Spitfire: WonderBolt-Hood

by Dark-Dawn

Rating: everyone
Tags: Thriller, Adventure, Wonderbolts, Sad, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Rainbow Dash
Length: 13230

Spitfire's acclimation to joining the WonderBolts.

Running away from home was probably the wisest decision Spitfire had ever made
Without the rash ideal for a life separate from maintaining a traveling circus with her father, Spitfire would have never disembarked for Cloudsdale.
During that time, she would meet her life-long friends, Soarin and Fleetfoot. The trio would become animate about the legendary flying group- The Wonderbolt's.
Through the course of time, Spitfire would discover not only the secrets to becoming a Wonderbolt, but what it takes to be a empowered pony of flight.

Published 2017-12-13 18:50:06 UTC
Last updated 2018-05-29 04:06:03 UTC

Origins

Spitfire carefully shuffled through the darkness. Her fiery mane and gold coat catching on few stray beams of moonlight from outside. Her wings were nervously scrunched up on her back- if she were to make the slightest noise, even the drop of a feather, it would be all over.

Her bag was tremendously heavy, but what was in there was all she would have to sustain her for many moons. Nervousness hung from every breath she took until made it to the door. She paused. Am I really sure I want to do this? Running away was a huge decision, and if she was not tactful, this could be the beginning of the nearby end for her. She forced herself to swallow a large breath. No, they have already made my mind up for me.

She thought she heard shuffling in the kitchen and jumped, she had already been caught and she knew it. It was stupid of her to think this would have worked. Fear shot through her small body as she looked around for somewhere to hide, but she would be clearly visible no matter where she went. Hopelessness trickled through her as she bowed in silent acceptance.

However, nopony came to scold her for being out of bed and questioning her bag that was filled to the brim. Her nerves still betrayed her however, she continued to stand rooted to the stop for longer than appropriate. Her burnt umber eyes solemnly scanned around once more. A hallow loneliness wheeled up inside her chest, nopony even realized she had been pushed this far. Burning up the last amount of courage she had, she opened the door.

The fragrant autum grass mingled with the scent of the days previous rain soothed her. The ivory moon hung high in the sky, casting its gentle light down upon the world. The outline of Nightmare Moon was emblazoned across it-she shivered at the thought that perhaps she could see the lonely and helpless filly below and gulped. It is just an Old Mare's Tale, she reminded herself. Besides, it was a ridiculous and unbelievable story anyway- some ponies swore the a rabbit or something entirely different.

She looked back on the only home she had ever known. A very plain, wooded country side home on the edge of farmlands. She shook her head at the thought that she would be tormented with memories from this place for many moons to come. Forcing herself to trot away from her now past life, tears began to cloud her vision. Come on, you're tougher than this, she cursed to herself, now breaking into a gallop.

She looked up at the clouds in the sky and felt a sting of helplessness. CloudsDale, where her mother lived. She was much too busy to set aside time to see her daughter though. She was lucky if she even got to see her for Hearths Warming Eve. She still had the doll they had made together for it all those years ago safely tucked in her bad, unwilling to seperate with that happy memory.

If only my wings weren't useless! She thought hopelessly. They had not become strong enough to do anything more than lift her off the ground- embarrassing really at this age. It was a widely accepted fact that she would likely never fly, nor be a strong flier at any point in her life time.

A filly your age should have been flying a long time ago! Why, I wouldn't be surprised if you got your cutiemark in uselessness! Though a part of her new some of the teasing was dumb, it struck a chord deep within her. The malicious teasing she received in school only motivated her further to do this. Creating a surge of energy that carried her until dawn.
Breathless, exhausted and sore, she had made it to Appleosa. It was only a short distance away town-wise from where her and her aunt and father lived, but this would do for now.

Shyly tracking in dry dirt, she entered the small motel. She gulped wondering if they would even let her stay without an adult pony in sight- though she had heard they couldn't deny a paying customer, regardless of age. The chestnut stallion at the counter hadn't noticed her at first; but when he did, his sage eyes pierced through her with suspicion. His black mane was stylishly pushed to the side, though it lost some of its luster when he lowered his head to listen to her.

Spitfire felt like she knew this pony from somewhere, but could not place her hoof on where. Before she opened her mouth to speak he asked in the native drawl, "Where's your Pa, young filly?"

Spitfire was taken aback, "Oh, um..." she panicked, "He-he will be along. He asked me to pick out a room for the nigh- I mean day."

The stallion's face was traced with disbelief. "If you expect me to believe that lie then I truthfully pity you. Stay right there, I am going to send a message to him right now where you are at, you know he is worried sick. We'll get you home shortly."
Spitfire rolled her eyes. Her father would be just about indifferent to this. Just as soon as the stallion called for someone to watch after her, she exploded out of the door. "Young filly get back here!" he seethed as he struggled to gather his confused comrades.

Spitfire was half elated at her escape, and horrified she allowed herself to be spotted so quickly. She galloped through the town until she met its end. Her muscles screamed at her in agony and she felt her body attempting to collapse her into sleep that was well over due. Just a little bit longer. She kept telling herself as she pushed forward. Noon had already arrived when she finally collapsed behind a bush. Appleosa was still nearby but she could see a good portion of the town.

The little vegetation that grew around here clung its roots as close to the river as it could. Spitfire plunged her muzzle into the water a few times, taking elongated breaths after emerging each time. She collected some of it into her water cantine she had brought with her, and searched her bag for the little food she had brought. Well, you've survived day one, that's an accomplishment. Her bright red sweater was now soaked in her own sweat and was caked with dirt. She quickly tugged it off and let sleep overtake her body.

* * *

Soarin was a whiny, sensitive sort of colt. "But mom!" he said detestingly, "I don't want to go to flight camp!"

Whirlbreeze turned around and sighed, "Look, I know you don't want to, but I think it will be good for you, okay? Besides, it will keep you busy and you well know you are a gifted flyer."

Airily Soarin remarked, "Well that is true. It would give me time to really show what I've got!" He dramatically jumped into the air and did a half hearted flip in the air. "Or something like that." he shyly said when his mother looked at him quizzically.

"You may take after me appearance wise, but you are your daddy's son all the way."

Soarin giggled and snarkily remarked, "I'd sure hope so! Dad is like the coolest pony in all of Equestria! I mean-" his mother first gave him an extreme look, before rolling her eyes.

"Well, yes, he is pretty cool. You don't get to be a Wonderbolt reserve without some skill. You defiantly have your fathers eyes though..." she added the last part with a tinge of sorrow, her purple eyes now looking away from him.

Soarin felt guilty for bringing him up. "B-but he isn't really the nicest pony I guess so maybe he isn't so cool."

Whirlbreeze chuckled as she grabbed him with one of her wings for a hug. "You're allowed to admire him if that is what you want," she said, "But I would like it if we kept talking about him to a minimum though, and besides, next weekend you get to go visit him anyway."

Soarin jumped ecstatically in the air. "Thanks mom!" he said, and gleefully attempted to fly off elsewhere. She flew after him. "You're still going to flight camp though." Soarin allowed himself to gently glide to the ground as a crescendo of "But why mom? Do I really have to?" filled the air.

* * *

Fleetfoot never understood her name, or her parents for that matter. They were just, sickeningly happy. She was the perfect little mixture of them both. Inheriting her moms blue coat and mane texture, while she had her fathers mane color and bright garnet eyes. She should be a very happy filly. She was given constant praise and admiration for her high marks in school and her recognition as an "aspiring flier"- which meant she was average at best though they didn't want her to notice.

She meant the world to her parents and they meant the world to her, it was just...something wasn't right. Things hadn't been right for a little while now, and she couldn't place her hoof on why that was. Life seemed too comfortable and unchallenging to her. Try as she may, she had never made a true friend in CloudsDale all of these years.

It was time for a change, she knew that. Junior Speedsters Flight Camp was coming up very soon, and she knew her parents would be bursting through her door any day as they knew- or thought she would be excited. It was only a time killer to her, she wasn't even sure if she truly even wanted to go. Being forced into socializing with all of those uninteresting, egotistical and unintelligible colts and fillies, it would be an awful time for sure. Fleetfoot sighed as she went outside and sat on the edge of a cloud, watching the sunset form. She had always wished her parents had another foal for her to play with and teach them the ropes- and so they wouldn't be so obsessive over just one filly.

She saw another cloud not very far away and decided to see if she could jump to it without using her wings. Her parents had taken her to Appleosa recently to see the rodeo and had admired how much power earth ponies could pack into one jump. It had been a dreadful time there other than that, her mother had gotten so excited for one act in particular her wing had dislodged Fleetfoot's cotton candy from her hooves and has landed in the expertly groomed mane of a opulent stallion.

She tightly tucked in her wings as she prepared for her jump. An eagerness and shurefullness filled her as she began her jump, barley managing to land on the cloud as she pulled herself onto it. She begun to unfurl her wing to fly back to her house, when she noticed another cloud farther and slightly below her. She stared at it for a moment before deciding to attempt another jump- and she regretted it shortly afterwards.

Only one front hoof made contact with the cloud. She flipped over once in the air, then twice. She tried furiously flapped her wings to stop herself- however she pulled herself out of the spin at an unoptimal time. Causing her to rocket to the ground faster- the thrust she had created was difficult to pull out of, a scream for help was wrung out of her. As she attempted to make a turn, she clipped a wing on a tree branch, crying out in pain and hopelessness. The branches prodded and jabbed at her painfully as she fell through them. Evening had already begun to grace the sky with a coral pink, though she could clearly see her home floating away in the distance.

"No, no, no!" Fleetfoot sobbed, feebly getting up and attempting to trot in the direction of CloudsDale. Her hooves slapping against the gritty dust, creating wispy swirls behind her. She wildly flapped her wings in an attempt to become airborne, causing searing pain to shoot through her back from the wing she had clipped upon her decent. She let out a sob and cursed at her stupidity.

A bush behind her stirred. Gasping as she turned around, her heart already wildly beating from eveything. It couldn't be a timberwolf, they only formed in deeply forested areas, but Equestria was filled with all sorts of creatures that could gobble up a filly like herself in one bite. Fleetfoot tried to remain calm and see what creature it was first before panicking.

She sighed a breath of relief when she saw a golden pony muzzle peek out from behind the bush, along with a flamey orange mane. The two stared at one another for a few moments, before the mare broke into a gallop. "W-wait!" Fleetfoot said, running after her. "It's not safe out here! Are you lost?"

The filly slowed down her pace until she turned around and aggressively looked at her, before letting her suspicion fall as she sized Fleetfoot up. "Did they send you out to come looking for me? I mean, that wouldn't make much sense but..."

Fleetfoot slowly inched over to her. "No, I fell down from CloudsDale like a hoofbrain and well..." tears wheeled up in her eyes once more.

The filly sighed, "So it looks like I should patch your wing up then, my name's Spitfire by the way." Spitfire pulled out a first aid kit from her bag and motioned Fleetfoot to draw her injured wing near to her. "Luckily I have scrapped myself up that I know how to do that."

"What are you doing out here?" Fleetfoot boldly questioned. "It is just, well, plain stupid to be out here at night alone! Unless you are running away...?"

Spitfire rolled her eyes, "You figured me out. I can walk you into town and we will go our separate ways." Fleetfoot pulled her wing away from her and grimaced at the pain that came from it. "Hey!" Spitfire exclaimed.

"I am not leaving you alone out here!" Fleetfoot said.

"And I am not going back!" Spitfire spat.

The two angrily scrunched up their muzzles and seethingly eyed each other for a moment. "Fine. Then you have a traveling buddy." Fleetfoot said, crossing her front legs.

"What? No, absolutely not. That means I have twice the chance to be caught-"
"And twice the chance to survive out here. Besides, I have been looking for a change of pace anyway- I just want to head into town before we leave for good, if that is alright." Spitfire stared dumbfounded at her new companion.

"You're not going to take no for an answer, and you will tell somepony that I am out here if I don't let you do this, aren't you?" Fleetfoot smugly nodded. "Ugh, fine, but hurry up with it."

Fleetfoot smiled at her as she galloped into town, and left a note on a family friend's porch. It was on a newspaper she had found and the words were in soot from a fire, but she thought it would do. She just hoped the Spitfire was still there when she returned. She frowned when she couldn't find her when she got back however. She stopped her front hooves on the ground as she began to make her way back.

"Aren't you coming along?" Spitfire asked from the darkness, now with a bottle full of fireflies. A swarm of them had begun to gather over the river that Fleetfoot hadn't quite noticed before.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world!" Fleetfoot retorted.

The Beginning of Something Confusing

They walked in silence Spitfire shook her head, not being able to believe this was real or this was actually happening. It was all too confusing and impossible. Fleetfoot marveled at the fireflies as they danced across the surface of the water. "I know you're down and all, but isn't this amazing?!" she said in her raspy voice.

Spitfire didn't offer a response, only keeping her eyes pinned straight ahead as they traveled further. She's easily impressed. Fleetfoot plodded over to Spitfire's side and, brazenly as ever asked, "So, do I get to know your story yet, or no?"

Spitfire scrunched up her muzzle and angrily let out a shrill, "No!"

"Hey that's cool, that's cool, I understand. We might as well get to know each other while we are doing this, you know?" Spitfire angrily stopped in her tracks and Fleetfoot almost tripped over a branch.

Fleetfoot looked at her questionably before Spitfire seethed, "I don't need to get to know you and I don't want to."

A numbness overcame Fleetfoot as she lowered her head, "Oh...well, alright."

They stood in silence for a moment before continuing on. Fleetfoot kept looking back, deeply regretting not just staying in Appleosa where she would be found rather quickly. Spitfire noticed this and turned herself around. "If you want to leave, then just go!"

Fleetfoot puffed up, "No! I am not leaving you all alone out here!" A hellfire of anger filled Spitfire's eyes as she began to walk up to Fleetfoot, her muzzle nearly in her face.

"I don't need you and I don't need anybody to watch after me like a foal! You are useless to me and only a burden." Fleetfoot was very aware of the tears forming in her eyes and could not stop them from cascading down her cheeks. "I don't want you around and-hey...Are you crying?" Spitfire lost her aggressive tone right away.

Fleetfoot turned away from her as bulbous tears spilled from her eyes and she laid on the ground. Spitfire felt disgusted with herself and truly realized the impact her words had on Fleetfoot. "Look, I am sorry, I know it doesn't make up for it, but I am sorry." This made Fleetfoot only sob even more though and Spitfire guiltily lowered herself onto the ground. Spitfire wrapped a wing around her and sighed, "You're not a burden, and I actually think you are pretty cool and you've been the only fun part about this."

Fleetfoot got up and walked away from Spitfire. Spitfire slowly followed her. When she noticed this Fleetfoot pinned back her ears. "I just want to go."

"Oh..." Spitfire said. "Well, if that is truly what you want, and you would be safer that way."

"P-please come with though." Fleetfoot barley got out with a quivering voice, "I can't make you, but I hope you consider." Spitfire sorrowfully looked at the ground.

"I just can't." Spitfire said, "But I will be as safe as I can. Thank you for being willing to be here with me though. That's been a first."

"Pardon?" Fleetfoot said.

"It's been the only time someone has wanted to be there for me." Fleetfoot shook her head.

"That's ridiculous. I am sure your family has and they are worried sick about you right now."

Spitfire raised an eyebrow and frowned, "Well, you'd be surprised."

The two fillies stood there for what felt like an eternity. "I'll give you one more chance."

Spitfire smiled, "Wait, what? Really?"

"Really. But, one one condition."

Spitfire nodded, "Uh huh, and that is?"

"I get to hear your story."

"Fleetfoot!" her father called out. "Right here dad!" she called out, jumping out from behind a cloud and giggling.

"In the name of Celestia, you frightened me! Please don't go hiding like that again when I call you! I will think something awful happened to you every time!" Fleetfoot guiltily looked down at the clouds they were standing on.

"I am sorry dad, I was just trying to have a little fun, it won't happen again, I promise."

"Oh sugar, don't look like that. It was all in good fun. And besides, I know you could handle yourself if something ever happened to you." he swallowed a lump in his throat just thinking about this. "But please don't make me worry when I don't have to."

"I won't dad, pegasus promise!" she said, wrapping one wing around his. "And I promise I won't ever go wondering off on purpose, and I will always find my way back."

Her dad wiped his eyes, "We are so lucky to have a daughter like you, you know." Fleetfoot rolled her eyes.

* * *

"You're positive your folks aren't freaking out right now?" Spitfire asked again, doubt obvious in her eyes.

"Well, they are probably a little worried, but they know I can handle being on my own."

"Is that so?" Spitfire said as they begun to lay down for the night. "Look, when you get tired of traveling with me you can go back to them. It was nice of you to keep me company, but your parents are probably losing their manes not knowing where you are."

Fleetfoot paused, not sure if she should respond or let the moment stay as it was. "I'm sticking by what I said, I am not leaving you out here alone when you could be in danger."

Spitfire sighed. "Just my luck that I'd run into a goody four shoes like you."

"I'm not a goody four shoes." Fleetfoot said, obviously insulted. "I am just doing what is right."

"Have you ever really stopped and asked yourself if what you are doing is truly right? You are just trading in your parents suffering to ease mine." Fleetfoot didn't have a response to that. Instead she pinned her ears back and allowed sleep to begin taking her over.

"So where are we going?"

"I-I don't know." Spitfire said, much more insecure than normal. "I was hoping I'd figure it out on the way."

"I don't know what you're running away from, but if you really need a home I am sure my parents would take you in."

Spitfire was very quiet after she said this. "Spitfire...? At least think about it, will you?"

After what seemed like hours Spitfire whispered, "Yeah, I will."

* * *

Whirlbreeze ecstatically walked Soarin into Junior Speedsters Flight Camp. "Are you excited Soarin?!" she seemed must more enthused about this than he was. Soarin nervously inched forward as more ponies came crowding in. "Soarin?" his mother asked, poking his side. "T-Totally." he said, shaking.

"Well I think you can handle it from here, it looks like all the other foals are walking in without their parents, and you don't want to be that pony who does, do you?" she said, chuckling to herself as she walked away. Soarin suck to the walls of the small room like his life depended on it. He jumped when he thought he saw a griffon. Don't be silly, griffons don't cross into pony territory!

He weakly whinnied as he exited out onto the track. "J-Junior Sp-Speedsters, here we go!" he mumbled to himself. He was taken aback when two figures streaked across the sky at lightning speed- he had never flown that fast in a day of his life. He gulped and shook. Maybe he wasn't his fathers foal after all.

"Maybe this isn't for me," he said to himself as he tried to walk back into the building. However, just as he did a full grown gray mare walked out. Flight googles and a helmet securely fashioned on, she nearly trampled him as her face was to the sky.

"Oh sorry there kid." she said, still looking at the sky and nearly stepping on his tail.

"H-hey I-" She looked at him with an extreme look. "Oh, it's nothing." he said, shying away. He stood there, completely alone for a few minutes. Everypony else seemed to be taking off and doing laps already, so he figured that is what he should be doing.

He pawed at the ground with one hoof before breaking into a gallop, then taking off into the air. The wind felt ethereal in his mane and the sun trickled down the perfect amount of light and warmth as he flew past the other ponies. He nimbly avoided each puffy cloud that he passed with ease, effortlessly soaring. He looked around at the other ponies who had come to camp- not many could afford the luxury of coming here. He didn't see any familiar faces and shrugged.

Then he stopped mid flight and slowly landed back on the track. No, that couldn't be right. There was one face, the face that belonged here, his neighbors filly named Fleetfoot. They went to school together and while neither of them really had any friends, her parents were very well known. She's probably late. Rich ponies like her don't have to worry about showing up on time. Still though, he did worry. It was unlike Fleetfoot to be late for anything, that was just a part of her brazen personality.

"EVERYPONY GET DOWN!" the teacher suddenly yelled, blowing on her whistle. "Did I say you could take off?"

"No m'am!" the class cried in unison. Soarin attempted to look as well behaved as he could, but the teacher caught his eye and scrunched up her muzzle.

"If I see any of you taking off without my permission, you can face suspension! It's not only my rule, but it is a Camp rule! Speaking of which!" she said, handing out small journals. "We need to review this handbook before anpony even thinks about flapping a wing!" Soarin's wings jerked in fear, and she caught this again.
"I see we have a class clown! Look here everypony! If you want to achieve greatness, this is what you must not aspire to be like! Attention seeking whelp."

Soarin couldn't believe an adult was being this cruel to him, she was acting like the foals she was teaching for Celestia's sake! Soarin tried to not let this get to him, however the tears forming in his eyes betrayed him as he went running off. His mother would be disappointed, but he knew he shouldn't be brought to tears like this. Could he even face her after this? He wouldn't see either parents for many moons, and he wondered if he could just disappear somewhere for a while and just leave a forged note saying his mother came to pick him up.

No, that plan wouldn't work at all and his mom would find out immediately. Plus he would need shelter, food and water, and to arrive back in time to keep up the illusion he had been there the entire time. He shook his head. It was hopeless. He would just have to get back out there and face what was to come. He couldn't find anypony when he went back out and sighed. He decided to take just a lap around the course, it would make him feel a lot better, it always did. He forgot to remove his bag he had already repacked with his belongings and decided if he didn't fly too fast there wasn't a bother in carrying it along.

However on his course he failed to notice a small flag pole that had been recently erected and he slammed face first into it.The pain was extraordinary and he lost his vision for a moment, he attempted to fly towards where he thought he saw a cloud for landing, but when he tried to land on it he went falling through the air. His bag violently wrapped itself around his front leg and one of his wings managed to get caught in it. He cried out for help but nothing would come.

He only fell faster and faster until he came closer to the ground. I am so sorry mom, for being so stupid and helpless he thought to himself. A flash of blue suddenly rocketed towards him and tackled into him, wrapping its front legs around him while slowly lowering him to the ground. "Don't worry, I gotcha." a raspy voice said.

"T-thank you!" Soarin said, aware that he had been crying and it was only getting worse after he had been rescued from his death. Sniffling he looked his hero in the face and an elated smile washed over his own. "Fleetfoot?! This is great! I must not be too far off from the Camp after all!"

"Ahh," Fleetfoot breathed awkwardly, "Actually I-" Soariin untangled himself from his own bag and jumped excitedly.

"Come on! There is no time to waste!" he attempted to jump into the air, but the wing that had been caught in the bag seared even more intensely with each wing beat. He surrendered and allowed himself to fall to the ground.

"I am not going to camp...I, kinda am running away."
"Fleetfoot!" a voice called behind her. "Did you catch whoever it was?"

Fleetfoot and Soarin stood in silence for a moment. "What's wrong?" Spitfire inquired.

"R-Running away?" Soarin squeaked "Fleetfoot, but why? You have the perfect life! And I worried when I didn't see you at camp!"

"I know, okay?!" Fleetfoot yelled at him. "That's why I am doing this, it is too perfect."

Spitfire wrinkled her muzzle. "Perfect life? What do you mean...? You told me home wasn't very good."

"And you told me that next time we got food I could have the larger portion, but we all tell lies!"
Spitfire looked at her with keen distrust.

Soarin shyly butted in. "I-I have some apple pie in my bag if you'd like some- if it didn't get ruined that is."

Spitfire raised an eyebrow at him and asked. "Why in all of Equestria would you have apple pie in your camp bag?"

"My-My mom makes me some whenever I am about to face something that makes me nervous." he faltered. "And I am pretty nervous and scared right now as I don't know how I will be getting home. I don't even think I can face my mom after what happened today. I...kinda forged a note saying she came and picked me up and well...was trying to think of a way to dissapear."

"You mean like run away?" Fleetfoot said in a flat voice. Spitfire pinned back her ears and scrunched up her muzzle,

"Absolutely not! We already have too much on our hooves already, and we don't need to become a pack of runaways- I am starting to wonder if kids falling from CloudsDale is a common thing."

Fleetfoot looked at her confused. "Aren't you from CloudsDale though? I mean, you are the spitting image of Stormy Flare, and I am positive I have seen you two together. She is one of moms friends."

"I-Um, anyway. Are we having apple pie or not?"

Soarin placed a hoof on his chin. "You see that all depends. I need a place to go for a little while and I have a bag full of snacks and water bottles, so what can you trade me for my apple pie?"

"Fine. You're in. This isn't going to be fun though." Spitfire seethed as they all indulged in some apple pie.

An Unlikely Trio

"Hey! Wait up!" Spitfire whined as Fleetfoot and Soarin walked ahead of her. It had been a couple of days now since they had embarked together as a trio. Spitfire couldn't help but feel a little warm inside to have this company, though she would never admit it to them.

"If we want to get to the next town to find some more food besides what we can find out here than we shouldn pick up our hooves!!" Fleetfoot rebutted. Spitfire angrily flapped her wings on her back but knew Fleetfoot was right, normally she was the one barking at the group to keep going.

"But anyway," she could hear Soarin saying. "My wing should be all healed up now, and I was wondering if you foals wanted to see if you could win a race against me once we finally get somewhere comfortable."

Fleetfoot excitedly jumping in the air. "Oh you're on, mister, My-Dad-Is-A-Wonderbolt!"

"Reserve actually." Soarin corrected her.

The twosome looked back at Spitfire for her response. "Oh, um..." she said, feebely flapping the wings on her back. "I-I don't know." Soarin looked to her with concern. "Is something wrong? I mean, I know me and Fleetfoot have been bragging a little about how talented we are, but I am sure the daughter of the Stormy Flare-!"
"I-I can't fly." Spitfire said, looking at the ground with shame.

"Can't fly?" Fleetfoot and Soarin said in unison. "But how did you get around CloudsDale then?" Fleetfoot asked.
"Look, I didn't because I don't even live in CloudsDale and I only get to see my oh so important and evidently well known mother once a year!"

"Well I don't think it matters if you can fly or not." Soarin piped up. "You're still an okay pony in my book."
"You don't even know me..." she mumbled under her breath. "But thanks. You're okay too. Both of you. And what is a Wonderbolt by the way?"

Both of her companions dropped their jaws and looking back and forth at eachother. "Whh-what's a Wonderbolt?!" Fleetfoot repeated. "Only the coolest, most awesome, daring and elite flying team in all of Equesrtia!"
"Yeah!" Soarin added, "Their performances are so enchanting that they actually can produce magic lightning and dust from the wonder and enigmatic harmony of the crowd!"

Spitfire giggled. "I will suspend my disbelief a little at that Soarin."

"What? But it is true!"

"I'll wait until I see it with my own eyes."

"Soarin!" his mother called. "Coming mom!" he replied, running down the stairs. The aroma of freshly baked pie danced around the kitchen, causing his mouth to water and for him to dreamily fly over to his seat. His mothers cutie mark wan't an apple pie with a slice taken out of it for no reason after all! He always wondered why she hadn't changed her name to more fit her cutiemark as was customary of most when they got it.

"Now who is going to ace that math test tomorrow?" Whirlbreeze asked. Through a mouthful of pie he mouthed "Me! Me!" as he raise his hoof. "And I know you're nervous about it, but you are going to do how you are going to do, so don't stress out too much over it, okay?" Soarin nodded as he dove into his pie.

Suddenly a knock at the door sounded. "Who could that be at this time?" Whirlbreeze asked herself as she went to answer it. Slightly irritated and even down trodden, she came back with a wing full of Wonderbolt trinkets. "From your dad. He wanted to see you but I told him you were busy studying."

Soarin marveled over the trinkets for a moment, before beginning to head back up into his room once he had finished his pie. "Soarin?" his mother called. "You- you will always be my little baby, you know that?"

Soarin rolled his eyes. Moms were always saying stuff like this. "Yeah, just like you will always be my mom!" he cheerfully called back. He attempted to make his way up the staircase one more time to study for his test only to be called again by her.

"Soarin?"

"Yes mom?" he asked, slightly annoyed now.

"If-if anything ever happens to you, promise me you'll be okay and do the wise thing, alright?"

"What?" Soarin responded, extremely confused. "What makes yous say that mom?"
Whirlbreeze looked out the window and sighed.

"You never know where life is going to take you, and I can't always be in control of what happens to you. Unexpected adventures and journeys are always just a hoof step away, you never know when you are going to start or get sucked into one."

Soarin awkwardly giggled and rolled is eyes. "Okay mom. I promise I will be safe and do the wise thing. Besides, I can handle myself if anything ever happened!"

Whirlbreeze raised an eyebrow.

"W-well, I will at least try my best. I am sorry mom, I know you worry, I am just trying to tell you what you want to hear."

"Well don't," Whirlbreeze scolded. "Only tell me what needs to be said, not what I want to hear, even if you think it will hurt me."

Soarin uncomfortably shuffled on his hooves. "Alright mom, I am sorry."
His mother smiled, "It's alright Soarin, but you should really be upstairs studying for your test."

* * *

"So what town do you think we are in now?" Soarin asked excitedly Spitfire, who was looking at the map on the ground.

"It's hard to say." she said, "But there is a good chance we are in Ponyville."
Fleetfoot sighed, "What a bland name for a bland town."

"Hey! It's not bland!" Soarin defended, "It's...it's..."

"Rustic?" Fleetfoot offered.

"Quiet both of you!" Spitfire yelled. "We can agree to disagree. Now we really need to stop here and see if we can stock up on supplies."

"How exactly are we getting some of the supplies anyway...?" Fleetfoot asked, narrowing her eyes. "None of us really have bits, but I notice you sneaking off to shops when it gets really tough."

"I brought an emergency stash with me." Spitfire said after a moment. "Kinda thought it was best I didn't say anything about it."

Fleetfoot seemed offended at first, "What? Did you not trust me?"

Spitfire stepped a few paces back. "No, no, its not that. I just didn't want us to argue over it, we have enough on our hooves already."

Soarin suddenly butted in. "Hey guys, do you know what I just realized?"

"What?" both fillies said in unison.

"None of us have our cutie marks!"

"What a keen observation." Fleetfoot said blandly.

"No, don't you get it, maybe this had to happen for us to get it!"

Spitfire eyes Soarin up. "I think you might be getting sick or delirious, as that is ridiculous. No two ponies share the same destiny and they do not need anypony else to help them figure it out."

Fleetfoot nodded in agreement. "While it is a nice thought, it is just kinda silly the more you think about it."
Soarin lowered his head to the ground and sighed. "Yeah, I guess not everything is possible."

The three stood in silence for a moment before something unexpected happened. As they were beginning to tun their backs and head into town they all felt an intense shock wave that blew back their manes and they closed their eyes and ducked in shock for a moment-before looking up to the sky.

"Wha-a- what?!" Soarin stuttered, the words carelessly falling out of his mouth could not begin to describe what they saw before them. Lighting up the sky with the majesty of every bright color on the spectrum, a sonic rainboom leaked across the sky. The colors screamed and bled beauty and passion, its shriek could be faintly heard still in the distance.

The threesome were stunned as they watched the colors finally wash away from the sky. They were not sure what words could follow up such radiance. They looked back and forth at each other a few times, as if to confirm what they had just seen. None of them had ever seen something so captivating and awe-inspiring.

After what felt like an eternity passed, Soarin breathed, "W-woah, a-a..."

"SONIC RAINBOOM!!!" Fleetfoot lost herself. "I thought it was just an Old Mares tale, I mean can you believe it?! What we just witnessed?! It was- it was....!" she stomped around in the dirt, holding her head with her hooves.

"Magic..." Spitfire said, still looking up at the sky.

"Told ya'!" Soarin bragged, confidently jumping up the air and flapping his wings with pride.

"Well, you got me there Soarin." Spitfire admitted. "I guess there really is some magic to pegasus flight after all."

"Actually..." Fleetfoot said, "There is a little, well, a lot of science behind it, but well, there is magic too."
Spitfire gained a determined look. She flapped her wings on her back, before attempting to jump in the air and take flight, but all she was able to do was lift herself off the ground. Embarrassed, she swiftly landed.

"You know..." Soarin said, a coy smile spreading across his face, "Even though there is magic to it, you still need a lot of practice to actually take off and go. And well, me and Fleetfoot here are both gifted fliers..."

"I wouldn't say that but, what are you getting at?" Fleetfoot asked before it dawned on her. "Oh! I am so in!"
Spitfire looked at both of them with a confused look.

"We can help teach you how to fly!" Soarin finally got out, he was already excitedly rising in the air thinking about it. Spitfire looked shyly at the two of them, titling her head as if to ask if this was a joke.

"While I appreciate that, I don't think it is going to happen." she finally said sternly. "We already have-"
"So much on our hooves already," Fleetfoot said, bending her hooves imitating quotation marks. "We could do with some more fun on this trip, you know."

"Well, constantly embarrassing yourself isn't fun for me." Spitfire said, her nose turned up in the air.

"Hey, look," Soarin said, a seriousness filling him, "The first step to being good at something is to first be awful at it-or that's what my mom always says. Please, just try, you never know what might become of it."

She raised an eyebrow. "Like your cutie mark delusion?"

"Exactly!" he said, confidently crossing one leg over the other.

She sighed, "You two are impossible, you know?"

"But we are also all you've got!" Fleetfoot reminded her.

Flight Lessons

"Do you really think this is working?" Spitfire whined, she was still barely able to get off the ground with her wings. Soarin had advised her to "pump more power and passion into them!" Currently he and Fleetfoot were both effortlessly sailing above her.

"Well of course it is!" Soarin called back. "Just keep practicing!" Spitfire sighed in frustration as she continued to practice. It had been well over a week now since they had banned together. Spitfire sometimes felt very annoyed at her "luck" that these two would just so happen to find her.

Fleetfoot nimbly flew down beside her. "Don't worry how you look compared to us," she said, aware that Spitfire's eyes were jealously pinned on Soarin. "You are really improving, but to be frank," she lowered her voice. "What is the bit-situation looking like? How long can we actually go on like this?"

Spitfire scrunched up her muzzle, "It doesn't really matter, and not terribly much longer if you two stick around."
Fleetfoot wore a guilty expression before lighting up once again, "My offer still stands- about living with me and my parents. And now that we have Soarin, getting you up to CloudsDale should be easy!"

"Aren't you forgetting your parents are friends with Stormy Flare?" Spitfire spewed the last name distastefully.
Crestfallen, Fleetfoot stared at the ground, digging a small hole with her hoof.

"Yeah, I had forgotten about that. But honestly, wouldn't it be easier to contact Foal Protective Services than to do this?" Spitfire didn't present an answer to this, but Fleetfoot could see she was thinking about it. "At least think about that, okay? I mean I-" She wanted to say she wanted to go home, but she knew Spitfire already knew.

Soarin glided down to meet them. "Hey, what is going on?" slightly concerned. The two mares couldn't quite produce anything more than a sideways glance. "Are...you already bored with your lessons...?" he said, trying to fake a warm smile.

"I think it is time you two go home." Spitfire mumbled. "Thank you, for both of you for keeping me company, but this just isn't going to work." Fleetfoot and Soarin both looked at each other.

"Not without you." they said in unison.

Spitfire angrily puffed up and tried to run off. Her companions trotted after her. "Spitfire!" Fleetfoot yelled.

"Wait up!" Soarin sounded.

"Spitfire!" a hoarse voice called from the distance. Spitfire remained silent as she galloped through the traveling carnival. She wished more than anything that she could just fly away from this place, and be a normal pony with the same opportunities as everypony else! Her hooves pounded at the dirt below her as she launched herself further and further.

"Spitfire!" the same voice called again, this time full of rage. Large hooves could be heard tearing up the ground behind her. She attempted to flap her wings and take off, but she only rocketed back down and into the mud below. A large stallion appeared above her, at first glance nothing but his size seemed intimidating. He had a light wisteria colored coat, a coral pink mane peppered with erratic white streaks, and garnet colored eyes. His cutie mark was a small circus tent and a party popper.

"Young filly, I told you not to run off like that while I am in the middle of a hosting a show!"
"But Pa!" Spitfire protested, "I haven't been to school in over two weeks and wanted to turn in my late assignments real quick! The school house is only two hours away!"

"And two hours back! Did you honestly think that this would work? Besides, school hardly benefits fillies such as yourself, and you are always complaining about those ignoramuses who tease you, right? I firmly believe that if anything will benefit you, it will be working here at the carnival. Gaining skills that you will actually apply in your life when you take over!"

"Why can't Blaze taken over? I don't want to take over Pa! I hate it here! I hate you and I hate my aunt! I just want to live with Ma!"

Her father pushed his giant muzzle almost directly into her face. "If you think your mother givings a flying feather about you, you're stupider than you look. I would advise you to give up on your grandeur delusions of a better life and just accept your fate like your sister did a long time ago. I think you already know what your punishment will be tonight, so get ready for it." he snorted, storming off.

* * *

Breathlessly, Spitfire was forced to stop as she did not have as much staying power or stamina as her companions. Fleetfoot and Soarin didn't even seem winded and easily caught up to her.

"Like it or not, you are stuck with us until we know you have a safe home." Fleetfoot said, and Soarin nodded in agreement. "I am about to just report you to Foal Protective Services mysel-"

Spitfire snarled at both of them, she could not outrun them, but perhaps she could get rid of them a different way. "Well I don't care what you two want! You aren't even my friends and you don't know me! Besides, you have only been weighing me down and pissing me off this entire trip- and using my resources! And you have the audacity to-"

Fleetfoot breathed in deeply and sat down, then extended both front legs out towards Spitfire, offering a hug.
"Do you REALLY think I am in the mood for something that stupid and that will take back every-" Fleetfoot rolled her eyes and forced her into the hug, fight as she did, Spitfire was not strong enough to pull herself away from it. Soarin joined in on the hug as well.

Spitfire felt...well, breathless, afraid and safe at the same time. She was incomplete yet altogether at the same time. She wasn't very used to hugs from where she came from, they were almost an unfamiliar concept to her. It was both nerve-racking and relaxing at the same time.

"Are you done?" Fleetfoot asked with a raised eyebrow. Spitfire let out a sniffle and then blushed. Signs of weakness like this were worth punishments back at home as well- or to be taken advantage of.

"Don't be ashamed, let it all out!" Soarin announced bombastically, causing Fleetfoot to shoot him a scathing look.

Once she was done they decided it was well time to head out. Staying in the same place too long would derail the entire operation. Bathed in the dying evenings light, they marched on, without a planned destination or purpose.

"Thanks..." Spitfire mumbled before they began to lay down for bed.

"What for?" Fleetfoot asked, raising an eyebrow with a confused look on her face.

"You know..."

"We do?" Soarin put in coyishly.

Spitfire scrunched up her muzzle and then sighed. "For...being here and being who you are."

Fleetfoot gained a condescending look. "Oh-ho really? Miss Against the World and I have No Friends?"

Soarin waved her off. "What kind of friends would we be if we left you when the going got tough?"

That word echoed in Spitfire's head for the rest of the night as they camped out underneath the stars.

_________________________________________________________________________

It was impossible to tell how many moons had passed since the three foals had been reported missing from their homes. Whirlbreeze nervously trotted back and forth in the station, anxiously looking at the clock. He should be back soon with the information she thought. She had been unable to eat, sleep, or even think since she had seen the forged letter the teacher had found on his bed.

The door opened behind her, and she recognized these faces as her unfortunate neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. CloudFluer. Their daughter Fleetfoot had gone missing about a week before her own son. Both looked as though they had been crying a considerable amount as they walked into the building with a sense of lifelessness. She offered them a warm smile as they sat down in the waiting room.

Nopony looked at each other for a while before Whirlbreeze boldly announced, "They think there might have been a sighting." Mr. CloudFluer nearly fell out of his seat and his wife gasped as she jumped out of hers.

"Do you really think it could be them?"

Whirlbreeze shrugged. "I am not sure. Honestly I am trying not to get my hopes up too high in case it is a false alarm."
The smiles that once filled the happy couples face dissolved like foam. Mrs. CloudFluer nodded and returned to her seat, a hopeful glint still in her eyes.

It felt like they had spent hours there, time passed like molasses dripping down a wall of drying paint, until the door opened once more. A mare galloped in and placed her hooves on the front counter, looking back for somepony. She had a canary yellow coat, an orange mane with amber highlights, and fierce orange eyes. Her muzzle was much more squared for a mare, but she pulled it off well.

"Stormy Flare?" the Cloudfluer's asked, "What are you doing here?"

Manically Stormy Flare called out for somepony to come up immediately and asked if it were true. Once her eyes met with Whirlbreeze, she could automatically tell she had been crying. "Is it true?" she breathed out. "Have they seen my daughter?"

All parents sorrowfully shuffled around. "I-I can't say Miss, Stormy Flare was it? We are all here hoping to hear about our own missing foals as well."

A grim understanding filled the room, no words needed to be said to feel the consolidation each parent offered each other in the looks they cast to one another.

"Alright everypony." a cheerful stallion said, trotting in. "I do believe we've got 'em!"

"WHERE?! they all cried in unison."

* * *

"That's it! Now you're really getting it!" Soarin called out to Spitfire. She was almost able to reach the low cloud Fleetfoot had placed down for her. Her wings had grown much stronger over the course of these lessons. There was a kind of rhythm to it she found. It wasn't as simple as beating your wings and taking flight. It was becoming one with your whole self and flight. How many weeks had it been now? It was hard to tell, it could have been a month at this point, but she didn't care. She didn't have a soul in the world who was worried about her and she was in a sense, completely free.

Spitfire was unaware that in her sonic bliss, she had sailed over the cloud and was soaring higher. She let the wind stroke the tips of her wings and stroke her mane. She let the warm sun shimmer across her body and she dipped between cloud after cloud.

Fleetfoot and Soarin exchanged looks of shock and happiness. They tailed after her, making sure not to be seen least they distract her and make her lose her focus. "You know, she really picked up on flight quickly for somepony who had never flown a day in her life." Fleetfoot whispered to Soarin.

Soarin nodded in agreement. "I thinks it is where she always was meant to be and wanted to be, but never got the chance. And now that she is here, there is no stopping her."

Fleetfoot chuckled, "And there is no stopping us either from watching over her. You know, I am sorry I never really got to know you before Soarin. Like at school- I think we would have really gotten along if I wasn't too.."

"Stuborn to make friends?"

"Exactly. Once we get back, do you think we can still be friends?"

"Are you kidding me? Of course!" Soarin said, struggling to keep his voice low still and they both nervously looked at Spitfire, who was now just circling their site. "I hope all of us will be friends." he added, nudging towards Spitfire.

"She is right about one thing though. We can't keep going on like this. We need to contact Foal Protective Services without her realizing it. This adventure has been fun and all, but I think it needs to end soon." Fleetfoot noted.

Soarin nodded. "Wow, look at her fly..." he said, eyeing Spitfire, who was semi-gracefully maneuvering between a small cloud course he himself erected. "It really is a shame she hadn't gotten in the air when she was younger, it would be amazing to see how spectacular she would be." Fleetfoot raised an eye brow at him realizing what was going on.

Spitfire had begun to slowly land on the cloud she was tasked to fly to in the beginning. It was an awkwardly placed landing, however when she did she was visibly shaking. She stared at the twosome approaching her, and she began to breathe heavily.

"That was amazing Spitfire!" Soarin called out.

"Try awesome!" Fleetfoot retorted, "I- We are so proud and impressed with you!!! How does it feel?"

"Honestly, exhausting." Spitfire said, "But totally worth it and...its unlike I have ever done or seen!"

"The best things in life don't come easy!" Soarin added in his usual dosage of wisdom on the matter. "Honestly you are one of the...well not best fliers I have ever seen yet, but you are already getting there and soon you will surpass all of them!"

Spitfire rolled her eyes. "Tone it down a bit, why don't you? I am only able to fly as high as the two of you, no need to go patting me on the back." Soarin flew over to her and literally patted her on the back.

"Well too bad as your getting it anyway!" He perched on the cloud with her and Fleetfoot followed suit.

They stared down at the land below. The shadow from the cloud lightly danced on the ground below if anypony moved it. There was no place Spitfire would rather be in all of Equestria right now, but she would never admit it to them. It was almost sad when it was decided that they should head back down for land. Spitfire nervously glided down from the cloud with her companions- no, her friends, and they rested for the day.

Soarin

Soarin wildly charged across the sky. He was in a race after all with his two best friends! Not only that but he was winning! Fleetfoot looked around for an opening, she was giving him the stink eye and was literally right on his tail. Spitfire was a considerable distance behind, but she was still having fun none the less.

"Having fun back there eating my dust?" he yelled.

"Not as much as you like eating mine!" she said, seizing the chance to rocket past him.

Soarin could see the stick that was holding up Spitfire's sweater that marked the finishing point on the ground. He pushed himself harder and harder, pumping in more passion into each wing beat until he was nose to nose with Fleetfoot. He flashed a cocky smile at her and she smirked as they both began to dive.

Spitfire admired the two from a distance. She was tremendously behind them at this point, but that didn't matter to her, they were all having fun and she was getting better every day. A part of her couldn't feel like this was wrong, even if the two brought her much joy. She numbly stared at the clouds, thinking about their parents and how they would react if they ever met her. She would only be known as the pony who encouraged them to run away with her, devoid if that was true or not.

The two were on the ground now. Soarin was jumping triumphantly with Fleetfoot was gesturing towards the sky where they had just came from, she seemed to be debating his win. Spitfire landed beside them a few minutes later. Fleetfoot perked up at her arrival.

"Spitfire! Who landed first? It was totally me, right?" Fleetfoot begged.

"As if!" Soarin objected, "You're just a sore loser! I was on the ground waiting for you for a good five seconds."

Spitfire rolled her eyes at the exchange. She had been too far away to tell for sure, so she just shrugged. "It was hard to tell. Maybe next time I will try and keep a closer eye-once I get faster as well I mean."

"You weren't that far behind this time!" Soarin said, a gleeful tone in his voice. "Why here soon me and Fleetfoot may really have some competition!"

"I don't know about that." Spitfire said. "But I know that this is pretty fun nonetheless."

Fleetfoot and Soarin beamed like two proud parents, causing Spitfire to internally gag. Fleetfoot suddenly wore a weary expression. "You know...I think school may be starting up again here soon."

Spitfire looked deep into her eyes without blinking. "Oh. I guess that is your way of asking if I would want to go up to CloudsDale, isn't it?"

Fleetfoot nodded. "We just thought, you know, it may be time to-"

Spitfire turned her back to them. "I will think about it."

"Promise?" Soarin inquired innocently.

"Promise." Spitfire reflected.

_______________________________________________________________________

Stormy Flare curiously eyed the decor of the house. "Why, it sure it...original." she politely put. "And thank you for having me." Whirlbreeze did not seem to have a particular theme- one side of the living room had boldly colored tapestries and statues, while the other had a calm plainness to it.

"Oh you don't have to do that, I know it is a mess." Whirlbreeze said, setting down a tea tray on the coffee table. Stormy Flare chuckled and helped herself to a miniature slice of cake.

"My house isn't much different to be honest. It could probably go with some flair like that actually!" she bombastically added the last part while pointing at a tapestry of a multicolored elephant with flowers blooming out of its head. Whirlbreeze giggled, but sighed when she remembered the matter at hand.

"It was them in that picture," Whirlbreeze breathed, Stormy Flare set down her cup as she listened. "There is no doubt in my mind. I mean, I know the CloudFluer's daughter went to school with their colt, but Spitfire...Well...I don't know how she could know them." she uncomfortably scratched the back of her neck with her hoof. "Perhaps you may know something?"

Stormy Flare sighed and looked down at the floor. "I really wish I could say I did. Legally I am only allowed to see my daughters once a year- she has a twin sister- on Hearth's Warming Eve. There have been exceptions, like her birthday, however the two are so close to one another that Crank, or Ballyhoo as he goes by now, put in an appeal to just combine the two days into one."

Whirlbreeze nodded, "Oh I know how this whole thing goes. My son has to have mandatory visits set up, however I get to keep Soarin the majority of the time and he gets to go over there every other weekend." she frowned, "I am truly sorry though that this is how it ended up for you. It just isn't right at all."

Stormy Flare nodded, wiping a tear from her eye. "I know next to nothing about my daughters because of it, but one thing I know is they hate it there and I have been trying my hardest to request they move up here. Blaze told me if they aren't well behaved he withholds school from them, school! Neither has good marks because of it. Good grades don't make a pony and aren't a good indicator of actual intelligence, as they are both very smart...But..I worry about them. Spitfire can't even fly yet and Blaze only does it at school. He has put in Spitfire's mind that I hate her and don't even want to be around, even though that is far from the truth."

Whrilbreeze didn't know what to say. This was so profoundly sad she didn't think any words of condolence would sound sincere. All she could get out was, "I am so sorry...I do hope once we find our runaway foals that they will honor your request." The newspaper article that clearly showed the three ponies lay on the table. Whirlbreeze traced it with her eyes for a moment.

"What is your son like?" Stormy Flare changed the subject.

Whirlbreeze looked at the image of her son running beside Stormy Flare and the CloudFluer's daughters. "Well, he is sweet, kind, and a smart little foal. I mean, I guess all moms will say that about their kids. He is a tad on the sensitive side, however it is one of his greatest strengths and weaknesses. He is very ambitious for his age and always does the right thing..." she trailed off. It stung talking about her missing baby. They couldn't even be confident they were still even alive at this point. Equestira was a dangerous place for three foals to be gallivanting around.

"He seems like a good pony. Strong too." Stormy Flare said, also staring at the picture. "Just like his mom."

* * *
Soarin had never flown so fast in his life. He simply could not believe what had happened to them. Now that all of them could fly for semi-long distances, they thought it may be safer that way. One thing they did not account for however, was flying into an overgrowth of wild, unmanaged storm clouds.

They appeared out of nowhere it seemed. Just moments ago they were flying in partially cloudy skies. Fleetfoot had been showing off and doing a flip, while Soarin did three in a row. It had been a painfully fun and innocent time. Wild bolts of lightning broke through the sky as thunder exploded around the very air around them. They could not seem to find another and were helplessly thrown around like dolls in the hellacious wind.

Soarin screamed out for his companions. He had just barley dodged a bolt of lightning and there was no telling where one would strike next. Pegasus ponies usually had control over weather and high resistance to its effects, but these were not pony managed clouds and there for it was an entirely different story. His muscles were sore and every part of him felt torn. With each lungful of air his chest burned and his heart felt like it was attempting to claw its way out of his chest.

This is it, he thought, this is how I am going to die all because I wanted to show my friends a good time in the air. I am so sorry mom, I was only trying to do what I thought was right. Now I am going to plummet to my death for the second time in my life once I slip up and miss a bolt.

The wind howled and he was tossed onto a grayish cloud. Immediately he felt a tingle run up through his body as the light electricity coursed through him. It was damp and cold, and just when he thought it couldn't get worse, the other clouds slowly let out their own rain. Soarin's cheeks were already wet and raw beforehand, so as the water splashed onto him he looked unfazed. He laid there, feeling nothing and everything all at once.

Suddenly he saw a blue coat falling past him as lightning lit up the sky. Fleetfoot's muzzle was open but the crashing of the thunder and howling of the wind and rain masked her scream. Soarin shook his head and dived down from the cloud. He began to reach speeds he thought impossible for him or anypony to reach. The raindrops appeared to move slowly in comparison- the once drenched colt felt large droplets of water separate from his body and it was in that moment he truly appreciated the sensation of being dry.

Fleetfoot was no longer kicking and screaming in the air, she seemed to have accepted that she could not land herself to safety. That was until she saw a black and icy blue stripe racing through the sky. In the next moment she had been caught by Soarin. Even with both legs underneath hers, she was still extremely slippery and heavy. With strenuous effort and dropping her many time and having to dash back down to save her, he finally lowered her to the ground.

"I have to go find Spitfire!" he mouthed to her before taking off at an impossible speed. She scrambled to hide underneath a tree after he raced off, shivering and sobbing.

Soarin fought against the wind with all of his willpower and determination to find his friend and return her to safety. He wasn't even sure he would find her, but he knew he needed to try. He would only have himself to blame if there was a chance of saving her and he missed it.

He sailed over and under lightning bolts as they sliced through the sky. His soaked mane continuously getting into his eyes as he shook his head and continued the scan the skies. He couldn't find her anywhere. This had to be a mistake. He could no longer feel his body- all he knew is that whatever he did, he still could not land yet.

Then he saw her. She was impossibly still fighting the wind, dodging lighting and keeping herself up even though she looked waterlogged. Soarin tried to call out to her but it was useless. He soared over to her, he had never, in all of his life, ever gone this fast. Spitfire was growing tired and did not have much strength left, this was obvious. She would expire soon if he did not get to her.

A coy smile filled his face. He knew it may seem out of place, but he couldn't help but find similarities in the cloud structure to their previous race track. Taking in a deep breath, he rocketed towards one of his best and only friends he had ever known. He out-sped the lightning crashing around them, he pumped all the passion and determination he could muster into his wings and body as he raced towards her.

Spitfire saw the black and icy blue streak burning brightly as it impossibly charged through the murderous sky. She couldn't believe her eyes as Soarin flew across lightning bolts as he sped towards her. In an instant, he had secured her in the same way he did Fleetfoot, and they descended towards the ground.

Spitfire and Soarin began running towards one of the few trees surrounding the area. They both breathed heavily as they looked around. Fleetfoot was underneath a tree about three yards away and they all looked at eachother in understanding. Fleetfoot galloped over to them, tearing up the muddy ground underneath her. She shook the rain off of her and plodded back over to them. Combining all of their jacket, they made a blanket as they laid down for the night. In all of their combined tiredness, they failed to notice the scintillating new cutie mark of a winged lightning bolt on Soarin's flank.

Fleetfoot

Fleetfoot and Spitfire stared in amazement and admiration at Soarin's cutie mark, even though it had already been days since he received it. The colors seemed to flash and shine on his flank, and he was quite proud of it himself. Once they had woken up the next day they all had noticed it almost immediately. He was so ecstatic he raced around in the mud, whining and jumping and turning his neck to stare at it.

They were all extremely sore, and bruised from their near death experience. This however, made Spitfire realize that they truthfully couldn't do this any longer. Maybe it was time to throw in the towel and give the CloudsDale idea a try. She didn't know how to bring it up, and she felt like the other foals already knew that is what they were thinking of.

She and Soarin both were missing many items from their bags that simply could not be found anywhere. Soarin was in shock when he found out he had lost his mothers pie tin, as evidently that was one of her favorites. Spitfire was relived to see that somehow, her now small bag of bits had survived- more so she was grateful that, against all the odds, the two ponies traveling with her did as well.

She had never known companionship nor commodore like this. Sure, at the circus it was faked and her family put an outward appearance of that, but she had never felt it like this. Even though they had almost been ripped apart by a storm, she had never felt more safe and daresay loved and accepted in her life. She rolled her eyes at herself and her sappy sentiments.

It was a nearly a clear day today, save a few rouge clouds gently floating in the sky. Spitfire thought that next time they got into the next town, she should not only hold a Cutecinyera for Soarin-perhaps by buying him a cake or something- but do something for Fleetfoot and him. They weren't exactly sure where they were however, as the map was one of the first things to blow away.

The sun had never felt so welcoming on their coats as it did today. They hadn't done any serious flying since Soarin got his cutie mark, and they were all still a little beaten from the experience, but Fleetfoot seemed like she was ready to get back in the air. Though she thought it advisable to wait until everypony else was as well.

"Everypony! Do you see that?" Fleetfoot suddenly yelled, pointing towards the edge of what looked like a prestigious town. They all immediately recognized it as Canterlot. Fleetfoot seem especially excited about this, rearing up and whining before galloping towards it.

"Hey! Wait up! Spitfire yelled.

"I can't believe we found Canterlot!" Soarin sounded in ethereal bliss.

Spitfire had never seen a place more...magical. Every road they walked and corner they turned had an enchanted touch to it;the city screamed royalty and bleed opulence. The buildings shimmered and towered over them in the sunlight. Each bush was immaculately trimmed and each pony walking on the streets did so stylishly and confidently. Spitfire had never seen anything like it. She could even see the castle in the distance, and the giant waterfall beneath it.

The threesome had a hard time sticking together as a different thing would catch their eyes. This was however, when Spitfire noticed a "Missing" poster with their faces on it. "Uh, guys?" she said, trying to catch their attention. The two looked at her questioningly.

"What's wrong?" Fleetfoot asked.

"Look." she said, pointing at it.

"Spitfire...here is the thing. Me and you both know it is probably about time to end this anyway. I-well, me and Soarin were kinda discussing on the way here that we should probably turn ourselves in once we got to the next town. And well, we are here now...so..." A part of Spitfire's heart ached.

"I-I understand." Spitfire said. "But...could we go for one last race before we do that?"

"Sure." Soarin said, now popping up, eyeing the poster. "I mean, that would be a good end to our little adventure."
End. Him just saying that word haunted her.

"Okay." she said, looking down at the ground. "Should we hold it at the town limits? Where we were earlier?"

"Absolutely." Fleetfoot said.

_____________________________________________________________________

Mr. and Mrs. CloudFluer tidied up their living room. Even though it already appeared it was spotless, they seemed to find something unsatisfactory every time they turned around. "She should be along soon, right?" the Mrs. asked.

"She should be, Junebug. She is never late."

On the coffee table there was a wide array of snacks and drinks- one got the impression they were hosting a meeting of of multitude of ponies. Mr. Cloudfluer heard a knock on the door and went to answer it. Stormy Flare walked in with a sense of being here many times before. She giggled when she looked at the table but sat down in a nearby chair.

"I would ask how you have been, but I know it hasn't been well." The parents all shared a short lived laugh.

Stormy Flare waltzed into the house and hoisted herself on the elegant, black velvet couch, helping herself to a comfortable amount of sweets. "So we all are certain, then?"

"Of course!" Mr. CloudFluer stated, also indulging in the wares laid out before them, "We'd know our daughter anywhere! And Soarin, the little neighbor colt, too. He passes by our house every day they'd get off school. We never saw them walking together though."

"It is quite peculiar how they seemed to have forged a bond strong enough to run away together so quickly," Junebug added, "She hadn't even so much as mentioned the colt!" She threw up her front hooves in exasperation, thus disturbing her elaborately styled sunflower mane. She however, seemed to care little about it in the privacy of her home.

"Oh?" Stormy Flare asked, "Hmm, I do agree, it all is very strange. My Spitfire can't even fly yet, so I can't imagine how she met your daughter and the other foal.

"Can't fly? How queer- you said she is about their age right? Does it run in your family?" Mr. CloudFluer prodded with a touch of concern, "I actually specialize in diagnosing these things."

"Not on my side, her fathers side is mostly earth ponies and unicorns, so it doesn't leave much room for wing issues."

"Hmm, perhaps it is psychological then." Junebug said, staring meditatively into her drink.

Stormy shrugged. "I don't suppose Fleetfoot ever mentioned wanting to run away? She seemed happy enough to me. Did I ever mention Spitfire around her?"

The parents sat in contemplation, grossly overthinking the situation, establishing connections that just weren't there to cope.

***

Fleetfoot eagerly stretched her wings, her head turned towards the sky. Wild honeysuckle and other flowers scent hung in the air like a fragrant perfume. The grass underneath her hooves had never felt so amazing, she seldom felt it after it had rained. She craned her neck to look at her companions. This has been one of the scariest things I have ever done, but I don't regret it, I got to meet these two ponies out of it, and that makes it worth it.

"Hey, Fleetfoot," Spitfire shyly began. Her face etched with insecure worry, "I-"

Soarin butted in, "GO!"

She took off as fast as she could physically manage. She strained every muscle she could into overtime in an attempt to keep up with Soarin, who had grown increasingly better at flying. He was even more brazenly cocky when he was reminded of his cutie mark. "It means I am meant for speed!" He had cheesiely stated, "Does this look like a WonderBolt cutie mark or what?" She giggled as she remembered her reply- "Or what I'd say."

They all had spent a lot of time racing since they had gotten to know eachother, however she craved to know both of them on a deeper, personal level. She had a suspicion they didn't want this- that they viewed friends as just for fun, and getting to know eachother would ruin it. Most ponies were like this- it took courage to care about someone, and even more to get to know them- few ponies in her life ever wanted to get to know her. She longed to know insignificant things about them however- she could feel her mothers psychology loving roots inside her and winced.

Having been caught up in thought, she lost the race. Soarin didn't waste a single moment to rub this in, flaunting his cutie mark and his powerful wings. Spitfire came in even slower than usual, appeared to be carrying something on one of her front hooves. She couldn't help but admire the golden glow that surrounded Spitfire. It reminded her of this odd feeling of hope she had gotten every now and then- a sensation that inspired her to buckle down and try harder.

"Finally, Fleetfoot, com'ere!" Spitfire yelled.

"Something wrong?" Fleetfoot asked curiously. "Wait, what's this...?"

"Here, take it, like this." Spitfire puffed, clinking the blue horseshoe into hers. "I saw this on a poster by the shop-the Wonderbolt's do it- this is a special kind of horseshoe. They only had one left. I wanted you to have it, you know? For, well for putting up with me and for being a friend. I hope we can stay friends after this and get to know eachother, you know, deep down and stuff. But I wanted you to have this just incase."

Fleetfoot pinned her ears back in astonishment, eyes widening with elation and surprise. "I do too Spitfire, I really do too, thank you, for this- though you aren't leaving my life until I say so!"

The two fillies laughed as they landed side by side, innocently unaware of the bright flash that sparkled across Fleetfoot's flank as the sun began to dive, casting light similar to it. The image of the blue horseshoe bounced across it, along with a gold aura of hope, valor, and courage.