Rainbow Falls
Rainbow's POV
With the Equestrian Games approaching, Rainbow had assembled her team for Ponyville's aerial relay race and was getting ready for a practice run. "Alright, ponies, listen up!" she said.
"We're all ears. Right, Bulk Biceps?" Fluttershy asked.
Bulk Biceps was kissing his muscles but stopped when Fluttershy spoke. "I'm all muscles! Yeah!" he shouted.
"I like your attitude, Bulk Biceps, but it's gonna take more than muscles and Yeah!s to get us to the Equestria Games! We are the Aerial Relay team, and it's up to the three of us to make sure that we qualify at the tryouts. And do I need to remind you how much I— I mean, Ponyville, heh, wants to qualify and make it to the Games?" Rainbow asked.
"I remember. I really, really, really want to qualify for you and Ponyville," Fluttershy answered.
"Bring it on!" Bulk Biceps shouted.
"Gimme a 'P' for 'Ponyville'!" Pinkie suddenly shouted, showing up in a cheerleader uniform and startling Fluttershy. "P, Ponyville!" Pinkie then shouted through a microphone.
"P!" Bulk Biceps called out.
"Oh, thanks, Pinkie Pie. That was a scary— I mean, great cheer," Fluttershy said.
"Just make sure you have one ready for when we qualify for the Aerial Relay," Rainbow told Pinkie.
"And after that, for when we win gold medals in the Equestria Games!" Bulk Biceps added.
"Not so fast! If you're gonna be good, you're gonna be better with some of my Apple Brown Bettys in ya. They're perfect," Applejack said, coming up with a cart of food.
"'P' is for 'perfect'!" Pinkie shouted, somehow appearing in the cart. Rainbow rolled her eyes in annoyance as Fluttershy and Bulk Biceps started eating one.
"Alright, team! Show me what you got!" Rainbow shouted, getting her team's attention. "Put some bend into those knees! Flap those wings! And I want to see all four hooves off the ground on the count of three!" she told them and they got into position. Rainbow smiled then said, "One two three!" quickly. Fluttershy was able to get into the air quickly enough, but Bulk Biceps' massive body and small wings proved more troublesome. "Don't forget to breathe while you're up there!" Rainbow told them. Bulk Biceps then let out a huge breath which caused him and Fluttershy to fall when he tried to use her to stabilize himself. The two ended up falling on top of Rainbow.
"'P' is for, uhh… 'pain'?" Pinkie questioned. Rainbow sighed, knowing she had work to do.
A few days later of training, those attempting to qualify for Ponyville's Equestria Games team and a few others for support boarded the train to Rainbow Falls. "Good luck, Rainbow Dash! Sorry we couldn't fly with you on the Aerial Relay, but the air sprinters needed us too," the pegasus Helia told her.
"Too bad we can only compete in one event," Thunderlane started then sighed. "But, rules are rules."
"Good luck!" Twilight told the two pegasi as they left. "It was nice of you to be part of the team that doesn't have… uh… the strongest flyers," Twilight said to Rainbow.
"Nothing nice about it. I know that I can pick up the slack for anypony. With me on the team, we'll qualify. I'm sure of it," Rainbow said confidently.
"I'm sure you will," Night said. Rainbow did wish Night could be on her team. She knew he was a fast flyer even without his powers, but he was banned from competing for any team because of his status as Equestria's Prince.
"Ponyville is very lucky to have you," Twilight agreed.
"Yeah, I'm pretty awesome," Rainbow boasted.
"I am so proud to be representing Ponyville," Fluttershy started, groaning from being under Bulk Biceps the whole ride. "Oh, it's such an honor to even try out for the Games. I just hope I don't let anypony down."
"We'll make them proud!" Bulk Bicep's said confidently.
"'P' is for 'proud'! We're gonna be the best fans anypony has ever seen!" Pinkie declared.
"Ooh. Can't wait to see what everypony else is wearing, even though I am absolutely sure they won't be better than the Ponyville uniforms I'm designing for the Equestria Games," Rarity said.
"And we will make it to the Games once everypony carbo-loads on my Apple Brown Bettys," Applejack added.
"I can't wait!" Pinkie shouted.
The train then arrived and the group headed over to where the Aerial Relay tryouts were and set up. As they did so, Rainbow heard some gossip about her from the other teams. "There's Rainbow Dash! She's an awesome flyer!" one pony said.
"I heard that she's flying the last third of the relay, which means everypony else is gonna have to be way ahead to beat her!" another added.
There was then a sonic boom off in the distance and Rainbow saw three familiar blue uniforms. The Wonderbolts were here. "Oh, the Wonderbolts!" a pony shouted.
"I hear they're flying for Cloudsdale," another said.
"Then Cloudsdale will definitely qualify. They're the best flyers ever," a third declared.
The three Wonderbolts landed near Rainbow and she recognized Spitfire, Soarin, and Fleetfoot. Three of the Wonderbolts' best flyers. "And the game is on!" Spitfire said.
"Hah, nice to see there's some real competition here!" Soarin added.
"Two more days of practice, then we'll see you in the air, Rainbow Dash! If you're lucky," Fleetfoot told her. The three Wonderbolts then headed for their spot.
Rainbow let out a pleasant sigh. "The Wonderbolts know a winner when they see one, and we'll be winners just as soon as we practice! Right team?" Rainbow asked them.
"Right," Fluttershy answered softly.
"Yeah!" Bulk Biceps shouted.
"Hooray!" Pinkie screamed, popping confetti and blowing a party horn as she did so.
"And, um, I'm with her! Hooray!" Twilight said, a bit awkwardly.
"You three have this," Night told them.
They then heard some cheering from the Cloudsdale area. "Give us some Clouds! Give us some Dale! And what do you get? Cloudsdale! Woo-hoo!" two ponies cheered with pom-poms and doing a routine.
Pinkie gasped. "Where can I get pom-poms like those?!" she asked excitedly.
Once everything calmed down a bit, Rainbow coached her team. "So, do I need to remind you of what our goal is here?" Rainbow asked them.
"Uh, maybe?" Bulk Biceps admitted.
"We want to qualify! We need to be one of the first four teams to cross the finish line! Bulk Biceps, you're the first flyer, so let me see you flap it!" Rainbow told him. The large pegasus flapped into the air and was doing pretty well. Then an Apple Brown Betty came from the ground and hit him in the face. Rainbow went to see if he was alright when another Betty flew up and spattered to the ground. "What the?" Rainbow wondered.
"Sorry! Got the idear from them, but…" Applejack started, looking at the Cloudsdale team.
"Hooves down! Cakes up!" two ponies shouted, stepping on catapults that sent cakes into the air that Spitfire and Fleetfoot caught in their mouths.
"… It looks like they got better aim," Applejack finished.
Rainbow turned back to her team. "OK, the passing of the baton needs to be seamless. You shouldn't miss a wing beat, or drop a hair in altitude and whatever you do, don't let go of it!" Rainbow said, putting the baton, which was really more of a horseshoe, on Bulk Biceps hoof.
Fluttershy then flew up. "Are you really, really, really sure you're ready? I mean, I don't want to take it if you're not super sure," Fluttershy said to Bulk Biceps.
"Ready!" Bulk Biceps shouted. Rainbow watched as the two passed the baton around and it went well, till Fluttershy accidentally dropped it.
"Ponyville could do so much better. I'll be back with a freshly painted one in no time!" Rarity said, picking up the horseshoe and walking away with it.
"We were using that!" Rainbow shouted after her. "And it's not like anypony else has color-coordinated horseshoes or anything!" she added, only to see the Wonderbolts pass a golden horseshoe to each other.
"I guess some ponies do," Rainbow said, sighing as she flew to the ground.
"Some ponies do what?" Twilight asked.
Rainbow sighed again. "Have a better chance of qualifying and going to the Equestria Games than others," she answered. Rainbow then decided she needed to inspire her team a bit, so she took them to watch the Wonderbolts practice. "Watch and learn. The Cloudsdales are Wonderbolts, and Wonderbolts are the best flyers there are. And my personal heroes. So, maybe you can learn something," Rainbow told them. Her attention was then drawn to Soarin, who was practicing above them. "Please learn something?" Rainbow asked her teammates, pushing their heads up to watch.
"C'mon, Soarin, pick up the pace! You can do better than that!" Fleetfoot shouted.
"Practice! Practice! YAY Practice!" Cloudsdale's cheerleaders shouted. That ended up distracting Soarin as when he flew through on if the rings that marked the race, his wing clipped it. Soarin cried out and Rainbow caught him before he hit the ground.
"Gotta," she said. She then set Soran on the ground and saw that one of his wings was badly hurt.
Awesome," Fleetfoot complimented Rainbow.
"As good as any Wonderbolt," Spitfire added.
"Oh, Rainbow Dash, I'm just so proud of you. You scooped Soarin out of the sky and brought him down to the ground and now, now he's okay," Fluttershy said then looked a bit worried. "At least, I hope he's okay. Are you okay?" she asked the injured pegasus as Night looked over his wing.
"Uh, my wing hurts," Soarin started, causing looks of surprise from his teammates. "But I-I'm sure it'll be okay by the competition," he quickly added. Two ponies then came up and helped Soarin to the hospital. "You're the best, Rainbow Dash," Soarin said as he was pulled away.
"Ah, it was nothin'. But, if you feel like talking about how great I am, don't let me stop you!" Rainbow said.
"Get your ego in check before it blocks out the sun," Night told Rainbow, a bit lightheartedly.
"No promise," Rainbow said smugly.
"'P' is for Rainbow Dash!" Bulk Biceps suddenly shouted.
"Actually it's 'R'," Night told him.
"Never mind!" he said, looking a bit embarrassed.
"Tough break to lose a teammate right before the tryouts," Rainbow told the Wonderbolts.
Spitfire and Fleetfoot shared a look. "You know, you grew up in Cloudsdale," Fleetfoot started.
"So that means you could fly with us," Spitfire added.
"Fly?" Rainbow asked.
"Uh, we mean practice. You could practice with us until Soarin's better," Fleetfoot corrected.
"What do you say? Want to be our third?" Spitfire asked.
Rainbow thought about it and knew that she could get away with it, but her team still needed some work and she didn't want to ruin their chances. "I don't know. My team really needs me to be at my best in order to qualify," Rainbow answered. "Don't want to be too worn out by the time the race comes around."
"We put you through some pretty intense workouts at the Wonderbolt Academy and you handled those just fine," Spitfire said. Rainbow remembered that. She managed to get into a program that would help the Wonderbolts find future members and Rainbow was the best there was at the program.
"I did kick some major tail at the Academy. But, I don't know how my teammates will feel about me practicing with the competition," Rainbow said.
"Who says they need to know?" Fleetfoot questioned. "Think about it, Rainbow Dash; this is your chance to fly with the winners." Rainbow looked at her team then the finish line.
"Alright, I'll do it!" Rainbow told them.
"Wise decision Rainbow Dash," Spitfire said. The three then went to the Cloudsdale tent and as they did so Rainbow felt a presence. When she looked around, nopony was near her.
"Probably just my imagination," Rainbow thought.
Night's POV
Once Rainbow was with the Wonderbolt, Night found a hiding spot and dropped his Air Cloak. As guilty as he felt about spying on his friend, he also needed to figure out what the Wonderbolts were going to do about Soarin's injury. Though he didn't think they'd be so willing to throw him under the bus. Night watched as Rainbow practiced with both her team, putting less effort into it, and Cloudsdales.
"What is Rainbow up too?" Twilight asked when Rainbow slipped away. She looked at Night, likely wondering what his response would be. Night pondered about telling Twilight, then came to his decision.
"She's practicing with the Wonderbolts," Night answered.
"What?!" Twilight shouted, catching the attention of her friends. Twilight looked a bit embarrassed and the others shrugged off her outburst. "When did this happen?" she asked Night, whisper-shouting.
"Just after Soarin's injury. From the sounds of it, it's just practicing at the moment but I wouldn't be surprised if they try to get Rainbow on their team," Night answered.
"We'd better talk to her about this," Twilight said. Night nodded in agreement. The two managed to slip away and they found Rainbow drinking out of the lake. "It's not easy practicing with two teams, is it?" Twilight asked her accusingly. Rainbow spat out the water in her mouth.
"You two… know? Does anypony else?" Rainbow asked.
"They're too busy practicing to notice that their team leader keeps disappearing. But I don't know who long that will last," Night answered.
"Well, I've seen the other teams practicing and we're still gonna qualify. I can fly fast enough to make up the distance," Rainbow stated.
"And some of us would feel more comfortable if you were practicing with your team more," Twilight stated.
"But it's so much more fun working out with the winners than… um… the non-winners," Rainbow said, choosing her words carefully. "Besides, Ponyville will still qualify," she added quickly.
"Rainbow Dash, you got a minute?" Spitfire asked.
"Uh, sure," Rainbow answered.
"You could really be an asset to our team, so... we want you to join the Cloudsdale team. Permanently," Fleetfoot offered. Rainbow gasped.
"It looks like Soarin's wing won't heal in time for the trials. We want you to fly with us," Spitfire added.
"Of course, this means you won't be able to fly for Ponyville, but let's face it. Even with you on their team, their chances of qualifying for the Games are pretty slim," Fleetfoot stated.
"So, what's it gonna be?" Spitfire asked.
"Well, I…" Rainbow started, looking unsure.
"Take some time to think about it," Spitfire told her and the two walked away.
"They want me to fly with them! It's like a dream come true!" Rainbow shouted excitedly.
"But if you fly for Cloudsdale, who's going to fly for Ponyville. You said it yourself, you're the only one who's fast enough to make up the difference," Night told her.
"And if you do, Pinkie Pie won't have anypony to cheer for. Rarity's uniforms will never be seen. And Applejack will have slaved over those Apple Brown Bettys for nothing," Twilight told her.
"But I really want to fly with the best team!" Rainbow protested. "What would you two do?" she asked the two.
"We can't make this decision for you Rainbow. Just… be careful about your choice," Night told her and the two walked away.
The next morning, Night and Twilight waited to see which team Rainbow would choose. They then heard moaning and both Ponyville and Cloudsdale saw Rainbow covered in bandages and in a wheelchair. Rainbow was making a big scene and other teams looked at her concerned.
"What's happened?" Fluttershy asked.
"Bad crash. I hit something and hit the ground hard," Rainbow moaned. "There is no way I can fly now," she added, sounding dramatic.
"Do you think you'll be better by tryouts?" Fluttershy asked.
"I'd be lucky to fly again," Rainbow answered.
"Oh, don't worry, Rainbow Dash. We'll take care of you... or, at least, somepony will. Like, a medic or-or a doctor, or a nurse," Fluttershy said as she wheeled her off.
They took Rainbow to the hospital and the Medic Pony said she didn't know what was wrong with Rainbow. With that information, Night was able to put two and two together. "So, the Medic Pony isn't sure what's wrong with you," Twilight said.
"Everything! Absolutely everything!" Rainbow said dramatically.
"This'll cure everything that ails ya," Applejack said, shoving a Brown Betty down Rainbow's throat.
"Thank you. I couldn't have done that on my own," Rainbow said. Twilight let out a disgusted sigh.
"Nothing says 'get better' like a little medical pizazz! Silk slings and a glitter bandage?" Rarity asked.
"That might help," Rainbow said and Rarity tied a bit of fabric around one of Rainbow's 'injuries'.
The door then opened and Fluttershy and Bulk Biceps stepped in. "And how is our patient doing?" Fluttershy asked.
"I've been better," Rainbow answered.
"We just wanted to let you know that we're so sorry you're hurt, but you shouldn't worry a bit about not being able to be in the tryouts. We'll be alright. We even have a replacement," Fluttershy said and Derpy stepped into the room.
"We're doomed," Night groaned in his head. She was a nice pony, sure, but she could get a bit irritating and was notoriously unlucky.
"We're so, so sorry that you can't compete. We all know how much you love to fly and we promise-" Fluttershy started.
"Cross our heart!" Bulk Biceps shouted.
"- that if we qualify and make it to the Equestria Games and all win gold medals, you can have ours… because we know how much a gold medal means to you," Fluttershy finished.
"Thanks," Rainbow said.
"I think we should let Rainbow rest. She'll need it," Night said. The others left the room and Twilight gave Night a knowing look. Night then turned to Rainbow. "You know, when I said that the choice was yours, this isn't what I meant. Choosing to not choose is a coward's way out, but you've made your choice. I just hope you can live with it," Night said and he left.
Rainbow's POV
After Night left, Rainbow was left alone in her thoughts. "You sure have nice friends," Soarin said, pulling back the curtain between them. Rainbow didn't know he was in the room and wondered how much he heard. "Nopony's been by to visit me. Too busy practicing, I guess."
"Well, hopefully your wing will be better soon," Rainbow said optimistically.
"Oh, it's fine. I'm just keeping it warm in case my team wants me back," Soarin said.
"What do you mean, 'wants you back'?" Rainbow asked. "Spitfire and Fleetfoot told me that you were still too injured to fly."
"And they told me that they were worried I wouldn't be 100% by the tryouts, so they were going with somepony else," Soarin stated.
"That 'somepony else' was me. Till I got hurt anyway," Rainbow told him.
"So, I guess we're all out of luck. Cloudsdale won't qualify without a third flyer and Ponyville won't qualify without you. Too bad," Soarin said, tucking himself back into the bed. Rainbow looked down in disappointment when her eyes caught a stream of light touching a dropped Ponyville banner. Rainbow then felt something spark inside herself.
She got out of bed, much to Soarin's surprise. "Come on. We have some Wonderbolts to talk to," Rainbow told him. Soarin nodded and the two headed down towards the tryouts.
When they arrived, they got looks of surprise from Fleetfoot and Spitfire. "Does this mean you're feeling better?" Fleetfoot asked.
"I feel great, because I was never hurt in the first place," Rainbow answered. She took off all the bandaging showing there wasn't a scratch on her. Both Cloudsdale and Ponyville gasped, but Night and Twilight were silent. "I faked my injuries so that I wouldn't have to choose between flying for Ponyville or Cloudsdale. I wanted to fly with you both and the decision was too hard."
"Oh, Rainbow Dash, you don't have to choose us. I know you love to win, and you should go with the team that surely will," Fluttershy told her.
"I know now who I should have been loyal to," Rainbow admitted. "Ponyville. Because it's not just where I live, but it's where my friends are, the ponies who really care about me, whether I can help them win a race or not."
"I knew you were faking," Night said.
"I guess I was being a bit too dramatic," Rainbow admitted.
"A little?" Twilight asked amusingly. Rainbow shrugged.
"Are you sure that's the right decision?" Spitfire asked her.
"You lied to me about Soarin's wing just so you could get a better flyer," Rainbow said, pointing to him. Soarin looked at his fellow Wonderbolts with annoyance. "You may be a winning team, but you're still not the kind of team I want to be a part of."
"Huh. Rainbow Dash, you are something," Spitfire said before smiling. "Saw it at the Academy. Seeing it again here. We could learn a lot from a competitor like you," she admitted.
"Think we already have," Fleetfoot said and Spitfire walked up to Soarin.
"Ready to fly?" she asked him.
"Really?" Soarin asked, looking pleased.
"Never should have lied and tried to replace you to begin with," Spitfire told him.
"Go Cloudsdale!" Soarin shouted as they took to the skies.
"Come on, Ponyville Relay Team. We've got a race to get ready for!" Rainbow shouted. They spent the rest of the time before the race getting everything ready.
When the tryouts started, Cloudsdale easily qualified. It was then Ponyville's turn. Bulk Biceps managed to get the horseshoe to Fluttershy before falling to the ground in exhaustion. When Rainbow got it, she took off at max speed, trying to make up for lost time. As she pulled into the final climb before the finish line she pushed herself to the limit. When she passed, she looked back at the pony who was timing them. "Ponyville qualifies," he declared. Ponies cheered for them but the loudest came from Rainbow's friends as her team returned to the ground.
In the end, five teams, including one composed of griffins, qualified for the Games, and they received qualifying medals. Before Team Ponyville got their picture taken, Spitfire gave Rainbow her Wonderbolt symbol and nodded. When Rainbow got back, she wrote her experience in the journal. Oh, I can't deny it. I love to win! 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. Rainbow then hung her qualifying medal up and flew out to have fun with her friends.