takes place during S4 E10 (Rainbow Falls.)

“Rainbow Falls!” a voice announced.

Finally, they had arrived. Soarin, Spitfire, and Fleetfoot were at the tryouts for the Equestria Games, hoping to represent Cloudsdale in the aerial relay portion. Since they were Wonderbolts, they were sure to easily qualify, and Soarin thought it made the excitement for competition disappearing. However, he was happy to be a part of the games and glad to fly for his hometown.

“Ugh, finally! I thought we’d never get out of there,” Fleetfoot whined as they made their way to the Cloudsdale tent, currently being set up by a group of assistant ponies, while two cheerleaders were practicing their routine.

“Tell me about it,” Spitfire replied. “At least we’re here. You two ready to practice?”

“Not that we need it,” Fleetfoot added, giggling a little.

Spitfire chuckled. “True, but still. We need to be at our best. And while we’ll qualify, it doesn’t mean that the other teams are super slow.”

“Heh, yeah,” Soarin agreed. “Ponyville has Rainbow Dash, and Celestia is she fast!” The thought of Dash brought a smile to his face.

“Exactly,” their captain replied as they reached the tent and waved hello to the ponies that were setting it up. “Okay, you two, drink some water, go the bathroom, meet me here in two minutes to start stretching. Got it?”

“Yes ma’am,” they replied and made their way to the water station.

As he and Fleetfoot walked, Soarin noticed the Ponyville crew talking, including Princess Twilight and Rainbow Dash. As well as Fluttershy and Bulk Biceps, a large stallion with very tiny wings. Soarin winced at the team, hoping inwardly that they would qualify. They would need the luck.

He gulped down the water greedily, and he and Fleetfoot flew back over to Spitfire, who was stretching her legs.
“Come on you two,” she said without looking at them.

They complied, settling on the ground and copying her movements. They moved onto their forehooves and then cracked the kinks out of their neck and back, and finally, spent a good seven minutes stretching their wings.

“Alright, let’s start off with a simple race, shall we?” Spitfire asked.

“Sure,” Soarin replied. He knew he would lose. Fleetfoot was the fastest on the team and Spitfire was close behind her, and although Soarin was in no way slow, he had no chance of beating them. They flew to a large cloud and settled on it, bending their legs forward.

“On your mark,” Spitfire said. Soarin narrowed his eyes, waiting for her command. “Get set... “ Fleetfoot did the same. “Go!” she shouted.

The three shot from their place at lightning speed and flew straight through the air, the wind flying through his mane. It was moments like these where Soarin really felt his passion for flying. He was merely a hair behind Fleetfoot, tied with Spitfire, when the captain tilted her chin towards the ground, and he looked down, and saw Rainbow Dash and her friends talking and flying. Soarin nodded and slowed down slightly before all of them flew quickly towards the ground and stopped in front of Rainbow.

“And the game is on,” Spitfire said, smiling.

Soarin smirked and pulled up his goggles, looking straight at Rainbow. “Huh, nice to see there’s some real competition here.”

Fleetfoot stepped forward and put a hoof on Dash’s shoulder. “Two more days of practice then we’ll see you in the air, Rainbow Dash.” She trotted away. “If you’re lucky.”

Spitfire and Soarin trotted after her, going back to practicing.

A while later, Spitfire was getting a massage after they were finished going over some basic drills and wing ups.
Fleetfoot was watching Soarin as he curved, flipped, and flew gracefully through the hoops in the sky. And while he loved Fleetfoot, sometimes she had a bit of a pushy mean streak. “Come on, Soarin! Pick up the pace, you can do better than that,” she yelled up to him.

I’m trying, he thought as Spitfire agreed. He cast his gaze downwards and could see Rainbow Dash tilting Fluttershy’s and Bulk Biceps’ heads up to him, and Soarin figured it was time to really put a lasting impression on her, just as she had done to him.

“Practice, practice, yay practice!” the cheer ponies yelled encouragingly, doing a little cartwheel. Soarin smiled and looked back at them, feeling good, and then turned his head forward, and his face changed to one of panic.

He was approaching a hoop way too quickly and wouldn’t be able to stop in time. As if happening in slow motion, he flew threw, effectively clipping his wing and leaving him unable to fly as he plummeted towards the ground.
“Ahhhhh!” he yelled as he spun in midair. Surely he would break several bones in his body, taking months to heal. And what if Spitfire wouldn’t let him come back? Surely he wasn’t supposed to be making rookie mistakes like this one.

A flash of rainbow and blue, and he found himself on a body with soft fur and toned muscles. He opened his eyes and saw that he was on Dash’s back, and she turned and smiled at him. “Gotcha!” she shouted as she settled on the ground, letting him jump off.

He felt fine, but could feel the aching, torn muscles in his right wing. Everyone cheered for Rainbow Dash and she smiled proudly.

“Awesome!” Fleetfoot exclaimed.

“As good as any Wonderbolt,” Spitfire complimented, eyes shining with approval.

Fluttershy walked up to her friend. “Oh, Rainbow Dash, I’m just so proud of you,” she said in her gentle voice. “You scooped Soarin out of the sky, and brought him down to the ground. And now, now he’s okay.” She paused, teal eyes glancing at him. “At least, I hope he’s okay. Are you okay?” she asked as she turned to him, concern glazing her tone.

“Umm, my wing hurts,” he announced, and saw everyone’s eyes widen, especially Spitfire and Fleetfoot’s. “But I-I’m sure it’ll be okay by the competition,” he added, giving them a small smile, trying to ease their worries.

The ambulance came and stopped right in front of him. Sighing and suddenly tired, he climbed onto it and glanced at the pony who saved him, again. “You’re the best, Rainbow Dash.” He closed his eyes and sighed.

“Aw, it was nothin’,” she replied, brushing off the compliment. “But,” she added. “If you feel like talking about how great I am, don’t let me stop ya.” She chuckled a little as he got driven away towards the hospital.

A day later and Soarin was up in the Rainbow Falls Hospital with a clipped wing. He had given up on trying to sleep and was instead staring at the wall.

“Soarin, can we come in?” Fleetfoot called from outside.

He perked up. “Yeah, yeah. Of course.”

His teammates walked in and stood beside him. “How you feeling, Clipper?” Spitfire asked.

“Okay, actually. They said it would only about a day to heal completely. I should be fine for the competition,” he told them brightly.
Surely they would be glad to hear that. Instead, they both glanced at each other and nodded.

“Actually, about that Soarin, we have to tell you...” Spitfire’s voice trailed off, unable to say it. Soarin was like a brother to her, and she didn’t want to say the thing that would disappoint him greatly.

“Obviously we wish you could fly with us, you’re our teammate and friend after all,” Fleetfoot said. “But...”

“But?” he repeated, raising a brow at them.

“We’re worried you won’t be one hundred percent okay. This is the Equestria Games, we need to qualify. And we need everypony in their best condition.”

Soarin took a moment to figure out what they were trying to say. “So, you think I won’t be able to fly tomorrow, then?”

They both nodded. “Yes. And so you can properly heal and rest, we’re going to have to find somepony else to take your spot.”

“Wait, what?” he exclaimed, crestfallen. He had so badly wanted to be there for Cloudsdale, and he would’ve been if he hadn’t been distracted by a little cheering. I’m an idiot.

“We’re sorry Soarin, this isn’t personal at all,” Spitfire said gently. “We’re doing what’s best for the team.”

They both turned and walked away, Fleetfoot looking back. “Feel better soon, okay?”

And then they were gone, and Soarin was alone.

The next day, the day of the tryouts, he woke up to the door opening and four ponies walking into the room, while one was in a wheelchair. Taking a closer look, they’d realized that it was none other than Rainbow Dash, who had casts on every part of her body. How had she gotten hurt this badly?
He pretended to sleep as they walked by him, as to not seem like a weirdo listening to their conversation.

“So, the medic pony isn’t sure what’s wrong with you,” Princess Twilight said in a questioning tone.

“Everything! Absolutely everything!” Rainbow Dash replied.

Makes sense.

“This’ll cure everything that ales ya!” a southern accent exclaimed, proceeded with something shoved in Rainbow’s mouth.

She chewed and swallowed. “Thank you, I couldn’t have done that on my own.”

Twilight groaned. She must know something the others don’t, Soarin thought.

“Nothing says get better like a little medical pizazz,” a voice said. He was guessing Rarity by the formality of her tone. “Silk slings and a glitter bandage.”

Rainbow spoke again, pausing between each word. “That might help.”

The door opened again and Fluttershy and Bulk Biceps walked in. “And how is our patient doing?”

“Uhh I’ve been better.”

“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.”
As she stopped talking, Soarin saw a pale purple pony with a light yellow mane and crossed yellow eyes appear.
She just waved, seeming completely unaware of what was going on.

Fluttershy continued, “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!” a deep voice shouted, startling the aloof mare holding a Ponyville flag.

“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,” Fluttershy finished.

Although he couldn’t see, Soarin couldn’t help but be touched by the shy pegasus’s words. Rainbow Dash was lucky to have friends who would do anything for her. It made him hurt thinking about how quick Spitfire and Fleetfoot had left him. They hadn’t even really visited for them all to just talk, like friends. He couldn’t help but feel a little jealous.

“Thanks,” Rainbow said, stunned.

“Ahem, I think Rainbow Dash might need to rest some more,” the princess announced and Soarin watched as her friends filed out of the room. Once they were gone, he heard Twilight speak. “You know, choosing not to choose, isn’t really a decision,” she said before walking away and quietly shutting the door.

Without thinking, Soarin drew back the curtain to face her. All her hooves were in slings attached to the ceiling, and a little sparkly purple ribbon was tied around one of them. He hated to think of her in pain. He supposed that’s what Rarity meant with her ‘medical pizazz’.

“You sure have nice friends,” he told her, giving her a smile and glancing at the door. “No pony’s been by to visit me. Eh, too busy practicing, I guess.” He shrugged, trying to hide his disappointment.

She tilted her head. “Well hopefully your wing will be better soon.”

He frowned. Hadn’t Spitfire and Fleetfoot told her he was okay? “Oh, it’s fine. I’m just keeping it warm in case my team wants me back.” He wiggled the wing that was healed, yet still wrapped up.

Her face turned to one of confusion. “What do you mean, ‘wants you back’? Spitfire and Fleetfoot told me that you were still too injured to fly.”

Soarin’s eyes widened. “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,” he said bitterly.

Her eyes widened as she stared straight ahead. “That somepony else was me!” she exclaimed, before giving him a sheepish smile. “Until, uh, well, until I got hurt, that is.”

Soarin sighed. So they had lied to him because they wanted a better flyer. And they had lied to her because... she was the better flyer.
He didn’t feel like talking anymore, overcome by feelings of self-doubt and hurt. Was their whole ‘get well soon’ fake? Didn’t they want him to be okay? Didn’t they want him to fly with them? These were his teammates! They were supposed to be loyal, just like Dash was.

“So,” he said, laying down, “I guess we’re all out of luck. Cloudsdale won’t qualify without three flyers and Ponyville won’t qualify without you,” he said sadly. “Too bad.” And with that, he covered himself with a blanket and turned away.

A few minutes later, there was a rustling sound and couple hoof steps, and then a gentle hoof shaking him slightly.

“Soarin?” she whispered.

He opened his eyes and stared at her pink ones, amazed by the colour. Then he quickly realized she was on all four hooves, standing with no problems. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. “Huh? Rainbow Dash, what are you doing out of bed?”

She looked down guiltily, bangs covering her face. “I- I’m not really hurt, okay? Spitfire and Fleetfoot wanted me to fly in your place, so I faked this whole thing so I wouldn’t have to choose. I wanted to do both. I feel really awful that I was considering stepping in for you.”

Soarin blinked, unsure of what to say.

“Anyways, after all of this, and what you had to say... I know who I should have picked, and I feel bad that I even had to consider it.” She smiled and headed towards the door, beckoning him to follow. “Come on!”

He lazily climbed out of bed, stretching his wings and letting the cast fall off. “Um, where are we going?”

She grinned, a determined look in her eye. “We’re making sure you fly for Cloudsdale. Now, are you coming or what?”

Soarin grinned back, her expression contagious. “Of course I’m coming.”
Just another example of her loyalty. She’s... really, really great.

He followed Dash out of the building and onto the yard, passing her friends, ignoring their shocked expressions. Spitfire stopped gulping down water and turned to stare at Rainbow Dash, who was wearing a frown on her face.

Fleetfoot spoke. “Does... this mean you’re feeling better?”

He saw her look down before replying. “I feel great, because...” she shed her casts and bandages, letting her wings and hair loose. “I was never hurt in the first place.”

Everypony gasped and stared. Rainbow looked down, eyes lidded. “I faked my injuries 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.” She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head.
Soarin frowned sympathetically, feeling bad for her.

Fluttershy stepped forward, walking towards her childhood best friend. “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.”

A smile appeared on Rainbow’s face, an expression of pure happiness at her friend’s words.
So. Damn. Beautiful.

“I know now who I should have been loyal to,” Dash said.

“Good choice,” announced Spitfire, who nudged Fleetfoot. “Always stick with the winners.”
Soarin rolled his eyes.

Rainbow pointed to her colourful group of friends. “Ponyville,” she pointed as she walked over to them and looked at the Wonderbolts. “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.”

The Ponyville crew expressed their joy at hearing their friend’s decision and Soarin smiled and waved at them, thinking his friends could learn a lesson or two from her group. Rainbow Dash was special, that, he was sure of.

Spitfire frowned. “Are you sure that’s the right decision?”

Rainbow was in front of them in an instant, face to face, glaring. “You lied to me about Soarin’s wing just so you could get a better flyer,” she accused, pointing at the stallion.
He glared at them and crossed his arms.

She wasn’t finished though. “You may be a winning team, but you’re still not the kind of team I wanna be a part of,” she concluded, sticking her nose up in the air slightly.

Soarin had known Spitfire forever, but even now, he couldn’t predict how she would react to this. What she did surprised him and everyone else. “Huh,” she muttered as she removed her sunglasses. “Rainbow Dash, you are something.” Her and Fleetfoot both smiled. “Saw it at the academy, seeing it again here... we could learn a lot from a competitor like you.”

“Think we already have,” Fleetfoot said.

Rainbow’s expression was confusion, and then gratefulness. They liked her loyalty. So did Soarin. Just then, Spitfire walked over to him and offered him an apologetic smile. “Ready to fly?” she asked him.

Soarin’s face lit up. “Really?”

“Never should have lied and tried to replace you to begin with.”

“Huh,” he said. “Go Cloudsdale!” he shouted as he flew into the air, Spitfire and Fleetfoot hot on his tracks.

They had qualified easily. “Come on Ponyville, you can do it!” Soarin called as he watched Bulk Biceps, and then Fluttershy pass through the hoops as fast as they could.

As soon as the horseshoe was passed to Rainbow, a flash of said colour was zooming everywhere, and she reached the finish line at the very last second.

“Ponyville qualifies!” the unicorn announced.

Him and his team cheered as Fluttershy and Bulk Biceps wrapped Dash in a hug, the expression on her muzzle jovial. He was glad, for the games were going to be a lot more interesting with Rainbow Dash in them.

“Look, Soarin, we’re really sorry,” Spitfire told him as they rode the train. “We shouldn’t have done that. Success went to our heads, made us cocky and...you know, ungrateful.”

“Yeah, it wasn’t cool at all. The way we treated you... you’re our friend, our teammate, and we should have believed in you. You’re a great flyer. Don’t think that you aren’t because of our stupid, selfish actions,” Fleetfoot added.

Soarin gave them a fake smile. “Thanks guys.”

He knew they were sorry, but that didn’t help the fact that he still felt like crap. Unworthy, unwanted, and not good enough. Did Spitfire give him the job of second-in-command because of their friendship? If that was the case, he didn’t want it anymore.

Truthfully, there was only one reason why he still had some confidence, some self-respect. The reason had a name. The name was Rainbow Dash.