Something us unicorns and earth ponies always forget is just how cold it is up here. Twilight looked on, surrounded by the magnificent cloud formations of the Cloudsdale coliseum, which was filled to the brim with hundreds of native pegasi. Beside her were her friends, all held aloft on these soft clouds by way of the spell she'd cast on them some time ago. Far ahead on the other side of the structure was a figure Twilight couldn't help but smile at. Princess Celestia herself, who, after waving to her adoring public, cast a glance over in Twilight's direction, giving her a smile and a nod. The young unicorn promptly returned it before noting, to her surprise, that Celestia was not alone. For there, sitting beside her elder sister, was Luna, who was also receiving many cheers of approval from the crowd. Twilight smiled at this sight. It's good to see Luna out and about like this. Having her interact more with the public must surely be doing wonders for her acclimation to the times. Sighing at this, Twilight looked upon her friends, or, to be more specific, Rarity. The alabaster unicorn was oblivious to Twilight's stares, and was instead focused on the games below. Had I not got my spell right, she'd have entered this herself. Now though, she gets to avoid danger, not to mention avoiding her unknowing increase to Rainbow's nerves.

However, it was after thinking that when Twilight looked down at the pegasi below, smiling as, at long last, she finally caught sight of her cyan friend. As expected, she was meekly getting out onto the starting point, her head darting about at all of the assembled ponies there to see her. It wasn't until Pinkie had let out a particularly loud scream of joy that Rainbow finally noticed them, with all of them waving to her in greeting. Rainbow seemed to smile, but even at this distance, Twilight could tell it was being forced. Don't worry, Rainbow. You can do this. I know you can. Just remember what you learned. Almost as if she'd been heard, Twilight saw Rainbow give a single nod in her direction before turning to take her place on the start point. There was now a hushed silence all around as the pegasi of the coliseum watched this new trainee prepare herself. Twilight, her friends and even the Princesses watched Rainbow carefully. And I thought my audition for Celestia's school was nerve-wracking, Twilight mused. There was a pause in Rainbow's movement, and she seemed to be taking a deep breath. But, when that was done, she finally unfurled he wings and began.

With an almighty thrust of her wings, Rainbow launched herself forward, causing much cheering from the crowds. With every movement Rainbow made, Twilight kept close watch. Okay, that's it! Keep your wings up slightly higher than normal! Make the tips almost meet when you flap down! From this distance, Twilight could see that Rainbow was following those lessons well, her speeds growing with every flap. Even her expression seemed to reflect this, showing more and more confidence as time moved on. Soon enough, the clouds came into view. Alright, Rainbow, remember to tilt your shoulders on approach, but not too late! Sure enough, Rainbow did exactly that, allowing for turns around the clouds that just barely missed them, almost by mere millimetres. This sharpness to her movements seemed to impress judges and audience alike, earning many an "ooh" and "ah" from them. As time passed, Twilight looked on as Rainbow flew past every obstacle, showing expert-level technique, much to her pride. I was worried the lessons wouldn't sink in, but look at her! Flying like the best there ever was! But then, the final stretch of the race began, and Rainbow, for her finishing move began to dart downwards.

All watched with massive gasps as the young pegasus flew down towards the ground, faster and faster. Borrowing a pair of binoculars from one of her friends, Twilight watched as Rainbow moved down below. Okay...yes! Furl your wings for extra streamlining! That's good, Rainbow. Keep it up! And keep it up she did, for as the ground approached her at increasing speeds, Twilight saw, to her amazement, that a multi-coloured, almost magical looking aura began to surround her friend. In moments, there was a massive bang sound, taking everypony aback when it occurred. But, when Twilight glanced down again, she smiled widely at what was down there. She did it! Sure enough, there it was, a ring of rainbow light spreading in every direction, just like the one she saw in foalhood. And as for Rainbow herself, she had full control of her flying at this point, soaring upwards to create a beautiful rainbow right over the coliseum, much to the awe of the ponies watching. As the crowds burst out into frantic applause, one usually-shy pegasus could be heard loudly over all of them.

"SHE DID IT!!! SHE DID THE SONIC RAINBOOM!!! WHOOO!!!"

Giggling at her friend's enthusiasm, Twilight turned to see Rainbow, finally slowing herself down and starting to approach the landing spot once again. Looking around, the rainbow-maned mare was blushing furiously, looking on as pony after pony began to fly or walk down to her, ready to congratulate her for her accomplishment. Twilight and the rest of their friends made their way down there also, looking on as their friend struggled to get past her new fans. Oh, what Scootaloo wouldn't have done to be a part of this, Twilight mused. Still, I'm sure Rainbow will be more than willing to let the little one know what happened here. Laughing to herself at that statement, Twilight approached Rainbow, watching as the fans began to disperse slightly. Rainbow, seeing her, walked towards her, smiling and placing a hoof upon her shoulder.

"Thanks, Twilight."

The young unicorn gave a single nod to that.

"You're my friend. That's what we do for one another."

Rainbow smiled even wider at that, but was then diverted from Twilight by the sound of somepony else clearing their throats. As the two turned, they looked on as Spitfire herself, leader of the Wonderbolts, stepped forward, looking at Rainbow with a very clear look of being impressed.

"That was some pretty fancy flying out there, kiddo. You've got real stuff."

Rainbow, desperately trying to stifle whatever fan-girl squeal she had from that statement, instead let out a nervous cough before nodding to the mare before her. Twilight rolled her eyes at this before seeing, to her surprise, that Rainbow instead walked over to her, placing a hoof upon her shoulder before turning back to Spitfire.

"The real props have got to go to my friend here. Twilight Sparkle. If it wasn't for her...I wouldn't be here today."

Taken aback by the praise her friend was heaping on her, Twilight blushed at that as Spitfire regarded her carefully. In time, she broke out into a smile of her own before nodding in a respectful manner towards Twilight.

"If that's true, then you're a good friend, Miss Twilight. Stick with her."

Twilight nodded at that, turning to Rainbow with joy in her expression. Seeing the appreciation Twilight was giving her, Rainbow smiled back, patting her on the shoulders as she did so. However, her attention was then diverted yet again to Spitfire, who, to Rainbow's joy, showed that she had, in her hooves, the very thing Rainbow had been wanting from this whole experience; The golden wreath of the best young flier. Rainbow, no longer able to contain herself, let out an excited squeak as Spitfire placed it upon her head. The fanfare wasn't over after that though, not by a long shot. For within moments, a brand new crowd had emerged from out of nowhere, lifting up Rainbow and carting her off to whatever party had been prepared in honour of the winner. As Rainbow squealed with happiness over this, Twilight watched as Applejack, Flutterhsy, Rarity and Pinkie all walked over to follow her. Now alone on those brilliantly white clouds, Twilight turned to see, as she expected, that Celestia was walking towards her, bearing an affectionate smile.

"It is good to see you again, my student."

Smiling back, Twilight gave a respectful bow to her mentor before rising up again.

"And you, Princess. I'm glad to see Luna was with you today. I hope she enjoyed the show."

Celestia nodded to that.

"Indeed she did. It's good to see her getting more used to this sort of thing. She was always such a recluse, even a thousand years ago. Seeing her be so comfortable around others now...I cannot tell you how happy I that makes me."

Twilight smiled at that. Me too, Princess. But, before she had a chance to speak up again, Twilight watched as Celestia looked over in Rainbow's direction, before speaking up herself in that usual motherly tone of hers.

"Rainbow's impressive technique...your doing, I assume?"

Twilight shook her head.

"It wasn't all me, despite what Rainbow said to Spitfire. From my future memories, I knew she had it in her the whole time. I just...nudged things along a little bit to help her realise it."

Celestia smiled at that, placing a hoof upon her student's shoulder.

"You will be a wise Princess one day, Twilight."

Hearing that that, Twilight seemed to be deep in thought for a few moments. But after that had passed, she looked up to her mentor with a soft and affectionate smile.

"You know...for the first time in all of this...I think I might actually be happy with that."

Author's Notes:

Okay, after a bit of thinking, I decided to finish this little bit after all.