This chapter happens a week after the last chapter, and made after the episode "Rainbow Falls"


**Ponyville**

Listen up ladies!" Soldier bellows in a drill sergeant voice to Rainbow Dash and Scout and walking past them; he explains the situation. "Ponyville depends on us to win tomorrow, and to ensure victory we must fight!"

"Fly, we're part of the Aerial Relay, not in a battlefield." Rainbow Dash corrects the stallion, still a little miffed she's not the one rallying the troops.

Soldier stands still for a second, before continuing loudly, "Fly, we must fly! And for that, we have to be at our best! Train until we throw up blood, then after we get Medic to put the blood back in, we will resume training!"

"Pff, who needs training?" Scout snorts in amusement at what Soldier is saying. "We're going to qualify no time flat!" He exclaims, confident in his speed.

That Rainbow Dash agrees on, "You said it!" she starts flying in her excitement. "And after we have qualified, we're going to the Equestrian Games! I— I mean we will make Ponyville—" Soldier gets right up her face, shouting: "Less talking more flying, maggot!" She speeds off with Scout close behind. Soldier flies too and he somehow still has plenty of air to keep yelling and keeping up his decent pace.

**Later. In the train to Rainbow Falls**

Two pegasi approach Rainbow Dash, with the mare saying, "Good luck, Rainbow Dash!" and apologizes, "Sorry we couldn't fly with you on the Aerial Relay, but the air sprinters needed us too."

The stallion shrugs, "Too bad we can only compete in one event." he sighs. "But rules are rules.

The two leave and Twilight Sparkle calls after them, "Good luck!" to then turn back to Rainbow Dash that says confidently: "We don't need luck!" Twilight deadpans at her friend but decides not to bother correcting Rainbow Dash.

Scout nods, only for his moment be ruined when Sauda suddenly lands on his head, crying happily, "Big bro fly!" and the other one is not far behind as Lavernia jumps onto his shoulder, repeating: "Fly, fly, fly." though in a much quieter voice.

Scout is annoyed, but it's hard to get angry when his two sisters are so happy to be around him. Probably the only reason he keeps humoring them. "Yup, big bro is going to fly." He jumps onto the seat, accidentally making his sisters fall off. "And going to win! For I am the Scout here!"

Sauda and Lavernia quickly recover from the small bruises they got from the fall. The emotions they got from their brother overrode the slight pain and they begin to jump up and down before Scout, chanting their first word happily; "Scout, Scout, Scout, Scout!" which made their brother grin widely and only encouraged them further. The three siblings didn't notice that their father facepalms at that entire scene, much to the mother of the two foals amusement.

"Aww… that's so adorable." Fluttershy cooes at the sight. Besides her, Miss Pauling is trying not to do the same and isn't really at all surprised to see Scout enjoying his ego to be stroked by the two girls.

Twilight turns away from that adorable scene, back to Rainbow Dash. "I know you and Scout are fast flyers, and Soldier… " She glances to said pegasus. He is currently doing wing pushups with his girlfriend watching as if he's doing a seducing pose or something. Twilight quickly looks away, "H-He's steadfast when putting something to mind." even when these goals can be quite destructive, but Rainbow Dash had a good reason to pick him. "Ponyville is lucky to have you."

Said rainbow-haired pegasus smiles smugly, "Yeah, we're pretty awesome."

"'A' is for 'awesome'!" Pinkie Pie, dressed like a cheerleader shoots up besides the two, and tells them both, Rainbow Dash mostly "We're gonna be the best fans anypony has ever seen!"

Rarity walks up beside Zhanna, making the big earth pony turn to her. "Ooh, I can't wait to see what everypony else is wearing," She levitates up a piece of clothing, which made Soldier straightens up, and gives Rarity the opportunity to show the uniforms she'd made for their little team of athletes. "even though I am absolutely sure they won't be better than the Ponyville uniforms I'm designing for the Equestria Games." At first glance, it looks like a very simple shirt but the fabric is meant to expel unwanted heat.

"My bear maggot will look ravishing in Rarity uniform." Zhanna tells the white unicorn and that Rarity smiles at this pony's way of complimenting others.

"Thank you darling." Rarity folds the still in progress uniform. "Human outfits may be a bit dull, but I will admit it they do really know how to make constructive clothing."

"Due to the fact we're wearing clothing all the time." Engineer remarks to Medic, who giggles in agreement as ponies only use clothing for cosmetic purposes. A knowing loud em'nom, nom, nom'/em make most in the train car turn to Heavy, who is eating without any concern that he got everyone's attention. When he's done, Applejack tells everyone, "And we will make it to the Games once everypony carbo-loads on my apple brown bettys." She hands the betty's she's holding the Heavy, and he eats that one loudly as well.

Pinkie Pie giggles madly at how funny Heavy sounds when eating. The big pony does not seem to mind and jumping around her many friends; Pinkie exclaims excitedly, "I can't wait!"

They arrive at Rainbow Falls, a town located at the edges of Equestria and truly living up to its name as rainbows surround the whole place. Some are hitting the water and making stream rainbow-colored too.

The turned humans are all looking around in awe, broken when Pyro runs over to one of the large rainbows and have any sign she's going to drink from the rainbow falls.

"I wouldn't do that if I was her." Rainbow Dash remarks, "Rainbows are really spicy." but before Engineer can stop their adult drake, Pyro is pretty much drinking the rainbow. It does not seem bothered by the spicy taste, though. Engineer is kind enough to explain why: "She loves spicy food." Well, okay, not what Rainbow Dash expected from that child acting drake, but whatever. "Alright, you two," She calls at Soldier and Scout, "let's get to the training ground!" they nod and flies off, the others will catch up to them later.

The others did indeed, though not all went. Engineer stayed behind to keep an eye on Pyro while Spy, Zecora, Demo, Fluttershy, Heavy and Medic remained at the town for sightseeing. The rest went to the training grounds to join and cheer on their group of flyers.

While meeting up with their three flyers, Sniper notices a group of griffons. It surprises him but is quick not to pay them any mind. His and pretty much anyone else's attention is drawn to the sky by the sound of something breaking the sound barrier; turn out to be the Wonderbolts.

Rainbow Dash looks up as well, like always, excited to see the elite flyer team. She does turn her gaze back down when a random pony says to her friend. "I hear they're flying for Cloudsdale." With the stallion replying smiling. "Then Cloudsdale will definitely qualify. They're the best flyers ever!" No arguing there, Rainbow Dash has trained with these pegasi and knows that only the best flyers will qualify into the Wonderbolt. i

The three Wonderbolts lands, the stallion Rainbow Dash knows is Soarin— one of Spitfire's top flyers, removes his flying goggles and proves he has spotted and recognized her. "Hah, nice to see there's some real competition here!" He calls over to her, and Rainbow Dash smiles at indirectly praise.

The other stallion, a veteran flyer named Silver Zoom, walks over to her. "Heard about you, Rainbow Dash: the flyer who stood up to Spitfire." He laughs, and as he turns away from Rainbow Dash. "Let's see if you can keep up impressing us."

The three leaves and Rainbow Dash grins proudly at how these elite flyers have addressed her. "The Wonderbolts know a winner when they see one, and we'll be winners just as soon as we practice!" She turns to her two team members, "Right team?"

"Oh yeah!" Scout replies and Soldier, always thinking he's in charge: "No winning if we stay rooted! Get those wings flapping maggot!"

Well, might as well put the training of obeying orders from the Wonderbolt academy to good use. "Yes sir!" Rainbow Dash does a quick salute and takes to the sky.

After some warm-ups, Soldier commands them to stand in line, even though they are still flying. Still, she and Scout do and Soldier tells them 'his battle strategy.' "Listen up men–" Rainbow Dash does not even bother correcting the stallion. "our base of Ponyville depends on us ensuring victory. So we need to be at our best! This!" He shows them the baton in the shape of a horseshoe, "Is very important, we need to bring this to the top of those clouds, but the enemy won't allow only one of us to bring the package! That will be too dangerous, you see." He remarks as if it's common knowledge. Both she and Scout roll their eyes, exchanging a looks between one another in their agreement at how silly it is that Soldier thinks this is a battlefield and not a friendly competition. "Scout!" Said half-changeling lets out a small girly scream when the green pegasus gets right at his face. Rainbow Dash has to restrain herself not to burst out laughing. "You will be the first, fly fast and kill every enemy you see! Then you will give the package to me and I will take care of those you have missed. When the area is secure, Dash will bring the package to the checkpoint. Do you all understand?!"

"Um, we're not in war—" Scout tries to point out, but that earned him a: "That's not the answer I want! Did I stutter sunspark?!" Ugh, he hates that nickname… Scout does a mock salute, stops flapping his wings and falls enough down to avoid that crazy patriot. He then begins to fly towards the rings for the route, but right as he's about to get through, he got hit by something, making him crash to the ground. "That didn't hurt." Which it definitely did.

"Enemy's attacking us!" Soldier cries out when another projectile comes flying at them, he charges down, and only luck saves Applejack from getting pummeled as he got hit by another cake right in the face, making him hit the nearby pole.

The mare chuckles weakly at the now two crashed flyers, "Whoops, sorry about that." and explains she was trying to throw her able bettes up to them. "I got the idea from them." She points at two ponies doing the same, though with better equipment instead of just a tail, making it easier for the Wonderbolts to get their food without stopping their training. "But it looks like they got a better aim."

Challenge accepted.

Sniper walks over, "Let me have a go at it." grabs one of the cakes and with a bit construction, makes a slingshot for the cake. "Heads-up!" He shoots the cake up in the air and Rainbow Dash catches it easily. Proudly, Sniper smiles to Applejack, "That'll do." at which the orange mare nods in agreement.

Getting up from being hit in the face by a freaking cake. "A warning the next time, I could've died!" Scout yells, and Sniper throws back at him: "Oh trust me, it takes a bloody lot more to kill a pony." Not sure if the sharpshooter talks from actual experience and Scout is not going to ask. He quickly speeds back into the air, leaving those two hurling cakes at them. Does make for good dodging practice, "Denied!" he grins when Sniper shoots a cake at him.

"You're supposed to catch it!" Applejack calls annoyed.

Sniper takes another cake and flings it up to the sky. Again Scout tries to dodge but apparently the griffin expected that, for the cake falls right back down, hitting the half-pony right on top of the head. Both she and Sniper starts laughing at the death-glare Scout sends them. Interrupted when a female voice addresses Sniper: "Hey, are you part of any team?" Turning to the voice, it turns out to be a white griffin with black spots.

Surprised that one of the griffins are talking to him in a semi polite tone, "No, only here for moral support." he replies to her.

"I was hoping for something like that, see, me and the others," The griffin points to the two other griffins, watching from a polite distance. "we were wondering if you would join our town; Cliffside, as the archer." Sniper raises a brow and she explains the reason; "The guys and I are hoping you could represent out town in the ice archery competition. Her raven-colored eyes meet his. "You sure got the aim for it. So what do you say?" Sniper hesitates on answering if he wants to join these griffins; this female wasn't rude about it but... he don't know. Sure he wants to join, the only reason he didn't join Rainbow Dash's team was due to some stupid rule that only ponies can attend when it comes to the cities of Equestria.

Mistaking his hesitating for something that wasn't his uncertainty, the griffin rolls her eyes. "Don't worry, you will get paid."

That snaps Sniper out from his hesitating. That simple gesture shows that there are griffins which world does not involve money. So shaking the awkwardness off he always feels when around people. "I'll join you as your archer." He tells the female griffin

With a nod, the female griffin leaves with: "See you at the Games." Sniper smiles, already looking forward to it.

Meanwhile, the manager that allows pegasi to enter has reached Rainbow Dash's team and problems have arrived. "Are you sure you're a pony?" The pegasus asks Scout with a raised brow.

"Of course he's a pony." Rainbow Dash replies, does eye Scout and the half-changeling admits: "Well, half pony at least."

"And what's the other half?" The manager asks, this time both hesitate, well aware of how scared ponies are of changeling after the invasion of Canterlot. Soldier didn't get the memo though, for he replies loudly: "That's a changeling! That why he looks like a sunspark!" The manager pony gasps, looking at Scout in fear, and with a shaken voice: "I-I'm sorry, but o-only ponies can join." He turns to Rainbow Dash and the oblivious Soldier. "You need to find somepony else."

"What?!" Scout exclaims annoyed that he's not allowed to join the Games just because he's half changeling. "Come on man, I'm not going to suck the love outta you! I just want to fly!"

"Yeah, let him stay!" Rainbow Dash argues.

"Sorry, but rules are rules." The manager says and walks off.

Rainbow Dash glares after that pegasus, "Rules my flank, I'm going to give him a piece of my mind." she trots after him, leaving Scout with Soldier.

This is new for him, to be treated with fear and bigotry and Scout has no idea how to deal with it. Watching Rainbow Dash argue with the manager, but it seems the guy won't change his mind from how he shakes his head. Disappointed and hurt, Scout flies away from the training area and lands at the town. He spots Demo and walks over to the guy.

"Ey," Demo greets Scout when spotting him, "how's training going?"

"I'm not allowed to compete." Scout grumbles, now angry at what this world turned him into.

Demo blinks at that sullen reply, confused as to why. "What's the reason?" Scout gestures at himself, saying angrily: "Because I'm half changeling." Demo puts a hoof on his head, warning the young man, "Pipe it down, you know how ponies react on that word." Scout growls but does as told, watching the speedster, Demo is not drunk enough to miss Scout's hurt. A hurt he has felt a lot of times throughout his life. "It's a bloody pain, to be judged by one's appearance above everything."

"How do I change the guy's mind?" Scout asks, Demo should know, he must've dealt with this a lot of times. "I mean, how else did you get the jobs you have now? Being black and all." Demo sends him a look and Scout realizes he made a racist comment, he winches. "Jeez, sorry, I didn't meant it like that."

"I'm sure you didn't." Demo replies dryly, but he has dealt with so much of that crap that he's gotten quite thick-skinned about it. "Such bigotry is engrained into one's mind. In our world it's skin color. Here; it's the shape. All you can do; bloody deal with it." Scout groans and hits his head onto the table. Demo resume drinking and friendly pat the young man on the shoulder as the only comfort.

With Scout off the team, Rainbow Dash is forced to seek out another flyer, there aren't many options. She tries first with Fluttershy, but that pony starts hyperventilating at the sheer thought of competing before a large crowd and Rarity has to calm her back down. The other turned humans are either other species or not interested in joining the competition. That left her with only one and that's Derpy, but it's clear the grey pegasus is a far-cry from Scout and the chance of qualifying seems so slim by now. Still, Rainbow Dash has to use what she got, "Alright Derpy," she shows the grey mare the baton. "The passing of the baton needs to be seamless. You shouldn't miss a wing beat off course or drop a hair in altitude!" She passes the baton to Derpy. "And whatever you do, don't let go of it!" Derpy nods, not at all bothered by the yelling and awfully casually flies over to Soldier where she hands him the baton but almost drops it thanks to her bad sight. Soldier catches it though and speeds off. Derpy turns to her with a smile but it does not help on Rainbow Dash's feelings. In fact, just by watching Soldier… who is flying the wrong way, becoming a part of the Games, is not likely going to happen.

Still, she wants to give it her all and so should the two bearers of Courage. "This is not a picnic Derpy, you gotta give it your all!"

"Of course, my all it is." Derpy nods nonchalant and flies off, she does do it faster but it does she cannot see where she's going and ends up hitting another flyer. Derpy crashes to the ground but quickly gets back up and flies after Soldier, calling; "Can I get the baton again?"

Rainbow Dash facepalms and it's not making it better when one of the Wonderbolts speeds past above, letting out a defeated sigh. "This is not going to work…"

Meanwhile, at the Wonderbolts camp, the elderly Silver Zoom is watching Soarin flying around and being the most experienced of the group, "Pick up the pace Soarin, I know you can do better than that!" knows what he is talking about.

Over at the tents and getting a massage, Misty Fly replies, "I sure hope so." they do after all have a reputation to keep.

The Cloudsdale cheerleaders starts chanting their victory routine, distracting Soarin just long enough for him to clip his wing one of the hoops and because he was flying too fast, is unable to correct himself before he would crash. Silver Zoom noticed that straight away and is quick to catch the younger stallion.

Putting Soarin onto the ground, the elderly pegasus check the clipped wing. Misty Fly trots over to them and Silver Zoom tells her the bad news, "Clipper here is not going to fly for a while." which is really bad news.

Soarin has no wish to leave his team stranded. "I'm sure it'll be okay by the competition." He tries to assure them, but neither looks convinced.

Misty Fly less so; in her eyes, Soarin is utterly out. "Bring him to the local hospital," She commands Silver Zoom, the older stallion nods and leaves with Soarin. Misty Fly begins to ponder how to get out of this sudden issue. Without a third flyer, they cannot compete, and it will tarnish the Wonderbolt name if they don't.

"Faster! Fly like you been chased by a tornado!"

Misty Fly looks up and spots one of the Wonderbolt recruits, she has heard good things about this Rainbow Dash, and if she remembers correctly, Spitfire mentioned that mare grew up in Cloudsdale. "Hm, that might work." She smiles and flies up to the other pegasus, the moment she spots the chance. "Hey, Rainbow Dash." The mare turns around and Misty Fly asks this possible recruit, "You grew up in Cloudsdale, right?" Rainbow Dash nods, good, "That that means you could fly with us."

"Fly?" Rainbow Dash asks confused, and Misty Fly replies casually: "But if you're not certain. Then do a few rounds with us— at least until Soarin's better." The mare explains, "He got hurt during practice." and asks confidently, "What do you say? Wanna be our third?"

Practice with the Wonderbolts? Heck yeah she want to do that, but… "Uh, I don't know." Rainbow Dash replies hesitantly, nodding to her team that is still doing a sort game of tag with the baton. "My team really needs me to be at my best in order to qualify. Don't wanna be too worn out by the time the race comes around." She explains this Wonderbolt, surely she must understand.

But Misty Fly is more worried about her team's qualification than some backwater town's, and knowing this pegasus. "I hear you're one of the best recruits, which means you have gone through the Wonderbolt intense training. Surely you can handle this simple practicing without breaking a sweat."

"I don't know how my teammates will feel about me practicing with the competition." Rainbow Dash argues, but it's very half-hearted as she reeeaaaally wants to fly with her heroes. Not making it any easier by Misty Fly pointing out: "It's not every day you will be asked to fly the elite flyers." Rainbow Dash looks up to her team, Soldier is currently yelling at some random pony and Derpy is stuffing her face with the betties Applejack brought. None seems to take the competition seriously. She turns back to the Wonderbolt, "Alright, I'll do it." ignoring the tightness in her chest for this choice.

Misty Fly smirks victoriously, "I knew you were smart, Rainbow Dash."

Even though she felt terrible doing this, Rainbow Dash still trained with the Wonderbolts and only joined the two Courage bearers when needed. Over the passing of days, she got more halfhearted at trying to correct their shenanigans and left her team quicker to join the Wonderbolts.

The others but two didn't notice this absent from their rainbow-haired friend, one is Twilight Sparkle and the other is the partner of the element. Deadpanning at this lack of interest towards the team in exchange for the chance to fly with the Wonderbolts, Twilight asks Sniper. "Should I or would you do the honor?"

Sniper begins to head over to where the Wonderbolts train, "Feels like I'm her bloody conscience." he grumbles, but his strong code might be the reason to why that tree chooses him out of all the mercs. At the Wonderbolt's camp, he spots Rainbow Dash, currently practing her agility with the Wonderbolts. Sniper flies onto the hoop she is about to fly through and as hoped, she stops when spotting him give her the same glare he gave her back when this headstrong pegasus started cheating. "Having fun leaving your team in the dust in exchange playing with the big boys?" He asks her sarcastically.

… Dammit, Sniper found out. But she should've known it was only a matter of time. "You haven't told the others, have you?" Rainbow Dash asks her partner.

"No, but they are starting to notice." Sniper replies, he jumps off the hoop, calling up to the embarrassed partner of his. "you can't be at both teams, Dasher."

"I know." Rainbow Dash lands beside him, but to her defense, "I am still going to fly for Ponyville, we're gonna qualify. I can fly fast enough to make up the distance."

"But?"

She sighs, Sniper knows her too well. "But it's so much more fun working out with the winners than... um... the non-winners." She admits to the griffin, and speaking of which, "Isn't that why you joined the griffins?"

"I only joined them because the rules wouldn't let me be part of your team." Sniper points out and according to Scout. "That's why Scout couldn't be part of the team either." Which the speedster is very annoyed about.

"Right…" Rainbow Dash drops her head. "Those rules are stupid." Her partner hums in agreement.

"Rainbow Dash, you got a minute?" Silver Zoom calls, he along with Misty Fly land not far from their third flyer and that griffin. Rainbow Dash eyes the griffin before walking over to them.

Here Misty Fly explains the situation. "Soarin is not going to heal in time, so we want you to join the Cloudsdale team."

"Permanently." Silver Zoom adds, smiling at how excited that young mare becomes. There is a tiny issue thought, "Of course, this means you won't be able to fly for Ponyville."

"But let's face it." Misty Fly smirks, eyeing the two ponies there are currently getting dressed in some weird uniforms. "Even with you on their team, chances of qualifying for the Games are pretty slim." She steps over to Rainbow Dash, putting a hoof on her shoulder. "What do you say?"

She really want to say yes, but it's going against her moral compass. "Well, I…" Rainbow Dash tries to come with a solution, but she is backed into a corner. She has to choose between either Ponyville or Cloudsdale. She backs away from the two Wonderbolt. "I need to think about it."

"Don't take too long, the qualification happens tomorrow." Misty Fly replies and along with Silver Zoom, return to training.

Rainbow Dash lets out her excitement with them gone, starting by flying around her partner. "They want me to fly with them!" She stops and lies confidently onto the ground. "It's like a dream come true."

Sniper is well aware of that, but as it stands now, "Dasher, you can't leave either of the teams hanging. You need to decide which one you will compete with."

Rainbow Dash opens her eyes, reminded of that rule that she can only compete by one team. "But I really wanna fly with the best team! But I don't wanna let Ponyville down." Rainbow Dash gets up and asks her partner, "What would you do?

"it's not my place to say." Sniper replies her. He cannot decide for her which team she should join. "All I will advise you; whichever team you decide; you have to decline the other. Better do it soon," He turns to leave her. "that team you won't join should have time to find a replacement."

Rainbow Dash feels deeply conflicted; she wants to join the Wonderbolts, her heroes, but to do that she has to abandon Ponyville and she promised she would fly for them… those two things keep pulling her choice to each side, like a mental tug of war. It gets so bad that she strongly considers faking an injury and very close in doing so as well— at least until she remembers who Twilight's partner is. "It's not going to work. Medic will know I'm faking it and even if I did cause an injury on myself, he could fix it no-time flat." Right there, a light bulb. "That's it!" The only reason the Wonderbolt asked her is because their third flyer is injured. "If he's healed, then there's no need for them to ask me!" Rainbow Dash takes to the sky and speeds to Rainbow Fall's town. It's easy enough to find the doctor pony, just look for the big bulk of Heavy, who stands out like a boulder among the rocks. "Heavy, where's the doc?" She asks, landing before the big stallion. Heavy points at a small lake where the rainbows fall into. Rainbow Dash speeds over and flies right before the healer pony. "Medic!" Said white alicorn lets out a yelp of surprise, "Come quick, there is somepony who needs your healing touch!" and speeds off, expecting him to follow.

One minute he's having fun figuring out what makes this world's rainbows, next it feels like he's in the War Games with everyone calling his name. Must admit that he kinda missed that. Medic takes flight and though awkwardly, follows the rainbow-haired pony to the local hospital. Rainbow Dash brings him to a male pegasus, explaining him: "Hey Soarin, I found somepony who can heal up your wing, make you ready for tomorrow."

"Oh, that's really kind of you, but" Soaring flaps his bandaged wing, "my wing is fine."

This catches Rainbow Dash by surprise, "Huh? But Misty Fly and Silver Zoom said you were too injured to fly!"

"Well they did say they were worried I wouldn't be one hundred percent by the tryouts, so they were going with somepony else." This male pegasus explains. Well, let's see who's right here. Medic steps over and begins to investigate the injured wing, he has healed enough of his doves to know when a wing isbroken, or just something minor. "The muscle tissue is slightly strained, but it shouldn't be any issue as long you're not doing any neck-breaking stunts." He tells the male pegasus.

"But if you're fine, then… why do they want me?" Rainbow Dash asks.

Soarin has an idea as to why. "You're a great flyer, and the Wonderbolts wants the best." She opens her mouth and he adds to his former words, "I'm nowhere near as fast as you. My talent lies more in weather control."

So they wanted her only so they could compete? They didn't care about her allegiance towards Ponyville or her friends. All that mattered was them winning. But, if she turns them down, won't they tell Spitfire that she's not reliable, not a worthy candidate being a Wonderbolt. 'I don't know what to do…' Rainbow Dash drops her head, right around there, she notices the window is casting a small rainbow at the flag the Cutie Mark Crusaders made to represent Ponyville.

Right that moment, she knows what she has to do.

At the training grounds, Sniper notices Rainbow Dash is walking towards the Wonderbolts. He sighs but did say he wouldn't tell her what to choose. He signs Twilight and she makes the others follow over to where the Wonderbolts are stationed.

The two Wonderbolts are surprised to see her come walking with Soarin. Silver Zoom leaves his spot and walks over to the two, addressing Soarin first. "You shouldn't be up like this. Best to rest and not risk further injury."

"Oh he's fine." Medic points out, taking the elder pegasus by surprise.

Rainbow Dash nods and tells the two Wonderbolts, "I have decided which team I will join at the Games."

"Good choice, good to have you on board." Misty Fly says, walking over to Rainbow Dash, surely she must've realized that sticking to them will give her the best opportunity to win. "Sorry Soarin, but you're just not cut for this sort of—"

"Ponyville." This catches Misty Fly by surprise, the mare frowns in confusion. Rainbow Dash walks over to her team, "Because it's not just where I live, but it's where my friends are. The ponies, and creatures who really care about me," she smiles to her two team members. "Whether I can help them win a race or not." Most of her friends cheer, and Rainbow Dash's meet her partner's gaze. He merely gives her a nod but that's all she needs.

Silver Zoom frowns at this young mare's decision, "Are you certain about this?" jerking back when Rainbow Dash stomps over to them, telling them angrily: "You lied to me about Soarin's wing just so you could get a better flyer!" Said stallion crosses his hooves, very miffed about been thrown off the team like this.

Turning back to these two Wonderbolts, and reminded these elite flyers shortcomings she learned about at the academy. "You could be so much better if you stopped thinking about winning all the time." Her eyes meet Misty Fly "That's why I stood up against Spitfire and I will continue to do so!" Rainbow Dash returns proudly back to her friends, "For winning is not everything, and I'm not afraid to admit; it's something I'm still learning myself."

The two Wonderbolts hesitates, but a look from Silver Zoom and Misty Fly takes off her sunglasses, finally realizing; "Huh, now I see why Spitfire spoke so highly about you, Rainbow Dash. You're quite something."

Silver Zoom nods in agreement, "We could learn a lot from a competitor like you." he then walks over to Soarin. "Ready to fly Clipper?"

Soarin's face lights up, "Really?"

Misty Fly nods from her spot, casting Rainbow Dash one last look of graditude of this reminder. She joins the two others, "We never should've thrown you aside like that. You're part of the team, to the very end."

Soarin beams and takes to the sky, "Go, Cloudsdale!" with his two

co-workers close behind.

Happy about this solution, and ignoring the disappointment she won't fly with them. Rainbow Dash turns to her two team members, "Come on, Ponyville relay team! We've got a race to get ready for!"

"Sir, yes sir!" Soldier salutes with Derpy waving a Ponyville flag, they both take to the sky alongside their blue-coated companion.

**Next day**

As expected, the Wonderbolts passed the Equestrian Games qualification with flying colors and from the finish cloud, Soarin calls to the other team below. "Come on, Ponyville! You can do it!"

The timer starts and Derpy flies as fast her bad eyesight will let her, it goes slow but steady past the hoops and when reaching Soldier, she is careful to hand him the baton without dropping it.

Soldier speeds off, doing a "Chaaarrrge!" battlecry, and fortunately, does only break one of the hoops which causes a time penalty. Reaching Rainbow Dash. "Godspeed Dash!" He cries right as she takes off. Flying so fast that she broke the sound barrier, she speeds through the rainbow hoops and burst through the finish line.

The unicorn stops the timer and calls, "Ponyville qualify!" much to everyone's joy.

Every qualifying team got a medallion for it, Rainbow Dash blinks when Silver Zoom pokes her shoulder and the elderly Wonderbolt gives her his Wonderbolt badge, something that does not go unnoticed as a huge sign of respect from this middle-aged pegasus. The two give each other a respectful nod before the Wonderbolt takes off with the others.

Rainbow Dash beams, and noticing her former team member's disappointment, she walks over and gives Scout her qualification medallion, "I don't care what they say, you're still part of the team."

That does make him feel better, still disappointed but as Demo said; he just has to deal with it. "Thanks." He smiles to Rainbow Dash.

'I can't deny it. I love to win!' Rainbow Dash writes in the journal on their way back to Ponyville. 'But if I ever gotta choose between winning and being loyal to my friends, I'm always gonna choose my friends. 'Cause as much as I love winning, I love them waaaaay more.'

Right as she finishes, she joins Scout in the talk about their excitement about the Equestrian Games.


Ever since I decided to include this chapter into Living Darkness, I knew that Spitfire wouldn't be part of the Wonderbolt team. so instead I replaced her with Misty Fly and found another named Wonderbolt, which would be Silver Zoom, he was practically a blank slate, so I could give him whatever personality as I saw fit.

this chapter also allowed me to address more of the ponies' specist behavior, which, in my eyes, is just as stupid as racism is. Scout sure got hit hard with that, considering he never dealt with racism back in the human world.