Top Bolt


 * [locker door opens]
 * Rainbow Dash: Spring training was awesome, but I can't wait to see my friends!
 * [locker door closes]
 * Rainbow Dash: I'm gonna catch up on some Daring Do with Twilight, help Applejack make my favorite cider, and have a sleepover with Pinkie!
 * Misty Fly: We get it. You have a fun week planned.
 * Spitfire: Meanwhile, I'm stuck here running trials week at the Academy.
 * Rainbow Dash: But you love yelling and blowing your whistle.
 * Spitfire: Yeah. I do.
 * Rainbow Dash: See you gals later!
 * [whoosh]
 * Rainbow Dash: [chuckles]
 * [whoosh]


 * Rainbow Dash: [sighs]
 * [cutie mark ringing]
 * Rainbow Dash: Huh? Oh, the map!


 * Rainbow Dash: Hey, Twilight! So where am I going? The Crystal Mountains? Vanhoover? Here? Please say here.
 * Twilight Sparkle: Well, the good news is we both got called by the map!
 * Rainbow Dash: Awesome! [beat] Does that mean there's bad news?
 * Twilight Sparkle: No. Well, not exactly.
 * Rainbow Dash: [groans] I was just there!




 * [whoosh]
 * Twilight Sparkle: Ooh!
 * Rainbow Dash: Ahem.
 * Spitfire: All right, newbies! Welcome to trials week for the Wonderbolt Academy! You'll be judged on your speed, strength, agility, and technique, culminating in a final evaluation. Will it be hard? Yes! Will you cry? Maybe. Will you fly so much your wings fall off? That has only happened once.
 * Angel Wings: She's just exaggerating to make a point, right? I mean, wings can't really fall off... can they?
 * Spitfire: You think you've got what it takes to be an elite flyer?
 * Sky Stinger: Yes, ma'am.
 * Rest of recruits: Yes, ma'am!
 * Spitfire: Well, lemme tell you. You don't!
 * Rainbow Dash: [sighs wistfully] I remember when she said that to me.
 * Recruits: [muttering in awe]
 * Angel Wings: You don't think Rainbow Dash is the pony whose wings fell off, do you?
 * Spitfire: [blows whistle] Quit your whispering and give me five hundred laps! Go, go, go!
 * [whooshes]
 * Angel Wings: Um, I just wanted you to know, you two are my favorite ponies in all of Equestria.
 * Spitfire: Well, isn't that sweet? Now get going on those laps!
 * [whoosh]
 * Spitfire: Welcome, Princess Twilight. [to Rainbow Dash] What are you doing back so soon?
 * Rainbow Dash: Official friendship business.
 * Twilight Sparkle: Have you noticed anypony having a hard time with their friends?
 * Spitfire: Not really, but it's not my job to worry about their relationships. I'm here to make them elite flyers.
 * Rainbow Dash: [sighs] Adorable. They're so full of hope and competition. Eh, their technique could use some work, though.
 * Twilight Sparkle: You should tell them. I'm sure they'd appreciate any notes from you.
 * Rainbow Dash: Nah. I wouldn't want to mess with their confidence.
 * Twilight Sparkle: But they'll never get better if they don't know what to work on.
 * Spitfire: Sloppy wing placement, crooked lines... I'm gonna have to drill them on basic technique in the classroom portion.
 * Twilight Sparkle: Classroom portion?
 * Spitfire: Yeah, it's everypony's least favorite part of trial week, but it has to be done.
 * Twilight Sparkle: Maybe we can help!
 * Rainbow Dash: We can?
 * Twilight Sparkle: Absolutely! Between your flying skills and my teaching expertise, they could learn a lot! Plus, once they get to know us, they'll be more comfortable coming to us with their friendship problems!
 * Rainbow Dash: Count us in!
 * Spitfire: Great! [blows whistle]
 * [whooshes, thud]
 * Spitfire: You have your work cut out for you.


 * Twilight Sparkle: Thank goodness I had time to whip up a few charts on flight patterns and wing symmetry! It's fresh in my mind from when I learned to fly! This is so exciting!
 * Rainbow Dash: Maybe for you. I practically fell asleep when I went through this. Tell you what. I'll leave the teaching stuff to you, and I'll just make sure they stay awake! [blows airhorn]
 * [Twilight's ears ringing]
 * Twilight Sparkle: I'm pretty sure their thirst for knowledge will keep them bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
 * Rainbow Dash: [chuckles] Good one, Twilight.


 * [door opens]
 * Rainbow Dash: [blows airhorn]
 * Recruits: [gasping]
 * Rainbow Dash: Wake up, newbies! Class is in session!
 * Twilight Sparkle: Hello, students! I'm Twilight Sparkle, and this is Rainbow Dash.
 * Rainbow Dash: But you can call us "T-Sparks" and "The Dashinator"!
 * Twilight Sparkle: [clears throat]
 * Rainbow Dash: [laughs nervously] Just kidding.
 * Twilight Sparkle: And we're here to go over basic flying technique.
 * Sky Stinger: [groans]
 * Rainbow Dash: Who said that?!
 * Sky Stinger: Me. I mean, we're here because we're amazingly awesome crazy-good flyers. We're way past basics.
 * Rainbow Dash: What's your name?
 * Sky Stinger: Sky Stinger. You've, uh, never heard of me?
 * Vapor Trail: He set the record for the fastest vertical acceleration rate! Five hundred feet in two seconds!
 * Rainbow Dash: [unimpressed] Huh. That's pretty impressive.
 * Vapor Trail: It's amazing.
 * Twilight Sparkle: [clears throat] It is, and we can talk personal records after class, Ms...?
 * Sky Stinger: Vapor Trail. She's my wingpony. I never fly without her.
 * Rainbow Dash: But you'll have to in the solo trials.
 * Vapor Trail: There are... [gulps] ...solo trials?
 * Rainbow Dash: Yup. It's a part of your final evaluation.
 * Sky Stinger: [scoffs] We'll ace that test with our wings tied behind our flanks. My picture will go right up there, next to yours.
 * Rainbow Dash: That's a mighty big claim, considering everypony here is an amazingly awesome crazy-good flyer.
 * Sky Stinger: I know.
 * Twilight Sparkle: [clears throat] Okay! Let's get back on track. Now, who can tell me the best wing angle to achieve minimal air resistance?
 * Rainbow Dash: [snoring]
 * Twilight Sparkle: [blows airhorn]
 * Rainbow Dash: [quickly] Wake up newbies! Class is in session!


 * [door opens]
 * Recruits: [chattering]
 * Twilight Sparkle: Well, there were a few hiccups, but overall, that went pretty well.
 * Rainbow Dash: [cricks neck, yawns] Yeah, nopony fell asleep. What? I'm not a student!
 * Sky Stinger: Hey, Teach!
 * Rainbow Dash: Me or Twilight? Probably Twilight.
 * Sky Stinger: Um, uh, both. About the solo test. I'm actually kinda worried about it.
 * Twilight Sparkle: Aw, that's all right. We all have moments where we doubt ourselves.
 * Sky Stinger: No, no. I've absolutely zero doubts about myself. I'm a strong flyer. Like, really, really, really strong. This isn't about me. I'm worried for Vapor.
 * Twilight Sparkle: Oh, well, that is very... kind of you?
 * Rainbow Dash: Tell you what. It's almost time for your freestyle training. Why don't you grab her and show us what you got?
 * Sky Stinger: Yes! Prepare to be impressed!
 * [whoosh]
 * Sky Stinger: By me.
 * [whoosh]
 * Sky Stinger: Like I said, Vapor still needs work.
 * [whoosh]


 * [whooshing]
 * Twilight Sparkle: Well, he may be full of himself, but I have to admit, Sky is an excellent flyer. He must have shot up two hundred feet!
 * Rainbow Dash: But did you see Vapor Trail? Her wing was under his. I think she gave him a boost.
 * Twilight Sparkle: I guess I didn't even notice Vapor. I was too busy watching Sky.
 * [whooshing]
 * Twilight Sparkle: [gasps] I think you're right! Vapor just created a gust of wind that caught Sky's wing at a forty-five degree angle, propelling him into a flipping loop! [beat] Somepony paid attention in class!
 * Rainbow Dash: Sky obviously has no idea he's not actually amazingly awesome.
 * Twilight Sparkle: And Vapor's so busy making her friend look good, she's not focused on her own flying at all. [gasps] This must be our friendship problem! And there's only one thing to do!


 * [distant whooshing]
 * Twilight Sparkle: You don't want to tell them?
 * Rainbow Dash: Of course not! Flying is like thirty percent skill and seventy percent confidence! You can't mess with a flyer's confidence!
 * Twilight Sparkle: But you can't improve if you don't think you have to! Besides, Vapor's keeping a pretty big secret from Sky, and that could lead to trouble!
 * Rainbow Dash: Yeah, but if we tell them that they've been holding each other back, that could be trouble too!
 * Sky Stinger: Ah, I nailed that flipping loop. I'm actually surprised you're still here. Thought I blew you away.
 * Vapor Trail: [out of breath] You were... great, Sky.
 * [thud]
 * Spitfire: Come on, Vapor Trail! You're gonna have to build up your endurance if you want a shot at the Academy! Wonderbolts don't get winded! Angel Wings, you call that cloud-busting?! That cloud barely knew you were there! I love my job.
 * Sky Stinger: We'll keep working, and who knows? One day, you might come close to being almost as good as me.
 * Vapor Trail: Oh, I don't think so. You were voted Stratusburg's most promising flyer! I was voted best sneeze. [sneezes]
 * Sky Stinger: You do have a really great sneeze.
 * Vapor Trail: Thanks, Sky, but I don't think I can sneeze my way into the Academy. [sighs] I'm pretty beat. I'm gonna hit the showers.
 * Sky Stinger: You have to help her.
 * Twilight Sparkle: Actually, she's not the one—
 * Rainbow Dash: Will do!


 * [locker opens]
 * Rainbow Dash: Hey, you did great. You're a really strong flyer.
 * Vapor Trail: Uh, me?
 * Twilight Sparkle: Vapor Trail, we know what you've been doing.
 * Rainbow Dash: You've been doing great!
 * Twilight Sparkle: [groans] You've been helping Sky!
 * Vapor Trail: Uh, I don't know what you're talking about! Sky doesn't need anypony's help. He's amazing.
 * [poink poink]
 * Rainbow Dash: [sighs] Not without you. And it's gonna be pretty obvious during the solo trials when he can't get enough air to do a flipping loop.
 * Vapor Trail: Oh, no! I can't let that happen! I mean, ah, uh... Aw, sugarcubes!
 * Twilight Sparkle: Why are you doing this for him?
 * Vapor Trail: [sighs] It started when we were kids. You have to understand...


 * Vapor Trail: [narrating] ...Sky grew up with a lot of siblings. It was tough. He was always trying to get his parents' attention. Meanwhile, I was an only child who hated all the attention I got from mine.
 * "Twirly Whirly": Vapor Trail! Where are you? Do you need a snack? Do you wanna do homework?
 * "Steer Straight": Or we can just spend some time together! All day is never enough!
 * Young Vapor Trail: [sighs]
 * Young Sky Stinger: Mom, Dad, I'm here! Look, look, look-look-look-look, hey! Mom, Dad, can you see?
 * [wind blowing]
 * [whooshing, baby crying]
 * Young Sky Stinger: [sighs]
 * Young Vapor Trail: Whoa, that was amazing!
 * [whoosh]


 * Vapor Trail: [narrating] Flying together gave us both what we wanted! But I never told Sky how much I was helping him. It started with a small boost here or a little gust of wind there, but I didn't think my help could actually hurt his chances.
 * Twilight Sparkle: I understand. But now you're both in trouble!
 * Rainbow Dash: You need to work on your tricks, and Sky needs to be able to fly without you or he won't make it.
 * Vapor Trail: Oh, but he has to! Flying with the Wonderbolts has been Sky's dream ever since he was a colt!
 * Twilight Sparkle: What about you?
 * Vapor Trail: I... I guess I haven't thought about it. I just want to be with my best friend.
 * Rainbow Dash: Then we have to find a way to help both of you.
 * Twilight Sparkle: Starting with telling Sky the truth.
 * Vapor Trail: No, you can't! Sky will be crushed! And without his confidence, he won't fly as well!
 * Twilight Sparkle: [sighs] Then I guess we'll give Dash's method a shot.
 * Rainbow Dash: Yes! Hah-hah! I love being right! Okay, here's what we do. Sky needs to build his strength. Air drills, wing lifts, all that boring methodical stuff.
 * Twilight Sparkle: Sounds like my cup of oats.
 * Vapor Trail: But how will we get him to do that? He doesn't think he needs practice.
 * Rainbow Dash: We'll just tell Sky that he should practice with Twilight so you won't feel so self-conscious about getting special training from me.
 * Vapor Trail: With you? Really?! You'd do that for me?
 * Rainbow Dash: Hah. You say that like it's not gonna be a blast.


 * [montage music]
 * [thud]


 * Vapor Trail: Whooa... Ah!


 * [clang, clang, clang, clang]


 * [whooshing]


 * [wind blowing]


 * [tires screeching]
 * Rainbow Dash: Oh, you were awesome!
 * Vapor Trail: Really? Thanks! I can't believe I was able to keep up!
 * Rainbow Dash: That's the first nice thing I've heard you say about yourself.
 * Sky Stinger: Hey, can we switch now? I want to do tricks with Rainbow Dash!
 * Vapor Trail: You can't! I mean, uh, you're already so good at the fancy stuff!
 * Sky Stinger: Heh. And the basic stuff. [beat] You're right, I don't need to practice at all.
 * Vapor Trail: Um, maybe, Sky, you should...
 * Sky Stinger: I'm already the best and everypony's gonna know it when I'm asked to join the Academy tomorrow.
 * Vapor Trail: But not if you don't practice...!
 * Sky Stinger: Heh. I wouldn't be surprised if they asked me to become a Wonderbolt straight out of the trials. Boom, dream achieved.
 * Vapor Trail: [squealing] Sky, you're not as good as you think you are! [gasps]
 * [beat]
 * Sky Stinger: What did you say?
 * Vapor Trail: [sighs] Sky, I want you to get in as much as anypony, and you're amazing, but...
 * Sky Stinger: But what?
 * Vapor Trail: I've been... helping you.
 * Sky Stinger: [scoffs] Puh-lease! I don't need your help! Watch! [straining]
 * Rainbow Dash: Gyuh...
 * [thud]
 * Sky Stinger: [panting] How can you do this to me? Did you all know? Oh, great. So everypony but me knows I'm a joke. Was this your plan the whole time? To embarrass me?
 * Vapor Trail: What? No! Don't you know me at all?
 * Sky Stinger: I guess not, since it took me this long to find out you're a terrible wingpony!
 * Vapor Trail: [gasps] I can't believe you!
 * Sky Stinger: I can't believe I was ever your friend!
 * [whoosh]
 * Vapor Trail: Thanks a lot.


 * [Dizzitron whirring]
 * Rainbow Dash: Do you think they're still mad?
 * [beat]
 * Rainbow Dash: Yeah, they're still mad.
 * Twilight Sparkle: This is all my fault. If we'd just done things your way, maybe we could have avoided this whole mess.
 * Rainbow Dash: No, it's my fault. It hit me when I was watching Sky train with you. He wasn't even trying!
 * [Dizzitron whirring]
 * [thud]
 * Rainbow Dash: Oh, no. He's lost his confidence.
 * Spitfire: Do you want to tell me why one of my most promising students is flying like a balloon with a hole in it?!
 * Rainbow Dash: Uh, it's a long story, but we'll fix it.
 * Spitfire: Yes, you will. [blows whistle]
 * [thud]
 * Rainbow Dash: [groans] We really messed up, huh?
 * Twilight Sparkle: I have a plan.


 * Sky Stinger: [straining]
 * Twilight Sparkle: Hey, Sky. I thought I might find you here.
 * Sky Stinger: Well, apparently, I need a lot of practice. Guess I'm not the natural I thought I was.
 * Twilight Sparkle: No, you're not.
 * Sky Stinger: [sarcastic] Thanks. Good pep talk.
 * Twilight Sparkle: I wasn't a natural at friendship. But with some practice and help from my friends, I got better, and now I'm the Princess of Friendship!
 * Sky Stinger: So you're saying I can be the... Princess of Flying?


 * [whoosh]
 * Rainbow Dash: You know, you're really good. You're lead pony material.
 * Vapor Trail: Hm. That's sweet of you, but no. I couldn't handle all the attention.
 * Rainbow Dash: But you'll never become a Wonderbolt if you're too afraid to shine. That is what you want, right?
 * Vapor Trail: Well, not at first. I just wanted to be with Sky. But learning to do all those fun tricks with you? It made me realize this is something I want for myself!
 * Rainbow Dash: I was hoping you'd say that. Come with me.


 * Sky Stinger: What's she doing here?
 * Rainbow Dash: Sky, Vapor was never trying to steal your spotlight. She thought she was helping you.
 * Twilight Sparkle: And Vapor, you shouldn't have been so content to take a back seat.
 * Rainbow Dash: Now, you can either stay mad, or help each other and become two of the greatest flyers the Wonderbolt Academy has ever seen! [beat] Please pick the second option. I don't want Spitfire to be mad at me.
 * [whoosh]


 * [wind blowing]
 * Vapor Trail: You got this, Sky!


 * Sky Stinger: Focus on a cloud when you spin! It'll help you fly straight when you come out of it!
 * Vapor Trail: Uh-huh!
 * [whoosh]


 * [scribbling]
 * [whoosh]
 * [stopwatch ticking]
 * Vapor Trail: [whooping]
 * [tires screeching]


 * [whoosh]
 * Sky Stinger: Whoo, yeah! [laughs]
 * [tires screeching]


 * [whooshing]
 * Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle: [cheering]
 * [tires screeching]
 * Recruits: [cheering]
 * Spitfire: Congratulations! You've both made it into the Wonderbolt Academy!
 * [flump]
 * Spitfire: Whatever you did, it worked. They still have a lot of potential. Who knows? They might even be better than you, Crash.
 * Rainbow Dash: [laughing] Okay, let's not get carried away.
 * Angel Wings: Um, I just wanted you to know, you two are my new favorite ponies in all of Equestria.
 * Rainbow Dash: Hey, I heard that!
 * Vapor Trail: I can't believe we did it!
 * Sky Stinger: You were great! Even though you can out-fly me, you can be my wingpony anytime.
 * Vapor Trail: Aw. [chuckles] And you can be mine.
 * [cutie marks ringing]


 * [doors open]
 * Rainbow Dash: [spine clicking]
 * [doors close]
 * Twilight Sparkle: Phew. It's good to be home.
 * Rainbow Dash: [sighs] You're telling me. Now we can finally catch up with some Daring Do, I can make cider with Applejack—
 * [knocking]
 * [door opens]
 * Misty Fly: Dash! I've been looking all over for you! Wonderbolt emergency! We got to get back to HQ.
 * Rainbow Dash: You've gotta be kidding me! I was just there! [sighs]
 * [thud]
 * Twilight Sparkle: [laughing]


 * [credits]