash smiled proudly as she tried to restrain from fangirling over a congratulations from her hero. "Thanks," she said, "but I could never have done it without the help of my awesome friends here." Her friends all gave a big flattered smile. Rainbow turned her attention to a certain special little friend standing right next to her. "Especially this tough little fireball right here." She tussled Scootaloo's mane, which gave Scootaloo the warmest feeling in the world. "Keep an eye on this one. She's gonna be Wonderbolt material herself someday." Scratch that. Now she felt so warm she was absolutely beaming!
"Good to know." Spitfire said. She glanced down at the little orange filly before turning her attention back to Rainbow Dash. "And now," she continued, "being a mare of my word, I have something to give you."
The runway at the Academy was completely crowded as just about every Wonderbolt was gathered around to congratulate their rainbow-maned champion. Rainbow Dash walked down the runway, smiling and waving to her friends in the crowd as they cheered for her. Waiting for her at the end were Spitfire as well as Soarin, Fleet Foot and everyone else in her squadron standing right behind her. Rainbow Dash reached the end of the long strip and stopped right in front of Spitfire.
"Rainbow Dash." Spitfire announced for all to hear. "For demonstrating not only superior flying skills, but also a tremendous amount of courage, discipline and a strong heart, as well as saving us all from a terrible menace, it gives me great pleasure to reward you by finally declaring you... an official Wonderbolt!"
As the ponies in the crowd all cheered, Soarin handed Spitfire an official uniform and gold badge, which she then passed on to Rainbow Dash. Rainbow was so excited that she wasted no time in putting on her new uniform. In one fell swoop, she was finally wearing the suit and badge just like she had always dreamed. Cheers from the crowd erupted even louder and Rainbow could hardly contain herself.
"Welcome to the team!" Spitfire declared, raising a salute to their newest member. All the others followed along and Rainbow returned the gesture. Now she was officially beyond excited. She flew right up into the air, doing several aerial flips and cheering for herself.
She was brought back down to Earth as she spotted her friends running out on the runway to personally congratulate her. She quickly hovered down to embrace them all in a big group hug.
"Congratulations, Rainbow Dash." Applejack said.
"Yeah. You totally earned it." Scootaloo added.
"Thanks, you guys." said Rainbow, trying to hide her slightly red cheeks.
"So how does it feel to finally get what you've always wanted, Dash?" Spike asked.
Rainbow Dash thought for a second. "You know, it feels pretty great. But not as great as having all of you guys as my friends." That only made the hug grow even tighter for a couple seconds before they were all finally released.
"We're all very proud of you, Rainbow Dash." Twilight stated.
"Thanks, Twilight." Rainbow said. "I used to think being a Wonderbolt would be the greatest thing in the world." She paused before looking down at Scootaloo with a warm smile. "But it turns out the real greatest thing was standing right here beside me all along." Scootaloo's mile widened even more. Then Dash bent down to look her directly in the eye. "Scootaloo," she said "I have something to give you now."
Rainbow Dash reached into her back and presented a pair of goggles. The same pair she had used to train with since she was a little filly herself. "It's my old pair from Junior Flight Camp and now I want you to have them."
"For me? Really?" Scootaloo practically beamed with excitement as Rainbow Dash stretched out the elastic herself and placed the goggles gently on the filly's head.
"Only the best for my best little sister." The sentiment was overwhelming as Scootaloo's eyes soon started tear up. She quickly latched onto her idol in another great big hug, which was immediately returned.
The hug was cut off, however, when Spitfire shouted "Wonderbolts to position!" All of the Wonderbolts lined up in perfect formation, including the newest one, who gestured for her little friend to climb up on her back for a ride. She enthusiastically obliged.
At the sound of the whistle, Rainbow Dash took off to the sky with all the others, feeling like the luckiest pony in the world. After all, her life-long dream had been at last been realized and she had the greatest friends in the whole world, as well as the most awesome little sister she could ever ask for.