Dashed Away

by Clue Tzes

Rating: mature
Tags: Romance, Slice of Life, Sad
Length: 18260

Corruption and despair plagued Soarin's early days with the Wonderbolts... Now years later he reflects on and faces the consequences that seperated him and the mare he once loved...

So many times we choose the wrong path for our lives, especially with love. What happens when you show someone that you're everything they could possibly need or want; but then take the wrong path, ultimately splitting the two of you up for good? Soarin' knows the answers to those questions now, many years later, he's right next to her and she has no clue. Will he face the ramifications of his past or will he keep walking without a word? Find out what happened then and what happens now in Dashed Away.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2014-12-18 23:10:07 UTC

Dashed Away

Dashed Away

By: Clue Tzes

How long has it been?

Soarin’ stood there, looking at the mare from long ago from far away. He remembered the night they shared so long ago… The night he fucked up beyond belief…

But… I was young… We both were… I believed what he said and damn it, I regret it like mad…

        He began moving towards her, hoping she wouldn’t recognize him and he could just move past like he needed to. He didn’t need a scene, nor could he afford one with all the ponies around them.

Of all the days I roam around Cloudsdale, she has to be here today…

        How many times had they met before and he’d been introduced? Surely she had to know his name, his look, his touch. Why had she never said anything though? Was she over it or did she just not want to revisit it?

N-no… Please… I just want to forget it for now… I had just turned 18 a few days before and everyone was so happy when they heard the good news. Mom nearly died from the excitement and dad was so proud. If they knew what happened…

Or did she just forget?

Let’s hope I don’t have to find out…

He began his approach, visions of the past coming to mind…

        “Welcome to the Wonderbolts pal!” Turbulence, Captain of the Wonderbolts prior to Spitfire, said.

        “Th-thanks,” Soarin’ told him, blushing embarrassedly as the larger, light grey pegasus patted his back with a hoof.

“Pretty soon you’ll be beatin’ the mares off of ya left and right,” Turbulence chuckled, wrapping a hoof around him as they walked through the cloudy hall of the Wonderbolts Headquarters. He whispered into Soarin’s ear, “Of course, you’ll pick and choose which ones you want to beat you off, so have fun rookie.”

        Soarin’ awkwardly shuffled as Turbulence began trotting away, laughing loudly as he did. Soarin’ stayed behind, his Captain’s words echoing in his ears.

        “That’s not what I want though…” He whispered aloud, “I don’t want some mare who wants me because I’m a Wonderbolt…”

        He shook his head and began making his way out of the building into a nearby hotel, walking through the dark night. As he walked in past the front desk, the night concierge looked up and waved happily, “Welcome back Soarin’!”

        He turned and smiled, walking up to the pink mare working the desk, “Thanks, how’s your evening been Bella?”

        “It’s been fine,” she told him, playing with her orange mane, “Could be better if half the pegasi that walk through those doors weren’t such assholes, but I digress… How much longer you gonna be staying with us?”

        He smirked and looked her over; she was cute and youthful, that’s for sure. A part of him wanted to get to know her a lot better, but another part told him something seemed off but he couldn’t tell what. “Tonight might be the last night… They got my room about done and it should be ready tomorrow.”

        She frowned a bit and looked up smiling, “Well… Maybe I could make a special visit to make sure your last night is rather pleasurable.”

        Soarin’s stomach churned and his heart leapt; was she saying what he thought she was? He chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck, “Well… I mean…”

        “I’d do anything for the newest Wonderbolt,” she whispered, leaning closer and licking her lips slowly, “I’ve been told I know how to really make a pegasus fly.”

        He sighed in his head, realizing what he’d noticed now. “Th-thanks… We had a long training day though and I’m really sore… Maybe another time?”

        She giggled to herself, leaned across the desk, and whispered while putting her plot up enough for Soarin’ to see her sway it slowly, the rest of her body covered by her red uniform, “They say a nice massage helps when you’re sore… Maybe you could lie back on the bed, let me lube my hooves, and give you a nice massage with them… Or my mouth if you’d like that more.”

        Soarin’ blushed hard and could feel his cock beginning to harden at the thought, “I-I’ve gotta be up really early Bella, maybe I could get yo-“

        He was cut off by Bella’s lips against his own, kissing him deeply. Normally he would’ve been uncomfortable, but the lobby was empty save for the both of them. He stood there in shock, beginning to kiss back as he felt her tongue slip between his lips. He was entranced by the way her tongue worked with his, dancing with it like it was her life’s work. He pulled away slowly, a small strand of saliva still connecting them as they stared lustfully into each other’s eyes.

        “How about we fly up to that room?” She whispered quietly.

        Soarin’ began to nod when his senses came back, “I wish I could… Give me your number Bella and next time I’m free, we can pick up where we left off here. Celestia knows I’m more than aroused enough as it is,” he admitted embarrassedly.

        “Aww, alright then hun. Just don’t forget or you’ll be missing out on something tighter than that Wonderbolt suit you have to wear,” she added with a wink, passing him a slip of paper with her number on it.

        He nodded, holding onto it and starting to turn away, “G-goodnight Bella!” He managed to say before trotting to the elevator.

        Bella watched him walk away, catching glimpses of his hardened cock between his legs, a sight she’d remember for the next couple of lonely nights to come.

I never did call her… Never saw her around town much either after that. I remember she passed away a few weeks after all of that. That bastard of a stallion got ticked at her for not putting out and well, he made sure she could never put out again… At least she learned that wasn’t the life for her… Too bad that happened to be when though…

Soarin’ blinked a tear from his eye as he kept moving slowly towards the mare, making sure she wouldn’t catch him out of the corner of her beautiful eyes.

Maybe if I’d called her, she’d still be alive today… I-I could’ve saved her, or maybe it wouldn’t have had any effect… But there was a lot I could have done differently with her…

        He walked out of the hotel after paying the day concierge for the nights he spent in the hotel. He didn’t seem to care the pony across the counter was a Wonderbolt, much to Soarin’s relief. He remembered the night before as he walked out, blushing lightly as he made his way to the Wonderbolts Headquarters, his few bags being tugged along on a cart behind him, Bella’s number being the only thing left behind in the bottom of a trash can.

Here it goes… Day one living with the team…

He took a deep breath, walking through the doors for yet another time. He took a right in the main lobby, heading toward the team rooms. He passed by a few open doors, a majority of them empty but the occasional one holding a mare or stallion relaxing or loafing around. As he approached the end of the hall, he saw the door labeled Soarin’ and nudged it open.

        He took a step in, looking around the barren, yet open, room. To the left sat an empty bookshelf and a TV while on the right was his bed with a small stand next to it.

At least I’ve got room to move around. You’d think there’d be a bit more furnishings for somewhere I’ve gotta stay for as long as I’m part of the team…

He lugged the cart in, moving his bags off it one by one and onto his bed. He looked back over at the bookshelf.

I can put a few pictures up there for starters. Too bad I’m not much more of a reader or I could fill that thing to the brim. Maybe I’ll meet a nice mare that likes the occasional book or two… Celestia knows I need some more culture in my life.

He chuckled quietly and began pushing the cart back out, shutting his door behind him. He turned around coming face to face with a bright yellow mare.

        “So, you’re the newbie huh?” She asked, looking him over.

        “I, uh, yeah? I mean I’ve been with the team for about a week but was finally able to move in today…” he replied, avoiding eye contact.

        “Yeah, you’re you then for sure,” she giggled to herself, “Name’s Spitfire and you’re Soarin’?” She asked, looking around him at his door.

        He nodded and smiled, “Yep! Nice to meet ya.”

        “You too rookie.” She jested back, “My team and I are heading out for a fly here in a bit if you want to join?”

        “Your team? Are you a Captain too?” He asked in confusion.

        “I wish… Mainly just a group of friends in the team I take charge of in our off time. Maybe one day I’ll be Captain of the Wonderbolts though,” she added with an amused sigh, “But hell, we’ve all got some crazy fuckin’ dreams. I’m sure you’ve your fair share too, right?”

        He chuckled softly, looking into her dazzling eyes, “Yeah… But then again, some of those crazy dreams become crazy realities; I’ll be rooting for you though. I’ll have to pass on the fly unfortunately; gotta return this cart to the hotel and then start unpacking my stuff.”

        She nodded and began trotting towards the nearest doors, “That’s alright Soarin’, just promise me you won’t be a stranger,” she added with a smile as she lightly flicked his nose with her tail.

        He blushed a bit, nodding in return, “Yeah, I won’t. See ya around Spitfire.” He watched her go before turning and heading back the way he came.

She’s a real cute one, natural leader too… I’ll have to try to get to know her a bit better, but then again maybe dating within the team isn’t the greatest idea. I’ll mull it over I guess.

        A couple hours later, he found himself lying back on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He looked over at his bookshelf, admiring the pictures of him with his family, siblings, and friends from the other side of Cloudsdale.

They’re only a few hours away, for them at least, but they still feel like they’re on the other side of Equestria now…

“How do you like the place pal?” Turbulence said, causing Soarin’ to jump off of his bed and onto the floor.

        “I-It’s great Captain,” he panted softly, climbing back onto the bed.

        Turbulence trotted over and sat next to him, “No need for the formalities when we’re just hanging around Soarin’, call me Turbulence!”

        He nodded awkwardly, “Of course T-Turbulence!”

        The Captain nodded, “So how have the mares been treating you?”

        Soarin’ thought for a moment, remembering the last two he’d met, “I haven’t really seen any these past few days aside from those on the team.”

        “Looking close huh?” Turbulence chuckled, noticing Soarin’s scared expression, “Don’t worry, I won’t ruin your game pal. I know how overwhelming it can be to be surrounded by a bunch of mares and stallions, if you’re into the latter at least.”

        Soarin’ shook his head, “Nah, I’m as straight as a flyer, no offense to you.”

Well, being bisexual is half straight so it’s not exactly a lie…

        Turbulence shook his head, “No worries Soarin’, only thing I’ve climbed into are my flying suit and between the legs of many mares. You’ll see when we start traveling how many would kill for a night with a Wonderbolt.”

        Soarin’ remained silent and simply nodded, flashbacks of the night before running through his mind. He felt himself growing aroused again and quickly got to his hooves.

        “I-I think I’m going to rest up a bit for tomorrow Captai- I mean Turbulence. Gotta be ready for training and everything, r-right?”

        Turbulence nodded, “Aye, a majority of the time I’d agree with you but you’ve got the next few days off, as part of a room-warming gift if I may say so. Of course, the same goes for the whole team so why not get out and mingle a bit? This part of town’s pretty new to you right?”

        “Well, yeah, but I was thinking about going to see my family for a bit…”

        Turbulence chuckled, “Homesick already? No worries, they’ve been invited to your first post-residency practice!”

        Soarin’ stood there, his mouth slightly open, “Th-thank you Captain! It means so much!”

        He waved his hoof, “Don’t mention it… It’s the least I can do for someone that reminds me of myself. I should get going to get ready for a couple late nights,” he told Soarin’ with a chuckle. “I’ll see you around town hopefully!”

        He stood there in silence as Turbulence left, lost in thought.

I remind him of himself…? I…

Soarin’ shook his head and walked out of the room, making his way out of the barracks yet again and out into Downtown Cloudsdale. He smiled to himself and sighed quietly.

“It was a rocky start, but things are going to look up for me from now on, starting with tonight,” he told himself as he began walking out amidst the late night crowds.

He kept smiling as he walked, shivering occasionally as the cool wind blew through his dark blue mane. He looked left and right, taking in all the shops and restaurants lining the streets, as well as the massive amount of pegasi compared to the part of Cloudsdale he grew up in. Occasionally, ponies would stare, whispering to one another to try to figure out if he was a Wonderbolt like they thought, but each dismissed the thought due to his lack of exposure so far. He enjoyed being anonymous yet famous, knowing the feeling wouldn’t last forever once the Wonderbolts started advertising their newest member.

Even then, I’m sure a few of the diehard fans would recognize me if they saw me. Well, might as well go ahead and eat while I’m out…

Soarin’ chuckled as he turned, walking into a small café to his right.

“Welcome sug’,” the green waitress said to him, “Table, booth, or would you rather sit up at the counter?”

“Oh, uhm, the counters fine, thank you,” he said to the waitress, walking past her and taking a seat.

“Name’s Tula, what can I get ya?” The cook asked, turning to face him, “House special is some charred tulip on wheat bread.”

Soarin’ looked up, scanning the overhead menu, “That sounds good, but I think I’ll just have a grilled cheese, if that’s alright.”

Tula chuckled, flapping his purple wings in delight, “It’s my favorite one to eat and make, and it’d be my pleasure, uhm…”

“O-oh, I’m Soarin’, it’s nice to meet you sir!” He told the chef.

“The pleasures all mine, but I don’t think I’ve seen you around these parts before,” Tula said, buttering the bread.

“I just moved here a few days ago for work… I’m staying for a long time though, so you’ll probably see a lot more of me,” he chuckled. “You wouldn’t have any coffee by chance, would you?”

“I’ve got a fresh pot on the burner right now,” he said, setting the bread and cheese down to cook as he poured a fresh cup and passed it to Soarin’, “Careful, it’s hot. You wouldn’t believe the people I have to warn about that to, but I’m looking forward to seeing you in here! Eat up!” Tula passed the cooked grilled cheese to the hungry, waiting pegasus.

“Thanks!” Soarin’ said before taking a bite, “Tastes great Tula!”

“Glad ya like it friend,” he said with a smile before turning and cleaning off the grill.

As he ate and drank his coffee, another pony came up and sat next to him.

“H-hi, I’ll have what he’s having please,” he heard the mare tell Tula.

“That’ll be right out miss, have a cup of joe while you wait,” he said passing it to her.

Soarin’ watched Tula pass the cup to the mare, finally getting a glimpse of her. His jaw nearly dropped mid-bite as he took in the sight. She was around his age and absolutely beautiful, with her large, shimmering eyes. He couldn’t look away and eventually he found her looking back.

“Hi there,” he heard her choke out.

He quickly swallowed the bite whole, taking a sip of the coffee to help it go down, “Hey there yourself,” he whispered back.

“You’re Soarin’, the, uh, newest Wonderbolt right?” She asked, visibly blushing as she shifted her mane to hide her gaze some.

His heart froze for a moment as his mind began running.

Please don’t have her want me for being a Wonderbolt… Please don’t let her be like that…

He nodded slowly, “Y-yeah, but uh, try not to say it too loud please. Care if I ask your name?”

She nodded back, “I-It’s Dash, R-Rainbow Dash actually. Can I confess something to you…?”

“Of course,” he told her, curiosity building up inside of him.

“I kinda saw you out in the crowd and recognized you… Then I followed you in here… I-I’m not stalking you or anything I swear, I’m just a big fan and now I’ve probably fucked this up and you’ll think I’m weird and…” she trailed on, turning away from him.

He set a hoof on her shoulder and she turned towards him, her rainbow mane still obscuring her gaze. He gently moved it out of the way and smiled, staring into her magenta eyes, “I don’t think you’re weird or anything, don’t worry… I actually think you’re rather cute, er, beautiful…” He told her, blushing intensely.

Rainbow Dash blushed hard as well, keeping her gaze locked with his, “O-oh… Could a beautiful mare get an autograph maybe?”

Soarin’s eyes widened a bit, “Oh, o-of course… It’s my first time so be gentle,” he joked with her, trying to ease the mood.

She laughed, loosening up a bit and passed him a napkin, “I didn’t think to bring a pen… Sorry…”

“It’s fine, hey Tula, do you have a-” He turned, coming face to face with a pen being held towards him.

“You forget I’m right here the whole time? Had you picked out from the start anyways, but don’t worry, a Wonderbolt’s just another pony to me,” Tula said, smiling and passing Rainbow Dash her sandwich.

“Thanks,” Soarin’ said, smiling back as he slowly wrote his name, “Uhm, here you go Miss Dash,” he said, passing it to her.

“Call me Rainbow, if you’d like… Gosh, I’m starting to sound like my friend Fluttershy now…” she said with a disgusted sigh.

He did a suppressed laugh before turning and finishing his sandwich and coffee. He looked over at the mare then to Tula, “Hey, I’ll pay for both meals alright?”

Tula nodded as Rainbow tried to protest, her mouth full at the moment, “Sounds good to me,” he said with a wink.

Soarin’ pulled his wallet from under his wing and passed the bits to Tula, turning back to Rainbow Dash who was swallowing the bite, “Th-thanks… You didn’t have to do that.”

“I know,” Soarin’ replied, unsure on how to follow it up.

“Maybe we could meet up again?” Rainbow asked, “I-If you’re not busy at least.”

“I’ve got the next few days off, so how about here again tomorrow, same time?”

“Of course! I’m staying in a hotel a little farther down so it’s a quick walk, or fly if I’m in the mood. I’ll see you tomorrow Soarin’,” she said, smiling brightly with eyes glistening from tears of happiness.

“Definitely! It’s a date!” He said happily before freezing in terror, “I mean, tomorrows a date, like the 7th right? Right, that’s not awkward…”

“Too smooth,” he heard Tula sarcastically mutter with a chuckle.

Rainbow giggled happily, her cyan cheeks reddened, watching him as she began slowly shuffling away, “It’s a date, don’t worry. I’ll see you around, Soarin’”

He nodded, blushing deeply as well, “I’ll see you tomorrow R-Rainbow.”

He immediately rushed out of the restaurant and into the crowd, a wide smile on his face.

This is the most amazing night ever… I really hope the next ones are even better…

He made his way back to his new home, his face glowing in delight as he made his way back into his room after a few moments. He fell back onto his bed and shut his eyes, thinking of the mare he met at the café. He opened his eyes a few moments later, coming face to face with Spitfire.

“She was a cutie Soarin’,” Spitfire mused, “You get her name?”

He nodded weakly, still startled from her appearance, “Rainbow Dash.”

Spitfire sighed and sat next to him on the bed, “Look,” she said softly, wrapping her hooves around herself, “I need to level with you about something while you’re still new.”

Soarin’ cocked his head worriedly, “Yeah, what’s wrong?”

“You see, anytime a new stallion comes onto the team… They end up just hurting mares… Sleeping around with them and then ditching the next day… They always spend a lot of time with Turbulence before it happens though, and I really think he’s putting things into their heads.”

Soarin’ nodded, watching her as she looked at the ground, “Hey, I’m not like those othe-”

Spitfire looked up, tears in her eyes as she set her hooves on Soarin’s shoulders, “Look, you CAN’T tell anypony about this… If Turbulence finds out he’ll kick me off the team… He threatened to if I ever told anyone about… about…”

“About what Spitfire? You can trust me…”

“A while back, I made the mistake of sleeping with him… He seemed so nice and caring, but I was so wrong… The next day I saw him making out with another mare and when I confronted him about it he told me if I told a soul he would see me off the team… Then he said it’s how the stallions on the Wonderbolts worked, so I had to just get over it… Promise me… PROMISE ME you won’t be like the others,” Spitfire pleaded, clinging to Soarin’ as she cried.

“I swear it to you Spitfire… I won’t be like the others…” Soarin’ said as he wrapped his hooves around the mare, letting her cry into his coat.

She pulled away softly, “I-I’m sorry to be like this, it’s just that I can’t watch another stallion go so corrupt.”

Soarin’ looked away, feeling terrible for his teammate, “Trust me, he’s already tried getting me and I won’t let him… I want it to work with this mare, and if it doesn’t I know one other who could make me just as happy…”

Spitfire looked at him, “Wh-who?” She asked, tears running down her yellow cheeks.

He set his hoof on hers and looked away, “I won’t tell her unless the day comes that she must know, and that is if she’d even take me.”

Spitfire nodded, “If you stay true to the promise you just made her, I know for a fact she will… Goodnight Soarin’,” she said, giving him a soft kiss on the cheek, “A-and thank you for the talk…”

He nodded, smiling some, “Goodnight Spitfire, and thank you as well for being the only one to really reach out to me… It’s good to have at least one friend on the team.”

She nodded happily and retreated to her room, shutting his door before she did. Soarin’ lied there on his bed, smiling in relief.

I feel bad planning a worst case scenario… But at least she knows I’m interested and that even if we’re not together, I’ll be there for her…

He lied there, covering up and closing his eyes as he began thinking about what tomorrow would bring. After what seemed like a few moments he opened them again, morning light streaming in through the lone window.

Wow, either I was up really late or I sleep as fast as I fly…

He chuckled to himself, rolling out of bed and stretching his wings as he yawned. He peeked out of the window, watching the citizens rushing around the busy city. He couldn’t wait for night to come, so he could see Rainbow Dash again. His very heart leapt at the thought and his face broke out into a smile as he turned away, hearing a whisper from the doorway.

“Get her a gift,” he heard it say.

That’s not a bad idea, but if it’s Turbulence it’s for the wrong reasons… But it could be Spitfire, for the right reasons… Either way I’m sure she’d love a… uh… thing…

He shrugged to himself and walked out of the Wonderbolt Headquarters, scouring both sides of the street in search for a shop of any kind. After a few moments he ducked into a small flower shop and began looking around.

“How can I help you?” The shopkeeper asked, approaching him.

“Well, I’ve got a date later tonight and wanted to surprise the mare with flowers… Only the thing is I’m not sure what she’d like.”

“Well, we have a bouquet of dark pink carnations, a bouquet of red roses, and a bouq-”

Soarin’ cut her off, “Those first ones will be perfect!”

She nodded happily, “I’ll ring you up and bundle those for you. They’re freshly picked too, like all of our other flowers are!”

How could I break a promise to this mare of all ponies…? Her! Why was I such a damn idiot!

He kept closing in on her, only a few feet away from walking right behind her. He felt his stomach tense up as fear began coursing through him even more.

After buying the flowers he’d managed to kill some time by flying around and practicing his techniques and testing his speeds. He caught the attention of a couple of citizens who stayed to watch for a little bit, but eventually went on their ways.

At least people stop and stare some… It’s nice to have people like what you do, even nicer when people like you for who you are.

He looked out at the horizon, seeing the sun disappearing beneath it bit by bit.

It’s about time! I hope she likes the flowers…

He swooped down to a nearby cloud, grabbing the bouquet and making his way to the streets below. After a quick trot he found the café where they’d met once again.

“Evening Tula!” He said as he approached the counter.

“Evening Soarin’, here to meet your marefriend?” He asked with a chuckle.

“Sh-she’s not my marefriend… N-not yet at least… I’d give my left wing to make that happen,” he admitted jokingly.

"A one-winged Wonderbolt, wouldn't that be a fun sight... You'd be stuck flying in circles," he laughed to himself as he poured Soarin' a cup of coffee.

He awkwardly giggled, taking a sip, "So about how old are you Tula?"

Tula gave him a funny look, "Friend, ya never ask a mare her age... But a stallions free game," he said, looking at the frightened expression on Soarin's face, "Had ya there for a second, didn't I? But in all fairness I'm only about 24, why the curiosity?"

"I'm just new to this whole adult thing is all... Does it get easier ever?"

"No, I can’t say it does, but you do find better ways of dealing with things..." Tula told him, taking on a serious tone.

"You have a special somepony by chance?"

"Yeah, or at least I did... We were set to be married last year, but she got deathly ill and the d-doctors couldn't do a thing for her... I had to watch her suffer day by day until it finally consumed her and took her from me. But in the end she took my hoof, smiled at me, and told me even though she was in pain, sh-she was glad it w-was with me by her side," Tula explained, a tear falling from his eye and onto the stove.

"Tula, I-I'm so sorry... I didn't know..." Soarin' looked down, trying not to watch the purple pegasus cry.

"You couldn't have, so I can't blame ya," he admitted, drying his eyes on his apron. "Just, promise me you'll cherish those you have and will have, especially the ones you come to love."

Soarin' nodded, looking up at the red-eyed cook, "Definitely..."

"Speaking of which, here comes your girl now."

Soarin' did his best to contain his excitement as he turned back towards the door. Rainbow Dash was coming towards him, her long rainbow mane pulled back in a ponytail as she nearly skipped to him, saddle-satchels on her back as she did.

"H-hi Soarin'!" She greeted him happily, taking the seat next to him.

"Hello Rainbow! Your mane looks cute," he nervously complimented.

"O-oh this? I've been thinking about cutting it lately and keeping it shorter, a new style you know?"

"I bet it'd look great on you," he assured her. "I uhm, brought you something," he said, turning back and grabbing the bouquet of carnations.

She let out a small gasp of surprise as she took them, "They're beautiful! Thank you so much," she said, pulling him into a tight hug.

He hugged her back, both of them blushing and holding on for a moment before parting, "They reminded me of your eyes, so I figured I'd get these ones for sure."

"I really appreciate it Soarin'," she said, smelling them before biting one of the heads and slowly eating it.

She awkwardly stared at Soarin' before she swallowed the flower, causing them both to burst out laughing, "I'm sorry... I'm not good at getting gifts, but I am good at giving them!"

She lifted the left side of her saddle-satchels and put in the flowers, then pulled out a pair of goggles with a rainbow strap.

His eyes widened in surprise as he tried them on, "They're perfect Rainbow!" He looked at her with then on and smiled happily.

"I'm glad you like them... I figured with having to fly all the time you might like something aside from those bland ones they give you..."

"Yeah, that brown straps pretty boring,” he chuckled lightly.

Tula spoke up, "You two want anything to eat by chance?"

Soarin' looked at him, taking off the goggles and strapping them to his wing, "Same thing as yesterday please."

"Me too if you don't care," Rainbow told him.

Tula nodded and smiled at them, "Alright, this one is on the house!"

As he finished off his sandwich, he looked over to the mare, "Wanna go for a walk around town?"

She nodded with a smile, "Of course, it sounds wonderful!"

This is going perfect...

"Thanks for the sandwiches Tula, they were great!"

"Yeah, your food is pretty awesome!" Rainbow added.

"Ahh, I'm glad I could cook them for the both of you. Have a great night you two!" He said, beginning to clean their plates.

They nodded and walked out into the night. They began making their way down the street, away from the Wonderbolts building, walking side by side. Soarin' stared up at the clear sky, keeping his gaze on the mare in the moon.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" He asked her.

She nodded, "I've always liked the night... The city lights and cool nights are always wonderful. Back home I'll occasionally take strolls or flies through it, but I've never had anyone with me before."

"Where's home at for you?"

"The east side of Cloudsdale, closer to the edge... My friend Fluttershy and I are planning on moving down to Ponyville eventually, how about you?"

"The north side of Cloudsdale… I'd always wanted to move somewhere new but now that I'm a Wonderbolt, I'm stuck here unless we travel," he told her, disappointment in his voice, "Sacrifices are sacrifices I guess though..."

Rainbow frowned, leaning her head against his neck, "Maybe you'll get to see more of the world this way though. You won't move there permanently but you'll still visit the places, right?" A gust of wind caused her to shiver as she spoke.

Soarin' draped his wing over her as they turned between a few buildings, finding a small park, "I guess, but that's not going to give me enough time to truly experience each place, ya know?"

She nodded, staying against him as they moved to a bench to sit, "I suppose so... Maybe if you ever get tired of the Wonderbolts and I keep failing to make it on them, we could travel together?"

Soarin' nodded, looking up and smiling until he thought he saw something swoop behind a cloud.

Maybe it's just a bat or something...

"I'd like that..." he whispered to her.

She rose up, looking into his eyes, "R-really?"

He nodded and looked back at her, their eyes locking gazes as they remained nearly muzzle to muzzle, "Definitely," he whispered, his breath gently drawing across her lips.

"I'm glad Soarin'," she whispered back.

He gazed longer at her, admiring her silhouetted appearance in the moonlight, "Has anypony ever told you that you look beautiful in this light?"

She shook her head no and closed her eyes, "Only you..."

He closed his too as they both barely leaned in, locking their lips together in a kiss. He wrapped his hooves around her slowly, pulling her against him as they stayed in the lip-locked embrace. She turned her head slightly, deepening the kiss before pulling away.

"S-Soarin'..." she whispered, keeping their lips barely apart.

"Y-yes Rainbow?" He asked, keeping his hooves around her.

"Can I be your m-marefriend?" She asked, shivering in his hooves.

He couldn't tell if she was scared or just cold, but he didn't care because what he'd say next would set her at ease, "Yes Rainbow Dash... I'd love that."

They sat there together, staring at the stars for a few more hours, Rainbow Dash leaning against him as he kept a hoof around her. As dawn began approaching, Soarin' realized they should be getting back to where they each were staying.

He walked Rainbow Dash back to the hotel, the city streets now empty as the population slept and prepared for the next day.

"Soarin', I really enjoyed today with you... Could we meet up again tomorrow? I mean, tonight?" Rainbow Dash asked at the doors to the hotel.

Soarin' nodded, "I'd absolutely love to... Should I come get you around the same time?"

She nodded, "Same place too... Goodnight Soarin', and thank you again for the flowers," she added, giving him a small kiss before heading in.

He returned it happily, "And thank you for the goggles... They're wonderful... Good night Rainbow Dash."

They both trotted away, wide smiles on their faces. Rainbow Dash was preparing to tell Fluttershy, who waited back at the room, everything, while Soarin' only thought of hitting the hay for a few hours.

A few hours later he woke up to somepony knocking on his door.

"Go away... I'm sleeping..." he shouted weakly.

"Is that how you talk to your Captain, sport?" Turbulence asked from the other side.

Soarin' scrambled to the door and opened it quickly, "S-sir, I'm sorry!"

"Aye, I'm just giving you a tough time pal," Turbulence chuckled. "Plus you've nearly slept the afternoon away!"

"Sorry... Late night last night," he explained.

And a late morning too...

"Oh, you're getting busy with the mares already? I could tell you'd make me proud. I bet you've had dozens, being the star you are," Turbulence said, nudging him with an elbow.

"N-no, just got lost was all," Soarin' lied... poorly.

"Heh, no need to lie to me unless you really did get lost, just in the sheets though!" He laughed heartily.

Spitfire was right... What is this guy's problem with taking advantage of his status?

"Y-yeah, I think I'm going to head out for a bit," he said, getting to his hooves.

"I might just join ya on that note, if you don't care," Turbulence offered, causing Soarin' to freeze in his tracks.

No... I can't let that happen... What can I do?

"A-actually... I know a nice mare that’s looking for a Wonderbolt to have some fun with... The hotel right next door, her name's Bella and she's a night concierge. Her tongue is as fluid as water and she's got a pretty nice plot too..." he immediately told him.

What did I even just say?

"Sounds like a scrumptious little thing... I'll look her up another night though; I actually might lie down for a bit. My head's bugging me something fierce."

"Sorry to hear that Captain, rest well!" Soarin' told him as he grabbed his special goggles and trotted out, Turbulence following and heading down the hall.

He watched to make sure the Captain had left before beginning to sprint towards the exit.

"Whoa there rookie," he heard Spitfire call out after him.

He stopped in his tracks and sighed, "Come on, I'm almost late for my date..." he whined aloud.

"Ohh, I'm coming with you! I wanna meet this lucky mare," Spitfire mused, walking next to him.

"Son of a bitch, fine... Just don't embarrass me," he warned her.

"I don't know enough about you to even be able to, but damn it I'm still going to try," she giggled, petting his mane.

"I hope she doesn't think something is going on between us," he told her as they walked outside.

"If she wonders, I'll tell her I'm just another Wonderbolt, what could be so wrong with that?"

"I hope you're right Spitfire,” he told her as they walked into the café.

He took his normal seat as Spitfire began to sit where Rainbow Dash normally did. He quickly shook his head no and pointed to his other side. She gave him a disgusted look and moved over.

"Hey there Soarin', no Rainbow today?" Tula asked curiously.

"She'll be here soon... My teammate Spitfire wanted to meet her though so she came along too... Spitfire, this is Tula," he told her, introducing the cook.

"Hello there," she replied, suppressing some laughter, "Has Mr. Soarin' here always been so formal?"

Tula chuckled and nodded, "I like that about him, shows respect at least. He's certainly loose around that mare though. Have you even kissed her yet?"

Soarin' quickly began drinking his coffee, looking away.

"Sweet Celestia it's a yes I'd say," Spitfire said in amusement. "You're so giving me details tonight..."

"I don't have to tell either of you a thing..." Soarin' said, crossing his hooves.

"Would ya tell me though?" Rainbow Dash said from behind him.

He jumped and turned, facing his pony-tail wearing marefriend, "They're just curious about last night, which you already know about."

"Right," she giggled with a blush, "We just kissed once or twice and sat together til dawn... Why be so secretive hun?"

"Because I didn't think you'd want me telling them what we've done is all, but since you're ok with it I guess I don't have to be," he said, mainly to himself. "Did I mention you look cute?"

She giggled and shook her head in embarrassment, "Only about a thousand times yesterday, but not yet today," she walked up and gave him a soft kiss on the lips before sitting next to him.

"Awww, how adorable you two," Spitfire mused, causing them to blush.

"Oh, Rainbow Dash, this is my teammate, and only friend on the team, Spitf-" he began telling her.

"S-Spitfire, it's an honor..." Rainbow barely choked out before fainting into Soarin's hooves.

"She's a big fan of the Wonderbolts, if I didn't mention that before," Soarin' admitted.

"That's not the only reason you're dating her, right?" Spitfire asked, suspicion in her eyes.

"No, these two are absolutely head over hooves for one another, trust me Miss Spitfire," Tula chimed in, bringing Soarin' and his unconscious date two sandwiches, "Anything you want?"

Spitfire smiled at Soarin', "I like her a lot, don't worry. Anything you recommend, Tula?"

He nodded, "How about a rose and hay sandwich?"

She shrugged, "Sounds like I'm trying something new today, so one of those if you don't care."

He turned and began making it as Soarin' whispered to Spitfire, "You really think it could work?"

"Yes, as long as you stay true to your promise and don't hurt her like Turbulence expects," she whispered back.

"Don't worry, I wouldn't hurt any mare like that," he assured her.

Rainbow stirred, opening her eyes slowly, "S-sorry everypony... I didn't mean to pass out like that," she said, looking around and up at Soarin'.

"It's fine Rainbow Dash," Spitfire said with a giggle, "Never had anyone get that excited when they saw me."

Rainbow Dash slowly sat up, seeing the plate in front of her and beginning to eat, "So have you two flown together at all?" She asked between bites.

"I tried to get him to join once but he's had other important things like dates and unpacking," she explained, sticking her tongue out at Soarin' as her sandwich was set in front of her.

"Hope you enjoy it Spitfire," Tula said, "And I'll take care of you like I do these two, so don't worry. No one ever sits down and talks with me nowadays, so it's nice to have some friends I can do something for."

"So where are you two heading tonight?" She asked, about to take a bite.

"Well, I was going to see if she wanted to go out for a fly around town," he said, looking over at Rainbow.

"That sounds wonderful," she said, nuzzling his cheek.

He smiled and nuzzled back, "Shall we then?"

"What about your friend Spitfire?"

"I'll be fine, I'm going to eat another sandwich or two... or more... These are really good Tula!" She told him, quickly finishing off her first sandwich.

He chuckled, turning to begin making another, "Have fun you two, see ya tomorrow!"

They waved as they walked out of the café, holding one another's hooves.

Soarin' looked over at Rainbow Dash, "We gotta make a quick stop; I've got something you might like."

She nodded and walked with him as he made his way to the Wonderbolts Headquarters. He made his way to the door when Rainbow Dash stopped in her tracks.

"I-I'll wait out here, alright?" She said, looking in awe at the building in front of her.

"Oh, alright, if you're sure Rainbow," he said. "I'll be just a minute."

A couple seconds later he came back out, his Wonderbolt flying goggles in his mouth. He looked over at Rainbow Dash, a yellow mare with a pink mane whispering into her ear. When she looked up and saw Soarin', she immediately ran off down the street.

"Who was that?" He asked, the goggles now in his hoof.

"Oh, that was my friend Fluttershy... She's really easily startled," Rainbow explained, blushing awkwardly.

She certainly fills out the latter part of her name...

"You'll have to introduce me to her sometime when she doesn't run off from us... It would be neat to meet the mare you always tell me about," he told her, kissing her cheek. "Here, wear these while we fly. I wasn't sure if you had any of your own or not... I mean, even then you can keep them..."

"I would've brought them had I known, b-but thank you Soarin'," she said, hugging him tightly.

"Try them on," he said, putting on the ones she'd given him yesterday.

She put them on, looking him in the eyes and smiling, "Perfect fit! Ready to fly?"

He nodded and took off into the night sky, flying slowly at first.

I don't know what this mare can do, so I guess I'd better take it easy at first.

He looked behind for his marefriend, only watching as she zipped past him.

"Better catch up hun!" He heard her yell.

He smirked to himself and took off once more, flying much quicker than before. When he'd finally caught up, she sped on ahead going faster than before.

Dear Celestia she's a quick one...

He began flying as fast as he could, finding himself side by side with her now, "This as fast as you can go?" He yelled to her.

She looked over and nodded, "Yeah, how about you Mr. Wonderbolt?"

He nodded, "This is it for me too... How come you're not a Wonderbolt again?"

She frowned and looked at the ground as she flew, "I really don't know. I've got the potential and ability but they just keep overlooking anything I send to them."

"Maybe it's better for you that way... At least you'll have your freedom, right?"

She smiled and looked at him, "Yeah, you're right... One day though I plan on making it and passing right by you though," she mused, sticking her tongue out at him.

He laugh quietly, "Come on, let's take a tour of the city," he shouted as he turned between two buildings.

They kept weaving between the buildings, staying neck and neck as the ponies below could only see a blue and rainbow colored trail soaring through the night. He watched as she reached behind her, pulling off her mane-tie and letting her mane flow free.

I think I've found perfection. Everything about her is just the greatest...

She moved close to him and grabbed his hoof, slowing him down and leading him to a nearby cloud. She landed on it, folding her legs beneath her as she lied down. He lied down next to her, looking over the city ahead of them.

"I'll occasionally do this around home... It's neat seeing a place this late," she told him, leaning her head against him.

He leaned on her as well, kissing the top of her head softly, "I've always wanted to, but I've never gotten around to it..." He perked up at what he thought was a shadow ducking behind a cloud.

Is somepony following us?

"So tell me, how'd you get your Cutie Mark?" She asked, looking back at it and rousing him from his thought.

"That? I could fly from a young age and well, I took every chance I could to just fly. Eventually I started going faster, doing more tricks, and after a while I performed a show for my neighborhood and in the big finale I did so many loops and spins I lost count. At the end of it all I landed down with a new Cutie Mark... Nothing really spectacular for me to be honest," he said, giving a slight shrug, "It just didn't feel like something you earned a Cutie Mark for... Some ponies stop fires, save lives, do something really spectacular..."

"Like a Sonic Rainboom maybe?"

He nodded gently, "Yeah, I bet that mare's famous beyond belief right now... All I did was fly and do a few tricks."

"I get what you mean," she said, nuzzling her saddened stallionfriend.

"How about you?" He asked, smiling at her now.

"Well, let's just say the mare who did the Sonic Rainboom is just a nopony hoping she can be big one day..."

His eyes widened in surprise, "Th-that was you?!"

She giggled quietly, "Yes... I raced some colts to defend my friend Fluttershy and well... After a bit of acceleration, boom!"

Soarin' sighed happily, "Maybe one day I could see it for myself..."

She sighed quietly, "I've never really been able to do it again actually..."

"Well, you probably just didn't have the right motivation..." He said, draping a hoof over her.

"If I didn't before, I sure do now," she whispered, turning towards him.

He turned back and they leaned in, pressing their lips to one another's. Rainbow Dash pulled away after a moment.

"Soarin', I-I'm nervous..." She admitted.

"Me too Rainbow, but I have you here to set that straight," he whispered lovingly to her.

She nodded slowly, "Soarin'... I love..." She trailed off, her face practically red.

His heart leapt, waiting for the next words.

"I love... Being here with you," she spewed out, looking away in embarrassment.

"I love being here with you too," he told her, letting the true words hang above them like the moon. They both knew it was there but it’s presence didn't need spoken aloud, not yet at least.

She leaned into the kiss again, holding it this time as Soarin' returned it. He nearly pulled away in surprise as he felt her lips part, but managed to do the same. Their tongues met in the middle, wrapping one another as time seemed to stop around them. They kept the kiss going, Rainbow putting her hooves around Soarin' as he held her close. After a few more moments, they finally parted.

"S-Soarin'..." she whispered, "That was amazing..."

"Y-yeah, it definitely was..." he told her.

"I'm so glad we're together... I'd trade the world to keep it that way forever..."

"As would I... Dashie," he said, testing the waters.

"Dashie... I haven't been called that in years... I like it," she told him, leaning against him once more.

"Me too," he said, leaning again and staying with her until morning yet again.

He woke up the next afternoon, back in his room. For the first time he managed to get out of his room and down the hall without being interrupted. As he stepped outside, he began walking down the street but he was stopped almost instantly by the sight of a pony darting into an alleyway.

What if that was...? No... I mean... Fuck it, let's find out.

He put on his best determined look and went into the alleyway. It was a dead end, with nothing but trash and boxes scattered about, none of it moving.

I would have seen them come out... And something would be moving had they flown away...

"Alright, come out whoever you are! I don't know why you're following me but you're going to tell me right now why!" He demanded, stomping his hoof.

"N-no!" Came the squeak-like reply. "I-I mean, I'm not here..."

It's a mare?

"Who sent you? Turbulence? Bella? Anypony?" He asked, realizing he didn't recognize the voice.

Suddenly a blur of yellow came at him, stopping inches from his face, "Who's Bella? Huh? S-some mare you're with on the side?" The pink-maned pony said, giving him a glare.

He felt it burning deep into him, yet he couldn't look away. He was terrified and felt as if a part of him was dying every second he kept staring into those eyes.

"I-I'm sorry," she replied, looking away much to Soarin's relief. "I'm Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash's friend."

"She's told me about you... Have you been the one following me?" He asked, already knowing the answer. "So you saw us at the park? And when we made out last night?"

Fluttershy blushed deeply at the second part, "A-at the park yes, but I couldn't keep up with you two last night... Did you see somepony else?"

He nodded worriedly, "Yeah, and I'm not sure who it was..."

"Oh my..."

"But no, Bella was a mare who hit on me before I met your friend Rainbow Dash. I told her I'd call, but never did... She only liked me because I was a Wonderbolt and that's not what I wanted."

"That's rather big of you," Fluttershy said with a smile, "I only followed you to make sure Dashie was in good hands."

"Dashie? She said no one has called her that in years... Are you sure you weren't there last night?"

"I wasn't, I swear on it. I just never call her it to her face," she giggled, closing her eyes. "She's told me so much about you and how much she really lo- I mean likes! Likes you... When she told me you were a Wonderbolt I got worried..."

"Why would you worry because of that?"

"I've heard a lot of stories from mares from different parts of Equestria... Some with more d-details than others," she admitted with a blush, "But they always end with the stallion having sex with them and leaving the next morning, and never coming back... I was worried you'd do the same with her..."

Soarin’s expression turned dead immediately, "Spitfire was right... Were there any stories about any Wonderbolts who stayed?"

Fluttershy shook her head no immediately, "I-I'm sorry..."

"It's fine, but don't worry... I love Rainbow Dash dearly and wouldn't dream of hurting her," he admitted to her.

"I'm glad... I feel I can t-trust you so I'll stop following you now," she told him with a giggle, "It was nice meeting you Soarin'."

"You too Fluttershy, but... How long are the two of you in town?"

Fluttershy immediately looked as if she'd seen a ghost, "I... T-tomorrow..."

Soarin’s heart immediately shattered, "T-tomorrow...?"

Fluttershy nodded, her eyes welling with tears, "I-I'm so sorry... Tonight's our last night and Dashie was going to tell you after your date later..."

He nodded glumly, a tear falling down his cheek, "I won't bring it up until she does... I just wish she didn't have to go."

Fluttershy looked away, "I'm so, so s-sorry," she whispered before fleeing.

Soarin' sighed quietly and walked back out, no sign of Fluttershy in either direction.

She really fled quickly. What should I do about Rainbow Dash though? I-I can't just let her go... But I can't force her to stay...

He wandered down to the usual café, hoping Tula could give him some advice. He walked in, sitting in his spot and looking up at the delighted cook.

"A bit early, aren't you?" He jested to the lone pegasus.

Soarin' looked away, frowning softly, "Could I maybe get some advice? Not the hungriest right now by the way."

"What's bringing you down?" Tula asked, coming from around the counter and sitting next to his friend.

"She's leaving tomorrow... Tonight is my last night with her for I don't know how long," he explained, a heavy sadness in his voice.

"Oh hell," Tula said quietly, putting a hoof around Soarin', “Listen pal, you’ve gotta show this gal one great night that will make her either want to come right back, or stay a little longer. You have anything in mind?”

“No, not really…” Soarin’ admitted glumly, “I don’t even have an idea for tonight yet.”

“Hmm, here’s something for you. I saw in the newspaper Aerocolt is doing a show tomorrow… Do your best tonight and surprise her with the tickets, and maybe she’ll stay for one more night. If she does, you two can work something out for next time, alright?”

“I didn't even know they were playing. They probably sold out a long time back though…” he said, laying his muzzle on the counter in defeat.

"It’s lucky for you that you have me as a friend then. I know a cook catering the band and he tossed some extra tickets my way," Tula said, pulling them from his apron. "I was going to sell them tonight, but some things are more important than money... Like love and friendship."

Soarin' looked up, teary eyed and smiling, "Thank you so much Tula... If there's anything you ever need, let me know."

"Before you two came along, I had nopony at all... I was honestly to the point where I didn't want to come into work, or even wake up for that matter. You two saved my life actually, so I owe you," he admitted, closing his eyes and holding back a tear.

"T-Tula... I didn't know... I'm sorry," Soarin' said, holding him.

"Don't be, I've contemplated this ever since my love left me. I've just longed and longed to be with her again... and no matter how hard I try, I just can't get over that desire. You two reminded me of us and that helped me through the roughest patch of all,” he peeked his eyes open, smiling at Soarin’. “You get out there and sweep this mare off her hooves pal.”

A few hours later, he stood outside of the café with a bouquet of roses in his mouth. He looked up at the sky, seeing the sun slowly descending below the horizon, a little over half still peeking over. He fluttered his wing gently, fixing the picnic basket it was holding.

This is it Soarin’; you show this mare you’re a stallion to stick around for. You can’t let her go like this… You have to make sure she and you will still be together no matter the distance.

He looked to his right, seeing Rainbow Dash making her way towards him, her mane in a ponytail once again, “Hey Soarin’!” She called from a little bit away.

        He quickly trotted to her, smiling despite the roses, “Come on, there’s not much time. Follow me hun,” he said, flying up into the sky.

        She followed him closely as he made his way to a large lone cloud covered by a blanket, “Soarin’,” she panted, “What’s the rush? What about Tula?”

        “He helped me pack the basket,” he told her, setting it down, “And these are for you,” he passed her the roses as he spoke.

        She blushed and smiled, an obvious sadness in her eyes, “Thank you Soarin’… You’re always so sweet…”

        “And the rush, my dear, was for this beautiful sunset,” he smiled at her, holding his hoof towards it as he sat down next to the basket.

        She sat next to him, leaning against his shoulder as she set the roses aside, “This is wonderful,” she said, her voice cracking a bit, “A picnic at sunset with a beautiful view, and there’s a pretty nice one of the sunset too.”

        He smirked, blushing slightly as he realized what she meant, “I’ve had the most amazing view every night… I’m glad I can have it tonight too.”

        She leaned up, kissing him on the cheek as she put a hoof around his waist, “Soarin’, there’s something I need to tell you…”

        He felt the pain in his gut, even though he knew what was coming, “Yes my Dashie?”

        She sat there, tears rolling down her cheeks freely as she tried to muster the words, “I leave tomorrow morning…”

        He looked down, closing his eyes as they sat there, nothing but silhouettes in the sunset, “Is there no way you could stay… Even one more night?”

        She shook her head no against him, crying into his coat, “I-I don’t have enough bits on me for a room again…”

        “I’ll pay for it,” he offered quietly, his own tears now rolling.

        “I w-won’t let you dear,” she told him.

        “E-even if I offered these?” He asked, pulling the two tickets from the basket.

        She gasped quietly, “B-but… How did you…? I don’t know Soarin’, I feel wrong having you do that though.”

        “A friend gave them to me,” he whispered, looking down and kissing her ear, “Consider it, a farewell gift in the h-hope we’ll meet another time.”

        She nodded, “We’ll definitely m-meet again, don’t worry yourself over such a s-silly assumption.”

        He smiled, turning and looking into her eyes as she looked up, returning the gaze, “One more night? Please Dashie?”

        She nodded gently, “B-but what about Fluttershy…?”

        “She can stay too if she wants, as long as it means you will too,” he said, closing his eyes.

        “Of course I’ll stay then,” she said, nuzzling into his neck.

        He cracked open his eyes, seeing another silhouette quickly duck in the distance, “Good… Shall we have a picnic my dear?”

Is that Fluttershy still? She said… Never mind.

“Of course Soarin’,” she said, leaning up and kissing him on the lips.

        He returned it, reluctantly pulling away, “Let’s eat then,” he whispered, beginning to unpack the basket.

        After they’d finished eating and cleaned up, the sun now long gone from view, they stayed there lying on the blanket together.

        Rainbow rested her head on Soarin’s lap, “Hey Soarin’,” she yawned.

        “Yes Rainbow?”

        “I love this… All of it… Thank you,” she whispered back.

        “Thank you Dashie; I love all of it too… And… I love you as well,” he admitted to her.

        He sat there in silence, no response from the mare lying on him. He looked down and sighed, realizing she’d fallen asleep before she could hear it. He lifted her in his hooves, putting the blanket around her snugly as he hoisted the basket onto his wing. He flew her back to the hotel she was staying at and asked the concierge for her room number. A quick elevator trip later, he knocked on the door, a sleepy looking Fluttershy answering it.

        “H-hello?” She yawned, her eyes half open and partly covered by her messy mane.

        “Hey Fluttershy, Rainbow fell asleep while we were out… Care if I bring her in?” He asked, looking down at his love.

        She nodded and moved aside, letting him bring her in and tuck her into her bed, “Also, Fluttershy… You two will have the room tomorrow night too, just to let you know.”

        She shook her head no, now mainly awake, “I-I’ll go ahead and go home and let Dashie stay. It’ll let you two be able to go out without her having to worry about me,” she whispered with a smile.

        He kissed Rainbow Dash’s muzzle before moving over and hugging Fluttershy, “Thank you for that.”

        “S-Soarin’,” she whispered as she hugged back, “It’s my pleasure to see two friends happy, especially if those two friends are together.”

        He nodded and smiled, “Goodnight Fluttershy,” he told her before leaving, heading back to his room at the Wonderbolt Headquarters.

        After waking up, another afternoon in which he successfully made it out of his room without being interrupted, he ran into Spitfire.

        “Hey, you. We need to talk, now,” she said, pushing him back into his room.

        He sighed and backed up, “What is it? I’ve got a concert to go to in a couple of hours.”

        “I followed the two of you last night,” she began.

        “That was you?!” He said in surprise, “Was it you the other night too?”

        She shook her head no, “I’m sorry Soarin’, but it wasn’t. I do know who it was though and I’m worried…”

        “Who was it?” He asked quickly.

        “It wa-” She was immediately cut off.

        Turbulence came bounding into the room cheerfully, “Hello my boy! Spitfire as well…” He said with his tone growing annoyed at the second part.

        “Captain,” she said spitefully.

        “I hear ya got yourself a date tonight eh?” Turbulence said, leaning in close.

        “Well, no, I don’t. I’m just heading out for a bit is all,” he tried to lie.

        “You can’t fool me Soarin’,” he said in an irritated fashion, “I’ve heard word of you going around at night with some mare.”

        Soarin’ looked away, desperately trying to think of a way out as Turbulence glared at him, “She was, uhm, nothing but-”

        “I-It was me sir! I was taking Soarin’ out for night time flying lessons so he could be in tip top shape for when we start again!” Spitfire quickly jumped in.

        “Don’t lie to me lass, I’m no fool,” he said harshly.

        “How do you know it wasn’t me? Were you following us or something?” She said triumphantly.

        Turbulence’s jaw nearly fell off in surprise, “Why, no, I was off with a headache was all. N-not following anypony anywhere! Where do you get off accusing me of such a thing?”

        “Believe me, the topics of you and me getting off are two things you should never bring up together again… Because the latter never happened,” she smirked, “Let’s go Soarin’, we’ve got a date don’t we?”

        He nodded and followed her as she stormed out, not looking back at the now flustered Turbulence, “Spitfire, that was amazing!”

        “He’ll have my ass for it in training, so you better appreciate it. He was the one following you those other nights. I got suspicious when I saw him leave the building last night and decided to follow… Little did I know that by following him, I was following you,” she revealed to Soarin’.

Maybe she’s mistaken… I doubt he’s that nuts…

        “But why?” He asked in confusion.

        “Remember what I told you? He expects you to sleep and run like he has with every other Wonderbolt… I don’t know what his sick obsession is with it, but he takes it way too far. I fear if you and that Rainbow Dash do get to do anything, he’s going to try something to get you to leave her, whether or not you want to.”

        “I won’t let him… He can threaten to kick me off the team and I’ll choose her every time. Yeah, my family will be disappointed but I’ll be able to live with myself and they’d understand eventually. Plus, I’ll have somepony I love with me…”

        Spitfire put her hooves on Soarin’s shoulders and looked into his eyes, “It’s not you I’m worried about Soarin’… Just go be with her now,” she said, taking off.

        He nodded, understanding what she meant before trotting down the way to meet up with his date. He found her walking out of the hotel, Fluttershy next to her with her bags packed and heading towards a cloud-taxi.

        “You sure Shy?” Rainbow asked her friend.

        Fluttershy nodded, tugging her cart slowly, “Yes Rainbow, I need to go back now. You should stay th-though.”

        “Alright Fluttershy, I’ll be home tomorrow evening then… Good luck pal,” Rainbow said as Fluttershy quickly loaded her few bags into the trunk.

        “I’ll see you soon… Have fun you two,” she giggled, waving at Soarin’ as the taxi drove off.

        He waved back chuckling before trotting up and hugging his marefriend tightly, “Hey there beautiful; got any plans for tonight?”

        She laughed quietly, facing forward and setting her hooves on his, “Some concert with some stallion… He’s just a friend though.”

        “Heh, how lame… Wanna go party like you should?”

        She turned and smiled, kissing his lips gently, “Did I ever say you were perfect?” She asked lovingly.

        He returned the kiss, “Not as much as I have you…”

        “Shall we get going?” She asked, looking into his eyes.

        “I think we should so we can get a bit closer to the front,” he suggested, shrugging his shoulders and kissing her once more.

        “After you my gentlecolt,” she mused, leaning against him while still in his hold.

        He let go of her slowly, taking one of her hooves in his as he walked down towards the park where their first date had been. They trotted past it happily, deeper into the city park where a large stage had been set up within an enclosed area. Ponies were already starting to pile in as they got in line.

"We still have a few hours we'll have to kill, you know?" He asked her.

She nodded, "I'm sure we'll be fine."

"That was pretty big of Fluttershy to go ahead and leave on her own. Maybe she's not as frightened and scared anymore."

"She's growing up, that's for sure. But I bet she had another reason for leaving instead of staying another night," Rainbow said, smirking at Soarin'.

"Hey, I didn't have anything to do with that," he said chuckling.

"I wasn't entirely asleep last night..." She admitted.

His heart sunk some, "S-so you heard..."

She nodded, "Yeah, I heard the two of you talking. It really was nice of her to do that for us though…"

He nodded quickly, "Yeah, that's all you heard though?"

"Yep, you woke me up when you set me in my bed," she giggled lightly as she told him. "Was I supposed to hear something else?"

Oh, thank Celestia...

He shook his head, "Other than me trying to sell you to a pawn shop, no."

She smirked and lightly pushed him, "You'd never even try to give me up, besides why would they want me?"

"I just assumed they would value you as much as I treasure you," he told her with a smile.

She blushed and looked at him, "Aww, how sweet of you," she said before leaning over and kissing him on the lips. "Really though, sell me and you die."

"I'll make a note of it hun."

A few hours later, long after they'd found a seat in the grass, the show finally began. They sat there, hooves around one another as they watched, just two ponies in the crowd of hundreds with one difference few others shared.

They were in love.

After a while, Rainbow Dash turned to Soarin', leaning in and kissing him deeply. He returned the kiss, holding it and continuing, his tongue slipping between his lips and meeting Rainbow's. They locked, moving swiftly in the kiss for a few moments before they pulled apart.

"S-Soarin'..." She whispered quietly, barely audible over the music.

"Yes Rainbow?" He whispered back.

"I... I lo-" she was cut off by a shout over the mic.

"This new one is for all of you lovebirds out there," they heard the singer shout ecstatically, "This one's called I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing, we hope ya enjoy!"

He held out his hoof, "If it's a slow one, how about we dance?"

She nodded, smiling and teary eyed, "Y-yes, of course!"

They stood up, on their hind hooves, Soarin's front hooves around Rainbow's waist while hers locked behind his neck. As the song began, they swayed slowly, looking through each other's eyes and into their souls. He leaned in, pressing his lips to hers and picked the kiss up from where it left off, each of them closing their eyes as they stayed there.

"I don't wanna miss one smile. I don't wanna miss one kiss. Well, I just wanna be with you. Right here with you, just like this... I just wanna hold you close. I feel your heart so close to mine. And just stay here in this moment, for the rest of time, yeah, yeah, yeah!" They heard Stallion Flyer sing as they stayed locked in the moment.

Soarin' pulled away first, keeping his lips barely away from Rainbow's as she opened her eyes. He looked at her, her face illuminated by the rock show on stage and the moon high above.

"I love you..." They whispered in unison, holding one another to themselves tightly as they swayed with the music ringing through the night around them.

The night seemed to last forever for the two lovers, but unfortunately it had to end. As they sat there once again on the grass, Soarin' cradling Rainbow in his hooves, everypony around them began leaving and a crew of workers began cleaning the mess.

"We should probably get moving before they sweep us up too," Soarin' whispered to Rainbow, kissing her cheek.

"I guess... I just don't want tonight to end," she whispered sadly.

        “Neither do I, but at least we have the memory of a great night together,” he told her optimistically.

        “Along with the hope of many more to follow too,” Rainbow added, smiling at Soarin’. “I really meant it when I said I loved you…”

        He smiled back, “And I meant it too when I said I loved you as well. I’ve wanted to say it for the past two days but I couldn’t bring myself to…”

        “I wanted to too, when we were on the cloud but I-I was just scared you wouldn’t love me back and I’d look like some foolish mare,” she whispered, looking away as a tear rolled down her cheek.

        “Don’t worry, you’ll never be a foolish mare to me, no matter what you do,” he told her, gently turning her gaze to meet his and brushing the tear away with his wing.

        She gave him a soft kiss on the lips and smiled again, “Th-thank you dear.”

        “Come on, let’s get going hun,” he said, getting to his hooves.

        She nodded and stood silently, trailing a few feet behind him as he led the way out, “Soarin’… I’m scared… What if we never see each other again…?”

        “Don’t you worry,” he told her, leading her to the bench where they sat together on their first date, “Isn’t that what you told me? Don’t worry about silly assumptions, right?”

        “I don’t think I can love you any more than I do right now Soarin’,” she smiled at him, sitting on the bench and cuddling against him.

        “And I love you just as much my sweet Dashie,” he told her in return, putting a hoof around her shoulders.

        She sat for a few more minutes before standing up, turning and pulling Soarin’ to his hooves, “W-we should get going… I have to be up pretty early for check-out.”

        “Y-yeah, I figured that… Let’s get going th-then,” he said, standing up and moving to her side.

        They held hooves the rest of the walk to the hotel, each reluctant to let go of the other. He hugged her, holding her close to him as he sighed.

        “Why must all good things end…?” He questioned quietly.

        “M-maybe tonight doesn’t have to end j-just yet,” she whispered back.

        “What do you mean?”

        “I’ve got my room to myself, a-and I know I’m ready to do this,” she explained into his ear, partly to herself.

        “Ready to do what Rainbow?” He asked, only more puzzled at this point.

        “S-Soarin’, I w-want you to make love to me,” she admitted, her face immediately going red with blush.

        He blushed as well, looking down at the ground and then around them, “Y-you’re sure about this, aren’t you Dashie?”

        She nodded gently, “I’m a-absolutely positive Soarin’ because I love you.” She kissed him on the cheek, taking his hoof in hers once more and leading him into the hotel.

        They moved quickly, the concierge taking no notice of them as they went by, hoof in hoof, making their way to the elevator. As the doors shut behind them, Rainbow pressed the button for her floor and pulled Soarin’ into a kiss. He returned it graciously, wasting no time in parting his lips. As the elevator went up, so did their arousal and desire for one another until each hit the point desired. He felt his cock extended fully between his hind legs as Rainbow led him to her room, barely parting their lips with every step back.

        Finally they reached the door, “Hold on lover colt,” she whispered happily as she lifted her wing, pulling out her room key and scanning it.

        The second the door clicked she slipped inside, leaving Soarin’ to follow. He nudged it open and shut it behind him, looking over the room. Rainbow’s bags were still packed; the bed was made and her room was mainly illuminated by moonlight pouring in through the window.

Does she still watch over us despite being banished so long ago?

        He shook his head and moved towards his love that lay on the bed, partly under the cover and gazing at him.

        “Shall we?” She asked quietly.

        He nodded and climbed in with her, “I believe so,” he whispered quietly, pressing his body against hers as he picked the kiss back up where they left off moments prior.

        She shuddered at the hard length pressed between the two of them, her eagerness for it only more heightened now. She reached a hoof down, backing away slightly, and gave it a slow stroke along the length.

        Soarin’ paused in the kiss, now shivering as well as he felt her soft touch on him, his cock beginning a gentle throb. His hooves ran down her back, moving over her plot and Cutie Marks, going back to the prior for a squeeze. He loved how firm and full she felt back there, keeping his hooves in place as the kiss became sloppier.

        “S-Soarin’,” she whispered between the kissing, “I-I don’t have a condom or anything…”

        He nodded, “Neither do I; I’ll just pull out before it’s too late,” he assured her.

        “Thank you,” she whispered again, blushing deeply as she paused, “I doubt I’d enjoy my first time too much if it got me pregnant,” she admitted to him.

She’s a virgin…? H-how has nopony… Never mind, that’s good for you… You have someone as pure and inexperienced as you are… Isn’t that what love’s about? Learning how to do and enjoy things together?

“I doubt I’d enjoy my first time either if I did that to you,” he whispered back.

        “H-how should we do this?” Rainbow wondered aloud.

        “Maybe I could lie on my back and you could lie atop me?” He offered.

        She nodded, the two of them shifting into the position. Soarin’ looked up at her, staring into her jewel-like eyes as she returned the stare. They stayed like this for what seemed like forever to them, but in reality was only seconds, their loving gaze doing nothing but bringing them closer and closer until their lips touched softly.

        “Take me,” Rainbow whispered into his mouth, moving her lower body to where she could feel the tip of Soarin’s cock pressed at her entrance.

        He nodded and pressed his lips to hers as he gently pushed himself into her already wet entrance. He felt how tight she was around his length, nearly struggling to go further in as she paused in the kiss, wincing every so often as she felt the pain of her first time deep within her body. He pushed deeper, her body desperately trying to accept every inch it could until there was no more. She broke away, panting quietly from the fullness she felt as she lay there on top of Soarin’.

D-dear Celestia… She took all of it. It feels so fucking good…

        Soarin’ peeked his eyes open, catching the gaze of his lover as he wrapped his hooves around her waist. She returned the gesture, wrapping hers behind his neck as she gazed down at him. She lifted herself gently, Soarin’s thick cock slowly leaving her walls, taking her juices with it before she slid it back in.

        Soarin’ groaned, a foreign pleasure coursing through his body, “Ahh, D-Dashie, it f-feels so good.”

        “Y-yeah, I’ve n-never felt like this before,” she whispered back, giving a soft moan, “I love it… and you.”

        “I love you t-too,” he told her, thrusting up gently and sending himself back into her.

        She lifted up again, closing her eyes and picking up the kiss once more, beginning a slow riding pace as Soarin’ kept nearly slipping out of her, gently gliding back in. They kept up the slow, passionate love, each moaning sweetly to the other as it continued. After a few moments, Soarin’ flipped Rainbow over, looking down at her. He began quickly thrusting in and out, holding her waist as they continued kissing. She felt his balls constantly smack against her, every bit of contact he made with her leaking juices causing audible slaps as he continued. He throbbed rapidly inside of her, enough for her to feel how close he was getting as well as the heat emitting from his cock.

        “S-Soarin’, don’t forget to pull out,” she reminded him.

        He nodded; his eyes clenched shut in pleasure as their orgasms began rushing over them. He moaned her name loudly; their wings became outstretched as he pulled out and rested his cock on her lower body, shooting his cum onto her lower stomach as she arched back to let her own orgasm consume her. After a moment, Soarin’ fell down partly on top of Rainbow Dash and partly next to her, panting heavily.

        “Rainbow,” he weakly said, “I love you…”

        She wrapped her hooves around him, panting as quietly as she could, “I love you too Soarin’… Never leave me?”

        “Never in a million years…”

        After they cleaned up what mess there was, they quickly enveloped each other in their hooves once again before falling asleep in the bed.

I think she’ll be mine forever… This will be the mare I stand at the altar with, and under the ground with… I’m never going to lose her

He was terribly wrong.

        He woke up early that morning to a knocking at the hotel door. He groggily climbed out of his love’s hooves, making sure not to wake her as he trotted to the door and peeked out.

        “Uhm, we’re sleeping right now… Please come back later,” he whispered through the crack, not caring who was on the other side.

        “I daresay you’ll be comin’ with me boy,” he heard Turbulence growl back.

        Soarin’s heart stopped for a moment in fear, “T-Turbulence? What are you doing here?!”

        “Ya never came back last night, so I asked around and a few ponies said they saw you come here with a mare practically kissing you to death,” he explained, pushing against the door. “Even then, I saw the whole trip. I’ve seen the two of you these past few days on your picnic date and whatnot. I don’t like a liar boy, but I’ll cut you some slack this time.”

THAT WAS HIM?!

        Soarin’ opened it and quickly slipped into the hall, “What do I need to go with you for? It’s not even 6 a.m.!”

        “You’ve got a mare in there you’re gonna leave behind, understood?” Turbulence said, giving Soarin’ a glare into his soul.

        He fought the glare back, stepping towards Turbulence, “I don’t know what your problem with this is, but I’m not abandoning her! I don’t get why you’re so obsessed with getting mares because you’re a Wonderbolt, but that’s not who I am!”

        “When you joined the Wonderbolts you gave up who you were and now you’re gonna be like me or you’ll be off the team! Us Wonderbolts ain’t out there to be tied down,” he threatened.

        “I’ll gladly leave the team then! There’s more to your sick obsession than what you lead on Turbulence, but I won’t be a part of it anymore!” Soarin’ whisper yelled once more.

        Turbulence raised his wing, showing Soarin’ a large knife, “When I say off the team, I mean there’s gonna be a pretty murder-suicide in the paper tomorrow about a disgruntled Wonderbolt and his young lover. So, I’ll give you another chance, come with me or stay with her in your deathbed.”

        Soarin’ froze in fear, looking at the large knife.

Either our lives remain spared or her heart does... but not for long... I can't let him hurt her, but he's too strong and too fast for me... N-no... DON'T LET IT COME TO THIS, NOT AFTER EVERYTHING SHE AND I HAVE GONE THROUGH WITH EACH OTHER...

He snapped back from his thoughts, lying on the ground and shaking as tears streamed from his eyes, "A-at least let me leave a note..."

Turbulence scoffed, "The only thing you're leaving is this hotel, got it? And if I see you even glance at her again you'll both pay."

Soarin' climbed to his hooves and shut the door, his tears continuing as he stopped shaking, stepping up close to Turbulence, "Y-you're a fucking m-monster."

"I'm your Captain too you ungrateful bastard," Turbulence whispered back before swinging his hoof at Soarin', nailing him right in the muzzle.

Soarin' fell back, blood coming from his nose as he lied there, "Wh-why!?"

"You don't question your commanding officer... Your little break is over so let's go," Turbulence said, "Besides, you swung at me first."

Turbulence watched as Soarin' got up and walked slowly to the elevator, then followed him on and hit the button for the ground level.

"You play nice or else you'll pay," Turbulence warned as Soarin' got off with him at the ground level. "Now get back to your room and get to bed."

Soarin' nodded in fear, immediately taking off back to the Wonderbolt’s Headquarters.

Rainbow... I'm sorry...

"I'm so, so sorry..." he whispered aloud in present-day Cloudsdale, Rainbow a few feet off to his left at the book stall still.

Her ear twitched, barely managing to hear Soarin's quiet apology over the noise of the crowd. She turned, looking back at him, watching as he sunk to the ground with his head in his hooves.

"Y-you..." she growled, a great anger welling up inside of her.

He looked up in fear, his gaze immediately snapping to her through the crowd, "R-Rainbow... please..."

"Spitfire, please, I need to talk to you," he whispered, knocking on her door late at night, Turbulence still far behind.

"What is it?" She asked groggily, coming out into the hall.

"My room, now, and keep your voice down," he told her, pulling her with him and locking them in.

She lied back on his bed, "Hurry up Soarin', you didn't get her pregnant did you?"

He shook his head no, sitting next to her and sulking as he whispered, "N-no... So goddamn worse... I'm so sorry..."

She sat up, immediately wide awake, "Soarin', you better explain..."

A few minutes later they sat there in silence, Spitfire now aware of the whole truth. She sighed quietly and looked over.

"There's nothing we can do... He has the pull and the fame to get away with it all. I can talk to her for you though," she offered.

Soarin' reluctantly shook his head, "I can't risk doing that to her... If he found out we'd be done for..."

Spitfire looked away sadly, “I understand, but I can’t help but feel sorry for her.”

Soarin’ put a hoof around Spitfire, “I-I’m sorry…  I broke my promise to you… To all of you…”

“I know Soarin’, but unless something is done about that asshole, maybe it’s better off we stop making promises and just go on our way,” she glumly said as she stood.

“I just… After everything we went through, she couldn’t think I meant to just leave from the start, right? She… She wouldn’t…” He tried to reassure himself.

“If I woke up, stallion gone the night after we fucked, I’d think the worst of it… Especially after all you told her? She’d feel like it was all an act… At least I would…”

“But does that mean everything I did for, and with her, is tossed to the wind?”

She nodded silently, “Unfortunately, yes…”

“This isn’t who I am though… Nor is it who I ever wanted to be,” he admitted in defeat.

She put a hoof around him, closing her eyes and sighing, “None of us are still who we were when we began, nor will we be what we are now, especially in the end of our times… Look at me, leading a small squad of my own with the dream of becoming Captain of the entire goddamned Wonderbolts… You think this is where I expected to be when I first joined?”

He shook his head gently, “What did you expect?”

“I didn’t know what to expect, just like you… Hell, joining the Wonderbolts was a last-ditch effort to keep my life somewhat navigated.”

“Didn’t you like flying though?”

“Absolutely love the shit to be perfectly honest, always have and will too… But sometimes just because you love something doesn’t mean you want to follow it. Although, sometimes it’s all you have when everything else fails you…”

“Surely you don’t mean that…”

“Look, my story is best saved for another time… Just know the point is you’re going to change, whether or not you want to. We’re all going to eventually. The important thing is that you make sure whoever you change into is someone you like and can live with. Things may be fucked with this mare-”

“She’s not just this mare though… She’s different…”

“Soarin’, I really hate to say it but she might just be ano-”

“Please, leave me the false hope at least…”

She nodded, seeing tears well up in his eyes once more, “A-alright…”

“Eventually, I-I’ll get over her, but at least I can hold onto this sliver of hope… Even when the time comes, I don’t think I could date again for a while, especially not with that asshole Turbulence running the show…”

“He’ll be gone one day though, so what then?”

“As of now? I think I may just not date, even if it’s within our own ranks…”

She looked away, hurt but understanding, “Maybe one day you’ll change your mind, and when you do,” she kissed his cheek gently, “You’ll have at least one mare there who knows your story… Even if you don’t know hers yet…”

“I like that yet part,” he chuckled, wiping another tear away, “But Dashie… She was one of a kind…”

“All mares are, in their own ways though. If we weren’t different, what would be fun about the dating life?”

“What’s fun about it so far?” He asked rhetorically, scratching near his muzzle wound. “I don’t know what I’ll do to be honest. Guess we’ll have to wait and see…”

“You’re bleeding by the way…”

“Sorry, he punched me…”

Spitfire stopped, her wings flaring straight up, “HE WHAT?!”

“He fucking punched me because I refused to go,” Soarin’ said, wiping the blood away, “I was too terrified to hit him back… You should’ve seen that large knife he had…”

Spitfire growled, digging her hoof into the floor, “I swear by Celestia, I will make sure he gets his too…” She walked out without another word.

“Please wh-what? Please fuck you again so you can leave me again?!” Rainbow Dash growled at him, beginning to tear up.

By now, a majority of the crowd around them had noticed and turned, facing them. They stayed silent, each terrified at the scene in front of them. Two teary-eyed ponies, one enraged and one desperate both stood there, facing one another.

“But…” He began to plead.

“NO! NO BUTS! Do you have any idea how much I’ve regretted that time we spent together? How special it all was to me? I said I loved you! You were my first! You swore to me you’d stay and not hurt me like Fluttershy tried to warn me about at first! YOU LIED! All these years, I’ve hated myself… I thought it was my fault, something I did wrong, something I did too fast, but no! The day I finally tell myself I’m over it, after seeing you numerous times and having to bite my tongue until it bleeds just to not say anything, you decide to show up? I used to think us meeting was just coincidence, but now I feel like you’re just trying to fucking torture me! I used to live my life looking up to the Wonderbolts, but now it’s all corrupted and dark… THANKS. TO. YOU!” Rainbow huffed, tears coating her face as she stood there, nearly muzzle to muzzle with Soarin’.

Soarin’ staggered back, surprised by Rainbow’s angry rant, but closed his eyes. He stood there, focusing as the tear went away and the crowd continued to grow and stare.

This is it… All of your cards are going on the table… Time for the truth we’ve worked so hard to forget now pal… I owe this much to everyone, especially Tula, may he rest in peace…

A few weeks after everything that had happened, life eventually went back to normal. Soarin’ began a regular training regimen with Turbulence, who pushed him harder than the others for reasons only known to him, Soarin’, and Spitfire. He dealt with it though and did his best to keep up, slowly becoming better in the process much to his excitement. He often considered the rougher training was worth it, until he remembered why he was getting it. After one training session, he made his way back to his room, falling back onto his bed and panting sharply.

Spitfire burst in through the door, that day’s newspaper in her mouth, “Soarin’, you should see this…” She whispered, her cheeks shimmering.

“What is it? Have you been crying? What’s wro-” He stopped immediately when he read the article.

Local Cook Found Dead

On Thursday morning, local café cook Tula was found dead in his home near downtown Cloudsdale. Authorities say the cause of death was an overdose of sleeping medications. They’re calling it a suicide and have reported a note was found as well. It was as follows:

My dearest friends,

        You all knew me as a cook while my breath still flowed from my lungs, but now I think it’s time you only know me as a memory as I lie as cold as the sky. There were three of you in particular who gave me hope that eventually things would get better, and that I wouldn’t hurt like I once did… I only wish it had been enough hope to last me a lifetime… But alas here I am, pushed to the brink yet again. I thank you all though for those wonderful days and want you to know this isn’t your fault… This was my own choice, and I take full responsibility for it. At least now though I can accompany my long lost love in the afterlife. Thank you, once again…

Yours Truly,

Tula

Authorities are still investigating the means behind the note but have said the main cause was depression induced by loneliness.

Soarin’ stopped reading and looked up at Spitfire, “I…”

She stared back, visibly shaking where she stood and whispered, “We never went back… After all that happened… What have we done?”

“I couldn’t go back… After how much he helped me with Rainbow, it would’ve killed him on the spot… I couldn’t put either of us through that hurt. Celestia damn Turbulence… Where is he?!” Soarin’ growled, getting to his hooves. “He’s going to fucking pay this time! No more fucking around, I’m going against him now!”

Spitfire nodded, “You damn well should after this. He was heading into the hotel next door l-last I saw.”

Soarin’ nodded and sprinted out, immediately heading towards it.

“Listen here Rainbow Dash, I left to protect you! To protect both of us! I had no other choice damnit, but I couldn’t tell you that. I’ve tried to just forget like I thought you had, but day by day I felt worse and worse until I became numb to it! I love… I loved you every bit of the way! I wasn’t just in it to fuck and run. Had it been my choice, you would’ve stood next to me on the altar, but no! You don’t think I have regrets too?” Soarin’ vaguely explained, fighting himself internally.

Tell her the truth!

NO! Don’t do it! It’ll only worsen things and cause you both harm!

No harm can come now, we both know that. It’s time for all the lies to end. There’s no guarantee you’ll ever win her back… The chances are incredibly slim, but maybe you can at least salvage some shred of respect from her… Maybe you can have that much… Maybe you can make the memories you once lived something you can finally think about without crying and regretting every damn moment of it all because of one asshole!

…Let it be done.

“What are you blabbering on about!” Rainbow screamed at him, taking a step back.

“That night that we,” he took a deep breath to calm himself, “That night we made love… That night we shared together… The night I still think about daily, even today… Long after you fell asleep, Turbulence showed up at the door. He threatened our lives… Had I stayed, you wouldn’t have seen the dawn that forever ruined your life… I had to go. I had no other choice but to! You have to understand me and belie-”

“You’re telling me, the Captain of the Wonderbolts who relinquished his position to go help train pegasi around the world threatened our lives? What kind of stupid fucking excuse is that?!” She yelled at him, her wings extended in anger.

“THAT WAS A LIE! A COVER-UP DONE BY US! If your Captain was a sick and twisted murderer who spent most of his time corrupting all the stallions he could, whether by threats or other means, would you want the public to know that? The Wonderbolts would’ve been fucked!” He revealed, causing a few jaws in the crowd to drop, as well as Rainbow Dash’s.

“Y-you’re a l-liar,” she whispered back, her will slowly chipping away as she began sinking to the ground.

Her idols… First they were just out to use ponies for sex, including her… Now they’re murderers… I… How do I help her…

“Rainbow, surely you heard about the m-murder in the hotel right next to the Headquarters?” Soarin’ asked.

“Th-that was him…?”

Soarin’ stormed out of the Wonderbolts HQ and immediately sprinted into the lobby of the hotel, watching as Turbulence got into an elevator. He rushed in, slipping a wing between the doors just in time and stopping it, looking in at the small group along with Turbulence.

“I reckon the rest of you folks better take the next one,” Turbulence whispered, causing everyone to immediately rush out as Soarin’ climbed in.

“You’re a dead pony Turbulence. I have had enough of your shit, Spitfire and I both have,” Soarin’ growled as the doors shut behind him.

Turbulence hit the button for the 42nd floor and looked at Soarin’, “You’ve got 42 floors of talkin’ or fightin’ boy… And I figured you two would get all chummy. You have a thing for the easy whores, don’t ya?”

Soarin’ shouted and rushed headfirst at the light grey pegasus who immediately dodged to the side, “SHE’S NOT A WHORE!”

Turbulence chuckled, facing Soarin’ again and grinning, “She tell you that with your cock in her mouth?”

Soarin’ scraped his hoof on the ground before charging again, ramming headfirst into the elevator doors. He staggered back in a daze as Turbulence quickly pulled out his knife and swiped at Soarin’. He barely dodged the machete-like knife as he recovered and faced his Captain once more.

“Floor 7 already Soarin’ and you’re fighting like a little bitch! What kind of scum let you on the Wonderbolts?” Turbulence jested.

Soarin’ faked a right punch, causing Turbulence to move directly into a left hook from him. It connected hard, his muzzle beginning to bleed like Soarin’s had.

Revenge you mother fucker…

Turbulence staggered against the wall, failing to dodge a right hook from Soarin’. As he went in for the third punch, Turbulence quickly flung out the knife and swiped at Soarin’, cutting a long swipe up his arm. He cringed in pain as the blade drew blood, his anger only rising even more. Turbulence got up and began going for him, causing Soarin’ to step back which sent another sharp pain up his right hoof. Turbulence took advantage of this and quickly spun, bucking Soarin’ with his back hooves hard enough to create a dent in the elevator doors.

The carriage rocked as it dinged for the 12th floor and opened, a small family of pegasi staring in at the fighting pair. “How about you lot fuck off,” Turbulence growled at them, frightening the three fillies and their parents.

Soarin’ looked up at the distracted Captain and reared his head up hard into Turbulence’s throat, forcing him down onto the ground to gasp for breath. “G-go get help… Please… The 42nd floor…” He told them before the doors shut, letting him resume his fight with Turbulence.

He gazed down at the pathetic pony in front of him, watching as he slowly recovered and began getting to his hooves. Soarin’ looked for the knife, hoping to keep it away from him or to use it, but couldn’t find it.

Is the damn thing under him?!

Turbulence got up as Soarin’ moved back, bruised, bloody, and cut, the same as his opponent except for the latter.

“Floor 17,” Turbulence choked out, standing in place, “You’re finished when I’m through with you pal… I hope you get this… If not here, then after I’m done plowing through another whore up top here…”

“Who the hell is this one? O-or are you too fucking e-evil to care?” Soarin’ growled, blood running down his foreleg and onto the elevator floor.

“That pretty little mare you told me about yourself pal,” Turbulence said, a sly smile on his face. “Scouted her out and I must say ya fucked up big by not puttin’ your dick in that immediately…”

“Maybe that’s because I’m halfway decent… Unlike you,” Soarin’ said, taking a step forward.

Turbulence’s expression changed from prideful to pissed in a split second, “You ever love a mare so much, only to have her fuck you over? Ever have the one you dedicate your everything to just say to hell with ya, as your neighbor is dick deep in her? I have, and it changed me… All mares are the same and it’s about time you learned they shouldn’t be treated like anything but a napkin… Use it for what you need when you need it and toss it out… Get a new one each time, hell, two or three at a time if you want! The fuck should they care? Floor 24 boy, let’s finish this.”

Turbulence picked the knife up from where he’d been, holding it in his mouth as he tried to fake out Soarin’, who reacted with nothing but a head-butt straight to Turbulence’s already bleeding muzzle. He yelled loud and staggered back holding it as the elevator dinged for floor 28 and opened the doors. Nopony was on the other side letting Turbulence try to flee freely, only to be pulled back in as Soarin’ bit his tail and dragged him by it.

The doors shut almost immediately, the elevator ascending once more as Turbulence rolled out of the way of Soarin’s attempted stomp. He got to his hooves and spun, facing Soarin’ as they both began trying to catch their breath, each of their breathing liquid-filled from blood.

“Floor 32… You’ve lost it at this point Soarin’,” Turbulence whispered with a smirk.

“I haven’t lost a thing; it’s you that’s going to lose it,” he huffed in return. “I have my wits about me, but you don’t have a single wit left.”

“Some marvelous come-back there pal, but come on, come at me again. Let’s go!” Turbulence roared once more, prepping for Soarin’s attack.

Soarin’ shook his head, “No… I know that no matter what happens h-here, whether I win or lose, you’ll find some way to ruin everything for me… You go have yourself a date. We can finish this tonight back at the HQ… Winner stays, loser gets buried.”

“Good,” Turbulence grinned, “Still have some sense about you…”

“No, you drained me of sense… I told you I still have my wits, if you had any you’d see that i-if I sliced your throat like a piece of cheese right here, I’d never get away with it,” Soarin’ threatened.

The elevator dinged, the doors opening and revealing the long hall to them.

“My mares waiting for me down this hall… You sure you don’t wanna finish this now? I can stuff you into some tight trash can up here… I’m used to forcing big things into tight holes,” Turbulence mocked, trying to antagonize him as he stepped off.

“No… We’ve passed the end of our ride… This is where you make your exit…” Soarin’ told him, pressing the button for the lobby.

He took his last look at the Captain before the long ride back down. He sat there, blood barely trickling from his wounds now as he limped all the way back to his room, attracting the attention of everypony he passed as he left a scarlet trail. He made his way to Spitfire’s room, knocking a few times before collapsing weakly on the ground.

“SOARIN’?!” She shrieked, opening the door.

“H-Help… Me…” He whispered before passing out.

"After that, when he went up to the room... Bella had a change of heart and realized it wasn't who she wanted to be anymore. She finally decided to escape her hellish life but he wouldn't let her... Just like he entrapped me in my hellish lifetime of regret with you... Not a day went by where I didn't wonder what would have happened had I fought him, instead of just leaving like I did and I am truly sorry for that Rainbow... I don't care if you believe me anymore; all that matters is that I've finally told you the truth..." Soarin' poured out to her in a final attempt at calming the raging storm her heart had become in the moments she had seen him. "That same day, Spitfire became the new Captain and did a complete overhaul of the Wonderbolts, going as far as kicking out almost half of them that remained loyal to Turbulence. We had to cover it up or else Cloudsdale would have fallen apart... Those ponies, had they known what had happened within our ranks..."

"They would've gone insane and caused a riot... I know Soarin', I felt that way once too," Rainbow explained. "I should've listened to Fluttershy though. She told me, after I told her about you leaving, that that wasn't you and there had to be more to it... I couldn't approach you though... It would've hurt too much."

"Fluttershy was wise... Very wise... And still is I presume. I felt the same way, but our lives were also at risk for a bit too because of him..." Soarin' admitted.

"Where is he now?"

"Rainbow, please... Why would I know?" He tried to play innocent, being quickly broken away by her beautiful gaze. "A-alright... He got the worst possible punishment a pegasus could get..."

She gasped and covered her mouth, "H-he..."

"His wings were clipped and he was banished from Cloudsdale and taken to a high security prison in Manehattan for solitary confinement for the rest of his life. He'll never fly free again," Soarin' said with a smile.

"Still with the stupid puns, huh?"

"Yeah, that's me..." Soarin' said with a chuckle.

She smirked and got closer, hugging him gently. "C-can I ask a question?"

He returned the hug in surprise, feeling a long-lost warmth flow through his body, "First though... I have something for you."

He raised his wing, pulling out the goggles with a fading rainbow strap, “Y-you… kept them?” She began tearing up as she took them, looking them over.

“I wore them every day after that, to remind me of you… Of the good times…” He told her, blinking away a tear.

She reached back, pulling a pair of goggles from her own saddle-satchels, “I kept yours too…”

He smiled, looking at her, “Rainbow…”

“Call me Dashie…”

He smiled bigger, the crowd around them having dispersed long ago, “D-Dashie… What was your question?”

“Soarin’, do you still l-love me?” She asked, looking away and trying to hide her embarrassment.

“I love you with all my heart Dashie. Not a single ounce less than I did long ago when we shared those moments together,” he told her, turning her gaze to meet his slowly.

“As do I you Soarin’… As I always will,” she admitted, leaning in close.

For a split second they seemed to revisit the past, their love feeling as fresh, new, and full as it once had. For a second, Soarin’ still looked like a young colt, and Rainbow had her ponytail once again. Then it was all gone, but the emotions stayed like they’d always been. They each went in for a kiss, connecting midway as everything thought to be so long lost solidified within them, ensuring it’d stay for the rest of their lives. As they parted, Rainbow Dash took Soarin’s hoof in hers.

 “How about a fly, for old time’s sake… My love?” Soarin’ asked.

“Soarin’, I know we still feel like we once did, but maybe… Maybe it’s for the best that we just stay as we are now… I wouldn’t want anything else to happen like it did before… I don’t know how I’d handle the pain… If anything did happen once again, I’m not sure if I’d still be here or wherever Tula is…”

“Dashie, I know a lot happened and I know a lots been weighing down on you, but I swear to you that no matter what happens this time, I won’t let you down or go. Just give me a second chance… I promise you that you will forever be my Dashie.”

Rainbow thought to herself; A second chance… Maybe I should… But I went through so much. Should I just throw it all away and just live like I used to? I could… But no, I don’t have to… We can rebuild it… Second chances aren’t easily given, but damnit he sure earned this one…

“I wouldn’t have it any other way dear,” Rainbow replied while smiling, as tears of joy ran down her face.

With that they took off, only the setting sun behind them as their silhouettes soared, hoof and hoof, lovers once again… Lovers to always be.

End Dashed Away