//------------------------------// // Simper Fidelis // Story: The Marriage of Heaven and Earth // by RoyalBardofCanterlot //------------------------------// Dash soared along the currents of air, the wind whistling through her wings. She closed her eyes and embraced the wind. She was going at almost the speed of sound, a blur to anyone looking from down below. She began to slow as she left Ponyville and came upon the great city of clouds, her ancestral homeland Cloudsdale. It was a vast metropolis of sculpted cloud buildings interspersed with rainbow rivers. The sight never ceased to amaze her, never ceased to cause her heart to swell with pride in her race and what they had built through blood and sweat and struggle. Not that she looked down on Earth Ponies or Unicorns, but Pegasii cloud cities were awesome. She flew over the main rainbow rivers. Her race were warriors, valor and pride bred into them by a harsh history of countless wars. Under Celestia’s reign peace had come to all the lands beneath the celestial banner, Cloudsdale included. Yet, that warrior vigor, that longing for excellence, had never been bred out of the Pegasii. Almost all Pegasii stallions and many of the mares joined the Equestrian Military. Even Fluttershy, though she was more likely to cower under a bush at the slightest disturbance than fight, was ferociously protective of both her friends and the animals she took under her care. Dash had personally watched her drive a dragon to tears and had learned to rely on her in dangerous situations. Yes, the Pegasii were a family of warriors, a band of brothers and sisters that supported one another and defended the nation of Equestria. One, big, happy family. That was why she was fairly certain Lightning Dust wouldn’t kill her for being late to their flying practice despite the glare she was giving her. Lightning Dust was doing loop-de-loops around the Cloudiseum where Wonderbolts cadets were allowed to train. “You’re late.” She snapped. “Yeah, yeah. I had a fight with my marefriend. Let’s do some wing-ups.” “Already did’em.” “Then let’s do some more.” Lightning rolled her eyes. They were supposed to be friends now, but Lightning did nothing to hide the fact that she felt she deserved to be leadpony. She flew down and she and Dash got in wing-up position. Dash only did half the number of wing-ups she normally did since she figured Lightning’s wings were tired. Lightning scoffed. “Only fifty? You getting soft?” She asked as she balanced on the tips of her wings. Dash glared at her. “Actually I figured your wings were tiring out. Besides, we do want to get some flying done, right?” “Meh, fair enough.” She flared her wings and leapt into the air, followed by Dash. “Alright, synchronized filly flash, one, two, three, GO!” Dash shouted. Both pegasii flared their wings and raced into the sky, doing a series of loops, spins, dives and twirls. They acted in perfect harmony, their feathers nearly touching as they finished the final dive. They dove straight towards the Earth, picking up at the very last minute. There was a time when they were not so in sync. After the incident with Lightning’s tornado nearly killing her friends Dash had been deeply angry at her. She could still remember when that had changed. … Dash was walking back from the showers when she heard something coming from the locker room. She walked in. Lightning was on the floor, crying. She sighed and walked over. “Celestia’s tits, Spitfire didn’t give you the boot did she?” “Just go away!” Lightning shouted. “I could do that. But we’re technically partners aren’t we?” “I-I just need to be alone.” Dash cursed every motherly instinct in her body. Sure, technically they were around the same age, but there was an almost painfully youthful quality to the other pegasus. She wanted to be mad at her, but it felt like holding a grudge against a child. She felt an urge to hug her and tell her everything was going to be ok. She placed a hoof on her shoulder. “Look, Lightning, I’m going to make a few guesses about you. Let me know how off I am. You had somepony tell you a long time ago that you’d never measure up, that you’d never be good enough. Your ex-coltfriend, dad, school bully, whatever. And you’ve spent every second since trying to prove them wrong. Striving to be the best till that was all you could think about because you just had to prove a point. No matter how much pain you caused yourself and everyone around you. Is that pretty much it?” Lightning sniffled. “My dad. How did you know?” “Lightning, that WAS me before I became an element bearer. You’d be surprised how fighting evil gods forces you to grow up.” “Spitfire yelled at me. Do you know how it feels to get yelled at by your childhood idol? I used to have a little plushie of her…forget I said that ‘kay?” “Sure. And I had all three Wonderbolts plushies.” “And it made me think, what if my dad’s right? What if I really am a loser that’ll never amount to anything?” “Well, you will be if you don’t get off your rump and do something about it. Did Spitfire kick you out?” “No.” “Then you have a second chance. If you don’t take it I will personally buck your ass to Las Pegasus.” Lightning wiped away her tears. “Why do you care, anyway?” “Because you kind of remind me of me.” Dash admitted. “Poseidon knows I’ve screwed up before and I’ve been given more second chances than I can count. You deserve the same.” … They soared in the air, spiraling around each other, their rainbow and lightning contrails intertwining. They divided again, flying in a sharp arc then landed on the ground. “That was awesome!” They both shouted, then collapsed on the ground rolling in mirth. Slowly, the laughter died down to chuckles then they both lay still, panting and breathless. “Dash?” “Hm?” “Could you teach me the Sonic Rainboom?” “If I had a bit for every time somepony’s asked me that question…nope, cause I have no idea how to do it. I just do it.” “Huh.” Lightning stretched her legs, then began preening. “So, what were you and Pinkie fighting about?” “She woke me up at four in the morning cause she baked me a cake.” “Wow. I’d have dumped her.” “Well, you gotta take the good with the bad. You ever had a special somepony?” “Nope. All I’m interested in is being the best flyer I can. It seems like having a relationship would only pull me down. I’m free like the wind.” “You’re wrong, y’know. Pinkie’s my inspiration. She’s always cheering for me. She encourages me when I’m down. So many times I’ve felt like giving up and only her kind words have kept me going.” That wasn’t just in her training. Her cheerful laughter had gotten Dash through more crises than Dash cared to think about it. Whether going through the dark and untamed forest to confront a mad goddess to facing down a dragon Pinkie’s laughter kept her spirits high. “But what happens when you do join the Wonderbolts?” “When not if? Aw, you really do believe in me.” Dash half-heartedly teased. “Oh, c’mon Dash we all know it’s going to happen. So, what then? My mom and dad tried a long-distance relationship. It didn’t exactly work out.” “It doesn’t need to be long distance. She can come along with me and be my cheerleader.” “Do you think she wants to do that? Doesn’t she help run that cake store? It doesn’t sound fair to her.” Dash frowned. There goes that idea. Huh. I guess Lightning has a point. She yawned and stretched. “Let’s get back to training.” They soared together, working on techniques and reviewing all their old ones. An hour later they were exhausted, drenched in sweat and seriously needing a shower. “If it’s alright with you, I’m going to call it a day.” Dash said as she landed. “I don’t mind. I need a shower and my feathers are a mess.” Lightning complained. They hoofbumped and Dash was off. This time she flew more slowly. The currents of air washed over her and she let them. What if Lightning is right? What if what I have with Pinkie is going to end when I join the Wonderbolts? She landed on a cloud. I don’t want to give up my dream, but I don’t want to leave Pinkie. And can I expect Pinkie to come with me? Is that selfish of me? Her home is Ponyville. Can I really just ask her to leave? Ugh, stupid Lightning. Why couldn’t she just keep her mouth shut? After a few minutes of thinking she decided she was getting bored and took a nap. Her sleep the night before had been interrupted by guilt. Now that she and Pinkie were fine again she slept for several hours. She was awoken by the touch of a delicate hoof. “Um, hi.” A gentle, soft voice awoke her. “Fluttershy?” She asked. “If you don’t mind, Pinkie’s throwing a party. Would you like to come?” “Sure I would.” Dash yawned then followed her friend to Sugarcube Corner. The party was in full swing. Almost every square inch of the store was covered in party streamers and balloons. There were tables covered in cupcakes and muffins. She swooped in and grabbed a cupcake. Applejack waved her over. “Yo, AJ. What’s up?” Rainbow Dash asked as she walked next to the farmer. “I was thinkin’ we ought to go racin’ tomorrow. We ain’t done it in a while.” “Sounds fun. You gonna tie me up again?” Applejack chuckled. “Nah. This time I want to see if I can beat you at a race while you fly and I run.” Dash grinned. “You’re on.” “I know I can out-race you.” “Well, I can outfly you.” “Another Iron Pony competition?” Applejack asked, grinning as she already knew the answer. “Iron Pony it is.” Dash responded, spitting on her hoof. Applejack did the same and they hoofbumped. “Oh, there you are Darling!” Rarity trotted up to her. “I had an order for a pegasus and I need you as a model!” “You know I don’t like modeling, Rare.” Rarity pouted. “But Darling, your proportions are perfect!” Dash rolled her eyes. “Fine.” She lowered her voice and ushered Rarity to a quiet part of the room. “But you’d better get me that discount on my hooficures.” While Dash used to not like anyone touching her hooves, after Rarity talked her into getting her first hooficure her hooves felt wonderful. She had started secretly getting them with Rarity. “I already got you that discount. Would you mind joining me and Fluttershy for our weekly get together at the spa?” “Don’t tell anypony, but yeah that sounds awesome.” “Your secret’s safe with me.” Dash went back to the table and got another cupcake and a punch. Even Fluttershy seemed to be enjoying herself as she was eating a cupcake and giggling with Twilight. I wonder if I become a Wonderbolt will I not see my friends as much? Pinkie’s laughter, Twilight’s love of knowledge, Rarity’s appreciation of the finer things in life, Applejack’s competitive spirit that challenged her own, Fluttershy’s kindness. They had all become part of her. She didn’t want to leave the little family they’d made. But I don’t want to give up my dream. And I doubt they’d LET me give up my dream. “You know, I can tell when somepony’s not enjoying one of my parties.” Pinkie bounced up to her and tackled her with a hug. Dash hugged her with a wing, relishing the feel of Pinkie’s body against hers. They snuggled together, but Pinkie pushed her away. “Uh-uh, you’re not going to distract me. Why are you so frowny, huh?” “It’s just, me and Lightning were talking and she kinda brought up something I hadn’t thought about. If I became a Wonderbolt I wouldn’t see you as much.” Pinkie placed a hoof to Dash’s cheek, suddenly uncharacteristically seriously. “You’re not thinking of giving up your dream for me, are ya?” Dash placed a hoof on Pinkie’s cheek and stared into her eyes. “Ya know what I want, Pinkie? I want to be yours and I want you to be mine. I want to build a life together. I want to build a home and we can snuggle on Hearth’s Warming Eve under a blanket with mugs of hot cider. We could throw parties for all our friends on Summer Sun and every other holiday and we could fill our home with happy memories of us and our shared life together. That’s what I want. I want to adopt Scootaloo and she can be our kid and we can raise her together and we can be a family. I know how uncool and mushy I sound, but I don’t care. I want to be a family with you, Pinkamena Diane Pie.” Pinkie blinked. “I want to be a family with you too, Rainbow Danger Miriam Dash.” Dash pressed her lips to hers and Pinkie pressed her lips back. “But, we can do all that. We can be a family and you can still be a Wonderbolt. Cause I’ll be there. At every show, at every practice. I will be there cheering you on. Pinkie Promise.” Dash smiled and held her and they danced hoof-in-hoof for the rest of the party. (A/N-Oh my. That got a bit intense. I hope Dash wasn’t OOC, but she does have a tendency towards dramatics. the Sonic Rainboom episode breakdown, “My life is oooooover!” in Ponyville Confidential and several others.)