"Are you sure this is the place?" Soarin asked. The two Wonderbolts had traveled to Ponyville in search of none other than Rainbow Dash, the ecstatic cyan pegasus that they had gotten to know after she had won the title of Best Young Flyer. It had been a day of practice and training, and the two Wonderbolts were impressed by her mastery in the art of flying.
"Don't sweat it, Soarin. All the bearers of the Elements live in Ponyville, you know that." Both of them, of course, have heard of the Elements of Harmony and the ponies that wielded them. After all, being saved from both eternal night and chaos doesn't go without notice, and definitely not without wondering who had done the saving. Unfortunately, they hadn't figured out that Rainbow Dash was the one of the six until after she had left their company, and they haven't had a chance to see her since. However, the Elements of Harmony wasn't the reason the two ponies were here. A brown parcel rested in one of Spitfire's saddlebags, to be hoof-delivered to Rainbow Dash. After all, becoming a Wonderbolt should warrant a personal visit. She thought to herself.
It was something she had started herself when she became captain of the Wonderbolts. After all, it feels a lot better to be told through actual members rather than some scroll in the mail. Dear Celestia, these bags are uncomfortable... Spitfire bent her head down to loosen the straps to a more bearable degree of tightness.
"Hey, there's one of her friends. Maybe she knows where Rainbow Dash is," Soarin suggested. Spitfire looked up and saw a violet unicorn cantering through the town square. Twilight Sparkle, the bearer of the Element of Magic. Spitfire and Soarin took off, covering the distance between them and Twilight in a matter of seconds.
"Twilight Sparkle?" Spitfire started. Twilight looked over, evidently taking no notice of the two landing next to her. The surprise on her face gave way to a look of recognition as she found herself in front of the two Wonderbolts.
"Hello, how can I help you?" Twilight asked Spitfire.
"We're looking for Rainbow Dash. Do you have any idea where she might be?" Spitfire responded, asking a question of her own. Spitfire had noticed a crowd of ponies had gathered around the group, no doubt drawn in by the two blue-suited pegasi.
"I was actually on my way to see her. You two are welcome to join me," Twilight offered. Spitfire nodded gratefully, both due to the unicorn's generosity and because she didn't particularly like crowds. Crowds meant fans, and fans meant signatures. Soon enough, the three were trotting out of Ponyville. It took a while for Spitfire to notice that there was an air of awkward silence between the trio. Having been coached on the art of conversation, she chose to strike up a conversation with their guide.
"Why might you be meeting Rainbow Dash, if you don't mind me asking?" Spitfire asked, hoping that Twilight would jump into the conversation. Fortunately, Twilight was quite a clever pony, and caught on quickly. She hurriedly took the lead and responded.
"I've been wanting to see her for some time, actually. Oh, it's nothing big," Twilight explained when Spitfire gave her a questioning look. "I just need to know the weather schedule for next month." Rainbow Dash is in charge of weather here? She didn't seem like a pony who would take on that type of responsibilty... Spitfire noticed that while she was thinking to herself, the air of uncomfortable silence had returned. She sighed inwardly in thanks when Twilight decided to press on. "And what brings you here to see her?"
"I have some news for Rainbow Dash, as well as something to deliver." Spitfire emphasized this by glancing over to her saddlebags. Twilight followed Spitfire's line of vision and stared at the package in Spitfire's bags, then at the two blue bodysuits the two pegasi were wearing. Her eyes suddenly took on a look of realization, and she beamed at Spitfire excitedly. This one certainly catches on fast...
"Rainbow Dash will be overjoyed when she hears!" Twilight said, positively giddy for her pegasus friend. "She's been dreaming of this day since I met her, you know," She added.
The unicorn's last statement triggered a flashback in Spitfire's mind. She remembered the day she became a Wonderbolt. How happy she had been, rocketing around her home in Fillydelphia. She was certain Rainbow Dash would have the same reaction, if not more enthusiastic. That would have been a perfect day if-
"Here we are. Rainbow Dash is housekeeping for Fluttershy while she's on a trip," Twilight said, breaking through Spitfire's thoughts. She found herself looking at a cozy little cottage on a hill, with the Everfree Forest behind it. A sudden movement from Soarin caused Spitfire to turn her gaze. He had his nose up to the sky, as if he had smelled something in the air. Spitfire shook her head, clearing her mind of her thoughts. Don't go back that far, Spitfire. You'll only hurt yourself.
"Say, Twilight Sparkle, doesn't that earth pony live around here? The one that sold me the delicious apple pie?" Soarin asked, looking over at Twilight. It was the first time he had spoken since they had met Twilight. She nodded, certainly thinking of her friend Applejack, and Soarin smiled dreamily, his thoughts drifting back to the night of the Gala. Spitfire laughed, shaking her head. Only Soarin would be able to smell an apple orchard from a mile away.
The three ponies reached the front door to the cottage, and Twilight gave the door a light rap. "Rainbow Dash! Are you in there?" Some time passed before there was a response.
"Yeah, coming!" The door soon opened to reveal the cyan pegasus. She had obviously just woken up, as her eyes were half closed and her mane was a mess in some places. She seemed a bit dizzy. However, after opening the door fully, she noticed the two blue-clad pegasi standing next to Twilight, and all thoughts of sleep vanished from her mind. Spitfire expected Rainbow Dash to instantly be all over the two Wonderbolts, like how she had been during the few times they had met. However, instead of things going as expected, an air of tension came over the four ponies. A heavy silence hung in the space between them as Rainbow Dash's gaze swept over the three visitors slowly and deliberately. Soarin, noticing this tension a bit too late, did his best to dispel the awkwardness.
"I'm a bit peckish, actually, the flight burned up a lot of fuel. You've got this, don't you Spitfire? I think I'm going to go to that apple orchard, see if I can convince the pony to make a pie."
"I'll show you the way!" Twilight added quickly, a bit too loudly for comfort. Both ponies set off hurriedly, leaving Spitfire and Rainbow Dash by themselves.
"I take it you wanted to speak to me?" Rainbow Dash asked after a lengthy silence. Spitfire noticed that she looked confused and frustrated. This was not how she had expected this encounter to be.
"Umm, can I come in?" Spitfire asked. She knew this would take some time to explain, as there were formalities to the induction.
"Of course." Rainbow Dash stepped out of the way for Spitfire. As she entered the cottage, she noticed a pillow and a blanket on the couch nearby. Looks like that's where she had been sleeping until we came. She took up a chair next to the makeshift bed, as Rainbow Dash sat on top of her arrangement.
"I take it you can guess why I'm here?" Spitfire started. As she started to speak, she couldn't help but think to herself. This wasn't the Rainbow Dash she knew. Even if they had only a day to meet each other, Spitfire knew that Rainbow Dash would have been much more enthusiastic of her presence.
"Actually, I have no idea." Rainbow Dash responded flatly. This was a lie, and both of them knew it. Immediately, the cyan pegasus cast down her eyes, choosing to study the wooden floor. Spitfire couldn't help but cringe on the inside. Why is this happening?
"Well," Spitfire continued, trying to ignore the increasing tension in the conversation. "The other Wonderbolts and I thought about it for a while, and after what you showed us during our time together, we decided that you'd make a great addition to the team." She did her best to give Rainbow Dash a smile. "So what do you say?" She added, after Rainbow Dash didn't respond. "Want to be a Wonderbolt?" For a long time, Rainbow Dash sat there looking down at her hooves. It was evident that she was fighting with herself on the inside. But why? This should have been a no-brainer for any pegasus, especially Rainbow Dash.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Rainbow Dash looked up at Spitfire. "No thanks."
After a lot of convincing on Spitfire's part, Rainbow Dash reluctantly decided to tell her about her dream, which was the reason for why she had declined. She told Spitfire about how she felt that she had let her obsession with the Wonderbolts take over her life, and how she realized that she had been neglecting the value of her friendships. The whole time, she looked as if she was about to burst into tears. It struck a pain in Spitfire's heart. She eventually finished with "I know that I'm giving up a chance of fame and wealth, as well as a chance to be with my idols when I say no, but ever since I've given up on my dream of becoming a Wonderbolt, I've been the happiest I've ever been in my life." Spitfire stirred. This was starting to sound familiar...
"Listen, Rainbow Dash..." she began hesitantly. Are you really going to do this? She asked herself. "I'm going to tell you about a story of my past. After you hear me out, if you still decline, then I'll fully respect your decision, and leave without argument. But please promise me you'll listen." Rainbow Dash nodded slowly, unsure of where this was going. Spitfire took a deep breath, collecting her thoughts. She was opening up forgotten wounds, and they hurt. After a long silence, she began.
"Before I became a Wonderbolt, I was the definition of antisocial. I didn't talk to anyone, save my closest friends. I was teased in school because of my reckless flying. Inevitably, I became depressed. Depressed because of the world, depressed because of myself, I don't remember. But it felt as if life wasn't even worth living anymore. And one day, I decided to end it all. I told my closest friend, Glider, and nopony else of what I was going to do that night. I decided to take my life by jumping to my death. I thought it would be pretty ironic, being a pegasus and all. It would surely give my tormenters a laugh. Later that night, I found myself on a cloud. I was going to jump, about to end it all there, all my misery and sorrow. I leaned forward, and closed my eyes. But then I thought of the few friends I had. They were teased as well, some more than me. I would be letting them down if I did this." As Spitfire told her story, she couldn't help but replay the scene in her mind.
My family... They were never there for me. My classmates... All they did was make fun of me. But what about my friends? They'll be really sad once Glider tells them... Is this really worth it? Am I really going to do this...? No, it's for the best, maybe without me my friends will learn to move on...
"I reasoned with myself, trying to justify my actions as much as I can. I decided that I would jump. I felt my hooves edging closer and closer off the cloud. Then, in a sudden burst of frustration, I flung myself off, wings glued to my side. As I was falling to my death, my mind drifted towards Glider. How sad she had been when I told her what I was going to do. How trapped she had looked when I told her she couldn't tell anyone. She was brave. And at that moment, I heard someone call my name. I opened my eyes, and saw Glider, rocketing towards me. But that's the thing, Glider was teased for her flying skills. She never went nearly as fast as any of the other pegasi, and she would always crash or swerve off of the flight course during training. Yet there she was, probably flying faster than anypony I knew. She tackled me, mid-flight, and brought me to safety." Spitfire noticed she had staring at the ground. She looked up, and saw Rainbow Dash staring at her, enthralled by her story. She took a shaky breath, and continued.
"When we landed, she pulled me in for a hug, and we didn't let go for a long time. We were both crying. She convinced me that life was worth living. She had been there for me when I was at my weakest. Sure enough, things got better. I tried harder to improve my flying, and soon, I was at the top of my class in flight school. Nopony could make fun of me anymore, and nopony did. But when you're the top of your class, you stop hanging around the ponies that were at the bottom. I abandoned all of my true friends, including Glider, for the ones that had bullied me all this time. The ones that almost brought me to ending my own life." Spitfire paused for a second. The more she talked, the more she hurt inside. She didn't want to do this.
"What happened to us, Spitfire? We were the best of friends." Glider asked, tears in her eyes. "We are friends, Glider. It's just that..."
Spitfire shook her head to clear her thoughts, and pressed on. "The day I was accepted into the Wonderbolts was the best day of my life. When I came into school wearing the uniform of the best flight team in Equestria, it was a feeling like no other. I was congratulated all the way to class. That day, Glider passed me a note. It was the first time we had talked in a few months. The note said that she would take her life that night, in the exact same place and time that I had tried. For a second, I was worried, worried that my savior would need to be saved. But when I looked over at her, she gave me a goofy grin, so I thought she was joking. I didn't think about it until... Until..." Spitfire choked on her words.
"You can stop if you want, I know it must be hard for you." Rainbow Dash said, a look of genuine concern on her face.
"No, you promised you would listen, and I promised I would tell you." Spitfire returned her gaze to the floor once again. Her chest felt heavy as she began to recite the next part of her memory.
"My friends threw a party for me that night. It was great, I had never felt so alive in my life. I came home really late at night, tired and beat. I came home to a crying mother and a somber-looking member of the Royal Guard." Rainbow Dash put two and two together, and realized what the pegasus had meant. Her friend stayed true to her word, and took her own life. Spitfire was shaking slightly.
"I had let my friend end her life. I hadn't been there for her, like she had been for me. She had saved me from taking my own life, and I couldn't have even been bothered to do the same. And not only that, but she made sure that I know where I could find her. I felt beyond terrible. I cried all night. I tore my Wonderbolts suit off of my shaking body and threw it against the wall. Nothing mattered to me right now. That night, I made a lot of important decisions. I told myself that I wouldn't join the Wonderbolts. Someone as pathetic as me didn't deserve to be a part of the best flying team in Equestria. I felt as if I had disregarded the importance of my friendships. I lived the ensuing days in grief. I cut off all ties with the ponies I had dared call friends. I would catch myself crying in school, and I couldn't do anything to stop it. A few days later, the same Royal Guard who had been there on the night of Glider's... He came to my house. He handed me her suicide letter, saying that it was addressed to me. He turned and flew off after I had taken the note. She wrote:
Spitfire,
I know you're going to beat yourself up for this
Just know that it wasn't your fault
I'm so proud of my best friend
If you even have the slightest idea of not becoming a Wonderbolt
Stop. It's what you've always wanted
Become the best Wonderbolt ever
From wherever I may end up
I'll be watching you, guiding you
I love you, make me proud.
One last thing, never forget
that there's always something to smile about.
"So I became a Wonderbolt. Not for the fame, not for the glory, not for the riches. I did it for my friend, who would have wanted me to. My friend, who cared about me more than she cared for herself. Glider... I was on her mind when she died..."
Spitfire had finished, and was silently weeping, her shoulders rocking.
"Glider was a brave pony. And so were you, Spitfire." Rainbow Dash said. "You did what I'm too cowardly to do." The silence that followed stretched for several long minutes, before Spitfire abruptly got up.
"Thank you for listening to my story," she said, turning towards the cyan pegasus. "I think that did more help to me than it did to you. I've never told that story before, to anyone."
"The pleasure was mine," Rainbow Dash said absently. She was slightly dazed at the Spitfire she had just seen. It was nothing like what she had painted in her mind's eye. The Spitfire she knew was strong, rebellious, tough. The pegasus in front of her was broken and helpless. "But... I'll still have to think about my decision."
Spitfire gave a weak smile, and turned to leave. "True to your word. I like it. Listen, I know that it'll take some time, but if you change your mind, we'll be waiting with open arms. You'd make a great addition to the team. Goodbye Rainbow Dash, may you find happiness with whichever road you take." With that, Spitfire walked out of Fluttershy's cottage, in search of Soarin. Rainbow Dash noticed that she had left her saddlebags on the chair she had occupied, along with the neatly-wrapped parcel. She knew what it was. She just didn't know if she could bear to face it yet.