Word about Rainbow Dash’s announcement spread quickly. By mid-afternoon, everypony in Ponyville was the center of town, waiting for the epic rainbow. The cyan pony’s five best friends were even there to support and cheer her on.
“I can’t believe Rainbow Dash is going to do a third Sonic Rainboom.” Twilight Sparkle exclaimed.
“I know! And to think the first and second ones were awesome! I bet that this third one is going to be the best of them all!” Pinkie Pie replied with a huge white smile that she was ever so famous for.
“Sweetie Belle heard the news from Scootaloo. When she told me, I simply had to stop all of my work and watch!” cooed Rarity.
“And Scotaloo told Applebloom. Shoo! When the little whipper-snapper told me all ‘bout it, I dragged the whole family! Even Granny Smith!” Applejack butted in.
“I was the first to know. She said she got the inspiration in a dream she just had.” Fluttershy added, “She told me to tell everypony about her doing a rainbow to seal the start of spring.”
Chatter filled the town center. Several minutes later, the mayor silenced the crowd.
“Fillies and gentlecolts, as mayor of Ponyville, I am proud to announce that spring has officially come! However, there’s one pony who thinks otherwise. She sought inspiration by the power of nature to create the biggest, most colorful rainbow Equestria has yet to see. And now, without further ado, put your hooves together for our fellow citizen Rainbow Dash, as she going to perform the epic and mystifying Sonic Rainboom!”
Applause and cheers spilled from the population. Rainbow Dash was high above a cliff, far from town, but she knew when it was her time to fly by the sound and slight rumble of the ponies at the Town Center. She hesitated at first, though. She had a small, tugging feeling that something will go wrong with this particular Rainboom. The past and only two she performed had been complete accidents. One to beat a bully at his own game, the other to save her friend and heroes. This one was going to be done on purpose. Dash didn’t know if she was going to be able to do it.
Hoping to get the guilt off her, she began flying skyward. Higher and higher and higher still, she flew. She flew upward to clouds she wasn’t able to kick because they were so high. When she started to feel lightheaded by the lack of oxygen, she knew she was ready. Second thinking it still, she zoomed down. Faster and faster, the cyan pegasus flew. Her terminal velocity to this day is still in question. Sweat, silvia, and tears poured from every opening of her face. Everything was the way it was the past times Dash did the Rainboom. Maybe she was overreacting. Maybe she was worrying over nothing. She thought in disgust as she realized she was acting like her mother. Rainbow Dash’s mother did whatever she could to turn her only daughter into a girly filly, but Dash knew her rightful place as a tomboy. Guilt and doubt erased the blue pony’s mind as she descended even faster than ever before. She felt the Rainboom coming. The simple bowl shape of air was starting to show in front of her. Yes, Dash thought, It’s coming! I know it is!
Quicker than it came, the bowl shape turned into a point. She knew she was extremely close to the Rainboom, and she wasn’t even half-way there to the ground. Rainbow Dash was beginning to forget who and where she was, but it was just part of the expirence, and she liked it. The air was speeding past through her faster than a cheetah chasing its prey. So much air zipped through her that her coat began to feel like it was on fire. Fire, Dash thought, That’s not right! My coat’s not supposed to feel like that! Oh no! Something’s wrong! I’m going to die! She tried to scream through her gritted teeth.
The ponies in Ponyville started to see Rainbow Dash. She was about three quarters of the way there. Pinkie Pie was watching her friend’s performance through her binoculars. “Aw! She’s so happy, she’s crying!” she exclaimed.
“Let me see.” answered Twilight Sparkle. She put the binoculars to her blue-violet eyes. At first, she did see the blue pegasus flying downward, faster than she remember when she herself saw her do it last the Young Flyer’s Competition in Cloudsdale. Then, Twilight noticed something strange about her friend. She wasn’t using her wings. They lied close to her body. “Uh, Pinkie?” The purple unicorn exclaimed. “She’s not happy. She’s in distress. She’s not flying. She’s... FALLING!” All the citizens screamed and ran all over the place. No pony knew where to go or what to do. Even the mayor was in panic.
Rainbow Dash was very close now. She wasn’t flying nor was she even falling. It didn’t matter at that point though. She knew that she was going to die. Celestia must’ve given her the dream as a sign saying that is was her time. As the rainbow-maned pegasus soared downward, she thought her final words. I’m sorry you misunderstood me, Mom. She began, Twilight, I’m sorry for I those times I made fun of you for being so smart.
Pinkie, I’ve had a lot of fun with you and the pranks and all. You may be random, but that’s why you’re my best friend.
Rarity, I’m sorry if I had ever driven you insane with my tomboyishness.
Applejack, thanks for being there with me for all my sporting events and playing with me.
Fluttershy, thank you for Tank. Please take good care of him.
And Princess, whatever I did, I’m so sorry. Before I do die, though, I just want you to do me a big favor. Please give my best regards to all my friends.