Outcast

by Rainbow Dashey

Fall From Grace...

Dear Princess Celestia,
Today I helped show my good friend Rainbow Dash to keep persevering.
She now has the chance to accomplish her lifelong dream. I guess its
true what they say, "if you want to succeed, try and try again." I eagerly
await your response.

Signed,
Your Faithful Student,
Twilight Sparkle

* * * * *

Water was dumping above the community. The storm that the pegasi had formed blotted out the setting sun. The sky was dark and dreary. Water fell heavy upon the earth in large drops, creating a loud patter. Ponyville was inactive; ponies huddled in their homes to stay clear of the weather.

Rainbow Dash found her way home. She quickly opened and closed the door as she zipped inside. She stood there in the foyer, sopping wet and miserable. She hadn't intended to fly for more than a short while, but in the end, she found herself unable to part with the sky.

A few more moments passed, then Rainbow Dash trotted upstairs to find herself a towel. Upon entering the bathroom she found the towels flung messily in the room just as she had left them from that morning. She snatched up a towel and proceeded back downstairs.

Rainbow Dash entered the living room quiet. She went to the fireplace as she wrapped the towel around herself. She laid some wood in the fireplace and started a fire to warm herself.

"Ah, this is just what I needed." Rainbow Dash said smugly. She laid down next to the fire, her mane still dripping. This of course didn't matter since the floor was a cloud. She enjoyed that much dearly; not only were they absorbent, but extremely soft. She took into account their comfort as she sprawled out on her back and stretched out her sore body.

As the fire warmed her body, she began to relax. Her eyelids grew heavy and her thoughts slow. She found herself willingly drifting into sleep's long embrace...

After what seemed like a long time, Rainbow Dash awoke to the loud crack of the dying fire. A few embers shot out from the fireplace. She quickly stoked the fire and sated its appetite for more wood.

The sun had begun to peek over the horizon. Rainbow Dash was surprised she had slept for such a long time. She noticed her mane was dry and had returned to its sleek appearance once more.

Rainbow Dash needed to hurry and get ready. She didn't want to be late for such a day as this. A day that she was going to finally become a Wonderbolt. She hurriedly readied herself, put out the fire, and flew out the door.

It was a long way to Cloudsdale, but Rainbow Dash barely even recalled the commute under her excitement. When she reached the floating city in the sky, she stretched her sore wings; unfortunately, living above Ponyville meant that she had a long ways to the floating city.

Cloudsdale was like a second home to Rainbow Dash. She knew it like the back of her hoof. After she finished up her stretches she wanted to take in the sights of the majestic city. But there was no time for sightseeing, she had Wonderbolts to impress...

As Rainbow Dash approached Cloudsdale's Colosseum she started to get nervous. But keeping her focus on the task at hand she regained her normal, strong headed personality. Spitfire and Soarin' came into view. She tried to keep calm, but an excited giggle escaped her.

"Ah, Rainbow Dash." Spitfire announced

"Yeah, that's me." Rainbow Dash responded.

"Well we are sure you know why you are here, but do you think you have what it takes?" Spitfire questioned

"I think we all know that I do." Rainbow Dash replied, pointing to herself with a grin.

"Then let's get started." Spitfire said as she led the way; Soarin' motioned for Rainbow Dash to follow as he flew off after Spitfire. Rainbow Dash trailed behind as the two led on. The group landed upon a cloud in the center of the arena. It meant only one thing... It was time to start.

The tests went on for hours. With each test they presented, she would pass it with flying colors. As day turned to dusk, she had completed every task in the book. The Wonderbolts seemed nothing but speechless and Rainbow Dash knew it.

The time had come, Rainbow Dash really had her chance. She stood on the cloud awaiting Spitfire to make her call. Rainbow Dash had spent all day showing off her aerial moves for the Wonderbolts. Rainbow Dash barely able to hold her excitement. She was finally having her chance at becoming apart of the best flying aces in Equestria.

Spitfire and Soarin' were down below discussing the matter at hand. After what seemed like an eternity, or at least to Rainbow Dash it did, Spitfire flew up to where she stood. Rainbow Dash bit her lip until it stung.

"Hey Dash," Spitfire stated "we have one last test for you."

Rainbow Dash just smiled and nodded. She didn't dare question it, not after coming so far.

"You see those cloud rings?" Spitfire said pointing off to the distance. "We just need you to maneuver through those and we will make our decision."

"That's it?" Rainbow Dash blurted out, "I could do that in my sleep!" Her tone now overly confident. Rainbow Dash leaped from the cloud and bolted for the rings. The rings were organized in a double loop. She cleared the first one with ease. Seeing it was that simple she decided to ramp it up, and began to flap faster.

Nearing the second loop she felt something that wasn't quite right. Suddenly a quick pain lashed up her side and into her wing. She had cramped due to her long flight earlier. She winced at the sharp prick and began to plummet.

"Ah, buck!" Soarin' cursed as he dove off the cloud to grab Rainbow Dash.

The ground approached rapidly; normally she was the one rescuing falling ponies. She found the thought amusing and terrifying all at the same time. She knew what was happening, but her mind didn't fully understand the severity of her predicament.

It took her a moment to realize that during her fall, she started to ascend. She didn't even notice that Soarin' had caught her; her mind was still racing. They reached the clouds safely above and he set her down on the cloud.

"Dash are you alright!?" Soarin' shouted. Rainbow Dash didn't respond, instead she curled up, hid her face, and wept.

While Dash sobbed, Spitfire put her hoof on Rainbow Dash's shoulder. "Dash, I'm sorry but we-"

Rainbow Dash jumped to her hooves and ran off, cutting Spitfire short.

She knew what Spitfire and Soarin' had to say and she didn't want to hear it. It, meant she had done the one thing she didn't ever want to do. She had just failed her one chance at joining the Wonderbolts. And because it was due to here own rash decision, she regretted it all the more.

Rainbow Dash needed to get away. Away from prying eyes, away from her failure. Tears began to stream from her eyes, nopony could see her like this. She didn't want to cry, she couldn't... but she did.

Nearing the edge of the city, Rainbow Dash readied herself. She had to get out of here as soon as possible. She knew that she could glide as long as she was careful on the stressed wing. Rainbow Dash took a leap hoping for the best. Her wing held up and she began to make her long... lonely descent.

Comments

[Melkor]

Passes 99% of all tests fantastically, fails last one, not considered good enough. Seems legit.
(That's the kind of thing I could see happening in the show.)