‘’C’mon, Crash, keep up!’’
For the fifth time since the damn training session began, Rainbow Dash were just lying on a cloud, feeling dizzy and frankly embarrassed. Never have Spitfire been so demanding, so pushing, enough for the blue Pegasus to reconsider her place among the Wonderbolts.
Am I really the fastest flyer in Equestria? Am I really Wonderbolts material?
On these unusual thoughts, Rainbow tried to keep up with her comrades, half-listening to the instruction and avoiding talk as much as possible.
Her torment finally came to an end, as she was ready to head back in Ponyville, in hope of drinking a glass – maybe a barrel – of cider with Applejack, she cringed as she heard the rigid voice of Spitfire yelling:
‘’Come here this instant, Rainbow Crash!’’
Even after the events of her first days as a full-fledged Wonderbolt, the dreaded nickname still annoyed her.
‘’If you want to yell at me, go on, I won’t stop you…’’, said Rainbow Dash, on a defeated tone.
‘’That’s not what you need right now, Rainbow Cr…, Dashie. But you have to know, I noticed you’ve been degrading for a couple of weeks now. I should have talked to you sooner, but the truth is, I don’t always have the luxury of dealing with personal problems. So now I want to help you with whatever’s going on, not only for the good of the team, but as a friend.’’
It was the first time rainbow ever heard Spitfire used that much of sweet talk.
I’m that pathetic, he?
‘’I haven’t really been myself lately, but I’m not… wait a minute, did you call me… Dashie?’’, she declared, shocked.
‘’Oh, hum, I guess so. It felt more… appropriate… than the usual one.’’
‘’… Please don’t.’’
‘’Anyways, what’s going on?’’, said Spitfire, breaking the awkward moment like nothing happened.
‘’You wouldn’t understand… Like you can ever be stressed by anything…’’
With those words, Spitfire just stared at the blue pony, without expressing anything until she gently started to laugh.
‘’Oh dear, such innocence, but still one the most amazing and ‘’Coolest’’ pony I met!’’, Spitfire declared, still amused.
‘’…I don’t know if I should thank you or be angry…’’, replied Rainbow dash, confused.
‘’You really think I’m never nervous? That I never feel any kind of tension? You honestly think that no Wonderbolts, even during the worst crisis, never been scared? And what about your friend, the princess? Has she stayed completely calm at every challenges she faced? That’s cute…’’
Rainbow narrowed her eyes and gave Spitfire an annoyed glare, ‘’I’m not c…’’
‘’Think about what I said over the weekend, and I want you to come earlier at the next session, so we can talk.’’
Rainbow didn’t bother answering, she already knew she had no excuse for her behavior… The fact was, the only pressure she felt was because she failed to execute some flying tactics, and was scared she would to be outclassed by her colleagues…
She was right about Twilight… maybe she can help…
---
Twilight was exhausted. The only thing she wanted right now, was to lay on her bed and rest until the next season. But as soon as she was closing her eyes, the pressure kept coming back.
So many officials to meet… so many speeches to write… so many lessons to prepare for Starlight … at least she’s busy for some time… But is Trixie really a good influence on her? Ah well, I should trust her more…
And so on… Needless to say, the princess of friendship hasn’t felt well rested in a long time!
Instead of pointlessly laying on her bed, Twilight decided to go look for a book, hoping that a calm story could lessen her tensions. But she didn’t expect to find a blue tornado creating a mess in her library!
‘’Rainbow Dash! What are you doing!’’ she yelled.
Apparently she wasn't loud enough, because her blue friend just kept on grabbing random books, mumbling to herself and dropping them, grumbling. After a couple attempts, she finally heard the Alicorn, and stopped her circus.
Is that all your books on magic, ‘’the pegasus casually asked while showing an anarchic pile of books – next to an empty bookshelf’’.
‘’Hum, probably not? Would you care to explain what are you doing?’’
‘’I need a spell! My wonder-career depends on it!’’, she answered, dramatically.
‘’What are y…’’
‘’You don’t understand! I’m losing my Coolness! And THAT is not cool! The worst! I can’t live like-like … Fluttershy!’’
‘’That’s not nice… And you don’t make any sense!’’, replied Twilight, starting to get impatient.
‘’I need a spell to never feel nervous again! Not that I am – you know – nervous, or maybe a tiny bit, but I kinda need it for… training and… stuff.’’ Convinced by the precision of her explanation, she stared at Twilight desperately waiting for an answer, but only to realize how tired her friend looked.
‘’And how exactly did you want to cast the spell?’’
‘’Good point,’’admitted Rainbow, blushing a little. ‘’So, which book?’’
‘’Hum, maybe in the Tumultuous Compendium of…’’
‘’Thank you! You are such a great friend!’’
‘’I didn’t… He, yeah, of course, anything to help!’’
‘’Are you okay‘’, asked Rainbow, on a more relaxed voice.
‘’Of course, I'm fine! It's research!‘’
As the ponies were searching, Twilight realized that she could take benefit from this situation as well.
Rainbow don’t want to be nervous… She is feeling too much pressure, like me… but altering emotions is dangerous, event forbidden in several places… but what if… a comforting spell…
‘’Rainbow!’’, suddenly yelled the Alicorn.
‘’What? What? You found it?’’
‘’We don’t need a book! Follow me!’’
Both ponies left the library, heading for one of the guest rooms, large enough to contain two beds. As rainbow was wondering what was going on, Twilight explained:
‘’Okay, this is the first time I try this spell. Well, second time, but it requires at least a partner to succeed... You’ll understand. First, get on one of the bed, and make yourself comfortable. ‘’
As odd as it seemed, Rainbow didn’t argue and just decided to silently follow her friend’s instructions.
‘’Now, you will need to close your eyes and think about the most comforting things you can. You have to feel happy and relaxed. I will feel it when it’s ready. Next, I’ll cast a spell that will give us that same feeling anytime it’s needed! I cannot do it on my own, since the casting itself takes a great amount of concentration! Understood? Okay, let’s begin!’’
It was hard at first, but Rainbow managed to calm herself, diving deeper and deeper in her memories. She first thought about the races she won, then about that amazing party Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich organized for her last birthday, her meeting with Tank, her first time at the Wonderbolts academy…She lost track of the time, but it seems like at least an hour has passed… She decided to open an eye and at that very moment, Twilight’s horn lit up. Rainbow became a bit stressed, hoping not to make the spell fail, so she tried to go back in her soothing thoughts, but the only thing she could focus on, strangely, was Spitfire’s word's earlier.
Dashie… Such innocence… cute…
And more strangely, thinking about these words made her smile…
A bright purple-ish light filled the chamber in an instant.
Next
Chapter 1: Magical Mystery Charm