When she got to the Cloudsdale Sky Stadium, Rainbow Dash saw many familiar faces among the other participants. Just like her, they kept on pursuing their dream no matter what stood in their way. Fifteen Ponies were competing for the single spot on the team. The day of the Wonderbolts tryouts has arrived.

After several hours of watching other ponies perform, Rainbow Dash was looking confident. She haven’t had a crippling anxiety attack ever since the breakthrough.

“Number fifteen. Rainbow Dash. Please get ready for your audition.” A voice came out of the speakers.

The cyan pegasus was calmly stretching herself at the starting position. She saw Fluttershy, Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Spike sitting among the small crowd of friends and families of the contestants. She smiled as she waved at them, knowing that they would come even if she asked them not to. She flinched when she saw a brown pegasus mare, surrounded by a small group of foals, sitting not too far from her friends.

“You believe in me to the point of bringing the kids with you? Okay then, one Sonic Rainboom, coming right up!” She bolted from the starting platform when the starting buzzer sounded.

She left the concept of slowly building up the crowd’s anticipation someplace far away behind her. Seconds later, she was rising unbelievably fast, made a giant inside loop and dived straight in the direction of the crowd. She kept gaining more and more speed only to suddenly snap back to horizontal flight, fifty feet above the stands. Thirty seconds after she took off, a giant Sonic Rainboom flashed above the spectators, promptly followed by the sound of an explosion tearing through the air. The small crowd went wild as the multicolored ring was spreading above their heads. Their eyes followed a rainbow colored stripe draw beautiful shapes on the afternoon sky.

***

After exactly ten minutes of exhausting aerobatics, Rainbow Dash landed back on the starting platform. She slowly walked towards the jury table, breathing heavily.

“‘Umph’… enough… for… you?” she asked, panting.

“You really did let my words get to you, huh?” An older stallion laughed. “That’s exactly the kind of devotion I was expecting to see over here today.”

“There’s more… where that… came from…” she was still trying to catch her breath

“We’ll be announcing the winner in about fifteen minutes. I don’t want spoil the fun but don’t go anywhere.”

***

“By an unanimous decision, the seventh Wonderbolt has been chosen. Number fifteen, Rainbow Dash. Congratulations.” A small part of the crowd went absolutely mad after the announcement came out of the speakers.

“Welcome to the team, Wonderbolt.” Nighthawk shook Rainbow’s hoof, camera flashes went off all around them.

She stood there speechless.

“Now then, let me introduce you to your new captain.” The Stallion said.

“There’s no need for that, dad. Hey there, Rainbow Dash! I see you’ve finally made it, took you long enough.” A familiar voice came from behind.

Rainbow slowly turned around and saw Spitfire standing right in front of her.

“OhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygosh...” she couldn’t control herself.

“This again? We’re equals now. That means you’ll have to stop doing that. Welcome to the team.” Spitfire laughed. Another hoofshake was accompanied by cameras flashing.

“Thank you.” Rainbow Dash calmed down.

“Come and meet the rest of the guys at the VIP lounge when you’re done with the paperwork.” Spitfire was about to leave.

“Before you go, I’ve got about ten foals waiting for me at the stands and I really don’t want to go there empty hooved. Do you have posters or something I could give to them?”

“Got some fans already, I see. Sure thing. Wait here, I’ll be right back.”

Spitfire disappeared for a minute and came back holding a bunch of posters with the Wonderbolts logo printed on them.

“You should sign them, you’re a celebrity now.”

“Awesome! Thanks a lot.” Rainbow Dash immediately started signing the posters.

“You’re free to go for now, we’ll talk about details later. Meet me in my office in about an hour from now.” Nighthawk said.

***

Rainbow Dash was flying towards the stands, holding a bunch of rolled up posters. She heard her friends cheer loudly when they saw her. To their surprise, she flew right past them and landed next to a brown mare and a group of six foals.

“Huh?” Everypony, except for Fluttershy, was surprised.

“S-she’ll be right back, I promise. P-please don’t ask her about it, if you can. S-she doesn’t really like to talk about it.” Fluttershy stuttered after she felt the stares coming from each direction around her.

***

“So, did you like it, Bronze Feather?” Rainbow Dash asked as she was giving out the posters. “I’ve got one for you too, you can hang it in your office.”

“It was beautiful, sweetheart. Even better than what you’ve described to me over the years. I’m glad that you finally grasped it, I’m glad that I was finally able to see it with my own eyes.” Bronze Feather replied.

“And how about you, kids? Did you like it?” the cyan mare asked and got no reaction whatsoever.

“Don’t be shy, children. Rainbow Dash is one of you, think of her as an older sister.”

“That was so cool!” A young colt jumped into the air. “I’m going to be just like you when I grow up! I’m your your biggest fan ever!”

“Is that so?” She smiled and switched the poster she gave him a moment ago with one of the three that she had left.

“That one’s special.” She whispered into the colt’s ear.

“Great, two of them already, and I haven’t even signed the contract yet.” She let out a barely audible sigh.

***

Rainbow Dash landed near her friends. They were sitting quietly and just stared at her with intensity.

“The Wonderbolts are twenty percent cooler now!” She exclaimed, deciding to skip any explanations.

“Woohoo! You’re the best! Way to go!” the group cheered for her. Fluttershy felt relieved.

“I’ve even got some posters for you, squirts. All signed by yours truly.” She gave the three remaining posters to the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

“What about us? No posters for us?” Pinkie Pie asked, cheerful as always.

“Aren’t you too old for this?” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes.

“Of course not, you silly filly. Besides, you gave one to that lady over there and she’s way older than we are.”

“Ugh… Pinkie Pie!” Twilight Sparkle groaned.

“And that’s none of your business. Got it?” Rainbow Dash immediately snapped at the pink earth pony.

“Got it…” Pinkie Pie frowned in response.

“You can have mine, Pinkie.” Scootaloo gave her the poster. “I don’t want it.”

“Are you absolutely, positively sure that you don’t want it?” the frown was gone.

“Yes, I’m sure.” The cold voice continued.

“Thank you, Scootaloo! You guys know what that calls for? A Wonder Dash celebration paaartaaay!”

“You’ll have to start the party without me, Pinkie. I still have a business meeting to attend. I’ll meet you guys back at the Sugarcube Corner when I get back home. See you later.” She left the group, to avoid any more awkwardness.