Welcome to the Wonderbolt Academy

“Welcome to the Wonderbolts Academy, where you can blah the blah blah blah.”

Said a less-than-enthusiastic receptionist. A wad of gum was stuck between the receptionist’s teeth. He had a bored look over his eyes, which, must have developed from hearing about Equestria’s best fliers brag about themselves too much.

The receptionist looked at his client, who had a grey complexion in his fur, cautious and deep red eyes, and a red and black striped messy mane. His tail was no neater than his mane, and consisted of the same two colors. He reminded the receptionist of someone, but the receptionist decided he wouldn’t rather think about it. Nothing too interesting, decided the receptionist, looking back down at what had been reading before.

Talon was nervously rubbing a hoof on the back of his neck. He didn’t know what to expect, nor what to do, and what the Wonderbolts Academy was really about. The Academy had been recommended by his mentor, but his mentor didn’t give much information about. The receptionist was also being less than as helpful as Talon wanted him to be. Instead, there was a bit of awkward silence for Talon as the receptionist looked over a magazine, with the receptionist’s back leg hooves on his desk and a very laid back position in his chair.

The receptionist looked up from his magazine. “What, what the hell are you still doing here? Get outta here! You want me to spoon feed you all o’ this? Didn’t ya read your pamphlet before joining this here academy?”

Talon shook his head.

An angry and irritated look rose from the receptionist’s features. Before the receptionist could conjure any insults, a voice called from behind the receptionist, up the stairs.

“It’s alright, Shell, I’ll take care of him.”

Talon lifted his head to see the voice. A stallion with dense green eyes looked back at him. His mane and tail were combinations of different shades of green. His fur was a rough and uneven lapis color. He had a carefree smile, and a likeable and friendly appearance.

The receptionist didn’t even look up. Talon only heard an “Umph” and a flip of paper from the receptionist before following the other stallion upstairs.

“So, how do you like the academy?” said Veer, the stallion who had greeted him at the receptionist’s room and proceeded to give him a tour of the entire place. They passed by the Grand hall, the showers, the meeting grounds, the mess hall, the living quarters, the racing tracks and obstacle courses, the training center. Oh, and the bar. From past experience, Talon knew he should avoid that area. Besides, it was for the older veterans here anyways, those who were leaving or graduating to the Ace. The Ace was the actual battleground for becoming a Wonderbolt, where only the fastest fliers, the best maneuvers and tricks, and the most agile pegasi can compete to become part of the team.

“It’s impressive, I suppose.” replied Talon. Talon enjoyed the small tour of the academy. On the way around, Talon had observed that Veer was a little, quirky?, and gave a rather enthusiastic showing of the Wonderbolts Academy. Nevertheless, Talon enjoyed Veer’s company, and was grateful he had saved him from his awkward talk in the receptionist’s room.

Veer snorted. “Obviously not THAT impressive if that’s all you can say about it. Come on, it’s getting late. I’ll show you where you’ll be staying for the night. Maybe we could grab a snack at the-”

“Hey look, its Veer and his newbie squad.”

Talon turned around to see a few mares and stallions trotting across the walkway, heading towards him and Veer. He saw them, and knew from their look that they were up to no good. An arrogant smile, condescending tone, head held high and chest puffed out. He knew the look from a very specific sibling.

“What’s up, Veer? Still giving the diaper patrol around our Academy?” said a stallion, who had dark features and an icy blue striped mane with rigid designs.

“Back off, Thunderlane, I’m not looking for any trouble right now. All I want to do is-”

“All you want to do is give the new guys a hard time and the new girls an even harder one, isn’t that right, you perv?” said Thunderlane.

Veer steadied himself on his four hooves and slowly approached Thunderlane. They stared into each other’s eyes, without breaking contact. Veer walked up to him until they were within hoof distance, and they remained that way for a short period of time. Talon saw a glean in Veer’s eyes that he recognized to be a pulse of adrenaline. Veer breathed started to breathe heavily, his eyes narrowing. Talon knew things were about to get ugly, unless someone intervened.

“Come on Thunder, just back off.” said a mare to his right. The mare had cyan fur and a striking rainbow striped mane and tale. Her eyes were a gentle amethyst. “It’s not worth it. What’s the fun in giving a newbie a hard time?”

“What, don’t tell me you have a crush on him, Rainbow Dash?” replied Thunderlane, a small mischievous glint in his eyes.

He must’ve known that Rainbow Dash pretty well, or at least well enough to know how to get under her skin. The mare started to glow red in her cheeks, her eyes narrowing. “With the newbie? HELL, NO.”

Thunderlane gave a small smirk. “No, I meant Veer.”

“With that bastard? Who the HELL do you think I am, Thunder? Don’t mention something like that.” said the rainbow colored mare.

Veer, obviously hurt from the comment, turned his attention from Thunderlane to Rainbow Dash. “Who would want to go out with someone as slow as Dash?”

The mare completely lost it. She dashed (whoops, made a pun) towards Veer and latched a hoof onto his collar. “You wanna run that through me again?”

Veer, surprised at her speed yet acting not intimidated, replied, “I bet my colt Talon, here, can beat you in a head on head race.” he said, gesturing to Talon.

The mare looked at Talon. “Is that true, newbie? You think you can beat The Best Young Flyer of all of Equestria?”

Talon stammered and rubbed the back of his neck with his hoof, not realizing how he quickly he became the center of the argument. The gentle amethyst in the mare’s eyes quickly turned into a raging storm of color. “W- well, I- I’m honestly not really-”

“Of course he could beat a wingpony like you!” interrupted Veer, who pressed his hooves into Talons shoulders, pushing him forward. “And after he’s done, he says he’ll be cleaning the track with you!”

The mare glared directly into Talon’s eyes. “Well, then, you’re on! Tomorrow, 10 AM, on the main course, and don’t be late.” she said, before turning away and heading towards the living quarters.

After they were gone, Veer turned to Talon and said, “That went better than expected.”

“How the hell did that go better than expected? Were you expecting a full on brawl that would end up getting us all killed?” asked Talon, overwhelmed with new events and struggling to find a logical and calm place in all of the chaos.

“Kinda.” replied Veer, simply.

“Celestiadammit, you’re trying to get me killed Veer, aren’t you? How the hell am I supposed to get through all of the crap you set me up with tomorrow? It’s my first day, and I can’t understand half of the crap that happened today.” Talon swore.

Veer said, “Well, are you a decent flier?” Talon gave somewhat of a half nod. “In that case, problem solved. Just beat Rainbow Dash, the mare who has 17 different academy records. It won’t be that hard.” Talon glared at Veer.

Veer wrapped a hoof around Talon’s neck. “Look, kid, it’s not that bad. All you have to do is embarrass yourself completely in tomorrow’s race, face a few death threats from a mare, and not end up getting kicked out of the academy for how badly you performed against that said mare. Things could be worse.”

Talon shrugged off Veer’s hoof. “Well, when you put it that way, you seem like more of a foal than I had originally thought.” Talon trot towards the living quarters, not even waiting for Veer.

“You need help finding your room? Its number 117!” called Veer.

“Go buck yourself.” was the only reply Veer got.