When Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo arrived at the castle, they opened the window and flew inside. Rainbow had briefly contemplated bursting straight through the window, but the potential injuries outweighed the drama of such an entrance.

''Rainbow Dash, haven’t you ever heard of doors?'' Celestia asked, setting down her tea and looking at the pair as though curious- but not nervous, Dash noticed.

''I demand an explanation!'' she shouted, stomping a hoof, which echoed throughout the throne room.

''What do you mean, Rainbow Dash?'' Celestia was shocked by the outburst, to say the least. Shouldn’t loyalty be a bit less… volatile?

''I heard you talking to Ariel!''

Having overcome her initial shock, Princess Celestia picked up her tea in her magic once again and sipped from it daintily. ''Who is this Ariel you are talking about?'' she asked with a maternal smile that made Dash grit her teeth.

''Don't play games with me! You know what I'm talking about!''

Anger flicked across the Princess’ face. Just for a second, but Rainbow still noticed it. “Rainbow Dash, you forget yourself. I don’t ask much of you as your princess, but when you are speaking to me, you will be calm.''

Dash shuffled awkwardly before remembering that she was in the right. The one and only Rainbow Dash wasn’t about to let getting called on her manners distract her from the matter at hoof. ''I’m sorry, Princess, but still I won't leave before I get an explanation. Why won't you let me join the Wonderbolts?”

''Yeah, tell her!'' Scootaloo chimed in with an angry look on her face.

Celestia bit her lip as she stared into her teacup. Why could they not simply leave it alone? ''It's because of the danger! Being a Wonderbolt is dangerous!''

''Yeah, but I like danger. After all, that's my middle name: Rainbow Danger Dash! I can handle being a Wonderbolt!'' Rainbow grinned, cocky as ever.

''I know you do, but I can't afford to take any risks with you.”

Rainbow Dash groaned. “Really?”

“Look, I’m not trying to be a nag; if you were any other pony, I’d say your mistakes are yours to make. However, you’re not any normal pony; you’re the bearer of the Element of Loyalty, and if-” you died “-anything were to… happen to you, the rest of the elements wouldn't work! And if we can’t use the Elements of Harmony… well then, we’re doomed. Maybe it would be changelings who attack us, maybe Discord, maybe something else; who knows? No matter what it is, we won’t stand a chance!''

''But… but please!” Rainbow Dash stammered. Being one of the Elements of Harmony had always just been a sharing a wonderful bond with her friends. It wasn’t supposed to cost her anything! “Being a Wonderbolt has been my dream since I was five years old!''

''I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash. I really, truly am, but this is too important. This is the entire world. You understand, don't you?''

Inside, Rainbow Dash wanted to scream. This wasn’t what she wanted. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. It just wasn’t fair! But when she spoke, all that came out was ''Yeah...I guess so.''

Heads hanging low, Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo turned and began the long walk out of the throne room and palace to the city below.

“Take care of yourself, Rainbow Dash,” Celestia said quietly as the heavy doors shut. “Who am I kidding? How can I wish you well when I’ve just taken your happiness from you?”

''Hey, sis... can we go to the donut shop now?'' The two pegasi had walked in silence for several minutes, and Scootaloo couldn’t think of anything better to break it with.

''Y-yeah…'' Rainbow Dash muttered in response and they turned onto the proper street.

When they arrived at Donut Joe’s, the bell dinged to signal their arrival, prompting Joe to look up at the two customers. Scootaloo waved. Dash stared at the menu above the counter with disinterest.

Joe waved back at the filly, then blinked as he recognized the cyan pegasus ''Hey, Rainbow Dash. Long time, no see. What are you doing here?”

Dash sighed as she took a stool across the counter from Joe, Scootaloo hopping up beside her. ''I was hoping to join the Wonderbolts. They’d like to have me, but the Princess says that I can't!''

''What kinda sense does that make? You're a great flyer. You pulled off that sonic rainboom thing.''

''I know… but I'm also one of the Elements of Harmony, and Celestia doesn't want me to get hurt. The needs of the many and all that.''

''Ouch; I’m sorry to hear that. Sounds like you two need a donut.''

''Yeah, that would be great!'' Scootaloo answered.

''What about you, RD?''

''Nah, I'm fine. I don't really like sweets.''

''Oh, okay then. If you say so. So, what can I get for ya, little filly?'' Joe asked with a smile as he turned to Scootaloo.

''I want a... sour apple donut with rainbow sprinkles.”

''All righty, just one second… here you go, kid!''

''Thanks!'' Scootaloo was happy for the donut, but she wished there was something she could do to cheer up Rainbow Dash, who stared off into space while Scootaloo ate.

When Scootaloo had finishd her amazing donut, they left the shop...

''Have a nice day RD! And keep your chin up; things’ll work out in the end. They always do.''

''Thanks, Joe.'' Rainbow Dash replied.

With Scootaloo on her back, Rainbow Dash flew over Canterlot. Dash could have flown much faster than she was, but after today, she wasn't exactly in the mood to show off.

They flew over the Canterlot gardens and the maze where Dash and her friends got brainwashed during the fight with Discord.

''Hey sis, isn’t this the place you battled Discord?''

''Yeah... there's the place Discord brainwashed me.'' Rainbow Dash said, pointing out the particular spot.

''Oh yeah, I heard about that... you even turned grey... Hey, I guess that means you became Greybow Crash!'' Scootaloo said, laughing. ''He must have been powerful, since even Fluttershy was flying faster than you!'' Maybe some good-natured ribbing would bring Rainbow out of her funk.

Rather than smiling, Rainbow only frowned deeper. ''Shut up, pipsqueak. I'm not on the mood for jokes. Besides, I’d been brainwashed and had to carry two ponies! It’s not like you can even fly in the first… place…'' Rainbow Dash’s explosion of anger faded as she realized just what she was saying.

''S-sorry Rainbow...'' Scootaloo said, her ears drooping and lower lip trembling.

''Oh gosh...I'm sorry, Scootaloo. You know I didn’t mean that. It's just that...you know how I am. I can be a real b- a really silly filly sometimes, and I'm very upset right now.''

Scootaloo didn't answer; she remained silent for the rest of the trip. Her silence gnawed at Rainbow, but she couldn’t think of anything more to say. Apologizing once had been hard enough. When they finally arrived in Ponyville, they flew straight to Twilight's library.

Rainbow Dash opened and held the door for Scootaloo, who trudged inside wordlessly. Rainbow followed, making sure not to slam the door.

''Hey, Twilight?'' she called. Twilight didn’t look up from her book, apparently engrossed in whatever story it was. Upon looking closer and realizing the book was a thesaurus, Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Twilight!”

''Ah!” Twilight jumped. “Oh... Hi Rainbow Dash. Heh, sorry. I was trying to find another word for thesaurus. …How did it go?'' Twilight asked after her joke received no response.

''Not so well. Get Spike.'' Rainbow Dash answered.

''Spike!'' Twilight shouted, looking around as she tried to remember just where he’d wandered off to.

The ponies heard a thump from upstairs just before Spike answered, ''Coming!'' accompanied by a flurry of soft footfalls down the stairs.

''Spike, take a letter.'' Rainbow Dash said. ''Dear Princess Celestia, Today I learned a very important lesson about friendship. You can always ask for more, but you can never demand more and that is exactly what I did!” She bit her tongue as she thought of how to continue.

“Rainbow Dash! What are you doing?” Scootaloo interrupted. “You were in the right!”

“I know, Squirt, but maybe a letter will at least smooth things over with the Princess.” She resumed dictating. “If you're as lucky as me, and have awesome friends and represent the Element of Loyalty, you don't need any more. But, I was just too foolish to realize that. Signed, your faithful subject, Rainbow Dash.''

Twilight, who had been listening intently to the contents of the letter, hadn’t noticed the sour expression on her friend’s face as she spoke. ''Wow, Rainbow Dash, that will make a great letter to the princess!''

''Thanks.''

Spike sent the letter after a final nod from Rainbow while Scootaloo sat down and sulked. Hardly a minute later, Spike belched out another letter.

''What? Did the letter not arrive? Did she reject it because she’s angry with me?'' Rainbow Dash asked Twilight, hurt and confused.

''Of course she got it, Rainbow. Look, this letter has Celestia’s royal seal on it. Strange, she doesn’t usually reply so quickly, even to me.''

''Oh... that makes a lot more sense.'' Rainbow Dash said. “Wait, she really doesn’t usually get back to you this fast?”

“Don’t get me wrong; she always is interested in what I have to say, but she’s also very busy most of the time. You must have really done something to get her attention. How exactly did your meeting with her go?”

“I’ll tell you later. Read it! Read it!”

Twilight carefully unrolled the letter and started reading it aloud. “My faithful subject, Rainbow Dash… I hope both that this letter finds you well and that you didn’t take what I said during our meeting too harshly. I want you to know that I am sorry, and that I understand your frustration. I’ve just read your letter, and I can tell you’ve learned a wonderful lesson about friendship. I'm very proud of you!

“However, you don’t need to lie to me that you’ve given up on your dreams. From what Twilight has explained to me in your letters, I know that you are a true daredevil at heart and always will be. While the safety of you and your friends will always be my primary concern, far be it from me to keep you from doing what you love the most. That is why, despite my concerns, I will allow you to join the Wonderbolts at the start of their next season. In return, I ask only that you follow Spitfire’s instructions to the letter, particularly where your safety is concerned. If you do anything reckless, Ariel has promised that I will be notified immediately. I’ve already notified Ariel and Spitfire of my decision, and you can expect their formal letter of acceptance to arrive shortly. I wanted you to hear it from me first by way of apology. -Princess Celestia.”

Rainbow Dash’s foul mood evaporated instantly. She dashed out of the library’s front door and flew up into the air above Ponyville, expressing her joy in a series of aerial loops. “Yes! I’m going to be a Wonderbolt!” Her gleeful shouts echoed across the tiny town and could be heard as far away as Canterlot.

Catching one of these faint echoes as she sat in her throne room, Princess Celestia smiled.

The End

Author's Notes:

I really had fun writing these stories and that's why i just started writing another one! Also thanks to My AWESOME EDITOR Cormac mcCloppy!