Chapter 1: A Stress Free Day
Set My Heart On Fire
Written by: Alex A
Chapter 1: A Stress Free Day
Over the skies of Cloudsdale the atmosphere was nothing but the sound of ponies rushing about on daily business, trying to get their weather duties and mail delivered on time. This left the lower part of Cloudsdale relatively quiet, helping a certain pegasus out when she was stressed.
“Why is this so bucking hard!?” Spitfire said to herself in an angry tone as she sat behind her desk in the Wonderbolt headquarters. The captain was looking over mountains of stacked up papers, filled with application forms that she had to evaluate, mark, and report on. The mare groaned in annoyance as she turned to look out the office windows. Seeing the vast open sky made her wings ache for flight, but Spitfire had to deny the temptation to do so.
Snapping her head back to the desk in front of her, Spitfire continued with her current job. After she had completed a few of the forms, a knock sounded at her door.
Spitfire sighed. “Come in,” she said in a slightly exhausted tone.
The door opened to reveal a pale blue stallion, his lime green eyes searching the room until they came to rest on the stack of papers. “Spitfire, um... are you alright?” he asked.
“Couldn’t be better Soarin,” Spitfire replied lazily as she continued to write something down on her desk.
Soarin made his way around the stack of papers as he saw his captain filling out a form looking identical to the stacks around him. “Are you filling out-”
“All of these,” Spitfire finished, pointing an accusing hoof to the stacks. “Yes I am, and to think what's really funny? Fillies and colts dream of my job every day, just wait until they get to this,” she said, finishing another form before moving it to the side and picking up another.
Soarin gave an uneasy look between the stacks and his captain. “Don’t you think you should take a break Spitfire? I haven’t seen you come out all morning.”
“What? And leave all this?” Spitfire said in a slightly stunned tone. Soarin looked away slightly as he rubbed the back of his neck with a forehoof.
“I dunno Spitfire, I’ll cover for you... Hearts and Hooves day isn’t too far away, maybe you should go spend time with your special somepony.”
Spitfire stopped writing and slowly turned to face her lieutenant. “I don’t have a special somepony Soarin; I work all day, what makes you think I have time to be seeing anypony.”
Soarin smiled warmly at this. “Well then, maybe it’s time you found one.”
“What are you playing at Soarin?” Spitfire asked, raising an eyebrow.
Soarin raised his hooves. “Nothing Spits, all I’m saying is you’ve worked all day every day for the past few weeks; you should just take a break and see where the day takes you, I’ll handle everything here. I’m just helping out a friend,” Soarin finished as he put a forehoof on the mare’s shoulder.
Spitfire thought about the proposition for a moment. She knew Soarin was right, but where would she go. “What would I do Soarin?” she asked quizzically.
Soarin put a forehoof to his chin as he pondered. “Hmm, maybe just take a flight. I’ve seen you staring out those office windows,” he said as Spitfire grinned sheepishly.
“Okay Soar... you win, I’ll see you later,” Spitfire said, getting up and out of the chair she was currently sitting on. Soarin smiled as he watched the mare leave. When he heard the sound of the door closing he turned back to the large pile of papers.
Soarin’s wings drooped to his sides. “This is gonna be a long day at the office,” he said to himself as he sat down and got to work.
Just outside the Wonderbolt headquarters, Spitfire trotted out onto the main city streets of Cloudsdale, the white, puffy landscape bringing a smile to her face. She happily breathed in a lung full of thick, fresh air. Loving the feeling it gave her, she spread her wings before taking off into the open sky, happy to be taking the day off.
Spitfire quickly got to a good altitude in the sky. She looked down from her position in the air, a large smile started to form over her muzzle as she felt the wind in her mane, passing through her wings, giving her the feeling of complete and utter bliss. Spitfire slowly started to turn into a barrel roll as she lazily darted about the sky, performing a few tricks. However, the tricks she performed began to become a little more daring with the increasing joy she began to feel inside.
Spitfire began to dive into a Wonderbolt’s routine she had been practicing with the other members of her team; it involved some moves that she came up with herself. Turning her wings ever so slightly, Spitfire went into a helix. Gravity began to pull her down fast, sending her into an even faster spin, all the while her golden-fiery streak setting the sky ablaze as it danced into the circular wind pattern she was creating in her move.
Spitfire felt her mind start to get dizzy, so she quickly switched her wings back to level herself out into a more steady flight. She spotted a cloud not too far away and landed squarely onto its springy surface. She looked back to see the fading remains of her trick. “I’ll definitely be putting that in the routine,” she said to herself.
“You're telling me, that was awesome!”
Spitfire snapped her head around to see a sky blue pegasus laying on the cloud. She raised a curious eyebrow. “How long have you been here for?” she asked.
The pegasus grinned. “Ever since I saw this pegasus performing tricks outside my home.”
Spitfire drew a slightly confused look. “You’re home?”
The rainbow maned mare pointed her hoof to a cloud home in the distance, beyond it was a small earth pony village. Spitfire smiled. “Well it’s nice to see you again Rainbow Dash.”
“You too Spitfire,” Dash said happily as she got herself back onto all fours. “So what are you doing here?” she asked.
“Soarin say’s I’ve been working too hard lately, so I went on a flight. What about you?”
Rainbow pondered the question for a few moments. “Besides awesome, nothing else. Everypony’s getting ready for all that mushy Hearts and Hooves day stuff in a few weeks time,” she said, pulling a disgusted look. Spitfire nodded in agreement.
Rainbow smirked. “So, have you got a special somepony?” she asked.
Spitfire shook her head. “Nope, I’ve spent too much time in that office, I’m pretty sure my only friend is the pen I’ve been using to write with lately.”
Rainbow muffled a giggle and then proceeded to smile a little sheepishly as she spoke. “Well... do you wanna, I dunno... hang out?”
“Hang out?” Spitfire repeated. Dash nodded eagerly.
“Yeah, it’d be fun, right?”
Spitfire thought about the option. She didn’t want to upset the mare, and besides, she did already owe her something after that gala a few months back. “I... sure, it’ll be fun I guess.”
“Awesome!” Rainbow said, doing a small backflip in glee. She quickly realized what she was doing and turned a more modest look. “I mean... um, cool. Let’s get going,” she said, motioning for the pegasus to follow.
Spitfire raised an eyebrow. “Where are we heading exactly?”
“I’ll show you, it’s awesome!” Rainbow exclaimed as she flew off towards the small town. Spitfire quickly spread her wings and flew after her.
Both pegasi weaved in and out of the buildings of the small village, the odd pony motioning a forehoof towards them. Spitfire turned to Dash, her face riddled with curiosity. “So, where are we going?” she asked.
Rainbow smiled. “Just here,” she said as both mares flew over a vast forest just on the outskirts of the town. Spitfire was about to ask what was going on when Rainbow Dash spoke up.
“Okay, this here is my new and improved race circuit. My old one kinda sucked... had to have my pet Tank carry me out,” she said, blushing slightly in embarrassment.
Spitfire glanced over the small canyon, riddled with trees and creatures she’d never seen before. Turning to Dash, Spitfire raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure this is safe?”
“Yeah, I’ve done it at least three times. Now come on, are you in or not?” she asked, egging the Wonderbolt on. Spitfire sighed; she knew she couldn’t back out now, plus the adrenaline and the excitement from such a dangerous task made her mind burn with desire.
Spitfire nodded. “I’m in!”
“Great,” Rainbow replied as they both lined up. “Okay, 3… 2, 1, GO!”
Rainbow blitzed towards the canyon, Spitfire following very close behind. The sky blue mare suddenly switched down a small tunnel, leaving Spitfire in front of a wall of spiked vines. The Wonderbolt quickly reacted, moving in and out of the vines, trying to avoid the many spikes. She breathed out a sigh of relief once she was out of the vines, quickly spotting Rainbow darting back out in front of her. Spitfire grinned, picking up the pace again until she was on her tail.
Rainbow quickly flew downwards, Spitfire looked forward to see a large Hydra, she gasped and tilted her wings as she spiraled downwards so she was neck and neck with Dash.
“Look out here it comes!” Rainbow said her tone full of excitement. Spitfire looked back to see the giant monster give chase after the mares with an earth shattering roar. Dash saw the finish line approaching and quickened her pace. Spitfire saw the small opening Dash was aiming for where a gap consisted between a pile of rocks. Spitfire quickened her pace as another roar sounded from the Hydra not far behind them.
Rainbow and Spitfire went into a knife's edge move as both pegasi darted through the opening and soared up into the open sky once again. Once they were at a safe height, Rainbow looked back down onto the canyon where a hydra stood roaring in utter rage towards the pegasi. Rainbow smirked and stuck her tongue out at the monster only aggravating it further.
Spitfire giggled at Rainbow’s antics, the blue mare smiled and lightly punched Spitfire on the shoulder. “So what did you think of that?”
“Well it was good,” Spitfire started, “But I think that’s my excitement filled for the day,” she said turning back to the mare.
Rainbow nodded. “Sure thing, you wanna hit Sugarcube corner?” she asked.
Spitfire happily nodded as she motioned with a forehoof to lead the way. Rainbow took off again heading back towards the village as Spitfire followed.
Back in the small town, the doors to Sugarcube corner were swung open as Rainbow flew in followed by Spitfire. Both pegasi looked around the small cafe, seeing many ponies sitting on individual tables with another mare or stallion. Charalee was sitting with Big Mac, Lyra with Bon Bon and Cloudchaser was sitting next to Thunderlane.
Rainbow Dash trotted up to the counter where a dark blue mare stood. “Hey Mrs Cake, what’s up?” she asked.
“Nothing much, everypony’s enjoying the day being in the company of their special somepony,” Mrs Cake replied happily.
Rainbow nodded. “Cool, can I get two twirl cupcakes please,” Dash asked politely. Mrs Cake nodded before a large bang could be heard. Both Dash and Mrs Cake turned to see Pinkie Pie with her hooves on the counter, her mouth growing bigger as she gasped. After a moment she pointed a hoof over to the golden mare in the store.
“It’s Spitfire!” Pinkie exclaimed jumping up and down. “I saw her first, I win, I win!”
Spitfire smiled sheepishly as everypony in the shop turned around to see the mare in wonder. Mrs Cake grinned mischievously at Rainbow. “Is there a reason for these two cupcakes?” she asked putting the small bag on the counter.
Rainbow’s eyes widened. “Woah! we’re just friends honest, I mean we’re just hanging out,” she protested.
Pinkie Pie zoomed over to Dash with an eager grin on her face. “So what should I call the party Dash? happy welcome to Ponyville slash getting together with Dashie?”
Rainbow shook her head. “Sorry Pinks maybe we’ll do a party some other time.”
“Okay!” Pinkie said excitedly before the sound of cakes exploding from the kitchen could be heard. “Yay! my new exploding hearts cupcakes are ready!” she exclaimed before dashing back into the kitchen. Rainbow shook her head playfully as she forked over the bits to Mrs Cake before taking the bag. She trotted over to Spitfire giving her one of the cupcakes.
“Thanks Dash,” Spitfire said kindly taking a bite of the treat. “This is much better than the Wonderbolt’s low fat diets at the HQ, Soarin hates it… mainly because pie is off the menu.”
Rainbow muffled a giggle at that. “Sounds bad, so what else do you wanna do today?” she asked curiously.
Spitfire looked up to the sky seeing the afternoon coming to an end, “Actually,” she said turning to Dash, “It was a great day, but I should probably get back to Cloudsdale.”
Spitfire felt the guilt immediately pull at her heart strings when she saw Rainbow’s face droop. “Okay, how about...one more flight,” she said smirking. Rainbow quickly perked up and nodded eagerly. Spitfire smiled. “There's no Hydra’s in this one though,” she pointed out causing both pegasi to let out their own laughter.
Spitfire flared her wings before taking off into the sky. Dash quickly finished the rest of her cupcake before taking off in hot pursuit.
Spitfire soared into the sky. She quickly went into a hover to let Dash catch up, she then spoke up as the pegasus came over, “Okay Dash, show me what you’ve got.”
Rainbow was slightly surprised at the request. “You want me to show you…”
“Your moves, don’t think I’ve not heard of the filly flash three hundred times at the academy,” Spitfire retorted with a grin, Rainbow blushed slightly at that.
“Well I guess I can show you some of my awesome moves,” Rainbow said confidently. Spitfire smirked as she watched the mare jump straight into her routine. She was surprised at just how well the pegasus could perform the tricks, then again Spitfire did know from Rainbow’s academy application that she had been training nearly all her life.
Rainbow soared over Spitfire as she dived into a few more twists and turns, Spitfire had to say she was definitely impressed with the future Wonderbolt’s routine. “Very good Dash, I’m impressed.”
“You're not just saying that?” Dash said, her voice full of hope. Spitfire shook her head.
“Nope, you really have got potential, you know not even my routine into the Bolt’s was as good as that one.”
“No way, your routine must have been awesome, I know mine isn’t ...besides, I haven’t even got my favorite move in it,” Rainbow admitted sitting down on a nearby cloud in the sky. Spitfire floated over to the fluffy mass as she spoke.
“Why? what’s your favorite move?” Spitfire asked.
“It’s...it’s a double helix, with another pony...I used to do it all the time as a filly when I was with my mom...it was the first trick I learned too.”
“Well...you wanna try one now, before I go?”
Rainbow’s eyes nearly burst out of their sockets, “What!”
“Well, If you want to do it I don’t mind,” Spitfire stated with a friendly smile.
Dash thought over the idea for a moment. Soon she gave a nod in approval. “Cool well lets get started,” she said hesitantly getting up onto all fours.
Spitfire shook her head playfully and grabbed Dash’s forehoof taking her up into the air slightly Dash smiled sheepishly and just followed Spitfire as they began to circulate around each other gradually getting higher into the sky. Spitfire began to pick up the pace the higher they got, Rainbow’s confidence also started to pick up, soon both pegasi were lost in the moment performing like they would for a show. Rainbow looked in wonder at the pegasus before her. She had admired Spitfire before, but never like this. Those large amber eyes coupled with that orange mane just gave a warm feeling to Dash's mind.
When they reached a suitable height, Spitfire turned out of the helix, smiling as she did so. “That was great Dash, it’s been a while since I’ve done that.”
Rainbow continued to blush. “Yeah I know, it’s a nice trick...so I’ll see you again right?”
Spitfire thought over the idea as she looked out over the sunset sky. It only took a few moments for her to give a reply, “Sure Dash, I liked hanging out with you...it was great.”
Rainbow grinned happily. “Well I gotta get some sleep if I’m gonna annihilate those clouds tomorrow,” she said confidently, “So I’ll see you... this friday?”
Spitfire pondered over her schedule, she smiled giving a nod. “Sure thing Dash, I’ll see you then.”
With that the rainbow pegasus shot back off towards her home in the sky. Spitfire hovered there for a few more moments as she looked over the sunset sky. Smiling a mile wide she gently took off back towards Cloudsdale.
As the golden mare flew over the skies of Equestria, she felt happy to have taken up on Soarin’s offer to take the day off. However, she had a few days of work before she’d be seeing Rainbow Dash again. She never knew a fan filly would be as radical as she was, but then again Dash was Wonderbolt material at least in her eyes. Spitfire began to think more about the Rainbow mare as she flew towards Cloudsdale with a large smile still plastered on her face.
Meanwhile back in Ponyville, Rainbow Dash landed on the doorstep of her cloud home, she quickly checked to see that no pony was around before letting out a little squeal of delight about her day before merely trotting into the home. She trotted through the home, quickly checked on her pet Tank before making her way upstairs to her bedroom. Her mind was still in a spin from the day so far. Just hanging out with Spitfire for Dash was nothing short of amazing, but the icing on the cake for her was the helix. However Dash had more than a happy smile on her face, she felt great knowing that she would be seeing Spitfire again.
Then, just as Rainbow headed into her room a thought passed through her mind. She stopped in her tracks thinking on the subject, could Spitfire be the special pony for Dash?
Dash chuckled to herself at that, like Spitfire would be interested in her. The thought made her shake her head playfully as she crashed onto the cloud bed and pulled the covers over her head, going to sleep knowing she’d made one very awesome friend.
To be Continued…
Set My Heart On Fire
Written by: Alex A
Chapter 2: A New Start
Rainbow Dash groaned as she awoke to a blinding light coming from a window in her room. She pulled the covers over her head as her eyes adjusted to the new day. She peaked outside to see the many clouds rolling around outside her home. Rainbow frowned, she didn’t like labour, but then again cloudbusting was fun when you could do it in ten seconds flat.
Leaping out of bed Rainbow quickly trotted downstairs to the cloud home’s kitchen area, her mind starting to catch up with the events of the previous day with a certain golden mare. A smile formed on Rainbow’s muzzle as she took out a box of cereal and poured it into a bowl.
Rainbow trotted over to the table in the room and sat down to eat. She knew that today would be busy, but she found herself thinking about her free time and what she could do next time when she hung out with Spitfire.
Come on Dash, you hung out with her once, it’s not like she’s your best friend.
Rainbow knew this was true, but her heart was telling her something different than her brain, she felt eager to hang out with Spitfire, get to know her more as a friend. Rainbow stopped eating at that point as she too came to the realization of how much she wanted to see the mare. Luckily her thoughts were dismissed when something prodded her hind hoof. Looking down Rainbow saw her pet looking up at her with hungry eyes.
“Oh hey Tank, wait right there I’ll get you something.”
Rainbow zipped over to a cupboard and took out another bowl, she then proceeded to take out some lettuce and other vegetables before coming back over and sitting it in front of the animal. Tank smiled slowly as he bent down to eat. Rainbow patted his shell before making her way outside to start her morning weather duties.
Back in Cloudsdale, Spitfire was already up and moving. She had just finished morning training and was heading into the mess hall for something to eat. Her mind was still focused on the friday ahead, with nothing to really look forward to it was the only thing Spitfire was thinking about, she wasn’t a very sociable pony when it came to the real world, she got cooped up in her work so often it lead to her not being able to hang out as much as the average mare could.
“Hey Spitfire,” Soarin said trotting over to his friend as Spitfire collected her tray and hovered over to a table.
“Hey Soar, how was yesterday...did everything go okay?” The captain asked curiously.
“Yeah it all went A-okay boss,” Soarin said cheerfully. “Though I can see why you're always in that office, that paperwork took me forever.”
Spitfire giggled slightly at that. “Yes that’s what you get for giving me the day off Soar, which reminds me...I need to ask a favour.”
“Anything,” Soarin said with a friendly smile.
“I um, need to get off friday early,” Spitfire said truthfully as she looked between Soarin and her tray.
The stallion smirked. “What, you finally found something other than the Bolts?” he asked in a mocking tone as Spitfire blushed in embarrassment.
Soarin laughed. “Alright Spit, I’ll make sure you can get of friday...can I ask why?”
“Just hanging out with a friend,” Spitfire said causally.
“Really, who is this friend...someone I know?” Soarin asked in innocent curiosity.
“Well...yes, um do you remember a mare called Rainbow Dash?” Spitfire asked.
Soarin pondered for a few moments before a smile came to his face, “Yeah I remember now, back at the Gala, she saved my pie.”
Spitfire rolled her eyes playfully. “Yes, well I’m hanging out with her on friday.”
Soarin nodded. “Well I’m glad your making friends Spit, I’ll see you later for practice.”
Spitfire nodded as Soarin left letting her indulge in her own thoughts. She picked up an apple and began to munch on it slowly as she thought what the sky blue pegasus was up to…
Back in Ponyville Rainbow Dash was just finishing up the last of her weather duties, she was lucky to be able to get it all done so quickly. It also made her nap times longer meaning she could get some rest after a good mornings work, but today her mind was too active for rest. Rainbow was still hot on topic with Spitfire. She had been thinking about different things she could do with the golden mare, but being in such a small town there wasn’t much for a pegasus to do except fly. Rainbow groaned as her mind churned, she needed to distract herself for a little while. She remembered talking to her friend Applejack about helping out with the farm. Mainly because her last scheduled rain storm over there fried most of the apples leaving one very annoyed farmer.
Taking flight the sky blue pegasus dashed off towards the farm. She quickly found herself speeding through the main streets of the small village, seeing everypony trotting around with ones they cared for. This brought Rainbow back to the festivities which would be coming soon, she wondered what everypony else would be doing on that day. Her mind quickly came back to Spitfire and what she said about not having a special somepony. Rainbow grinned at the possibility of another time to hang out.
Soon Rainbow reached the gates of the apple farm, and quickly found her friend. “Hey Applejack!” Dash said as she trotted over to the orange coated mare.
“Well howdy Rainbow Dash, what brings ya’ll over here?”
Rainbow sighed. “Nothin much, just need to find something to do.”
Applejack turned from her current job of counting hay barrels to face the mare, she raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t this usually the time a day where you just...you know, nap?”
Rainbow nodded. “Yeah, but I just don’t feel like that today, so...is there anything I can help with?”
Applejack put a hoof to her chin as she pondered. “hmmm, well I guess since you owe me...you can help take the apple buckets over to the container,” the mare said trotting over to one of the many tree’s on the ranch.
“Sure, I guess that’s okay,” Rainbow said as she followed the mare.
Applejack nodded. “That’s good sugarcube, now you mind tellin me why you're not up in them clouds slacking off?”
Dash shrugged. “I dunno, guess I’m just looking forward to hanging out with Spitfire this friday.”
“Spitfire...isn’t she that fancy Wonderbolt?” Applejack asked turning around to face her friend. Rainbow nodded in response.
“Yeah, she just happened to fly over to Ponyville the other day, me and her hung out together...she’s a really cool pony and we agreed to meet up again this friday.”
“So your minds hooked on this... Spitfire?” Applejack confirmed. Rainbow nodded again.
“Well I’m mighty glad your making friends Rainbow, what do you plan on doin with her?”
Rainbow scratched the back of her neck with a forehoof. “I dunno yet. W-What do you think I should do?”
Applejack shrugged. “I dunno, go to a race...or have one, that's usually what you ponies do isn't it?”
Dash nodded to herself as she watched Applejack turn back and continue trotting. Rainbow quickly followed after her earth bound friend egar to get on with the day.
…
“So Spitfire, what are you doing the rest of this week?” Fleetfoot asked, as she trotted down one of the many network of hallways in the Wonderbolt headquarters.
The golden mare shrugged. “I’m hanging out with a friend on friday, what are you doing?”
Fleetfoot smiled. “Oh a friend?... and I’m hanging out with Rapidfire for the most of this week.”
“Sounds...nice,” Spitfire replied cheerfully.
Fleetfoot turned a shade of crimson before speaking again. “So...who is this friend...or should I say special somepony?”
“She’s not a special somepony Fleet, we’re just friends...besides it’s about time I did something more than just sit in my office gathering dust.”
Both mares gave out a small chuckle at this as they trotted towards the exit of the large building. Fleetfoot spread her wings as she spoke, “Well, I’m glad Spitfire...you know seeing you find someone.”
Spitfire raised an eyebrow before giggling and shaking her head. “You don’t get it do you...we’re just friends.”
Fleetfoot smirked. “Well...whoever this friend is I’m sure they’re very lucky,” she said sarcastically before shooting off into the sky.
Spitfire smiled. She’d never get Fleetfoot's antics, but she had more to think about now than just her work...for the first time she needed to start thinking about her social life.
To Be Continued...
