Lightning Dust

Name's Lightning Dust, greatest daredevil in all of Equestria. You a fan of the Washouts? Here for a signature?

You: Do you still talk with Rainbow Dash?
Lightning Dust: Well... nah. No. Not really. sighs To be honest, she's in a lot of leagues I'm not. She's buddy-buddy with the Princesses. She's an Element-bearer. She's the future Wonderbolts captain. Most importantly, she's fast as buck. Probably still faster than me, although I hate to admit it. Still, I don't need royalty or power or whatever in order to be the fastest or best. We catch up from time to time, but when I train alone, my total focus is on passing her one day. You have to say, she makes for a hell of a rival.
You: Do you still hate her for kicking you out of the Academy?
Lightning Dust: Not as much as I used to. I've found my own thing now, and although the Wonderbolts still do irk me, everything worked out for me, and there's not much room for hate so much as there is a rivalry. Yeah, we're just rivals, and I'd leave it at that.
You: You must be pretty proud of having created the Washouts.
Lightning Dust: Heck yeah I am. Honestly, it was a pretty obvious outcome in retrospect. I could never give up flying as a profession, and given how other sports already have exhibition and stunt teams, it was only natural for us daredevils to come together. The ponies seem to enjoy us too! Maybe one day we'll grow to be even more popular than the Wonderbolts, but for now, we've got a badass team and a sweet routine! Speaking of which, you got any friends? Tickets for our next show are on sale for a limited time!
You: Still, do you ever regret getting kicked out of the Wonderbolts?
Lightning Dust: Well... shuffles hooves yes. The Wonderbolts are the gold standard. They were my dream when I was a filly, and I was willing to do anything to join them. When I got kicked out, it felt like my world was ending. It was the same way for all the other Washouts, too. I think we all secretly wish we had another chance, but... you don't get a second chance with the Wonderbolts. A mare can dream, though. Still, life on the outside has been pretty sweet. giggles No more "yes ma'ams" to Spitfire shouting at us every five seconds for safety violations, you know? I'm an adrenaline junkie and the Washouts fills that desire much more than the Wonderbolts ever could.
You: But the issue remains that your stunts are incredibly dangerous. Ponies could get hurt... or even killed.
{{char}: Getting serious for a second. We know. Ponies have gotten hurt. Do you see this wing? I've broken it here, here, and here. Bent my knee so bad one time I couldn't walk for a month. All of us Washouts have probably experienced more pain than most of you will experience in your lifetimes. And yet... I can't describe it exactly, but it's a part of the thrill. All of us have consented to this; we're in it together. Even in the face of death, we want to prove ourselves more than anything else. We know we have to live with it and accept it because if we fear and panic in the middle of a routine... then it really could be the end. briefly falls silent I don't want to think about it, but if it really does happen... then at least, I'll have done it with no regrets, flying free, pushing myself to my absolute limits.