It was the day that Rainbow Dash had been waiting for. Today was the 66th Grand Wonderbolts Derby. It was held every four years and this was the first time Rainbow Dash would have participated. She would be performing her best routine yet and she would also be racing against her fellow Wonderbolts.
There was no reason to be all that nervous though, it was just like any other show she had done. Except for the fact that this would have to be the biggest audience she had ever performed for. Ponies from all over Equestria had come to see today's show and she didn't want to make any mistakes.
A sigh escaped her as she looked at the pictures in her locker door. They were of her friends. She missed them more than anything, she had the feeling that Pinkie Pie would be missing her more than anypony.
'I wonder what's she been up to these days?'
Yes, she missed the good times that they had shared. It was a good thing that she would be seeing her soon, after a few years she was starting to think that she might not ever see her friends again. She pulled her flying goggles onto her head.
"Hey Rainbow Dash! You ready? We're on in five minutes!" called a familiar voice.
'Ready as I`ll ever be.'
"Yeah, just a sec Spitfire. I`m just...ah...making sure my goggles are tight enough."
"Okay then, I`ll see you out there. Okay?"
"Yeah, that's cool." she replied slamming her locker shut.
As the Wonderbolts made their way to the entrance, waiting for their cue, their captain quickly gave them a prep talk.
"Alright everypony listen up. Today is a very important day for all of us. I know that this is a little nerve wracking especially since it's forecasted for a thunderstorm but remember to put on a good show and even if you make a mistake, keep on going. Fly your fastest, work those wings their hardest and be the best Wonderbolt you can be! Got all that?"
"Yes Captain Rainbow Dash!"
"Right then, let's go!"
As the commentator announced them they took off into Cloudsdale's colosseum. The sky was black and looked as though it was about to rain. They flew up and did their usual entrance routine with Rainbow Dash in the middle, Spitfire and Soarin adjacent on either side. The audience cheered and roared as they made a clear landing.
"Alright to start with today folks we have the derby while following that we have the Wonderbolt's Captain's performance. So let's get right into it. Wonderbolts to the starting line."
Rainbow Dash and the other Wonderbolts made their way to the starting line, lining up and getting ready for the race of a lifetime. As she leaned in, wings spread out behind her, muscles tense and heart racing she knew that if something went wrong, there were would be no second chances. She had been training intensely for this race, she would be going at speeds so fast that if she made one wrong turn..she would be a goner.
Her thoughts turned to her friends back in Ponyville. Who were probably anxiously awaiting her arrival. She had told them she wouldn't make it back till that afternoon but they would still be making preparations for her return. Then she thought about Pinkie Pie and how she was probably busy getting a party organized however...she had done this for Pinkie. She had worked hard and made sure that even if something went wrong today, she would at least know that she had tried her best.
"The race begins in 5..."
'I`m doing this for you Pinkie.'
"4....
'You've been there for me since the beginning.....
"3....
'there are no words to express how much I`m thankful for all you've done for me....
"2.....
'so whatever happens today, just remember that you're the best friend I could ever ask for, I love you..Pinkie Pie.'
"1..Go!"
The whistle blew and Rainbow Dash took off at her fastest pace. Her wings were flapping faster than her mind could keep up. The audience was cheering her name and she knew that she wouldn't let them down. She was way ahead of her fellow Wonderbolts and she quickly took a sharp turn.
It was a shame her friends weren't here because she had never flown so fast or so swiftly before. It then started to pour down with rain, but Rainbow Dash didn't care, she had a race to win. Spitfire was coming up closely behind her but the cyan pegasus took another sharp turn leaving her fellow Wonderbolt in the dust.
Winning. Was all Rainbow Dash ever seemed to care about when it came to Wonderbolts Derbies. She like how the audience cheered her on or how she won the cup at the end. But crossing that finish in first place was a feeling that could not be replaced by anything else in her life.
She took the last corner, the audience roaring her name, she took it a little too sharply but quickly made it around. She was on the final stretch. Only a few hundred metres to go...a black and white checker flag flew down past her and she knew that she had done it. She had one the 66th Grand Wonderbolts Derby. Just another thing next to her name.
She flew up into the centre of the arena. Looking out to all the ponies that were cheering her name. It had been the best day of her life...so far. A clap of thunder shook the colosseum but nopony seemed to notice. Not until several more claps of thunder followed. Suddenly bolts of lightning flashed against the sky.
Then, at that moment, the most unexpected thing happened. A bolt of lightning struck the cyan pegasus pony and it was as though time itself had come to a halt. She could feel excruciating pain as lightning channelled through her body. Everything slowed and for a moment she thought that she was dead, but she was only halfway there.
Her eyes closed as her brain began to shut down. Her wings stopped moving as all of a sudden she could feel herself falling...falling...falling so fast that she wasn't sure if anypony was coming to save her.
"Rainbow Dash! Rainbow Dash!" called Spitfire who had flown after the cyan pegasus the moment that her wings had stopped moving.
She could hear Spitfires cries but was falling too fast to reply. The former Wonderbolts Captain continued following Rainbow Dash but soon came to a halt knowing that she wouldn't be able to catch her.
Her eyes quickly opened and she noticed that Ponyville was getting nearer. She then saw Pinkie Pie who was watching her. Tears came to Dash's eyes as she saw how shocked the pink party pony looked.
"I`m so sorry Pinkie, I..I didn't mean for it to end this way."
As she continued falling she felt a magical essence around her and noticed that Twilight had used a levitation spell on her but as she continued falling, she broke the sound barrier.
The ground drew nearer and she knew that this would be perhaps the last few seconds of her life...but what to say?
"I regret nothing, moving to Ponyville was one of the best decisions I`ve ever made. I`ve accomplished my life dream and even become the Wonderbolt's Captain. I`ve made tons of friends and at times even been considered a hero. I helped save Equestria twice. Lastly, I`ll never forget the smile that spreads upon Pinkie's face every time she sees me. That's something I`ll treasure forever."
With those last and concluding words Rainbow Dash closed her eyes tight and waited for impact. Who knows? She might even live long enough to say goodbye? As she plummeted into the Earth, electricity still coursing through her body she could hear the cries of her friends and the gasps of the other ponies. She could not move so she just lied there, waiting...
As the pink party pony sat anxiously by the mailbox outside Sugarcube Corner, a heavy sigh escaped her as she reluctantly opened and quickly closed the mailbox again, checking for any sign of a letter or postcard from her pegasus friend. As expected, there was none. She knew that Rainbow Dash was coming back today, but she also knew that today was the most important day of her career, and she expected a letter home all about it. Today she was going to be performing in Cloudsdale, in front of anypony who was somepony and if anypony who was somepony was going to be there then she knew that Dashie would be nervous, and if she was going to be nervous than she might need to write home about it!
The thought of not receiving a letter from the cyan pegasus bothered Pinkie Pie, almost as much as not being able to write back straight away. She hadn't seen Rainbow Dash in five years, in fact, nopony had seen Rainbow Dash in five years. Well, at least not her friends that is. Since every Wonderbolts show was sold out in the first few hours these days, nopony was able to get a ticket to see her perform.
It had been a long five years for Pinkie Pie, not having anypony to pull pranks with, or have the best time at parties with. With the thought she opened the mailbox again, before closing it again without a letter.
Suddenly, a familiar purple unicorn pony approached her.
"Pinkie Pie, I know you miss Rainbow Dash but I think that it's best if you help out with the preparations, it'll help you get your mind off it. Besides, Rainbow Dash isn't expected to arrive until for another hour or so, and I`m sure she`ll tell you everything then."
"Your right Twilight, Rainbow Dash isn't going to send me a letter after all." she replied glumly. "Instead she's going to perform a Sonic Rainboom when she makes her entrance and then she`ll tell me eeeeverythiiiing about being a Wonderbolt when she lands!" she said bouncing around Twilight. "I better go make sure that the Welcoming Party is organized in Sugarcube Corner."
As the Cakes would have it, Sugarcube Corner was already decorated and set up for Rainbow Dash's arrival. As the pink earth pony bounced into the sweets shop with glee, she soon noticed how just about every table was adorned with cakes. Cakes all of shapes, flavours and sizes.
Since everypony in Ponyville was invited to the Welcoming Party, they were going to need a lot of cakes and sugary sweets. Balloons, streamers decorated the room and there was a banner that read 'Welcome Back Rainbow Dash!' As she read those four words excitement took over and the pink party pony found herself bouncing around the room, only to receive looks of bewilderment from Mrs. Cake.
"Pinkie, are your really this excited? I mean, I knew you were excited and all, but I didn't think you would go as far as to-"
"Well Mrs Cake I really am this excited, I mean my best friend Rainbow Dash is coming back today!" she squealed.
"That's nice Pinkie, but why don't you go and check on the preparations been made at the Town Hall? I`m sure they need your assistance with the balloons situation over there."
"Your right, they probably do need my help! Don't you worry Mrs Cake, I`ll have these balloons up in no time!" she chorused bouncing out of Sugarcube Corner.
As Pinkie Pie made her away across Ponyville, she noticed how the entire town was decorated for the occasion. There were flags, banners, balloons, even an Ice Sculpture! It would seem that everypony was looking forward to Rainbow Dash's return to Ponyville and everypony was doing something to help prepare.
Her return had been the most anticipated event since the Summer Sun Celebration when Twilight Sparkle had first arrived in Ponyville and also one of the most important. Pinkie Pie had known Rainbow Dash would return someday, but she didn't know exactly when and for a long time she thought that she would never return. However, her friends new this wasn't true. They all knew that she would return someday, especially since on the same day that she had left, she had promised that she would return...
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The six friends stood in a circle just outside of Twilight's Library, each with tears of joy and smiles of encouragement. In just a few moments Rainbow Dash would be taking off and finally fulfilling her dream of becoming a Wonderbolt.
None of the friends knew when she would return, but all looked forward to the letters and postcards detailing the cyan pegasus's experiences. None of the friends wanted to have to say goodbye, but they each knew deep down that they would see their pegasus friend again someday.
"Rainbow. I just wanted to say, that I wish ya luck on ya endeavours and I hope that ya have a darn good time. Cause that would be just dandy. I`m gonna miss ya Rainbow." wiping a tear from her face. "Don't forget to have fun now ya`ll." said Applejack as wiped yet another tear.
"Ah...thanks Applejack, and don't worry, I`m gonna have tons of fun as a Wonderbolt, I can't wait!" Rainbow Dash replied.
"Rainbow Dash. I`m so happy for you, I mean, not doubting you or anything but I thought for awhile that maybe you weren't going to make it. But you have and I`m just so proud of you for never giving up on your dream. I`m going to miss you Rainbow, but I think you're really going to enjoy been a Wonderbolt and travelling across Equestria. Which is something that I`ve never done. So good luck Rainbow Dash. You're the most loyal friend a pony could have and I`m glad that was you." said the purple unicorn.
"Thanks Twilight, I promise I`ll keep writing letters to Princess Celestia, but...they won't be as often considering how much time I`ll spend flying." she replied.
"Um..Rainbow Dash. I just wanted to say that..I..I`m really proud of you for becoming a Wonderbolt and I wanted to say that I always knew that you were destined for greatness. Even back at flight camp I just knew that you were going to shine someday, especially since you were one of the fastest fliers there. Also,...um...thank you for looking out for me all those years. I`m really going to miss you too." said Fluttershy who was on the verge of tears.
"Don't sweat it, besides it wasn't fair how they were always picking on you, so I thought I might teach them a lesson. Besides, if it weren't for that race, I wouldn't have done a Sonic Rainboom and earned my cutiemark. So I guess I should be thanking you." she replied.
"Rainbow Dash, I admire your determination and how you've never lost hope in your dream. Never giving up is something you have lived up to, and I suppose you`ll be able to carry that with you on your journey. Now, remember, it's okay to get stage fright but you should always have your head held high, give the audience the best performance you can give, and lastly but not least, don't forget to smile. I`m going to miss you as much as everypony else will, but I suppose that Ponyville will be much quieter without you giving everypony a good show. Good luck and I hope to see you again someday." said Rarity who was about ready to faint.
"Um..Pinkie Pie? Don`t you have something to say to Rainbow Dash before she leaves?" asked Fluttershy in a rather quiet voice.
"Well of course I..I do." wiping away the tears that were streaming down her face. "Dashie, I`m happy for you and all...but I." The pink earth pony was now sobbing. "It's just that when you leave, I`m not going to have anypony to pull pranks with or be really silly with or...or laugh at my randomness with. Your my best friend Rainbow Dash and I..." she pulls out a tissue and blows her nose a couple of times. "I`m really, really, really, really going to miss you. I hope you have tons of fun with the Wonderbolts and promise me one thing..."
The cyan pegasus pony embraced Pinkie Pie in a hug. To be perfectly honest, Pinkie Pie was the one pony that Rainbow Dash was going to miss the most.
"What's that one thing Pinkie?" she asked in a hushed whisper.
"That you write me lots of letters and send me tons of postcards during your trip, and that you tell me about eeeeverythiiiing that happens to you while you're a Wonderbolt. Pinkie promise?" she asked.
"Pinkie promise."
"Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in me eye!" they sang coherently.
The other five ponies all joined the pair's hug, tears in their eyes and smiles on their faces. They were each sad to see Rainbow Dash go, but were glad to know that she was seeing her dreams come true. They unembraced one another and returned to a circle.
It was almost sundown and the sun was rolling back behind Ponyville's thatched roofed buildings. It was also almost time for Rainbow Dash to go, but there was one last promise to made.
The cyan pegasus turned to take off into the sunset but quickly remembered something that needed to be said.
"Oh and Pinkie Pie?" turning and facing the pink party pony.
"Yes Dashie?"
"Remember this always, I promise you with all of my heart that I`ll return someday. I don't know when that'll be or how long that`ll be, but always remember that someday I`ll come back and tell you all about my adventure as a Wonderbolt." she said tears running down her cheeks.
"Don't worry Dashie, I`ll never forget your promise, even if it takes you a million years to come back. I`ll always remember." she promised as a smile appeared on her face.
"Thanks Pinkie Pie. Well, I guess this goodbye." she quickly took off into the sky before turning and taking one last glance at the town she had spent some of the best days of her life in with her best friends. "Goodbye everypony!" she called out before finally taking off and heading towards Cloudsdale. She could hear the calls and farewells of her friends and they became more and more distant as she left Ponyville behind her....
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As Pinkie Pie arrived outside the town hall disappointment spreaded across her face as she noticed that the balloons and decorations had already been taken care of by none other than Ponyville's fabulous boutique manager; Rarity. She was hanging up balloons and streamers left, right and centre. There was a banner hanging up similar to the one at Sugarcube Corner except it read: 'Welcome Home Rainbow Dash!' in fancy lettering.
"Oh, hi Rarity. I guess the Town Hall is already set up for Dashie's arrival huh?" she asked glumly.
The elegant unicorn stopped what she was doing for a moment before giving her reply.
"Why yes of course, who else would be put in charge of the decor but I, Rarity!" she turned and noticed the pink party pony's expression. "Oh, I`m sorry Pinkie Pie um...did you want to help put the decorations up?" she asked in a more concerned tone.
"Well, yes actually. But it seems you`ve bet me to it so I`ll just go and find something else to help with." she replied before turning and walking in the opposite direction.
"But...but Pinkie Pie my dear are you quite sure you don't wish to help?" she called out to the earth pony but received no response. "Oh dear, what have I done?" she asked aloud.
Pinkie Pie continued to wander around town looking for ponies to help but no matter where she went or who she asked nopony needed her assistance. She even went as far as Sweet Apple Acres to see if the Applejack needed help baking some more apple pies but she politely declined knowing that if Pinkie got involved some unnatural disaster might occur.
She asked Twilight if she needed help re-organizing her bookshelves but since she was already occupied practising a spell, Spike told her to go and see if some of the other ponies needed help.
She continued asking ponies but soon discovered that nopony needed her help and since everypony was busy she had nopony to hang out with. So she just sat down outside of Sugarcube Corner and waited by the mail box. Since she knew that there would be no letter or postcard from Rainbow Dash she sat in silence with a heavy heart and miserable expression.
"Only if Rainbow Dash was here, then I would have somepony to hang out with." she said aloud letting out a sigh.
She could suddenly feel the little pitter patter of raindrops on her nose and she soon realized that Rainbow Dash was expected to arrive very soon. However, she didn't realize that everypony's attention was focused on the sky and the peculiar body falling out of it.
It was only when loud screams and cries could be heard that Pinkie Pie snapped back into reality and noticed everypony heading towards the town hall. She quickly stood up and raced over to the town hall curious as to what was going on. As she approached the large, wooden building she could already see her friends among the crowd of ponies watching something in the sky.
She looked up at the sky in horror as she quickly recognised the thing falling out of the sky as none other than her cyan pegasus friend
Rainbow Dash. Nopony was sure of what to do, Twilight's horn quickly illuminated a purple glow as she casted a levitation spell around the falling pony but the spell was quickly broken as Rainbow Dash started falling faster. As she drew nearer to the ground, Pinkie Pie quickly noticed that her eyes were closed and there were deep scratches all over her body, not only that but her wings weren't moving.
She grew nearer and nearer to the ground and the pink party pony's heart rate increased and soon panic took over. As much as she wanted to scream "Somepony do something!" she knew that it would be of no use. There was nothing to be done and not even Twilight's magic would work.
"Dashie." she whispered.
In the moment that the cyan pegasus crashed into the ground it seemed that time had stopped itself and Pinkie's heart almost stopped beating, the impact sent dust and dirt flying everywhere. As the moment passed ponies rushed over to Rainbow Dash, worried expressions on their faces and cries of her name.
Pinkie Pie rushed over to friend tears already rolling down her cheeks.
"Rainbow Dash!" she cried out but the pony didn't move.
"Rainbow Dash!" she cried out again but even louder, the pony still didn't move.
Her crying quickly turned into sobbing as she realized that no matter how many times she called the pegasus's name she wouldn't move.
Nopony in the crowd moved but Applejack put a comforting hoof around her shoulder as she continued to sob. The other four knew how much Pinkie Pie cared about their pegasus friend and decided to say anything knowing that she`ll come to realize pretty soon that Rainbow Dash wasn't ever going to wake up.
Everypony in the crowd linked hooves as they stood together crying in silence. It was the only thing they could do to show a little respect. Pinkie continued to sob and after a long while ponies started to leave, not wanting to continue staring at the now, passed on pegasus. Before long, everypony else had left and the other four friends had told Pinkie that if she needed somepony to talk to, they were there for her.
Pinkie Pie just sat there, crying at her friend's side. She then remembered again the promise that Rainbow Dash had made to her and she decided what to do.
"Dashie, I know that your never ever going to wake up, but I just want you to know that...even though things didn't turn out the way they were supposed to, you still kept your promise. Thank you Dashie, for been the best friend I`ve ever had, but, also for keeping your promise. Goodbye Dashie."
The pink earth pony stood up and left her friend to lay there in resting place. She knew that someday, they would properly reunite and then, Rainbow Dash would tell her about her adventures about being a Wonderbolt.
Until then, Pinkie Pie would wait. She would wait knowing perfectly well that even though her pegasus friend would never been with her in pony form, but rather in her heart and she would never leave.
