The train ride was exciting. The ponies of Ponyville where headed to Rainbow Falls for their tryouts for the aerial race in the Equestria Games. Twilight was joining them at the behest of Sunset Shimmer. Luckily, Rarity also supported her coming. Helia and Thunderlane suddenly approached.

"Good luck Rainbow Dash. Sorry we couldn't fly with you in the aerial relay. But, the air sprinters needed us too." said Helia.

"Too bad we can only compete in one event." sighed Thunderlane, "But, rules are rules."

The two pegasi then walked off.

"Good luck!" called Twilight.

The two gave Twilight dirty looks are they left.

"Rainbow, it's nice of you to be on the team without the...strongest fliers." said Sunset.

"Nothing nice about it! I know I can pick up the slack for anypony We me on the team, I know we'll qualify." said Rainbow cocky.

"No offense, but why are Fluttershy and Bulk your partners?" asked Sunset, "They're not the best fliers."

"It's fine." replied Fluttershy.

"Every other pegasus is busy with other events." answered Rainbow.

"We where the only two who could do it!" declared Bulk.

"Except for Derpy, but she isn't participating." added Fluttershy.

"That makes sense." mused Twilight.

"That is important to know." said Sunset, "Why wouldn't we be told that vital information?" asked Sunset.

Rainbow looked outside the train window.

"Ponyville is pretty lucky to have you." said Sunset.

"Yeah. I'm pretty awesome." replied Rainbow.

"Don't let your head get too big." warned Twilight.

"I didn't ask for your opinion." spat Rainbow.

"I am so proud to be representing Ponyville." said Fluttershy.

Fluttershy was being squished by Bulk Biceps.

"It's such an honor to tryout for the games. I just hope I don't let anypony down." said Fluttershy.

"We'll make them all proud!" declared Bulk.

The rest of the groups made their appearances known. The train went by peacefully until it reached Rainbow Falls. The ponies left the train and saw the large group of beings there. Of course, Twilight saw every set of eyes on her and heard all of the whispers.

"It's okay." whispered Sunset.

Twilight nodded appreciative.

"I'm surprised the Crystal Empire is still hosting the games after what happened." admitted Twilight.

"Apparently it's a sign of unity and recovery after everything that happened." said Sunset.

Twilight hung her head sadly.

"Oh look! Griffons!" noted Sunset.

Suddenly, the Wonderbolts arrived and complimented Rainbow who bragged. Rainbow declared they would be winners too and the others agreed.

"Think this will go well?" asked Twilight worried.

"Not sure." answered Sunset.

The ponies began their training. Rainbow did fine, but Bulk Biceps and Fluttershy struggled. Rainbow did her best to remain patient. However, Rainbow became more impatient every time they made a mistake. Sunset Shimmer and Twilight Sparkle both noticed this. Rarity took their horseshoe to replace with that was color coordinated. Rainbow noticed the Wonderbolts had a golden horseshoe as she landed.

"Apparently some ponies do." sighed Rainbow.

"Some ponies do what?" asked Sunset.

"Have a better chance of qualifying for the games than others." answered Rainbow sadly.

Rainbow sadly left.

"I'm worried." noted Twilight.

"She does seem done." agreed Sunset.

"I hate seeing her like this." stated Twilight.

"I'm worried her competitive side will get the better of her." said Sunset.

Sunset rubbed her chin.

"Maybe you can talk to her." suggested Sunset.

"She hates me. Even if I tried, she wouldn't listen." said Twilight sadly.

Rainbow continued being frustrated with the mistakes her teammates made. Hoping to change this, she dragged Fluttershy and Bulk Biceps to watch the Wonderbolts. Rainbow noted they where her idols and hoped the others would improve. However, it would instead end with Soarin injuring his wing. Rainbow saved Soarin who was taken away. Rainbow then turned to the other Wonderbolts.

"Tough break to lose a teammate right before the tryouts." said Rainbow.

Spitfire and Fleetfoot shared a glance.

"You know, you grew up in Cloudsdale." noted Fleetfoot.

"That means you could fly with us." added Spitfire.

"Fly?" asked Rainbow confused.

"We mean practice. You can practice with us until Soarin is better." replied Fleetfoot.

"What do you say? Wanna be our third?" asked Spitfire.

"I don't know. My team really needs me to qualify." noted Rainbow.

Rainbow looked the ponies from Ponyville.

"Don't wanna be to tuckered out by the time the race comes around." said Rainbow.

"We put you through some pretty intense workouts at the Wonderbolts Academy and you where fine." noted Spitfire.

"I did kick some serious tail!" declared Rainbow.

Rainbow thought for a moment.

"But I don't know how my friends would feel about me training with the competition." mused Rainbow unsure.

"Who says the need to know?" asked Fleetfoot.

Fleetfoot threw her leg around Rainbow and showed her the finishing line.

"This is your chance to fly with the winners." stated Fleetfoot.

Rainbow looked back between the finish line and her teammates.

"Okay. I'll do it." agreed Rainbow.

"Wise decision Rainbow Dash." said Spitfire.

The two Wonderbolts left as Sunset approached.

"What was that about?" asked Sunset.

Rainbow quickly scrambled for an answer.

"I was just asking how Soarin was." answered Rainbow nervously.

Sunset raised her eyebrow.

"He was just hurt." noted Sunset.

Rainbow muttered to herself

"Yeah. But, I wasn't sure if he could compete." said Rainbow.

"Well, he hasn't seen a doctor yet." said Sunset.

"You see...I...was..." stammered Rainbow.

"Rainbow, did they ask you to join them and did you say yes?" asked Sunset frankly.

"Of course not. I'm the Element of Loyalty." answered Rainbow.

Thus, Rainbow began to go back and forth between teams. The Ponyville teams continued to struggle while the Cloudsdale team did wonderful. Rainbow got to hang with her idols and was pampered like a star with the Cloudsdale team. However, this did not escape Sunset Shimmer and Twilight Sparkle. Rainbow stopped by a pond, stripped out of her Cloudsdale uniform and took a drink of water when Sunset approached. Twilight was behind her.

"Must be hard practicing with two teams." began Sunset.

"You know." said Rainbow horrified.

The cyan pegasus became worried.

"Does anypony else?" asked Rainbow.

"They're too busy practicing to notice you're ditching them." answered Sunset flatly.

"Well I've seen the other teams practicing and we're still gonna qualify!" declared Rainbow.

Rainbow Dash shot up into the sky.

"I can fly fast enough to make up the distance!" declared Rainbow.

"Rainbow, I am not mad." stated Sunset.

"You aren't." replied Rainbow confused.

"No, but I am disappointed in you." explained Sunset.

"It seems like on of the teams you're practicing with needs a little more help then the other." noted Twilight.

"Shut it!" snapped Rainbow.

"Twilight is right and don't talk to her like that." said Sunset firmly.

"Look, it's more fun to practice with the winners instead of the...non-winners." said Rainbow.

"Rainbow! Can we talk to you for a moment!" called Spitfire.

Rainbow flew over to the Wonderbolts.

"You can be real asset to us so we want you to join the Cloudsdale team...permanently." revealed Fleetfoot.

Rainbow gasped in surprise.

"It looks like Soarin's wing won't heal in time for the trials. We want you to fly with us." said Spitfire.

"Of course, this means your won't be able to fly with Ponyville." added Fleetfoot.

"Dammit Rainbow." whispered Twilight.

"But let's face it, even with you on their team there's little chance they'll qualify." stated Fleetfoot.

"So, what's it gonna be?" asked Spitfire.

"Well...I..." stammered Rainbow.

"Take some time to think about it." offered Spitfire.

The two Wonderbolts departed.

"If you fly for Cloudsdale, Pinkie Pie will have nopony to cheer for. Rarity's uniforms will never be seen. And Applejack will have slaved over those apple brown bettys for nothing." noted Sunset.

"How about the fact she's ditching her commitment and screwing over Ponyville." thought Twilight.

"But I really want to fly with the best team!" exclaimed Rainbow.

Rainbow got up and flew toward the unicorns.

"What would you do?" asked Rainbow.

"Tell the Wonderbolts off and fly for Ponyville. Miss Element of Loyalty." thought Twilight annoyed.

"You need to figure this out on your own. Since the race is tomorrow you better figure it out soon." answered Sunset.

The two unicorns left while Rainbow sat sadly. The next day came and it was time for the moment of truth. They arrived at the field noting they didn't see Rainbow with Fluttershy and Bulk. They where relieved not to see her with Spitfire and Fleetfoot either. However, they heard load moaning. Rainbow came over in a wheelchair while moaning in an over dramatic fashion.

"You've got to be shitting me." sighed Sunset.

"I've hurt my hoof." moaned Rainbow.

"All of them?" asked Spitfire surprised.

"I tripped on a...foam hoof and landed on...a..." began Rainbow trailing off.

"If I get my hooves on this (incoherent) it'll be in big trouble!" declared Pinkie.

"There is no way I can fly now." said Rainbow.

"Do you think you'll be better by tryouts?" asked Fluttershy.

"I'll be lucky if I ever fly again!" cried Rainbow.

"Rarity, eat your heart out." thought Twilight.

"I just need a little rest." said Rainbow.

"Don't worry Rainbow, we'll care of you. Or a medic. Or a doctor. Or a nurse." replied Fluttershy.

Fluttershy wheeled Rainbow to the medical area. Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie followed concerned. Bulk went looking for a replacement. Twilight and Sunset followed Rainbow with neither believing the others where falling for this. Rainbow was placed into a bed and hooked up to a monitor. Fluttershy went to find Bulk leaving the others there.

"So the medic isn't sure what's wrong with you." noted Sunset.

"Everything! Absolutely everything!" declared Rainbow.

"This'll cure everything that ails ya." said Applejack.

The farmer shoved an apple brown betty into Rainbow's mouth.

"Thank you. I couldn't have done that on my own." said Rainbow, mouth full.

Sunset sighed while Twilight could feel her frustration boiling.

"Nothing says get better than a little fashion pizzazz." said Rarity.

Rarity used her magic to open her saddlebag and pulled out a piece of cloth.

"Silk slings and a glitter bandage." said Rarity.

"That might help." replied Rainbow.

Rarity used her magic to tie a bow on Rainbow's leg while Twilight felt her frustration grew more and more.

"Twilight..." began Sunset.

Before she could continue, the door opened.

"And how is our patient doing?" asked Fluttershy.

"I've been better." answered Rainbow weakly.

"We just wanted you to know we're so sorry you're hurt. But, you should worry a bit about not being in the tryouts. We'll be all right. We even have a replacement." said Fluttershy.

Derpy popped in and waved a Ponyville flag.

"We're so so sorry you can't compete." continued Fluttershy, "We all know how much you love to fly. And we promise..."

"Cross our hearts!" exclaimed Bulk.

"That if we all qualify and go to the Equestria Games and win gold medals, you can have ours. We know much much a gold medal means to you." concluded Fluttershy.

"Thanks." said Rainbow amazed.

"Okay! Fuck it!" cried Twilight.

"What do you want?" asked Rainbow bitterly.

Twilight stomped over to Rainbow.

"Rainbow isn't hurt! She's faking this shit! After Soarin got hurt, Spitfire and Fleetfoot convinced Rainbow to train with them and now they want her to fly with them! She faked these injuries to to avoid making a choice!" exclaimed Twilight.

"It's true." confirmed Sunset.

"Excuse me." said a masculine voice.

"I know that voice." realized Sunset.

Sunset used her magic to pull the curtain aside revealing Soarin.

"Is what you said true?" asked Soarin surprised.

"I'm afraid so." answered Sunset.

"I was wondering why nopony visited me. I just thought they where busy practicing." admitted Soarin.

"Well, it wouldn't have mattered since your wing is hurt." sighed Sunset.

"Actually, my wing is fine. Spitfire and Fleetfoot said they didn't want me to push myself and re-injury my wing." revealed Soarin.

"Rainbow, you do remember when we first me?" asked Twilight frankly.

"I told you how much I wanted to join the Wonderbolts." answered Twilight.

"Do you remember when you where asked by the "Shadowbolts" to to ditch us and join them?" asked Twilight.

"I turned them down to help you guys." answered Rainbow.

Rainbow wince a bit.

"I get what you're saying." admitted Rainbow.

You're supposed to be the freaking Element of Loyalty! Act like it!" snapped Twilight.

Suddenly, a rainbow light came into the room and stopped on Derpy's flag.

"I know what I have to do." said Rainbow.

Rainbow hopped out of bed. She, the group from Ponyville and Soarin left the hospital. The group headed outside and began looking for the remaining Wonderbolts. They spotted Spitfire and Fleetfoot then marched over to them.

"So, does mean you're feeling better?" asked Fleetfoot hopefully.

"I am fine because I fake my injuries." answered Rainbow.

Rainbow shook off her bandages.

"I faked my injuries to avoid having to choose between Ponyville and Cloudsdale. However, my friends made me realize how much of a fucking idiot I've been." explained Rainbow.

Spitfire and Fleetfoot shared a worried glance.

"I'm sticking with Ponyville!" declared Rainbow.

While Rainbow's friends hugged her, Soarin' marched over to the too.

"Just because I got hurt you tried to replace me." said Soarin hurt.

"Well..." began Spitfire.

"Some teammates you are!" cried Soarin angrily.

"I don't get it. Neither of you ever acted like such assholes before." noted Twilight.

Maybe we let our competitive side get the best of us." confessed Fleetfoot.

"Soarin'..." began Spitfire.

"Save it!" spat Sorain.

Spitfire was taken aback.

"I'll still fly with for you, but for Cloudsdale." said Soarin.

"We sorry." said Spitfire meekly.

"How can we make it up to you?" asked Fleetfoot.

"Don't try this shit again. After time, I might forgive you. However, try this again that's it." answered Soarin bluntly.

The qualifying began. The Wonderbolts easily qualified representing Cloudsdale. Ponyville was next and all eyes where watching them with baited breath. Despite a little fumbling, they managed to qualify for the Equestria Games. After receiving her medal for qualifying, Rainbow for a Wonderbolts pin fro Spitfire. Once the returned to Ponyville, Rainbow wrote what she learned in the journal then pulled Twilight aside.

"Twilight, I want to thank you." said Rainbow.

"For what?" asked Twilight.

"Making me realize how much of a prick I was being." answered Rainbow.

"Well...I probably could have done it less angrily." replied Twilight.

"I needed the harsh truth." said Rainbow.

"Glad I could help." said Twilight.

"I'm also sorry for the way I've been treating you." said Rainbow regretfully.

"I understand." said Twilight forgiving.

"So...can we start over?" asked Rainbow.

"I'd love that." answered Twilight.

Author's Notes:

A/N: That is where we'll end this chapter. With how shit "Rainbow Falls" was, I was not looking forward to this chapter, but I think I did a good job. The time off I've taken has worked and I am now back to weekly updates. Next time, Cadence comes to Ponyville. Also, Discord pops in. Please review.