MLP: Friendship is Magic

by ghostdog2AD

This story is about a unicorn named Mario Star, who's a jack-of-all-trades and a martial artist and a former human/current unicorn named Elijah/Comet Stardust. Now, Mario will know all about friendship and possibly win Twilight's heart while Comet will have a new family and know the meaning of life.

27. Sonic Rainboom

This is the 27th chapter. I don't own the series of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.

Sonic Rainboom

Somewhere just outside of the Everfree Forest, Rainbow Dash was apparently coaching Fluttershy. Fluttershy looked rather focused as Rainbow Dash instructed her.

"Now, what have we learned?" Rainbow Dash asked as she hovers around.

"Lots of control." Fluttershy began.

"Good."

"Screaming and hollering."

"Yes, and most importantly?"

"Passion!" Fluttershy finished.

"Right!" Rainbow Dash said with a smile. "So, now that you know the elements of a good cheer, let's hear one."

Fluttershy inhaled before shouting.

"Yay." Fluttershy cheered in her casual soft tone, causing Rainbow Dash to facehoofed herself.

"...Ugh. You're gonna cheer for me like that?" Rainbow Dash asked in annoyance. "Louder!"

"Yay!" Fluttershy cheered, but her voice was barely any louder.

"Louder!" Rainbow Dash shouted.

"Yay!" Fluttershy repeated, but still was only a tiny bit louder.

"Louder!" Rainbow Dash yelled as Fluttershy took a deep quiet breath and let out a...

"Yaaay!"

Okay...there's just no way that was louder and it might have been even softer.

"Ugh..." Rainbow Dash groaned before collapsing into her back.

"Too loud?" Fluttershy asked with worry.

Rainbow Dash just stayed quiet and said nothing.

---

My Little Pony, My Little Pony

Ahhh

My Little Pony

I use to wonder what friendship could be

My Little Pony

Until you all share this magic with me

Big adventure,

Tons of fun,

A beautiful heart,

Faithful and strong,

Sharing kindness

It's an easy feat

And magic makes it all complete

You all have my little ponies

Do you know all you're my best friends?

---

Rainbow Dash began to stand upon a nearby cloud. Fluttershy watched her from the ground below.

"Yay!" Fluttershy cheered in her soft tone as Rainbow Dash took a deep breath.

"And now, phase one of my routine." Rainbow Dash said as she flew down and began to maneuver between a series of green trees and zoomed past Fluttershy from above.

"Wooo!" Fluttershy cheered in own special way.

"Phase two." Rainbow Dash said aloud as she flew up to some clouds and began to fly at high speed, making them spin in place without deteriorating.

"Way to go!" Fluttershy said as Rainbow Dash flew away from the clouds.

"Here we go! Phase three: the sonic rainboom." Rainbow Dash said as she then flew up high as she felt necessary.

Rainbow Dash then began to fly downward at high speed, leaning one hoof forward as she attempted to rapidly increase her speed.

"Come on." Rainbow Dash grunted as her slipstream began to change shape into a sharp V as she poured everything she could to make herself go faster.

But suddenly...

"Uh-oh!" Rainbow Dash said before her own slipstream rebounded her backwards.

Rainbow Dash screamed as she sent flying out of control.

Meanwhile at the Golden Oak Library, Twilight had just finished placing the books back on the shelf.

"Last one." Twilight sighed with Mario wiping his eyebrow while Comet, Apple Shine, Rose Lotus, Winter Breeze, and Storm Hawk pants with exhaustion as she turned to Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Rarity. "Thank you so much for help us clean all these books, guys. It was a crazy week of studying."

"You can say that again." Mario said. "My head still hurts from all the memorizing, note card taking, and magic practice."

Twilight and Comet nodded with an agreement. Then, the screaming of Rainbow Dash was heard which Mario looked unamused.

"Oh no." Mario muttered with his eyes rolled.

CRASH!

The ten ponies grunted as Rainbow Dash came barreling through the window and made a crash landing inside of the library, knocking all of the books off the shelves and onto the floor. Fluttershy flew in from the window a few seconds later.

"Rainbow Dash, you rock! Woohoo!" Fluttershy said, only earning a discreet eye roll from Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy then gasped when she saw the mess. "Did my cheering do that?"

Mario and the foals couldn't help but chuckle. The idea of Fluttershy's soft voice causing a major accident was just too adorable.

"Hehe. Sorry about that." Rainbow Dash said sheepishly. "That was a truly feeble performance."

"Actually, it wasn't that bad." Fluttershy said. "I particularly liked it when you made the clouds spin."

"Ugh, I'm not talking about my performance, I'm talking about yours." Rainbow Dash snapped. "That feeble cheering."

"What are two arguing about?" Twilight asked.

"Are you giving Fluttershy a hard time again?" Mario added.

Rainbow Dash stiffened a bit before she saw the scold look on Mario's face as she cowered in fear. She could well remember when Mario scolded her severely the last time she had done that.

"Were we arguing?" Fluttershy asked. "I'm sorry."

"Oh boy." Mario said when Comet and Storm Hawk rolled their eyes.

They knew Fluttershy didn't like confrontations, but this just takes it to a whole another level. Rainbow Dash just grunted.

"I wish you guys could come to Cloudsdale to see me compete in the Best Flyer's Competition." Rainbow Dash said.

"I could go if you need extra support." Mario suggested.

"Oh, yeah right." Rainbow Dash said. "Only Pegasi can get there, Mario."

"Where there's a will, there's a way." Mario said firmly.

"What's that?" Twilight asked curiously.

"It's where all of the greatest Pegasus flyers get together and show their different flying styles! Some are fast!" Pinkie Pie explains, making a racing sounds as she zoomed around through the fallen book. "And some are graceful. Whoa, whoa, whoa!"

Pinkie Pie tried to stand on her hind legs and twirl, but she lost her balance and tumbled into some books on the other side of the room. Both Mario and Rose Lotus laughed at that.

"Mom, with you being hyper, some ponies like you can't stand up all the time." Rose Lotus said as she and Mario chuckled with an amusement.

Twilight and the four foals giggled an agreement with the gypsy pony.

"Golly, I'd love to see you strut yer stuff in that competition." Applejack said.

"Yeah, I wish you guys could be there." Rainbow Dash said. "Fluttershy's a great support, but her cheering isn't exactly inspirational."

"You know by now Mom isn't a loud pony." Winter Breeze points out. "The fact she's there for you is inspirational enough."

"I guess..." Rainbow Dash said reluctantly.

"Ooh! I'd love to see you make a sonic rainboom!" Pinkie Pie said. "It's like the coolest thing ever! Even though, I've never actually seen it, but I mean come on! It's a sonic rainboom! How not cool could it possibly not be?!"

"What's a sonic rainboom?" Twilight asked, puzzled and Mario looked at her with stunned look.

"We're still new to this, could you tell us about it?" Comet suggests when the four foals nodded with an agreement.

"Of course~!" Pinkie Pie replied happily. "The sonic rainboom is legendary! When a Pegasus like Rainbow Dash gets going sooo fast...Boom! A sonic boom and a rainbow can happen all at once!"

"Whoa!" Storm Hawk muttered, amazed. "So that's why Rainbow Dash was fast."

"No wonder she wanted to go for the Wonderbolts." Comet added. "And she's got that to prove it."

"You betcha, sugarcube. Rainbow Dash here's the only pony to ever pull it off." Applejack states.

"It was a long time ago..." Rainbow Dash said in a rather timid and modest fashion. "I was just a filly."

"Yeah, but you're gonna do it again, right?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"Are...you kidding?" Rainbow Dash asked, hesitated. "I'm the greatest flyer to ever come out of Cloudsdale! I could do sonic rainbooms in my sleep."

Though, the four foals weren't convinced since they catch on to Rainbow Dash's hesitation.

"Wow." Twilight said, impressed. "If you pull that off, you'll win the crown for sure!"

"And what happens if you win exactly?" Storm Hawk asks.

"The grand prize is an entire day with the Wonderbolts." Rainbow Dash answered with her eyes sparkled. "A whole day of flying with me lifelong heroes...It'll be a dream come true!"

"Yay." Fluttershy said, trying to be supportive, but Rainbow Dash couldn't help but rolled her eyes at her friend in her words underwhelming support.

"I'm gonna go rest up." Rainbow Dash said. "Don't wanna over prepare myself, y'know. Hehe."

Rainbow Dash then turns to Fluttershy.

"You need to keep practicing." Rainbow Dash said sternly. "I need a cheering session to match my spectacular performance."

"Rainbow, I'm warning you..." Mario said sternly which Rainbow Dash can only respond with a raspberry.

"Storm Hawk, Winter, you two are coming with me. I'll give you two a tour on my home Cloudsdale." Rainbow Dash said, grabs the two foals and then quickly flew out of the window quickly.

"I'm getting worried about Storm Hawk. He's still not use to flying fast." Comet said, felt worried of his friend.

"Why is that?" Twilight asks.

"It might be because Storm Hawk just so happens that he's green around the gills, he goes to the bathroom and threw up." Pinkie Pie answered. "That happened once a while ago."

The mares, two foals, and Mario couldn't help but cringe uncomfortably, starting to feel sorry for Storm Hawk.

"Anyway, she's practiced that move a hundred times, and she's never even come close to doing it." Fluttershy told them before adding. "I'm not sure I can cheer loud enough to help her."

With that, Fluttershy flew out of the window as well.

"Well, guess we better get this-"

Before Twilight could even finished that sentence, Comet used his magic to place the books back on every shelf. The ponies, except Twilight, were amazed.

"Whoa nelly, that was much faster than us working on those books." Applejack said.

"My, my, Comet. I'm impressed that you have learned an advanced spell." Rarity said with an impressed smile.

"I just thought it'd be quicker to get this room cleaned up." Comet states.

"That's very sweet of you, Comet. Thank you." Twilight thanked her son with a smile, kissed him on the forehead.

"Go on, go on." Rarity said, nudged her.

"Go on what?" Twilight asked, puzzled.

"Find a spell that will get us wingless ponies into Cloudsdale." Rarity said. "Didn't you see how nervous she was?"

"Nervous?" Applejack retorted. "Have you split yer bit or somethin'? She was tootin' her horn louder than a brass section of a marchin' band!"

"Oh puh-lease." Rarity said. "I have put on enough fashion shows to recognize stage fright when I see it."

"She's right." Rose Lotus adds with an agreement. "Rainbow hesitates when Mom asked her a minute ago. It's plain to see that she's nervous."

"I saw it, too." Mario said. "And even if she tried to hide it, the truth was revealed to us by Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash has attempted the sonic rainboom over a hundred times and failed. That's got to have an effect on her self-confidence."

"And yet yah didn't act like a showoff when yah do martial arts, Uncle Mario." Apple Shine added with a smile.

"Yeah, but I also increased my speed as well." Mario told his niece bluntly.

"We've got to find a way to be there for her." Rarity suggested. "Now, go on!"

Rarity gave Twilight another hard body check.

"Owaa! Ugh!" Twilight cried out as she was knocked out into the floor. "Well thanks to Comet cleaned up the mess, might as well find a flight spell."

"A flight spell? One sec." Pinkie Pie said as she dashed away, got a book and tossed over to Twilight. "Page 27."

"How'd ya do that?" Applejack and Apple Shine asked in shock.

"It landed on my face when Rainbow Dash knocked me into the bookcase." Pinkie Pie answered.

"Here it is!" Twilight said, reading through the page. "A spell that will allow Earth ponies to fly for three days. Ooh, it looks really difficult. I'm not sure I can do it."

"Let me look." Mario said as he read the instructions and flinched a bit. "Oh boy, even trying to do it together wouldn't make the spell any easier."

"You've got to try!" Rarity said.

"Okay...But who's gonna volunteer to be the test subject?" Twilight inquires. "And Mario, I need you to help me perform the spell the first time so you can't volunteer yourself. Comet, you're still learning and I can't have you volunteer yourself, either."

No pony said a word for a while as Rarity narrowed her brow.

"I will!" Rarity said bravely. "For Rainbow Dash, I will go first."

"Here goes." Twilight said as she and Mario began to concentrate and made their horns glow.

A band of magic that resembled a piece of silk lifted Rarity into the air. As Twilight and Mario increased their concentration, the magic wrapped around Rarity until she was completely wrapped up into it. The ponies began to sweat as the magic became more intense. A small ball of light was created between Rarity and the two ponies before it suddenly burst. Mario and Twilight screamed as they were sent flying backwards. Twilight landed between Applejack and Pinkie Pie while Mario landed between Comet and Rose Lotus. The seven ponies all gasped as they looked at Rarity, who was now shining multicolored prisms against the walls.

"I think it worked!" Twilight said.

"Yeah, but I think you'll agree that trying to do that three more times is a bit too much." Mario points out. "But luckily, I have a plan B."

Twilight and the others looked at him curiously when Comet found the book Mario was talking about.

"You mean like this?" Comet asks, showed the book to Mario with his magic.

"That's right, thanks Comet." Mario nods, reading the book. "This is it. And it's way easier to perform and lasts indefinitely until we decide reverse it."

"What is?" Twilight asked, puzzled until Mario presented her the book.

Twilight read the page and smiled.

"Mario, I like the way you think." Twilight answered and the others agreed.

They were going to Cloudsdale.

Unknown to any of them, watching from the flames was Lord Garmadon as he smirked evilly. And since Mario, his niece, and his friends were going to Cloudsdale, this would be a chance for him to end the unicorn stallion.

"Hmm, Cloudsdale, huh?" Lord Garmadon asked amusingly before he turned his attention to the demonic army. "Well, that will never happen. With Orochimaru at the Glacier Barrens to find the fang of the Great Devourer, we will head for the exact location ourselves. Gather your group and get ready, we're going to Cloudsdale."

His skeleton and oni minions nodded as they went into another direction to get ready for the attack. Lord Garmadon turned back to the flames and smiled wickedly.

"Soon, brother, you will learn that hope will fall and evil prevails once I kill your promising student and his friends." Lord Garmadon continued before he walked off to join his minions. "After this, I will have to end life and Celestia, who took away my first love, Luna."

Lord Garmadon laughed evilly.

Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Storm Hawk, and Winter Breeze were already making their way towards Cloudsdale. Rainbow Dash was still trying to convince Fluttershy to be more outgoing.

"You're got to learn to be assertive, Fluttershy. Don't be afraid to speak up." Rainbow Dash told her as they continued to fly towards Cloudsdale. She then turns to the two foals. "So, what do you two think of this place?"

"This place is amazing." Winter Breeze said excitedly. "I can't wait to take some time looking around here."

"It sure beats Brooklyn, that's for sure." Storm Hawk adds. "First time around, felt like I'm walking on clouds."

"Shocking, I can tell, but you'll get used to it." Rainbow Dash told him.

Until, three Pegasi who worked nearby show up as they landed on Cloudsdale.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" A pony named Dumb-Bell said.

"It's our friend Rainbow Crash!" Another stallion named Hoops said as the four Pegasi lands.

"Who are those clowns?" Storm Hawk asks.

"They are 3 bullies I met in flight camp." Rainbow Dash answered, glaring at the three stallions since she knew them from childhood.

"Get kicked outta any flight schools lately?" Dumb-Bell teased as he, Hoops, and a third stallion named Score laughed at her.

"I didn't get kicked out." Rainbow Dash said under her breath.

"Face it, Rainbow Crash." Dumb-Bell said. "Flight school had too many rules for you, and not enough naptimes for you."

"Huh, ask her about the sonic rainboom." Hoops suggested.

"That's nothing but an old mare's tale." Dumb-Bell said. "You don't have the skills to try something like that."

"And you three don't have the brains to see if it's true or not, fool!" Storm Hawk shouts, earned their attention. "She's been practicing that move really hard and I know she's going to use that. And you can bet your monkey butts that she'll win the competition, dog!"

That got Rainbow Dash snickered a bit of that insult. Fluttershy and Winter Breeze however, weren't even surprised of the insult as they glared at him.

"No she's not." Dumb-Bell sneered. "Cause there's no such thing!"

"If you don't believe that if Rainbow Dash can do it or not, then you three are dumber than you look." Storm Hawk retorted, insulted them. "Yeah, Rainbow has a big ego, but she can pull that off and I'm not going to let your three dumbs-dumbs ruin this day for her! This is her opportunity to show off her skills and become the 'Best Pegasus Flyer' competition! This is her time to shine!"

"Just who do think you are, squirt!" Dumb-Bell demands angrily. "And what's Rainbow Crash to you anyway?"

"Say 'Rainbow Crash' again, and see what happens! I dare you! Say it again!" Storm Hawk said in a low threaten tone, dared him to say that again. "I'm gonna pop you in the head so bad, your momma won't even recognize what you three fools look like!"

Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Winter Breeze can tell Storm Hawk is about to get into a fight, which they understand where he's coming from, but the three stallions were thinking that he's bluffing.

"Why don't Rainbow Crash-"

And with that, Storm Hawk punched him in the muzzle, leaving Dumb-Bell stumble with a grunt in pain. Both Hoops and Score were shocked of Storm Hawk, but they charged after him. Storm Hawk noticed Hoops and Score were coming after him as he quickly gets behind Dumb-Bell and kicked him in the rear, making him yelp and getting slammed by both Hoops and Score. The three were easily knocked out as they collapsed down to the cloudy ground while Storm Hawk walk towards them.

"Are you done?" Storm Hawk asks, earned a nod from the three stallions. "Good. We'll see you three stooges at the competition."

Dumb-Bell, Hoops, and Score began to fly away from them with embarrassment since they've been outsmarted by Storm Hawk. Rainbow Dash walked up to him and express her excitement towards Storm Hawk.

"Whoa! That was AWESOME!" Rainbow Dash exclaims. "You sure show them one or two things, Storm Hawk."

"They're just all bark and no bite." Storm Hawk states. "I've seen bullies tried to look down on me and Comet in my time, but these three obviously takes the cake."

"You have no idea." Rainbow Dash said with a sigh. "They've been teasing and bullying me and Fluttershy like countless times. But still, those guys are right. I'll never be able to do it."

"But Rainbow Dash." Fluttershy protested. "Just because you've failed the sonic rainboom a hundred thousand times in practice, doesn't mean you won't be able to do it in front an entire stadium, full of impatient, fully-critical sportsfan ponies."

As much as Fluttershy was trying, she may have said a bit too much. Both Storm Hawk and Winter Breeze just glared at Fluttershy, given her a 'you're not helping' expression on their faces.

"Aaaaaahh! What do I do?!" Rainbow Dash cried out in panic. "Everypony's gonna see me fail! The Wonderbolts are never gonna let a loser like me join! Princess Celestia-"

"Get a hold of yourself!" Storm Hawk shouts, smacking her in the face with his hoof. "You are not gonna fail! Now you need to get a grip! Or so help me, I will smack you again! Got that?!"

Rainbow Dash was about to argue, but both Fluttershy and Winter Breeze noticed something behind them.

"Rare..." Fluttershy and Winter Breeze muttered.

"Rare?!" Rainbow Dash remarked. "The sonic rainboom is way more than rare!"

"Rarity?" Fluttershy and Winter Breeze repeated again, stunned at the sight.

Rainbow Dash and Storm Hawk turned around and saw Rarity flying above them with a pair of butterfly wings.

"I most certainly am!" Rarity replied. "Aren't my wings smashing?! Mario and Twilight made them for me. I just adore them!"

Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Winter Breeze, and Storm Hawk couldn't stop staring with their jaws hanging out.

"Why so shocked?" Rarity asked. "We couldn't leave our favorite flyer without a big cheering section!"

"'We?'" Rainbow Dash repeats, puzzled when a hot-air balloon peeked out of the clouds.

Inside of it were Twilight, Mario, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Apple Shine, Comet, and Rose Lotus.

"Hey, Rainbow!" Mario called out from the balloon.

"I...I can't believe it!" Rainbow Dash said excitedly as the hot-air balloon landed near them.

"No way!" Storm Hawk adds.

"It's incredible!" Fluttershy adds while Winter Breeze nods with an agreement.

"This is so cool!" Rainbow Dash continued. 'You guys made it!"

"Sure did!" Pinkie Pie said as she was the first to jump out of the hot-air balloon.

"Wait!" Rainbow Dash cried out until she saw Pinkie Pie set foot on the clouds...and stood on them without any problems. "How'd you do that? Only Pegasus ponies can wolk on clouds."

"Pretty cool, huh?" Pinkie Pie said with a laugh as she cart-wheeled before the four Pegasi.

"I found a spell that makes temporary wings." Twilight explains as she hopped out of the hot-air balloon with Mario, Applejack, Apple Shine, Rose Lotus, and Comet behind her. "But it was too difficult to do more than once. So, Mario found an easier spell that lets the rest of us walk on clouds."

"And we came to cheer you to victory!" Applejack finished.

"To be honest, I was starting to get the teeniest, tiniest bit nervous, but I feel a lot better now that you guys are here." Rainbow Dash answered when Storm Hawk rolled his eyes. "Hey, we've got some time before the competition. Why don't Fluttershy and I show you around Cloudsdale?"

"Yes!" The ponies said together at once.

"Be nice to actually tour the city for once." Mario added.

Everyone looked at him stunned.

"Since when have you ever been to Cloudsdale?" Twilight asked curiously.

"Before meeting you and starting magic school." Mario explains. "Princess Celestia would let me go with her on her diplomatic visits from time to time. One of those places was Cloudsdale. She was the one who taught me the cloud walking spell too. But the visits were cut short so I've never got to explore the city."

"Well...cool then..." Rainbow Dash said before recomposing herself. "Come on!"

Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy guided the eight ponies across the clouds.

"Here it is: the greatest city in the sky!" Rainbow Dash announced as they reached the spot where they could see the entire city, which was the collection of various large clouds that had buildings on them.

"Oooh! Aaah!" The eight ponies said.

"It's incredible!" Storm Hawk said.

"This definitely beats Brooklyn." Comet adds.

"That's what I said." Storm Hawk told him as the two colts hoof-bump each other.

"Oooh! Aaah!" Rarity said, using a nearly store mirror to admire her wings.

"Uhh...Some of the greatest Pegasi in history have come from Cloudsdale." Rainbow Dash said, feeling a little awkward as she guided the other ponies along.

"Oh, wait for me!" Rarity said as she flew over the group to catch up.

That was when three Pegasi construction workers noticed Rarity flying by. One had been holding a jackhammer and let go, causing it to fall into the ground.

"Those wings are gorgeous!" A stallion named Steam Roller said.

"Why, thank you!" Rarity said, feeling very pleased with her wings.

"Be careful with those wings, Rarity." Twilight warned her. "They're made form gossamer and morning dew, and they're incredibly delicate."

"And if you get too close to the sun, they'll dissolve." Mario added. "Remember, you don't have the cloud walking spell equipped. If you fall, these clouds won't catch you."

"Don't worry, Twilight and Mario." Rarity said. "I'm sure they can't get worn out from too much attention."

Twilight just glared as both Mario and Comet rolled their eyes.

"Since we're up here, I'd sure like to get a look at where the weather's made." Applejack suggests.

"Great idea!" Rainbow Dash agrees. "C'mon, to the weather factory!"

They made their way to the factory, but unknown to them, a skeleton was spying on them before he went off to inform Lord Garmadon everything.

It wasn't much longer before they arrived at the building to the weather factory. Ponies were hard at work as some sound of thunder could be heard in the background as the twelve ponies entered. For safety protocol, each pony was geared in a white work shirt and matching hard hat.

"This is where they make the snowflakes." Rainbow Dash explained as some ponies were hard at work crafting and collecting snowflakes. "Each one is hoofmade."

"Is that why they say no two snowflakes are alike?" Storm hawk asked.

"You got it." Rainbow Dash answered. "As you can see, it's a delicate operation."

Rarity then flew up towards a collection of snowflakes hanging from the ceiling.

"Ooh! The snowflakes look even better from up there." Rarity gasped.

However, the gust she created with her wings made the snowflakes break from their strings and the ones the workers were crafting flow out of their hooves. The workers began to grumble and yell as they try to prevent their hard work from being destroyed.

"We better move on before Rarity ruins winter and causes a drought." Rainbow Dash suggests as the others nodded in agreement.

She then guided them towards an area that appeared to be loaded with pools of colored paint. One already had its rainbow colors inside it.

"And here's where they make the rainbows!" Rainbow Dash said.

"Wow!" Mario said. "It must take alot of work to get the bands of each color perfect and keep them from mixing into each other."

"Tell me about it." Rainbow Dash said. "But that's actually a Pegasi secret."

Mario then rolled his eyes. Pinkie Pie then dipped her hoof into a rainbow colored paint and slurped it. Her face went multiple colors and a kettle whistle could be heard.

"Spicyyyyy!" Pinkie Pie panted before rushing off to get some water.

Applejack, Mario, Comet, Storm Hawk, Rose Lotus, and Apple Shine laughed.

"Yeah, rainbows aren't really known for their flavors." Rainbow Dash said.

It was then the three stallions that Rainbow Dash had been teased by appeared with...Rarity?!

"Whoa!" Dumb-Bell said as he admired Rarity's wings. "Where'd you get those amazing wings? I want a pair!"

"Hmm...Yeah, I guess I could see that." Rarity said plainly.

"Oh, hey look, it's Rainbow Crash again!" Dumb-Bell remarked as Rainbow Dash, Comet, Storm Hawk, and Mario glared.

"If it isn't the three stooges. Larry, Curly, and Moe." Storm Hawk remarked as Comet and Rainbow Dash snickered while Dumb-Bell, Hoops, and Score glared at him.

"Rarity!" Rainbow Dash snapped. "What're you doing talking to these guys?"

"Oh, they were just admiring my wings, Rainbow Dash." Rarity answered.

"Yeah, you should forget the sonic rainboom and just get yourself some wings like these!" Dumb-Bell teased as the three stallions laughed.

"Or you should forget about seeing Rainbow Dash in the competition and worried about this!" Storm Hawk remarked as he and Comet throw some of rainbow-colored paint right at the three stallions eyes and mouths.

"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!"

And just that, the three stallions starts running around while try to find some water, but with the rainbow-colored paint in between those eyes, it made it harder for them to see. Storm Hawk, Comet, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Mario then laughed at the three stallions scrambling around.

"That's the most...most...funniest thing...I've ever seen." Rainbow Dash said laughing.

"Ah'll say." Applejack agrees, laughing. "Hoowee! They'll be havin' red eyes and red mouth after this."

"And it doesn't surprise me that they never grow up." Mario adds.

"You know them?" Twilight, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash remarked.

"They used to be my rivals when I used to race one time." Mario explains. "Too bad they're so slow, they couldn't even be on top 10. Even though it's only one time."

"Too bad their heads weren't as big as their mouth." Comet said with a shrug.

"Comet!" Twilight scolded her son.

"What? I'm just saying." Comet said innocently, causing Twilight to turn to Mario.

"You've been a bad influence on my son." Twilight berates him with a glare.

"Me?" Mario asked innocently. "I would never."

"Oohh..." Rainbow Dash groaned to herself, feeling her nerves return and her confidence waver.

"Uhh, C'mon." Fluttershy said, trying to do damage control. "Why don't we go see how the clouds are made?"

"I think that would be a good idea." Mario agreed.

Fluttershy then walked up to Rainbow Dash, who was looking very flustered. Storm Hawk is starting to grow worried about Rainbow Dash.

"Don't listen to them." Fluttershy said. "You're going to win that competition for sure."

"Are you kidding?" Rainbow Dash groaned. "I can't do the sonic rainboom, and just look at these boring, plain old feathered wings. I'm doomed!"

"Rainbow, don't listen to those jerks." Storm Hawk said. "I definitely believe that you make a sonic rainboom. You have the skill to do it."

"Thanks...I guess." Rainbow Dash thanked him, but nervously.

As if things couldn't get more discouraging for Rainbow Dash, Rarity was continuing to make a public spectacle of herself as a large group of weather ponies began aweing at her.

"What, these old things?" Rarity asked in pure mock modesty. "Go ahead, everypony. Photos are encouraged!"

"Okay, this is ridiculous." Apple Shine said in annoyance. "Ah know they liked her wings and all, but this is gettin' out of hoof."

"Yeah, and it's not getting any better." Storm Hawk agrees. "Rainbow Dash is starting to lose her confidence."

"Rarity isn't helping because she's too busy making a fool of herself." Rose Lotus added.

"Rarity, we're supposed to be here helping Rainbow Dash relax, remember?" Twilight told her sternly. "Put your wings away and stop showing off!"

"Oh, pfft." Rarity replied. "How can you ask to put away perfection."

"More like a narcissist." Comet quietly muttered.

"What was that?" Rarity asks.

"Nothing." Comet quickly answered.

Rarity expanded her wings as hovered in front of the sun. This caused her wings to sparkle, earning her more awes from the workers below.

"Waa-haa-haa!" Rarity chortled happily.

Her friends just glared annoyingly at her, except for Rainbow Dash, who was sitting in a crunched position and her body was shaking a little.

"Rainbow Dash, are you okay?" Twilight asked, worried. "You don't look so good."

Mario and the foals looked concern for her as well. They had never seen Rainbow Dash look so nervous before.

"Of course." Rainbow Dash answered, panting. "Why wouldn't I be okay? Everyone's so in love with Rarity's wings they won't even notice when I totally blow it in the Best Young Flyers Competition."

Storm Hawk just knelt beside her and wrapped a fore-hoof around her for a side hug. Rainbow Dash seemed to welcome the gesture, finding some safety as she wrapped her fore-hooves around the colt for a hug.

"Hey! There's an idea!" A pony named Rainbowshine said. "You should enter the competition."

"Yeah! I could watch you fly all day long!" Another pony named Foggy Fleece said.

"There really isn't anypony who uses their wings quite like me." Rarity boasted. "Perhaps I should compete."

"WHAT?!" Rainbow Dash squealed in shock.

"Rarity, what are you doing?!" Mario retorted angrily, but was drowned out by the other ponies continuing to awe Rarity. Rainbow Dash felt her heart sank.

"What am I gonna DO?!" Rainbow Dash groaned as she put both her fore-hoofs over her eyes. "I'll never win the competition now."

"Don't worry, Rainbow." Mario said. "This competition is more about flashy appearance. Rarity may got visual appeal, but you're visual appeal with your awesome mane and you've got the skills to go with it."

"No, I don't..." Rainbow Dash whimpered as Mario and Storm Hawk continued to comfort her.

As they walked off, a pair of skeletons uncloaked themselves as they walked off to inform Lord Garmadon and getting ready for the invasion.

It wasn't much longer before the sound of trumpets could be heard as Pegasi from all over Cloudsdale gathered at the Cloudeseum to watch the competition. The crowds cheered as small groups three to five sat on one of two rows of clouds. Inside a small area was a waiting and dressing room where the other competitors had registered and ready to go, except for Rarity. A green colored pony went over to the dressing room to knock three times on the door.

"I'm going to be a while!" Rarity said and quickly slam the door.

Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash was already registered and waiting for her turn. But her nerves hadn't settled one bit since arriving. She decided to peek out of the waiting area and looked around the stadium. There on one of the clouds was her friends and her godson. Pinkie Pie had even found herself a #1 foam hand glove and was waving it around as she giggled to herself. Right beneath them were the three stallions, Dumb-Bell, Hoops, and Score, laughing to themselves. Rainbow Dash knew they were gonna waste no time poking fun at her when she failed. Rainbow Dash gulped. Just then, a stallion named Madden appeared in the center stage riding a small crowd, which was actually nothing since the Cloudeseum had no floor.

"Fillies and gentlecolts!" Madden announces. "Please rise and join us in welcoming our beloved Princess Celestia!"

The crowds cheered and applauded as Princess Celestia waved to them with a warm smile on her face.

"Please welcome our celebrity judges for the Best Young Flyer Competition! The Wonderbolts!" Madden announced.

More cheers and applause were made as six ponies donning blue and yellow uniforms zoomed overhead. They did a quick flying formation before settling down on their own cloud. Rainbow Dash smiled as she saw them.

"And now, let's find out who will take the prize as this year's best young flyer!" Madden said as everyone cheered.

"Okay, contestant #1, you're up!" A pony named Lucy Packard, who was also the backstage organizer in charge of making sure everyone went up in a timely manner.

"Eyah!" Rainbow Dash yelped nervously, knowing her time to appear on stage was coming up.

"Okay, #2, let's go!" Lucy Packard said next.

Rainbow Dash then remembered that she was #2.

"C'mon, c'mon, we ain't got all day." Lucy Packard remarked impatiently.

"She's talking to you!" Rainbow Dash told the colt, nudging his side.

"Oh. Umm...Oh, I guess that's me." The colt said, noticing his number and not even realizing it had been changed. He took off as Rainbow Dash then swapped #3 for someone else's #5."

"Okay, #4, time to go." Lucy Packard said, knocking on the door to the dressing room. #4 was Rarity.

"I'm #4." Rarity said. "And I need just one more itsy-bitsy minute. Be a dear and have somepony else go ahead of me, hmm?"

Lucy Packard blinked for a moment, but then got back on track as Rainbow Dash swapped numbers again from #6 to #8.

"Look, I don't care who it is, but someponies gotta go on!" Lucy Packard remarked impatiently.

"Let's do this!" Meadow Song said and flew off to do her routine. Rainbow Dash was still panicking.

"Uhh...What am I gonna do?" Rainbow Dash groaned fearfully.

Meanwhile, her friends were enjoying watching the other contestants. Mario wasn't having as much fun since he could hear the three stallions still talking badly about Rainbow Dash down below and it was getting on his nerves. Luckily, both Comet and Storm Hawk poured some of the leftover rainbow-colored paint at their heads which it got them screaming while rushed out and try to find water which Mario finds it funny. Twilight didn't find it amusing since the two colts pulled off yet another prank which she's going to have a serious talk with these two when they get back to Ponyville.

"I loved #7." Twilight said. "Doing 15-barrel rolls in a row can't be easy."

"My favorite was #10." Fluttershy commented. "She just looked like such a nice pony."

"Hmm...wonder how come we haven't seen Rainbow Dash or Rarity yet?" Applejack wondered. "The competition's almost over."

"If Ah have ta guess, Rarity is just doin' make up which she's been at it for a while." Apple Shine guessed.

"That's Rarity." Mario agrees. "But for Rainbow...hmm...I'll be right back."

Mario went off to find Rainbow Dash while Storm Hawk followed him.

Both Mario and Storm Hawk made it to the waiting area. There near a pillar was Rainbow Dash, huddled on the floor shaking. Mario and Storm Hawk slowly walked up to her and sat beside her.

"Rainbow?" Mario said gently.

"G-g-go ahead." Rainbow Dash whimpered said.

"Go ahead what?" Mario asked her gently.

"Go ahead and laugh." Rainbow Dash continued. "Everyone else will. I can't do the sonic rainboom. I can't go out there and fail in front of everypony. I'll just be a pony with a big ego. I'm not awesome...I'm not..."

Mario and Storm Hawk just listened attentively before tilting her head so she was looking at them.

"We may have had our differences, Rainbow Dash." Mario said. "But you're one of best friends. I would never do that to you. And if anypony gives you a hard time for failing is going to go through me. I don't know who told you being awesome means you can't fail, but being perfect all the time is something nopony can do. Nopony is perfect."

"But...my reputation..."

"Rainbow, it might be one thing to want a positive image for yourself." Storm Hawk said. "But it is another to think that you have to deal with your insecurities all by yourself."

"I don't have..." Rainbow Dash protests, but Mario and Storm Hawk glared at her. "Okay, I do...but...I hate being a failure. You wouldn't understand..."

"Of course I do." Mario said. "I've seen ponies lives hurt from all the criticism and harsh words."

"And that's supposed to make me feel better?" Rainbow Dash retorted.

"No." Mario answered, shook his head. "Sometimes we have to put aside the past and have a better future. You have what it takes to create a sonic rainboom."

"But the Wonderbolts..."

"We know you want to impress them." Storm Hawk said. "But even if you fail today, that won't mean the end of your dream. There will always be a next time and we'll help you in every way we can to make sure you do get a next time. That's a promise."

Rainbow Dash calmed down a bit and gave Mario and Storm Hawk a warm smile. Mario and Storm Hawk smiled back as Lucy Packard arrived.

"#15, let's go!" Lucy Packard said loudly and apparently had ignored their conversation.

Rainbow Dash felt her nervousness returned and started shaking once more.

"You'll be okay." Mario said as he reached out a hoof to help the pony to her feet.

"Good luck...Mom..." Storm Hawk muttered as he joins with the others.

It got Rainbow Dash shocked when she heard that last word which it got her wondered if Storm Hawk really saw her as more than a friend, but a mother. Rarity suddenly burst out of the dressing room, which she had gone over the top with her costume and makeup for her performance. Mario couldn't tell if she was trying to be either a Broadway inspired butterfly or a vanity obsessed peacock.

"Rarity...is ready!" Rarity said majestically.

"You've got to be kidding me." Mario said in disbelief and annoyance.

"Look, ladies." Lucy Packard said. "I don't know what to tell you. There's only one time for performance. If you both want to compete, you'll just have to go out there together."

"What kind of scheduling is that?" Mario asked, feeling that every time he tried to bring Rainbow Dash up, the universe kept knocking her down.

Mario had a feeling that sometimes Rainbow Dash's ego is needed to be checked, but she doesn't deserve it. Rarity however, didn't seem to care one bit.

"Well, Rainbow Dash? Shall we?" Rarity offered, but completely oblivious to Rainbow Dash's panicking as all she could do was babble fearfully.

"You can do this." Mario said as he got Rainbow Dash to her feet and pulled her along. "I know you can do this. Just go out there and do your best."

With much hesitation, Rainbow Dash finally found her ability to fly as she and Rarity exited the waiting area.

"And now." Madden said. "Our final competitor of the day, contestant #15...and apparently contestant #4..."

The crowds began to cheer as Rainbow Dash was still unsure about what to do.

"Good luck, Rainbow Dash." Rarity said. "Just do your best. I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of changing our music. That 'rock and roll' doesn't really match my wings."

Mario, who was standing just outside the stage as he jumped on a pillar and joined his friends, gave Rainbow Dash a confident wink. The classical music began to play and Rarity began to actually perform in front of everypony. Rainbow Dash was shocked, Rarity had come up with a dance routine as well, but then quickly remembered what Mario had said and shook her nerves off with a gulp.

"C'mon, Rainbow Dash." Rainbow Dash told herself. "You can do this. Just remember the routine. Phase one."

Some cloud hedges had been placed just like the planted ones Rainbow Dash had practiced flying between with Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash was doing well maneuvering between each hedge as the crowds were cheering, but then she bumped the side of one hedge and went crashing into the bottom edge of the Cloudeseum.

"Nice work, Rainbow Dash!" Hoops sneered as he, Dumb-Bell, and Score laughed at her.

Mario just sighed when he saw this.

"This is gonna end up bad." Mario said worriedly.

"Don't worry, Mario. Rainbow will win this." Twilight assured him, placed her hoof on his shoulder.

Mario smiled back at her. Rainbow Dash had already recovered from her little 'crash' and was ready to move on.

"Time for phase two." Rainbow Dash told herself as the ponies continued to cheer.

Rarity was just doing her own routine and completely missed Rainbow Dash's mess up. Rainbow Dash just flew over toward some clouds and began to make them spin around.

"Look! Phase two is working." Fluttershy said excitedly.

"You got it, Rainbow!" Storm Hawk cheered.

"That's it, Rainbow!" Mario adds. "Keep it up!"

But then all of a sudden, a strange a dark crimson beam shot out of nowhere and struck Rainbow Dash. She lost her control of one cloud as it spun away from her. The cloud, still spinning, was sent barreling towards Princess Celestia. She gasped as she ducked away to avoid the cloud from crashing above her head. All the while Rarity was continuing her dance routine and the ponies were still paying more attention to her than Rainbow Dash.

"And now for my grand finale." Rarity said to herself. "I will fly right up to the sun and beam my beautiful wings over the whole city of Cloudsdale! They'll be talking about it for years!"

Rarity began to ascend higher into the sky. Rainbow Dash had recovered from her cloud control loss.

"Looks like this is my last chance to turn things around." Rainbow Dash said. "Phase three. The sonic...(gulp)...rainboom. Wings, don't fail me now!"

Together at the opposite ends of Cloudeseum, they ascended high into the sky. The crowd gasped in awe before Rainbow Dash grunted as she began her flight upward at hgih speed. Rarity positioned herself so she was right behind the sun, she could feel the heat starting to make her sweat. But then coming at her were a flying skeletons and Oni.

"Huh?" Mario said and saw.

"Look upon me, Equestria, for I...am...Rarity!" Rarity announced proudly as she opened her wings, created the prism effect on a much grander scale.

The crowed oohed in amazement...until a crimson beam from Lord Garmadon struck her wings...and burnt them to ashes in just two seconds.

"Uh-oh." Rarity said, realized her mistake and them plummeted, screaming.

"Oh no! Her wings evaporated into thin air!" Twilight said.

Mario then saw three Wonderbolts, whose names were Soarin, Spitfire, and Misty Fly had already taken off to rescue her. Rarity continued to scream and waved her hooves wildly in panic. Because of her panicky hoof waving...

"Ooh!"

"Aah!"

"Uuh!"

Misty Fly, Spitfire, and Soarin groaned as Rarity knocked them all out and Rarity was continuing to scream as the ground below drew near. When Rainbow Dash saw that Rarity and the three Wonderbolts were in trouble.

"Hold on, Rarity! I'm coming!" Rainbow Dash called out.

Rainbow Dash then began to descend to try and catch up to Rarity and the others. The rest of her friends watched with worry as Rarity just continued to scream as Rainbow Dash increased her speed to try and catch up with her.

"Oh, I can't look!" Fluttershy said as she covered her eyes with her fore-hooves before peeking from them later.

Rarity gasped as she saw Rainbow Dash coming for her. Rainbow Dash continued to pour on as much speed as she could, feeling another slip stream surround the front of her body. The Mane 4, Mario, and the five foals gasped excitedly as the slip stream once again began to shift into a V as Rainbow Dash continued to push her speed to the limit. Then suddenly...

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

A large rainbow ring appeared behind her as she zoomed faster than ever before. Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Twilight's jaws dropped as the spectators were in awe. Mario and Storm Hawk just had a proud smile on his face, the fact Rainbow Dash did the sonic rainboom...

"A sonic rainboom! She did it! She did it! Wooo!" Fluttershy screamed loudly as she hopped up and down excitedly.

...or the fact Fluttershy went fan girl over the accomplishment, which many would agree looked absolutely adorable. Rainbow Dash didn't even realize she had done the sonic rainboom until after she grabbed Rarity and secured the three unconscious Wonderbolts on her back as they flew just a few yards above the ground.

"Whoa!" Rainbow Dash said as she flew up toward the Cloudeseum just beyond Mach 1, creating a beautiful rainbow in the sky as she made her way back towards the center of the stage.

A few Pegasi were standing by to help carry the still unconscious Wonderbolts to safety and two Pegasi helped hold Rarity secure above the clouds for the time being. Everyone was cheering for Rainbow Dash's amazing performance and rescue as Fluttershy was still in full fan girl mode.

"A sonic rainboom! Woooo! Yeah!" Fluttershy screamed, still hopping up and down. Rainbow Dash couldn't resist a smile.

"I did it." Rainbow Dash said softly before saying it louder. "I did it!"

"You sure did." Rarity said with a sigh of relief and gratitude. "Oh thank you, Rainbow Dash. You saved my life."

"Oh yeah, I did too." Rainbow Dash said, realized before giving herself a hoof pump. "Ha, best day ever!"

But then, Mario saw something that made his smile drop.

"What?" Mario asked.

BOOOM!

(5-4-1-Sang by Ron Wasserman)

Part of the Cloudeseum exploded as it sent a dozen Pegasi flying as they screamed.

Mario and his friends were shocked by this as the piece of the Cloudeseum crashed in the middle. The coming out were skeletons and Oni as they growled and snarled before going on the offense and attacked the place. The Pegasi panicked in fear as the group of skeletons and Oni attacked, leaving Mario and his friends confused.

"AAH!" Fluttershy screamed in fright before she ducked behind Twilight. "What are those things?!"

"I don't know, but I'm gonna find out. You guys help the Pegasi." Mario said as he lit his horn and made his auric hands appear around his front hooves before he jumped in the middle.

Comet does the same when he lit his magic and made his auric hands before he joins in the fight while Storm Hawk joins in as well. Twilight was about to stop them, but she has to help her friends fend off against the skeletons and Oni.

Mario, Comet, and Storm Hawk got on the defense as a group of skeletons and Oni surrounded them and tried to attack, but they dodged them. Comet punched one of the skeletons head and does the somersault at the other, does a jumping spinning kick at the third. Storm Hawk managed to grab the Oni's arm and does a shoulder throw, punched the Oni in the face. He then does a scissor takedown against the skeleton, went for starfish kip up, and does a jumping back kick right to the gut of an Oni, finished it off by using a stunner. Mario blocked the Oni's attack and punched it in the gut, does a shoulder throw. He then delivers a roundhouse kick and a tornado kick combo against the Oni, leaving it stumbled. Mario then finished it off by delivering an axe-kick to the back.

Then walking from the dark fog was a large figure and came into the clearing was none other than Lord Garmadon, smirking evilly.

"Secure the area!" Lord Garmadon ordered. "Leave no one alive!"

The group of skeletons and Oni nodded befoer they fired a dark flames and beams in the air, surrounding the Pegasi. Lord Garmadon then jumped into the middle and smirked evilly as Mario, Comet, and Storm Hawk as they're shocked by his intimidating appearance.

"Hello, Mario Star." Lord Garmadon greeted him with his sinister tone.

"Who are you? How do you know my name?" Mario asked in awe and a little bit of fear.

"You may call me, Lord Garmadon." Lord Garmadon introduced himself. "I've been watching you and your friends. I am the lord of the Underworld, and a sworm enemy of your master, Wu."

Then, Mario widen his eyes before he glared at Lord Garmadon.

"How do you know Master Wu?!" Mario demanded angrily.

"Well, let's just say he was my brother and ally one, but now, he's my enemy. And I'm here to end you, my brother, and my friends!" Lord Garmadon shouted as he charged after Mario.

Mario does the same and kicked Lord Garmadon in the face, forcing him to back a bit before he recomposed himself.

An army of skeletons and Oni jumped towards Twilight and her friends along with a few of skeletons and Oni as they growled at them before they charged after them. Twilight and her friends got on the offense. Just as the army of skeletons and Oni were about to attack, the eight ponies fought back. Twilight fired a magic blast at the number of skeletons, Pinkie Pie fired a party cannon at the other skeletons, Applejack and Apple Shine bucked the Oni, Rainbow Dash punched the other, Rarity punched a skeleton, Rose Lotus used her curved dagger to slash at the Oni, Fluttershy made one tripped over her, and Winter Breeze kicked the skeleton in the head. Princess Celestia fired a magic blast at them for attacking her subjects as Mario fight Lord Garmadon.

Lord Garmadon then draws out his six katanas.

"This is the end, Mario Star!" Lord Garmadon said as he charged at Mario.

Mario used his magic to conjure two katanas, used them to block his attacks. They struggled for a bit before Mario pushed Lord Garmadon back as the leader of the Underworld tried to slice him, but the unicorn stallion dodged it and blocked his attack with his swords, and again, before he kicked Mario aside. Mario got back up before he turned towards the three Oni's as they charged after him, Comet conjures a bow and fires the arrow at the Oni while Storm Hawk speed flying towards the other Oni and kicked it in the face. Mario then knocked the Oni aside, Lord Garmadon charged after him and tried to attack him. Mario dodged everyone of his attacks, jumped up, and somersaulted Lord Garmadon in the face, making him fall to the ground. Princess Celestia used her magic to unleash a sheer force, knocking the army of skeletons and Oni down along with their doom.

Lord Garmadon got onto his feet and noticed that Mario and his friends were glaring at him.

"It's over, Garmadon. Take your army and leave!" Mario demanded, glaring at Lord Garmadon.

Lord Garmadon growled angrily before he smirked.

"This isn't over, Mario Star. I'll be back and the world will be mine to conquer!" Lord Garmadon vowed.

Then, Lord Garmadon and his army disappeared without a trace. The crowd cheered happily, glad that the battle was over.

(Music Ends)

Once the crowd had died down and the competition was finished along with the fight, Rarity was now sitting securely inside of the hot-air balloon while the others, minus Mario for some reason, were on the clouds with Rainbow Dash. Rarity didn't wait long after they had finished congratulating Rainbow Dash on her performance to speak.

"I want to apologize to all of you for getting so carried away with my...beautiful wings." Rarity said with a whimper. "I guess I lost my head."

"It's okay." Fluttershy said.

"Oh, don't worry 'bout it, kiddo." Applejack said.

"We still love you." Pinkie Pie said.

Comet, Storm Hawk, Apple Shine, Winter Breeze, and Rose Lotus nods to her, accepting her apology.

"And I'm especially sorry that I was so thoughtless as to jump into the contest at the last minute after you had worked so hard to win it. Can you ever-ever forgive me?" Rarity asked Rainbow Dash sadly. Rainbow Dash just gave her a smile.

"Aw, it's okay." Rainbow Dash said. "Everything turned out all right, right? I just wish I could have met the Wonderbolts when they were awake."

Then someone tapped Rainbow Dash's shoulder. Rainbow Dash turned and gasped when she saw Soarin, Spitfire, and Misty Fly with Mario standing beside them.

"Surprise!" Mario said with a smile. Rainbow Dash's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!" Rainbow Dash repeated in fan girl mode.

"So, you're the little pony who saved our lives along with helping us stop those monsters." Spitfire said. "We really wanted to meet you and say thanks."

"Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!" Rainbow Dash was all could say.

"Mario's been telling us all about your flying skills since he met you." Spitfire added.

"Ohmygoshohmygosh...wait what?!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed in shock and the others gasped as well. Rainbow Dash blinked twice. "Mario...you knew the Wonderbolts?! And you never told me?!"

"I was bound to a promise of secrecy." Mario explains. "Spitfire is an old friend of mine. I was there to cheer her on when she first joined the Wonderbolts and I got to meet the others. While it's hard for us to see each other these days, we do keep in touch via letters and such. She said I was not to tell you about our friendship until the right time."

"Because I wanted to tell her myself." Spitfire said, giving Mario a friendly jab in the shoulder.

Rainbow Dash and the others were rather impressed when Princess Celestia made her appearance.

"Princess." Twilight said as she, Mario, who rushed with her, and the others bowed to her.

"Hello Twilight Sparkle and Mario Star." Princess Celestia responded cheerfully. "And hello to your friends too."

"Princess Celestia, I am sorry I ruined the competition." Rarity said. "Rainbow Dash here really is the best flyer in Equestria."

Rainbow Dash just smiled modestly.

"I know she is, my dear." Princess Celestia said. "That's why, for her incredible act of bravery and her spectacular sonic rainboom, I'm presenting the grand prize for the Best Young Flyer to this year's winner, Miss Rainbow Dash."

The crowd cheered as Princess Celestia placed a golden laurel on Rainbow Dash's head.

"Ohmygosh Ohmygosh Ohmygosh Ohmygosh Ohmygosh Ohmygosh Ohmygosh Ohmygosh Ohmygosh Ohmygosh Ohmygosh!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

"So Twilight Sparkle, Mario Star." Princess Celestia said. "Did you learn anything about friendship from this experience even after the attack?"

"I did Princess, so did Mario in more ways than one." Twilight said with a chuckle. "But I think Rarity learned even more than both of us."

"I certainly did." Rarity agreed. "I learned how important it is to keep your hooves on the ground, and to be there for your friends."

"Excellent." Princess Celestia said. "Well done, Rarity."

"This really is the best day ever!" Rainbow Dash said excitedly.

It was then the three stallions arrived behind her.

"Uhh, hey, Rainbow Crash." Dumb-Bell said nervously.

"Dash!" Hoops corrected him, jabbing on the side.

"Oh! Uhh...Sorry, Rainbow Dash." Dumb-Bell said. "Uhh, we just wanted to congratulate you in winning the competition."

"That sonic rainboom was awesome!" Hoops said.

"Heh, thanks guys." Rainbow Dash said.

"Uhh, we're really sorry we gave you such a hard time before." Dumb-Bell apologized.

"Aww, that's okay." Rainbow Dash said. "Don't worry about it."

"Hey. Do you want to hang out with us?" Dumb-Bell offered. "Maybe you could show us how you did that incredible trick!"

Rainbow Dash just smiled as the two Wonderbolts flew nearby.

"Sorry, boys..." Rainbow Dash said, allowing each Wonderbolt to wrap one of her fore-hooves around their own. "But I've got plans!"

The three ponies just flew away as the three colts watched her disappear. Twilight however, walk towards the two colts.

"Now, as for you two." Twilight said, earned their attention. "Don't think we forget about the serious discussion after the competition."

Both Comet and Storm Hawk couldn't help but gulped nervously, which they're in big trouble.

Late at night the next day, Storm Hawk was at Rainbow Dash's home, after Twilight gave him and Comet a good scolding which of course, Dumb-Bell, Hoops, and Score helped the two colts out when they told her. Of course, Twilight let the two colts off easily, but they're grounded for only two weeks. Storm Hawk is right now about to get ready for bed when Rainbow Dash went inside.

"Hey Storm Hawk." Rainbow Dash said. "I heard Twilight gave you an earful."

"You have no idea." Storm Hawk said with a sigh. "Even though, these three helped me and Comet out, I'm still grounded for two weeks. They still deserve it, after what they did."

"Hey, don't worry about it. All is forgiven." Rainbow Dash assures him. "But you know something. You remind me of me when I was your age."

"Really?" Storm Hawk asks surprisingly.

"Yep, I used to pull pranks, even though it's a harmless prank. I did that to get back at those three." Rainbow Dash told him with a chuckle. "But that rainbow color on the eyes and mouth, I couldn't get it out of my head. I just laughed; I couldn't breathe."

Rainbow Dash and Storm Hawk couldn't help but laughed a bit which they find it funny.

After a good laugh, Storm Hawk then sighed sadly which it got Rainbow Dash noticed.

"What's wrong?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I just missed Antione and his friends." Storm Hawk answered. "If they were ever here in Equestria, it would've been different."

Rainbow Dash then hugged him for comfort since he really does miss his cousin and haven't heard from them. She stayed with him until he was asleep. Rainbow Dash then put him under the covers and was about to leave.

"Goodnight, Storm Hawk." Rainbow Dash said, whispered to his ear.

"Goodnight...Mom..." Storm Hawk mumbled in his sleep.

That got Rainbow Dash froze when he said that, again. She turned around and looked at him, feeling bad for the colt. Rainbow Dash silently walked over to him, and then she did what any mother would do. She kissed him on the forehead. Rainbow Dash then headed for her own room, and head to bed.

Even after what Storm Hawk has been through in his old world, he's upset that he had to leave Antione and his friends behind. Rainbow Dash began to think, whether she consider taking Storm Hawk as her own foal or not. She'll have to talk with Twilight and hope she'll know the answer.

That's it for the 27th chapter.