Chapters The room was deathly silent as Spitfire, Soarin and Fleetfoot all held their breaths, awaiting the Wonderbolt captain's answer. Everything in their current lives had lead up to this moment, and it was the next few words that would decide if their dreams were to become a reality right away.
“So...the three of you are going into…” Severe Wind announced as he looked at the folders. Spitfire felt slightly confused when she saw a smirk forming on the stallions lips, not knowing what the result would be. Suddenly, to the surprise of all three new recruits, the room erupted into laughter as the three current Wonderbolt stars burst out laughing. Severe Wind had to wipe a tear of laughter from his eye as they came down from their giggling fit, leaving the three new flyers now confused beyond belief.
“I’m sorry guys, but seriously. Did you really think you’d just be replacing us like that?” Severe Wind asked with a chuckle.
Spitfire looked between Fleetfoot and Soarin who both held anxious expressions on their faces. “Uh...yes, I mean, no sir...I mean,” Spitfire was surprised. Ever since getting her acceptance letter into the Wonderbolts, the rest of the journey up until this point was a roller coaster ride. She, along with the other two new recruits, weren't told what their roles would be.
Soarin was also confused, having conflicting emotions. He received his acceptance letter in the mail a few days ago, and had been on cloud nine ever since. His parents threw him a party, and his whole life was now ahead of him. But so many questions still remained.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, Firefly spoke up, “You’ll need to do better than the academy to replace us guys,” she said with a smirk as she and Star Flare got up and left the office, leaving three very shocked candidates standing in the middle of Severe Wind’s office.
“So…what will happen to us?” Fleetfoot asked with a cautious look on her face.
Severe Wind chuckled again, “Don’t worry, you're not going to be rejected, you're still on the team. However, before you can take over the team, you must complete a full tour with us current Wonderbolts, performing at various shows and events until you know how to perform like a team on your own. You're a reserve team for now. But only when you have the right qualities will I consider letting you three take over the main team,” Severe Wind said informatively.
Soarin, Spitfire and Fleetfoot nodded to the stallion before he continued. “Your dorms are in level A and are numbered four, seven and eight. Make your way to them and get settled. You’ll have the rest of the day to get yourselves accustomed to your new life. Training begins tomorrow morning at 0800 hours.”
With that, the three new Wonderbolts dispersed from the office and slowly made their way down the corridor. Soarin finally had the chance to breathe a sigh of relief from the tension, as did the two mares. He never thought things would go the way they did.
“Buck that!” Spitfire said in a grumpy tone, stamping her hooves down as she trotted with them. “I can’t believe he tricked us like that!” she said in a very angry tone.
“Hey, come on Spit, it was just a joke anyway,” Fleetfoot replied in a friendly tone trying to help the fiery-maned pegasus from busting a nerve.
“A joke about our biggest dream!” Spitfire said as the three trotted into the hallway which the Wonderbolt captain had directed them to.
“Uh...can we just choose which one we go in?” Soarin asked as they all looked at the three numbers which adorned the three doors. Fleetfoot shrugged and trotted over to room number four, making her way into the room and closing the door behind her. Soarin looked over to Spitfire with a curious look, she still had an angry look on her face.
Spitfire snorted out her nose, hoping to get a little bit of frustration out. Soarin put his hoof around her shoulders.
“Spitfire, I know you’re upset, but look at the bright side! We’re here, we’re Wonderbolts, and we’ve got our whole lives ahead of us!” Soarin said to try and comfort the mare.
“Geez, Soarin, since when did you get so mushy and positive?” Spitfire asked while moving away from Soarin’s hoof.
Soarin could feel a slight blush come across his face. “S-sorry, Spitfire. Just trying to make you feel a little better, is all. I mean, we're still here, and it'd probably be too hard to just get thrown in there and become the full Wonderbolts right away, you know? Being on a reserve team will help us learn from the best.”
Spitfire let out a soft sigh. “Thanks, Soar. I know you're right. You’re a nice guy,” she replied with a smile. “But, you also know me. I expect the best from myself. I don’t know, I guess I just wanted to start performing right away, you know?”
“I get that, Spitfire. Me too. I guess I just didn't know what to expect,” Soarin replied with a smile. “I mean, I really should have expected not to just replace the current main team.”
“Yeah, I know. Me too,” Spitfire replied while still showing some frustration.
“But hey, training starts tomorrow, and we’re well on our way,” Soarin added with high hopes. “We’ll be full Wonderbolts in no time. Just take some time to get settled in for now.”
“I will, Soarin,” Spitfire replied. She looked up and smiled back at him. “I think I’m gonna enjoy working with you.”
Soarin could feel a few muscles in his body tense up as he looked on her wonderful smile, which looked as if it could bring light into even the darkest of rooms. He watched as Spitfire turned around and made her way to room number seven, her tail and firm flanks bobbing with every hoofstep.
Soarin took a deep breath and let the air out of his mouth. He made his way over to the room beside Spitfire’s, number eight, which would have to be his new room for the foreseeable future. He slowly opened the door, revealing his new living space.
It was moderately sized, with two big windows overlooking the city, a bathroom, a small kitchen against the wall beside the main door, and cloud furniture, including a soft, luxurious bed, a desk with a phone, computer, and chair, a dresser, a dining room set, and a couch that was facing a television. It wasn't too much, but everything was well kept and new, and it was more than Soarin would have had if he had gone to the University of Cloudsdale. And best of all, it was all free, included with the job.
He let out a sigh and trotted over to the bed. With his hooves outstretched, he fell backwards onto the soft bed letting the soft cloud cushion his fall. Soarin kept his eyes towards the ceiling as he let his mind slowly start to tick over.
Suddenly a knock sounded at the door. Soarin’s head bolted up to see Fleeftoot and Spitfire, trotting into the room. He smiled seeing his friends, “Hey guys, long time no see?” he said jokingly, letting out a chuckle.
“Hey Piepony,” Fleetfoot said teasingly as she and Spitfire entered the room and started looking around.
“Yeah, I still need to go back to get my stuff from my old room to bring back here,” Soarin said as he got back up from the bed. Spitfire shot the stallion a smirk, to which he blushed at the sight.
“Oh, you mean at your parents’ house?” Fleetfoot asked with a grin. She snorted out some air with a snicker. “You gotta go back home to say goodbye to Mommy and Daddy?”
“Fleet, I already said bye to them,” Soarin said defensively. “No, I just have to grab some clothes and stuff. After all, I gotta get settled in here,” he said looking around the mostly empty room.
“Well, okay, don’t let us stop you. Or do you need somepony to hold your hoof?” Fleet asked, keeping up her assault. Soarin just shook his head playfully as he trotted out of the room as he made his way towards his parents' home.
Soarin flew over the skies of Cloudsdale, looking down below. He made out the rows of houses that surrounded the area he was flying over. Finally a grin spread across his muzzle as he spotted a familiar mare sitting on the porch of one of the many cloud houses.
Diving downwards towards the home, he landed close to the mare who turned to face the colt she had given birth to many years ago. She smiled widely when she saw him proudly trotting up to her in his uniform. “Hello, my baby boy,” she said trotting over and meeting him halfway as the pair shared a tender, loving hug.
“Heh, hey, Mom,” Soarin said softly as he wrapped his hooves around the mare. “I came to get the last of my stuff,” he said.
“Oh, really?” his mother said in a rather shocked tone. “You know, baby, you don’t have to if you feel like you need to-”
Soarin cut the mare off with a chuckle. “Come on, mom, you gotta let go eventually,” he said.
“I know, I know. I’m sorry. You’re right,” his mother responded. “Even though you’ve only been gone a few hours, if feels like years!”
Soarin’s mother got up and gave her son a huge, wet kiss, which caused him to cringe.
After wiping his cheek and shaking it off, Soarin replied, “Where’s Dad? He’s gonna want to hear how things went today.”
“He’s in the backyard. You go upstairs. I’ll bring him up.”
“Cool, thanks, Ma,” Soarin replied as he entered the house and flew up to his bedroom.
Upon his arrival, he landed, and took a few steps forward. Everything happened so suddenly. He was a Wonderbolt now, and he had a new home. His old room, his home for the first twenty years of his life, was not going to be his home anymore. He looked along the walls, where Wonderbolt posters all hung ever since he was a young colt and his father took him to see a Wonderbolt show. He let out a sigh as he began to look for a few items that he’d bring with him to his new place.
He grabbed his trusty bag and put it over his head and around his side. It was empty for now, but it would soon be filled with mementoes. He grabbed his old toy Wonderbolt plush toy, which was made to look like Tornado, one of the long-retired stallions of the squad. He grabbed some more items that had sentimental value to him, and continued to look around his old room.
Eventually, as his bag started to get full, he found an old picture of him as a colt with his parents. It was taken after the first Wonderbolt show he saw, when his parents took him on a trip to Manehattan. He saw a poster advertising the show as a young colt, and begged his parents until they brought him. And thus started his obsession with the flyers of Cloudsdale.
Soarin smiled as he saw his happy face in the picture. His father bought him a pair of Wonderbolt goggles, which he still had, and also threw in his bag. The couldn’t fit him anymore, but they still meant so much to him.
He looked at the wooden frame, where there was an inscription on a gold plate at the bottom, which read, “Never forget where you came from.” He held the picture frame against his chest, and smiled softly.
“Hey, Soar,” sounded a voice from the doorway.
Soarin turned his head. “Hey, Dad! Just grabbing some stuff to take with me,” he replied.
Both his parents came up to him and gave him a big hug. Soarin stiffened up at first, but knew that he couldn’t resist, so he eventually gave in.
His mother, who looked like she had a tear in her eyes, said towards her son, “Soar, look at you! You’re all grown up! You’re living your dream.”
Soarin sniffled a little too, but didn’t tear up. “Yeah, thanks to you guys.” He took a look at the picture in his front hoof. “You guys made life good for me. I hope I’ll never let you down.”
Soarin’s father put a hoof on his son’s shoulder. “You’ve always made us proud, and you always will,” he said. “Enjoy yourself, Soar. You’ll do great.”
“Thanks, Dad,” Soarin replied happily. “Fleetfoot and I are teaming up with Spitfire from the academy, and we’re gonna go on a tour soon with the current Wonderbolt team. We’ll eventually replace them when we’re ready.”
“Oh, my baby,” Soarin’s mother said while tearing up and giving her son a hug again. Soarin rolled his eyes. “Don’t forget about us when you’re rich and famous!”
“Ma, I couldn't forget you even if I tried,” Soarin said reassuringly.
“But, Soar,” his father interrupted, "be careful. There will be many mares who want to get attention from you, and you can’t let that distract you. Not even Fleetfoot.”
Soarin chuckled. “I know, Dad, I know. Don’t worry about that. I’m focused on my job.” He then pondered for another second. “And don’t worry about Fleetfoot. She’s just a friend.”
Besides, Soarin had his eyes on another, much more stunning mare.
“Okay, baby,” his mother replied. “We won’t keep you any longer. Call us every night!”
Soarin smirked at his mother. “I’ll try to, Ma. I promise.”
After one more hug given to his parents, this time willingly, Soarin was on his way back to the Wonderbolt Headquarters, his new home.
The cold, burnt smell of Autumn– it was always something that Soarin enjoyed during that time of year. The breeze was pleasant, and the air was fresh. But most of all, he loved the amber colours of the leaves and the fiery texture they gave off. The stallion always loved to take strolls down the park along the ground many years ago. It made him smile, trotting past the fields he once used to fly around with his parents as a colt. He didn't understand why he liked the colours of Autumn so much, but perhaps it was just one of those things he never really wanted to work out in his head.
Today, though, he wasn't near any of those fields. Cloudsdale didn't really have much when it came to Autumn. It always made Soarin a little curious as to why. He’d always longed to see those colours like he did as a colt. Of course, with his job, he rarely ever got the chance to go to ground level and usually missed out of experiencing Autumn anyway. The gray clouds and floating buildings of his city were beautiful in their own way, but it eventually got old for some pegasi.
However, Soarin wasn't going to be brought down anytime soon this Autumn. The stallion seemed to have a beat in his step as he trotted down the fluffy, white road towards his new office. The uniform he was proudly wearing with a grin attracted a lot of attention. The stallion had barely taken it off since the day he’d been given the honor to wear it, though he had washed it before coming to work today.
Soarin had a specific dream ever since he was a young colt. Becoming part of what made his city so unique and so popular, it was everypony’s dream to be in that position Soarin was in right now. The smile on his face could only grow wider as he rounded a corner towards a very famous icon; somewhere only few ponies ever got access to. A large gate loomed over the entrance to the aerodynamically shaped building as Soarin made his way towards it. He stopped just before the gate, which read the words: To Protect and to Fly . He smiled at the quote- something he’d memorized since he was small. His heart only swelled in pride as he breathed in a thick lungful of air before making a step towards the two guards that patrolled the gate.
“Gentlecolts, may I have access to this fine building?” Soarin asked proudly displaying his uniform.
One guard gave a look to his counterpart before turning back with a smirk. “Buck off, kid; this isn’t a place for clowning around.”
Soarin was a little taken back by the statement, “Hey! I work here now, don’t you see the uniform?” he asked pointing to the garment he was wearing.
The other guard chuckled. “Son, we had a small rainbow-maned filly come up to us about an hour ago doing the same thing. I suggest you turn around and waddle back to your mother,” by now both guards were trying to contain laughter.
Soarin sighed. He wasn’t expecting this. After all, he was a young stallion now, who rightfully earned his new job. With disappointment, he was about to turn around when a voice interrupted him.
“Hey Soarin, can you believe it’s finally happening today?” a voice shouted excitedly as the stallion and guards turned around to see a golden pegasus trotting up to the gate, wearing an identical uniform to Soarin. The only difference, however, was that this mare was wearing a cap over her head.
As she trotted up to the now smiling stallion, the mare removed the head piece to her uniform, and shook her head, revealing her spectacular golden-orange mane which seemed to shine against Celestia’s sun.
“Oh my– I mean, hey Spitfire,” Soarin responded, his smile turning slightly sheepish as he tensed up at the sight of the young mare whom he had known since his time in the Wonderbolt Academy. “I know! It’s like a dream come true,” he added excitedly.
Instantly, memories of Soarin’s time at the Wonderbolt Academy came to his mind. His colthood dream of becoming a Wonderbolt was never more real to him than when he was accepted into the academy just a few months ago. That was where he met Spitfire, a young mare who quickly took over his thoughts.
“You know, Soarin, ever since I first met you at the academy, I somehow knew we’d both make it to the full squad,” Spitfire said cheerfully with her bright eyes.
Soarin gulped as he thought of how to respond. He nervously held in his words in order to not say anything too cheesy. But he took even longer to respond as a gust of wind blew in their direction. Spitfire’s mane blew in the wind. The sight of her golden hair blowing sideways reminded the young stallion of a time when he was down on the ground, when the Autumn leaves would dance in the wind around him.
Not only was Spitfire a beautiful mare, she also had a very endearing personality. She was always determined and outgoing, and Soarin knew from day one at the academy that she was destined for greatness. When he found out that she was accepted into the Wonderbolts’ first team, it came as no surprise to him. But when Soarin also received his acceptance letter, well, his dreams came true that day, for many reasons.
“Um… yeah,” the stallion responded, his voice a little more shallow and high-pitched, compared to how he was speaking to the guard stallions. “I had no doubt you were gonna make the team. But when I found I made it, that was just so awesome and unexpected.”
“Oh, don’t be so modest, Soarin,” Spitfire teased, flicking her tail as she trotted by. She walked towards the stallions guarding the entrance to the building. As she did so, a few strands of hair from her tail lightly glided across the stallion’s cheek, causing him to shiver.
“Spitfire, reporting for duty!” the golden mare said confidently to the guards.
One of the guards pulled out a sheet a paper with a list of three names on it.
“Spitfire? Yep, you’re on the list,” the stallion on the left said. “Go right on ahead. The captain of the Wonderbolts is waiting upstairs.
With a grin from ear to ear, with nervous excitement, Spitfire went through. Soarin tried to follow closely, but he was stopped by the hoof of the guard on the right.
“Whoa whoa whoa,” he said sternly. “We didn't say you can go in!”
“But, but,” Soarin replied, visibly upset. “I’m Soarin, and I also got accepted to the Wonderbolts!” he responded defensively.
The stallion who was holding up his hoof, blocking Soarin’s path, lowered his hoof. “Yeah, I know. Just giving ya a hard time,” he said jokingly after he saw Soarin’s name on the list. “Go right ahead.”
Soarin could barely contain the smile on his face as he took his first few steps into the Wonderbolt Headquarters. The large complex held many statues of past and present Wonderbolts. A large fountain shaped in the word ‘W’ was the centerpiece of the complex and caught Soarin’s gaze as his eyes widened.
“Hey Soarin, come on! We need to go!” Spitfire shouted from the other end of the main room of the complex. Soarin smiled and spread his wings before taking off, following the mare into the building, startling a few ponies as they flew up a flight of spiral stairs, the two of them laughing as they reached the top floor of the magnificent building. When they landed, they noticed an antarctic mare leaning on the wall of the hallway.
“Took you two long enough,” the mare said with a smirk as her violet eyes scanned the two new Wonderbolts trotting up to her.
“Hey Fleet,” Soarin said happily trotting up to the mare as the pair bumped hooves. Soarin had known the mare for a while now, the two loved to tease one another. However, their friendship was a lot deeper than most ponies would expect it to be, as the two of them knew each other since they were in school together. Spitfire was a year older, and went to a different school, so they only met her when they all joined the Wonderbolt Academy at the same time.
“So, you guys ready for this? I got here only a few minutes ago and I’m already getting myself all giddy. I’m sure Cheap-Shot here’s been peeing his uniform,” Fleetfoot said, turning to the stallion in question, who blushed slightly in embarrassment as she playfully hit him on the shoulder.
“I've been ready for a while now, but that isn't changing the excitement,” Spitfire interrupted with a smile. Soarin was about to speak up when a door nearby swung open, revealing a large stallion. His muzzle adorned an iconic moustache that all three new Wonderbolts had first seen at their first ever Wonderbolt shows. The stallion kept a serious face on for the ponies before a small smirk formed on his lips.
“So, you’re the guys taking over Alpha Squadron?” he asked raising an eyebrow.
Spitfire gulped and righted herself in front of the current Wonderbolt Captain as did Fleetfoot and Soarin. “Y-yes, Mr. Severe Wind, I’m Spitfire and this is Soarin and Fleetfoot,” she said pointing to each pegasus as she introduced them.
"Of course I know who you are!" the stallion responded. "After all, I have to weigh in with who graduates from the academy!" The stallion smirked at their responses before opening the door into his office, “Why don’t you all come on in? There’s some things we need to discuss before you become part of our team.”
The three new Wonderbolts nodded before they gingerly made their way into the office. They quickly noticed two mares occupying the chairs in the office. One was a pink mare with an electric blue mane and two lightning bolts adorning her flank of the same colour. Beside her sat an orange mare with a jet black mane and a flaming comet on her flank.
“I’m certain you must know Firefly and Star Flare,” Severe Wind stated as he closed the door behind him. Again the three new Wonderbolts nodded. “Well, let's get down to business, shall we?” he said trotting over to his seat behind a cloud desk.
“So, I’m assuming you're all pleased with becoming Wonderbolts?” he asked, chuckling slightly. "What am I kidding, you must be on top of the world!” he said happily.
“That’s putting it lightly, sir,” Fleetfoot said, barely able to contain herself, Soarin and Spitfire not doing much better either.
“Well, I have your results here from the academy,” he said, taking the folders in his hoof. "I reviewed all the reports and discussed it with your instructors. So... question is, are you going to be replacing the three of us? Or will you be forming the reserve team?"
It was at this point now that Spitfire’s heartbeat started to speed up. Soarin felt like he was going to die right then and there and Fleetfoot felt like she’d just finished a marathon. They all wondered what this meant, because they had all originally thought that they were going to be main Wonderbolts right away. However, they thought about the whole thing with much excitement, and now reality started to come in. The three of them all sat nervously as they awaited their new positions to be announced.
“So... the three of you are going into…”
Chapter 3: First Day of Practice
“Rise and shine, newbies!”
Soarin’s eyes snapped open from his sleep when the words reached his ears at a shockingly high level. He groaned as his body tried to wake itself up quicker than usual. Soarin’s eyes travelled down to the foot of his bed to see the cluttered room in front of him. Last night’s unpacking was only half finished.
“I said ‘rise and shine’, so rise and shine! Or would you like me to come in and throw you all out here myself?” the voice echoed again.
Soarin finally found the strength to push the covers off his body, sending a shiver down his spine from the cold air. He pulled himself out of the lush cloud mattress which he forced himself to leave and made his way towards the door of his new room. Opening it revealed the same pink mare he’d seen the previous day. She stared at him with a questionable look and said, “I would have thought you’d have come out in your uniform, 'Bolt?”
Soarin stammered half awake and half nervous, “I-I...uh…”
Firefly rolled her eyes. “Turn that flank around and get that uniform on!”
With that, Soarin did as he was told. He went back to collect his uniform. Once he had finally got the fur-tight clothing to fit, he made his way back outside to see Fleetfoot and Spitfire emerging from their own dorms with their uniforms on. Firefly smiled once she saw the three were ready to go. She began pacing between the three ponies as she spoke, “Okay newbies, since you haven’t yet performed in a Wonderbolts tour, we need to get you ready for one. This will involve a ton of training, but these won’t be your usual wing-ups. This training is based solely on the flying aspect. You’ll be perfecting tricks and working together as a team while you form a routine fit for a Wonderbolts show.” The mare said as she stopped and turned to the three. “Any questions?”
Soarin looked between Spitfire and Fleetfoot, none of them making a noise. After a few moments in silence, Firefly spoke up again. “Great, let’s get started,” she said motioning for the three ponies to follow her as they trotted down the hallway.
“So, I’m guessing you’re gonna be our trainer?” Fleetfoot asked, raising an eyebrow.
Firefly nodded. “Correct. I’ll be overseeing your training to make sure you don’t start slacking off and eat all the pies in the mess room,” the mare said, eyeing Soarin as Spitfire let out a giggle making him blush madly.
“H-how did you-” Soarin started.
“I don’t just oversee the training in the Wonderbolts, Soarin. And not to mention, that was one of the biggest stunts I've seen in my career,” Firefly answered to the stallion who just kept his head down in embarrassment. Firefly smiled teasingly as she trotted forward, but Soarin didn't notice. The other two mares snickered. Especially Fleetfoot, who had known about Soarin's deep love for pie.
Soon the four ponies reached the the back of the Wonderbolt building, which housed a large training ground. However, what was different about this training ground was that it wasn't like the training ground that Soarin and the others had seen in the academy, which was on a plateau. Instead, this training ground consisted of an open area of cloud, with the downtown buildings of Cloudsdale on either side. At the end of the ground was a drop, where the edge of the city was, overlooking the plains of Equestria.
“So...where do we start?” Spitfire asked as Firefly turned around to face them.
The veteran ‘Bolt smirked. “I know you're all probably wondering why there aren't any giant hoops or obstacles. This is because the Wonderbolt Academy trained your physical skills, but this training, as I explained, will be very different. You’ll be training on your mental ability to stay alert and remember moves at the correct timing. You don’t see any obstacles in a Wonderbolts show, do you?” she asked looking around the three ponies who were starting to catch on to the idea.
“So, we just go up and start flying?” Fleetfoot asked.
Firefly shook her head. “Not just yet. First you need to have a look at the routine you’ll be practicing. I want each of you to take turns to do a simple figure-eight routine in the sky. This will be the start of your proper routine,” the older Wonderbolt explained, “How about you go first, Spitfire?” the mare asked.
Spitfire nodded and trotted a few steps forward before spreading her wings and shooting off into the air. Fleetfoot and Firefly watched Spitfire closely, watching her routine. Meanwhile, Soarin looked at the flying mare with intrigue. A goofy grin started to form on his lips as Spitfire started to perform the simple routine. The way she curved around in the figure-eight mesmerized the stallion. Fleetfoot noticed Soarin’s longing look at Spitfire. The mare was about to mention something teasingly, but before she could speak up, Firefly turned around and pointed at Fleetfoot to take Spitfire’s place as the fiery-maned mare came back down to land. Fleetfoot took one last look at Soarin before taking off.
The training had gone on a little longer than expected for the three new Wonderbolts. They all came into the mess hall for a late breakfast, wiping a few beads of sweat from their brows as they made their way into the large hall.
Fleetfoot looked around in confusion, “Where is everypony?” she asked. Spitfire shrugged, looking over to Soarin, who had suddenly moved. Both mares then saw the stallion, whose face was pressed up against the window of the canteen area, where a few pies were left only a few inches away from him. Fleetfoot shook her head playfully as she and Spitfire trotted up to join him.
Soon all three were plated up and sat down at one of the many tables around the hall. Soarin quickly dug into his meal while Fleetfoot went for the more polite approach of eating her meal one piece at a time. “Soar, you really are one of a kind, aren’t you?” Fleet asked raising an eyebrow.
Spitfire took off her goggles and shook her head before eating. The colours of Spitfire’s mane caught Soarin’s eye. He momentarily stopped eating as he watched the mare longingly.
“Uh, Soar?” Fleetfoot asked. Soarin had no response. He continued to look at Spitfire. “Earth to Soar, come in, Soar!”
“Huh?” Soarin responded as he turned to face Fleetfoot. He instantly stiffened up and felt a blush come on his face.
“A little lost in thought, there?” Fleetfoot asked the stallion.
Soarin took one quick glance back at Spitfire, who was focused on her meal. He then turned back to Fleetfoot, replying, “Yeah, I guess. Just a little tired from this morning’s practice.”
“I see,” Fleetfoot answered unconvincingly as she continued to eat her own food.
Soarin, not wanting to create any weirdness between himself and the two mares, decided to focus on the plate in front of him. But as he took his first bite of the meal, the door shot open, revealing the three current Wonderbolts. Severe Wind, Firefly, and Star Flare trotted in the room, all talking quite loudly to each other.
“Hey, newbies,” the captain said as he trotted by the three ponies eating. “Did Firefly break you today?” He stopped while the other two went on to go get their food.
Spitfire gulped. “Not at all, sir,” she replied sternly. Soarin and Fleetfoot nodded their heads in agreement.
“Good,” Severe Wind responded. “Because things will only get tougher from here.”
Soarin’s eyes widened at the sound of that. His wings were already a little tired from practicing solo flying for the entire morning.
Severe Wind sat down at the table, continuing, “Star Flare will take you three out this afternoon for some team training. You will expand on what you did this morning, but only while all doing it together. Your task is to perform your own routine while not colliding with another member.”
The three new Wonderbolts all nodded in confirmation. Severe Wind smiled before getting back up and leaving the three to finish their meals. After a few moments had gone by and Soarin had stocked up on his latest filling of pie, another voice sounded over to them, causing their heads to turn.
“Hey guys, time to get up and get going!” Star Flare shouted from the opposite end of the room as she leaned on the open doorway into the training area. Soarin, Spitfire and Fleetfoot each gave out tired sighs as they pushed themselves back up onto their hooves and made their way over to the training grounds once again.
“So, I’m guessing Severe Wind gave you the info on our team training today?” Star Flare asked raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah, he did,” Spitfire confirmed. “Something about not colliding with members.”
Star Flare nodded confidently, “Exactly. It’s a big part of the routine to not cause any collisions or hiccups, shall we say, in a routine,” the veteran Wonderbolt explained as she flexed her wings slightly expanding them outwards. “You want to give your closest member about half a wing of space between you both at all times, no more and no less,” the mare informed.
Soarin looked between Spitfire and Fleetfoot, the three spreading out to form a space of about half a wing apart. Star Flare grinned as she spoke, “Good job, now let's see if you can handle it in the air,” she said motioning for them to hit the skies.
The three Wonderbolts shot into the air at high speeds, making a quick loop around in the air, before coming level with one another in the air. They looked down at their trainer, who shouted towards them, “Need to move a little closer!”
The three pegasi did as instructed and moved closer together. Once they were at the correct distance, they looked back down to await further instruction. Instead, they found no Star Flare. A moment of confusion was held before the mare in question shot past them before turning around, flying upside-down in front of the ponies, “Okay, good job, now I want you to see if you can move between one another to see if you can quickly pass each other without colliding with anypony.”
Soarin looked to Fleetfoot as the pair slowly but surely slipped past one another as smoothly as they possibly could. This brought Soarin into the middle of the formation, which gave the stallion a perfect view of the fiery mare on his left. The three of them continued flying forward in unison toward the edge of the course.
“Great!” Star Flare shouted out from the other end of the course. “Now, turn around together, and don’t hit each other!”
Spitfire, being on the left side of the three flying ponies, tilted downward. Soarin and Fleetfoot followed suit. However, as the wind blew Spitfire’s mane, Soarin found himself distracted once again. Strands of the mare’s hair were about a centimetre away from the stallion’s face. He took a deep breath through the nose, taking in the mare’s aroma. She smelled fresh and clean. Soarin closed his eyes with a smile as the three of them continued to turn.
Only a second later, however, Soarin felt a bump on his right side.
“Hey, what gives?” Fleetfoot yelled out, causing Soarin to open his eyes wide.
“S-sorry, Fleet,” Soarin responded.
“We’re in mid-flight!” Fleetfoot shouted back over the sound of the wind. “Pay attention!”
“I will!” Soarin yelled back.
The three of them straightened out again, flying back towards their instructor.
“Are you distracted, or something?” Fleetfoot asked as they started to slow down, approaching the end of the course, where Star Flare was watching.
The three of them spread apart a little more and spread out their wings to create drag, slowing them down.
Soarin looked back at Fleetfoot and shook his head. “N-no. Just a little tired, I guess,” he responded as they finally landed back on the soft cloud.
Fleetfoot, who landed right beside Soarin, responded, “Fine, just make sure you keep your eyes level, Pieboy, or you’ll be falling face first into something a lot harder than pastry the next time we fly!”
“I’m sorry! It won’t happen again!” Soarin defended as the three ponies turned towards their instructor.
“I see you have some issues to work out,” Star Flare commented.
Spitfire shot a glare to her two teammates. “I guess we’re just a little out of practice,” she replied. “We’ll get it next time.”
“Even if you do,” the current Wonderbolt responded, “you'll still have to do it many more times. You three have to be able to fly together perfectly to even think about continuing in your training.”
For the next few hours, the training continued. The simple tasks they performed on this day tired out all three Wonderbolts. He was more tired on the first day than he’d ever been back at the academy, and he knew he was speaking for Fleetfoot and Spitfire too when he felt like that. Knowing this was only going to be the first day of many to come, things didn't seem to be looking like plain sailing for the three new pegasi of the Wonderbolts’ team.
The sound of tired hooves echoed throughout the hallways of the Wonderbolt building as Soarin, Spitfire, and Fleetfoot made their way through the corridors at a much slower pace than they had the previous day. Their energy and some of their dignity had been depleted, with their minds and bodies in need of some well-deserved rest.
While no words were spoken between the ponies, their thoughts about the day so far were going through their heads. Soarin particularly was taking most of the blame for fumbling early on in the day. The stallion wasn't too sure if he’d managed to upset his friends to the point where they’d start not wanting him around.
As they reached the doors Soarin turned to the two mares and said. “Hey, I’m sorry for messing up again,” Soarin admitted as he looked down.
Fleetfoot nodded before heading into her room. Soarin sighed as he turned,, but then he heard a voice speak up.
“Everyone makes mistakes, Soar. You’re alright,” Spitfire said with a small smile as she headed towards her room. He watched as she opened the door, turned her head around, and gave Soarin a light smile. Soarin replied with a happy grin of his own as she closed the door. He didn't respond to her, but he didn't feel the need to. After she closed the door, Soarin's smile was from ear-to-ear, and he pumped his hoof in the air.
Soarin's heart lifted from hearing Spitfire's words. It wasn't an easy first day of training, but Soarin knew that it wouldn't get easier. He knew that he'd have to take the positives out of every single day. The stallion trotted into his room and threw himself onto the bed, letting his muscles finally relax for the day.
Even though his muscles and mind were sore, there were happy thoughts in his head. He was on his way to becoming a full Wonderbolt. Not only would he get to see Spitfire for a long period of time, but she also said some encouraging words to him. He slowly closed his eyes, with the image of Spitfire's smile on his mind.
There wasn't too much to be happy about so far. Tougher days were still ahead. But Soarin survived his first day, and he hadn't made a complete fool of himself as of yet, which were two things that he could take out of the day. And those two things were enough to make him happy.
