The Friendship Express chugged along on the track, a beautiful spring day surrounding it. Aboard the train were the Ponyville pegasi eager to qualify for the Equestria Games. Rainbow Dash and Twilight were watching out the window as the hills rolled on by. Two pegasi stopped near them and began to speak.

“Good luck, Rainbow Dash! Sorry we couldn’t fly with you on the Aerial Relay, but the air sprinters needed us too,” said the pegasus mare named Helia.

“Too bad we can only compete in one event. *Sigh* But, rules are rules,” said Thunderlane. The two walked off to another car.

Twilight yelled after them, “Good Luck,” and turned to Rainbow. “It was nice of you to be a part of the team that doesn’t have… uh… the strongest flyers.”

“Nothing nice about it,” replied Rainbow. “I know that I can pick the slack for anypony. With me on the team, we’ll qualify. I’m sure of it.”

“Ponyville is very lucky to have you,” said Twilight.

“Yeah, I’m pretty awesome.” Fluttershy began to grunt and struggle. She was sitting next to the other pegasus on the team, an extremely muscular, white one with relatively tiny wings named Bulk Biceps. The problem being that he was much too large for the seat, so Fluttershy was forced against the wall of the train.

“I am proud to be representing Ponyville,” she said, still straining. “Oh, it’s such an honor to try out for the Games. I just hope I don’t let anypony down.”

“We’ll make them proud!” said Bulk in his loud, booming voice. This voice caused another passenger nearby to cringe and awaken, just slightly.

“Hey!” said DJ, still resting, “some us are still trying to sleep! Now quiet down!” With that he resumed his sleep. Twilight only smiled at her coltfriend. He had been up all night learning about their destination today, as well as the Equestria Games themselves.

As DJ fell back into his dreams, they were interrupted by his 'good friend’ Malice. So this is what you do in your free time? Read all night long and then sleep the day away on a train? Very original.

Oh, shut it and let me sleep. I wanna be awake enough to see Ponyville’s flyers in action.

Like I give a damn, remember. I just wanted to chat, it’s not like I can do much else.

Not my problem. These ponies are my friends and I am going to support them.

Malice looks into the distance for a moment. Looks more like they are supporting you, dipstick.

For once, Malice was speaking the truth. DJ came to, to find himself being dragged along the sky in Twilight’s magic. He was unamused. “Eh hem?”

Twilight turned around and smiled. “Oh, DJ, you’re awake. Good, we couldn’t waste the time for it so I just carried you off. Are you mad?”

“Nah, it’s not the worst way I’ve been woken up,” he replied with a dismissive wave. “Sorry if I was out of it. Malice wanted to talk.”

“About what?” asked Rainbow who was flying overhead.

“Nothing special, dude just gets lonely from time to time.”

Shut. The fuck. Up. DJ chuckled to himself and took in his surroundings. He was in awe of the place.

“Wow, there are rainbows everywhere! Screw Earth, this place just got so much cooler!”

Pinkie then jumped out of nowhere. “That’s right! And they’re super spicy!” She dipped her head in the rainbow lake and took a big gulp. Seconds later, a rainbow flame spewed from her mouth. Then Pinkie put a on a big, goofy grin. “Mmm mm. Yummy!”

DJ had a on an intrigued look on his face. He dipped a single finger in the mix and took a lick. And it was good! Really good! The burn wasn’t too much, but not very subtle either. He couldn’t place the flavor and he didn’t care. DJ materialized a cup into existence and filled with rainbows. Then downed it in a second, smiling at the taste. “Pinkie’s right, this stuff is delicious! It’s like heaven in a cup!” Nopony was paying any mind, however, as they were too focused on their mutual trainings. Then a scream ring out. DJ turned around and saw one of the pegasi from Cloudsdale falling from the sky. He was too far away to be of any help, but that didn’t stop Rainbow Dash who flew and saved the stallion before he hit the ground. DJ got over there in time to see that his right wing was bent at a strange angle. His teammates came over to their group.

“Awe-some,” said the robins-egg colored mare. I think that’s the Wonderbolt named Fleetfoot that Rainbow told me about.

“As good as any Wonderbolt,” added Spitfire.

Fluttershy was the next to speak up. “Oh, Rainbow Dash, I’m just so proud of you. You scooped Soarin’ out of the sky and brought him down to the ground and now, now he’s okay. At least, I hope he’s okay.” She turned her attention to the pegasus stallion. “Are you okay?”

“Uh, my wing hurts, but I-I’m sure it’ll be okay by the competition.” His teammates were shocked to see their friend out of commission. A siren then blasted into the air as a medical pony pulled up with a stretcher cart. Soarin’ slowly got on. “You’re the best Rainbow Dash,” he said as he was carted off to the hospital. DJ was just glad that nopony got hurt. Rainbow started to brag a little as they pulled off, so DJ tuned it out. It was then that the remaining Wonderbolts took notice of him.

“Woah! What are you supposed to be?” asked Spitfire.

Rainbow took on the introductions. “This is DJ. He’s a human and good friend of mine. Don’t worry, he’s pretty cool. Nowhere near as cool as me, but still cool.”

DJ rolled his eyes. “Gee, thanks for the compli-sult Rainbow.” He put his hand out towards the two mares. “Nice to meet you, Rainbow has told me a lot about you guys.”

They both shook his hand and gave him small smiles. “Any friend of Rainbow Dash is a friend of mine. So what brings you to Rainbow Falls?”

“Ah, just tagging along to see the qualifying rounds. Also, I’m tempted to go jump in one of those rainbow lakes. That stuff tastes awesome!” he said licking his lips.

“You actually can drink that stuff?!” exclaimed all three of them.

“Yeah, didn’t know that a few minutes ago, but I tried it and it was delicious. Also, I’m pretty sure Twilight wouldn’t let me stay behind. I gotta be here for my friends and there was no way in Tartarus was I gonna be left at home.” They gave him a confusing glance until Rainbow clarified.

“This big guy here is the special somepony to my friend Princess Twilight. They been getting really mushy lately, though,” she said slugging his shoulder lightly. Once again, DJ rolled his eyes at the pegasus, chuckling a little as well.

The two Wonderbolts gave him impressed nods. They shared a few more pleasantries before they needed to return to training. DJ walked off and hung around with Twilight, just watching the others. Twilight was beginning to look worried after a while, though.

“What’s up Twi? I think the team’s been doing great. A little off,” he took in the sight of Bulk bouncing one of Applejack’s treats between his two biceps, “but, we still got a lot going for us.”

“I know, it’s just that I keep seeing Rainbow Dash flying off every now and then. I don’t know what she’s up to, but we need every little bit that we can if Ponyville hopes to qualify.”

“Now that you mention it, I have been seeing the Wonderbolts flying around lately and I could have sworn one of them had a rainbow-colored mane and tail. You think Rainbow is taking some extra lessons or something? Ohp, speak of the devil.” They both saw Rainbow, dressed in Cloudsdale’s uniform flying near one of the regular ponds. She flew behind a tree and discarded the outfit. She looked exhausted as she took a big gulp from the pond…and spat it back out when Twilight surprised her.

“It’s not easy practicing for two teams, is it?”

“Does anypony else know?” was Dash’s first question

“No. They’re too busy practicing to notice that you keep disappearing.”

“It’s just so much more fun flying with the winners, than the…um… non-winners. Besides, Ponyville will still qualify. I can more than make up for it in the end!”

“Rainbow Dash,” called Spitfire who had appeared nearby with Fleetfoot. “You got a minute?” She said yes and flew over. DJ walked up beside Twilight.

“What do you think they’re talking about, DJ?” she asked.

“From the looks on their faces, I’m gonna guess that they’re offering Rainbow a spot on the Cloudsdale team. Which means she won’t be flying for Ponyville,” he replied with a grimace. “This is not gonna be pretty.” Rainbow flew back over to them a minute later, all giddy, confirming the human’s suspicion. Twilight tried to give her a few reasons to stick with Ponyville, but she just couldn’t decide. Twilight walked off after saying that this was a decision Rainbow Dash had to make on her own. Dash then looked to her human friend.

“What would you do, DJ?”

“I don’t know Dash, this up to you, not me.” His look softened a little. “Just remember, that no matter what, we will still be your friends.” He gave her wink and started to walk off. “I know that you’ll make the right decision Rainbow!” he called back to her.

Several hours later, a moaning sound came from the practice field. Everypony looked over and saw Rainbow Dash, covered in bandages and in a wheel chair. When DJ looked, he immediately face-palmed. Really? Girl, that is just sad! The group all took her to the hospital, DJ and Twilight the only ones who could tell she was faking the whole thing. After a few gifts from the girls, Fluttershy announced that they had a replacement. “Come on in!” she called out the door. And who would walk but a certain, loveable grey pegasus mare with a pair of offset eyes.

“Hey, Ditzy!” said DJ.

She waved her Equestria Games flag and smiled brightly. “Hey guys!” DJ smiled at the sight. Ah, Ditzy. You bring a smile to everyone’s face you do. It’s just not possible to hate her, ya know?

After all was said and done, they left the hospital room and returned to the training field. “Do you think she’ll make the right choice?” Twilight asked as they watched Ponyville’s team practice.

“I sure hope so, Twi. She’s never given up on us before, so I would like to think that not even her heroes would stop her now.” Twilight nodded and returned her gaze. Then he smiled as he saw the mare they were talking about marching down the trail towards the Cloudsdale booth, Soarin’ in tow. DJ and the rest caught up to her. Rainbow explained everything, from faking her injuries to practicing with the Wonderbolts. In the end, she decided to fly with Ponyville because they needed her more and they were her friends. The Wonderbolts respected her decision and apologized to Soarin’ for trying to replace him.

Later that day, DJ watched as the Cloudsdale team finished their lap, easily qualifying. Then it was Ponyville’s turn. Bulk Biceps was first, limbo-ing through the hoops due to his size and handed off the horseshoe to Fluttershy. She nearly dropped it, but caught it at the last moment and sped off, going as fast as her little wings could go. “Whoo Hoo! Go Fluttershy!” DJ looked over and saw that his marefriend was wearing the same cheerleading outfit Pinkie was, rainbow wig included. Twilight looked back at him and struck a pose. “How do you like my new look?”

DJ looked at her wearingly. Tell her she looks horrendous, because she does.

Malice? Shut the hell up.

“Honestly, Twi? Please never dress like this again. It really doesn’t work for you.”

Twilight giggled and admitted she was only doing it for team spirit. They looked back to the race to see Fluttershy handing the charm off to Rainbow Dash. The mare took off like a rocket, speeding through the course like it was nothing. With less than a second to spare, Rainbow passed the finish line, and Ponyville qualified for the Equestria Games! They took a group photo after the team received their medals, Dash getting a special one from the Wonderbolts as well.

They soon returned home to Ponyville and were celebrating their victory. DJ popped his head into the library to see Rainbow writing a new entry in her diary. “Hey! You coming Dash?” he asked.

“You know it!” She took off out the door, leaving him in the dust. DJ started to turn his head, when something caught his eye. He turned his attention to the Wonderbolt badge that Rainbow had left near her book. It suddenly flashed all a rainbow light that disappeared as suddenly as it appeared. Just like Rarity’s thread spool. The key of loyalty? Things are starting to get interesting again.

Yeah, yeah, blah, blah, blah. Figure it out later, not that it matters. Just stick to your training and everything will be just fine. And don’t forget to keep working on that potion of yours.

Yeah, yeah. Don’t get pushy. He returned to his friends, smiling and waving. The future is looking pretty exciting now!