After coming back from her little trip to Ponyville, Rainbow Dash decided to visit the only pony she knew, besides Twilight Sparkle, who always had the right answer to everything. The weekend was almost over and a confrontation with Spitfire was inevitable.

„It’s wonderful to see you, sweetheart. What brings you here?” Bronze Feather said.

“Do I need a reason to pay you a visit?” Rainbow Dash asked.

The brown mare suggestively raised her left eyebrow in response.

“I’ll try to come by more often.” Rainbow replied, a little ashamed of herself.

“So? What is it?” Bronze Feather asked, with her usual soft smile.

“I think I might have fallen in love…”

“That’s wonderful! And the problem is?”

“…with a mare.” She turned her head to avoid eye contact.

“You should take her with you next time. I’d love to meet her.”

“What kind of a reaction is this?” She looked at the brown mare again.

“Oh, right. That’s not how I've raised you! It’s against nature! How dare you come to me and-“ she snorted with laughter before she managed to finish the faux tirade. “I can’t do it, sorry. ”

“Is this really okay with you? Is this really okay at all?”

“I accept you for who you are.” Bronze Feather’s tone got serious when she saw first tears emerging from Rainbow’s eyes.

“What am I supposed to do? I’m scared.”

“Do whatever will make you happy.”

“But what will everypony think of me?”

“Does it matter? The true friends will stay by your side.”

“And the ones who don’t?”

“Good riddance, I’d say, but can you name even one pony who you think would turn away from you?”

Rainbow Dash took a while process what she heard.

“It really is that simple, isn’t it?” She sighed.

“Yes. Don’t overthink things, sweetheart.”

“Thank you, I needed to hear that.”

“I’m always happy to help. How’s your training going?” Bronze Feather changed the subject.

“All right, I guess. I’ve already got used to flying in a formation, still working on my stamina.”

“I can’t wait for your inauguration show.”

The conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Come in, please.” Bronze Feather said.

A dark-blue colt entered the office and jumped straight onto the old yellow couch. He hasn’t noticed that Bronze Feather wasn’t alone.

“Feeling under the weather today, Maelstrom?” Bronze Feather asked.

“Yeah…” He sighed.

“Hey there, little guy. Remember me?” Rainbow asked.

He raised his head and saw his idol standing in front of him.

“Rainbow Dash! What are you doing here?” He instantly cheered up.

“I came by to tell miss Bronze Feather that I’ll arrange some free tickets for you kids. You wouldn’t miss my first show ever, would you?” She improvised.

Maelstrom looked quizzically at Bronze Feather.

“Of course, we’ll be there.” She replied for him.

***

On Monday morning, Rainbow Dash casually entered the locker room. Spitfire was halfway through putting her training outfit on. Her face flushed when she saw the cyan mare.

“Hey.” Rainbow said.

Spitfire fell over as she tried to hastily leave the room. She quickly got up and disappeared.

“She’s been like this the whole weekend.” Fleetfoot said.

“Wow.” Rainbow replied.

“She cried her eyes out when you left. She’s serious about you, you know.”

“I was confused…”

“That’s what alcohol does to you. Try not to break her heart too badly.”

“Actually, I think I might give it a shot.”

“What?”

“I can’t deny it any longer. I’m a fillyfooler.  I, kind of, raped a stallion when I was away, just to be sure.”

“Now that’s a story I’d like to hear.” She chuckled.

***

Spitfire performed terribly that day and still hasn't spoken a single word to Rainbow Dash . After the training was over, she didn’t even have the time to take the suit off because Nighthawk immediately called her over to his office. He seemed angry.

“You were flying like a complete amateur today. Please explain yourself.” Nighthawk said.

“Dad…” Spitfire replied.

“What is it?”

“I did something really stupid.”

“Yes?”

“Actually, I think it’ll be better if I talk with mom about it.”

“As you wish. I’m concerned about you, as a father. But as a coach, I have to tell you to get your act together. You’re a professional. Your performance today was unacceptable, even if it was only training.”

“Yes sir, coach sir…” She said and left the office.

Rainbow Dash was waiting for her outside.

“Can’t run forever.” Rainbow said.

“I was drunk, I’m sorry.” Spitfire replied, feeling cornered.

“I’m not letting you off the hook that easy. Go take a shower, you reek. I’ll be waiting at the lounge.”

***

Rainbow Dash was chilling at the VIP lounge when Spitfire finally showed up.

“I was beginning to think that you chickened out.” Rainbow said.

“I almost did.” Spitfire replied.

“Sit down.”

“You could’ve just said it back at my dad’s office. Let’s get it over with.”

“Not so fast. Let’s do this properly. I want to hear it from you. Say it.”

“You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you?”

“Say it.”

“Is public humiliation your idea of fun? What the buck is wrong with you?”

“Say it!”

Spitfire took a deep breath.

“Rainbow Dash, I l-“

“That’s not something you should say on a first date.” Rainbow giggled after their muzzles parted.

“You little b-, I’m going to k-, Seriously-“

***

“Are you sure you’ll have enough steam to last for the whole show?” Nighthawk asked.

“I worked overtime on her endurance, dad. She can handle it, believe me.” Spitfire replied.

“It’s not the time for dirty jokes, Spitfire!” He reprimanded her.

“I think I can handle it, Nighthawk.” Rainbow Dash said.

The Cloudsdale Stadium was filled to the brim. Despite the cold weather, the crowd started boiling when the seven ponies appeared on the sky above them. The Wonderbolts started their show with a representative flyover, leaving a trail of smoke behind them.

The Equestria-renowned DJ Pon-3 was standing at the turntable. Music  began playing from the gigantic sound system. The spectators watched in awe as the perfectly synchronized formation performed all kinds of: normal rolls, barrel rolls, flip rolls, snap rolls, inside loops, outside loops,  half loops, dives and more. The Wonderbolts presented combinations of maneuvers, gradually increasing complexity. The best was still to come. After a carefully planned two hours, the real fun began.

The grand finale has started. In one swift motion, the formation reconfigured. Three stallions, led by Soarin’ were flying on the left side, Spitfire led the female trio on the right. Rainbow Dash raised above the highest cloud layer, disappearing from the audience’s sight. When they gained enough speed, the six remaining Wonderbolts executed all of their signature moves, one by one. Soarin’s Midnight Marauder was beautifully illuminated by Spitfire’s Inferno. The crowd let out a huge roar when they saw a rainbow-maned missile falling down. After the Sonic Rainboom ripped through the air, the performers got back into the standard formation, now led by Rainbow Dash. One flyover later, they landed.

“I… told… you… I… could… han-“ Rainbow fainted.

Ten minutes later, she regained consciousness. She was lying on a bench in the locker room, with a wet towel on her forehead.

“Wake up, sleepy head.” Spitfire said with affection, caressing her marefriend’s mane.

“How was it? Did I do good?” Rainbow asked as the post-performance anxiety set in for the first time in a while.

“Get yourself ready, honey. There’s a horde of fans waiting outside for us to show up, autographs and all. You don’t want to keep them waiting, do you?”