BlueMoon approached an intricately detailed cylindrical building where she was told she could find Rainbow Dash. There were numerous steps that led up to the entrance. A rainbow arched above the doorway, sitting on top of two lightning bolt shaped pillars. She couldn't wait to tell Rainbow that she would be training with her this session.

She pushed open the large double doors that led into the building and was greeted by a grand entrance hall. Windows dotted its length, letting light cascade in like a waterfall. There were statues of historical Wonderbolts lining the wall. She recognized many of them: Commander Easyglider, Admiral Fairweather, General Firefly. Their names were drilled into her head from the flight classes she had taken when she was younger.

"Rainbow!" BlueMoon called out, "Rainbow, are you there?"

There was no response.

She continued to walk further into the building. The realization hit her that she was standing in the real Wonderbolts headquarters! Most ponies would only dream of such a thing! Just maybe, with a lot of luck, she could call this place home someday. Perhaps that was nothing more than a daydream. But with the way the Wonderbolts reacted to her flying, it might not be such a fantasy after all.

As she came towards the end of the entrance hall, she looked to her right and saw numerous fluffy beds placed neatly against the walls. This must be the sleeping quarters that Spitfire was talking about, but there was no sign of Rainbow Dash. In fact, it looked completely untouched.

To her left was another short hallway with a couple doors leading off of it. She started to walk down the hall when her ears perked up. There was a strange noise coming from one of the doors closest to her. She pressed her head against the door and listened closely. She could hear the sound of a whimpered cry, followed by frantic murmuring. It kind of sounded like... Rainbow Dash!

BlueMoon threw the door open and rushed in as quickly as she could. Inside was a well-kept locker room. Blue lockers hung on either side of the room and there was a fresh scent in the air. The room was pristine and clean. In stark contrast, she found Rainbow Dash, who was sobbing on a sturdy wooden bench that sat in the middle of the room. Her body shivered, as if she was left out in the cold.

Upon hearing BlueMoon enter the room, Rainbow Dash hurriedly spun her head around to face her. Her lips quivered and her eyes were stained red from tears.

"N-No... I... I promise! I-I can do better!" Rainbow choked out.

BlueMoon's brows drew together as she looked on. "Rainbow, what's going on?"

As BlueMoon pressed closer, Rainbow continued to stare with unblinking eyes.

"I'll d-do anything! Please, I'm begging you! Spitfire!"

"Spitfire?" BlueMoon questioned.

As she continued to approach, she saw that Rainbow wasn't looking at her, but was instead looking past her into the hallway. BlueMoon spun around, expecting to see Spitfire waiting there, but saw nothing. Her feathers bristled with unease.

She slowly sat down on the bench next to Rainbow Dash, a look of concern growing on her face. Rainbow was still staring into the distance.

"I know I messed up, b-but I'll do better next time! No, no! W-Where are you going! Stop! Please!"

Rainbow began crying even harder than before, letting out an agonized moan. Her wings thrashed about, seemingly in a failed attempt to fly after whatever she was seeing. BlueMoon grabbed her by the shoulders and started to shake her back and forth.

"Rainbow! Spitfire isn't here! You're okay!"

As if all at once, Rainbow seemed to snap back to reality. She looked up slowly, hooves still trembling.

"BlueMoon? I... but... where's Spitfire?"

"She's outside," BlueMoon responded softly, "I think you just had a really bad daydream."

Rainbow hunched over and looked down at the floor beneath her hooves. Her throat was completely raw. "She said I... I was foolish to think that I could ever stand at the same level as the Wonderbolts. That I was worthless—no more than a burden on the team." Rainbow paused for a moment, "Maybe she's right..."

"Don't say that! It was just a dream! I'm sure Spitfire would never say something like that!"

BlueMoon looked out of a window that had a perfect view of the runway lying outside. She could see that the Wonderbolts had already started their training, flying laps around the mountain top.

"Come on," she sighed, "You look exhausted. I'll go let Spitfire know we're heading home."

Rainbow didn't reply, but instead, continued to stare at the ground. It was completely quiet. The only sound was the rise and fall of Rainbow's chest as her shaky breath resonated throughout the room.

BlueMoon felt a knot of dread grow in her stomach. She didn't want to admit it, but deep down she knew this had to be more than a bad dream. Something was horribly wrong.