(Morning)
After the CMC had breakfast and left, Rainbow Dash and Adorabella have their breakfast. Rainbow Dash got her Wonderbolt uniform on. Meanwhile, Adorabella got her dark cloak on. They are preparing to go where the Wonderbolt open day is occurring, at the academy.
"Are you ready?" Rainbow Dash asked. Adorabella slowly nodded.
"I can read you well. You're hesitant," Rainbow Dash stated. When Adorabella nods or responds slowly, she's hesitant.
"A bit..." Adorabella sheepishly admitted.
"...but I want to try."
Rainbow Dash nods.
"Everything will be fine, now let's go," Said Rainbow Dash.
(A few minutes later)
The Wonderbolt academy...
Rainbow Dash and Adorabella have arrived at the academy, standing by the runway. They got here early, no other pony has turned up yet. The Dizzitron had been set up though. A ring-shaped course had also been set up, consisting of heavy rain, thunder and lightning, thick fast-moving pink clouds, wind-generating machines, and there's a line of clouds on each side acting as barriers. There's also another ring-sahped course with these cloud barriers, except that it is clear and has no obstacles, it's a race track. The race track is enormous, being many many kilometres long. The race track is above the obstacle course.
"Nice to see you're early Rainbow- and ah, I see you tagged your friend along." Rainbow Dash and Adorabella turns right, where Spitfire is standing, wearing her Wonderbolt uniform.
"I wish I could've come earlier than I did," Said Rainbow Dash, sounding disappointed.
"The fact you're here earlier than the others is good enough," Spitfire reassuringly responded.
"You sound way softer than usual," Rainbow Dash stated.
"I have to be, I'm warming up in that regard or I'll be speaking to visitors like they're Wonderbolt cadets," Said Spitfire, which explains why she isn't speaking in her usual loud commanding voice. It's so she doesn't starting yelling at the ponies attending the open day as if they're Wonderbolt cadets.
"H- hi," Adorabella sheepishly said as she waves her left forehoof.
"Hey... Adorabella... was it?" Spitfire asked. Adorabella nods.
"Well, Adorabella, as you're the first non-Wonderbolt here... you have first dibs on what you wanna do," Spitfire lightly smilef.
"Oh let's do a race," Rainbow Dash eagerly suggested to Adorabella.
"If you're re gonna race her, I want you to go easy on her," Spitfire sternly demanded of Rainbow Dash. Adorabella isn't a Wonderbolt, and to Spitfire, she won't be able fly like one, let alone like Rainbow Dash.
"I may have to go... y'know, a little harder on Adorabella. She's um... she's a quick one," Rainbow Dash smirked. Spitfire looks at Adorabella, then looks back at Rainbow Dash.
"Ah, so she's a fast flyer too huh? Fair enough, I'll have to see for myself," Spitfire raised an eyebrow, not believing the light blue pegasus. Rainbow Dash vigorously nods back, confirming in protest.
This may also be the opportunity Rainbow Dash can push Adorabella into showing off a little. Adorabella is a fantastic flyer, and Rainbow Dash has been a bit disappointed that Adorabella isn't enthusiastic or proud about what she can do.
"Follow me and I'll take you to the race track's starting line," Spitfire instructed.
(The track's starting line)
Rainbow Dash and Adorabella are at the starting line. Now being at the starting line, they can now see how truly massive this track is. There's black and white squares on the cloud they're standing on, with white poles and gold flags on each side. The track goes in a massive, massive, massive clear loop, defined by the cloud edges, acting as barriers.
"Are both of you ready?" Spitfire asked aloud, standing to the left of the track. She has sorted out Rainbow Dash's and Adorabella's stopwatch. Rainbow Dash nods, while Adorabella takes in a deep breath.
"I want five hundred laps... from both of you!" Spitfire demanded as she prepares to start the stopwatches. She is giving Adorabella the same treatment as Rainbow Dash, to test how fast Adorabella really is.
"On your marks!" Spitfire yelled. Both light blue and white pegasus' wings extends out.
"Get set... GO!" Spitfire screamed, starting both stopwatches while blowing her whistle. Rainbow Dash and Adorabella are already gone. She then hears 2 loud bangs and sees 2 expanding coloured rings in the distance, one being rainbow-coloured, the other one being pink-coloured.
"You're an impressive flyer Adorabella," Spitfire said to herself. Rainbow Dash was right, Adorabella is indeed quick.
At the moment, Rainbow Dash and Adorabella are both going at the same speed. Rainbow Dash is flying at her top speed. She sees Adorabella slipping further back slightly.
"What are you doing!? Go ahead and start beating me!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
"I don't want my name to be published everywhere!" Adorabella exclaimed back.
"Somepony will eventually take my record and if anypony does I want it to be you!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed back.
"But I'll be known everywhere and I'll never be able to stay in the shadows again! Everypony will stalk me and I will never be able to hide again!" Adorabella exclaimed back.
"No more hiding in the shadows! It's time to show everypony what you can do! You're not weak, you're strong, and you always have been even when you think you're not! Don't let the past hold you back!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed back, saying encouraging things, anything to make Adorabella push herself. She wants Adorabella to embrace her wings, and show off what she can do.
Adorabella always wanted respect. As a filly, she was a joke. She was seen as a joke. She has never been able to get other ponies see her as something other than some joke. Some words began ringing in her head...
"She's weak... she's a ghost... she cannot pick up a feather..."
Adorabella could start hearing beating and shouting noises, the echoes of home, poking her... her father yelling, her mother neglecting her... all of it... poking at her head...
She had always been tossed around. She had abusive parents which she was never able to escape. She always feared going to school. She feared the name calling and occasional push. She lived in fear of being forced to do a particular act by Rock and Catch as a foal. She never was able to know what friendship and trust was. Her fillyhood plunged her into a decade-long suffering, mentally and psychologically rotting in the Everfree Forest, living in fear of being hurt ever again. The Everfree Forest appeared to of liberated her, but only made her more isolated...
...until she met Rainbow Dash. Adorabella once feared her. But she was the reason that she pushed herself, trained herself, to be so fast. She was also the reason she escaped her mental prison. Despite not trusting Rainbow Dash at first, she persisted.
Rainbow Dash was the reason that she was able to know what friendship and trust is like. She protected her from Rock and Catch. She wants to do something for her. But she wasn't able to do anything for her in return to show her gratitude and gratefulness. But it clicked, and Adorabella now knew how to show Rainbow Dash her gratitude, by making her proud.
Adorabella starts picking up the pace. Rainbow Dash notices Adorabella is quickly starting to get ahead. Rainbow Dash sees Adorabella look behind, smiling. Rainbow Dash smiles back and nods. Adorabella looks back to what's in front and picks up the pace even further. Adorabella is now way ahead, going way faster than Rainbow Dash.
From the starting line to the side, Spitfire is staring at the 2 flying pegasuses, in shock. Adorabella has done 250 of these big laps in just under a few minutes, not just without slowing down, but accelerating even more. She is leaving Rainbow Dash in the dust by being almost 150 laps ahead.
"Sorry we're late- woah..." Soarin and Thunderlane arrived, seeing Spitfire motionless, staring at the race track. The 2 stallions see why. They can see a rainbow trail and a pink trail, the pink trail appearing to be going many times faster than the rainbow one. Soon, one by one, the whole Wonderbolt team turns up. They too are equally shocked, seeing a random cloaked pegasus completely winning by miles against Rainbow Dash on the race track.
"That other mare is doing awesome!" Vapor Trail stated in awe.
"You don't say... whoever she is, she's absolutely OWNING Dash," Sky Stinger chuckled.
Within just a minute, Adorabella is already on lap 400. Then in just under a few seconds, she goes even faster and complete the other 100 laps. When reaching the starting line for the last time, Adorabella goes upwards until she slows herself down. She hovers down onto the cloud, where the starting line is, panting, barely standing. She exerted all her energy into those last 50 laps. Meanwhile Rainbow Dash, clearly seeing she lost, stops doing the laps, to check on Adorabella.
"That was... impressive..." Spitfire didn't know how to respond. She is completely lost for words. She wasn't expecting Adorabella, a seemingly regular pony, to be that fast at all.
Adorabella looks to her left. She immediately extends her wings. There's suddenly many ponies she doesn't know. Rainbow Dash lands beside Adorabella and puts her left forehoof on her right shoulder. Adorabella relaxes and folds her wings back.
"They don't wanna hurt you. They're applauding you," Rainbow Dash gently reassured. The present Wonderbolts are applauding, clapping their forehooves. Spitfire then walks up to them, looking at Adorabella.
"You've displayed some impressive skills," Spitfire smiled. At the moment, Adorabella is overwhelmed.
"Maybe take a step or so back," Rainbow Dash suggested. Spitfire nods and takes a few steps back.
"I- I- I..." Adorabella stuttered while stammering. She is scared.
"... I- I can't be a Wonderbolt..." Adorabella sheepishly said.
"Why... why not?" Spitfire asked, the disappointment in her voice being obvious to detect. This level of skill, power and talent, for nothing, to never to be used. That very thought hurts.
"Do you not realize what you were able to do? You'd be a great Wonderbolt," High Winds, another one of the Wonderbolts presents, also sounds disappointed.
"I- I know... but because Rainbow done so much for me to... to help me push myself... to be stronger... and... and showing off what I can do was the only way I could show I'm grateful, but full on joining..." Adorabella murmured, looking away.
"... I'm scared I'll get the wrong attention."
"Well, if you do change your mind, there's always a place for you on the team," Said Soarin.
"B- but I was never motivated by desire... but by fear... fear of the past repeating... that was my motivation..." Adorabella murmured.
"What is it you're scared about?" Misty Fly asked.
"Some things happened when I was young... so I ran from- well, flew from home, and hid in the Everfree Forest for a decade. I'm scared of my name being out there and... I don't want to bring to myself unwanted attention from bad ponies..." Adorabella sighed.
"If you let things hold you back you won't get very far. Sometimes you have to push yourself outside your comfort zone," Surprise stated.
"We also have a show to do in Fillydelphia tomorrow. You should come along and watch us to see what we do. The attention you get is honestly not as scary as you think it is," Said Fleetfoot, another Wonderbolt member that's present.
"I- I am going to attend... but to support Rainbow," Adorabella responded.
"You really do respect Crash, huh. So... if she was to... not be able to do a show with us for whatever reason, would you help her out by taking her position?" Spitfire asked. Adorabella thought carefully, then very weakly and shyly, nods. Spitfire smiles that Adorabella would at least do that.
"Now, I'm curious on how well you will hold up on the Dizzitron..." Spitfire wondered.
"W- what's that?" Adorabella asked.
"It's a machine that makes you very dizzy, and flings you very fast and you have to regain control in the air then make a smooth landing," Rainbow Dash explained.
"The rest of you, go to your positions. We went over this yesterday so you should know where you're meant to be. I'll take these two over to the Dizzitron," Spitfire ordered.
(Over at the Dizzitron)
The 3 pegasuses are now standing in front of the Dizzitron. It is a large circle with a green and purple swirl that's connected to 3 large wooden legs. There's a wire attached to something behind the wheel and the controls with 2 levers.
The controls is made out of dark wood with gold outlines. It has 2 levers, one with a black handle and the other with a red nob. There is 3 lights on top, being green, red and purple, the green one being the largest and the purple one being the smallest. There is a pegasus stallion controlling it.
In the middle and to the side on the right is a cog, with a track of sorts connecting both. The cog on the side is roughly twice the size as the one in the middle and had a horizontal bar attached.
"I- I guess I go on th- the cog on the side?" Adorabella logically assumed.
"Correct," Spitfire nodded. Spitfire takes off the goggles sitting on her head and gives them to Adorabella.
"You'll wanna put these on," She said. Adorabella pulls her hood down, then tries putting them on, but struggles to, wincing as she tried. Rainbow Dash gives her help in putting them on.
"Now go on the machine, and hold on tight," Spitfire instructed. Adorabella hovers up and flies to the cog.
"Are you sure this is a good idea? She may be a great flyer but... she doesn't have a whole lot of... physical strength," Rainbow Dash shared her concerns.
"As long as Adorabella has good form she'll be alright," Spitfire reassured.
"Also about that... maybe um, keep that low for a bit. Adorabella has had a rough life and like she said, she won't manage the sudden attention. Wait until she's more um, outgoing, and hopefully by then she'll be able to better handle it," Rainbow Dash requested.
"Fair enough, but I can't make any promises that the others will keep a tight lid. I don't think they know her name anyways so she should be alright. But yeah, I'll keep quiet about it," Spitfire nodded. She then glances at the cog with the handle, preparing the stop watch. Adorabella is holding on tight. Rainbow Dash nods, to which Adorabella nods back. Meanwhile, Spitfire gives the stallion at the lever the go-ahead. The stallion pulls the lever and the Dizzitron starts spinning.
All of this seems so surreal to Rainbow Dash. Almost a week ago, Adorabella was scared to even approach her. Now, as long as she goes with her, she's open to trying new things. Adorabella is doing a lot better, although there's a lot of areas for improvement, but overall, it's much better than a week ago.
On that night, had it not been for hanging out with Spitfire, Soarin and Thunderline for an extra few minutes, things would've been much different as she wouldn't of been there to notice her. Adorabella would've still been alone suffering, or worse, could've still collided with the bird and then fell to her death. Rainbow Dash is certain that hanging out with those 3 Wonderbolts for those extra few minutes, saved Adorabella. Adorabella went from being so distrustful of Rainbow Dash to now being much less fearful and became very clingy, the good, adorable kind of clingy.
"Release!" Spitfire yelled as she starts the stop watch. Immediately as the bar on the cog opens, Adorabella is flung straight up spinning uncontrollably. Adorabella tries to regain control and fly back, but struggles at first. She tries extending her wings and using the magic in her inherited from her unicorn mother to resist the g-forces. Eventually she does regain control and makes an immediate dart, flying straight past Rainbow Dash and Spitfire, who pauses the stopwatch and her eyes open wider.
"Eight seconds, that ain't bad. Not a record-breaking time, but for a non-Wonderbolt, eight seconds ain't bad at all," Spitfire complimented, looking at Adorabella.
"Th- thanks," Adorabella stammered.
"Y'sure you still not wanting to be a Wonderbolt?" Spitfire winked, lightly smirking.
"If... if I h- have to fly for Rainbow... I would... but I'm n- not sure about b- being a c- complete member," Adorabella stuttered. She struggles taking the goggles off. She stops Rainbow Dash helping her, wanting to prove she can take them off. After a minute-long struggle, Adorabella gets them off, then returns them to Spitfire. Rainbow Dash can see Spitfire looks obviously disappointed, definitely.
"Hey uh, do you wanna check the different activities while me and Spitfire talk about the show tomorrow?" Rainbow Dash in reality wanted to dicuss stuff with Spitfire. Meanwhile, Adorabella slowly nods as she takes off, hovering around, but not leaving the immediate proximity of the light blue pegasus.
"Adorabella is so talented, but yet she's so hesitant to use that talent... why?" Spitfire asked, sighing in disappointment.
"Please keep this between us two. She told me about what she's been through, and she's been through a lot as a filly. Since meeting Adorabella... I've just been trying to help her, and she's improved, but she's... she's afraid of being in the spotlight. Everypony in her life had done nothing but hurt her, until she met me of course. Anyway... Adorabella's afraid that being in the spotlight will attract creeps or anypony that wanna just do harm to her. I only took her out here, not to get her to join us, but to help her introduce herself to some friends, and help her cope with crowds, showing her not everypony wants to hurt her," Rainbow Dash explained, being as confidential as she could, but states some of the things to Spitfire so she can better understand.
"Right, I see, that explains it," Spitfire understood, nodding.
"I must say though... you're taking this on the chin well, that there's somepony faster than even you," Said Spitfire. She is proud that Rainbow Dash isn't making a big fuss like she would've imagined.
"Yeah well, I ain't a jerk like Wind Rider. I knew somepony would take my spot as the fastest eventually. I just thought I'd never see that pony, until I met Adorabella. It also makes me wonder, how many more ponies out there that are faster than me, but don't choose to or are unwilling to show off," Rainbow Dash responded. She has come to full terms that she isn't the fastest anymore.
"I'm happy to see you're taking that really well. Adorabella does seem like she's a good pony. I'm glad that she trusts you at least," Spitfire commended, nodding.
"Yeah she really really is," Rainbow Dash nodded.
Meanwhile...
Adorabella is hovering around the academy. Other ponies are now present. Without Rainbow Dash, she feels less secure. But it may be another test to slowly push herself out of her comfort zone. If so, this is too much, she's surrounded by so many random visitors, which all Adorabella still sees as dangerous ponies. There's no isolated cloud to take a break on. She lands down where she could, shaking uncontrollably.
She suddenly finds her mind shifting between now, and the memories of her old school. Everypony nearby starts to feel like they're a lot bigger. It's the start of a panic attack.
"Hey are you alright-"
"AH- oh... oh..." Adorabella slightly calms down while stepping back. The pony that approached her is Ralph, who immediately starts stepping back.
"I weren't expecting you to be here- I'm so sorry if I was too close to you," Ralph sincerely apologize.
"N- no... y- you're okay... y- you were fine where y- you were..." Adorabella stuttered.
"I see you're here for the Wonderbolts open day. So am I, it's a nice excuse to use for taking a break from your job. Plus I'm glad as I get to see you," Ralph smiled.
"Y- y- you too..." Adorabella sheepishly stammered.
"Do you have any interest to join them or?" Ralph asked.
"I don't know... I- I want to a- a- and I don't. I wanna support R- Rainbow b- because she's done a- a lot... but I'm scared of the attention I'll get from bad ponies or that I'll mess something up or..." Adorabella sighed.
"Well, you can join and if you don't like it then you can leave. You don't have to do everything just to please somepony," Ralph stated.
"I know... but Rainbow really helped me and I... I wanna help her back..." Adorabella murmured.
"Well don't do something you're not comfortable with. I'm sure Rainbow doesn't want you stressing and probably just appreciates you regardless," Ralph reassured. Adorabella weakly nods.
"W- what do I do?" Adorabella weakly spoke.
"You could try out the Wonderbolts, and if you don't like it, you can always leave. Your life isn't confined to one path after one choice, it goes on many paths and you can change your choices. So you do have your options," Ralph replied. Adorabella again, weakly nods, briefly looking away.
"So um... are you coming to the show tomorrow?" Adorabella asked.
"Unfortunately no, because I planned the two days in advance before they decided to move the show a day forward, and I've gotta go and repair Derpy's front window tomorrow," Ralph explained, sounding disappointed. Adorabella feels disappointed too, because she won't be able to speak to her new friend until the day after.
"Maybe we can meet up at Sugarcube Corner after I'm done working for the day. You gotta have a good treat after work, always," Ralph suggested.
"M- maybe... I'll think about it. I'm a bit... y'know... um..." Adorabella looks down. Going to Sugarcube Corner will guarantee a surprise welcome party. A town-wide party is something she just cannot grasp the consequences of such party right now.
"Shy? I understand," Ralph gently spoke, unaware if he's speaking too loud or not. He takes another step back, feeling like he's still too close, even though he's already roughly 3 metres away.
"Shy ones are the best ones," Ralph thought to himself.
"Y- you were fine where you were," Adorabella reassured. Ralph steps closer, back to where he was.
"Oh there you are and- Oh, hey Ralph," Rainbow Dash appears and lands down onto her hooves by the 2 pegasuses.
"Hey," Ralph nodded.
"I see you two have become friends," Rainbow Dash smiled, more to Adorabella, proud that she's come so far compared to a week ago.
"So... what do you think about the Wonderbolts? Do you think you'll join them?" Ralph asked Adorabella.
"I'm... I um- I..." Adorabella stammers while deciding yes or no to giving the Wonderbolts a shot.
"I- I don't know... my hooves are u- useless. I- I can't even get a pair of goggles on and off... but I wanna show Rainbow how much I value her as a friend..." Adorabella murmured. Rainbow Dash steps closer to Adorabella.
"Adorabella, the fact you came out and tried is enough for me to see you value me. Even if you didn't, I would still know you greatly appreciate me. But I don't want you hurting yourself, okay. Sorry if it sounded like I was forcing you to do something," Rainbow Dash gently apologized. She slow reaches for Adorabella to hug, who comes closer. Adorabella briefly closes her eyes, not of fear, but of comfort, approving of the hug.
"I know... but... but you changed my life. I have to do something in return. Without you... I could've been alone still. Y- you didn't force me to make a decision, in a way, you helped me. I must repay you... anything, I'll do anything," Adorabella insisted.
"You can go and watch the show that is taking place in Fillydelphia tomorrow. That would mean a lot to me in my books, how about that?" Rainbow Dash gently reassured. Adorabella weakly nods, and Rainbow Dash lightly smiles, letting go of Adorabella, patting her on the back as she did.
"Now enjoy the open day, and you too, Ralph," Said Rainbow Dash. Adorabella smiles and nods.
"Before I go back to my position..." Rainbow Dash quietly said as she gets close to Adorabella's left ear.
"You sure you'll be alright? You're comfortable with him, right?" Rainbow Dash whispered. Adorabella gently nods. Rainbow Dash steps back to where she was.
"Alright... I'll be coming back home late, plus I need to prepare for tomorrow. You don't mind going to Fluttershy right? She'll be alright to have you over," Rainbow Dash stated. Adorabella nods.
"Well, I'll see you later on tomorrow. Stay safe alright," Rainbow Dash nodded as she takes off.
Adorabella waves off to Rainbow Dash. Then she looks back at Ralph. Despite Rainbow Dash being gone, Ralph isn't making a move to do something to her. Adorabella knows Ralph won't do anything, but she tenses her wings ready, just in case.
"So how was your day so far?" Ralph asked while starting to walk. Adorabella closes follows him.
"It's been okay... y- yours?" Adorabella asked back.
"Yeah it's been alright. I was just drawing while waiting for the open day to start. Once it was nearly time, I arrived, then I happened to bump into you," Ralph replied.
"G- glad you did... because I felt scared... I was scared that somepony would hurt me... there's so many ponies around..." Adorabella shuddered. Ralph stops walking, and so does Adorabella.
"Notice something?" Ralph asked.
"W- w- what is it?" Adorabella stuttered, looking around her. All she sees is Ralph of course, clouds, and lots of other pegasuses.
"You see everypony around you. They don't care about strangers," Ralph bluntly stated.
"They're more concerned about their lives. The trick is, is to do the same, not care that they're there. You're more likely to get unwanted attention if you act strange. Pretend the strangers you see don't exist, and you'll find everyday life much easier that way, trust me," Ralph advised.
"E- easier said than done," Adorabella chuckled. Ralph briefly looks away smirking, the adorable chuckles being too strong for even him.
"W- what's wrong?" Adorabella asked, catching Ralph looking away.
"Something got in my eye- it's fine now," Ralph reassured.
"Now let's enjoy some time here, shall we?" Said Ralph. Adorabella nods and smiles.
"Y- yeah, why not?"