I woke up the next day, quite happy and ready since Dash told me about some team comeptition at Rainbow Falls, looks like they were able to build a town up there after all, or has it always been there? I shrugged my shoulders and decided not to question the world's logics. After I had my breakfast and got myself dressed, I left my home and walked to the train station to see the others already there.

"Oh whoops...am I late?" I asked.

"Not really, the train doesn't leave for another five minutes." Twilight replied.

"Well what are we waiting for, let's get on!" Pinkie exclaimed as she showed off a cheerleader outfit.

"I'm not going to even ask where you got that from." I sighed.

"Oh I made it for her and a few others, dear." Rarity responded as she kissed me.

"Umm not in front of...oh, he's not here."

"Don't worry dude, Spike's busy looking after our pets again, now let's get going." Dash said.

We nodded and got on the train, we sat down on the sofas as the train started moving and we were on our way to Rainbow Falls. I had noticed that the big white buffed pegasi with tiny wings was among us with a few other pegasuses, I guess that's Bulk Biceps.

"Good luck, Rainbow Dash!" a cyan pegasi said to Dash, "Sorry we couldn't fly with you on the Aerial Relay, but the air sprinters needed us too."

"Too bad we can only compete in one event." a dark grey with cyan mane added, "But, rules are rules." he sighed.

"It was nice of you to be part of the team that doesn't have... uh... the strongest flyers." Twilight said.

"Nothing nice about it. I know that I can pick up the slack for anypony." Dash replied, "With me on the team, we'll qualify. I'm sure of it.

"Ponyville is very lucky to have you."

"Yeah, I'm pretty awesome."

"I am so proud to be representing Ponyville." Fluttershy said as she was trying to say since Bulk was taking up a lot of the sofa. "Oh, it's such an honour to even try out for the Games. I just hope I don't let anypony down."

"We'll make them proud!" Bulk yelled.

"'P' is for 'proud'! We're gonna be the best fans anypony has ever seen!" Pinkie cheered in her outfit.

"Ooh. Can't wait to see what everypony else is wearing, even though I am absolutely sure they won't be better than the Ponyville uniforms I'm designing for the Equestria Games." Rarity added.

"That's because they don't know that you get the passion to be amazing from me." I winked before I kissed her, causing Rarity to giggle.

"And we will make it to the Games once everypony carbo-loads on my apple brown bettys." Applejack said as she showed us a plate full of the stuff.

"I can't wait!" Pinkie exclaimed.

Soon, we arrived at Rainbow Falls and this was the second time I've been up here since I was part of the sisters camping trip a while back, and now, it looked like a well furnished village with a huge field area downhill. As we arrived into the station, we got off and made our way to the big field as I looked up to see the rainbow water coming from Cloudsdale. Rarity and I held hooves and shared a loving kiss...I swear, I never get tired of doing that.

When we got to the field, I saw several pegasuses, nearly all of them were the same ones I met back at the Ponyville pond when they were trying to get the water up to Cloudsdale and some of them back at the Wonderbolt Academy, speaking of which...

"Well if it isn't the coolest alicorn around!" I heard a voice say to me.

"I don't believe it!" I exclaimed, "Lightening...Dust?"

"Yeah, I'm still part of the academy and I'm learning to not only train to be a wonderbolt the right way, but I've made real great friends too....and it's all thanks to you after what you did for me since that tornado incident."

"Well I was just doing what I believed was right, you weren't a bad pegasi, you were just misguided and misunderstood."

"I admit I was and so was Spitfire when I went through my disciplinary training....but anyways, thank you, catch ya another time."

Dust flew off to another part of the field.

"I have to say dear, I am the luckiest unicorn to have you as my boyfriend." Rarity commented.

"I'm also lucky to have you as well, there's not enough words to describe how much I love you." I replied.

We shared a quick passionate kiss.

"Okay, simmer down ya love-birds." Applejack cheekily intervened. "We've gotta give our attention to supporting Rainbow's team."

Dash landed in the centre of the ground where a few pegasuses noticed.

"There's Rainbow Dash! She's an awesome flyer!" one said.

"I heard that she's flying the last third of the relay, which means everypony else is gonna have to be way ahead to beat her!" another added.

Just then, the Wonderbolts showed up swooped in on the scene.

"Oh, the Wonderbolts!"

"I hear they're flying for Cloudsdale."

"Then Cloudsdale will definitely qualify. They're the best flyers ever." a third one exclaimed.

The Wonderbolts landed on the ground in unison.

"And the game is on!" Spitfire declared.

"Hah, nice to see there's some real competition here!" Soarin added as he took off his goggles.

"Two more days of practice, then we'll see you in the air, Rainbow Dash! If you're lucky." Fleetfoot remarked as they trotted off.

I'm glad they didn't stop to bow at me, I've had enough unexpected encounters this week.

"The Wonderbolts know a winner when they see one, and we'll be winners just as soon as we practice! Right team?" Dash asked.

"Right." Fluttershy replied.

"YEAH!" Bulk added.

"Hooray!" Pinkie jumped as she blew a party hooter.

"And, um, I'm with her! Hooray!" Twilight also added.

We then heard cheering from another team.

"Give us some clouds! Give us some dale! And what do you get? Cloudsdale! Woo-hoo!"

"Where can I get pompoms like those?!" Pinkie gasped.

"So it's gonna be a team battle I see? Between us and the Wonderbolts?" I asked.

"Well mainly Rainbow, Fluttershy and Bulk." Twilight answered.

"Bond darling, mind if we visit the village of Rainbow Falls together?" Rarity asked as she grabbed my hoof.

"Anything for you, my love...I guess we'll be back later, folks." I replied as she and I left the field and walked uphill to the village.

As we held hooves and explored the village, several ponies who saw us stopped and bowed whilst we were walking by.

"Umm, it's okay everypony." I said to them, "I may be a Prince but I don't expect this to happen twenty four seven.  Just carry on with your businesses, don't mind me."

The other ponies blushed and went about thier own lives whilst I sighed.

"Are you alright dear? You don't have to be with me if you're finding this new role a little irritating." Rarity said.

"No it's okay, I've gotta get used to it whenever it happens and besides, I don't ever wanna leave you hanging and alone."

"Awww my darling."

She put her hooves around my neck and kissed me.

"I love it when you do that." I giggled.

She kissed me twice more.

"I better calm down now...it's just that I've never felt love like this before." Rarity sighed.

"Come on my love, let's just enjoy our time together, like a loving couple."

"Of course, dear."

I began to feel much better now as Rarity and I visited some of the stores, sharing our love with each other all the while. We were resting at the cafe just by the rainbow waterfall, reminding ourselves of the time we went up here with Applejack, Rainbow and the CMC's. Not to mention how much we enjoyed sleeping in the same bed in her luxury transforming camp tent.

Just then, we Twilight show up via flying towards us.

"There you are, Soarin had an accident!" she said, "He's over at the local hospital."

"I'll go and see him." I replied, "He'll probably want a stallion chat to cheer him up."

Twilight rolled her eyes but smiled.

"Okay darling, I'll see you later." Rarity said as we kissed. "Twilight will keep me company."

I then flew off and landed over to the hospital, when I got inside, I walked over to reception and began faking my stressfulness.

"Excuse me, Soarin in here? He's a friend of mine!" I exclaimed.

"Oh yes, he is stable, you may go on in. He's in room 107." The receptionist replied.

"Thanks..."

I then trotted down the hall way and snickered, that was a great faking from me, but still I was concerned about how hurt Soarin is. I then approach room 107 and there he was, with his right wing strapped up and it looked to be in bad shape.

"Hey there Soarin, how are you doing?" I asked as I walked towards him.

"Oh hi there Prince Bond, I feel much better now that you're here." Soarin answered a little quietly. "My wing is still badly hurt though."

"That's not good, how long will your wing be out?"

"The doc says up to three days and the contest is tomorrow, I'll be able to be let out tomorrow, but I won't be able to help my team win."

We then heard hooves coming down the hallway, Soarin quickly pulled the curtains over to cover himself...I was a little confused on why he did that, but I thought to not question it. I looked by the door and to my surprise, it was Rainbow Dash in a wheelchair along with the other mares.

"What in the world?!" I exclaimed. "What happened to you, Dash?"

"Major accident." she replied as she got lifted out of the wheelchair and onto an empty bed that was coincidently next to Soarin's but none of them knew about it.

"So, the medic pony isn't sure what's wrong with you." Twilight said who felt suspicious.

"Everything! Absolutely everything!"

"This'll cure everythin' that ails ya!" Applejack said as she crammed a muffin straight in her mouth.

"Thank you. I couldn't have done that on my own."

Twilight sighed.

"Nothing says 'get better' like a little medical pizazz!" Rarity said as she brought out a purple silk, "Silk slings and a glitter bandage?"

"That might help."

Rarity then wrapped the silk into a bow with her magic on one of Dash's bandages.

"And how is our patient doing?" Fluttershy asked as she walked in with Bulk who struggled to get in.

"I've been better."

Derpy then came along with a flag in her hoof, waving the Ponyville team logo, it's great to see her happy and get into the team spirit.

"We just wanted to let you know that we're so sorry you're hurt, but you shouldn't worry a bit about not being able to be in the tryouts. We'll be alright. We even have a replacement. We're so, so sorry that you can't compete. We all know how much you love to fly. And we promise-"

"Cross our hearts!" Bulk yelled, cutting her off.

"That if we qualify and make it to the Equestria Games and all win gold medals, you can have ours, because we know how much a gold medal means to you."

"Thanks..." Dash replied softly.

"I think Rainbow Dash might need to rest some more." Twilight advised, clearing her throat.

"I'll be back with you all shortly." I added.

The others nodded as Twilight, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Bulk, Applejack and Rarity who gave me a kiss left the room.

"Don't forget your bettys!" Applejack told her.

"You know, choosing not to choose isn't really a decision." Twilight added.

Soon, the coast was clear in a way leaving me, Dash and Soarin who was still behind his bed curtain, obviously listening to the conversation.

"Not choosing? Did something else happen today?" I asked Dash.

"Yeah, when Spitfire said that Soarin would be out for longer than a day, she and Fleetfoot wanted me to join thier team and replace him."

"Replace him? That's a little harsh."

"It was, but they seemed to feel awesome to have me on their team since I came from Cloudsdale."

"Well so do Fluttershy, Bulk and Derpy, but you don't see them cheering for the Wonderbolts."

"Yeah, that is true..."

We saw the bed curtains pulled to the side.

"You sure have nice friends." Soarin commented, "No pony's been by to visit me. Eh, too busy practising, I guess."

"Maybe those two just care about one thing and it's not friendship." I said.

"Well, hopefully your wing will be better soon." Dash said to Soarin.

"Oh, it's fine. I-I'm just keeping it warm in case my team wants me back."

"What do you mean, 'wants you back'? Spitfire and Fleetfoot told me that you were still too injured to fly!"

"And they told me that they were worried I wouldn't be one hundred percent by the tryouts, so they were going with somepony else!"

Oh, so Spitfire and Fleetfoot actually do care about him, I thought to myself.

"That somepony else was me! Until, uh, well, until I got hurt, that is."

"So, I guess we're all out of luck. Cloudsdale won't qualify without three fliers, and Ponyville won't qualify without you."

"Wait a minute, I don't think you are genuinely injured, Rainbow..." I said, beginning to feel suspicious, "Tell me the real reason."

"Okay, I'm sorry to be faking this but I was given a tough decision to make and I haven't made it yet, which was to join the Wonderbolts team or stay with team Ponyville."

"Well if you ask me, I would've stood by Ponyville, because that's where all my friends are. Sure there are a few exceptions of where my friends live, but at the end of the day, as long as you have the best friends, it shouldn't matter at all where they or you live."

"Wow...you're awesome at advice, man." Soarin complimented. "If only the others could've learnt that sooner."

"Well, I do my part to make Equestria better, no matter how easy or hard it is."

"You're right Bond..." Dash agreed, "...I should've remembered that and made my decision long ago and not faked my injuries."

"Good to know...now since it's already sunset. I'm not gonna tell the others about what we've talked about, but tomorrow, I hope to see you on the field ready with your decision Dash. Soarin, I hope you'll be there for everypony too...don't ask me why, but seeing you both in one room, I have a great feeling...goodnight."

I then winked as I left the hospital room, hoping they will be there with the rest of us tomorrow.

----------------------------------

When it was the next day, I was with the whole group and they were all feeling down.

"Even with Rainbow Dash's replacement, I don't think we're gonna qualify. No offense." Twilight said as she looked at our team.

"Gah! What am I gonna do with all these now?!" Pinkie exclaimed as she looked at her pile of pompoms.

"Uh, what were you gonna do with them before? Applejack asked.

Rarity sighed as I held her hoof, "Maybe my Equestria Games uniforms will still be in style next year. I mean, I am pretty fashion-forward."

Just then, we saw Rainbow Dash and Soarin approaching us and smiling. Dash was no longer in her fake injured appearance and neither was Soarin...I guess his wing healed up pretty quicker than I thought.

"Is that Rainbow Dash...walking?" Twilight asked.

Spitfire and Fleetfoot noticed as they turned up.

"Does...this mean you're feeling better?" Fleetfoot asked.

"I-I feel great, because...I was never hurt in the first place." Dash replied.

Everypony gasped, except me and Soarin who already knew the reason.

"I faked my injury so that I wouldn't have to choose between flying for Ponyville or Cloudsdale. I wanted to fly with you both, and the decision was too hard!"

"Oh, Rainbow Dash, you don't have to choose us. I know you love to win, and you should go with the team that surely will." Fluttershy said.

"I know now who I should've been loyal to."

"Good choice. Always stick with the winners." Spitfire responded.

"Ponyville. Because it's not just where I live, but it's where my friends are. The ponies who really care about me, whether I can help them win a race or not."

"Way to jump the gun, Spitfire." I remarked playfully.

Our group cheered with one huge yeah from Bulk.

"Are you sure that's the right decision?" Spitfire asked.

"You lied to me about Soarin's wing just so you could get a better flyer!" Dash exclaimed as Soarin crossed his forelegs and lookign displeased, "You may be a winning team, but you're still not the kind of team I wanna be a part of."

"Huh. Rainbow Dash, you are something. Saw it at the Academy, seeing it again here. We could learn a lot from a competitor like you."

"Yeah and a lot about friendship while you're at it." I muttered.

"Think we already have." Fleetfoot replied.

"Ready to fly?" Spitfire asked.

"Really?" Soarin gasped.

"Never should've lied and tried to replace you to begin with."

"Go, Cloudsdale!"

Soarin then flew up in happiness as the other two joined him, whilst Dash turned to our team.

"Come on, Ponyville relay team! We've got a race to get ready for!"

"YEAH!" Bulk yelled.

Soon, the relay race started and the Wonderbolts went first with Fleetfoot finishing the team's race.

"Come on, Ponyville! You can do it!" Soarin shouted.

Good move Soarin, I have a great feeling about you and Dash when this is over, I thought. It was now Ponyville's turn, and our team started with Bulk passing through the hoops and passing on the horse shoe to Fluttershy who picked up the pace.

"Go, Fluttershy! Woo-hoo!" Twilight cheered.

I was very proud to see Fluttershy no longer afraid of flying and being apart of a team. She was able to finish her part of the race and passed the horseshoe to Dash who immediately zoomed away and up to hoops among the clouds.

"Woo-hoo! Go, Rainbow Dash!" Pinkie cheered with her pompoms.

Dash then whooshed through the finish line and according to the pony who had a stopwatch, Ponyville beat Cloudsdale by one second....how tight is that!

"Ponyville Qualifies!" he declared.

We all cheered whilst I gave Rarity a surprise kiss. Dash, Fluttershy and Bulk got into a group hug before they flew down by us and we joined in the group hug. Even the Wonderbolts were cheering, even though they lost by a second.

Sometime later, all the teams were on grouped podiums and they all received medals. Team Ponyville of course were earned the gold medals and Bulk, Fluttershy and Dash all wore them with pride as we cheered on. Spitfire then came by and took a wonderbolt badge off her racing outfit and gave it to Dash on her medal.

"YEAH!" Bulk yelled.

I then saw Soarin approaching us and he whispered something to Dash which got her blinking and blushing...I wonder why. Then the Wonderbolts team whooshed up and left. The seven of us, Bulk and Derpy got into a group photo to save as a memory.

"Equestria Games, here we come!" Twilight exclaimed in excitement.

"Aw heck yeah!" I agreed before we posed and had a photo taken.

After the competition was over, we knew it was time to go home and for Dash to write something about this in our group diary. It sure was fun being at Rainbow Falls with it's own village and playing field, but Ponyville is my real and true home, with whatever I could ask for.

We left Rainbow Falls by train and all the way back to Ponyville where Spike was waiting for us. Eventually, we had to tell him about the great news and by late afternoon, Twilight and Pinkie were playing tag whilst I was inside the library home with Dash who was writing about what she learnt down on the diary.

"Oh, I can't deny it. I love to win! But if I ever gotta choose between winning and being loyal to my friends, I'm always gonna choose my friends. 'Cause as much as I love winning, I love them waaaaay more." she wrote before finishing and taking off her medal and joining in the fun outside.

Fluttershy then turned up with a letter as I joined them.

"Hey there all, I just got a chance to meet the breezies in a far land through this letter, so I'm going to be away from tomorrow." she said in excitement.

"That sounds like a real treat for you." Twilight replied, "I'm sure you'll have fun and of course, we'll take care of your animals while you're away."

"Of course...thank you, I'll see you all tomorrow."

We all then exchanged our farewells and agreed to have time to ourselves for the rest of the day. I was in my home shortly afterwards when I heard a knock on the door. I opened it to see Rainbow Dash...and Soarin!

"Oh hi you two, what's all this?" I asked.

"Don't tell anypony else but...we've decided to hang out with each other for now and see where it goes." Dash replied.

"Yeah, I have to admit. The way she showed how much friendship means to her and what it's like to have the love and support, I wanted to learn as well." Soarin added, "And to me, she is quite a cutie."

"Soarin...shut up." she replied giggling.

"Well I think you two are an awesome match and I wish you both the best of luck." I said with a smile.

"Thanks man, you're more than a Prince from where I see it..." Soarin said, "...you're a cool friend."

"Thanks Soarin...see you both soon."

I then smiled and closed the door and started cooking up my dinner before sunset. As I had the rest of the day to myself, I recapped on yesterday and today. I am incredibly happy to see Ponyville becoming more of the talk of Equestria, first the CMC's chosen to be the opening ceremony and now Team Ponyville will be present at the Equestria Games.

It's going to be one amazing day at the Olympic event for sure and as for Dash and Soarin, I have a huge amount of hope that they'll be able to find out what love means and if they could be more than just friends in the future... Next Chapter: Three's A Crowd Estimated time remaining: 10 Hours, 19 Minutes