She flew about Ponyville, happy and competitive as ever. Her rainbow mane flew behind her, and the feeling of the wind blowing by her made her feel a sense of happiness. That happiness was something Rainbow Dash had never outgrown. Ever since she had first lifted herself off the clouds that she had called home when she was a filly, she loved the feeling of flight. To be free as the birds she flew alongside and to be as agile as a cat as she dodged the trees she'd sometimes fly through in the bright sunny days of summer, spring, and fall. In winter, she visited her hibernating pet, Tank, to read him a Daring Doo book from time to time when she wasn't busy doing weather patrol. She had even volunteered to be the one to wake up her little buddy when Winter Wrap Up day came along.
She flew into her cloud house above Ponyville to check the mail, as she had been doing everyday that week. This time, she caught the mail pony just in time!
"Derpy!" Rainbow called.
"Yea, Dash?" the wall-eyed pegasus responded, her golden eyes meeting Rainbow's magenta ones.
"Did it arrive yet?" Rainbow asked as her hooves hit the fluffy patio.
"Yes! It did! Here you go," Derpy said, giving the letter to her friend from Senior Speedsters Flight Camp.
"Omigosh, thank you!" Rainbow said, obviously elated to see the familiar Wonderbolt emblem that sealed the letter shut. She flew over to Derpy and tackled her into a flying bear hug. Derpy, being the nice and laid back pony she was, hugged back, smiling.
"Now, why are you so excited Rainbow Dash?" Derpy asked.
"This is my approval letter into the Wonderbolts! I'll finally be more than...a...reserve..." Rainbow said, slowing her pace as she had started to read the letter. She read it aloud.
Dear Rainbow Dash,
We are sorry to inform you that you have been denied into the Wonderbolts. While your speed and agility is incredible for a mare of your size and age, you seem to be more of a show flyer than a competition flyer. We recommend you try for the "All Equestrian Show Flight Club" (AESFC) in downtown Las Pegasus instead. Their contact information is printed below.
AESFC
phone: (768) 504-3927
email: aesfcflyers@equestriamail.com
Thank you for your time and energy at tryouts Ms. Dash. I really enjoyed your company.
Sincerely,
Spitfire, Caption of the Wonderbolts
"What! This cannot be happening!" Rainbow screamed, reading over the letter one last time before starting to bawl her eyes out. She sat on her patio, her head in her hooves, crying. Derpy wrapped a wing around her to try and comfort her dear friend.