Getting Butterflies

Chapters

Find your happy...Pie?
Mares and hares and Pie,oh my!
The Escape
A week later
Oh Captain

Find your happy...Pie?

"Man, could spitfire be any more of a b---h?" Soarin thought to himself as he flew across the open skies. "Isn't a captains job to encourage and help out. Not do nothing but yell and complain about us." Today however spitfire had been especially bitter. So much that she cancelled their daily practice at the last second. Not that Soarin minded though. He loved getting out of his sweaty uniform and just taking a flight with nothing but him, the wind, and his thoughts. While he was flying he noticed a small town coming up in the distance. He froze. "Oh, no" his eyes widened in fright. "Ponyville"

Soarin immediately began a nose dive to the ground into a patch of trees. He did his best to conceal himself among the branches which was hard due to his bright blue fur color. He peered out and glanced across the skyline as if watching for enemy fire in a warzone. He let out a final sigh as he leaned back against the tree.

Except what he felt wasn't a tree. He slowly turned around to find a neon pink mare staring at her with wide eyes. "HI!!!!" The bubbly mare exclaimed. "Waaaah!!" Soarin shouted as he lost his footing and fell to the ground. "Hey, aren't you Soarin from The Wonderbolts? Oh my gosh dashie would die if she knew I was talking to you." "NO please don't!" Soarin shouted. I look of confusion came over the pink mares face as Soarin slowly got back on his feet. "Please don't let Rainbow Dash know I'm in ponyville!" The pink mare sat there holding the same confused look on her face.

"Huh, let me explain, about a year ago Rainbow Dash found out where I lived from one of the other Wonderbolts and since then she's been stalking me. I even had to file a restraining order at one point."

"Wow" the mare exclaimed. "That doesn't sound like dashie at all."

Soarin let out a chuckle. "I'm sorry, but dashie?"

"Well doi, that's my name for her silly filly. Anyway if you don't want dashie to find you then you should do three things. One, stay on the west side of town away from dashies house. Two, avoid the sky cause rainbow would spot you from a mile away. Three, stop by sugarcube corner for a review."

"Thanks,wait, a review?" Soarin asked.

"Well, duh, somepony as famous as you would help us rack up huge business if you complimented our famous cupcakes and besides..." The strange mare leaned closer to Soarin "we wouldn't want dashie to know your where abouts today now would we?"

Soarin sat there stunned. "You don't seem like the kind of mare that's into blackmail...I don't believe you!"

Before Soarin could react however the mare took in a huge breath of air and shouted "RAINBOW DA-" immediately her final syllables were replaced by a sky blue hoof. "All right, all right, I'll stop by, sheesh." Soarin let out with a sigh of relief.

"So i'll see you next Thursday." The mare exclaimed.

"Um, actually I..." Before he could finish though he saw the mare open her mouth once again. "Thursday it is then!" And with that Soarin took off flying low to the ground to avoid "dashie's" Wonderbolt radar.
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Soarin soon found himself trotting along the green fields just on the border of the Everfree forest. He tried to enjoy his solitude but was to wary of Rainbow dash and any other Wonderbolt fans finding him to completely relax. He let his glance travel to the looming grove and brush of the Everfree forest.

Being from Cloudsdale, Soarin hadn't ever actually been this close to it. He had heard a variety of stories; anywhere from amazing animals, to horrible timberwolves and Ursa majors. He took t a deep look into the branches and could see only a few yards before it became almost pitch black. Though it appeared as normal as any forest, when Soarin gazed into it a shiver ran down his spine. He felt as though he was being........watched. Soarin decided it would be best to keep moving and quickly trotted along the fields keeping a safe distance from the Everfree forest.

He continued along his quiet, settling stroll when he noticed a small cottage in the distance. As he approached he began to notice some of the more quaint features of it. It was large for a cottage but seemed very homely. It had several bright green, almost glowing trees filled with bird houses, nests, and feeders. Soarin just stared as the small property seemed to glow in contrast to the Everfree forest.

As he neared it he began to catch a whiff of something.....familiar. As the smell beckoned him he suddenly realized what it was. That smell only ever came from one thing. That object had always been with Soarin and was the one thing he could always turn to when he was sad and that one thing was.........PIE.

And not just any pie, but zap apple pie, Soarins favorite. He had first encountered it at the annual gala a few years ago. From a young mares apple cart. Those two bits bought him the sweetest, richest, and the most tounge-tantalizing piece of pie ever. As soon as he realized that the smell was coming from the small cottage he took off and headed straight for the house. Whatever it took him, Soarin would have that pie.
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Soarin trotted up toward the house and saw that it even had I quiet stream in front of his house teaming with wildlife. Frogs, birds, and even a goat were frollicing around the stream, enjoying the cool water in the hot noonday sun. Soarins attention was soon drawn however to a windowsill just a few feet above his head. There, glistening in the sun, was a fresh, steaming, zap apple pie. "This is almost too good to be true." Soarin thought. He spread his wings and began to raise slowly toward the pie and was eventually drooling right over top of it.

"Oh....my" a voice uttered. Soarin glanced up from his pie in search of the source. He found himself face to face with the most beautiful mare he had ever seen. Literally you couldn't fit a apple between them. A beautiful mare with sun yellow fur and a long flowing pink mane met his gaze. She was holding an cloth in her mouth which promptly fell out when they met one another's gaze. Soarin was so entranced that he forgot to keep flapping his wings . In an instant he fell to the ground several feet below with a thud. It wouldn't have been so bad if he hadn't landed on his head.

Everything was blurred as Soarin slowly regained consciousness. He gathered that he was laying on the mares lawn just outside her house. Just before blacking out he saw the blurred outline of a yellow pony fly down from the window.

Author's Note

It begins, let me know what you guys think about this story and if you have any ideas

Mares and hares and Pie,oh my!

"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh." Fluttershy whispered to herself as she darted around her cottage.

It had taken most of her energy to lift the mysterious colt into her living room. She had finally laid him on her couch when he let out a faint, but painful moan. She ran a hoof through his mane until she felt a large bump on the back of his head. The flustered mare fluttered into the kitchen and attempted to empty some of the ice drone her ice box into a small towel. You think ice is slippery; try carrying it with hooves.

By the time she had made her way back to the couch her eyes widened as she saw the colt had regained consciousness and was lifting himself off the couch.
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'Hurricane Fluttershy', as she had once been called, was on top of him like Pinkie Pie on cupcakes; shoving him back down with her hooves.

"No, you mustn't!" Fluttershy persisted.

"Ow! What was that for?!" He uttered through gritted teeth.

Fluttershy realized she was still holding the pony down and immediately retracted her hooves. "Oh I mean...um...you took a really nasty fall, you shouldn't move an inch until that heals."

Soarin opened his mouth to protest but all that he could utter when he met her gaze was "a..ba..I..um..being...um ..." and collapsed back onto the couch once again.

"Oh my..." Fluttershy thought to herself. "He must have landed on his head harder than I thought."
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It was only a half hour before Soarin regained consciousness once again. This time the first thing he could sense was the faint smell of...honey? He tilted his head to the side and sure enough there was a china set of fresh brewed tea with a jar of honey a few inches from his snout. Focusing his vision slightly beyond the china set he found his gaze meet the back of the same sun yellow mare from before; rummaging through a closet just across the living room whispering to herself.

"Oh where is it...where is it?" She murmured. Soarin just stared for a moment. This was the first time Soarin had gotten a good look at the mare. Her coat was almost a perfect match to the sun and she had a pink, not a dull straight pink, but a bright ,almost neon, pink mane that was perfectly straightened yet kept one flowing curl down to the bottom of her mane.

Soarin realized he was staring and quickly averted his eyes and noticed that there, on the ground beside him, was a small white rabbit that seemed to be..glaring at him?

After a few moments of that, Soarin spoke up "Um...excuse me?" He stuttered slightly louder than expected.

The yellow mare shot up at a speed that would make spitfire's jaw drop and clung to the now swaying light in the living room.

"Oh my gosh, sorry" Soarin said. "I didn't mean to..."

"No..." the mare began in a voice so soft and light it could tame an Ursa Major "...um...I mean...it's all right I just get..well..a bit startled sometimes." The mare floated down and landed gently beside him. "Um...how does your head feel?"

"My head?" Soarin went to place his hoof up on his mane but instead found himself patting bandages that were rapped around his head. They had been tighten just right that he hadn't even been able to feel them until now.

"Um..yes...you took a really nasty fall at the window and landed on your head, I don't think there's a concussion but you should probably take it easy for a few days...um...if threats alright with you." She explained as she went to pour him a cup of tea.

He sat up with a grimace "I'm all for some nice rest; but try getting that past "Captain" Spitfire."

The cup of tea Soarin was about to accept slipped from the mare grasp and splattered all over his lap as the mare let out a large *gasp*.

"OWOWOWOW HOT!!!" Soarin lept up from the couch.

"Oh my gosh, I'm sorry" the flustered mare gasped. "I just didn't realize you were...um..you."

"Yeah, I get that alot." Soarin wiped the tea out of his coat. "Without the uniform it's almost as if I become a complete nobody; right?"

"Oh, nonono Mr. Soarin!" The flustered mare began. "I mean...um...it's just I didn't think a Wonderbolt would fly this far from Clousdale."

"Please..um, just Soarin's fine. And most of the Wonderbolts like to travel to towns in their free time. Some for the publicity, and others, well, for the peace and quiet."

"I can understand that, Clousdale is a very busy city." The mare exclaimed.

Soarin perked up. "Oh, have you been to Clousdale before?"

"Well I used to live there when I was just a filly but...I found the ground to be much more inviting."

"Huh. That's strange..." Soarin replied which caused her mane to shift over her face as she lowered her head "...oh no, i mean...it's a good strange. Just not what most pegasi would choose; mind me asking why missss...."

"Oh, um...it's Fluttershy." She muttered.

"Hmm, Fluttershy...." Soarins eyes widened. "Wait as in Hurricane Fluttershy?! The mare that single handedly created the tornado to send the pain water up to Cloudsdale?!"

Fluttershy blushed almost instantly. "Well...Spitfire may have exaggerated a little..."

"Hardly!" Soarin continued. "She told us you were the only reason that ponyville reached 800 wingpower!"

"Oh no...I mean...I probably couldn't even fly that fast again even if I wanted to. I just...don't know what came over me." The mare just stared into her cup of tea.

"Well it was still pretty amazing from what I heard." Fluttershy looked up and Soarin's gaze met hers just for a second before Soarin realized he was staring once again. He sat back into the sofa. "You must have had a pretty awesome coach to help you pull that off."

"Well Rainbow Dash is more of a friend than a coach but--" Fluttershy stopped short when she realized that Soarin's face had become as white as a sugar cube.

"Um...are you alright?" She extended a hoof.

"Um...yeah." Soarin replied swiftly. "I'm just a little hungry is all...hehe" he managed a slight grin. Do you by any chance have a fresh baked zap-apple pie?"

"How did you know that?"

"Well...let's just say I have a nose for pies and I could smell that pie from half a mile away."

"Oh well would you like a slice?" She asked in a timid voice.

Soarin's nod was so violent it almost shook off his bandages. As Fluttershy walked into the kitchen he readjusted them and then laid back down onto the sofa. He closed his eyes for barely a second or two but when he reopened them he had an upside down white rabbit just inches from his face.

"Umm....Fluttershy?!" Soarin shouted. "Are you aware there's a rabbit in your house?"

Fluttershy had just reappeared with two fresh sliced pieces of zap-apple pie. "*giggle* That's just angel, don't worry, she's stubborn at times but she can be a real sweetheart once you get to know her."

"Uh huh..." Soarin sat up keeping an eye on the little 'Angel' as it just glared at him. Next thing he knew there was a fresh piece of pie under his snout.

Before Fluttershy could even open her mouth Soarin had popped the first bit of pie into his mouth. Soarin's eyes widened and he dropped his fork onto the plate.

"This...this is..." Was all he could manage.

"Oh, don't you like it? I'm sorry, I..i..was trying a new recipe with some honey to help the flavor but well I g-"

"....AMAZING!" Soarin finished as he began to gobble down ever last bit of the pie on his plate.

Fluttershy was both flattered and taken aback at his sudden outburst. "You really like it?"

"Heck yeah! And....you baked this?!"Soarin commented as he finished the pie.

"Um well...yes?" Fluttershy meekly replied.

"If you hadn't told me otherwise I would have thought this was made in canterlot's finest bakery!"Soarin exclaimed.

Fluttershy just sat there with a smile and let out a content "Thank you."

"Wow.." Soarin thought to himself. "Beautiful, kind, AND can cook the best pies ever. Where have you been all m-"

Soarin's daydream was cut abruptly short when there was a loud knocking on the door.

"Fluttershy, ya in there!?!?" A voice called out.

"Oh no" Both Soarin and Fluttershy thought simultaneously and just stared at each other. They knew that voice

"Rainbow Dash." They both muttered

Author's Note

Thanks for reading and if you guys have any idea on what I should include in the next chapter then let me know in the comments.

The Escape

"Yo Fluttershy, you in there?!" Rainbow Dash pounded on the front door.

Fluttershy and Soarin immediatly put down their tea.

"Please don't let her know I'm here!" Soarin whispered.

Fluttershy didn't get a chance to say anything before there was another pound on the door. "Fluttershy! I know your home. Open up!"

Fluttershy got up. "Um..just a minute?" She stuttered as her eyes darted around the room. "Quick, in here!" she whispered as she opened up the closet door.

The closet was filled almost to the top with bags of bird seed, dog toys and an assortment of animal beds and blankets. There was about three feet of space at the top of the doorway which Soarin knew he was soon going to become very aquatinted with.

Soarin took one last look at the flustered mare as he climbed (quite akwardly) into the cramped space at the top of the mare's closet. He readjusted himself the best he could in the small area so that he was facing the doorway.

"Just distract her long enough for me to get out, I promise I'll make this up to you." Soarin said.

Fluttershy nodded,closing the closet door all but a crack to allow a small amount of light to creep in. Soarin could just barely see through the crack and watched as the mare made her way to the door.

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Fluttershy slowly walked towards the door and placed her hoof on the doorknob before stopping yourself. She took a deep breath.

"Okay, okay, pull it together Fluttershy!" She thought to herself.

"It's not like the whole possibility of becoming friends with the cute colt in your closet rides solely on you not letting his number one stalker, who also happens to be your best friend, know that he is hiding in your closet.............eep!"

Fluttershy gulped nervously as she turned the doorknob; only to be blown back as none other than Rainbow Dash came bursting through her cottage door.

"Fluttershy! You'll never guess where the Wonderbolts next show is.....Fluttershy?!" The rainbow blur shouted as she came to an abrupt halt in the middle of the small room.

Rainbow's head swiveled around as she scanned the room for her pink-maned friend. Her eyes finally falling on a swinging ceiling fan with a shivering ball of yellow fur swinging from it.

"Hehe, sorry about that." Rainbow exclaimed as she helped detach her friend from the ceiling.

"It's...um, it's okay." She said in a very quiet tone, almost a mumble. "You....um...were saying about the Wonderbolts?"

"Oh yeah! Well, the thing is....." Rainbow dash continued to explain to her friend as she was unknowingly being observed from the nearby closet.

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Meanwhile, Soarin was trying to make his situation as comfortable as he could, which wasn't very. He had feed bags scratching uncomfortably up against his side and pieces of wood from the spare bird houses jabbing into certain areas along his rear, which was VERY unpleasant.

Soarin tried his best to reposition himself. In doing so however he accidentally unfurled one if his wings which smacked right into the cracked closet door.

Soarin just stared in horror as the closet door slowly drifted open.

Soarin, if he got out of this, would consider himself the luckiest colt alive. For it so happened that Rainbow Dash, fangirling to the yellow mare about his flight team, was facing away from the closet with Fluttershy facing towards the now ajar closet door.

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Fluttershy was accustomed to listening to her friend rant on and on about the Wonderbolts over the years. She continued to listen as her eyes drifted up slowly to notice that Soarin's cramped body was now in full view of the cottage. Fluttershy could feel all the color drain from her face as she tried to compose herself.

"...it's so awesome! You've got to come check it out flutte- Fluttershy? You all right? Your looking a bit pale."

"Hm?" Fluttershy immediately stiffened up; trying to remain calm while her mind had gone into a state near that of a sonic rainboom. "OHMYGOSH what am I going to do?! I can't let her find out, because if she found out then she might think I was lying to her and also Soarin would hate me forever and then by him hating me it might ruin rainbows chances of ever beco-" her train of though came to an abrupt halt as a large cyan hoof waved nearly inches from her face.

"Yo fluttershy....you all right?"

In a instant, Fluttershy knew what she had to do. "Actually Rainbow dash I have something for you."

The rainbow mares wings flared out in excitement. "For me?! Well where is it, where is it?" Rainbow dash was just about to turn around in search of her present when a red cloth wrapped around her face. "Um...Fluttershy?"

"It's...um...a surprise!" Fluttershy said with a forced smile as she began to lead her friend across the room toward the stairs. "It's upstairs." She said as they passed by the closet door.

Then there came a loud clunk.

"What was that?" Rainbow asked as she turned toward the direction of the closet where a wooden bird house laid on the ground. Soarin gave Fluttershy a worried glance but was relieved when she said "Oh it was only...um...angel messing with the bird houses, he..he.."

Luckily for both, Rainbow was too worried about the present that Fluttershy had for her. So the pair made eventually made there way up the stairs until Fluttershy stopped her friend. "It's up in the attic." Fluttershy gave a gulp as she pulled down the stairs to the attic. As she led rainbow upstairs she frantically began to think about what she had that she could give to her friend that would be worthwhile.

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Meanwhile, downstairs, Soarin finally let out a sigh of relief. For a moment he thought he was done for. But that mare, fluttershy, she had pretty much saved him.

Once Soarin was sure the pair was out of earshot, he slowly began the process of de-lodging himself from the closet.

After a few awkward pokes and brushes Soarin finally managed to get his upper body facing out of the closet with his flanks still in the small cubby. "Alright, let's do this quick..." Soarin thought to himself as he braced his legs against the back of the closet and gripped the doorframe with his forehooves. And on the count of three Soarin pushed with just enough force so he could spread his wings and dislodged himself from the closet. Yes, Soarin had come out of the closet.

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Authors note: I'm so sorry but I just had to make that joke.
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Unfortunately he wasn't the only thing that was dislodged.

Soarin just watched as another bird feeder followed him out of the closet and began to hurtle towards the ground.

One of the benefits of being a Wonderbolt is the lightning fast reflexes from training which Soarin would be sure to thank spitfire for in the future. But for now he had to focus. With great skill, and care, Soarin immediately turned and swooped down, nabbing the feeder just before it hit the ground. He let out a sigh of relief, and quietly placed the feeder on the ground. When he looked up however, there was the same white rabbit from earlier just staring at him. But this time sprain noticed something strange. Instead of glaring at him, the rabbit was smiling, but not happily, mischievously.

"What?" Soarin whispered as he stood back up on all fours. The rabbit and Soarin exchanged looks for another moment before the tiny rabbit raised one of its tiny legs and pointed toward the spot that Soarin had just been stuck in. Soarin glanced up just in time to see a 20 lb bag off bird see come falling toward him.

"Son of a-"

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Fluttershy led her friend up into the attic which was surprisingly large for the small cottage.

"W-wait here." Fluttershy said as she began to walk towards a chest in the corner. She glanced over her shoulder to check and sure enough Rainbow Dash was still sitting there in her blindfold, eagerly awaiting her present. Fluttershy opened the chest and began to rummage through a few books, picture, and other trinkets until she found them.

A small plastic container that contained within it two tickets to any Wonderbolts show from the Equestria tour. Fluttershy had originally planned to give them to rainbow dash in time for the final show in Cloudsdale which also happened to be on her birthday. But the show next week in ponyville would have to do.

"Well.....now is a good a time as ever." Fluttershy thought to herself. She turned around and walked back up to her friend "Rainb-"

"THUMP!"

Fluttershy's eyes widened.

"What was that?" Rainbow dash asked as she turned around and started to lift her blindfold.

Fluttershy quickly pulled her friend's attention back in an instant and practically shoved to tickets in RD's face. Rainbow Dash instantly forgot about the loud noise and her eyes widened as she focused on the two pieces of paper in front of her.

"Are thes- OHMYGOSHOHMYGOSH OHMYGOSHOHMYGOSHOHMYGOSH!!!" She snatched the tickets from her friends hooves and examined them closer. "This show the one next week at the ponyville arena!!! Oh my gosh thank, thank, thank you so much flutters!! But..." Rainbow's excited expression dimmed slightly. "These must have cost you a wing and a hoof. How did you.."

Fluttershy's hoof came over her friends mouth. "That doesn't matter. What matters is that you're happy."

Although Rainbow dash would never admit it, tears began to form in her eyes as she moved forward to embrace her friend. "Thank you sooo much!"

Fluttershy gladly returned the hug and managed to catch a glimpse of her Wonderbolt friend in the far attic window. He seemed fine, and a smile stretched across his face. She smiled back.

"No problem."

Author's Note

Sorry I took so long but ive decided to start up again. I will do a chapter for "pipsqueak" and then another for this

A week later

Almost a week has gone by since Soarin's encounter with the yellow mare by the Everfree. Since then, the Wonderbolts had trained hard all day every day to prepare for the upcoming tour, especially, a stop in Ponyville. This also had the unfortunate side effect of leaving Soarin and every other Wonderbolt completely exhausted by the end of each day, leaving no time for relaxation of any kind apart from a brief water break every few hours.

But in those moments Soarin's mind wandered to the events that occurred on the outskirts of ponyville.
Soarin had met many a beautiful mare, being a Wonderbolt had its perks, but for some reason this one mare was all he could think about. Something about her was just...kind. The way she cared for her animals and her friends, and the way she spoke.

"Soarin..."

"SOARIN!!!!" The loud, unmistakable voice of Wonderbolt captain Spitfire rung into Soarin's ears. Recovering as quickly as he could from his daydream, Soarin scrambled to his hooves, standing at attention in front of his captain.

"We're you even listening at all?!" Spitfire continued.

"Sorry Spitfire." Soarin replied.

"That's Captain, just because we're friends doesn't mean you can call me different." Spitfire sighed. "If you would have been listening a few moments ago, you would have heard we made a few adjustments to the Ponyville routine. You will be leading in B-squad instead of Fleetfoot." With that Spitfire shoved a clipboard covered in flight patterns into Soarin's chest.

"Really?!...uh..I mean, Thank you Captain." Soarins grin however failed to hide his enthusiasm.

"Don't get to excited, if you keep daydreaming like that you'll end up ruining the show. Now get your flank in gear!" Spitfire ordered as she fluttered over to another group of Wonderbolts.

"Thank you Captain, I won't let you down." Soarin sat back down and attempted to look at the new flight plans, but again his mind wandered off to thoughts of that wonderful mare and the Zap Apple pie.

"Fluttershy..."

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Meannwhile in Ponyville on that very same window was yet another fresh baked pie sat on the windowsill, it's scent caught in the wind as it had every day this past week.

Behind that pie though was the same mare, wearing the same apron.

Fluttershy had hoped that she might get another visit from her surprise guest if she left another treat to catch his nose.

*sigh* Fluttershy peered out the window but was only greeted by the same grassy fields she always saw.

"Are you alright dear?" A voice called out from her living room. It was an elegant, canterlot style voice, that belonged to her dear friend Rarity.

Fluttershy hurried out to the living room. "Oh...um, yes. Everything's fine...your pie will be done cooking in a few minutes."

Rarity levitated a tea glass up to her mouth and took a small sip. "Honestly Fluttershy, you didn't have to go out of your way to make a pie for every single one of us. Giving Rainbow Dash those tickets for the Wonderbolts show was more than enough of a gesture."

Fluttershy simply smiled, while she hid her guilt for luring about why she really baked those pies. "It's no problem...the jam was going to go bad soon anyway."

Rarity simply say there and continued to sip her tea. "Well, regardless of your reasons, it seems such a shame that you keep your talents restricted to just your close friends." Rarity continued to speak as she rose from the sofa. "You said it yourself that you enjoyed singing with the ponytones, I don't see how baking would be any different."

Fluttershy attempted to respond "oh no...it's really quite alright..."

"Nonsense darling! Im going to speak to applejack tommorow about helping you start a bakery cart so everyone can enjoy your talents." With a nod and a brief farewell Rarity picked up her things and began to leave. "And who knows Fluttershy..." Rarity turned to give her friend a last farewell. "You might just attract the attention of some lucky colt."

Fluttershy's face almost instantly turned a light pink. "What...I...oh my..."
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Training ended somewhat earlier than usual, but everypony was still tired. The Wonderbolts retired to the the locker room and packed up their things to head home.

"ATTENTION EVERYPONY!!" There captain blasted into the locker room. After a few moments of silence she continued. "As you know, the original plan was for us to stay the night after our show in Ponyville and leave bright and early the next morning." A collective groan was heard throughout the room. Spitfire just rolled her eyes and continued. "But, due to some technical problems at Cloudsdale's stadium we are going to be spending an extra day in ponyville."

A few celebratory nickers and neighs filled the room. But one pair of ears perked up in particular. Soarin hadn't been interested in what his captain was saying until the last bit hit him. Another whole day in ponyville?! While the rest of his team listened to their captain droll on about the details, Soarin sat there fidgeting, the normal after practice fatigue and drowsiness leaving him instantly.

"Another day?" Soarin's head swam with a lot of things, but many of those related to Fluttershy. He continued to 'listen' to his captain until she finished up her lecture.

"...and NO heavy drinking. We don't need another...incident." Upon that several pairs of eyes fell on a neon blue Pegasus in the corner known as Fleetfoot.

Fleetfoot quickly noticed the growing sets of eyes..."C'mon guys, it was one time, and that flirty colt was asking for it."

Another male Wonderbolt just smirked, "He was offering you a drink." The room lit up in a brief uproar of laughter. Fleetfoot just hugged and continued to pack her things for the day.

"I'm hoping for a clean tour this year everypony. I hope you'll all be on your best behavior." She took one final glance around the room at her team. Many of them had their bags slung over there backs, wings erect. Letting a slight smirk creep across her face she finished the same way they did everyday... "That's all for today, see you tommorow. Wonderbolts OUT!!!!"

And with that, half of the room cleared out in a whirlwind. Leaving only a handful of Wonderbolts and their captain with her signature sunglasses just barely remaining on her face as they now tilted awkwardly to the side.

Spitfire readjusted her glasses and placed them on her head rather than just on the brim of her muzzle. She turned with a sigh to leave when her eye caught Soarin, sitting on the bench, apparently deep in thought.

Curious why one of her usually more focused Wonderbolts was daydreaming more and more lately, she trotted over to him. "Hey, Soarin?"

Soarins ear twitched as he snapped out of his daze and turned to face his Captain. "What is it Spi--Captain?"

"Are you feeling okay there? You've been pretty distant lately."

Soarin shook his head. "Sorry, I've just been thinking a lot lately"

Spitfire seemed to think for a moment before continuing. "Mind if I give you one more thing to think about?"

Soarin just gave his captain a puzzled look.

"I know you usually head right home after practice, but I'd like to talk to you about something if you don't mind..."

"Sure, I'm happy to stay an--."

Spitfire cut him off before he could continue. "Good soldier, freshen up then meet me...in my office."

Soarin gulped. Anytime a Wonderbolt was called into her office it was usually for a loud scolding, or worse.
He just nodded "Yes captain."

As Spitfire left the locker room, Soarin noticed one of his fellow wonderbolts across the room, who had obviously heard the conversation, looking at him. When the captain left the Wonderbolt sitting across the room took his hoof and drew a line across his throat.
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It hadn't taken long to freshen up, but Soarin took his time walking to his captains office. The previous joy about his extra day in ponyville nearly faded and replaced with the worry of losing the one job he truly enjoyed doing. He ran through possible reasons as to why Spitfire would be calling him to her office.

Soarin thought "Is it that prank Silverquick and I pulled two weeks ago...no she would have already talked to us about that...*gasp* did she finally notice the missing pie in the break room fridge..." His thoughts reached an abrupt end as he found himself standing outside his captains office. "Well...here goes nothing."

Soarin gingerly knocked on the door and found that it creaked open, so he pushed it open just enough to slip in. "Captain?" Soarin had only been inside her office a few times before, usually when he was assigned to show new Wonderbolts around the facility. It was dimly lit, with a large blinded window facing the training grounds. But as it was late, the room was only lit by two lamps, one on her desk in the middle of the room and another on the file cabinet. He spotted his captain sitting at the chair behind her desk, but something was wrong.

She looked...sad.

She had her head in one hoof and was holding a photograph in the other. Her expression was sad, but it was also somewhat angry. Soarin had never seen his captain like this, usually she was so bold and forward. But now she just looked broken.

"Spitfire?" Soarin tried.

Spitfire just sighed "Did you ever make a decision that you immediately regretted, but it was too late?"

Soarin just stood there, confused. "Was this a test?" Or was his captain really showing...emotions?

"Um....I'm not sure I understand cap-" Soarin started but silenced himself when he noticed Spitfire rising from her chair.

"You can drop the Captain bit; and sorry about the whole scene I caused i the locker room." Spitfire moved over to her file cabinet and began to rummage through one of the higher up drawers. "I asked you to come because I have something very important to ask you."

*gulp* Soarin thought "Oh great, here it comes." Soarin closed his eyes and waited for Spitfire's voice to blast into his ears and tell him off for who knows what...but it never happened. Instead a uncommon silence filled his captains office.

Curious, Soarin mustered up the courage to open his eyes and now found his captain just a few hoofs distance from him wearing a confused expression, holding something out to him. He glanced down at the small metallic object in her hoof, it was gold, a metal pin in the shape of a lighting bolt with two wings coming out of either side. He knew exactly what it was.

"But I thought I was in trou-" Soarin managed to start.

"Trouble!? For celestia's sake Soarin, I'm asking you to be my co-captain!"

"Heh..." Was all Soarin could manage before he passed out.

Author's Note

Thank you SOOO much for being patient. I am already working on chapter 5. Again, any criticism is much appreciated.

Oh Captain

Author's Note

Hi guys I'm back and with I new chapter. I'll keep working when I can but I hope you guys enjoy this part of the story.

Oh Captain

Soarin was literally walking on air when he left the training grounds. (Well he technically was...but you get the point alright!) Aside from losing consciousness about halfway through for a few minutes, his meeting with his former Captain, and now co-captain had gone rather smoothly. Just before taking off from the cloud floor he took a moment to glance down again at the badge that had been given to him just moments ago.

The badge was the signature mark of the Wonderbolts. It was a lightning bolt with a pair of wings attached to the back of it. The badge itself wasn't a rarity as you could easily find a knockoff version in the home of every filly, colt, and Wonderbolt trainee in Cloudsdale and Soarin knew that. But what made this one special was that it was given to him by someone who was his long-time friend and mentor. Also the fact it was made from pure gold didn't hurt.

Soarin hugged the badge tightly as he thought back to the events that had unfolded in Spitfire's office after he had regained consciousness.
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Soarin's eyes fluttered open as he noticed Spitfire standing above him with her hoof over her face.

"Should of figured you couldn't take it like a stallion." Spitfire groaned to herself as she helped her friend into one of the chairs beside her desk. She helped him into one then began to walk across her office towards the water cooler.

"..wh-What?" Soarin groggily responded as he finally began to pull himself together.

"You okay in there?" Spitfire prodded, practically shoving a small paper cup of water she'd retrieved into his muzzle.

Soarin hungrily drank up the small amount of liquid then looked up at Spitfire from his slightly lower position. "Are you seriously making me..I mean I'm flattered and...but..I...why?"

"Honestly I'm still asking myself that question a little." She responded with a slight grin, and reached onto her desk, picking up the golden badge that she had offer to him before. "Your not the fastest, and not exactly the brightest..." spitfire tapped him lightly in the forehead.

"Hey!" Soarin began in protest. Spitfire chuckled .

"...Your late, often, you daydream, and you tend to eat the last of the pie in the break room." She shot Soarin a sideways glare. Soarin audibly gulped. "But, I saw something in you that I haven't seen in a flier out there in a long while..."

"And what's that?" Soarin asked, genuinely curious.

She turned away from the desk to completely face him and, with a warmer smile then he had ever seen on his captain, simply said "Me."

The room fell silent for a few moments. "........Huh?" Soarin stated blatantly. Spitfire's hoof immediately decided to have a conversation with her face as her smile left and Spitfire let out her typical 'annoyed' groan.

"OH, for bucks sake Soarin!" She blasted, but then swiftly lowered her voice once again. "It's been some time since I've seen someone that all the other members of the team look up to, aside from myself. Even when they listen to me, sometimes it's only because I'm captain." Spitfire stared directly into Soarin's eyes. But ponies care about you Soarin...a lot. And I think they'll have an easier time if there orders come from someone they actually like to talk to."

"But I don't even know the first thing about being a leader, I'm just a wing pony." Soarin replied still somewhat shocked.

"Hence the Co- part Soarin, I'll help you learn what it takes, trust me...you'll be a natural."
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After staring down at the badge for a few more seconds he tucked it away safely into his bag and lifted himself off the cloud bed with a mighty flap of his wings and began the exhausting journey home.

It was just pushing on dusk as he left the stadium. The rest of the sky was completely abandoned as most of his teammates had already gone home to get what rest they could before tomorrow's training session at daybreak. Usually the Wonderbolts trained for a good portion of the day leaving only the early morning and late evenings for any free time, but with the Ponyville show the day after next Spitfire thought it would be 'generous' to end tomorrow's training session early so the team could be fully rested for the one o'clock show.

Soarin glided peacefully across the cloud floor as he made his way towards his humble cloud abode. As he glided along his mind drifted to the same thing that has got him in this situation to begin with.

"Why can't I stop thinking about her?" Soarin thought to himself. "I mean, she's really pretty and kind but..." Soarin's train of thought was cut off when he collided with something other than a cloud. Soarin and the gray object landed into the soft clouds about a foot below. "Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry!" Soarin flew down to the pony he had collided with. He offered a hoof to help him/her up. "I'm so sorry, I.." Soarin was cut short when the mare sat up and turned to face him. She had a grey coat and was looking at him with one eye, while the other was looking elsewhere.

"Ditzy?" Soarin asked. The mare's face lit up with a smile as she bear hug tackled Soarin to the ground. "Soarin!!" Ditzy squealed. "I haven't seen you in forever!"

Soarin broke the air tight lock and sat up. "Y-yeah, you too. Haven't seen you in years, how've you been?"

Ditzy smiled and replied "Well obviously not as good as you, 'Wonderbolt'." Ditzy put emphasis on the last part.

"Oh yeah well, it's definitely a change. But how about you? Still a mailmare?"

"That's Chief Mailmare to you sir." Ditzy giggled. "Need anything delivered ASAP just let us know."

Soarin thought for a sec "Will do...in fact...can you stop by to pick up a letter I need delivered after practice tomorrow?"

"Sure!" Ditzy began to flutter away in glee. "One outgoing letter, you got it!" Ditzy hardly waited for a reply before she began to fly off.

Soarin called after his friend. "I haven't told you where I want to send it!"

Ditzy stopped mid flight and turned her head back to him "Oh yeah, where do you want it sent again?"

"Ponyville."

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The next day's practice session went by rather quickly. Despite more than one member of the squad coming in hungover, as was the usual.

Spitfire kept unusually quiet towards the end of practice, not saying anything after blowing her whistle to signal the end of practice. Slowly every wonder bolt gathered into the main locker room for the after practice meeting, as was the usual. Soarin sat at the edge of one of the bench's with his suit pulled back so it rested on his lap but still clung to his lower body by the sweat of a good days work. Several other ponies had already removed their suits entirely while others just sat exhausted on the benches waiting for their captain to arrive.

As spitfire entered the room it fell silent as the few conversations ceased.
"Good work out there today Wonderbolts!" Spitfire stood in the middle of the room. "I want to see that same fire I saw today in every single performance of the tour!"

Some ponies let out a sigh of relief, knowing they were safe from an extra set of laps had it been a bad day.

"There's one more order of business to attend to before you all head home to rest up for the tour." Spitfire shot Soarin a sideways glance over her signature sunglasses. Soarin sat up at attention reflexively before realizing what his captain, soon to be co-captain was about to say.

"After giving it much thought, I've decided that I can't manage all of you flyers alone. I've decided to appoint one of our most diligent wonderbolts, Soarin, as your new co-captain!" Spitfire finished her statement by pointing a hoof directly at Soarin. After a moment of silence Spitfire added. "That will be all, WONDERBOLTS OUT!!" But there was no whirlwind of ponies that shot past her. Instead everyponies eyes were fixed on Soarin.

Soarin just sat there, frozen. At least two dozen pairs of eyes had turned to look at him. All with the same exhausted and surprised face save one, Spitire just gave him a smirk as she turned and exited the room.

The awkward silence held for another few seconds before a thunderous amount of cheering and shouting broke forth as Soarin was mobbed by his teammates. Most of them just congratulated him, a few hugged him, one a little too tightly. Soarin thanked all of them, and as the majority of the wonderbolts all gathered their stuff and left, Soarin was left by himself in the locker room.

Soarin got up from the bench and started to gather up his things, which had been scattered when his bag fell during the chaos. Once he'd grabbed the last of his things he heard a familiar voice over his shoulder.

"Well the troops were...enthusiastic."

Soarin turned around to see Spitfire standing in the doorway. "Well that's one word for it." Soarin chuckled.

"How do you feel?" Spitfire asked as she entered the empty locker room.

"Honestly...terrified." Soarin looked up at Spitfire "I'm just worried I'll let everyone down...or mess up..or..." Soarin was silenced when his friend moved toward him and wrapped her hooves around him in a firm embrace.

"You got this." She simply stated. Just as quickly as the moment happened it ended and Spitfire regained her composure of the strict captain as she made her way to the door. She glanced back over her shoulder one more time. "And don't think for a minute just because we have the same paycheck that you can slack off!"

"No Mam." Soarin replied instinctively as he stood up at attention. But immediately realized that wasn't necessary anymore and simply restated "No problem Spitfire."

Spitfire gave him a warm smile as she disappeared from view, leaving Soarin alone in the cold locker room. Soarin picked up his things and followed her out, closing the door behind him.___________________________ _____