The stage was quiet. Too quiet.
A single bead of sweat had now formed on her forehead and was now cascading down her face.
Though she loved being the centre of attention, as it both fed her ego and was the reality of her career, right now, she couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable with all eyes fixated on her.
She slowed her breathing and closed her eyes momentarily. Contrary to public belief, picturing the audience naked didn’t help in this case since ponies didn’t normally wear clothes.
She gave a small smile knowing where her reasoning came from. With a slow sigh, she felt a little more at ease. Her eyelids finally opened and she looked over the expectant crowd. She gave a short smile and with sweaty hooves, she slid the paper away from eyesight.
“Good afternoon everypony. Parents, faculty, let’s give a hoof-stomp for the graduates for the Wonderbolt Academy. And to all the ponies who don’t have wings, don’t worry if you fall through the cloud floor. I’m sure there’ll be at least eighty of us who’ll catch you. You’re good!”
Laughter spread through the audience, as well as a good-hearted hoof-stomp on the thick clouds. This encouraged Rainbow to forge on.
“If you haven’t already heard of me, which I’m sure you all have, I’m the one and only Rainbow Dash! Captain of the Wonderbolts, Sonic Rainboom legend, Element of Loyalty, and to all the new graduates, the mare who made them do fifty wing-ups every morning.”
Another laugh, bunched with a couple of knowing groans was heard from the crowd.
“But all kidding aside, I’m honored to be this year’s speaker for this comment-cement, commons meant? Er…speech thingy. Ask Twilight if you wanna know the egghead way to pronounce it.”
“Hey!” Twilight protested, eliciting another chuckle from both the congregation and Princess Celestia.
“Today, eighty of the best of the best flyers will give up their lives to both entertain and protect the Citizens of Equestria, as I have. With this, they have given us their most prized possession, to which countless hours have been used to strengthen and maintain them. After thirty-six months of training not only their wings but their character, they have proved their dedication goes beyond the sky’s limit.”
“But some ponies may wonder why. Why are they doing all this? What would convince ponies to get up six in the morning only to do fifty laps around the track, practice death-defying flying tricks that will only be seen for two minutes? Or study how air pressure affects aerial manoeuvers ‘till three in the morning.”
She cocked her head as if she was asking herself those questions.
“Fame? Sure, maybe for a few years. Fortune? Yea…maybe. Though I've never heard of anypony say they are doing it for the money.”
“But then what? What keeps these ponies going?”
A smile crept back on the cyan pegasus’ face.
“It’s because these pegasi love what they do. And no, not the mushy kind of love. But their first love. The one that pegasi foals dream about all the time. The feeling of wind against their wings. Of zooming through clouds and rainwater. The feeling of being free.
Her smile fell a bit as she continued.
“But sometimes, without struggle, your first love can fade away. Through time, it can get pretty clouded.”
Two years, six months and three days ago...
The party, her party, was dying down and now was the best time to get some fresh air.
Rainbow Dash stepped out onto the castle balcony where no one was. With a pause and a long intake of breath, she got a whiff of the air that she once practiced in. The smell of Ponyville. The smell of home.
Feeling the soft breeze glide gently against her skin made her feel better already. She gave a few wing flaps, although not so much as to crease her nicely pressed suit. Rarity would sure be at her side to fix it if there was. She was sure of it.
After a few moments, she heard another set of hoofsteps that seemed to be headed towards her direction. Her ears twitched at the sound. She didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.
Rainbow wished the mare wouldn’t get the chance to get her alone. But life was unfair sometimes and she knew she would have to face her sooner or later. The aroma of apples not only reaffirmed her of who it was…it made her slightly sick.
“Hey…” a voice was heard from behind her.
Rainbow made no effort to turn around. Breathe. Just breathe. In. And Out. Now Answer. “Hey…”
“How are ya?” The voice from behind asked in a softer tone.
Suckish now that you’re here. “Fine.”
Instead of walking away as expected, the orange mare slid into Rainbow’s peripheral vision. She was dressed in a light green dress that was simple yet graced her curves well. Her blonde mane wasn’t in its regular ponytail, but brushed and trimmed neatly. The sight, however angled, almost made Rainbow’s knees give out. Almost.
Damn it Rarity, You made her look hot!
“And how’s the Wonderbolt life treatin’ you Cap’n?” Applejack said with a smile.
That was a low blow
Rainbow looked away. “It’s fine.” She said with a bit more force, hoping that the apple farmer would get the hint.
The smile dropped from Applejack’s face and Rainbow knew she had gotten the message. She turned to leave but not without an offensive move. “By the way, congratulations on the engagement. Hope you found that perfect somepony to settle down with.” She made sure to say it in a mocking way.
It only took a split second until she came face-to-face with Applejack. The rainbow-maned mare, though slightly surprised by the sudden move, stood her ground.
“Who told you?” Applejack said in a non-threatening way.
“Does it matter?” Rainbow countered. She tried to pass the orange mare only to be stopped by her hoof.
“Rainbow…”
“What?” Rainbow’s sharp tone remained the same.
“Can we just talk?” Applejack said in a way that almost sounded like a beg. Rainbow tried to walk on, but the grip tightened on her arm. “Please…”
Rainbow Dash sighed. “About what?”
“About us.” The orange mare gripped her arm a bit more as the emotion hit her voice. “I..I miss ya.”
“Applejack,” Rainbow turned to face her former marefriend for the first time that night. “There is no us. There will never be an us. You were the one who left me remember? You said that you didn’t wanna see me anymore and to leave you alone. I’m just honoring that request.”
“Rainbow…that was a long time ago.” Applejack reasoned. “We both said things that night we shouldn’t have sai-“
“Well maybe you should be more careful of what you say!” Rainbow cut her off, pushing through Applejack’s hoof and ending the conversation quickly.
She heard a sigh from behind but she no longer cared.
She left you Rainbow. She left. It’s her fault.
But only one thought came to Rainbow that brought her near to tears. It kept replaying in her mind like a bully’s taunt.
She’s getting married. She’s getting married. She’s getting married....I'm pathetic.
Meanwhile, four mares, two colts, and one dragon formed together in an arc-like formation, waiting not far away from the balcony. Seeing that face the rainbow-maned mare had as she re-entered her welcome home party, made by Pinkie Pie and Cheese, they all sighed.
“I guess that didn’t work after all….” Rarity whispered, as she held onto Spike's claw tighter.
Big Mac looked at the floor. “Eyup” he replied in a sad way.
“But my parties always work.” Pinkie pie felt a bit down. “I mean there’s music and dancing and ca-kphfff”
Pinkie was stopped by Twilight’s hoof. “Well, it’s been years. And both of them are still hurt. It may take even longer…”
Fluttershy gave a little gulp. “But…we only have three days until Rainbow Dash goes back. A-Are you sure this plan will work?”
The Princess of Friendship looked towards the balcony, towards Luna’s moon. “I hope so…”