Raining Fire

Written by: Alex A

Chapter 20: The Night Of Your Life

The next few day’s passed by in a blur, and the nerves didn’t seem to drop, but it was now or never. As Luna’s moon rose in the night sky it signalled that It was time for the Manehatten performance.

Spitfire was currently watching from the inner stadium, seeing the thousands of ponies flocking the stands of the large arena eagerly waiting in anticipation for the show to start. Spitfire could feel butterflies in her stomach and it was the first time she had been nervous for a show in a long time. But there was more on the line this time than just Spitfire’s reputation, it was her dream job that she had worked hard for and it was something she didn’t want to lose by any means.

Suddenly, Spitfire felt two very soft wings wrap themselves around her midsection. She turned to see Rainbow Dash nuzzling into her shoulder. “You ready?” Rainbow asked in a quiet tone, her voice as soft as the wings currently hugging her body.

Spitfire breathed in a large gulp of well needed air, before she pulled down her flight goggles and turned around to fully face her marefriend “Let’s give them a show they won’t forget.”

Dash nodded confidently and retracted her wings before giving Spitfire a mock salute. She grinned, before turning away and trotting out of the room. Spitfire following close behind.

As they approached the locker rooms, Spitfire could already hear the cheers and chants from the crowd outside. She felt more nerves in the pit of her stomach as she continued to trot behind her marefriend. Just as they were about to reach their destination, a hoof tapped Spitfire’s shoulder, making the golden mare jump slightly and quickly turn round. She saw Silver Skies looking down on her with a small smile tugging at his face.

Spitfire raised an eyebrow. “Sir, is there something wrong?” she asked hesitantly.

The stallion let out a small chuckle before replying, “No, Spitfire, just give a good show out there today,” he said happily.

Spitfire nodded nervously before turning back to the locker rooms and entering. She made her way over to her locker and opened the door, seeing her captains uniform hanging inside adorned with a gold and silver badge in the shape of the Wonderbolts logo with long flowing wings poking out of the sides of the badge showing the mare's rank. Spitfire felt her nerves die away slightly being replaced with determination and the thing she loved most of all… adrenaline.

Taking the uniform out of the locker she began preparing herself for the show, in only a few moments time she would be out in front of thousands of cheering fans. She just hoped they were still fans anyway.

After getting the better part of the uniform on Spitfire looked down in her locker to see the remaining headpiece. She lifted it up and secured it to the rest of her uniform before looking over to the inner door of her locker, where a small mirror was plastered onto it. She made sure her mane wasn’t in a mess before looking to the rest of the team in the room who were all ready and waiting. She decided to get their attention, she had something very important to say to them all.

“Guys," Spitfire said getting the teams attention, "over the past few years, this team which I’ve been a part of has been nothing short of excellent,” she started. “I only have your co-operation and kindness to thank for that. I may as well get on to the reason why I telling you this… this could be my last performance for the Bolts, and I just want you guys all to know it’s been the best time of my life...and I've been honored to be your captain."

All the Wonderbolts began to look at one another, some with knowing looks and some with confused faces. Before anypony could say anything the booming voice of the announcer spoke from outside the locker room.

“Please join me in welcoming the ponies you’ve all been waiting for… the Wonderbolts!”

Spitfire and the team had no time for speaking, they bolted out of the locker rooms and into their positions as the crowd began to wait in anticipation for the event to start the entire stadium going completely silent.

Spitfire turned to Blazing Fire and giving him the signal to start the show. He took off going round the outer side of the stadium making sure not to be seen as he began his part of the starting routine.

Inside the arena, the winds suddenly started to pick up. The soft sounds of the rising breeze was the only sound that could be heard through the large stadium. The audience watched in wonder at the center of the stadium as the clouds that had hung over them slowly started to spin and collect in one centralized clump. Suddenly, the stadium went quiet once again as Blazing made his full lap around the stadium and coming back to the team. Spitfire made the signal for them to start the next phase as they all soared up into the sky. In the middle of the arena the sound of thunder returned once more but only for a short time before a large lightning bolt shot out of the newly formed cloud mass and the whole stadium lit up in a white flash. The sound of roaring thunder filled the stadium, signaling the Wonderbolts in the sky to start their part of the routine. They launched up from behind the crowd from all corners of the stadium and shot for the center cumulous mass, dicing it in to pieces as they shot through it from all directions as the rumble of thunder faded.

The Wonderbolts then soared out over the rim of the stadium making a ring of dark, black thunder before heading back into the arena and as they soared upwards into a ringed spiral before coming together and then spiraling back down towards the crowd. The atmosphere inside the stadium was ablaze with cheering ponies all watching intently as the Wonderbolts split off from their positions and began their solo routines.

Spitfire turned and looked over to Dash giving her the hoof signal to start the final stages of the show, she nodded and pulled back up from the stadium as she made her way into the sky, Spitfire and Soarin moved to opposite sides of the stadium. The nerves in Spitfire’s chest had all but been replaced by new found energy, she drifted round the outer left side of the stadium trying to stay in time with the stallion opposite her on the other side of the arena, they both came out of their turns and powered down towards the center.

Blazing took position underneath Spitfire and Soarin as he awaited his cue, all the fans were now on the edges of their seats as they watched the two Wonderbolts head for each other. Spitfire looked up and saw a flash of rainbow colors as Dash switch her streak from the thunderclouds back to her more natural one. She sped towards the two Wonderbolts as time seemed to slow down.

Spitfire turned as did Soarin just in the final moments as they missed each other by a few feet, Blazing then took that as his cue to soar into the sky meeting Rainbow Dash half way. He lopped around as did Rainbow as their hind hooves met each other, Blazing then gave a forceful buck sling shotting Rainbow Dash back into the sky at lightning speed, the air shaped cone forming around the sky blue mare quickly enveloping her.

The stadium was now only filled with the rumble of thunder, all the fans watched as the rainbow streak soared higher into the sky. Fillies and colts watching on their parents back to get a good view of the spectacular trick that was about to come. Meanwhile in the air Spitfire felt anxious and she silently prayed for the trick to work.

Rainbow though was never going to back down, she knew what this trick was riding on and she wasn’t going to let her mare down any day, spreading up with all her reserve strength she felt the shockwave coming close as everypony below waited eagerly for the all important boom.

Spitfire couldn’t look, she put her forehooves over her goggles waiting to hear the inevitable boo from the crowd when the trick failed, but instead she heard the most relieving sound, a large boom could be heard across the stadium as all the ponies looked on in utter shock and wonder at the sight before them. Spitfire hesitantly removed her hooves from her face to see the utter wonder once again.

The large circle of colors spanned out across the stadium showering everypony in rays of multicolored light, the foals in the crowd trying to catch the colors that they saw close to them. Spitfire started to hear the cheers from the crowd before it erupted into a giant roar of stamping hooves and hollering. She felt a huge amount of joy fill her mind and heart and she began cheering too as the rest of the team came back to give each other a group hug.

Meanwhile Rainbow was high above the crowd, she had just managed to slow herself down and could already hear the cheers from below, she looked back down on the large stadium and smiled when she saw the rest of the team cheering after her, she felt happy that she had not only managed to help her marefriend secure her job, but she might have just secured her own permanent place at the Bolts as well. With this new thought in mind she powered back down towards the stadium to meet up with the rest of the team, but this had been by far one of the best nights of her life.

Spitfire and the rest of the team were currently making their way towards the center of the stage still waving at the cheering fans from above in the stands. Rainbow landed next to Spitfire and wrapped a wing around her. Spitfire smiled happily at the mare, “I can’t believe you actually did it!” she said excitedly.

Rainbow smiled back at the golden mare, “pshh I can do anything Spitfire you should know that by now,” she said confidently.

Spitfire rolled her eyes playfully before hugging the mare quickly as she whispered, “I love you Dashie...you’ll get my thank you later though,” she said pulling back and winking at the mare before they made their way to the small stage with the others.

Spitfire walked up the stage and tapped the microphone as the entire crowd went silent. Spitfire felt the nerves quickly return and her voice was slightly hesitant as she spoke, “Hey everpony...did you enjoy the show?” she asked.

Spitfire was met with a huge cheer and stomping of hooves, a smile came to her face as all the ponies started chanting 'Wonderbolts’ over and over. Spitfire took the microphone and trotted over to Rainbow, “you should really be thanking this mare…without her none of this would have been possible,” she said confidently raising Dash’s hoof into the air. All the fans were now cheering louder as the Wonderbolt's said their thanks before leaving the stage and back into the locker rooms as the show ended.

Rainbow and the rest of the team were currently celebrating with each other in the locker rooms as Silver Skies came in, a proud smile adorning his features. He turned to face Spitfire and Dash, “Well Spitfire, I happy that the crowd still adores the teams captain...you will keep your job as agreed.”

Spitfire smiled happily as Dash gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, it was then Silver turned his attention to the sky blue mare, “Rainbow Dash, I must say that move was one of the best I’ve ever seen and I think with a few strings pulled you could be our newest member once the tour is finished,” he said with a wink before trotting out of the locker rooms.

The team exchanged excitedly looks between them as Rainbow pumped her hoof in the air, Spitfire shook her head playfully as she wrapped a wing around her marefriend giving her a soft kiss, the kind Rainbow loved.

The rainbow maned mare gave a curious look at Spitfire, “was that your thank you,” she asked.

Spitfire shook her head. “Nope, that was only the beginning,” she said with a mischievous grin.

Dash couldn’t stop the slight blush forming on her cheeks as the Wonderbolts made their way out of the locker rooms and back into the inner parts of the stadium. Spitfire turned back to Dash, “come on Dash or we'll be late for catching the blimp,” she said.

Rainbow snapped out of her current trance and nodded before following her marefriend out of the room and towards the exit of the stadium.

A Few Moments Later

Rainbow and the rest of the team landed back at the large hotel to collect their things, Spitfire and Dash both made their way to the penthouse and grabbed their saddlebags which they had packed earlier in the morning before the show. Spitfire just finished neatly tucking her uniform into her bag and as she turned back around to see a nervous looking Rainbow Dash standing next to the bed in the room.

Spitfire raised an eyebrow. “Hey Dash," she said with a slight giggle, "you look like somepony’s just issued a death warrant for you?”

Rainbow fumbled with her forehooves as she spoke, “Spitfire...I know you hate it when I thank you for things,” she said looking up to see Spitfire’s smirk starting to spread across her lips, “but I really want to thank you for everything these past few weeks, you know with the room and Hoops... I love you Spitfire your really, really awesome.”

Spitfire muffled a giggle at her marefriend as Dash’s cheeks turned the smallest shade of crimson. Then the golden mare slowly trotted up to Rainbow before giving her a kiss, when they parted Dash opened her eyes to see a mischievous grin on Spitfire’s lips. The yellow mare kissed Dash more passionately as the pair fell onto the bed in a fit of laughter. Rainbow looked up at her marefriend with a questionable look, “what's this?” she asked curiously.

Spitfire leaned in and whispered. “We have some time to ourselves, so I think I’ll give you my gratitude now,” she said playfully before the pair went back to making out.

…

A few moments later Soarin and the others were waiting outside the hotel for Spitfire and Rainbow, finding the silence to be very boring Soarin turned to Blazing and Rapid with a smile, “so...I got a letter from Fleetfoot and Misty apparently they’ll be able to perform in Cloudsdale’s show,” he said happily.

Blazing nodded. “Sounds great...It’s been a while since I’ve seen Fleet,” he said his voice slightly dreamy.

Soarin smirked. “Somepony’s got a crush,” he said in a sing-song voice. Rapid looked over at Blazing with a shocked expression expecting the stallion to come back with some kind of remark, but instead Blazing shrugged and didn’t reply.

Rapid shook his head confused. “Blazing what’s happening to you lately?” he said, his curiousity peaking.

Blazing turned to his friend and sighed, “I just...don’t want to be the pony I was okay...having a laugh is good and all, but I took it too far all the time...so I’m changing my ways…for my sisters sake,” he said knowingly.

Soarin put a forehoof on Blazings shoulder, the stallion turned to his lieutenant to see he had a knowing grin on his face. He took the forehoof of his shoulder and held it in front of Blazing, “can we call a truce then?” he asked.

Blazing nodded happily and bumped hooves with Soarin, just then another voice spoke up, “well well I never thought I’d see the day,” Spitfire said as she came out of the hotel with Dash not far behind.

Blazing shrugged. “Well I guess times change don’t they,” he said giving the yellow mare a quick hug.

Soarin looked over towards the direction of the stadium before speaking, “well we better get going before Silver leaves with the blimp...that stallion never likes to wait around,” he said, earning a nod from Spitfire. All the Wonderbolts secured their saddlebags to themselves before taking off in the direction of the large stadium some more eager to get home than others.

…

The blimp was all set and ready once the Wonderbolts had landed back at the arena. Spitfire’s mind had now switched back to her parent’s and the inevitable argument that would shortly follow afterwards.

Rainbow looked over a Spitfire as the pair walked up the small steps into the large blimp, “you gonna be alright when we get back?” she asked hesitantly.

Spitfire sighed. “I’m not too sure Dash, I don’t have a clue what my parents are going to do when we get back, I’m pretty sure all of Equestria knows about us by now,” she replied. Rainbow nodded in approval.

The pair walked into the blimp and over to the nearby lounge while the rest of the Wonderbolts went to their separate rooms for the night. Rainbow turned to Spitfire and spoke, “did you ever go out with fillies in school,” she asked curiously.

Spitfire looked over at her partner, "no, my dad told me about fillyfoolers before dating even started at my school” she said.

Dash raised an in response, "what did he say?" she asked. The golden mare put a forehoof to her chin as she remembered a specific day in time…

Flashback

A young golden filly was sat on a chair in a luxury home in Canterlot, a large fireplace sat opposite her and was currently crackling away with flames that matched her mane and tail. Just then two ponies trotted into the room and sat close to her on the nearby sofa.

The filly fumbled with her forehooves as her parents mumbled something between each other before her father spoke up, “sweetheart...I think it’s time your mother and I talk to you about the birds and bee’s of life,” he said.

Spitfire was very nervous by this, “a-am I in trouble?” she asked hesitantly.

Spitfire’s mother got up and sat down next to the filly nuzzling her gently, “no sweetheart, your father and I just think it’s time you learned a bit more about well…”

“relationships,” Spitfire’s father finished. The little filly nodded as he continued, “you're getting to the age now were hearts and hooves day will become a bit more important, you're a very beautiful mare honey and a lot of colts will be asking you out on dates.”

Spitfire nodded, “b-but what about the fillies, Mrs Rosey says it’s okay for mares and colts to like the same gender.”

Spitfire’s father shook his head. “No I will not have you dating fillies is that clear,” he said his tone rising slightly.

Spitfire’s mother wrapped a wing around the filly, “honey there’s no need to raise your voice at her, Spitfire doesn’t know anything about this,” she said trying her best to defend her daughter.

Spitfire’s father though didn’t have time for sympathy, “I know, but Spitfire needs to know from here on out that nopony in this house will ever be a fillyfooler, you will date colts only do I make myself clear Spitfire,” he said eyeing the golden filly. Spitfire nodded trying to hide in her mothers fur.

The stallion got up and trotted out of the room leaving the two ponies there not knowing that what he said would actually scar the filly for life…

End of Flashback

Rainbow was quite shocked at what Spitfire had just told her, “you mean to say he told you when you were just a filly?” she asked.

Spitfire nodded. “Well it wasn’t the only time he had told me...but it’s the one I remember most, even if I looked at a mare the wrong way my dad would give me a harsh warning.”

Dash wrapped her wings around the mare, “I’m so sorry about that Spitfire, but even if your parents don’t approve I’ll still be with you,” she said confidently.

Spitfire smiled happily, “well that’s good to know I’ve got somepony to stay with when all this goes haywire.”

Both mares let out a small giggle at that. Spitfire laid down on the sofa and put her forehoof to her head as Rainbow laid next to her, Spitfire turned to the mare next to her before speaking, “so what about your parents...are they more normal?” she asked with a smirk.

Dash grinned happily and nodded. “Yeah they're pretty normal. my moms kinda busy all the time though, but she’s cool and my dad will probably thank you for letting me be your marefriend,” she said as both pegasi shared a laugh.

Spitfire sighed happily. “Well thats good to hear Dashie...I think it’s about time we get some sleep don’t you?” she said wrapping the sky blue mare in her wings.

Dash nodded and nuzzled into Spitfire’s chest. Spitfire smiled and kissed Dash’s ear as she whispered, “goodnight Dash...I love you.”

Dash smiled and kissed Spitfire’s cheek as she repeated the words she loved, “goodnight Spitfire, I love you too.”

…

The faint noise of a crowd outside of the blimp awoke The golden mare. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes with a forehoof and looked across the lounge to see Blazing looking out one of the small port windows, a blank expression plastered on his face. Spitfire looked down at her marefriend and nudged Rainbow awake, the mare yawned as she turned to face the mare, “good morning beautiful,” she said happily.

Spitfire smiled and kissed the mare on the forehead, “come on Dash, I think we’re here,” she said getting off the sofa and making her way over to her brother.

Blazing turned to see his sister, “hey Spitfire,” he said nervously, “I don’t think you're gonna like this.”

Spitfire made her way up to the window Blazing was looking out of and her eyes widened when she spotted two very familiar ponies in amongst the crowds of reporters and journalists. Blazing sighed as he put a forehoof on her shoulder, “I don’t think their gonna be happy.”

Spitfire nodded. “Yep they're gonna kill me,” she said, fear starting to find it’s way back into her body. Dash came up to the window and gasped slightly when she saw all the ponies outside the blimp.

Dash raised an eyebrow, “what’s with all the cameras ?” she asked. Just then another voice spoke up.

“Their here for you Dash, that Rainboom was something very spectacular,” Silver Skies said as he trotted passed the three ponies towards the entrance of the large aircraft, opening the door, “come on Rainbow Dash, your fans are waiting,” he said motioning with a hoof for the pegasus to follow.

Rainbow looked over at Spitfire with a worried expression. Blazing put a wing around his sister as he looked over at Dash, “I’ll keep her safe, promise.”

Dash nodded. “You better,” she said narrowing her eyes before trotting out of the blimp with Silver.

Spitfire sighed heavily. “Well come on bro, lets get this over with,” she said trotting towards the exit of the blimp as Blazing followed.

Spitfire put a forehoof up to her eyes when the light from Celestia's sun hit her face, soon though she regained her vision as many reporters rushed over to the mare asking tons of questions. Blazing spread his wings and walked in front of his sister acting like a bodyguard as the pair walked through the crowds until they came up to the two very familiar ponies in the crowd.

Spitfire could feel her heart in her mouth as she looked at the two ponies who stood before her, “h-hi mom...hi da-”

Spitfire was cut off from her sentence by her father the words he spoke felt like daggers to her chest.

“ Spitfire you're coming back to the house with us...we need to talk…”

To be Continued...

Author's Note

End of Act II ladies and Gentlemen

It was a fun ride doing this section of the fic I really enjoyed living in my aspect of slice of life, now we shall be moving onto Act III where everythings gonna go down so I hope you liked the fic and all the Acts so far !

sooo I'm gonna be studying soon and if you want to know how thats gonna affect the channel go to second newest blog post titled -- updates and such --

And yeah I really like how the fics all finally coming together and season 4 of Mlp was good...besides the Twiboom that just ruined it for me.

Soooo kids summary time !

1: yeah Blazing is getting more and more friendly now, hope that isn't too much of a problem for all of you guys but I want him really supportive for the new Act
2: I had the flashback in mainly just to show how long Spitfire's father has been trying to get her to go out with stallions
3: Rainbow might become a new Wonderbolt
4: Fleetfoot and Misty are gonna be back YAY....
5: Yeah sh*ts gonna get real intense soon
6: well for the first time...Alex might be dead :O

~Alex