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// Chapter 5 - Adapting 
// Story: A Competition With Two Winners 
// by 1Bit 
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To her friends, Rainbow Dash was a one-of-a-kind pony. She was confident, quite brash and devoted to flying. There were many who envied her, wishing they could be even twenty percent as awesome as the pegasus. She was even a hero in the eyes of some. But right now, staring at the sunken mare with the bloodshot eyes and trembling lip in the mirror, Rainbow didn't see any of that. Hours had passed since her return home and the moon began to reach it's peak in the night sky, dozens of tiny stars twinkling in the moonlight. Yet she didn't feel any better than before. She couldn't ignore the constant pain in her heart, tears still flowing freely onto the floor of her bedroom.

I was so close. So close. She slammed a hoof into the wall angrily, trying to fight back more tears. But you screwed up. Just like you screw everything up. She slumped down on the floor in defeat, overcome by fatigue. Why? Why can't I do anything right? She rubbed her eyes in an attempt to dry them. She sat on the cold stone floor, attempting to recall any and every good memory she had of Applejack. All the times they had laughed together. All the times they had played together. The moment, only that day, when she'd told her how important Rainbow was to her. Those memories, however small, offered her solace. Returning to the mirror, she looked at her weak form, trying to straighten up, putting on a brave face. No, this isn't you Rainbow. She trotted into the next room, her sparsely decorated living room. She headed over to a small cabinet in the corner of the room, gently opening it. She lifted out a picture and spent what felt like an eternity staring at it.

She took a deep breath, carefully returning the picture to the cabinet. If you loved her, you'd be there with her right now. She eyed her saddlebags, thrown into the corner of the room. And you damn well do love her! So get out there and do the right thing! With renewed confidence, she quickly grabbed her saddlebags and flew through the window, allowing the wind to flow across her aerodynamic body. She felt at home in the air, the breeze rushing through her coat, a simple comfort. 

She flew over the sleeping town multiple times before a light in Twilight's treehouse caught her eye and she flew in closer to investigate. Tentatively raising a hoof to the door, she stepped in. She was more than surprised to see all five of her closest friends huddled together in the library, talking in hushed tones. Realising that none of them had noticed her entrance, Rainbow cleared her throat loudly to announce her presence. The ponies jumped at the sound, clearly not expecting company.

"Uh, what are you all doing here?" Rainbow asked. "Seems kinda late for a little meetup."

Twilight was the first to spot her and gleefully smiled her way. "Hey there, Rainbow! I'm surprised you didn't turn up sooner!"

Now Rainbow was confused. "Come again?"

Pinkie Pie bounced over to her. "I came to your place earlier, silly! I wanted to throw you a super-duper fun party!"

Rainbow threw her a quizzical glance, rubbing a hoof behind her neck. "Um, for what exactly?"

Pinkie rolled her eyes. "Duh! This is your 'totally-awesome-day-with-the-wonderbolts' party!" She bounced away again, landing perfectly into the oversized pink cake, covering herself and everypony else in icing.

"Pinkie!" They all shouted in unison before falling about laughing.

The six friends continued to laugh into the early hours of the morning, Rainbow and Applejack both telling them all about their day up in Cloudsdale. Well, except for the events in the restaurant, much to Rainbow's relief. Throughout the conversation, the other ponies couldn't help but be hooked by the tale. There weren't many ponies who'd had the chance to see the Wonderbolt's like the two mares had and even the timid Fluttershy found many of the Wonderbolts daring tricks and moves thrilling to hear about. Finally, though, they finished.

"Wow" Twilight's eyes were wide, leaning in close to Rainbow Dash. "I didn't realise that flying could be so thrilling! I'm almost envious of you pegasi."

Applejack chuckled. "Well I wouldn't go wishin' yourself a pair of wings, Twi."

Twilight blushed a little before turning to Rainbow. "Well I'm sure you had a lot of fun. I mean it's your dream, isn't it?"

Rainbow simply smiled in return. "Yeah, the Wonderbolts are the greatest! I mean, I've seen them out and about around Cloudsdale before but it was a whole new experience watching them train!" She absent mindedly turned towards Applejack. "And with such a special mare too..." Quickly realising what she just said, Rainbow clasped a hoof over her mouth.

"What was that, sugarcube?" Applejack asked.

Rainbow shook her head in denial, waving her hooves about in front of her. "Nothing! Nothing at all." Luckily, nopony pressed further and Rainbow relaxed a little. A sudden gasp from Applejack took her by surprise however, instinctively flinching from the sudden outburst.

"Oh my sweet- Girls!" Applejack beckoned them over. "I almost completely forgot to tell y'all about the best part of the day!" There was clear excitement in voice, talking in a similar way to the school fillies who'd just found out some new gossip in the school yard. "I met..." She paused, adding a dramatic effect to it all, her eyes looking between them all. "...Him!"

Pinkie Pie had a wide grin. "Wow, you met him? I've always wanted to meet him!" All the ponies looked at her, Twilight blatantly facehoofing. "Uh...who's him?" Pinkie gave an apologetic smile and a small squee as she let Applejack continue.

"Well, one of the Wonderbolts is a real doll, his name's Cloudjumper. Honestly, he's pretty much perfect! Fer a fancy flyin' pegasus, he seems like a swell guy. We struck up a conversation and well..." Applejack blushed a little, almost embarrassed to continue.

Rarity, however, was eager to hear the next part. "...And?" She asked, coaxing Applejack into giving out the juicy details.

"Well, we're going out on a date tomorrow!" At that, everypony was squealing with joy crowding around Applejack to congratulate her. "If you want to know more though, might as well ask Rainbow. After all, she's the Wonderbolt fanatic, ain't she?" She leaned out of the group trying to spot the pegasus. "Rainbow?" After getting free of Pinkie's tight grasp, she searched the room for her. "Now where in the hay has she gotten to?"

Nopony noticed the small window slightly ajar behind them, the curtains flapping in the breeze.