'Come on, Rainbow Dash, you can do this. This is it. The moment of truth. The day YOU become...a Wonderbolt...'
A month ago it became headline news that Firebolt, a member of the Wonderbolts, had died of a heat attack during the annual Canterlot derby. Fans all over Equestria were devastated, including Rainbow Dash. Soon sorrow was replaced with excitement as Spitfire, the Wonderbolt's captain, declared try-outs to replace their lost companion. Thousands of pegasi were competing but only one could take Firebolt's place.
That was a month ago. In the present, Rainbow Dash along with many other pegasi were competing in the Wonderbolts try-out. They consisted of several different races throughout Canterlot and Cloudsdale. Rainbow Dash blasted through the competition and was hooves down, the first place winner. But now all that stood in her way were the finals. Hundreds of pegasi were reduced to less than ten as they were left behind race after race. Now was the moment. In order to join the Wonserbolts, Rainbow had to do just what she had been doing all day; leaving them in the clouds.
To say she wasn't nervous would be a lie. She wasn't nervous about losing. She was nervous with excitement about finally joining her life-long heroes. Just then she heard a voice behind her.
"You're trembling, Rainbow CRASH.", he said, "Do you need a sweater?"
Rainbow Dash glanced behind her. He was the jock from flight school who always used to tease her and her life-long friend, Fluttershy.
"My bad, I thought sinse you were gone so long you weren't use to Cloudsdale being so high up and you were getting cold. I never realized you were worried!"
Rainbow Dash just smirked, "Yeah, I'm REALLY worried. Worried about all the hospital bills I'll have to pay after I beat you all!"
He laughed, "That's very funny, Rainbow Crash. I hope you aren't so scared that your wings give out like Klutzershy."
Her eyes narrowed, "I thought I told you to stop teasing her, DUMB-bell!"
"I told you, that's not my name! And fine, I'll leave your GIRLFRIEND out of this."
"Y-you-", Rainbow was glaring at him now, "I'm gonna turn you into an earth pony if you-!"
"Save it for the race track.", called Dumbbell as he flew off to the race track.
She growled and headed for the racetrack as well. There were only several pegasi racing besides Dumbbell and herself. Everyone took their places at the starting line. Rainbow Dash squinted up at the bleachers. Her friends Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and of course Fluttershy came to watch her win.
"And after all the trouble you went through just to get here, I won't loose..."
Just then, the announcer flew up onto a cloud in the middle of the race track.
"Pegasi, take your places! On your mark..."
Rainbow Dash crouched down ready to take off.
"Get set..."
Dumbbell stood next to her looking just as confident.
"GO!"
The racers began to take off in what seemed like slow motion. Just as Rainbow was ready to kick off, Dumbbell stepped down on her wing and flew into the air. She could only wince and grit her teeth. She could of swore she heard a snap but that could have just been her imagination. Either way she crouched down in pain while the other racers left her behind at the starting line.
"Later, Rainbow Crash!"
She didn't even need to see his face.
A flame was lit deep inside Rainbow Dash, 'I've waited my entire life for this opportunity... And no bucking son of a bitch is about to steal it!'
She lunged into the air, flapped her aching wings, and took off after the crowd. In seconds she took seventh, sixth, fifth, and then fourth place. She could see the three ponies ahead of her. One of them was Dumbbell.
'Wow, I never knew he could fly so fast...', she thought, 'Guess I'm always yards ahead of him. Like I will be in a few seconds...'
Rainbow Dash pulled up next to Dumbbell who looked kinda shocked.
"Did you enjoy the head start I gave you?", she asked tauntingly.
"I have no idea how you're flying on that wing...", he said, "But this is one race you are NOT winning! Nothing can save you, Rainbow Crash, not even your Sonic Rainboom!"
"I won't need it to beat YOU!", she yelled as she flew past him.
As she passed he grabbed her leg with his two front hooves and pulled her back.
"Can't let you do that, Dash..."
She kicked him in the face and he flew backwards. After he regained his balance he caught up to her, jumped on her back and rode her like...well...a pony. Rainbow tried throwing him off as she snuck to first place but he held on tight. The other racers noticed and stared wide eyed.
Back in the bleachers, her friends all gasped.
"Good heavens!", cried Rarity, "That cheater!"
"She can't shake 'em off!", yelled Applejack.
"Rainbow Dash!", called Pinkie Pie, "Do a barrel roll!"
Fluttershy just stared wide-eyed and suddenly she got up and headed for the front row of the bleachers.
Twilight gasped, "Fluttershy! Get back!"
Fluttershy pushed past several ponies and stood right at the edge.
"Rainbow Dash!", she yelled.
Meanwhile Rainbow and Dumbbell were still wrestling in midair. She was gaining speed despite the added weight. Finally when she was going fast enough she rolled in the air and kicked Dumbbell hard, sending him flying. She didn't pay attention to her direction.
Dumbbell headed towards the bleachers, falling out of control. He hit the edge and was about to fall when he saw Fluttershy on safe ground looking terrified. He grabbed her leg and screaming she was pulled down with him.
Rainbow heard the scream and looked in the direction of the bleachers. Everyone had their eyes on the falling audience member.
Rainbow Dash glared, "Not my friend, you colt!"
She turned away from the race and headed off track towards Fluttershy and Dumbbell who were now falling out of the sky city towards the ground. As she gained speed the air around her began to form a cone until there was an extremely loud cracking sound was heard and a rainbow ring expanded from her, knocking back everything around her. The Sonic Rainboom gave her the speed to catch up to the falling pegasi, grab them, and fly back up to Cloudsdale. As she flew up with Flutershy and Dumbbell in each arm looking as if they'd faint the sound of everyone cheering could be heard. Rainbow set them down on solid cloud and bent over breathing heavily. The crowd continued to cheer and the announcer began to speak.
"I believe it's clear who's the winner of the race, AND the newest member of the Wonderbolts..."
Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy looked up with anticipation.
"The winner is...Thunderlane!"
The bleachers exploded with applause. A dark blue colt joined the Wonderbolts on the central platform beaming brightly. Rainbow Dash on the other hoof stared silently at the ground.
Fluttershy looked at her with watery eyes, "R-Rainbow...Dash...?"
Dumbbell slowly got up still shaken from his near doom experience, "Y-you saved my life, Rainbow Cr-"
Rainbow Dash performed a kick between his legs that even AJ would have admired and bolted off. Fluttershy flew after her but alas she was still the slowest flyer in Cloudsdale. Just then what felt like raindrops hit her face. She looked up and realized they were coming from Rainbow Dash's direction.
"She's...crying..."
Fluttershy stopped and watched her friend disappear into the distance...
-
"Rainbow! Rainbow Dash!"
Everyone was searching for Rainbow Dash, even Big Mac, Granny Smith, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Twilight, Rarity, AJ, Pinkie and Fluttershy were looking together.
They were outside of Ponyville when Pinkie saw a glass bottle laying on the grass. It still had some liquid in it so she picked it up and chugged it down.
"Pinkie!", scolded Twilight, "You can't just pick stuff of the ground and drink it!"
"I recon she just did...", said AJ flatly.
Pinkie dropped the bottle and panted heavily, "Ah...spicy..."
Fluttershy looked at the empty bottle, "I've seen this before, this is Rainbeer. They brew it in Cloudsdale along with liquid rainbows."
"You mean that stuff I drank before the Young Flyers Competition?, asked Pinkie Pie, "I knew I remembered that flavor."
Fluttershy looked up and saw Rainbow Dash on a cloud.
"Look!", she gasped, "She's up there!"
Fluttershy left her friends on the ground and flew up to Rainbow's cloud. Rainbow Dash was laying down with a half empty Rainbeer bottle in her hoofs and a few more next to her. Her face was almost as red as her hair.
"Rainbow Dash, why are you up here all alone?", Fluttershy asked grabbing the bottle, "We were all so worried about you."
Rainbow sighed and flipped over away from Fluttershy, "Funny...I was saving that Rainbeer for after the race...but not like this..."
Fluttershy threw the bottle off the cloud and grabbed Rainbow, turning her to face her.
"I was worried, Rainbow Dash! Please...don't avoid me..."
Fluttershy was crying now. She didn't even know if Rainbow was listening.
"It was your dream...", she sobbed, "I'm really sorry I made you loose the race..."
Fluttershy felt herself being embraced. Rainbow Dash was hugging her and smiled.
"I'm just glad that I didn't loose you...", she said.
Rainbow sat up still holding Fluttershy, "There'll be more chances to join the Wonderbolts. Besides...some things are more important..."
Fluttershy gasped, "W-what's more important to you than the Wonderbolts?"
"Fluttershy...I want to protect you...ever since we were fillies that's the only thing that was important to me..."
They were both silent for a few seconds as they stared into each others eyes. Meanwhile Twilight had loaded the other four girls into the balloon and were watching Rainbow and Fluttershy from afar.
"Tell me again why we're SPYING on those two like this?", asked AJ.
"It's not SPYING...", replied Twilight, "Can't you see they are having an important talk?"
"I don't wanna be quiet! I'm not good at quiet!", said Pinkie squirming.
"We know, dear...", said Rarity, "We know..."
"Fluttershy...", Rainbow began, "I can't always protect you if you're far away..."
Fluttershy's heart was pounding. She had no idea where this was going.
"Y-yes...?"
"Fluttershy...will you...", Rainbow seemed to having a hard time, "Will you...marry me...?"
Fluttershy's face went bright red and she looked down at her hooves. The eavesdropping girls in the balloon all gasped. Fluttershy mumbled something.
Rainbow looked up, "W-what?"
Pinkie held her megaphone to her ear, "What did she say!"
Fluttershy looked back into Rainbow's eyes.
"Y-yes...I will..."
The two mares couldn't keep it together and both hugged, crying with joy. Pinkie Pie jumped up and down hugging Twilight, who was also happy yet at the same time kinda freaked out.
"YAY-THIS IS WONDERFUL- BEAUTIFUL-FUN-TASTIC-I LOVE WEDDINGS-LETS HAVE A PARTY!"
Rainbow and Fluttershy's ears perked up and they both turned their heads toward the balloon.
"Did they...listen to everything I just said...?, asked Rainbow.
"Oh, well...we were ALL looking for you...", said Fluttershy sheepishly.
-
The next few weeks were a blur; getting decorations, dresses, food, and everything else. Both Fluttershy and Rainbow were first called into Rarity's work room.
"The gowns must be simply smashing! Fluttershy must have a white dress, and so should Rainbow-"
"I am NOT wearing a dress.", said Rainbow Dash with her nose in the air, "Make me a suit or something but not a dress."
"But darling, you must wear a bridal dress.", insisted Rarity, "Only colts wear suits at their weddings."
"I don't care, the gala was a one-time thing. Namely because it was more like a toga, but 20% cooler. But no way am I being your little pony to dress all pretty however you want!"
"Oh calm down, Rainbow Dash.", sighed Rarity, "For heavens sakes. Besides, you never asked Fluttershy. This is HER wedding too, after all."
Rainbow sighed and looked at Fluttershy, "Well...?"
"Oh, I...", she began, "I think you'd look beautiful in a dress..."
Rainbow Dash got up and took Fluttershy in a headlock, "You dope! That's not what you're supposed to say!"
"I'm sorry!"
Rarity turned her back to them and wrote on her clipboard, "A dress it is..."
Next they were called to Sugarcube Corner to order food. Pinkie was in charge of the order.
"Sweet is good, but I also like spicy.", said Rainbow.
"I don't like spicy...", said Fluttershy.
"AND PINK!"
"Pinkie Pie...this is me and Rainbow Dash's wedding..."
"Then pink streamers!"
"I prefer rainbow streamers. And thunderbolts!"
"Um, I like flowers better... If that's okay with you."
"Okay! PINK flowers!"
"Rainbows, darling, rainbows!"
"Wow Rainbow Dash! Nice Rarity impression!"
"I wasn't impersonating Rari-oh never mind..."
After the day was over, Fluttershy and Rainbow sat on a park bench, both clearly beat. Just then Twilight ran over to them.
"Girls! I spent all day making a list of things we'll nee-"
"Don't bother, Twi", said Rainbow, "We already took care of it."
"What?", yelled Twilight, "But I spent ALL DAY planning this! The bride and...bride aren't supposed to plan their own wedding."
"Oh well...", Rainbow leaned back with her hooves behind her head.
"Maybe you could find someplace to have the wedding.", suggested Fluttershy.
"That's it!", cried Twilight, "Canterlot! That would be perfect. Oh! I should write to Queen Celestia; maybe we can use the cathedral in her castle!"
Twilight Sparkle grabbed her papers and skipped all the way back to the library.
Rainbow glanced after her, "Sometimes that mare scares me..."
So Rainbow and Fluttershy got married in Queen Celestia's castle in Canterlot and thanks to Equestria's wide acceptance of gays, lesbians, and same-sex marriage everything went perfectly. Sweetie Belle, Scoottaloo, and Apple Bloom were the flower girls, Scootaloo burst into tears, and DJ Pon-3 acted as the Justice. After leaving the cathedral, Derpy Hooves catching the traditional bouquet of flowers and laughing maniacally, the two newlywed mares returned to Fluttershy's house where Angel, Fluttershy's pet bunny, made dinner.
A couple weeks later of living together, Fluttershy asked a question that had been on her mind for a while.
"Rainbow Dash...can we...have a child?"
Rainbow burst out laughing, "Fluttershy! You know mares can't have babies with other mares. That's insane!"
"Yes but...", Fluttershy tried not to feel hurt, "What about adopting...or...artificial fertilizing?"
"I guess we could... Fine, I want a tough colt who's an awesome flyer like me!"
"But I want a cute but shy filly who loves animals and making friends..."
"Well we'll never know until it happens. Whatever, let's get this over with!"
And so Fluttershy and Rainbow went to the Ponyville Fertility Center. Though Rainbow vowed not do do any of the 'mommy stuff' Fluttershy insisted Rainbow be the biological mother.
"I don't think I could handle the pain...and who would take care of the animals during my pregnancy?"
Nine weeks later, Rainbow Dash went into labor. Fluttershy never heard such yelling and swearing.
"Oh my f*cking gosh, Oh my f*cking gosh, Oh my f*cking gosh, Oh my f*cking gosh, Oh my f*cking gosh, Oh my f*cking gosh, Oh my f*cking gosh, Oh my f*cking gosh, Oh my f*cking gosh, Oh my f*cking gosh!"
By the end of the night a little black winged colt was curled up in bed next to Rainbow Dash. He had hair like a rainbow of different shades of gray, and though they were now closed, his eyes were dark purple like his mother's.
"He's so precious...", whispered Fluttershy, "We should name him Moonbow."
"Moonbow?", asked Rainbow.
"Oh they're beautiful...", she said smiling, "They're like rainbows but at night
"Okay...Moonbow...SHADE."
"Shade? Why Shade?"
"Cause it sounds awesome!"
"Okay, his name is Moonbow Shade then..."
-
End of prologue...