Chapter 2: The Challenge

Challenging a Wonderbolt wasn’t unheard of, but most ponies knew better than to do so. The last challenge had been over a year ago, and some poor fool had the audacity of challenging Spitfire. Spitfire had never held it against the guy, nor had any of the other Wonderbolts, they understood what it was like; the media however, had torn the poor guy to shreds, he was a hotheaded pegasus, but after the race he hadn’t dared to show his face in public.

Even if Rainbow Dash was faster than some of the Wonderbolts she hadn’t dared tried to challenge one, at least until now. I could beat this guy any day. Still she had valued the Wonderbolts’ judgment and if he was good enough for Spitfire, he deserved some respect; she had been a Wonderbolts elitist (if I haven’t got in yet, who else could?) but this wasn’t a personal vendetta, to Rainbow beating this new guy was the fastest route to the Wonderbolts. She was sure that if she showed him up, that Spitfire would gladly add her to the team.

Rainbow was still surrounded by reporter ponies and found herself being pushed to the back as they swarmed in on this new scoop. She tried to fight it, but found there astounding size and great numbers a difficult barrier. It wasn’t long before she was eventually pushed out of the small building. Normally there wouldn’t be this much reporters, but it is rare the Wonderbolts announce any new members, especially this early in the season.

So early in the season…. the gears clicked in her mind, if they had announced him this early that could only mean he is performing in the upcoming air show. It was unusual that they would gain a new member without any tryouts, but it was nearly inconceivable to have him perform at the first air show. This show was the forecast of the season and only premiered the top-ranking Wonderbolts. Some of the Wonderbolts had been on the team for years and still were not able to perform at the first show. They must really have some confidence in him. Rainbow quickly shrugged any doubts she had that he might have been faster than her and decided to leave after one last futile attempt to shove herself into the crowd.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Twilight had just finished her re-shelving chores. “That’s all of them spi-” but before she could finish a blur from the corner of her eye tackled her. Twilight took a moment to regain her breath before seeing an excited Rainbow Dash standing above her.

“Hey Rain... Bow,” Twilight struggled, finally getting up, “what brings you here?”

“Twilight I need your help writing a letter.”

Twilight had given her a confused look, Rainbow had seemed intent on sending this letter, which was unusual. Although Rainbow had developed a new interest in reading, writing was a different story. She was an up-close-and-personal pony, unless it had been to the princess, Rainbow had always communicated in person. “And to whom is this letter to?”

Rainbow explained the situation, but Twilight had a hard time keeping up. “So you want to do what exactly?” Twilight asked hoping that Rainbow would slow down. Rainbow, finally realizing that her friend was having a hard time, decided to just get to the point, “I need you to send a challenge to the Wonderbolts for me, I can’t make it sound as form… for… fancy as you could.”

“No problem, so which Wonderbolt are you challenging?” At this question, Rainbow’s mind drew a blank, she hadn’t remembered hearing the name, either she wasn’t paying attention or they had pushed her out before she could hear. “Uhhhhhhh…  I’m not exactly sure, just call him the rookie,” she thought that he might take offense to this name, but she figured that it would only encourage him more to respond.

After reviewing the letter a few times, both ponies were content with it. Twilight called Spike into the room to send off the letter. Rainbow could hardly wait for a reply. The anticipation was eating away at her. He had to accept my challenge, any REAL Wonderbolt wouldn’t back down.

It didn’t take long for them to reply. As soon as Spike had gotten the letter, Rainbow snatched it away from his hands. A smile came across her face. He accepted my challenge, Rainbow thought before actually opening the letter. When she did a frown came upon her face. The letter was from the PR department, not the new Wonderbolt.

We would like to take your request into consideration; we will be sending our “rookie” a copy of the letter and wait for a reply from him. We wish you the best of luck if he does accept your challenge.

The rest of the letter was filled with some official business that Rainbow hadn’t taken the time to read. At least it wasn't a no. She had hated the idea of waiting longer, but she didn’t expect to wait too long.

“Maybe you should sleep and check in the morning,” Twilight interrupted. Rainbow hadn’t noticed before, but it was already getting late. The sun had gone done a while ago and was replaced by the beautiful night sky.  Rainbow had insisted that she waited just a little longer, but after Spike began to let out a yawn, which Rainbow mistook for an arriving letter, she decided against it. Perhaps she could stay up all night if she had too, but she felt it would be unfair for Spike to have to. Rainbow had thanked the helpful unicorn and dragon before departing for her cloud home in the sky.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Twilight had woken up and gone through her morning routine. It was not long before a certain cyan pegasus was at her door.

“Anything yet?” the excited mare asked before Twilight could finish opening the door.

“Sorry, Spike is still asleep, we won’t get anything until he wakes up.”

Rainbow gave Twilight a confusing look, she never bothered to understand how Spike was able to send or receive letters before, and now that she taught of it, it didn’t make sense. Twilight explained that if the letter was sent through the use of magic it would “be inside Spike” ready to be released when upon his choosing, the only exception to this was urgent mail, which was only really sent by the princess. After she explained this she shuddered at a past memory in which Spike could not control this when he was younger and she would wake up to see that Spike would burn the bed. Twilight caught on to Rainbow’s still puzzled look, “It’s magic, it doesn’t have to make too much sense,” she offered finally, so the pegasus would somewhat understand.

The two ponies were talking when Spike woke up. Although Rainbow had been calmed down by the relaxed conversation with Twilight, she immediately jumped at the sight of him. “Did you get anything?” Rainbow instantly asked. “Yeah, yeah” a slightly grumpy and tired Spike replied. “So….. where is it?” In response to that, Spike held up his finger signaling for her to wait. The dragon inhaled sharply allowing his cheeks to puff out more than physically possible. After a brief second, he exhaled forming a small mass of green smoke that transformed into a sealed letter.

With the same enthusiasm as before, Rainbow tore the seal to reveal the letter.

Dear Rainbow Dash,

We would like to inform you that your challenge has been accepted, however, due to the upcoming air show we would like to ask you to postpone any arrangements till afterwards. Our “rookie” as you so generously named him, would also like to apologize for not responding to you in person, but his schedule is busy due to the air show.

With Regards.

Wonderbolt PR

Rainbow was overjoyed, now she would have the chance to prove herself, but admittedly, she almost forgot the about the air show. Despite the fact that she would look forward to establishing herself as one of the Wonderbolts, she would take guilty pleasure in just admiring them at the air show. Rainbow relaxed herself, and started to day dream about the great pegasi.