This was a very important day to Rainbow Dash, since she would take the test to be a substitute to the Wonderbolts main team, after one of the members had got out of the team. The proof would be hold at the Wonderbolt Academy.
The competitors to the vacant spot would show their air skills before the captain, Spitfire, who would decide who was the fittest. Needless to say, Rainbow Dash, when it was her time, performed a proof so stunning that left everypony practically speechless. However, in the middle of them all, there was a pony who had been more dazzled, but not just by her performance, but rather for her beauty and grace.
Soarin, Spitfire’s second-in-command, always had a crush on Rainbow Dash. It all started the Best Young Flyer competiton that she won, spending the day with the Wonderbolts, including him. He had to confess that he felt a certain attraction to her since then, but he did not give a lot of importance. The next encounter was when she saved his apple pie in the Great Galloping Gala. However, truth be told, he was too concerned about the pie, although she had made a great impression. But it was during Princess Cadance and Shining Armor’s wedding that the two really got closed and it was where Soarin’s attraction by Rainbow Dash has intensified because, from that day on, he couldn't stop thinking about her. He decided to ask her to go on a date with him if she managed to get in the team.
The big moment came. Rainbow Dash aligned with the other alternates and Spitfire landed in front of them, saying:
"Very well, alternates, I reviewed each one of your performances and I must confess that few of you managed to impress me. However, I think we can all agree on who is worthy of the vacant spot in the main team."
She then approached Rainbow Dash that was trying to contain her immense enthusiasm, retaining her serious.
"Cadet Rainbow Dash, congratulations, from now on, you're one of us" Spitfire said.
And, having said that, she extended to Rainbow Dash the Wonderbolts official uniform and googles she got, doing a salute and saying:
"Thank you, ma'am. I promise I won't let you down."
Spitfire returned her salute and then she drifted away and after that she got away, Rainbow Dash finally let her enthusiasm go out:
"Ohmygoshmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh! I'm a Wonderbolt!"
Finally she had realized the dream she had since she was a filly. Her other colleagues went to congratulate her, because they agreed with Spitfire as Rainbow Dash was the best choice among them to occupy the vacant spot in the main team.
While he saw Rainbow Dash, Soarin felt his enthusiasm to grow, but also fear. What if Rainbow Dash refused his request to go out with him? After all, he knew that Rainbow Dash was very focused on her style and her dream of becoming a Wonderbolt.
"Go and ask her" a voice said.
Soarin startled and saw that it was Spitfire.
"What?" he asked, retrieving his compound. "What do you mean? Invite who?"
"Do you think I'm blind, Soarin?" Spitfire asked. "I know that you have a certain crush for Rainbow Dash. You just didn’t go to go ask her to go out with you yet because of the conflict of interest that your relationship could bring. But now she's one of us, there's no problem. Since, of course, that it doesn't affect the dynamics of the team."
"What do you mean, Spitfire?" Soarin asked, trying to pretend that he didn't know what she was talking about. "I have no crush on Rainbow Dash."
But, while repairing Spitfire’s incisive look, he realized he couldn't hide and asked:
"Is it that obvious?"
"To who knows you as well as I, yes" she replied.
Soarin sighed and said:
"But what if she refuses?"
"You only know it after inviting her" Spitfire said.
So, breathing deep, Soarin advanced. After the alternates ended congratulating Rainbow Dash and backed off, Soarin approached Rainbow Dash and said:
"Well, Rainbow Dash... congratulations" Soarin congratulated.
"Thanks, Soarin" Rainbow Dash thanked. "I'm eager to fly with you."
"Seriously?" Soarin asked, naively thinking for a few seconds she was refering just to the two of them.
"Sure" Rainbow Dash asked. "After all, it's always been my dream to fly alongside the most spectaculars of all flying ponies in Equestria, if not in the Pony World."
"Oh, you were talking about the team" Soarin said, hiding his disappointment.
He looked then to Spitfire who gestured to him to encouraging him. Soarin returned to take a deep breath and said:
"Okay, here goes... Rainbow Dash, I wanted to ask you something."
"What?" she asked.
"Well, you know, now that you're a Wonderbolt and as there will be no more problems, I was wondering if... I was wondering if we could... go out together."
"Oh, you mean with the others" Rainbow Dash said.
"No, I mean... just the two of us" Soarin said. "Rainbow, I'm asking if you want to go out with me on a date."
Upon hearing that, Rainbow Dash was unresponsive. Soarin had her caught by surprise.
"Are you asking to go out with me on a date?" she asked.
"You know, the truth is that I've always had a crush on you and, well, given that I'm the second-captain of the Wonderbolts, I think the ponies would not see with good eyes the relationship between me and a rookie who is not in the main team, isn't it? So, Rainbow, what do you say? Do you accept?"
But Rainbow still had no reaction. The truth is that she was very fond of Soarin, but maybe that was because he was one of her great heroes. However, when she heard him asking her to go out with him made Rainbow Dash feel that spark that she felt for Soarin.
"Rainbow, please don't leave me waiting" Soarin asked.
It was then that Rainbow Dash replied:
"I think yes. Yes, I will go out with you."
"Really?" Soarin asked, getting full of joy. "I can't believe..."
But then, controlling his attitude, Soarin calmed down and said:
"Great, perfect. Can I pick you up at your house at seven in the evening?"
"Yes" Rainbow Dash answered, not resisting in sketching a smile.
"Great" Soarin said, retreating, flying backwards. "So... bye."
He was so distracted that he didn't notice a recruit who was going to pass by and shocked slightly against him, apologizing and then scratching his head:
"Sorry."
And he walked away, both to react differently. Soarin felt happy and relieved, while Rainbow Dash was starting to feel nervous, because she never had been on a date with a stallion before.
Back to Ponyville, Rainbow Dash told her friends that she have been promoted to the Wonderbolts main team. Although her friends knew she would manage (after all they knew quite well her friend’s capabilities), they were immensely happy, in such a way that they organized a party (or rather, Pinkie Pie organized) at Sugarcube Corner. Pinkie Pie even made a banner saying RAINBOW DASH ENTERED IN THE WONDERBOLTS MAIN TEAM PARTY.
"So, Rainbow Dash, what do you think?" Pinkie Pie asked with her energy. "Come on, don't hide anything. I want to know what you think of your party. Do you like the banner I made to you? It took all night to do it so carefully. I'm glad you were accepted in the main team, because otherwise all the work I had would be in vain. By the way, how is it like to be now a Wonderbot? How? How? How?"
"Calm down, Pinkie, let tha gal answer a question at a time" Applejack said.
"Honestly, Pinkie, how can you hold your breath for so long to say so many things at once?" Cherry Blossom asked.
"That is the great mystery, dear" Rarity said to Cherry.
"There is no mystery, silly" Pinkie said. "You just have to take a deep breath and say everything you want to say all at once. Everypony can do it."
"Yes, but I'm sure that you are the only one who does it all the time" Rarity replied.
"You know, girls, it’s been a while since we weren't together" Fluttershy said.
"Yes, no responsibilities, no stallions, no babies" Cherry agreed. "By the way, Fluttershy, how's life as a new-mommy?"
"Well, the truth is that it had not being easy" Fluttershy said. "Moonlight gives me a lot of work. Even when Thundy stay at home rather than go to work to take care of her while I rest, things are rather tiresome."
"Yes, I remember that phase with Jona" Cherry said. "He was always leaving me and Big Mac with terrible dark circles."
"Well, hearing you talking that way about raising foals makes me wish I don't have one in the near future" Rarity said. "I mean, this face was not done for dark circles."
"But Ah bet Shadow Claw is lookin’ forward tah be a father too, right?" Applejack asked.
"I think so, but he doesn't pressure me about it" Rarity said. "After all, we’re still not even married."
"But you're going to love the experience, Rarity" Cherry said. "After all, it always worth the effort."
"I agree with Cherry" Fluttershy said.
"An’ Ah'm sure Twilight would agree if she was here with us" Applejack said.
"Yeah" the others said sadly.
"But I bet it won't be long until she makes us a visit" Pinkie said, starting with his dreamy air. "And she's going to get on that train so cute..."
"Pinkie, don't drool" Applejack said.
And she then noticed Rainbow Dash had been fairly quiet, which was not her at all.
“Rainbow Dash, but what's wrong with ya? "Applejack asked, drawing the attention of the others.
Hearing her name, Rainbow Dash turned to Applejack and asked:
"What's going on?"
"What's goin’ on?" Applejack repeated. "We're here talkin’ and ya don't even bragged about how you became a Wonderbolt."
"Now that Applejack mentions it, I also think there's something wrong with you" Cherry said.
"What happened?" Fluttershy asked.
"You know that vent is quite relieving" Pinkie Pie said. "Except of course if you're keeping a secret so hard to keep to not spoil any surprise to somepony. Then, you have to keep the secret at all costs, but the pressure becomes so great that you will begin to have visions of your friends’ heads turning into talking balloons to try to make you tell the secret while going around you until you finally break."
That made everypony look at her who said:
"What? It can happen."
"Don't worry, Pinkie" Rainbow Dash said. "It's no secret. It's just that something happened after I was nominated, and it's making me nervous."
"Please, what can be so huge that it can leave tha bold and fearless Rainbow Dash so nervous?" Applejack asked.
"Don't tell us that it's the fact that you have to go back to Cloudsdale to train with the Wonderbolts" Rarity said. "Dear, we will always see each other whenever possible, as with Twilight."
"It's not that" Rainbow Dash said. "It's another thing. It happens... that a stallion asked me to go on a date with him."
"WHAT?!" Almost everypony asked at the same time, except Pinkie.
"Wait a second" she said, going to get a chocolate shake to start drinking and then spat. "I should have done this with water and not with chocolate shake. But what a waste."
"Pinkie Pie, I think we have more important matters than that" Rarity said. "I can't believe what I'm hearing. Rainbow Dash, it’s your first date."
"Yes, Ah can't believe that a stallion had tha courage tah invite ya" Applejack said.
"And who is the lucky stallion?" Cherry Blossom asked.
"It’s... Soarin" Rainbow Dash answered.
"I knew it!" Rarity exclaimed. "I knew there was something between you two since Cadance and Shining Armor’s wedding."
"Hey, nothing happened between us until today, okay?" Rainbow Dash said, showing her direct tone that she normally uses.
"But I thought you liked Soarin" Cherry Blossom said.
"Like him?" Applejack asked. "She's crazy about him."
A gruff look from Rainbow Dash made Applejack tell her:
"Sorry."
"There's nothing wrong with liking" Rainbow Dash said. "The problem is that I've never been on a date before. I mean, there was that time with Thunderlane in the Autumn Equinox Ball, but it wasn't a real date. It was more like two friends going to a party for fun. This with Soarin is serious."
"Fear not, dear friend" Rarity said. "Because I, Rarity, the specialist in romance, will advise you in any way I can."
"Thank you, Rarity, but I think..." Rainbow Dash started.
"You don't have to find anything, Rainbow Dash" Rarity said, rising and starting to take Rainbow Dash to the exit of Sugarcube Corner. "We're going immediately to my boutique to find a dress for you to wear, while I give you some advice."
With no other option, Rainbow Dash left Rarity drag her.
"And what about the party?" Pinkie Pie asked.
"Don't worry, Pinkie, this only takes a moment" Rarity said, leaving with Rainbow Dash.
They went then to Carousel Boutique, where Rarity chose a dress for Rainbow Dash that was very pretty, and she also offered herself to arrange Rainbow’s mane when the meeting time approached. After that, she began to give her some advice on how to behave on a date. In Rainbow Dash’s opinion, in general, they were not bad, with the unicorn telling to the pegasus to behave normally and relax, as things would simply unfold perfectly. Returning to Sugarcube Corner, Rarity said:
"Mission accomplished. Our friend Rainbow Dash is ready for her first date."
"Are ya sure?" Applejack asked.
"Look, Applejack, what matters in a meeting is calm and relaxation" Rainbow Dash said. "I just have to hope that everything will be fine."
“Rainbow Dash doesn't need to worry about the visual because I take care of it" Rarity said.
"But don't forget, I don't want anything too... girly" Rainbow Dash said to her friend.
"Don't worry" Rarity said. "You know you can trust me."
"I know" Rainbow Dash replied. "You know, I think there is nothing that will put me nervous about the date at this point."
But it was then that the door opened and a voice that Rainbow Dash acknowledged said:
"Who's my fast girl?"
Rainbow turned and faced with a pegasus stallion with a mane like Rainbow Dash’s, pale, light grayish persian blue coat with a plane with a rainbow trail as a Cutie Mark and moderate gamboge eyes. Seeing him, Rainbow Dash got very excited and said:
"Dad!"
And she went to hug him. The truth is that that was Rainbow Blitz, Rainbow Dash’s father, who was a known flight instructor and, when he was younger, was a professional racer. After the hug, Rainbow Dash asked:
"What are you doing here?"
"I heard my dear daughter had occupied the vacant spot in the main team of Wonderbolts and I decided to congratulate her personally” Rainbow Blitz answered.
"What about mom?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"She decided to stay at home” Rainbow Blitz said. "You know how she is. She doesn't like to leave her cloud."
"It's so good to see you, Mr. Blitz” Fluttershy said.
"Fluttershy, how are you?" Rainbow Blitz said. "I heard you now have a family of your own. That is fantastic. I bet your dad is overjoyed."
"Well, he loves being a grandfather" Fluttershy replied.
"Well, knowing him like I do, that is completely normal to him" Rainbow Blitz said. "So, tell me, what's new? Aside from the fact that my dear daughter is now a Wonderbolt.
"Nothing special" Pinkie Pie said. "Apart from the fact that Soarin invited Rainbow Dash on a date."
"What?" Rainbow Blitz asked, surprised, while Rainbow Dash made gestures to Pinkie Pie to not say anything while she revealed that, turning to her then. "Seriously?"
"Dad, just so you know, he just asked me today and he is also quite nice."
"I know he is" Rainbow Blitz said. "But, Dash, you're..."
"I know, for you I am too young and this is not quite my thing, but I think... Soarin worth it" Rainbow Dash said.
There was a pause and then Rainbow Blitz smiled and said:
"Very well, but I want to have a talk with him."
"Dad..." Rainbow Dash started, but seeing that she would not be able to persuade him, she said. "Whatever you say."
He gave a kiss on her cheek and then came out of Sugarcube Corner.
"What was that?" Rarity asked.
"My father is very protective" Rainbow Dash said. "He’s not overprotective, but he always makes sure I’m always right, even when I moved to Ponyville. He's the one who got me the job on the weather team."
"So I made a mistake in telling him about Soarin?" Pinkie Pie asked.
"Don't worry, Pinkie" Rainbow Dash said. "He would eventually find out. I just hope Soarin don't get too scared when he meets my father."
The time has come where Soarin came to get Rainbow Dash. He flew to her home, wearing a tuxedo and carrying a bouquet of flowers. Landing on the porch, he knocked on the door and it was opened, revealing Rainbow Dash. Soarin was stunned to see Rainbow Dash. She looked stunning with a beautiful dress that matched her mane that was also well arranged.
"Wow" he said.
"I know it sounds exaggerated and nothing like me, but I left my friend Rarity arrange me" Rainbow Dash said.
"You're beautiful" Soarin said, keeping in mind he had a bouquet of flowers and he extended it to her. "These are for you."
"Thank you, Soarin" Rainbow Dash thanked, putting the bouquet on small table that was on the verge of the entrance. "Although I don't like a lot of these slushy things, thanks."
"So, shall we?" Soarin asked.
"Before we go, I have to tell you something" Rainbow Dash said. "You know, my dad's here."
"And he wants to meet me, doesn't he?" Soarin asked. "Well, looks like I got lucky."
Hoofsteps were heard and then Rainbow Blitz appeared, saying:
"You bet."
Seeing Rainbow Blitz, Soarin was a little surprised and asked:
"Coach Rainbow Blitz? You are Rainbow Dash’s father?"
"Wait, you know my father?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Of course" Soarin replied. "He was my coach before I go to the Wonderbolts. I owe him all the flying techniques I know."
"You trained a Wonderbolt?" Rainbow Dash asked to his father. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because, unlike you, my dear, I don't like to brag" Rainbow Blitz said. "But don't worry, that's one of the things I like about you, because you are quite similar to your mother in that respect. Now, as for you, Soarin..."
"I assure you, coach, my intentions to your daughter are pure" Soarin said.
"I don't doubt that, Soarin" Rainbow Blitz said. "I just wanted to know if I'd still be the same young stallion I've ever known."
"Of course" Soarin said. "It can be sure."
"So I don't have to worry about Rainbow Dash" Rainbow Blitz said. "Well, have fun."
And, having said that, he went back inside. Rainbow Dash and Soarin then came out and started flying, going to the place where it would be their date. While they flew, Rainbow Dash said to Soarin:
"I can't believe that my father trained you."
"There are a lot of things about me you don't know" Soarin said.
"So I can't wait to know them" Rainbow Dash said.
And the two continued to fly.