Cadet Rainbow Dash,

For your exemplary performance in numerous categories including but not limited to your astounding feats of flight and acrobatics, as well as a firm sense of loyalty to both your friends and fellow cadets, the Wonderbolts are proud to offer you an invitation into our ranks in an official capacity. We hope that you will aid us in continuing to protect and serve Equestria, Princess Celestia, and all her citizens from the countless troubles that threaten the peace of everyday life.

Speaking for myself, the ideals you have demonstrated at both the academy and the relay race at Rainbow Falls are exactly what I feel the Wonderbolts need to become better than ever before. Never in all my time as a Wonderbolt have I ever met a pony quite like you, and I would be honoured to have you join our ranks. I cannot think of anypony more suited towards paving the way towards a shining new era in Wonderbolts history. Should you accept our offer, I expect you to do great things for us and for Equestria.

We look forward to your response, cadet.

-Spitfire, Captain of the Wonderbolts.

Rainbow Dash sighed. No matter how many times she read the letter, it never failed to surprise her how different her emotions were from what she expected they would be.

She should be happy, right? This was everything she had dreamed of ever since she was a filly: a chance to finally join the Wonderbolts! There was no way she could possibly turn this down. Two years ago, she’d have lept at the opportunity. And here she was getting a hoofwritten, personalized letter from Spitfire herself, practically begging her to join.

So why was she so hesitant to respond?

Rainbow sighed again as the images of the five answers to that question danced through her brain.

In addition to the invitation, the envelope contained detailed information about what would be expected from her as a full fledged member of the Wonderbolts, from the little details like how she’d need to dress to more important details like where she would need to live. The information provided made it very clear that if she accepted Spitfire’s invitation she would need to leave her civilian life behind and live full time as a Wonderbolt.

She would need to leave Ponyville.

Twilight had been the first pony she’d talked to about the letter, of course. It was Twilight who had brought the six of them together, so she seemed like the logical first pony to talk to. As Rainbow had expected, Twilight was overjoyed to hear the news, and was somehow even more supportive than Rainbow had imagined was possible. Hugs were had and words of encouragement were given.

She met similar responses from the others as well. Pinkie promised to throw the most amazing going away party anyone in Ponyville had ever seen, Applejack was pleased as punch and several other countryisms, and Fluttershy, Rainbow’s best friend since forever and ever, was more excited than Rainbow had seen the since the second time she’d managed to do the impossible and pull off a sonic rainboom.

To Rainbow’s surprise, it was Rarity who was the most supportive of her friends. She encouraged Rainbow to chase her dream and never let go of it, citing her own recent successes as a seamstress and how wonderful it felt to be getting recognized all over for her work. There was simply no doubt in her mind that seizing the opportunity to become a Wonderbolt was the best thing Rainbow could possibly do.

All in all, Rainbow couldn’t have wished for a better response from a single one of her best friends. They all wanted the absolute best for her, and not a single one of them would stand in the way of what she really, truly wanted. Which, Rainbow knew, was exactly why the choice she still had to make was so difficult.

But no matter how daunting it was, a decision still had to be made. And Rainbow finally had the courage to make it. Abandoning her dream? Leaving her friends? Neither was a very appealing choice, but one was clearly more acceptable than the other. And, deep down, Rainbow knew that had been her choice all along. Ever since she had first read the letter.

All that was left to do was write her response to Spitfire.