A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies

by flaminkomage

Rating: teen
Tags: Romance, Drama, Comedy, Random, Adventure, Dark
Length: 47145

Rainbow Dash is personally invited to the open Wonderbolt Tryouts! But, she starts becoming attached to one of it's members, Soarin Skies. But Rainbow Blaze doesn't approve of the relationship, so he will try everything to break them up.

Rainbow Dash has been invited by the Wonderbolts to the open tryouts, as one of the older members recently retired. There is only one elite spot, and everypony is fighting for it!

But she starts to get a little attached to one of the members, and her good friend, Soarin Skies, second in command of the Wonderbolts, lead squad. Therefore, she must now battle between the spot, and proving to everypony that she does not have an advantage over them.

Rainbow Blaze, Dash's father, doesn't approve of their relationship, so he goes to extreme measures to try and break them up.

What will Dash do?

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2015-12-20 19:07:20 UTC

Chapter 2: Parents

Disclaimer: I do not own My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies

Chapter Two: Parents

Rainbow Dash spun through the sky, rotating clouds, and then abruptly punching through them. She was busy practicing for the Wonderbolt tryouts... Of course. She glanced down below, and saw her Mom and Dad staring at her intently. She instantly became a little self-conscious, and gave a little less effort into her throws. There was a loud whistling sound, and Rainbow looked down to see her mother calling her over.

Dash quickly descended down to where her parents were, and smiled. Her mother, a light pink pegasus with a cerulean mane smiled back, as did her father, a periwinkle coated pegasus, with a short rainbow mane.

"We're so proud of you, Dashie!" Firefly told her daughter. Rainbow giggled in response. Then, she caught herself, and simply smiled.

"Thanks, Mom!" She told her mother, who was beaming with pride.

"Yeah, Dash! You get 'em!" Rainbow Blaze told his daughter. Dash grinned.

"Thanks, Dad! It's going to be a lot of work... But I'm Rainbow Dash! And I can do ANYTHING!" Dash boasted pridefully.

"Yeah... Except being a little modest... Wonder where she gets that from?" Blaze mumbled under his breath. Firefly narrowed her eyes. And swiftly kicked her husband in the shin.

"Ow..." Blaze said sarcastically. Dash snorted in response. Her parents were always acting a little goofy every now and then.

"So! What brings you to Ponyville? You don't usually leave Cloudsdale unless there is an emergency!" She asked her parents. They smiled at one another.

"To see you off, of course!" Firefly said, before flying up, and doing a few somersaults.

"We're just so happy you finally accomplished your dream, Dashie!" She said, while landing. "Your an excellent flyer!" She said. Blaze snorted.

"Well, of course she's a great flyer! I taught her everything she knows!" Blaze said pridefully. Firefly smirked.

"Look who's being modest now!" She said under her breath. Now it was her turn to receive a kick from her partner.

"Hey! It isn't polite to kick a mare!" Firefly yelled to her husband. Blaze laughed.

"Yeah... A mare..." Blaze said quietly. Before quickly regretting it, and getting a hard punch in the gut. Dash laughed some more.

"Look, as fun as it is to see you guys, I really need to get to the train station soon..." She said. Blaze checked the town clock, and nodded.

"Alright... We'll come with you. Aren't you going to call your friends?" He asked her. Rainbow nodded.

"Yup. They told me they would meet me there. So we can catch up on the way, if you want!" Dash said eagerly. She rarely got to spend time with her parents, and now that she was going way for a few months, they would probably be too busy to meet up!

"Sure, Dashie! We'll walk with you!" Firefly said. Dash grinned, and started flying.

"But I wanna fly! Come on! Let's go!" She said. Her parents smiled, and took off behind her.

"So! What kinds of things are you going to do at the tryouts?" Blaze asked his daughter. Dash looked over to him, and thought about his question.

"Well, the form said stuff about endurance tests, teamwork tests, and the ability to communicate with the opposite gender. Along with a bunch of other things." Dash said. Blaze's eyes narrowed.

"The ability to communicate with the opposite gender? Why?" He asked. Dash rolled her eyes. Her father had always been a little overprotective of her.

"Because many ponies can only communicate well with one gender, their own. And since the Wonderbolts are a unisex organization, they need to make sure you can work well with both genders." Dash explained to her father. He glared some more.

"Humph... Just don't get to close with the stallions." Blaze told her. Dash chuckled.

Well, DUH! Rainbow Dash doesn't need STALLIONS! They would make her 20% less cool..." Dash said. Blaze chuckled, and gave her a noogie.

"That's my girl!" He said. Dash grinned, and cleared up her mane. Firefly rolled her eyes, and joined the two together.

"Oh don't listen to him, Dashie! It's fine! Your a grown mare now!" She said lovingly. Dash smiled.

"Uhh... Thanks... I guess... But I'm serious... I don't need a special somepony, and I'm not planning on getting one anytime soon... Oh look! We're here!" Dash said happily. She really wanted to get out of that conversation.

"We are! There are your friends! The pink one is waving!" Firefly said, as she waved back. This, of course was a horrible mistake. Pinkie Pie dashed up to the family, and hugged Firefly extremely tightly.

"Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie! You must be Rainbow Dash's mommy!" She said frantically. Firefly giggled.

"You're right! I am! Let's go get some coffee! Bye Dashie! Have a wonderful time!" She said, and kissed her daughter on the forehead. Dash immediately cringed at the public display of affection, but shook it off.

"Hehe... Thank's mom! Bye!" Dash said. Firefly smiled, and went back with Pinkie Pie. Pinkie Pie first, though have a bone crushing hug to her rainbow maned friend.

"Byeee!!!!" She said loudly, before zipping off with the older pink mare by her side. Dash rolled her eyes, and went back to her father, and other four friends.

"Have a wonderful time, darling!" Rarity said. Dash smiled, and gave her fashion forward friend a hug.

"Thanks Rarity! And don't worry... I will!" She replied. Rarity nodded.

"Bye RD! We're sure gonna miss ya!" Applejack exclaimed. Dash grinned.

"I'm gonna miss ya too AJ!" She said.

"Have fun, Rainbow!" Fluttershy said, a little less energetic than her other friends. Dash grinned some more.

"Bye Fluttershy! And don't worry, I'll document those animals you asked me to!" She told her yellow friend. Fluttershy squealed, and hugged the cyan mare.

"Bye Rainbow, have a great time!" Twilight said, as she hugged Dash. Dash smiled at all her friends.

"Thanks Twilight. Thanks all of you! I'm gonna miss you all so much! But don't worry... I'll be back in a few months! Unless they make me a Wonderbolt instantly! Which we all know might happen!" Dash boasted. Her friends all rolled their eyes, and went in for the final group hug.

"Well, Dash! Have a great time! And don't forget about what I said!" Blaze said to his daughter. Dash smiled.

"Thanks Dad! Bye everypony! I've already made the train wait for me long enough! I'll see you soon!" She said, as she boarded the train, which had arrived a couple minutes before hand.

"Bye!" They all chorused, as the train gates closed.

Chapter 3: Arriving

Disclaimer: I do not own My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies

(BTW: I wrote this chapter on my phone... So there might be a few errors...)

Chapter Three: Arriving

Rainbow Dash simply couldn't contain her excitement! She had been dreaming of this moment for way too long! Finally, the moment had arrived! It was time to accomplish her lifelong dream! Her dream of becoming a Wonderbolt! Her dream of getting to know the team more! Her dream of-

Alright... I'll stop now. Back to the story!

Dash was jumping up and down excitedly in her seat. The ponies around her gave her funny looks, but merrily dismissed it, and went about their day. The pony next to her, though was a little more curious.

"Um... What's got you so excited?" He asked her. He was a red pegasus, with a striking dark blue mane. He had a wing, with a cloud behind it for a cutie mark.

"Well, I got a letter saying I was personally invited to the Wonderbolt tryouts!" Dash told him excitedly. The red stallion instantly brightened up.

"You got invited too? Phew! I thought I was the only one!" He exclaimed, with a sigh of relief. Dash raised an eyebrow.

"You were invited?" She asked him. The stallion simply nodded.

"Yup! By Captain Spitfire herself! I'm Burning Cloud, the way." He told her, and raised his wing for a wing-five.

"The name's Rainbow Dash!" Dash replied, slapping her wing with his.

"Nice meeting you, Rainbow Dash!" Burning said. Rainbow nodded, and smiled.

"You too! So! You know any of the Wonderbolts personally?" Dash asked him. He looked thoughtful, before nodding.

"I've encountered Wave Chill and the Streak Twins a couple times... But nothing special really. You?" He answered, directing the last part back to her.

"Well, I met up with the lead squad at the gala a couple years ago... Does that count?" She asked him. Burning's jaw dropped.

"You WHAT?? The Wonderbolts always have a secluded section for themselves at the gala... The only way you could have got in was by personal invitation!" Burning said, clearly surprised. Dash simply shrugged.

"Well, yeah. Spitfire invited me to hang out... Nothing special really... I saved a pie for Soarin, and basically got pushed around the entire evening. The only great part was when I met up with my friends later at the nearby donut shop..." Dash said, trailing off at the end. Burning raised his eyebrow.

"You're fun to talk to, Rainbow Dash. Has anypony ever told you that?" Burning said, clearly starstruck. Dash shrugged again.

"Hehe... Well, thanks. But usually people only want to talk to me because I've done incredible stunts. Like the sonic rainboo-" Dash started, before being cut off.

"You've done a SONIC RAINBOOM? But that's just an old mares tale!" Burning said. He did a double take, before calming himself down.

"Thanks... I guess. It was no biggie." Dash said. Then, deciding she wanted to hear more about the Wonderbolts, she steered the conversation back to her heros.

"Anyhow, at the Canterlot Wedding, the one where the Changelings attacked, I danced with Soarin for a few minutes, before he was called back to his teammates. That was pretty fun." Dash said. Burning smiled, and nodded.

"Wow! Your on pretty good terms with them, Rainbow Dash! That's incredible!" Burning said. Dash was about to reply, when there was a loud whistle being honked, and the carriage doors opened shortly afterwards.

"Oh look! We're here!" Burning said. Dash nodded, and got up, heading towards doors. Burning shortly followed after.

They looked behind them, as the doors closed once again, heading to the next stop. They turned back, just in time to see a huge crowd of ponies surrounding a large podium in the middle of the station. Which was right outside the Wonderbolt compound.

A golden mare, with a fired up orange mane stood on top of the stand, and grabbed a nearby megaphone. From prior experience, Dash knew what this meant, and instantly covered her ears.

"WELCOME ALL RECRUITS!" Spitfire's voice rang throughout the compound. Dash immediately sighed in relief that she had covered her ears, because nearby ponies began to wail from the epic noise.

"Sorry... Anyway! All recruits must head on to the main cabins! However, if you received an invitation from us directly, please follow Soarin here, and he will take you to your living quarters. So if you received an invite, please make your way to Soarin now!" Spitfire said, her voice a lot more calmer than before. Dash, Burning, along with about 8 other ponies made their way to Soarin. The other 200 or so, stayed with Spitfire.

Dash went along with Burning Cloud, as they both made their way to the front of the line, right behind Soarin. Soarin looked back at the crowd, and instantly smiled upon seeing Dash.

"Hi Rainbow Dash! Great seeing you here!" Soarin told her energetically. Dash beamed.

"Thanks, Soarin! Good seeing you too!" Dash replied, as they all started walking. Soarin stayed right by her side.

"Cool. How's life been treating you in Ponyville?" He asked her. Dash looked back up at him.

"It's been fun. Fought some more demons, but nothing too harsh..." She replied. Suddenly, she tensed at the weird look the other 9 ponies were giving her. Then it hit her.

Of course they would be looking at her funny... She was talking to a member of the lead squad, second in command, of the Wondebolts like a friend! She shook it off.

"Alright, recruits! We're here! There are 5 cabins here! You will be paired up with another pony of your gender, and you will take a room to share. Mares, line up, stallions, line up!" Soarin said, attracting the attention of all the recruits.

Dash shifted over to the handful of mares, and Soarin looked them all over.

"Alright! Cloud Ember, your with Lightning Tile! And Hibiscus Wings, your with Rainbow Dash! For stallions, Burning Cloud, your with Storm Fire, Swift Wings, your with Water Tag, and finally, Button Down, your with Epic Note!" Soarin said, as he paired up everypony. Dash turned to a light pink mare, with a mustard yellow mane. She had a wing blowing a few flowers for a cutie mark.

"Hi! I'm Hibiscus Wings! You must be Rainbow Dash! Nice to meet you!" Hibiscus said. Rainbow Dash instantly took a liking to her.

"You got that right! Dash is my name, flying's my game! Nice ta meet ya!" Dash said confidently. Hibiscus nodded firmly. Then, the other two mares, Cloud Ember and Lightning Tile, came up to the two.

"I'm Cloud Ember, and this is Lightning Tile!" Cloud Ember said. She was a pure white Pegasus, with a silver mane. Lighting Tile was a yellow Pegasus, with a pitch black mane.

"I saw you talking to Soarin back there!" Lighting said. Dash nodded. Lightning then moved her mouth right by Dash's ear.

"Hands off... He's mine." She said quietly, with a deadly whisper. Dash gulped.

Oh boy...

Chapter 4: Dinner

Disclaimer: I do not own My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies

Chapter Four: Dinner

After putting all her stuff in their required place, Rainbow Dash and Hibiscus Wings set off to the mess hall for dinner, using this time to chat.

"So! I saw you talking to Soarin over there..." Hibiscus said, determined to steer the conversation to her own interests. Dash chuckled.

"Well, yeah. Your eyes saw correctly. I was talking to him..." Dash said, trailing off at the end. Hibiscus raised an eyebrow.

"Is there anything going on between the two of you?" She asked her. Dash instantly did a double take.

"Are you kidding me? No way! We're just friends! We met when I saved him, Spitfire, and Misty Fly at the Best Young Flyer Competition a few years ago. We've met on and off a couple times after that... But that's it!" Dash said. Hibiscus nodded slowly.

"Oh... Well okay then. You saved him?" She asked curiously. Dash nodded.

"Yeah... My friend Rarity had fake wings on for a few days, and decided to enter the competition beside me. When she went up near the sun, her wings burned up, and evaporated. She started falling to her doom, and the Wonderbolts tried to save her. But they ended up getting kicked in the face by Rarity. I saw what was going on, and I flew as fast as I could to save them all. I ended up going so fast, I performed a sonic rainboom, and saved the four of them." Dash said, recalling the events of that day.

"Woah girl... That's pretty... Amazing!" Hibiscus said. Dash blushed modestly.

"Hehe... Thanks." She said, putting a hoof behind her head.

The two mares entered the mess hall together, and went to the line for food.

"What can I get you?" The lunch mare asked them, gesturing to the two options available. There was spaghetti, or a dandelion sandwich. Deciding she wanted something light, Dash ordered the sandwich. As did Hibiscus.

The two exited the line, each grabbing a single water bottle, and made their way to the tables.

They grabbed the nearest seat, which was at a table of four. The other two seats were already occupied by the other two mares with invitations. Cloud Ember, and Lightning Tile.

"Hey guys. What's up?" Ember greeted. Dash and Hibiscus nodded towards her.

"Well, nothing much, really." Hibiscus answered. Dash nodded.

"What she said." Dash said simply. Ember and Lightning nodded. Lightning looked over Dash's shoulder to the table where all the Wonderbolts were sitting, and slightly swooned in her seat.

"Isn't he gorgeous?" She asked. Ember rolled her eyes, and went back to her spaghetti. Hibiscus raised an eyebrow.

"Who?" She asked, clearly confused. Lightning scoffed.

"Soarin, of course! I guarantee you, by the end of this fiasco, he'll be mine!" She said, taking a spoonful of spaghetti into her mouth. Dash narrowed her eyebrows.

"Is that the only reason your here? To meet Wonderbolts?" She asked suspiciously. Lightning scoffed again.

"Of course! Why else would I waste my time here?" She replied snootily.

"Oh I don't know? Maybe to become a Wonderbolt?" Dash asked rhetorically. Lightning shook her head.

"Whatever. He will still be mine. Oh look! He's coming here!" Lightning said excitedly. Dash turned her head, and sure enough, Soarin was making his way to their table.

"Hi girls. You enjoying you time here so far?" He asked the four mares. Lightning instantly got up, and started smiling flirtatiously.

"I am now that you're here!" She said smoothly. Soarin opened his mouth to respond, but decided better of it.

"Anyway... Rainbow Dash, could I speak with you for a minute?" Soarin asked Dash. Dash looked up from her dinner with a confused look.

"Uh... Sure..." She replied uncertainly. Soarin smiled.

"Great. Follow me." Soarin said, as he lead Dash out of the room. Dash looked back at the three other mares.

"I'll meet you back in the cabins." She said, ignoring the death glares she was receiving from Lightning Tile. She got up, and went after Soarin.

Once the two were outside the mess hall, Soarin led Dash to a deserted hallway.

"So... What was that all about?" He asked her. Dash giggled uncharacteristically.

"Wow... She is so gullible. Lightning Tile thinks your hers." Rainbow Dash said, bursting into a fit of giggles at the end. Soarin looked at her curiously.

"Oh... Well, whatever. I'm not all that effected by that. I've encountered many fanfillies in my day..." Soarin said. This arose a question in Rainbow's mind.

"Just how old are you?" She asked him. Soarin chuckled.

"Well that's a nice question." He told her, still laughing to himself. Dash frowned.

"Sorry... I didn't mean it like that..." She said. Soarin smiled.

"Oh that's fine! I'm only nineteen." He said. Rainbow stared at him.

"What?" He asked her. She instantly snapped out of it.

"Oh! Sorry... It's just that I didn't expect you to be so young..." She said, trailing off at the end. Soarin couldn't help himself anymore. He burst out laughing uncontrollably.

"What happened?" She asked him curiously.

"Wow Dash... Your the gullible one. I'm actually twenty four..." He said, wiping a few tears from the laughter. He felt a hard jab in his gut. He rolled over in pain.

"You fool!" Dash said, punching him in the chest. She instantly tackled him to the ground.

The two engaged in some rough horseplay, only intending on good fun. They were laughing uncontrollably by the end of it.

"Your a hoot, Rainbow Dash." Soarin said, his cheeks red from all the laughing. Rainbow chuckled.

"Yeah yeah... I'm pretty awesome." Dash replied. Soarin smiled.

"Well, you should probably get going to the cabins. Spitfire would kill me if she found out I was out with a recruit after hours..." Soarin told her. Dash looked at the nearby clock that read midnight.

"Woah... It's pretty late. I should go. Night Soarin!" Rainbow said, as she started to make her way back to her cabins.

"Goodnight Dash. I'll see you tomorrow." He said, as he made his way to his own room.

Chapter 5: Flight

A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies

Chapter Five: Flight

The rainbow maned mare lay wide awake as she lay there on her bed. She was busy thinking. Thinking about a certain baby blue pegasus.

What's going on with me? She questioned herself. Am I going mad? I shouldn't be thinking about him this late at night!

Dash struggled to go to sleep. Twisting, and turning, trying her hardest to drift off. This was proving to be impossible. Finally, she decided to get up for a late night stroll.

As quiet as a mouse, she scurried about her room, and grabbed her water bottle. After gurgling down the entire contents, and made her way out of the room, being sure to close the gate as quietly as possible.

Dash smiled as the cool hallway air hit her. It was becoming pretty stuffy inside the small cabin room. She slowly started to trot down the hallway, heading for the back exit.

As she made her way through the compound, she sighed to herself. Tomorrow was the first day of training, and if she didn't get enough sleep, she would be totally out of it by the time she had to start flying.

She neared the exit, pushing the door open, and stepping out into the cool night. She breathed a sigh of sheer content, and spread her wings. She was feeling in the mood for a late night fight.

With one swift motion of her wings, she was off into the night. Leaving a faint rainbow trail behind her.

Dash did a few flips, and tricks in the air, before pushing her wings even more, determined on her goal. To prove to herself that she could do anything.

Dash pushed harder, and harder, until she finally broke through a thick cloud, making it burst with a faint pop. Dash sighed again, as her mind drifted back to Soarin.

She imagined him with her right now. Flying side by side in the night. She imagined everything with him. Why was she suddenly feeling a longing for him? Why was she feeling this way? Dash herself had no clue. But really wanted to find out.

"Boo!" Somepony said from above. Dash gasped, as she quickly threw a hoof at the pony above her. It hit the pony square in the jaw.

"Ow! Dash! What the hay was that for?" The pony asked her. Dash gasped again, her eyes going wide. Could it be? Was that...

"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry Soarin! Reflexes..." Dash said to the pale blue stallion in front of her.

"Well, with reflexes like those... You'll be in the Wonderbolt ranks in no time!" He told her. Dash smirked.

"No time, huh?" She asked slyly. They both stared at each other for a few seconds, before bursting out in laughter, their wings flaring behind them.

"What are you doing here anyway? It's WAY past curfew! Ya know... If I wanted, I could kick you out right here, and right now." Soarin told her, smirking to himself.

"HEY! Don't you dare!" Dash said, clearly angry. Soarin chuckled.

"Relax Dashie! Even I'm not that cold-hearted!" Soarin said, still smiling to himself. Dash looked up at him with huge eyes.

Did he just call her... Dashie? That was the nickname only her mother, and occasionally Pinkie Pie used!

"What did you just call me?" Dash asked quietly, barely above a whisper. Soarin could instantly see this bothered the mare, and quickly gasped.

"Oh god! I'm so sorry Rainbow! I won't call you that again!" Soarin said. Dash grinned goofily up at him again.

"No, no! That's fine! It's just that Dashie's a nickname only my mother and Pinkie Pie call me. It's kinda weird hearing it from a stallion." Dash told him. Soarin grinned.

"Well, I think we've both established that I'm not any ordinary stallion... I'm COMMANDER SOARIN SKIES!" Soarin belched. Dash burst out laughing once again. Soarin stared at her.

Dash looked at him curiously.

"What happened? Why are you staring at me like that?" She asked him. Soarin realized what he was doing, and quickly snapped out of it.

"Oh! Sorry 'bout that! It's nothing." He replied. Dash nodded uncertainly.

"Uhh... Wanna go for a fly?" She asked him, spreading her wings more with each flap she took. Soarin smiled.

"It's pretty late, Dashie." He told her. He saw her face turn instantly from a smile, to a slight frown. Soarin quickly put a hoof on her shoulder.

"But maybe we can go for a short flight... Who am I to follow rules?" He said, chuckling to himself. Rainbow's face instantly brightened up again, as she took his hoof, and dragged him upwards.

"Come on then! I don't want to waste a single moment!" She said, as she led them up into the cool night sky.

"Alright! Alright! I'm coming!" Soarin said, as he pumped his wings harder, which lifted him higher.

Dash giggled, as she Soarin started gaining on her.

"Oh no you don't!" She said, as she flew faster, making more distance between the two.

"Hey! I thought you wanted to fly WITH me!" Soarin yelled up at her, slowly inching his way towards her. Dash chuckled, and started to speed up.

"No! YOU'RE the one who wants to fly with me! All I asked for was a flight!" She said. Soarin narrowed his eyes.

"Oh it is SO on!" He said, acting like a little colt. He grinned, and pushed his hooves out, making a bee line straight for the rainbow maned mare. He quickly caught up with her.

Gently, he reached out his hands to her waist, and gave a hard push. She landed face first in a bundle of clouds. Dash popped her head out of the clouds, and glared at the baby blue stallion, who was busy laughing his head off.

"HEY! What was THAT for?" She asked him. Soarin wiped a few tears of laughter away from his eyes. He grinned, as he stared upon her.

"Just wanted to mess with ya! I can see your pretty easy to mess with!" Soarin teased. Dash glared harder.

"HEY!" She yelled once again. They stared into each other's eyes for a few minutes, before bursting out laughing. This time, the laughter didn't die down for a good five minutes. By the end of it, they were both panting for breath.

Dash yawned, and leaned back, landing onto the soft, cushiony cloud. She breathed a sigh of sheer content. Suddenly, there was a weight added to the cloud right beside her. Dash opened an eye, and saw Soarin laying beside her. She gave him a small smile, as she rested back. She yawned again.

"I'm beat. And way too lazy to go back inside. Would it be okay if I just lounged here for the night?" Dash asked Soarin. Soarin looked thoughtful, but shrugged, and nodded.

"I don't see why not... True, Spitfire might kill me... Scratch that... Spitfire WILL kill me, if she found out... But I'm too lazy as well. I'm gonna just sleep here. Your welcome to stay." Soarin replied. Dash nodded.

"Yeah... I think I will. Wake me up when training starts." She said, and slowly started drifting into the land of dreams.

"Night Dashie."

"G'night Soarin."

Chapter 7: Day One, Part 1

A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies

NOTE: This chapter is going to be a two parter, because I just feel like the story will make better progress if I make these little changes.

By: Crystal Heart

Chapter Seven: Day One, Part 1

"ALL RECRUITS PLEASE REPORT TO THE LOCKER ROOMS IN FIVE MINUTES!" Spitfire's voice was blared through the giant speakers all over the compound. Rainbow Dash instantly shut her ears tight, before she was sure the screaming was over. She cautiously removed her hooves from her ears.

Since Dash had left early, she had already arrived at the locker rooms. She looked around, as saw rows of empty lockers throughout the empty mare's room.  The door barged open, and a bunch of mares started flooding inside. Luckily, Dash had already reserved a seat for herself, and chuckled at the others, as they scrambled to find one.

Hibiscus Wing quickly hurried over to Dash, and sat down next to her. As soon as she did, she turned to the cyan pegasus.

"I saw you eating with the Wonderbolts! How the hay did you get to do that?" She asked her. Dash's eyes widened, as she looked around. All the mares were giving her curious looks.

"Did everypony see me?" She asked her light pink friend. Her only answer was a nod. Dash sighed, before continuing. "Well, me and Soarin both arrived late to breakfast, and the only available seats were at the Wonderbolt's table. Soarin insisted that I come along, so I did. End of story." She explained. Hibiscus raised her eyebrows, before slowly nodding.

"Alrighty then... I believe you." She said. Suddenly, a light yellow pegasus mare swooped down from above, and landed in front of the crowd. Dash, along with almost everypony else in the room, instantly recognized her as none other than Misty Fly.

"Welcome everypony! Today is the very first day of training! I am Misty Fly, member of the Wonderbolt Flight Squadron Three. And I am here to brief you on what you should be expecting for the next few months. Everyday, you will have training under one of the members of the elite four squads. Today, it will be me. Adding on, everyday we will be evaluating absolutely everything that you do. From flight skills, to teamwork and getting along with your fellow peers. Copy?" She paused to ask. Everypony nodded.

"Good. Right now, we will be taking your measurements for your training flight suits. Please make a single file line. Whichever ponies are in cabins 1-5, you may go to the front of the line. From there, line up by cabin number." She said. Dash realized she was talking about the ponies who got personally invited, and started making her way to the front of the line.

There were three unicorn tailors, who probably were using a cloud walking spell. Dash got in line with Hibiscus, and they waited for their turn.

Soon, Dash got called up, and she went over to the mare in the middle. She smiled, and the mare smiled back.

"Hello. Rainbow Dash, I presume? I am Shine. I am just going to be measuring you, and then making you a flight suit. Sound good?" Shine asked. Dash nodded calmly. But on the inside, she was screaming with joy. She had always dreamed of the moment when she got fitted for her very own Wonderbolt flight suit. She was over the roof! Or, rooftastic, as Pinkie Pie would put it.

Slowly, Shine measured her. Her wingspan, her height, everything. And started to jot down a few notes on a clipboard. She then concentrated on her magic, and started stitching a spandex flight suit for her. In about 15 minutes, the whole process was completed. Shine held up the suit for Dash's eyes.

"What do you think?" She asked her. Dash's jaw dropped. It was beautiful! It looked exactly like the other Wonderbolt suits, finished with gold goggles.

"It's amazing! Thank you!" Dash praised. Shine grinned.

"No problem. Now, go put it on over there, and then head outside for warm-ups." She said. Dash nodded, and went to put the suit on.

After she was safely tucked in, she headed outside. The cool air hitting her fur. Dash grinned, snapped her goggles on, and took flight, lapping all the other ponies in no time.

Soon, everypony had gotten fitted, and were outside warming up for the day. Misty came outside.

"Alright! Now give me fifty laps!" She yelled out. Everyone saluted her, and nodded.

"YES MA'AM!" They yelled, and started flying. The stallions all emerged from their locker room, and stared at the speed of all the mares. Soarin, who had been their locker instructor smirked.

"Now! I'm sure some of you were thinking that you could fly faster than all the mares in the world! Eh? Well let me tell you, you were all WRONG! Mares have a much more agile body than most stallions, but that doesn't make you any slower! You can beat them! Now go and show them what REAL stallions are like! Misty will take it from here! I'll be watching, though!" Soarin yelled to them. Dash grinned. She could tell he was extremely good at motivational speeches, because all the stallions smirked, and grinned.

"YES SIR!" They saluted, before flying off, and joining the mares in laps.

Once they were all finished, they came in for a landing. Misty Fly nodded in approval.

"Not bad... Not bad at all!" She said, clearly impressed. "But to prove that you are Wonderbolt material... You must do BETTER! Now, today's exercise is pretty simple. I am going to set a start, and finish line. All you have to do is fly it, a little like a race, except no opponent. You only get one shot at this, so try your best! Now, line up by cabin number, so we can get started." Misty said. Dash thought about the exercise.

It seemed simple enough. All she had to do was fly from one end of the track to the other. But, Rainbow suspected a little more to it, that Misty had still yet to reveal.

Chapter 8: Day One, Part 2

A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies

By: Crystal Heart

Chapter Eight: Day One, Part Two

Misty Fly looked through the many recruits, and grinned.

This looks like a very promising group! She thought to herself. She cleared her throat once, before turning towards them once again.

"Alright! Let's get started! I am going to be calling your names out by cabin number, and that pony who I call, will make their way to the start line! Any questions? No? I didn't think so. This is a pretty simple exercise." Misty said, ignoring the fifty hand which shot up from the large crowd.

"Alright then! Cloud Ember, you're up first!" She yelled. Cloud Ember gulped, as she flared her wings out, and flew to the starting point.

"Three... Two... One... GO!" Misty yelled. Ember shot off the instant the go signal was given.

Ember was a pretty decent flyer. She was going at a good, moderate speed, and it really looked like she would be able to cross the finish line in no time at all. But, Dash shook her head. There HAD to be more to this!

Anypony who was a fan of the Wonderbolts, knew that Misty Fly was best known for doing things when you would least expect it. Dash knew that there was a lot more to this simple fly around than what met the eye.

Suddenly, Misty gave a hoof gesture, and a lever was pulled.

Five rings shot out from nowhere, and of course, Ember lost her balance. She DEFINITELY didn't expect that!

She started to slowly fall towards the ground. Dash grimaced, as she saw her figure slowly descending in the distance. But, she spoke too soon! Ember flared out her wings, and re-controlled herself, shooting into the air once again, completing the course. Misty nodded in approval.

"Not too shabby! Especially considering that you were my first victim! Alright! Lightning Tile! You're up!" Misty said. Dash looked over at the white mare, as she confidently soared through the skies, and landed at the starting line. Dash was sure she would do just fine, as she had just seen what was about to come.

"Now, I'm sure you're all thinking Lightning has an advantage over Ember, because she knows what's about to come!" Misty told the crowd. Everypony nodded in unison. Even Soarin did! He was looking at Misty with a confused look.

"Well, you're all incorrect! For every run, there will be a different set of obstacles, coming at different times. This will not only make the course more challenging for you, it will also provide some sweet entertainment for the rest of us!" Misty said with a chuckle. Everypony started giggling.

"Now! Without further ado! Three... Two... One... GO!" Misty yelled towards Lightning. Lightning shot off at the speed of... Well, lightning! She was an incredibly fast flyer! But would this be an advantage?

Dash saw through the corner of her eye, that Misty had given the signal for the second lever to be pulled. And out of nowhere, giant clouds started to circle around her, making her extremely dizzy.

Nevertheless, Lightning managed to escape the clouds, and land on the finishing point, with a smug look. Misty raised an eyebrow.

"Well! That was a very impressive run! Good job!" Misty praised. Lightning flipped her mane.

"Why, thank you!" She said in a charming way. Dash raised her brow, before shrugging it off. Soarin flew up to them.

"Nice job, Lightning Tile! That was excellent!" He told Lightning. Lightning instantly started fan-girling, and twirling her hair with her hoof.

"Thanks, Sir! Hey... If you're free later, maybe we could go by the fire, and-" Lightning started, before Soarin cut her off. Not really wanting to know what she was about to say.

"Uhh... No thank you. As... nice as that sounds... I'm not really in the mood." Soarin said. Dash smirked, as he made his way back to his spot at the end of the track, and Lightning stared after him with wide eyes. She then started to quietly vent her herself. Dash, though, heard every word of it.

"He hangs out with Rainbow Crash all the time..." She mumbled. Dash quirked an eyebrow at that, before turning her attention back to Misty Fly, who was staring at where they were all standing.

"Alrighty then! Now that THAT'S over... Hibiscus Wings? It's your turn!" Misty called to the light pink mare besides Dash. She nodded, and flew to the starting point.

"Three... Two... One... GO!" Misty said, and she was off.

After Hibiscus completed her run, (Which was fairly good, might I add,) Dash knew she was up next. She mentally prepared herself for what was about to happen next, and the next five minutes after.

"Rainbow Dash? The starting line isn't going anywhere!" Misty called out to her impatiently. Dash shook her head, as she realized she had spaced out, and Misty had been calling her name for some time now...

"Hehe... Sorry 'bout that!" Dash said, as she lightly flapped her wings, making her way to the starting point.

"YOU CAN DO IT DASHIE!" Somepony called out to her. Dash smirked, and grinned as she recognized the voice to be Soarin's. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Lightning's face turn red with anger. She smirked again, and gave her a smug look, daring to tease her ever so gently.

"Three... Two... One... GO!" Misty said. Dash took off the mili-second after the signal was given from the Wonderbolt.

Dash flew fast, and furiously. She was doing great so far! Then, Misty gave the signal.

Ten rings popped out, rotating counter clockwise. Dash did some quick math, and started to loop her way through them.

Misty put her hoof above her eyes, to block out the sun, and kept looking at Dash. The operator though, took this as another signal, and pulled the fifth lever.

Out of nowhere, different flying disks started to get thrown at her. She tried dodging them, but it was proven impossible, since the rings were still rotating. One of the flying frisbee's punched her straight in the gut, and sent her flying out of the compound.

Now that she was outside the boundaries, she was suspended in mid air, hovering millions of feet above ground level. Dash, too scared to open her wings, started descending quickly down to the ground.

"DASHIE!" Was the last thing she heard, before everything blacked out.

Chapter 9: Saved

A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies

By: Crystal Heart

Chapter Nine: Saved

The only reason everything blacked out, was because Dash had closed her eyes! She had them held tightly shut, and didn't dare to look down. She knew the pegasus flight rules. If a pegasus is too scared, then their wings don't open. It's only when a pegasus is completely relaxed, they can flare out their wings.

But Rainbow Dash was far from relaxed. She was absolutely terrified! She was hurdling down a millions of miles per hour, with nopony there to save her!

"GOTCHA!" Somepony yelled, catching Dash in their embrace. The rainbow maned pegasus instantly felt relaxed, and sighed in relief.

The pony who caught her gently laid her down onto the soft grass below them. Dash slowly opened her eyes, in time to see Soarin's worried face looking down upon her.

"Oh god, Dashie! Are you alright?" He asked frantically. Dash groaned from the headache she was experiencing right now. She slowly chuckled.

"Lets see... I just got blasted by a flying disk right in the stomach, got sent at high speeds down towards the ground, am suffering from the most painful migraine ever... But yeah! I'm alright! How 'bout you?" She asked sarcastically. Soarin rolled his eyes at her attempt to lighten up the mood, before returning to his previously worried look.

"Dash! I'm serious! Are you okay?" He asked her once again. Dash thought about this, before nodding.

"Yeah... I think so..." She said, trailing off at the end. They were pretty far from the compound, and nopony was in sight. They were probably looking for them as they spoke.

"Dashie... You need a doctor!" Soarin said, expressing his concern. Dash chuckled.

"Nah... I told you already! I'm feeling absolutely fine! Just a few jabs of pain here and there... Nothing the awesome Rainbow Dash can't handle!" She said confidently. Soarin laughed again.

"Oh Dashie... You always know how to brighten up the mood!" He said playfully. He sighed, as he leaned in towards her temple.

Placing a soft, and light kiss on it, he slowly backed away.

"Come on... You really need to get checked out by the nurse." He said, picking the cyan blue pegasus up, and placing her on his back.

Rainbow, who had already turned a brilliant shade of scarlet from the kiss, turned even more red by the gesture.

"Hey! I think I can fly, you know!" She said defensively. Soarin looked back at her.

"I'm not taking that chance..." He said softly, before taking off into the air, making a bee line straight for the Wonderbolt Compound.

Once they arrived back at the track they were at prior to the fall, Dash groaned, catching his attention.

"What's the matter?" Soarin asked her. She looked up at him with a bright smile.

"Do you mind going to the finish line of the track?" She asked him. Soarin gave her a confused look, but carried her right before the finish line anyway. Dash slowly got up, and flared her wings out, wincing in the pain it caused her.

Slowly, she flapped her wings. All eyes of the Wonderbolts, and recruits were on her. She was lifted from the ground, her stomach being stabbed by awful pain. But she ignored it.

Slowly, she crossed the finish line, before collapsing once again.

"I... Finished the course!" She said, before grumbling. Soarin looked at her in shock. All that... And she still wanted to complete the course? Even if it meant all the incredible pain that came with it? He glanced over to Misty Fly, who had the exact same look on her face. Everypony was speechless.

Soarin quickly knelt down beside her once again.

"Wow, Dashie... That's impressive!" He told her. Dash opened an eye, and looked up at him.

"What's impressive?" She asked him. Soarin just stared at her.

"Even after all that pain... You still completed the course? THAT's impressive!" He praised. Dash blushed a little.

"Well, thanks a lot, Soar." She replied, grinning. Soarin grinned at the nickname. She slowly started to get up, right before he quickly held her down.

"Dashie! You'll get hurt again!" He told her. Dash rolled her eyes.

"Relax, Soarin! I'm fine! Just take me to the nurse. And, help me pack up my bags? I'm probably leaving." She said, grumbling to herself. Soarin's eyes widened.

"What the hay, Dashie? Where did that come from?" He asked her incredulously. Dash looked up at him with a sad look.

"Well, only the top 100 recruits get to stay, right? Well, after that major flop, I'm pretty sure I'm NOT one of the lucky hundred." She told him. Soarin rolled his eyes.

"I really doubt that." He said simply. Dash looked up at him unbelievingly.

"And why do you say that?" She challenged. Soarin chuckled again.

"Because, you just showed your incredible will power." He told her. Dash thought about it, before smiling goofily.

"Oh... Right. I guess I did do that... Didn't I? Oh... Alright! I'll stay... But just until they've announced who's staying. Don't be surprised if it isn't me." She told him. Soarin rolled his eyes again, before sticking out a hoof.

"Deal." He said. Dash smiled, and hoofbumped him. But this wasn't enough for Soarin. Because right at that moment, he forgot about everyone else there, and just embraced the cyan mare, in a tight hug.

Dash squeaked in surprise, at the sudden gesture, but giggled, and wrapped her hooves around him in return. Everypony around them erupted into applause. Well... Everypony except Lightning Tile. She threw her hooves up in rage, and stormed out.

After a good five minutes, they let go of each other. Soarin looked down at Dash with a comforting look.

"Come on... Let's go see the nurse."

Chapter 10: Laid Back

A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies

By: Crystal Heart

Chapter Ten: Laid Back

After their little trip to the compound doctor, Soarin and Dash made their way to the front of the compound, where the ponies who would be staying would be announced.

"So... You nervous?" Soarin asked Dash, who was slightly humming, as she walked side by side with him. Dash looked up at him, and raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah right! Rainbow Dash does not simply get 'nervous!' It's considered a weakness!" Dash said defensively. Soarin rolled his eyes.

"Come on, Dashie! You can admit it! You're pretty nervous..." Soarin said, trying to pry out information from her. Dash just shook her head.

"Trust me Soarin... When I'M nervous... You'll know... And besides! Why would I be nervous? I already know that I didn't make it through!" Dash said sadly. Soarin just draped a wing over her.

"Oh please! You're one of the best flyers I know!" He said lovingly. Wait... Lovingly?

"Uh... Thanks... But, Soarin? Why are you acting like this?" Dash asked him slowly. Soarin looked down at her with a confused look.

"What are you talking about?" He asked her. Dash kept looking at him.

"Why are you suddenly hanging out with me more... And complimenting me all the time? Don't you have other Wonderbolt friends?" She asked him. Soarin instantly backed away.

"Why? Is it too much? I can stop if you want!" He said frantically. Dash quickly shook her head.

"Oh! No, Soarin! It's fine! It just feels... I don't know... 20% cooler?" She said uncertainly. Soarin looked at her with a goofy grin, and nodded.

"Well, when your hanging with THE Soarin' Skies... It's kinda hard NOT to feel like that!" Soarin said. Dash giggled, and lightly punched him on the shoulder.

The two now stood in front of the large podium, where Spitifre was currently standing, scanning a piece of paper.

She looked around, and saw everyone already gathered around. She cleared her throat.

"We are here to announce the ponies who are staying with us today! But, before we do so, I just wanted to let you know you will have the weekend off. So go ahead and have some fun! Just be back by 8:00pm everynight." She said. This instantly caused an uproar from the crowd.

Two days off? This was amazing! The Wonderbolts usually never got days off! Rarely even one! But to get TWO? That was something!

Soarin turned to Dash, and grinned.

"So! How are you feeling about a late night flight tonight?" He asked her. Dash nodded.

"That sounds great, Soarin!" She told him. Spitfire cleared her throat again, catching everypony's attention once again.

"Alright! Now the ponies who are staying with us!" She announced. Dash perked her ears up.

Slowly, one by one, names were being read off the list. Everypony from the selected ponies stayed, along with 90 others. Dash screamed in joy.

"Awesome!" She said, hoof bumping her friends. Soarin turned to her once again.

"Great job, Dashie!" He congratulated her. Dash grinned, and hugged Soarin tightly.

"Thanks, Soarin!" She said, before quickly kissing him on the cheek, and turning to her other friends. Soarin blushed, and covered the spot Dash had kissed him on with his hoof. He slowly shook his head, and walked away.

Rainbow Dash walked through the cool compound. It was about 9:00pm, and she was looking for Soarin.

"Where the hay is the goofball?" She quietly questioned herself. There was a swift pickup of wind beside her, and she turned to see Soarin standing beside her, grinning.

"Hey, Dashie! Ready for the fly?" He asked her. Dash raised an eyebrow, but nodded.

She slowly started to flap her wings, as the two accended out of the compound, and into the night.

Soarin turned to the rainbow maned mare, who was busy humming to the soft tune of the wind .

"So... How's life?" He asked casually. Dash looked at him, and raised an eyebrow.

"Uh... It's fun! I'm working my way to earning the elite spot on the Wonderbolt team!" She said. Soarin chuckled, and nodded. Dash, though, kept thinking about why he was hanging out with her.

"Hey Soarin?" She started.

"Mmhmm?" He replied. Dash took a deep breath.

"You never really answered me back there... On why you suddenly want to be with me all of a sudden?" She told him, slightly questioning him, and herself, at the end.

Soarin slightly blushed, but quickly turned away before Dash could see it.

"Well... It's because... To be honest... I've always kinda looked up to you, Dashie..." He said uncertainly. Dash raised both her eyebrows.

"What?" She asked him simply, clearly confused.

"You're just so... Brave, loyal, tough.... And undoubtedly an awesome flyer..." He said, before giggling. "You even have incredible timing... You've saved my life, and my pie's life!" He said. Dash grinned, as they landed on a cloud.

"Now comes the time when I have to decide whether to be modest or not..." She said quietly. Soarin burst out laughing.

"Oh Dash... You're a hoot!" He said, wiping some tears of laughter from his eyes.

It was then when Dash leaned forward, and planted a long, soft kiss on Soarin's lips.

Soarin's voice instantly hitched up, but relaxed after he realized what was happening. He slowly draped a hoof around Dash's neck, and pulled her closer, deepening the kiss.

The two remained like that for a few more minutes, before Dash slowly pulled away, her eyes still closed. They both slowly opened their eyes at the exact same moment, and started gazing into the other's.

Dash snuggled up beside him, resting her head on his chest, as he draped one wing around her, pulling her even closer, and rested his head on her soft mane.

No words were exchanged, no more gestures were made.

The two Pegasi simply laid there, on the cloud, as they slowly drifted to sleep in each other's embrace.

Chapter 11: Secrets

A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies

By: Crystal Heart

Chapter Eleven: Secrets

Soarin stirred in his sleep, as he slowly drifted back from the realm of dreams. He opened his eyes, and instantly started to question his surroundings.

Where am I? He asked himself.

It was then when he noticed somepony laying beside him, softly snoring. He looked down, to see Rainbow Dash, with her head in his chest, and his wing around her back.

Slowly, memories of the prior day started to flood in. Soarin tenderly smiled at the rainbow maned mare, as he laid his head back onto her mane.

Oh, Dashie... He quietly thought to himself, sighing in sheer content. Rainbow Dash slowly started to stir, before finally waking up, going through the same procedure Soarin did when he woke up.

She silently gasped to herself, as she realized what had happened the night before. She glanced up to Soarin, who was softly smiling down at her, with a strange look.

"Uh... Soarin?" She asked slowly. Soarin shook his head, and nodded towards the cyan mare.

"Yes, Dashie?" He asked her quietly. Dash quickly looked down, instantly fearing what he would think of her, after yesterday.

"I'm... Sorry..." She said slowly, trailing off near the end. Soarin gave her a confusing look.

"What ever for, Dash?" He asked her, clearly trying to figure out what she was talking about. Dash looked down again.

"I didn't mean to... Spring myself on you like that..." She said sheepishly. Soarin just chuckled, and draped his wing around her tighter.

"I'm glad you did... It was getting kind of hard to keep all those feelings bottled inside me for so long..." He told her. Dash looked up at him incredulously.

"What do you mean?" She asked him. Soarin sighed.

"Pause for dramatic effect..." He said, earning a giggle from Dash. He smiled, and continued.

"Rainbow... I've kind of liked you for a while now..." He said. Dash's eyes widened.

"Really?" She asked in surprise. Soarin nodded sheepishly.

"Yeah..." He said. "It's okay if you don't return the feelings... I get it." He told her. Dash smirked.

She took her hoof, and pushed Soarin's face up to look at her.

"Would I do this, if I didn't like you?" She asked him, leaning in.

She slowly captured his lips in another passionate kiss. Soarin was taken by surprise, but returned the kiss anyway. He smiled beneath it, before pulling away. Dash smiled up at him, before looking down again.

"Look, Soarin. I like you too... A lot... But I don't really want anypony to know about it..." She said slowly. "It's just that... All throughout my life... I've always been the one who was too busy to care for stallions... I told everypony that the day I got one... Would be the day Princess Celestia died of old age... I just don't know how everypony would take it..." She told him. Soarin looked down at her, and nodded.

"Yeah... And I can't really be in a relationship with you..." He said. Dash whipped her face up, and stared at him with a horrifying expression. Soarin frowned, at looked down, away from the mare.

"You see... There's this rule with the Wonderbolts... I can't date anypony, because it might prove to be a distraction. If I do... I'll get kicked out of the Wonderbolts! You heard it yourself from Spitfire yesterday!" Soarin told her. Dash looked down, clearly saddened by the news. Soarin saw this, and reached his hoof to her chin, lifting her face up to look at him. He have her a tender smile.

"But I'll do it anyway... I want to pursue a relationship with you... So we can have one... It just needs to be a secret." He told her, in a voice barely above a whisper. Dash gave him a shocked look.

"What? Soarin! You can't risk your career for me!" She said, in an unbelieving tone. Soarin just smiled down upon her.

"But I want to take that chance... You're probably the best thing that's ever happened to me, Rainbow Dash..." He said. Now Dash knew he was being serious, because he called her by her real name... Not Dashie.

"Are you sure about this, Soarin? I don't want to be the cause of your downfall!" She persisted. Soarin sighed, and nodded.

"Yes, Rainbow. I am completely, one-hundred percent sure." He said. Dash took a deep breath, but nodded.

"Alright." She finally agreed. Soarin smiled, and pulled her into a tight embrace.

The two ponies held on to each other like their life depended on it. They were really happy to finally be with each other, but they both knew it came at a price. Soarin then spoke into her fur.

"We should get going... Ponies will be wondering where we are..." He told her. Dash nodded, and let go of him.

"Yeah..." She said, as they both took off, and went back inside the compound.

"What do you want to do today, Dashie?" Soarin asked his marefriend, who was flying beside him. Dash thought about this, before shrugging.

"Eh... Doesn't really matter to me... I just want to spend some time with you..." She said. Soarin chuckled, and nodded.

"I was thinking the same thing. So how 'bout we just relax in the compound together? We have two days off!" He said. Dash smiled, and nodded, before frowning. Soarin saw this, and looked at the mare with a concerned look.

"What's the matter, Dashie?" He asked her. Dash looked up at him, with guilty eyes.

"It's just that... Before I came here... I promised my Dad I wouldn't get a coltfriend... Now look at me..." She said. Soarin raised an eyebrow.

"Why would he tell you that?" He asked her. Dash looked up at him with a comical smile.

"He's very overprotective of me... So try to save your life when you first meet him..." She told him. Soarin gulped.

"Oh no... Let's do me a favor... And wait as much time as possible before I meet your parents..." He told her, giving a foalish smile. Dash burst out laughing.

"Hey! Those are my parents you're talking about! But, yeah... You're right..." She said. Soarin grinned.

"Glad I could get you to smile..." He said. Dash realized what he had done, and gave him a hug.

"Thanks... I needed that..." She told his shoulder. Soarin smiled softly at her, as she let go of him.

"Hey Dashie?" He asked her. Dash looked up at him.

"Yeah, Soar?" She asked him, using her nickname for him. He smiled.

"I'm really glad you're my marefriend..." He said lovingly. Dash blushed.

"And I'm glad you're my coltfriend." She said simply, closing her eyes, and leaning in to kiss him.

Unknowing to both of them, Spitfire was walking down the same hallway they were in, stopping dead in her tracks, as she saw the sight in front of her.

Chapter 12: I Love You

A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies

By: Crystal Heart

Chapter Twelve: I Love You

Rainbow Dash slowly pulled herself away from Soarin, and they both gazed into each others eyes.

"I love you, Soarin..." She said softly. Soarin's eyes widened.

"You... You do?" He asked uncertainly. Dash nodded. Soarin blushed profusely.

"Well... I love you too, Dashie... More than anything in the world..." He said lovingly. Now it was Dash's turn to blush... Nopony had ever told her that before!

Suddenly, someone behind them cleared their throat. Dash and Soarin both jumped in surprise, before they quickly turned to see who it was.

The minute they saw who had cleared their throat, they gasped. It was Spitfire! She had just seen the entire intimate moment they had shared! Soarin leaned over to Dash's ear.

"Well, we had a good few hours..." He said. Dash raised an eyebrow at him. Spitfire started turning red with anger.

"What is going on here?" She asked, in a strangely calm tone. Dash and Soarin looked at each other with wide eyes.

"Uh... Nothing?" Soarin said, turning his statement into a question. Spitfire furrowed her eyebrows.

"Nothing? Really? Because I was just walking down the hallway, when I saw you and Rainbow Dash kissing! Then, I heard you confessing your love for each other! So, god save me, WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY NOTHING?" Spitfire asked angrily. Dash gulped, as she tried to speak up.

"Uh... We were... Trying to display our friendship in a new way?" She told her uncertainly. Spitfire's expression remained, as she shook her head in a disapproving fashion.

"Would somepony PLEASE explain to me what is going on?" She asked to space. Soarin and Dash both looked down in guilt, something which Spitfire clearly saw. Soarin cleared his throat.

"Um... Well, last night... Some... Stuff! Yeah! Stuff! Stuff happened! And... We may or may not be a couple right about now?" Soarin said, trailing off at the end. Spitfire gasped.

"WHAT?! SOARIN! YOU KNOW THE RULES!" She blared. Soarin gulped again, Dash looked down, ashamed by the guilt.

"Sorry, Spitfire... I thought we could keep the relationship a secret... Turns out kissing in the compound isn't the best way to do that..." Soarin said, receiving a punch in the gut by a certain cyan coated mare.

"What the hay, Soarin?" She asked in disbelief. Spitfire just sighed, and shook her head.

"I'm afraid rules are rules... Soarin, I have no other choice but to kick you out of the Wonderbolts..." She said sorrowfully. Dash jumped.

"NO! Please, Spitfire! Isn't there anything you can do?" She pleaded. Spitfire shook her head.

"I'm afraid not... It clearly states so in the Wonderbolt's Handbook." She said. Dash thought about this for a while.

"Uh... Do you mind if I take a look at where it says that?" She asked her. Spitfire raised an eyebrow, but nodded slowly.

"I don't see why not... Follow me, you two." She said, starting to make her way to her office. Dash and Soarin quickly followed behind.

Rainbow Dash looked over at Soarin, instantly noting his glum look. She leaned over to him.

"Don't worry, Soar! Everything is going to be just fine!" She whispered over to him. They didn't notice, but Spitfire's ears perked up. She had incredible hearing abilities, even though she was many feet away from them.

Soarin looked over to his marefriend, and gave a soft sigh. He looked at Dash's hoof, and took it in his own.

"Dashie... I have spent my entire life dreaming to become a Wonderbolt! What if everything DOESN'T turn out to be fine? What if I end up losing my work line?" He whispered, expressing his concerns. Dash gave him a sympathetic smile.

"It's okay, Soarin. We can work this out..." She replied softly, planting a light kiss onto his cheek. Soarin smiled down at her, and gave her a quick hug, before returning to his previous position.

From ahead, Spitfire smiled softly. They really did make the perfect couple. It would be a shame to lose Soarin from the team. He had been her oldest, and best friend.

They soon arrived at Spitfire's office. Dash and Soarin entered just in time to see Spitfire rummaging through her drawers, and pulling out a thick book. She handed it over to Dash.

"Here. Page 739, section four." She told her. Dash took the book, and nodded, turning to the page.

The very first sentence of the section, stated; "Wonderbolts may not be involved in any sort of romantic relationship, if it proves to be a distraction." Dash frowned.

She read over the sentence, grimacing multiple times, before lighting up. Spitfire raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"What happened?" She asked. Dash grinned, and pointed to the word 'if.'

"IF! IF! IF! IF IT PROVES TO BE A DISTRACTION! IF!" She exclaimed happily. Spitfire's expression remained.

"What about it?" She asked in confusion. Dash rolled her eyes.

"It says IF! If I DON'T prove to be a distraction, then Soarin can stay with the Wonderbolts!" She exclaimed. Spitfire thought this over, before slowly nodding.

"Well, I guess... But remember whats at stake here! I really don't want to kick any of you out... And that's the LAST resort! If this turns out to be a distraction, I'm going to either have to split you two up, OR have Soarin leave the Wonderbolts, and you leave tryouts." Spitfire explained. Dash and Soarin looked at each other, and smiled happily.

"Thank you, Spitfire!" They both told her gratefully. Spitfire just nodded, and shook her hoof.

"Yeah yeah... Now go and enjoy your first day off!" She said. Dash and Soarin both nodded, and headed to the door, just to be stopped by Spitfire again.

"Oh! One more thing! This whole thing MUST be kept a secret! From the team, and the rest of the recruits. If the recruits find out, no doubt they would start assuming Rainbow Dash would have an advantage, OR that she was using him to get to the top." She explained. Rainbow and Soarin nodded. Spitfire then started to glare at Dash for some reason.

"You... Aren't... Right?" She asked her. Rainbow instantly shook her head.

"No way! Even I'M not that cold-hearted!" She replied. Soarin smiled. Spitfire did as well.

"Alright. That is all. Dismissed." She said, and wen't back to looking over the posters for their upcoming show. Dash and Soarin looked at each other, and then both walked out of the office together.

Once they were safely out, Soarin turned to Dash, and embraced her in a long, tight hug.

"DASHIE! You did it! Thank you SO much!" He said, spinning her around. Rainbow giggled.

"No problem, Soarin! I always stay loyal to my friends! They don't call me the Element of Loyalty for nothing!" She boated. Soarin chuckled, and nodded, before hugging her once again.

"Dashie... How could I ever repay you?" He asked her back. Dash sighed, and let go of him.

"Well, there is ONE way... How 'bout we don't show any public affection? We don't wanna get caught! Again..." She said, adding the last part later. Soarin instantly nodded.

"Of course! That includes now! Wanna hang out in my room?" He asked her. Dash nodded.

"Yeah, sure!" She replied. Soarin nodded, and the two headed to his room.

Chapter 13: Day Two

A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies

By: Crystal Heart

Chapter Thirteen: Day Two

Two days later, Rainbow Dash was in the mare's locker room, getting ready for the second day of training. Spitfire hadn't announced who would be taking over for the day, but she did say three elite Wonderbolts would be coming to watch the practice as well!

Everypony was ecstatic. Although Dash had already met all the elite 'Bolts, she was still super excited! I mean, who wouldn't be?

Nopony. Exactly.

Anyway, once Rainbow had pulled her flight suit on, she stretched her wings out, and then took to the air, her rainbow trail following shortly after.

Dash did many different tricks, and spins, before spotting Rapidfire coming out of the locker rooms with Spitfire. Spitfire signaled all the recruits to come down to cloud level, and then turned to Rapidfire.

"You sure you got this? You won't be too busy looking at the mares?" She asked him. Rapidfire just shrugged, and rolled his eyes.

"Oh relax, Spitty! We'll be fine! We're all one big happy group, right?" Rapid said, putting on a cheesy grin. Spitfire sighed, and turned to the large group in front of them.

"Alright, recruits! Today's training will be led by Rapidfire! There will be three other Wonderbolts here, just to make sure you're all... Safe..." Spitfire said, hesitating at the end. Rapid just rolled his eyes again. Then, three other elite Wonderbolts stepped out.

They were Lightning Streak, Soarin, and Wave Chill. Spitfire beckoned them over.

"Wave Chill, Lightning Streak, and Soarin will be overlooking the practice today. Now, I am going to leave you all with Rapidfire. Good luck, everypony. I'm sure this won't cause a... distraction..." Spitfire said, glancing at Rainbow Dash when she said the last word. Dash gulped, and silently nodded towards the captain.

Spitfire gave a nod of approval, before flying out of the training grounds. Rapid turned to the recruits, and eyed them.

"Alright! Today's exercise will be simple teamwork skills. I'm going to split you into groups, and you're going to be completing a few courses. Sound good?" He asked, looking a few mares over, who in return grimaced.

The rest of the recruits nodded. Rapid looked back at them, and nodded. Suddenly, he spotted Rainbow Dash, and smirked. Dash raised an eyebrow, and simply dismissed it.

Slowly, Rapidfire started naming ponies. Dash was placed in a group with Burning Cloud, Hibiscus Wings, and Cloud Ember. She met up with them, snapped her goggles on, and took to the air, flashing Soarin a wink when nopony was looking. He grinned up at her, before returning to his stationary position.

"Alright! Go through course four, everypony!" Rapidfire yelled. Dash and her team nodded, and started to weave through the obstacles.

Once they completed the course, they came in for a smooth landing. Dash grinned at her teammates, and gave them all a wingslap.

"Nice job, everypony!" She told them. Her friends all smiled, and nodded, returning the gesture. Dash nodded, and glanced at everypony else, who was going into the mess hall for lunch.

"I'm gonna stay back here, and do a few laps, 'kay?" She told them. They all looked confused, but nodded.

"Yeah, sure, Rainbow Dash!" Burning Cloud told her, leading the other two inside the mess hall. Dash crouched down, and took into the air. Rapidfire shortly following.

"Hey, Rainbow Dash, right?" He asked her. Dash turned to him, and nodded.

"Yeah... What can I do for you?" She asked him, clearly confused, making a sharp turn right. Rapid had no trouble in keeping up.

"It's more of what I can do for you..." He said, flashing her a cheesy smirk. Dash's eyes widened. She glanced below her, and saw Soarin looking up at them curiously.

"Uh..." She said, trying to find the right words. Rapid lifted a hoof, and put it to her mouth.

"Shh... No words... Actions speak for themselves..." He said smoothly, leaning in with his eyes closed, puckering his lips up. Dash saw what he was about to do, and ducked down, avoiding the poorly planned kiss.

"Sorry, I'm taken." She said flatly, once his eyes were opened again. She glanced down below again, and saw Soarin with a fire red face. He looked like he wanted to kill somepony right then and there. Probably Rapidfire. He started to fly up to them angrily.

Rapidfire looked at the rainbow maned mare with a raised eyebrow. "Oh? Who's the lucky stallion? I'm sure I'm better than him!" He asked her, hoping to bribe her into breaking up with him. Dash's eyes narrowed.

"You'll never even come CLOSE to him! He's the most amazing stallion ever! Now get out of my face..." She said, pushing Rapid aside, and flying towards the mess hall. Rapidifre stared after her in shock. This was a first! Usually, whenever he hit on a mare, the mare was too overjoyed that a Wonderbolt ever even noticed her! But Dash was different.

Rapidfire may have been clumsy, but he wasn't dumb. He knew what a big fan of the Wonderbolts Dash really was... She should have jumped on him! Unless she was already dating a Wonderbolt...

But that was impossible! Wonderbolt's weren't even aloud to date! It made no sense...

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a hard punch was thrown at Rapid. Fortunately, he saw it coming, and smoothly ducked underneath it. He turned to the sender angrily.

"What gives, Soarin?" He asked in shock. Soarin glared at him, hard.

"What was that about?" He asked in a strangely calm tone of voice. Rapidfire raised an eyebrow.

"That Rainbow mare is hot, right?" He asked, thinking about Dash. Soarin's glare intensified, as he aimed another punch. Deciding he was being a little too obvious about his relationship with Rainbow, he went on a different path.

"Can't you think of ANYTHING besides mares?" He asked him. "You were supposed to be TRAINING them! Not ADMIRING them!" He said in disgust. Rapid rolled his eyes.

"Whatever. I think you're just jealous." He said in a taunting way. Soarin raised an eyebrow.

"How so?" He asked suspiciously. Rapidfire smirked.

"It's just that... You can't stand that Rainbow Dash has the hots for me, can you? The only reason she ducked my kiss, was because she saw you coming over. She wanted it to be private..." He lied. Soarin's eyes furrowed. Was that true?

Was that the reason she left, just as Soarin was coming over? What was going on?

"Just go away." He told the orange stallion. Rapidfire smirked, and flapped his wings harder, taking off, and heading to eat inside the mess hall. Soarin shook his head, and followed him, hoping to get some answers from Dash later.

Chapter 14: Answers

A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies

By: Crystal Heart

Chapter Fourteen: Answers

Soarin entered the mess hall, the same time Rainbow Dash got up to throw away her plate, which was previously filled with salad. She saw Soarin, and smiled at him, which he had no problem returning. He slinked his way towards her.

"What's up, Dashie?" He asked her nonchalantly. Dash smiled up at him.

"Oh, you know! The usual!" She said, throwing her plate out. Soarin nodded, before beckoning her over to the hallway. Dash looked around, and saw everypony was too busy eating to be paying any attention to her.

She nodded, and followed Soarin out into the hallway, not being seen by anypony, beside Spitfire, who didn't take it to heart. She merrily dismissed it, with a shrug of her shoulders.

Once Soarin and Dash were safely away from the view of others, Dash instantly pulled Soarin into a kiss.

"You have no idea how much I wanted to do that throughout practice today!" She exclaimed, as she pulled away, a little confused at why Soarin was resisting slightly. Soarin raised an eyebrow.

"Well, you're going to do it to Rapidfire after this, right? So I suggest you stop wasting your time with me, and just going to the stallion who you obviously care more about!" Soarin said harshly. Dash gave him a look, clearly confused on why he suddenly turned so sour.

"What?" She asked him. Soarin rolled his eyes, and turned away.

"Just forget I said anything." He said, spreading his wing out, getting ready to take off. Dash put her hoof on him, stopping him in his tracks.

"What?" He asked her. Dash gave him another look.

"What the hell did Rapidfire tell you?" She asked him. Soarin sighed, and looked down at the rainbow maned mare.

"He told me... That the only reason you ducked his kiss was because you saw me coming... And you wanted it to be private..." He told her softly. Dash gasped, and instantly backed away.

"When I get that jerk..." She mumbled underneath her breath. She turned to look back up at Soarin.

"Soar... Why would you ever think I would do that to you?" She asked him quietly. "Do you just not trust me enough?" She asked, her voice hitching up. Soarin saw what he had done, and instantly shook his head.

"No! Dashie, of course I don't!" He told her, putting his hoof on her shoulder. Rainbow jerked away, tears threatening to fall from her eyes. Soarin internally groaned at his stupidity.

Stupid, Soarin! Why the heck would you doubt her like that? He thought to himself. He gave her a soft smile.

"Dashie... Of course I trust you..." He told her, his voice barely above a whisper. Dash looked up at him with tear filled eyes, before spreading her hooves out, and flailing into Soarin. She silently cried into his chest, while he softly stroked her mane.

"Shh... It's okay..." He said, trying to comfort her. She groaned, as she wiped some of her tears away.

"Why am I taking this so seriously? It's not a big deal... Rapidfire was just being a stupid jerk..." She mumbled to herself. Soarin looked at her, and lifted her chin up with his hoof.

"Maybe there's more to this?" He asked her. Dash looked down with a glum expression. Soarin gave her a soft smile. Dash sighed.

"You're right... There's something I need to tell you... Why I am a little sensitive... Even for the stupidest of things..." She told her coltfriend. Soarin smiled, and nodded.

"Of course! Anything! Go ahead!" He encouraged. Dash took a deep breath, as she started to tell Soarin her little story.

"You see... When I was much younger, there was this colt. His name was Hoops. He had this dare, to ask the toughest girl at flight school out on a date. That was me, of course.

He did ask me, and I was extremely confused. Of course, I didn't know about the dare, so I went to talk to my parents about it, without giving him an answer.

My mom thought it was finally time to be taking an interest into colts, as she thought I might be a single mare forever, so she was all for it! My dad though... He had a different side of things. Of course, he's always been overprotective of me... But when he heard somepony asked me out! Wow... You should've seen him...

After much persuading, my mom finally made him agree on letting me date this guy. So, I went back a week later, and told Hoops the news. He was very nonchalant about the whole thing, and that confused me! But, nevertheless, he took me to a restaurant a few days later.

After that very awkward dinner, I really felt like he was the one! HEY! Don't judge! I was fifteen! Anyway... After the dinner, Hoops met me in the back alleyway of the restaurant, where he told me that it was all just a dare, and he really hated me to the core.

Then, he just left! Didn't say anything else... He just left. And I was heartbroken! I went back home in tears, where my mother comforted me, and my father... Don't even get me started. He was so angry at what Hoops did to me! Oh god... I had nightmares about what he did for a year after that!

That's when he started being so majorly overprotective of me... I mean, he was before! But this is just extreme! You don't even want to know what he did!

That's why I don't trust ponies easily... But, you Soarin... You're something else! You're probably the best thing that's ever happened to me! So when I heard about you almost mistrusting me... I couldn't take it! I just couldn't! I'm really sorry, Soarin! I shouldn't have been so sensitive about it... I was horrible!" Rainbow Dash said, finishing up her tale. Soarin was shocked. Had Dash really gone through all of that?

Well, one thing was for sure. He REALLY didn't want to meet Rainbow Blaze anytime soon... Did Dash have any older brothers? He heard that those could be overprotective as well!

"Wow, Dashie... I'm so sorry you had to got through all of that!" Soarin told his marefriend. Dash looked up at him with a smile.

"I really thought I had gotten over it... But turns out I hadn't! Ever since that day... Hoops has been one of the biggest bullies I have ever encountered! He calls me, 'Rainbow Crash', with his best friend Dumb-Bell... I hate those two colts... Absolutely hate them..." Dash told Soarin. Soarin nodded.

"I would too! Those two sound horrible!" He told her. Dash nodded.

"Oh! They are! They're possibly, THE. WORST. POSSIBLE. THING! Haha... Got that one from Rarity!" She said to Soarin, who wore a confused look.

Soarin sighed, and pulled Dash closer to him, as the two snuggled together in the middle of the deserted hallway.

He gently kissed her forehead.

"Don't worry, Dashie. I'm never letting you go."

Chapter 15: Surprise!

A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies

By: Crystal Heart

Chapter Fifteen: Surprise!

"Hey Dad!" Rainbow Dash said, picking up the magical wall phone from the east wing of the compound. The Wonderbolts were able to afford one, but only one. So they made a separate room just for the phone.

"Hey, Rainbow! How's training going so far?" Rainbow Blaze asked his daughter. Dash smiled.

"It's going great! So far, I've had a day with Misty Fly, and one with Rapidfire!" She said. Blaze made a sound of approval.

"Hmm... I'm looking forward for you to tell me how Soarin's lesson went... He's always been one of my personal favorite Wonderbolts..." Blaze mused. Dash grinned. So her father already liked Soarin?

"Yeah... I'll tell you about it!" She said, not trying to show her enthusiasm.

"Say... Have you met him yet?" Blaze asked curiously. Dash gulped.

"Uh... Yeah! I've... Hung out with him... We've known each other for the past few years!" Dash exclaimed.

"Oh! Well, that sounds fun! You must tell me all about it later!"  Blaze told his daughter. Dash smiled.

"Yeah! I will!" She replied. She could visualize her father nodding his head in approval.

"Good. Well, your mothers calling me! Spectrum said hi! Bye now, Rainbow!" Blaze said, before hanging up the phone. Dash smiled, as she put her end away.

Spectrum Dash was her older brother. He had gotten married a few years ago, and had moved to the Crystal Empire with his wife. It was sad to see him leave, but Dash respected his decision completely.

Dash happily trotted out of the small room, and made her way through the compound, with no destination set in mind.

But a pink pegasus caught her eye.

"Mom?!" She asked in disbelief. Firefly turned her head, and stared into her daughter's eyes, before grinning, and running up to her.

"Dashie!" She exclaimed, hugging her tightly. Dash grinned.

"What are you doing here?" She asked her. Firefly let go of Dash, and looked at her.

"We're here to see you of course! Me and your father! But he's going to be a few hours late. There was a delay at home." Firefly explained. Dash nodded.

"Yeah... I just finished talking to him on the phone." She told her mother. Firefly smiled, and nodded, before looking around.

"So this is the Wonderbolt compound? Nice! Mind showing me around?" Firefly asked. Dash smiled.

"I'll try my best... But even in still getting used to it! Maybe if we catch one of the Wonderbolts?" She mused out loud.  Firefly nodded.

"That would be fun! A tour by a Wonderbolt!" She exclaimed. Dash grinned, and nodded.

Suddenly, the gates in front of them swung open, to reveal a very tired looking Soarin. He didn't seem to notice Firefly beside Dash.

He stumbled up to her.

"Oh... Hey Dashie... Spitfire made us run three marathons right now... Even I can't do that much!" He said, pulling her into a hug. Dash instantly blushed. Firefly looked between the two of them in confusion.

"Ah! You always make me feel better... Thanks Dashie... Now I feel more energetic. Wanna grab some lu-" he started, before finally noticing the pink mare beside the cyan one.

"Uh... Beg pardon ma'am... But do you have a visitors tag?" Soarin asked her. Firefly nodded, before gesturing to Dash.

"She's my pass. She's also my daughter..." She said simply. Soarin's eyes widened a considerable amount.

"What? Sorry... I could have sworn you said that you were Rainbow Dash's mother..." Soarin said, rubbing his ear with his hoof.

"That's because I did... I'm Firefly... Rainbow Dash's mother." Firefly told him. Soarin backed away, and then looked at Dash.

"So... I know what your father would do... Anything bad gonna happen with your mom?" Soarin asked Dash. Dash snorted, and shook her head.

"Nah... My mom's cool... Want me to introduce you?" She asked him. Soarin looked between the two mares, before reluctantly nodding his head. Dash took a deep breath, and turned back to her mother.

"Uh... Mom... This is Soarin... You might know him as second in command of the Wonderbolts... But I know him as... Possible the most amazing stallion I've ever met... And also my coltfriend..." Dash said, trailing off at the end. Firefly's eyes widened, as she stared at her daughter.

"What?" She asked in disbelief. Soarin nervously bit his lip.

"Uh... It's true... Ma'am..." He said, chuckling nervously. Firefly turned to Dash.

"You... Have a coltfriend?" She asked her. "And not just any coltfriend... The co-captain of the Wonderbolts?" She asked, her expression remaining. Dash gulped, and nodded.

"Uh... Yes?" She said. Firefly instantly narrowed her eyes.

"Hmm... Why should I believe you? For all I know... This is a prank!" She said. Dash rolled her eyes. Her mother was always like this, never wanting to believe anything that seemed impossible.

"Fine... How should I prove it to you?" She asked her. Firefly just shrugged.

"I don't know... Just prove it somehow..." She said. Dash turned to Soarin. She took her hoof out, and pulled Soarin's head in for a short, rough kiss.

When they broke apart, Dash smiled up at Soarin, which he returned, and they both turned to Firefly, who was looking at them with a huge grin.

"Awe!!! You guys are ADORABLE!!! I SHIP IT SO BADLY!!!" Firefly exclaimed. Dash rolled her eyes again. She knew this was going to happen. Firefly's childish genes were kicking in. Soarin sighed in relief. Suddenly, Firefly's expression darkened.

"Rainbow... I don't think it's a good idea to let your father know about this just yet... You know why...." She told Dash. Dash nodded.

"Yeah... I'm not planning on it..." She said, shaking slightly. Firefly nodded.

"Alright. Well... I'll leave you two be! I need to go see what's up with your father..." She said. Dash and Soarin nodded, and waved goodbye to the blue maned mare. Then, they started walking to the main entrance, because why not?

Dash sighed. "I love you, Soarin..." She said softly. Soarin gave her a soft smile, and looked towards her.

"I love you too... Dashie... More than anything in the entire world..." He said quietly. The front doors opened, but they paid no attention.

Dash turned around to stare at Soarin, and took his hooves in her own.

"Hey, Soar? Why do you love me? There are so many other mares out there that would love to be your marefriend... Why me?" Dash asked, with tears in her eyes. Soarin gave her a soft smile.

"Because you... Are the most incredible mare I've ever met... You're sweet, caring... Beautiful! And kind... You're everything to me, Dashie... And I love you for it..." He told her. Dash smiled up at him, before hugging him tightly.

She broke away from him, and kissed him on the lips tenderly. Which he gladly returned.

They kissed for a few seconds, before being roughly pulled apart by somepony. Dash and Soarin looked at the newcomer in shock.

All the blood drained from Rainbow's face, and Soarin went ghost white.

It was Rainbow Blaze, Dash's father.

Chapter 16: Oh No...

A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies

By: Crystal Heart

Chapter Sixteen: Oh No...

PLEASE NOTE:  There is some gore in this chapter... So If you're uncomfortable with it, please do not read it. Skip the part where Rainbow Blaze starts to hurt Soarin.

Rainbow Blaze was angry. And he wasn't just angry at anypony. He was angry at none other than Soarin Skies...

"What the FREAKING HAY is going on here?" He asked with a low voice, using emphasis on the 'freaking hay.' Rainbow Dash gulped. What was she going to do? Dash turned to Soarin, and told him something with a high pitched, clearly scared tone of voice.

"Soarin... Run. Please. Save yourself..." She told him quietly. Soarin looked back at her, and gulped.

"No, Rainbow... I'm not leaving your side..." He replied stubbornly. He turned back to Blaze, who looked like he had blood dripping from his eyes. It was terrifying.

"Answer the question." He said simply. Dash looked at him with frightened eyes. She was scared. Really scared. She remembered what her father had done when he heard that Hoops had done that horrible thing to her. She didn't want Soarin to suffer in that horrible way!

Soarin was a strong, naturally born leader. He was tough, brave, and loyal. But when it came to these kinds of things... He was as fragile as a mouse. A very frightened mouse.

Dash saw that her father was going to burst even more than he would have, if somepony didn't give him an answer in the next ten seconds, so she gulped, and looked back towards him.

"Uh... Nothing, Dad! Absolutely nothing at all!" She told him unconvincingly. Blaze shook his head angrily, and pushed Dash aside. He then made a beeline for the scared Wonderbolt.

"Sir... PLEASE don't hurt me..." Soarin said, his voice cracking. Blaze chuckled evilly.

"Oh don't worry... This won't hurt at all!" He said, before aiming for Soarin's wings. He put his hooves on the joints that connected them to his back, and twisted them harshly.

Soarin screamed in pain. And since the building was soundproof, nopony heard it. Except Rainbow Dash, of course.

"DAD!" She yelled, hurrying towards Soarin. She gently lifted his wing, as Soarin winced from the extreme amount of pain. She got up, and faced her father.

"WHAT THE HAY ARE YOU DOING?" She yelled to him. Blaze looked at his daughter, pushed her away, and went back to Soarin. The jerk Dash received was hard, and she was unable to get up and try to stop him.

Rainbow Blaze punched Soarin in the nose, where it instantly started bleeding. Dash gasped, and tried to move, but the soreness in her hooves was unbearable.

Blood started flowing all over Soarin, as he started crying. Of course, he wasn't expecting Blaze to take it well, but this was just downright awful! Who would do something like this?

"Dad... Please... Stop..." Dash managed to get out. Blaze looked towards his daughter, and realized what he had done. He instantly let go of Soarin, and helped his daughter up.

Rainbow Dash managed to stand up, just in time to raise her hoof, and slap her father across his face.

The doors suddenly swung open, and Firefly rushed in, swiftly closing them again after her. She gasped at the sight before her. Her husband was holding his cheek, her daughter was limping, and glaring at the stallion, and her daughter's coltfriend was sitting on the ground a few meters away, bleeding harshly, with his wing majorly bent out of shape.

But Firefly's attention was re-captured to her daughter, as she started yelling at her father.

"DAD! HOW DARE YOU HURT SOARIN! I THOUGHT YOU WERE BETTER THAN THIS! AND NOW YOU'RE JUST GOING TO BEAT HIM UP INTO PULP? YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO RIGHT TO DO THAT!" She yelled.

Rainbow Dash kept berating her father, as Firefly went to Soarin, and helped him clean himself up. She looked around the cupboards in the next room, and found some bandages. She started to treat Soarin's injuries, and cleaned the blood off him with some wet paper towels. Soarin mumbled a painful thanks, as Firefly nodded, and stood back up.

Rainbow Blaze was still being yelled at by his daughter, but she instantly stopped once she noticed Soarin crouched on the floor, holding the many bandages in pain. She gasped, and ran towards him.

"SOARIN!" She yelled in concern, and bent over to him. Soarin looked up at her.

"Hey, Dashie! How are you this lovely, fine afternoon?" Soarin asked her with a goofy grin. Dash narrowed her eyes.

Soarin! This is no time to be making jokes! You're hurt!" She said, with an extremely worried look. Soarin looked down, a few tears escaping his eyes.

"I'm sorry Dashie... If I didn't ask you to be my marefriend... None of this would have happened." Soarin said guiltily. Dash shook her head.

"What are you talking about?" She asked him, brushing his mane with her hoof. This caused her to accidentally expose it's swelling. Soarin gasped.

"RAINBOW! You're hurt!" Soarin said with concern, wincing in the pain it caused him to talk. Dash quickly hid her hoof behind her back.

"Hey! No reason to be worried! It's just a little swelling... It'll be okay! It's YOU I should be worried about... Soarin... Are you okay?" Dash asked him. Soarin nodded.

"Yeah... I think so.... Your mother has mad doctor skills!" Soarin said. Dash nodded.

"She was a nurse for the majority of her life..." She told him. Soarin raised an eyebrow.

"Wow..." He said. Dash giggled, and nodded, before tears started welling up in her eyes. Soarin noticed them, and he held a hoof out to wipe them away.

"Hey hey hey... Why are you crying?" He asked her softly. Dash sniffled a little, before looking at him sadly.

"I-I-I can't bear to see you in pain... It hurts..." She said, tears starting to fall freely from her eyes. Soarin held out his hooves, and embraced her tightly, with Dash crying into his chest. He softly stroked her mane, and closed his eyes, whispering into her ear, words that were inaudible to anyone beside Dash... Even to me, the writer!

From the door of the room, Firefly and Blaze were silently watching the entire encounter. Firefly was holding a hoof to her heart, and Blaze looked like he was going to kill somepony. His glare was burning into Rainbow's back, all the way through Soarin, and possibly through the cloud wall behind him. Firefly saw his expression, and frowned.

"Come on, Rainbow Blaze. You can play overprotective father all you want through tomorrow... Let's give them their privacy. I need to talk to you..." She said harshly to her husband. Blaze gulped, but nodded, letting his wife drag him out of the room, giving the young couple one final glare.

Chapter 17: Overprotective

A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies

By: Crystal Heart

Chapter Seventeen: Overprotective

MY GOD how I love my readers! You people are AMAZING! Your comments MAKE MY DAY! THANK YOU for sticking with me!!!

The next morning, Soarin and Dash woke up in the same position they were the night before. Dash was still cuddled up in Soarin's chest, and Soarin still had his hoof in her mane. Dash stirred, as she woke up, and clutched onto Soarin, who had woken up a few minutes prior.

"Soarin... What are we going to do?" She asked him. Soarin sighed, and stroked Dash's mane once again.

"I don't know, my love... Hopefully your father will come to his senses soon... I really can't bear any more pain... My wings are already aching, and my whole face is stinging." He said sorrowfully. Dash gave him a sad look..

"I'm sorry... I shouldn't have asked you why you loved me... If we hadn't shared that moment... None of this would have happened... It's all my fault..." She said, a few tears escaping her eyes. Soarin shook his head instantly.

"No, Dashie! Of course it isn't your fault! We should have been paying attention to who had entered the compound... But we didn't... I didn't..." Soarin said. Dash got up, and brushed herself off, helping her coltfriend off of the floor.

"Come on... We should go get something to eat... We skipped lunch and dinner yesterday..." She told him. Soarin nodded, before planting a light kiss on her forehead.

"I'm sorry I can't sit with you... But you know what might happen if the whole compound found out about our relationship... As much as I would like to spend the morning with you... Sorry, Dashie. Sometimes, I wish I wasn't a Wonderbolt..." Soarin said. Dash gasped, and put a hoof to his mouth.

"Don't say that, Soar! Be thankful for what you have!" She told him. Soarin gave her a small smile, and hugged her quickly.

"Of course I am... I'm thankful I have you..." He told her, nuzzling her shoulder gently. Dash instantly bushed, and let go of him. She looked up to him with big eyes.

"Hey, Soar? Promise me you won't hurt yourself ever again... Please..." She told him softly. Soarin smiled.

"Of course." He said, before placing her on his back, and starting to trot out of the small room.

The couple made a quick stop to the nurse, where a few examinations were held, and Soarin got a fresh bandage for his nose. It was a small one, that you could only see if you looked really closely.

"His left wing has a small fracture in it... The right wing is just bruised." The nurse told him. Dash and Soarin gasped. Soarin was the first to speak.

"Will I be able to fly?" He asked, right before receiving a light punch from Rainbow.

"Of course not, dummy! How long till he's able to fly?" She said, redirecting the last part to the nurse. The nurse examined some papers, before humming.

"Hmm... Should be a couple weeks. Three weeks tops." She said, coming to a conclusion. Soarin groaned, as the nurse started to wrap his wing in bandages.

"I should be thankful that Spitfire scheduled no shows till tryouts are over... Alright. Thanks Nurse Paradise!" Soarin said, thanking the green coated nurse. Paradise smiled, and nodded.

"Of course." She said. Soarin and Dash smiled back at the nurse, before heading to the mess hall for breakfast.

When the two arrived, Dash stopped, and let Soarin go inside. A few seconds later, she entered by herself, to make it seem like they came in separately. She saw her parents talking with the Wonderbolts.

Spitfire made a motion to Soarin once she saw him enter the hall, and gestured for him to come over. Soarin saw this, and trotted over, stopping when he came face to face with Rainbow's parents. His eyes widened, as he took a step back.

"Soarin! This is Rainbow Blaze and Firefly, Rainbow Dash's parents! They have decided to come here for a few days, just to see how the program works. They were both recruits a long time ago!" Spitfire explained. Soarin looked at her with wide eyes, before reluctantly nodding. Rainbow Blaze stepped up.

"So! Could one of you please tell me what the... involvement of you and the recruits are? What things do you do together?" Blaze asked, directing his question mostly to Soarin. Soarin gulped, and cleared his throat.

"Well... Everyday, a new member of the elite Wonderbolts take over training for the day! For the first day, we had Misty Fly, and the second, we had Rapidfire. Today, it's me!" Soarin said, nervously chuckling at the end. Blaze's eyes narrowed.

"Interesting... And what are you planning for the day, Mr. Soarin?" He asked him. Soarin thought about this.

"Well, I'm thinking we could work on some basic flight moves. The Wonderbolts must know all the different styles of flying, and that is what I'll be covering today. And, as a special surprise, I will be picking names out of a hat, and assigning the recruits each to a Wonderbolt, who will be seeing their moves, and helping them in any way possible to perfect them." Soarin explained. Blaze glared at him.

"And the assignment process will be completely random?" He asked suspiciously. Soarin nodded his head in reassurance. Blaze nodded.

"Good. We wouldn't want any Wonderbolt playing unfair for their own purposes, now would we?" He asked slyly. Soarin gulped, and nodded, getting the point Blaze was displaying. He then turned back to Spitfire, who was giving him a curious look.

"Hey, Soarin? What the hay happened to your wing?" She asked him. Soarin gulped again, and glanced over at Rainbow Blaze, who was looking at the golden mare with an innocent smile. Soarin groaned, and tried to come up with an excuse.

"Um... I... Broke it while... Running into Rapidfire! Yeah! That's what happened!" He lied. Spitfire gave him a curious stare, before shrugging, and walking off. Soarin sighed in relief, as he felt a little tap on his shoulder. He turned around, to see Rainbow Dash floating, with her front hooves on her hips. She bonked him on the head.

"Hey Mister Soarin! Lemme give you some advice. If you want to make any progress with training today... EAT SOMETHING!" She said harshly, before pushing him to the food lines. Soarin looked back at her, and gave her a curious stare.

"Uh... Dash? You okay?" He asked her, while picking up a bowl of oatmeal. Dash gave him a look.

"Of course I'm okay! I'm the freaking Rainbow Dash!" She said, giving him a light punch, and then flipping her mane to emphasize her point. Soarin rolled his eyes.

"Yup. You are pretty amazing!" He said, before heading over to the Wonderbolt's table. He turned back to her one last time.

"I would kiss you... But nah." He said. Dash glared playfully at him, before spinning him around, and pushing him towards his table. She rolled her eyes.

"Goof." She mumbled, before heading back to her own table.

From a few tables away, Firefly and Blaze were looking at the young couple. Well... More like Blaze was trying to break free from Firefly's grip, so he could go and pounce on Soarin. Firefly, though, being the strong willed mare she was, didn't let him. She pulled the periwinkle coated stallion back, and stared at him.

"What is with you? Why are you acting so overprotective?" She asked him. Blaze grumbled some inaudible words.

"I can't let Dash get hurt again..." He said quietly. Firefly rolled her eyes, and pointed towards Soarin. She then looked back at her husband.

"Do you really think that dope would hurt our little girl? You saw how much he cares about her! And the feeling is mutual! Why don't you just let Dash take care of this one?" Firefly requested. Blaze rolled his eyes, before glancing at Soarin.

"We might think he is all good... But you never know, Fly! Maybe behind that mask, there's a player!" He said unconvincingly. Firefly looked at her husband with a critical expression.

"Look... I know you want to look out for her! Trust me, I do! But you can't make all these bad assumptions! We've only been here for a couple hours. There is still a lot we have yet to discover about Soarin. So lets take this one step at a time, okay?" Firefly asked. Blaze sighed, and nodded.

"Oh.... Alright."

Chapter 18: Day Three

A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies

By: RDcrystalheart AKA Crystal Heart

Chapter Eighteen: Day Three

"Alright recruits! Today, I will be training you!" Soarin Skies said, using the nearby megaphone to project his voice. The recruits, especially Lightning Tile, were all smiling, and were excited about the day's events.

Soarin was known for bringing out surprises through his courses. Whatever he said he was going to do... Well, there was probably a lot more to it than what met the bare eye.

"Alright! Line up with your cabin roommate!" Soarin said. Dash looked around, and spotted Hibiscus Wings walking in from the mare's locker room. She grabbed her hoof, and dragged her back to where Soarin was standing.

"Alright! So today we are going to go over a few simple flight patterns. Then, a few other things will be done. But lets not worry about those things just yet! Now grab three other groups!" Soarin said.

Hibiscus and Dash joined Cloud Ember, Lightning Tile, Burning Cloud, Storm Fire, Swift Wings, and Water Tag, and they all made their way to an empty spot on the fields. Out of the corner of her eye, Dash spotted her parents looking at the training. She waved over at them, and they gladly returned the gesture. Dash smiled, before turning her attention back to Soarin.

"Okay! Now, I want you to elect a captain for your team! This shouldn't take long. Thirty seconds top. Your time starts... Now!" Soarin said, before blowing into a whistle. Dash turned to her team.

"Who wants to be captain?" She asked. Everypony instantly backed away. Dash rolled her eyes.

"Fine! I'll be captain... Not that I have any problem with it!" She said, grinning, while turning back to Soarin. Once all the groups were settled, Soarin continued giving out instructions.

"Alright! I'm sure you are all familiar with most basic flight patterns? The arrow, and delta?" Soarin asked them. They all nodded. Soarin gave them a firm shake of his head.

"Good. We are going to be learning three new flight patterns. The advanced arrow, or, 'double A', the alpha, and the omega!" Soarin exclaimed. "Captains will be at the front of each movement, and will be conducting the entire performance. Now... Get into arrow position!" Soarin yelled, giving them all the okay symbol to take off.

Dash and her team all started flying up, and got into arrow position. Since there was an even number of ponies, the formation looked a little off. But it worked! Dash was at the front and center, with Hibiscus Wings, Burning Cloud, and Water Tag to her right, and Cloud Ember, Lightning Tile, Swift Wings, and Storm Fire to her left. Soarin gazed at all the formations, before giving a nod of approval.

"Nice job! Now to get into a double A formation, the two last ponies on the left are going to go right behind the captain, and the last pony on the right will go right behind the two. Got it? It will look like an arrow with a line!" Soarin explained. Everypony nodded.

Swift Wings got out of his position, and went right behind Dash, with Storm Fire right behind him. Then, Water Tag moved behind Storm Fire. Soarin looked at their group, before giving them a nod. They had done it! They had created an advanced arrow formation!

"Nice job, Team Dash!" Soarin congratulated. Dash and her teammates grinned, and nodded back to Soarin.

Once the other teams finished moving into position, Soarin gave them their next assignment.

"Alright! To get into an 'alpha' position, four of you, including the captain, will be forming a circle. Then, the remaining four, will do as follows. Two will jut up at a slant from the middle pony in the circle, and the other two will do the same thing, just pointing down. Sound good?" Soarin asked. Everypony nodded, as they started getting into the position.

The mares created a circle, with Dash in front, and the stallions divided themselves up into two, and put themselves into pair forms. Burning went with Storm, and Water went with Swift. Soarin nodded up at them.

"Alright. There's still one more that we need to complete. And it is the most challenging one. It's the omega formation. Now, you don't have to know this one right away! It isn't as easy as the other two we just did." Soarin said, stopping to see if anypony had any objections. When nopony said anything, he just shrugged.

"Alright. Wow... I say 'alright' a LOT! Gotta add that to my to-do list... 'Stop saying alright!'" Soarin said, which earned more than a few giggles. Soarin smiled up at them, before continuing his speech.

"Okay. Six of you will be making a circle, but without a back pony. The remaining two will be jutting out from the back sides. Got it?" He asked. Some teams looked confused, but most nodded. Soarin nodded back at them.

"Good." He said, before going to help the teams which didn't understand. Dash and her team started getting into formation. Dash, Hibiscus, Lightning, Ember, Burning, and Water Tag all created an incomplete circle. And Storm and Swift both went to the back sides, pointing outwards. Soarin, who had been observing them all, grinned, and nodded up at them.

"Wow! Team Dash has got it! Nice work!" Soarin said. Dash and her friends all smiled, and nodded, proud of their work.

Once everypony had completely finished the formation, Soarin made them all shift in between the arrow, double a, delta, alpha, and omega positions, to get comfortable with them.

"Nice work, everypony! Looks like we have no more time! Everypony, please head on to the mess hall for some lunch! Enjoy! Oh! Could Cloud Ember, Lightning Tile, Burning Cloud, Swift Wings, Storm Fire, Water Tag, Rainbow Dash, Hibiscus Wings, Button Down, and Epic Note please stay out here a little longer? That will be all!" Soarin said.

Dash knew that the ponies Soarin had called out were the ones that were personally invited, so she patiently waited with her friends, to see what Soarin wanted. Once he was sure everypony else had gone inside, he turned to the ten.

"Alright! I have a little surprise for you all! I wanted to let you have some time to perfect your moves! So, I've called nine other Wonderbolts here, and you each will be assigned randomly to one! They will then help you work on some flying skills! So... Here they are!" Soarin announced. Once he did, nine members of the Wonderbolt elite stepped out in full uniform.

They were Misty Fly, Spitfire, Fleetfoot, Lightning Streak, Fire Streak, Wave Chill, Rapidfire, Surprise, and Silver Lining. The ten recruits instantly started to mentally pick which Wonderbolt they would want to be with. Of course, Rainbow Dash was hoping for Soarin. Spitfire stepped up.

"Alright! These are two hats! Inside one, I have OUR names. Inside the other, I have YOUR names! I will be picking one out of each, and that will be your assigned Wonderbolt partner! Are you ready?" Spitfire asked them. They all nodded in excitement. Lightning Tile leaned over to Dash.

"You must be feeling a little jealous... Because you know Soarin is going to want to be with me!" She said. Dash raised an eyebrow, and didn't answer. She looked over to Soarin, who was looking back at her with a smile. Spitfire then put her hoof in one of the hats, and then the other.

"Okay! Hibiscus Wings... You're with Misty Fly! Lightning Tile is with Lightning Streak, Cloud Ember, you're with Fleetfoot! Burning Cloud is with Wave Chill, Storm Fire's with Rapidfire, Swift Wings... You're with Silver Lining! Button Down will be with me, and Rainbow Dash... You're with... Oh... You're with Soarin. Um... Moving on! Epic Note, you're with Fire Streak, and finally... Water Tag... That makes you with Surprise! Now go find your Wonderbolt, and they'll tell you what to do!" Spitfire said, starting to trot over to Button Down. Soarin turned to Dash, and grinned.

"Well, Dash! Look's like you're with me!" He said. Rainbow excitedly nodded, and looked around. She saw her parents quickly look away, before rolling her eyes. She looked some more, and saw that everypony had their backs to them. Rainbow grinned, and quickly hugged him. Once she pulled away, she smiled.

"And I'm very glad." She said. Soarin grinned a goofy grin, before slightly frowning.

"My wing is still hurting a little... So I can't really assist you in the air. But I can point out some improvements from the ground, if that's okay!" He told her. Dash nodded.

"Of course, Soar! Your health is important to me!" She told him, placing a hoof on his shoulder. He smiled, and nodded.

"Thanks, honey. Now! What is your most prominent move?" Soarin asked her. Dash blushed furiously for being called 'honey', but kept going nevertheless.

"Hmm... Definitely the Sonic Rainboom." She said, thinking a little bit about it. Soarin's eyes widened, before he placed his hoof behind his neck, and chuckled sheepishly.

"Um... I've actually never done that before... And I'm not really sure if I could be much help... But I can try!" Soarin told her. Dash grinned, and nodded.

"The effort is all that counts." She said simply, before taking off, starting to gain altitude.

Soarin quietly watched her ascend, before her figure was just a speck in the sky. He could make out her body shifting, and getting into a diving position. Soarin took a deep breath. She was going for it.

He watched Rainbow starting to free fall, giving gravity a head start for her, before her wings started to flap. And flap hard. Her hooves were out straight, and her hind legs were tucked underneath. She slowly unfolding them, until her body was forming a clear 180 degree angle. But Soarin saw something.

He tried to warn her to stop, but she was still too far away. He tried to fly up to stop her, but the pain was unbearable! He could only pray...

"DASH! DASH! STOP! DASH STOP!" He yelled out to her. But she didn't hear him. Nopony did, besides Dash's parents. Everypony else was too far away, doing their own things. Firefly and Rainbow Blaze started to panic.

"What's going on, Soarin?" Firefly asked Soarin. Soarin turned to her with a worried look, before pointing towards his marefriend.

"Her wings! They aren't flapping at the right angle! Making her wing joints stick out, and not move as smoothly! If she doesn't fix them, she'll create an air cloud, which will bounce her off. And since she's going so fast... Who knows what she will hit!" Soarin said, starting to panic as well. Rainbow Blaze grunted loudly in frustration, before pushing Soarin.

"Well go up and save her!" He said harshly. Soarin glared at him.

He had never glared at an older pony before... And it didn't feel right. But he knew he had to get the message to sink in to Blaze.

"Have you even been paying attention to ANYTHING? You HURT me! I can't FLY for another three weeks!" He yelled. Blaze stepped back, clearly shocked at the stallion's outburst, before scoffing.

"I knew you weren't right for her..." He said, before taking off. Soarin's jaw dropped, but he shook it off. His mare was in danger for ponies sake! He looked up again, and saw the cone beginning to form. He closed his eyes, as the air cloud begun to take shape. He opened his eyes again for just a fraction of a second. Just in time to see Blaze swoop in, and catch Rainbow, saving her, before any more damage could take place.

Rainbow Dash was confused. Why had her father caught her? She was so close to making the sonic rainboom! Blaze gently placed her on the grass, and she saw the worried face he, her mom, and her coltfriend were giving her.

"DASHIE!" Soarin and Firefly exclaimed at the same time. They both galloped over to her. Blaze gladly let Firefly see her, but blocked Soarin.

"GET AWAY FROM HER!" He yelled, causing Soarin to instantly back away. Dash got up, and shook out some cloud dust from her mane, before angrily looking to her father.

"Why did you stop me?" She asked him, in a strangely calm tone of voice. Blaze pointed over to Soarin.

"Because THIS idiot told me that you would crash, because your wing angle was off." He said, rolling his eyes. Soarin looked down, before speaking up.

"I'm... Sorry, Dash... I tried to fly up to you... But the pain was unbearable! I'm sorry... I should have tried harder..." He said, guilt written all over his face. Dash looked at him with a curious look, before chuckling, and rolling her eyes.

"Oh come on... I'm fine! That's all that matters! BESIDES! Didn't you see me a few years ago? I nailed the dizzitron! I could have easily spun back into position, even if I did go flying off..." She told him, trotting towards him. Soarin looked up in surprise.

He had forgotten about that! He placed his front hoof behind his neck, and chuckled nervously.

"Oh... Right..." He said sheepishly. Dash rolled her eyes again, and nodded.

"I am the greatest flyer in Equestria, ya know..." She boasted. The minute those words escaped her lips, Soarin broke into a huge grin.

"That's the Dashie I know and love!" He said. Dash nodded, and flipped her mane.

"Hehe... I am pretty extraordinary..." She told him, before flapping her wings, and doing a flip in midair. Soarin nodded, and started to fly up as well. He screamed in pain, and fell back down. He landed with a thump, and started laughing. Dash quickly joined in.

"Hey... How 'bout we don't fly together until your wing is healed..." She suggested, still wiping tears of laughter. Soarin instantly nodded, grinning up at her.

"Deal."

Chapter 19: Luncheon

A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies

By: RDcrystalheart, AKA Crystal Heart

Chapter Nineteen: Luncheon

"Alright... Lemme show you how to perfectly angle your wing. You need to push your inner wing feathers out a little more, and your outer feathers less. Then, push your wings back a little, and flap in smooth, long strokes. Got it?" Soarin asked Rainbow Dash, who was listening to him intently. She nodded, and fluffed her wings out.

"Like this?" She asked, doing what Soarin had instructed her to do. Soarin observed her wings, and gave her a nod of approval.

"That's perfect, Dash. Nice job. Ready to try it out for real this time?" He asked her, prepping her to take off. Dash grinned, and nodded, plastering a look of pure determination onto her face.

"Ready as I'll ever be..." She said, before shooting up into the sky. Soarin started to observe her once again, giving a blank nod, looking at her figure slowly ascending into the sky. He saw her bend down, and open her wings further. He knew she was going for it.

Slowly, Rainbow's body started to free fall, before she started flapping her wings at an incredible pace. Soon, she would be going fast enough to break the sound barrier! Soarin was silently praying that nothing bad would happen this time.

Soarin could now see an air cone starting to form around Dash. He grinned. It wasn't becoming fluffy, signaling that it wasn't about to materialize into an air cloud. Slowly, the air cone began to tighten around Dash's body. But now Soarin was worried. Dash was going so fast, he was afraid that she might not start flying up fast enough! She might crash!

But his thoughts dispersed the minute after he thought them. At the very last second, the air cone was so tight, Dash knew it was time. Mere inches before she made contact with the ground, she pulled up quickly, resulting in a very loud boom.

There was a rainbow of colors extending outwards, with a colorful trail following after the mare who conjured it. Soarin could see her beaming face, as she started flying in a semi-circle motion, making a rainbow in the sky. The other Wonderbolts and the recruits all came forward to see what was going on. But they stopped in their tracks once they laid eyes on the beautiful sight before them.

"Woah..." Soarin heard Spitfire saying in disbelief.

Rainbow Dash made her way down to the crowd below, and beamed in pride. Soarin ran up to her.

"Wow! Rainbow! That was incredible!" He told her. Spitfire was the next to speak up.

"Of course... I've seen this happen before! But to see it so close... The last time I was unconscious... Now I get why everypony was cheering so loudly... Rainbow Dash! That was amazing!" She congratulated, praising Dash for a job well done. Dash blushed lightly, before realizing what she was doing, and shook her head.

"Thanks, Spitfire. Means a lot, coming from you." She said, putting her hoof behind her neck. Spitfire nodded, before returning to Button Down. Soarin then turned back to Rainbow Dash, once he saw everypony had gone back to training.

"You wanna get lunch early? Since we perfected the move, we can go to the mess hall a half hour before anypony else does. And lunch is over for the other recruits! We'll have the entire cafeteria to ourselves." Soarin suggested. Dash instantly nodded, jumping up in joy.

She hadn't eaten lunch with her coltfriend for quite a while, and was really looking forward to it! Soarin started to walk towards the hall, gesturing for Dash to follow along. She quickly nodded, before turning to her parents.

"Do you mind if me and Soarin eat lunch early? You guys can come in when the others do." She told them. Firefly looked over to Blaze, expecting an argument to arise. But Blaze simply brushed it off with a shrug.

"Go ahead. Have fun." He said, looking back to his wife. Dash nodded in surprise, but flew off behind Soarin nevertheless.

Once they were out of sight, Firefly turned to her husband, and gave him a weird look.

"What?" Blaze asked her. Firefly raised an eyebrow.

"It's nice to see that you trust them together, finally!" She said. Blaze just gave her an obvious look, and crossed his hooves.

"Are you kidding? No way! I'm totally following them!" He said. When his wife heard this, she just groaned, and flew off to watch the other training practices.

"Woah... This place is deserted!" Dash said, as she and Soarin entered the mess hall. There was no lunch mare, but she had left a bunch of food out for the recruits to take if they were hungry. Soarin and Dash made their way to the counter, and saw the section which had the lunch for all the personally invited recruits, and the Wonderbolts.

"Yeah... We spent quite a lot of time out there, learning the tricks. The others must be in the weight room, or the gym right now with some of the other 'bolts." Soarin predicted. Dash nodded, and took a dandelion salad, while Soarin grabbed a cheese sandwich. They went to the farthest booth, and sat down besides each other.

"This is nice... We hardly ever get to eat together..." Soarin said. Dash nodded, and smiled gratefully.

"But it makes me treasure these moments even more..." She told him. Soarin grinned, and took his marefriend's hoof from under the table. He gave it a light squeeze.

"I know..." He said, using his free hoof to eat. Dash did the same, and they ate in silence, simply enjoying each other's company.

Dash leaned back onto the cushiony back of the booth, and sighed, closing her eyes. Soarin saw this, and leaned back with her. They both burped loudly.

"Excuse me..." They said at the exact same time. They stared at each other, before bursting out laughing.

Once they had calmed down, Dash laid her head on Soarin's shoulder. Soarin smiled, and put his hoof around her. It felt perfect.

It seemed as if they had everything. But what they didn't know, was that something very bad was about to happen. But, they didn't have to worry about that just yet. They were simply sitting there, snuggled up together, and taking in each other's scent.

From afar, Rainbow Blaze was watching them. And boy, he was angry. How dare this... this... MONSTER be touching his daughter like that? Blaze was extremely angry, and was losing control of his actions. He snuck down, and went inside the kitchen, where he saw just what he was looking for.

It was a knife.

Chapter 20: A Little Break

A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies

By: RDcrystalheart AKA Crystal Heart

Chapter Twenty: A Little Break

Rainbow Blaze dropped the knife he had held in his hoofs the minute he saw what was in front of him.

Soarin was leaning in.

He expected his daughter to do the smart thing, and back away, but she didn't. Dash just giggled at the stallion, before pulling him in forcefully, diminishing the gap between them.

Blaze was frozen in shock. This had to be a mistake! The Rainbow he knew hated relationships! Why was she being so... Romantic? Blaze kept a close watch on them, as he quietly put the knife away.

Dash slowly let go of Soarin, and bumped their foreheads together. Soarin chuckled, as he did the same.

"Your breath smells." Dash said suddenly. Soarin grimaced, as he pulled away from her, checking his breath. He scrunched his nose in disgust, and got up, going inside the kitchen. Blaze saw this, and quickly ducked out of sight. Soarin returned seconds later with a pack of breath-mints. He opened the box with a click and popped one into his mouth.

"There. Much better." He said, as he slid into the seat next to his marefriend once again. Dash giggled again, and nodded.

"I agree." She said, before getting up once again.

"Hey, Thanksgiving is coming up! Don't the recruits and Wonderbolts get a few days off?" She asked Soarin. Soarin beamed, and nodded, getting up as well.

"Yeah! Recruits and Wonderbolts get Wednesday through Sunday off from work! Isn't exciting?" He asked her happily. Dash smiled, and nodded, before quirking her eyebrows.

"How are you going to spend your four days off?" She inquired. Soarin thought about this, before shrugging.

"I actually have no idea. I'll probably just stay here. But anypony is allowed to go to see family or something. But my family... They're a little... I don't know how to explain it... But you should go home with your mother and father! I'm sure they'll be happy that you're away from... You know... Me..." He said, trailing off at the end. Blaze, who was still watching, nodded to himself.

But Dash didn't. She gave him a sympathetic look, and put a hoof on his shoulder.

"Sorry about my dad, Soar. He'll come around soon enough! Hopefully..." She said, mumbling the last part. Soarin heard it anyway. He turned back to her.

"Yeah... I know Dashie. I just wish he wouldn't be so harsh about this whole thing... But that doesn't matter. Are you going to take my advice and go spend Thanksgiving with your family?" He asked her. Dash thought about this for a while. Blaze was getting anxious. What was taking his daughter so long? She should have been nodding by now!

"I don't know... We rarely get to spend time together... This was our first time in weeks! Not including the... Incident." Dash told him. Soarin winced at the end part. And Blaze was shocked. His daughter wasn't coming home for the holidays?

"I'd really like to spend Thanksgiving with you, Soar!" She told him nervously. Soarin shook his head with a sigh.

"You have no idea how appealing that sounds... But you know you can't! Your parents wouldn't be the most supportive of that idea..." He said sadly. Dash shook her head.

"I know... Hey! I have an idea! How about you come home with me for Thanksgiving?" She suggested. Soarin's and Blaze's jaws both dropped down at the exact same time. Soarin was the first to react.

"WHAT? No way, Dashie! That would be the last resort! You go home, alright? Don't worry about me! I'll be fine! Besides, I can't intrude on your family time!" He said nervously. Dash looked up at him with pleading eyes.

"Please, Soarin? It'd give you time to socialize with my family! Once they get to know you, I'm sure they'll open up to you! You know my mom will be completely fine with the idea! Dad will make a fit... But I can convince him! Spectrum's coming home this year! He's coming with his wife!" Dash said excitedly. She was super happy that her brother was going to make it! Soarin raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"Who's Spectrum?" He asked her. Dash mentally slapped herself. She forgot to tell her coltfriend about her sibling! She then cleared her throat.

"Spectrum Dash is my older brother. He got married four years ago, and moved to The Crystal Empire with his wife." Rainbow explained. Soarin nodded, but then gulped. And Dash knew why.

"Don't worry... He's not as overprotective as my father... He'll just question you a little. That's it. Nothing to be worried about." She reassured him. Soarin sighed in relief.

"Oh good. You had me worried for a second." He said. Dash chuckled, and nodded.

"So, what do you say?" She asked hopefully. Soarin thought about this, before sighing in defeat.

"Oh... Okay... Fine. Set it up." He said. Dash grinned, and ran out the mess hall door, leaving Soarin in utter shock.

"Uh... Love you too?" He called into the emptiness.

"MOM! Can I ask you something?" Rainbow Dash yelled to her mother, who was just finishing up her lunch. Firefly looked pleasantly surprised, but nodded.

"Sure, Dashie! What is it?" She asked. Dash took a deep breath.

"Is it okay if Soarin could come home for Thansgiving break?" She asked her. Firefly raised an eyebrow.

"Uh... Does your father know about this?" She asked her. Dash shook her head.

"Not yet... But I'm telling him next!" She replied. Firefly giggled, and Dash narrowed her eyebrows.

"You know something... Mom... What happened?" She asked her mother. Firefly broke into a fit of giggles, before replying.

"Your father was there. He followed you." She said simply. Dash instantly grew bright red.

"WHAT?" She asked in disbelief. Firefly raised an eyebrow.

"What did you do with him?" She asked suspiciously. Dash blushed even harder.

"That's not important. We just had a pleasant lunch together." She told her mother sternly. Firefly rolled her eyebrows.

"Sure you did..." She said. Dash just shrugged.

"So can Soarin come over?" She asked again. Firefly sighed, and nodded.

"Sure! Why not?" She said. Dash smiled, and hugged her.

"Thanks, Mom!"

Chapter 21: Reunion

A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies

By: Crystal Heart

Chapter Twenty-One: Reunion

Of course, Rainbow Blaze already knew about Soarin's invite to join them on Thanksgiving, so he tried to act surprised when Dash told him.

Of course, Rainbow Dash already knew that her father knew about Soarin's invite to join them on Thanksgiving, so she tried to act like she didn't.

And of course, they both failed miserably.

Nevertheless, they carried on with their lives like normal ponies.

Oh wait... This is the Dash family. They are anything but normal.

Okay now I'm just rambling. Moving on!

"Are you sure about this Rainbow Dash?" Blaze asked his daughter for the umpteenth time that day. Dash just rolled her eyes, and nodded.

"YES DAD! I know what I'm doing! Soarin and I haven't spent quality time together without work involved for quite some time!" Dash insisted. Blaze reluctantly nodded.

"And you do know that there will be MANY rules at our house?" He asked her. Dash groaned.

"Hopefully not too many." She said, before spreading her wings.

"I'm going to go finish packing. I'll meet you at the front gate in a half hour with Soarin." Dash said, not giving her father a chance to answer. She shot off like a lightning bolt. Bumping into Soarin on the way.

"Hey, Soar. You almost done packing?" She asked him. Soarin nodded.

"Yup. You?" He asked her. Dash nodded.

"Almost. Just meet me at my room in 20 minutes. We can walk to the front gate together then." She said, before continuing her journey.

Soarin nodded, and flew in the opposite direction.

Once Rainbow was completely finished with putting all her things away, she was greeted by a familiar knock pattern on her cabin door. She opened it, and was met with a smiling Soarin.

"Hey Dashie. Ready to go?" He asked her. Dash nodded, grabbing her suitcase, and closing her door behind her.

They both engaged in some small talk, as they made their way to where Dash's parents were waiting for them. They shared a few laughs, before finally reaching their destination.

"There you two are! Blaze was about to leave and come find you! Come on! We don't want to be late!" Firefly exclaimed, grabbing her daughter's hoof, and leaving the building.

"Okay, Mom! Wait for Soarin!" She said, gesturing her coltfriend to follow her. Soarin nodded, and started to trot behind the two mares, Blaze following closely behind, much to Soarin's dismay.

"Here we are!" Firefly told the other three ponies.

The cloud house in front of them was more like a cloud mansion. About three times the size of Rainbow's house. But looked very similar in structure. It had six rainbow waterfalls in the front, leading to a joint rainbow pool at the bottom. Overall, the exterior was absolutely stunning. Too beautiful to put into words.

"Woah." Soarin said in disbelief. Dash giggled, and nudged him.

"You like?" She asked. Soarin could only nod.

"Alright alright! Come on in, everypony! Spectrum and Ace should be arriving any minute now!" Blaze said, ushering them all inside the mansion.

"Now! Let's start with the rules..." Blaze said, shutting the door behind them. He turned back to the three other ponies in the room. Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

"Saved by the bell." Firefly whispered to the couple, who giggled in return.

Rainbow Blaze went ahead, and opened the door, being greeted by two ponies. A mare and a stallion.

The stallion looked almost exactly like Rainbow Blaze, but had Firefly's facial features. He had a light, periwinkle coat, and a rainbow colored mane. His eyes were a deep shade of purple. His mother's eyes. His cutie mark was was dark blue lightning bolt in front of a golden spark.

The mare had a beautiful golden coat, that sparkled in the sunlight. Her mane was a shade of light cerulean, which flowed in light curls, and she had dazzling cerise eyes, with hexagons for the highlights, instead of the usual ovals.

"Spectrum! Ace! Lovely to see you two! How's life in the Crystal Empire?" Firefly said, going to hug her son and daughter in-law. They both smiled at the pink mare, and returned the hug.

"It's going quite well, Mom! Thanks for inviting us for these couple days!" Spectrum replied. Firefly grinned, and nodded.

"Of course, honey! It's been a while since we've had the entire family together! And this is our first year with Ace!" Firefly said happily. The golden mare smiled brightly, and nodded.

"Yes, I was really excited! I couldn't stop talking about it through out the long flight from the Empire!" She said, before catching sight of a certain cyan pegasus. She grinned, and flew up to her, hugging her tightly.

"Rainbow! It's so good to see you again!" She said happily. Rainbow giggled, and returned the hug.

"You too, Spark!" She said with equal enthusiasm. Soarin, who was watching from a few feet away, was smiling at the sweet family reunion. But was also a little confused. He knew that this mare was Rainbow's sister in-law, but he had heard a few different names for her. Ace, and Spark. Which one was her real name?

Ace caught sight of the baby blue stallion, and raised an eyebrow, turning to Dash.

"Rainbow, who's the newcomer?" She asked her. Dash blushed, and walked up to Soarin, wrapping a wing around him. This only caused more confusion from the mare, and her husband.

Spectrum came over, and stood next to his wife.

"Yeah, Dash. Who's the dude?" He asked her. Dash playfully glared at her brother, before turning back to Soarin.

"This is Soarin of the Wonderbolts. He's my coltfriend." She told them. Spectrum and Ace both gasped, and then grinned widely. Ace was the first one to speak.

"Oh! Hi there! I'm Sparkling Ace! And this is my significant other, Spectrum Dash!" She said, holding out a hoof towards Soarin. Soarin cleared his throat, and took it.

"Hello Mrs. Ace. Nice to meet you. I'm Soarin." He said politely. Ace chuckled, and shook her head.

"Please. No need for formalities. Call me Ace." She said, before striking a ridiculous pose. Soarin lightly laughed to himself. Spectrum came up to them, with a slight smile.

"Wow! It's not every day you get to meet a Wonderbolt! How in the wide wide world did you get HIM, Dash?" Spectrum said, directing his question at his little sister.

"Oh didn't you hear? I got invited to Wonderbolt tryouts! Me and Soarin met there!" Dash said proudly. Spectrum and Ace gasped.

"YOU GOT PERSONALLY INVITED TO WONDERBOLT TRYOUTS?!?!" They both yelled at the same time. Dash just nodded.

"Yup." She told them. "But it shouldn't be much of a surprise... I mean, we all knew this would one day happen!" She said, sarcastically flipping her mane. Her family chuckled.

"I'm so proud of you, Rainbow!" Ace said, hugging the mare again. Spectrum joined in.

"Yeah, Dash! This is amazing! How did you and Soarin meet?" He asked her seriously. Dash rolled her eyes, and went besides Soarin again.

"Remember when we were little, we would sit around by the fire at night, sipping hot cocoa, and telling stories?" Dash asked her brother. He and her mom and dad all nodded. Ace and Soarin just stared at her.

"It was a family tradition. How about we do that Thanksgiving night? I can tell you all about my amazingly awesome adventures with Soarin then!" Dash told them all. Blaze raised an eyebrow.

"Thanksgiving is tomorrow... And frankly, I'd like some answers right now." He told her. Dash groaned, and shook her head.

"Sorry, Dad! I guess you're just going to have to learn how to be patient!" She said, skipping slightly. Blaze grumbled something, before turning back to the youngest couple in the room.

"Now! Back to those rules!" He said happily. Soarin and Dash both looked down, and nodded. Blaze smirked.

"Only married couples get shared rooms. That means me and Firefly, and Spectrum and Ace. Soarin and Dash will be in the farthest rooms in the house. Safely away from one another." He said seriously. Dash glared at her father, and Firefly nudged him in the ribs, whispering something in a hushed voice.

"Oh right... Our house is getting some renovations done... And there are only four finished bedrooms upstairs. So Soarin can sleep on the couch!" He said, gesturing to to the couch. Soarin's eyes widened, and Dash stood in front of him in defense.

"DAD!" She said sternly. Blaze rolled his eyes.

"Fine. Me and Firefly will sleep in our room, Spectrum can sleep in his old room, Dash can sleep in her old bedroom, and Soarin can have the last room. Okay?" He asked in an annoyed tone. Dash gave him a nod of approval.

"Now! More rules! Soarin and Rainbow must always have at least 12 inches between them! No less! But feel free to have more!" Blaze continued. Dash groaned, and stepped a few feet away from Soarin.

"Happy now?" She asked him harshly. Blaze just nodded.

"Very. Adding onto that, Soarin and Rainbow Dash cannot EVER be alone in the same room together. Understood?"

"Hey Dad, I have a question? Why are all the rules targeted towards me and Soarin? Why not Spectrum and Ace?" Dash asked her father. Blaze rolled his eyes.

"Because your brother and his wife are married. They are free to do whatever they please. And until you get married young lady, I suggest you get rid of that tone! HEY! Don't get any ideas lover boy!" Blaze said, turning to Soarin. Soarin gulped, and nodded.

"Y-y-yes sir!" He stammered. Dash chuckled, and shook her head.

"Any more unreasonable rules, Dad?" She asked him. Blaze thought about it, before brightening up.

"Oh yeah! Last one. No kissing. But that kind of goes said because of the first rule." He said. Soarin and Dash's eyes widened, and they both blushed madly.

"Dad!" Dash whined. Blaze shrugged.

"What?" He asked in defense.

"Now! Will you guys follow those rules?" He asked them. They both blushed again, and nodded.

"Yeah, whatever." Dash said quietly. Blaze nodded in approval.

"Good. Now, Spectrum, could you escort Ace, Dash, and Soarin to their rooms?" He asked his son. Spectrum cleared his throat, and nodded, gesturing the latter to follow him upstairs.

"So, this was my old room as a young colt. Me and Ace will be sharing. The next room is Dash's old bedroom. Mom and Dad decided to leave it be when she moved to Ponyville, so you won't find anything different about it. The next room is the guest bedroom. Soarin can stay here. And the final room is my parent's room." Spectrum explained. Everypony nodded, and headed inside their rooms to get settled in.

"Woah. It's exactly how I remember it!" Dash exclaimed to herself, upon entering her room. The walls were coated light blue, with various Wonderbolt posters hanging on it. The bed was a cloud shaped cushion, with rainbow bedsheets. She had a single desk, cluttered with various things such as pens, pencils, books, and a premium guide to the Wonderbolt members. Dash grinned.

"I remember these!" She told herself quietly, walking up to her bookshelf. On the middle shelf, stood many figurines of many Wonderbolts. She grimaced when she saw the one of Wind Rider. She shrugged, and tossed it into the trash can.

"Won't be needing that one. That guy was a jerk!" She said dismissively. There was a knock on the door. With an all too familiar pattern. Dash smiled to herself, as she went to open the door to her sister in-law. She grinned once again, and let the older mare inside. Ace looked around, before sitting herself down on Rainbow's bed.

"Wow! You were quite the fan of the 'bolts!" She exclaimed. Dash chuckled, and nodded, gesturing to the other merchandise. Ace's eyes were already wide, but their size increased massively as they scanned the room.

"Yep. Still am!" Dash said proudly. "And never going to stop!" She finished. Ace nodded, and smiled again.

"It's nice to see that you got yourself a colt. But I always took you for the kind of mare who didn't want one?" She asked with a raised eyebrow. Dash sighed, and nodded.

"Yeah... For the longest time, I really was like that! But Soarin really changed me when we met again at the compound a few weeks ago. He's taught me so much... And I'm really starting to wonder why I hadn't thought of this sooner. Of course, I had already tried dating when I was younger... But that didn't work out very well." She explained, grimacing at the end part. Ace, who already knew about the incident with Hoops, merely nodded.

"Yeah... When I met your brother at the Crystal Empire, I was exactly like you were before! I hated the idea of colts. But after hanging out with Spec for such a long time... I don't know... He just kind of got to me. And the rest is history, of course." Ace told her. Dash smiled, and nodded, hugging the golden mare once again.

"I really missed you, Spark!" She said happily. Ace smiled, and nodded.

"I did too, Rainbow." She told her.

There was another knock on the door, and Ace got up to see who it was.

The door opened to reveal Soarin standing there. His eyes widened when he saw the older mare, who was chuckling.

"Come on in. I'll leave you two be for now." She said, pushing the baby blue stallion inside the room. Ace smiled, as she exited the room, about to close the door, but then remembered something. Blaze's rules.

Knowing how overprotective the father could be, Ace decided to just stay outside the door, and keep an eye on the two. Just to keep Blaze under control. And also because she herself wanted to see how serious Soarin was about this relationship. She merely wanted to look out for the younger mare.

"Soarin! What are you doing here?" Dash asked her coltfriend. Soarin walked a few steps closer to her.

"Frankly, I was just curious on how baby Dashie kept her room together!" Soarin teased. Dash lightly punched him on his shoulder.

"Well, ow." He said sarcastically. He sighed. "Well, okay. Also because I wanted to see you." He finished with a smile. Dash giggled, before climbing off her bead, and going to hug her coltfriend.

"We wont get to spend any alone time together over these few days." Dash said sorrowfully. Soarin gently let go of her and lifted her chin up.

"I know. And that is why we should make the most of these few small moments we have together. And besides, I'm still with you!" He said, trying to cheer her up. Dash gave him a smile, and nodded.

"I know." She said, before leaning up. Soarin backed away a little.

"Dashie! What if somepony sees us?" He said in a hushed tone. Dash pouted. Soarin bit his lip, not daring to give into her cuteness. Rainbow broke into a smile.

"Then that's their problem. Right now, you're mine." She replied in a serious tone, putting a little more force into the last word. Soarin gave her a small smile.

"And you, are mine." He said in a possessive tone, closing the gap between them, and meeting her in a passionate kiss.

From outside, Ace was observing them thoroughly. She ended her exam with a nod of approval.

"You done good, Dash" She said to herself, before backing away from the door, leaving the couple be.

Chapter 22: Getting Ready

A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies

By: RDcrystalheart AKA Crystal Heart

Chapter 22: Getting Ready

The next morning, everypony in the cloud mansion woke up from a very satisfying sleep. Dash instantly got up, took a quick shower with lukewarm water, and shook her head roughly to ruffle her mane out in its usual, messy look. She heard a knock on the door.

"Dashie! Can I come in?" Firefly called out to her daughter. Rainbow trotted up to the door, and opened it up to see a smiling Firefly. But something was different.

Firefly was wearing a simple turquoise blue dress, and had some light makeup on. Dash raised an eyebrow.

"I didn't take you to be a makeup gal!" She told her mother. Firefly instantly shook her head.

"I'm not! It's just that your father has made plans for going to a party tonight. His old high school friends are hosting it." She explained. But this only brought more questions.

"On Thanksgiving?" Dash questioned with a curious look. Firefly shrugged.

"I was confused as well. But it's not a club party. It's kind of like a housewarming. We'll have the traditional family meal there this time." She told her. Dash was reluctant, but she nodded anyway.

"Oh. I was really looking forward to just being with the family this time round. It's rare that we all ever get together." Dash said. Firefly nodded.

"Yeah. But your father tells me that you know his friend's daughters?" Firefly asked her curiously. Dash quirked an eyebrow, and shrugged.

"Do you know their names?" She asked her mother. Firefly shook her head.

"No. Your father didn't tell me." She said. Dash just rolled her eyes, and stepped around her mother.

"Hey! You need to get dressed up! There are going to be many ponies at this event!" Firefly said sternly, stopping her daughter from going any further. Rainbow gasped.

"WHAT? NO! I am NOT wearing a dress and makeup!" Dash told her mother. Firefly rolled her eyes.

"it doesn't have to be anything fancy. Just a simple dress like mine will work. And besides... Don't you wanna impress somepony?" Firefly asked slyly. Dash instantly blushed.

"MOM! He's already seen me in a much fancier dress!" Dash whined. Firefly raised an eyebrow.

"What? When?" She asked curiously. Dash groaned.

"When me and my friends attended the Grand Galloping Gala..." She said slightly above a whisper.

"You went to the GRAND GALLOPING GALA, and you didn't tell me?" Firefly complained. Dash rolled her eyes.

"Well, to be honest... We're not exactly neighbors..." She said. Firefly crossed her hooves, and glared.

"Fine. Now! I expect you to be ready in a couple hours! Actually, you know what? Why don't you, Ace, and I get ready together? I'll call her!" Firefly said, before trotting out of the room. Dash groaned.

A few minutes later, Firefly returned with her daughter in-law. Ace smiled upon seeing Dash, before turning her expression into a serious one. She started to examine Dash.

"Hmm.. If we curl her hair loosely, we can braid the front part. That would look nice. And for the dress... Rainbow what's your size?" Ace asked her sister in-law.

"I'm a mare's medium." Dash replied. Ace nodded.

"I am too. That means you can probably borrow one of my dresses. I brought many." Ace said, before disappearing out of the room once again. She returned with two different dresses in her hooves.

The first one was a dark navy color, with a design of red roses on the hem. It was pretty simple, and Dash took an instant liking to it.

The second one was a light green color, and had a pattern of ruffles going across the bottom stitch. Dash smirked, and pointed towards the navy one.

"That one's nice!" She exclaimed. Ace and Firefly nodded, and Ace handed the dress over to the cyan mare.

"Yeah. It suits you." She said. Dash smiled, and slipped the dress on, gasping at how comfortable it was.

"Woah." Firefly said. "I never thought I'd see the day when my little Dashie wore a dress."

"Yeah... But man this looks good!" Dash said, checking herself out in the mirror. Ace smirked, and twirled the younger mare a few times.

"Nice fit. It looks amazing on you! And I should know... I'm a crystal pony!" She said. Dash nodded.

"Speaking of which. Are you going to crystalize for the party?" She asked her. Ace thought about this, before shaking her head no.

"Nah. I don't think so. It would bring too much attention to me." She replied. Dash nodded.

"Guess you're right." She said. Ace smiled.

"Now! Back to you!" She said, before grabbing a hairbrush with her right hoof. Slowly, she started to weave it through the cyan mare's soft rainbow mane. Dash winced when the hairbrush found its way into a knot.

"Ow!" She exclaimed. Ace frowned.

"You have a lot of knots. How often do you comb your hair, Rainbow?" She asked her. Dash simply shrugged.

"Eh." Was her only reply. Ace smiled, and then continued with Dash's transformation.

"What's taking them so long?" Blaze asked to the other two stallions in the room.

He, Soarin, and Spectrum were in the living room, waiting for the mares to come downstairs to leave. Spectrum shrugged.

"Mares can take forever to get ready. I should know..." He said, thinking about his wife. Blaze chuckled.

"Firefly isn't any better." He said.

The three stallions were wearing simple suits, with their manes slicked back. Soarin glanced at the clock in the living room. It read 5:00 pm. The party was starting at 6:00, so if they wanted to arrive on time, they should have already left!

Suddenly, the doors at the top of the stairs opened wide, revealing three gorgeous mares standing at the top. Rainbow Dash, Sparkling Ace, and Firefly.

The three stallions below had their jaws dropped in shock. They looked absolutely stunning!

Firefly's hair was falling straight down her shoulders, and she was wearing dark pink makeup, and a brilliant turquoise dress. Ace was wearing a beautiful, long flowing dark green dress, that complimented her coat perfectly. And Dash was wearing the navy blue dress with roses that she had picked out earlier that day.

The stallions were at loss of words.

Rainbow Blaze was the first one to move. He went up the stairs, Spectrum and Soarin following close behind. They all reached out, and took their respective mare's hoof.

"Fire... You look amazing!" Blaze complimented his wife, who blushed in return.

"Sparky... I have no words at how stunning you look!" Spectrum said, following his father's words. Ace smiled at her husband, and gave him a peck on his nose.

"Dashie... I-I-I-I don't know what to say! I could say you look good, but that's an understatement." Soarin stammered. Dash's eyes grew wide, as she grinned up at her coltfriend. She wanted to kiss him so badly... But resisted the urge.

Blaze cleared his throat, and Soarin and Dash broke out of eye contact, and looked at him.

"Oh come on! We were having a moment!" Dash said, clearly annoyed. The rest of her family burst out laughing. All but Blaze. He just glared at the two, before escorting his wife down the stairs.

"I'm gonna let go of the twelve inch rule for tonight. But only for tonight. All other rules still apply though." He said. Dash grinned, and Soarin smiled brightly, as they too made their way down the stairs.

"Thanks, Dad!" Rainbow exclaimed. Blaze just rolled his eyes.

"Come on everypony! If we can make it to the train station in less than 5 minutes, we can still make it in time!" Ace exclaimed, breaking into a run, as she burst outside the house.

"Well that's one way to do it..." Spectrum mused.

Chapter 23: Mares and Stallions

A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies

By: RDcrystalheart, AKA Crystal Heart

Chapter Twenty-Three: Mares and Stallions

As everypony got off the train, the stallions reunited with their respective mares, as they made their way to Blaze's friend's house.

The six had just arrived in Canterlot, and were walking through the streets, amazed at how quiet the town was at this time. The houses, all neat in a row, had dim lighting, and most of the streets were deserted.

After a few minutes of walking through the town, Blaze stopped outside a relatively large house. He knocked a few times on the door.

There was some light pattering of hooves, before a dark blue stallions answered the door. He smiled upon seeing Blaze, and took him in for a hug.

"Blaze! So good to see you again!" He said. Blaze smiled, and gladly returned the hug.

"You too, Night! How's Velvet been treating you?" He asked him. The blue stallion, who's name was Night, nodded.

"Velvet's been great! Ever since the children... Moved on... It's been a little hard on us, but we're still keeping well together!" He said happily. Blaze beamed, and gestured the rest of them to come inside.

Night greeted Firefly, before he led the six of them inside the house. A middle aged mare with a light grey coat, and a two toned purple mane came out from one of the rooms. Firefly gasped upon seeing her, and took her in for a big hug.

"Velvet!" She exclaimed. Dash presumed this was Night's wife.

"Firefly? Is that really you? Wow! The years have been hard on us..." Velvet joked, earning a light punch from the pink mare beside her. They both giggled, and made their way inside to the family room.

Dash and Soarin looked at each other, before shrugging, and following suit.

When the two entered the family room, there were many loud gasps heard, before Dash was pushed over in a ferocious hug.

"RAINBOW DASH!" Three mares yelled. Dash rubbed her forehead, before her vision was cleared. In front of her was a purple alicorn, a white unicorn, and a pink earth pony. Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie. Dash's best friends.

"Twilight? Rarity? Pinkie? What are you three doing here?" Dash asked her friends in shock. They looked at each other, before staring back at her.

"My father, Night Light and my mother, Twilight Velvet, are hosting this party! Dad was friends with Hondo Flanks, Rarity's dad, and we invited the rest of the gang to join us as well! Applejack and Fluttershy will be arriving any minute now!" Twilight exclaimed. Dash gasped, and broke into a huge grin.

"Really?!? That's awesome!" She said, flying up and doing a somersault. Her friends smiled, and brought her back to the ground.

"Darling, we've never seen you so... Dressed up! Well, besides the Grand Galloping Gala..." Rarity said. Dash blushed, and nodded.

"Mom said I had to dress up for this. So I was like, what the heck? And I ended up wearing one of my sister in-law's dresses." Dash explained. Twilight brightened up.

"Speaking of sister in-laws! Cadance and Shining Armor are here! Look! There they are!" She exclaimed, before running over to the Crystal Princess, and doing their regular greeting.

Ace, who had been watching the encounter, gasped at the sight of the pink alicorn and her husband. She instantly went over, and bowed low.

"Your highnesses! I didn't expect you to be here!" She said. Spectrum noticed this, and went by his wife's side, doing the same. Princess Cadance was mildly surprised, but realized why they were doing this when Ace got up. Cadance recognized her eyes.

They had hexagon highlights, indicating she was a crystal pony. Cadance chuckled, and shook her hoof in the air.

"Oh please. It's fine! Call me Cadance." She said dismissively. Ace nodded, and looked over to Twilight. She bowed once again.

"Princess Twilight. It's an honor to meet you." She said in respect. Twilight grimaced, and rapidly shook her head.

"Please, I beg you to call me Twilight, and treat me like any other mare." She said. Ace smiled, and nodded.

"Alright. I'm Sparkling Ace. Call me Ace." She said, holding out a hoof. Twilight took it.

"Nice to meet you, Ace! Who are you here with?" She asked her. Ace gestured over to her group.

"My husband Spectrum Dash, and his family. Rainbow Dash, Soarin, Firefly, and Blaze." Ace replied. Twilight nodded, before raising an eyebrow at Soarin. She turned back to Ace.

"Since when was Soarin part of that family?" She asked curiously. Ace smirked, and shook her head.

"I don't think you should hear that from me." She said simply, before walking off with Spectrum. Twilight stared after her, and quirked her eyebrows curiously, making her way back to Rainbow Dash.

"Rainbow Dash! Since when was Soarin part of your family? Isn't he a Wonderbolt?" She asked her. The color drained from Rainbow's face. It was too soon! It was too early for her friends to find out about her relationship with Soarin! She wasn't ready!

"Yeah. He's a Wonderbolt. I invited him to come along today." She said, speaking only partial of the truth. Twilight raised her eyebrow again, before reluctantly nodding.

"Uh... Alright then... If you say so..." She said. The main doors opened wide again, and two mares stepped in. Applejack, and Fluttershy. They both gasped upon seeing their friends, and ran up to them with a hug.

"Girls! So great to see y'all!" Applejack explained, holding onto Rainbow Dash for a little while longer. "Rainbow! Twi didn't tell me y'all were comin'!" She exclaimed happily. Rainbow gladly returned the hug.

"I didn't know any of you guys would be here! My parents didn't tell me." Rainbow said, as she let go of her friend. She then looked over to Fluttershy, and smiled, bringing her in for her own hug.

"I missed you, Flutters!" She said, letting go of her oldest friend. Fluttershy smiled, and wiped a few tears.

"Oh, Rainbow! It's so wonderful to see you again! I missed you too!" She said, before hugging the rainbow maned mare for the second time. Dash smiled, and let go of her. Soarin casually trotted up to them.

"Hey! I remember you! You sold me that delicious apple pie a few years ago!" He said, referring to Applejack. She smiled, and nodded.

"Eeyup! That was me alright!" She said proudly. "I'm glad you liked it!" Soarin nodded seriously.

"Oh yes, it was awesome!" He said. Dash smirked.

"Would you say it was about... 20% cooler?" She asked him. Soarin gave a thoughtful grin, and nodded.

"Oh yeah... Totally, Dashie!" He said. Dash smirked again, and they both looked at each other.

"It was about... 20% cooler!" They said together, before bursting into a fit of giggles.

The other five mares were staring at the two of them curiously. Applejack leaned over to Twilight.

"What's goin' on between those two?" She asked, whispering into her friends ear. Twilight shrugged with a serious stare.

"I'm not really sure. But I'm going to find out by the end of this whole thing." She whispered to the other four, as they all nodded, and stared at the laughing ponies.

"Okay, okay. That's enough of my totally awesome catchphrase!" Dash boasted. Soarin nodded, as they both stared back at Rainbow's friends.

"What?" They both said together. Twilight and the rest of the ponies traded nervous glances between themselves, before shrugging.

"Eh. Hey! I just remembered something! Uh... Could you four come with me for a sec?" Twilight asked Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity and Pinkie Pie. They all nodded, and followed her into the next room. Soarin and Dash stared after them, before exiting the room themselves, heading into one of the living rooms.

"Girls! What do you think is up with Rainbow and Soarin?" Twilight asked her friends once they were out of earshot of any others.

"I don't know... But they were acting awfully friendly back there..." Applejack said suspiciously. Rarity nodded.

"You don't think... Rainbow's found herself a coltfriend?" She asked them all. They all stared at each other, before bursting out laughing.

"Haha... Yeah, Rarity! Sure, Dashie's got herself a coltfriend! Yeah right!" Pinkie said, rolling on the floor laughing. Twilight raised an eyebrow.

"Speaking of 'Dashie.' Did you hear him call Rainbow that? She never lets anypony call her that besides Pinkie and her mother!" Twilight mused. The others nodded in a mix of confusion.

"How about we spy on them for a little while?" Rarity suggested. The others looked shocked for a little while, but then reluctantly nodded.

"I think that's the best plan we have right now." Twilight told them all. They nodded again.

"Come on! I think I saw them going into the secondary living room!" Applejack exclaimed, before leading them all outside the small bedroom.

They heard some mild raspy voices coming from the room Applejack pointed out. They stared at each other, before opening the door a tiny bit, and staring inside.

"Oh Dashie... You're a hoot!" Soarin said, still trying to recover from the laughing session they had shared a few minutes prior. Dash nodded, as they both sat down on the couch by the fireplace.

"I know right? I'm probably the most funny pony you've ever met!" She bragged. Soarin chuckled.

"You know what, I think you are!" He told her. Dash grinned.

"You're also the most beautiful, smart, kind, caring, fast, and basically any other nice adjective you could think of. You're the light to my night, the color to my heart, the medicine to my wounds, the... Dang, I CANNOT sound romantic." Soarin mused in a frustrated tone at the end. Dash almost had tears in her eyes by the end of it. How could one be so sweet to her?

"Do you think it really matters if you sound romantic? I know you're romantic. No one else in my life has loved me like you have, Soar. And I haven't loved anypony as much as I love you." Dash told him seriously. "My father may not like it, my friends may not like it once they find out... But that honestly doesn't matter, because I like it." She finished, reaching out to hold both his hooves in her own. Soarin looked down at their inter-wined hooves, and blushed.

"Wow." He said. Dash gave him a small smile. Soarin looked back up at her.

"You know what? Forget it. Through this entire relationship, I've let ponies push me around. I've let them hurt me, stab me emotionally... And I haven't spoken up. I'm tired of ponies thinking they can control my relationship with you. I love you. And that's all that really matters." He said with a look of determination. Rainbow Dash grinned, and leaned in with a swift motion.

Their lips met in a soft, passionate kiss. This one was unlike any they had ever shared before. It held warmth, and love that had been held back for such a long time. The two ponies moaned under the kiss, as they slowly stared to caress each other's cheeks. They never wanted to let go. Their passion was unlike any other's! Soarin tilted his head further, deepening the kiss. Their hooves left the other's faces, and went around the other pony. Soarin wrapped his free hoof around Dash's waist, and pulled her closer to him. Dash smiled beneath the kiss, as they both passionately released their love for one another.

Soon, they both slowly lingered off each other, gasping for air. Soarin leaned in, and pressed his forehead to Dash's, as they both breathed hot air onto the other pony.

"I love you, Soar." Dash whispered.

"I love you too, Dashie." Soarin replied, as he embraced her in a tight hug. Dash laid her head on his chest, as they both relaxed, simply enjoying each other's company. Dash looked up, and gave Soarin a soft smile, which he happily returned.

Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie were all staring at the couple with looks of blank shock. Twilight slowly closed the door, before turning to her friends.

"What... Just happened?" She asked them. But mostly to herself. The others looked back at her with the same expressions.

"Did... Did that... Did that really.... What the?" Pinkie said, slightly deflated. Applejack had her mouth hanging open, ash the recalled the scene that had just played out.

"Rainbow said things that I never imagined her saying... Why would she do that?" Applejack mused. Rarity, who's eyes were wide open, stumbled in her step.

"Because... Because... She's in love.... Rainbow Dash... Is in love." She mumbled.

"Oh girls... What are we going to say to them now? They obviously don't want us to know about their relationship just yet. Should we tell them that we saw them together?" Fluttershy asked her friends. They all shook their heads.

"No, Fluttershy. What would they think? Rainbow would think that we betrayed her! We spied on them when they were having an intimate moment! Things like that aren't just taken lightly by a pony! Even if it is, Rainbow Dash." Twilight said. The other's nodded in agreement.

"So what now, darling?" Rarity asked her. Twilight sighed.

"I think the best thing to do is pretend we don't know anything. It's for the best." She said sadly. The other's looked down, and nodded. Rarity was the next to speak.

"And to think... Rainbow Dash got herself a colt before I did..." She mused. The others looked at her with a surprised expression, and Rarity just shrugged.

"What? It's safe to assume that they've been in a relationship for a pretty long time. Probably a week into when Dash started Wonderbolt tryouts. Did you see that kiss? That proves that they are very close. Anyway, I got my coltfriend just a week ago. Concluding that Dash got her colt before I got mine." She said in a mocking way. The others looked at each other, before shrugging.

"Speaking of which, how are things going between you and Thunderlane?" Applejack asked the white unicorn. Rarity smiled.

"Oh things between me and Thunder are divine! He's an absolute gem!" Rarity praised. Applejack nodded, and gestured back to the door they were still in front of.

Don't you think we should get them out of there?" She asked them. The other's nodded in agreement.

"Yeah. Let's knock, to give them a warning." Twilight said, before knocking on the door with her hoof a couple times.

"Rainbow Dash? Soarin? Are you in there?" She called to them. She heard some rustling of hooves, before the door opened wide. Rainbow and Soarin stood there, with small smiles on their faces.

"Oh hey guys! Whats up?" Dash asked the latter. They all gestured back to the dining room.

"We're starting the feast. Come on!" Rarity said, leading them all to the room mentioned.

After a satisfying meal, everypony made their way back to the family room, where the large fireplace was standing. A large, toasty fire was started, as everypony took a few blankets. There were ten love-seat like couches, and everypony split into pairs and took a seat.

Firefly sat with Rainbow Blaze, Spectrum sat with Ace, Cookie Crumbles sat with Hondo Flanks, Rarity sat with her little sister Sweetie Belle, Night Light sat with Twilight Velvet, Cadance sat with Shining Armor, and Applebloom sat with Scootaloo. Soon, only Rainbow Dash, Soarin, Twilight, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie were left. Rainbow Dash and Soarin looked at each other, and blushed. The rest of them saw this, and nervously looked at them.

"Rainbow Dash, how about you sit with Soarin. I'll sit with Pinkie, and Applejack can sit with Fluttershy." Twilight told them. They all sighed in relief, and nodded. Rainbow Dash and Soarin headed over to the couch across from Dash's parents, and the other four went to the final remaining two couches.

Once everypony was settled, Night Light played some gentle music, and decided to start some small talk between all the ponies.

Rainbow Dash yawned, as she checked the clock. It was almost eleven o'clock! Everypony was beginning to get tired, but nopony wanted to go on a long train ride home.

"Everypony, would you all like to sleep over for the night? We have more than enough guest rooms for you all to share! In fact, we have ten extra bedrooms. So how about we all just stay in our pairs, and share rooms accordingly?" Twilight Velvet suggested. Everypony nodded in agreement. Rainbow Blaze's eyes widened at the last part, and was about to object, but Firefly held him down.

"Look at Dashie." She whispered to him. Blaze looked over to his daughter, and was pleasantly surprised at the sight.

Rainbow Dash had her head in Soarin's chest, and was softly snoring as she slept. Soarin rested his head against her's, and wrapped a hoof around the cyan mare. She smiled in her sleep, and snuggled closer to him.

Blaze looked back at his wife with wide eyes.

"Oh alright. But just this once." He said, sighing in defeat. "And don't tell Dash I said this... But Soarin's alright."

Chapter 24: Making Plans

A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies

By: RDcrystalheart AKA Crystal Heart

Chapter 24: Making Plans

The next morning, Rainbow Dash woke up with somepony wrapping their hooves tightly around her. She quickly jumped out of bed, and glanced at the intruder.

It was Soarin.

"Gah! Soarin! What are you doing here?" She said, as memories of the night before started flooding back to her. She groaned, and helped her coltfriend out of bed.

"Sorry... Anyway... What happened? I sorta drained out when Velvet started speaking last night..." She said, smiling sheepishly. Soarin chuckled.

"Oh that's fine, Dashie. Anyway... Velvet said that we could sleep over, and share rooms according to who we were sitting with. By that time, you had already gone to bed. So I simply carried you into this room, and slept besides you the entire night." Soarin explained. Dash blushed. Soarin had stayed with her the entire night? Awesome!

"Cool! What time is it?" She asked him. Soarin glanced at the clock in the large room.

"About nine o'clock." He replied. Dash nodded, and started to head over to the door, eager to get some breakfast.

"Dashie!" Soarin whined. "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to get some breakfast." She replied in monotone. Soarin pouted.

"Five more minutes?" He pleaded. Dash rolled her eyes with a smile, and they both flopped back onto the bed. Soarin instantly pulled his mare closer to him, and started stroking her mane. Dash smiled, and snuggled into his chest.

"What if somepony walks into the room?" She questioned. Soarin chuckled.

"Honestly, it doesn't matter." He said simply, continuing to stroke her head. Dash smiled again, and wrapped her hooves around him. All they really wanted now was to just enjoy in each other's presence.

Half an hour later, Rainbow Dash started to wriggle out of Soarin's grasp.

"Come on, Soarin! We're going to be late for breakfast! Do you really want to find out what would happen if my dad stumbled upon us?" she asked him. Soarin sighed, and climbed out of the bed.

"Oh, alright." He said, opening the door, leading her out of the room.

"There the two lovebirds are!" Twilight exclaimed, as she saw Rainbow Dash and Soarin descend from the stairs. She was met with angry glares, as she quickly covered her mouth.

"What?" Soarin asked her in disbelief. Twilight laughed nervously.

"Uh... Nothing! Absolutely nothing!" she said, trying to cover up for her little slip up. Dash raised an eyebrow.

"Twilight... What's going on?" she asked her suspiciously. Twilight gulped, nervously looking around. Applejack sighed.

"We might've... Found out about your... Relationship with Soarin?" she stuttered out. Dash and Soarin's eyes both widened a considerable amount, before their jaws dropped open.

"What? Who told you?" Soarin asked her. Applejack glanced at her friends.

"Nopony told us. We kinda... Looked in on your... Time together in the living room?" She said, turning her statement into a question. Dash's face instantly turned bright red, as her blush took over her face. Soarin didn't look any better.

"WHAT? GUYS! Haven't you heard about PRIVACY?" Dash yelled.

"I'm sorry, Rainbow. We just couldn't help it! After you and Soarin looked so comfortable with one another, our suspicions grew! We never meant any harm!" Fluttershy said quietly. Dash sighed.

"Yeah... I know. But still! I didn't want you guys to find out like this!" She protested. Soarin trotted up to her, and draped his right wing onto her back.

"Maybe it was for the best, Dashie. Now we don't have to go through the pain of explaining everything," he told her gently. Dash sighed, and nodded.

"Yeah... Sure. Whatever," she complied, resting her head on his shoulder. Soarin smiled, and looked over to the others, who were staring at them with grins, and starry eyes.

"AWE!!! You two are ADORABLE!!!! I SHIP IT SO BADLY!!!! SOARINDASH FOR LIFE!!!" Pinkie yelled. The others looked at her with confused expressions, but shrugged it off. It was just Pinkie being Pinkie, right?

Suddenly, somepony behind Dash and Soarin cleared their throat. The couple pulled away, and looked straight into the eyes of Rainbow Blaze.

"Are you two finished? Because if you are, we'd all really like to start breakfast." He said sharply, glaring towards Soarin. They both gulped, and headed inside the dining room, taking a seat next to each other.

Blaze came in, and sat down right next to Soarin. When he saw Dash was too busy eating, he leaned over.

"So! What happened with you and Dash last night? Or this morning." He asked him. Soarin gulped, and looked over to the periwinkle coated stallion.

"Nothing, sir! We just slept. And then woke up, and came downstairs for breakfast!" Soarin persisted. Blaze raised an eyebrow, and reluctantly nodded.

"Sure... If I find that you did anything else... Well, you better watch your back." He threatened. Soarin's eyes widened, and he nodded frantically, quickly going back to his meal.

"So... Anything interesting happen at tryouts?" Rarity asked. "Besides you and Soarin getting together, of course."

"Well, not really. I showed some slick moves to everypony, but besides that, nothing!" Dash said. The other's rolled their eyes, and turned to Soarin.

"Speaking of which. How did you and Rainbow get together?" Twilight questioned. Soarin blushed, and put his hoof behind his neck. Dash's cheeks turned bright red, as she stared down, while fiddling with her pancakes. The other's saw this, along with Blaze, and they all grew suspicious.

"Yeah, Soarin... How did you and my daughter get together?" Blaze asked. Dash and Soarin's expressions remained, as they both stared at each other with bright blushes.

"Uh... Well we were out for a late night flight, and we kinda fell asleep on a cloud. And in the morning... Stuff happened. And we got together!" Soarin said, not revealing the full story. Dash nodded.

"Yeah. He was even willing to give up his entire career for me!" She exclaimed. Blaze raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? How so?" He asked her. Dash looked up to Soarin with a smile, and took his hoof in her own.

"The Wonderbolt's have a rule. They can't date anypony if it proves to be a distraction. But Soarin said he was willing to take the risk. But then, when we were in the compound hallway, Spitfire kinda caught us showing... affection. And she was about to kick Soarin out of the Wonderbolts. But I swooped in and saved him, by finding a loop hole in the rule." She said proudly. Blaze raised his eyebrow again.

"Oh really?" He said slowly, before returning to his meal. Dash did the same, along with Soarin.

Twilight Velvet entered the dining room with Firefly and Cookie Crumbles, as she cleared her throat. She then turned to Soarin and Dash.

"Will you two get a break from work for Hearths Warming?" She asked them. Dash turned to Soarin, just in time to see him nod.

"Yeah. We get a week off for the holidays. Why?" He asked her. Velvet smiled, before turning to the large group of ponies in front of her. Firefly and Cookie Crumbles both went by her side.

"Attention everypony! Velvet here has an announcement!" Firefly yelled out, capturing the attention of the seventeen other ponies in the room. They all looked up to her, and then at Velvet.

"Thank you, Fire. Anyway! I was thinking of planning a little get together for Hearths Warming Eve, and Hearths Warming Day! Will all of you be able to make it?" Velvet asked the group. They all grinned, and nodded.

"Sure! We're not doing anything for the holidays!" Ace said, turning to her husband. Spectrum nodded.

"Yeah! We'd be happy to come! Mom, Dad, Dash? Are you all coming as well?" He asked the rest of his family.

"Yeah. Me and Blaze can definitely make it. Will you and Soarin be coming, Dashie? Or would you like to spend this year alone together?" Firefly asked her daughter. Dash turned to Soarin.

"What do you say? Would you like to join me and my family for Christmas?" She asked her coltfriend. He grinned, and nodded.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world!" He exclaimed, turning to Velvet, and nodding. She smiled.

"Great! Pinkie? Fluttershy? Applejack? What do you say?" Velvet asked. They all nodded enthusiastically.

"Sounds like a bunch of fun, Mrs. Velvet! It's going to be a big party!" Pinkie exclaimed, jumping from her seat in excitement. Velvet beamed, as the other two nodded.

"Awesome! We'll do things like singing Christmas carols, making cookies, hanging our stockings... It'll be a ton of fun!" She said happily, before trotting back into the kitchen with her friends.

Chapter 25: Announcements

A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies

By: Crystal Heart, AKA RDcrystalheart

Chapter 25: Announcements

When Rainbow Dash, Soarin, Firefly, and Rainbow Blaze arrived back at the Wonderbolt compound later that day, they all knew it was time for Firefly and Blaze to depart.

"Bye, Mom. Bye, Dad!" Dash said, hugging both her parents. They smiled, and happily returned.

"We'll miss you, Dashie. But look on the bright side! We'll all be together again for Hearths Warming!" Firefly exclaimed. They all nodded enthusiastically.

"And I'm really looking forward to that!" Dash replied, hugging her mother once again. "Love you guys." She finished. Her parents smiled.

"Love you too, Dash. Now we really must be going!" Blaze said. Firefly nodded, and turned to the couple, surprising Soarin with a hug for himself.

"Take care of her, won't you? She might not seem like the type, but Rainbow is very sensitive. Please don't hurt her." Firefly whispered. Soarin gave her a small smile, accompanied with a nod.

"Of course, Mrs. Firefly. I'd never hurt her. Anything for Dashie." He said tenderly. Firefly smiled, and went back with her husband.

"Alright. We best be off! We'll see you both for the holidays at Velvet's!" She said, before flying out of the compound. Blaze turned to Soarin with a small glare, and then quickly took off behind his wife. Soarin sighed, before turning to Rainbow.

"I'm afraid your father will never like me..." He said sadly. Dash hung her head.

"Well, at least he isn't hurting you physically anymore." She said quietly. Soarin sighed again, and nodded, before leading her deeper into the compound.

"So, are you excited for the next few days of tryouts? I believe there are about seven more. Three before the holiday break." Soarin said. Dash nodded.

"Are you kidding? I'm WAY excited! Lets just hope I make it through!" Dash said, worriedly biting her lip at the end. Soarin grinned.

"Dashie, of course you'll make it through! You're probably the best candidate for a Wonderbolt I've ever seen!" He complimented. Dash grinned, and gave him a quick hug.

"Thanks, Soar." She said, using her nickname for him. He gave her another small smile.

The next few weeks were very rough. With all the competition for the elite, Dash managed to snag herself a spot in the top ten. She didn't know the exact place she was in, but Spitfire was nice enough to tell her the range.

Soon enough, it was Hearths Warming Eve, and currently, Rainbow and Soarin were packing their things for their trip to Twilight's house in Canterlot. They had gotten a letter in the mail a week ago with all the information they needed to know. They were staying for a week, and had the address handy.

"Ready to go, Dashie?" Soarin asked, coming inside Dash's cabin. Dash looked up from her suitcase, and nodded.

"Yup! Let's get going! It's a long flight." She said, using her right hoof to drag it across the room with her. Soarin nodded, and led her to the front of the compound.

As they were flying, Dash turned to Soarin.

"How are you feeling, Soar? We aren't going to be spending much time together for the next week. I mean, we'll be together... Just not alone." She told him. Soarin sighed, and nodded.

"I know, Dashie. At least we're together." He said, giving her a hug. She gladly returned, and then took off.

"Betcha can't catch me!" She yelled, leaving him in the dust. Soarin grinned at her attempt to brighten up the mood, and glared playfully at the disappearing figure of his marefriend in the distance.

"Oh it is so on, my adorable friend."

Two blue pegasi entered a warm room, laughing to themselves at their little race. It ended with a tie, but neither wanted to argue about it.

Twilight Velvet entered the room with a bright smile on her face.

"Merry Hearths Warming Eve, Rainbow Dash, Soarin! You can put your coats in the cupboard here, and some hot cocoa will be served in the living room soon. Get yourselves comfortable! The rest are already inside!" She explained. The latter nodded, and took off their scarfs and coats, placing their saddle bags on the ground.

"Thank you, Mrs. Velvet." Dash said. Velvet smiled, and nodded, before leaving the room.

Soarin and Rainbow Dash made their way through the large house, before stopping in front of the room in which they had kissed a few weeks ago. The room where Dash's friends spied on her.

The two slightly blushed at the memory, before heaving the door open, and stepping inside.

"Rainbow Dash! Soarin! How wonderful to see you both!" Twilight Sparkle exclaimed, walking over to the two, and giving them both a hug.

"Did you make it here okay? How was the train ride?" Twilight asked. Dash and Soarin both smiled.

"Actually, we flew here." Soarin spoke. Twilight gasped.

"But the flight from Clousdale to Canterlot is more than a few hours! How did you get here so quickly?" She questioned. Dash and Soarin looked at each other with smiles.

"Let's just say... Soarin tends to go extremely fast when he's challenged to a race." Dash said with a sly smirk.

"Hey, you're not so bad yourself!" Soarin praised. They both giggled, and turned back to the purple alicorn mare.

"Uh... Okay then! Take a seat! Rainbow, Spectrum and Ace said they would be arriving a little late. A few hours tops." She explained. Dash nodded.

"At least they're coming. That's all that matters." She said. The other two nodded, as Twilight went back to her seat by the fire. Dash and Soarin looked at each other again, and made their way to the many seats as well.

"Dashie!" Firefly exclaimed, spotting her daughter coming over. Dash beamed.

"Mom! Dad!" She said happily, before trotting over to the two older ponies and giving them big hugs. "I missed you guys!"

"We did too, Dash! How's training going?" Blaze asked. Dash blushed.

"I made my way to the top ten in the academy! Spitfire won't tell me my exact spot though..." She said. Firefly and Blaze gasped, and hugged their daughter once again.

"Dashie! That's wonderful!" Firefly exclaimed. Dash chuckled, before gesturing Soarin to come over to the trio.

"Soarin! Long time no see, bud! Come sit with us!" somepony yelled. Soarin and Dash both simultaneously looked over to where the voice came from.

It was a silver coated stallion with a dark green mane. Dash didn't recognize him, but by the way Soarin was looking at him, she knew they were friends.

"Cobalt? Is that really you? Wow! It's been a while!" He said, going to the stallion, and giving him a hug.

"I'll say! How's Wonderbolt life?" Cobalt asked. Soarin grinned.

"It's been great!" He replied. Cobalt nodded.

"How are you here, though?" Soarin asked him. Cobalt gestured over to Twilight.

"Twilight's my little cousin." He said, just as Dash trotted over to them.

"Oh! This is Rainbow Dash, my marefriend!" Soarin exclaimed. Cobalt looked at him with a raised eyebrow, but nevertheless turned to the cyan mare with a smile.

"Hello, my name is Silver Cobalt. You may know me as... Twilight Sparkle's cousin?" Cobalt said, introducing himself. Dash smiled.

"Hiyo! The name's Dash. Rainbow Dash! Nice 'ta meet you!" She said. Cobalt nodded, and turned back to Soarin.

"Soarin? Could we talk? It's been so long since we last got to see one another! Let's chat! There's plenty of time before we sing!" He exclaimed. Soarin looked over to Dash with a sad glance.

"I don't know, Cobalt. I was really looking forward to sitting with Dash for this one..." He said slowly. Cobalt frowned.

"Soarin. How long have you and Rainbow Dash been going out?" He asked him.

"About four months."

"Don't tell me you haven't had any alone time for four months!"

"No... We've had plenty of opportunities."

"Then why not sit with me for now? You can go and play snuggle with your marefriend later. Right now, we really need some stallion talk."

Soarin sighed, and nodded. There was really no getting out of this one.

"Oh... Alright. You don't mind, do you, Dashie?" He asked, turning to the rainbow maned mare. She looked down with a glum look, but shook her head.

"Nah. It's all good." She said, before leaving to go sit with her friends. They welcomed her with open hooves.

"Rainbow! What happened? I thought you wanted to sit with Soarin?" Rarity asked her friend. Dash shrugged.

"Cobalt wanted to talk with him. They were buds before, but kinda lost touch. At least, that's what I'm guessing..." She said, looking over to the two stallions, who were currently chuckling over something.

"But it's all good! I probably won't get to spend any time with Soarin this holiday, because Dad would throw a fit. But it doesn't matter! As long as he's here... I'm fine." Dash finished. Her friends gave each other sideway glances, before looking back to Dash.

"He's really that important to you?" Fluttershy asked quietly. Dash sighed,and nodded.

"Yeah. Soar means the world to me. Tell anypony I said that... And you'll never see tomorrow." She told them with a threatening glare. The five cautiously backed away, in fear of what Dash was capable of.

"Um... Alrighty then! It's nice ta see yah care fer somepony other than yerself!" Applejack exclaimed. Dash gave the cowgirl a playful glare, before Velvet approached them.

"Here, Rainbow. Have some cocoa." She said, handing over a steaming mug of chocolate brown liquid to the mare. She smiled, and sighed at the warmth that radiated into her hooves at the touch.

"Mmm! This smells delicious! Thanks, Mrs. Velvet!" Dash said, before happily taking a sip. Velvet smiled, and went back to sitting with Firefly and Cookie Crumbles.

It was then when Rainbow noticed the way everypony was sitting. All the mares were at one side of the room, and the stallions at the other. It was obviously a coincidence, but it felt so strange, Dash just had to point it out.

"Did you guys notice how the mares are sitting on this side of the room? And the stallions sitting on that side?" She asked her friend. They all looked around, before gasping.

"Wow! That's so cool!" Pinkie said, bouncing around a few times.

"Hey! Did you guys find any colts while I've been away?" Rainbow asked the five mares. They all blushed, and looked away. Dash raised an eyebrow, knowing what this meant.

"Okay. I'm taking that as a yes. Care to share? Or are you... boneless?" She threatened. Pinkie gasped, and hid her face in her hooves.

"Pinkie? Are you okay?" Rainbow asked her friend. Pinkie peeked out, and nodded.

"Haha... Yeah! I'm totally okay! I'm more okay than okay itself!" She exclaimed, trying to hide again. Dash rolled her eyes.

"Um... Okay then! Moving on! Anypony else?" She asked the four others. Rarity nodded.

"Well, I got together with Thunderlane a few days after you left for Wonderbolt tryouts!" She said. Dash raised an eyebrow.

"Thunderlane? How did that happen?" She asked, fully knowing how clumsy the stallion could be. Rarity blushed.

"Well, I guess he was cloud busting outside the boutique, and kinda threw a cloud inside the window. It landed all over my newest dress design, and threw everything off. Of course, I got mad. But after a while, things started to even out between us, and we became pretty decent friends. He's been an absolute gem to me!" She exclaimed. Dash raised her eyebrow again, before reluctantly nodding.

"Um... That's one way to get together." She said nervously, before turning to the rest of them. Applejack shook her head, Fluttershy hid behind her mane, clearly not wanting to get into a conversation about her love life. Finally, Dash glanced over to Twilight.

Twilight was blushing madly. Harder than Dash had ever seen a blush. She smirked, deciding to investigate further.

"Twilight? Is there something you'd like to tell us?" She asked her. Twilight instantly shook her head.

"Oh! No! I'm fine! I'm absolutely fine!" She insisted. Dash gave her an obvious look.

"Yeah right. What's going on?" She pried. Twilight shook her head.

"I don't to talk about it." She said simply. This just arose more questions. The other four, not knowing what was going on with Twilight, decided to try to get some answers as well.

"Yeah, Twi! What's up?" Applejack asked. Twilight blushed again, and shook her head.

"Still not saying." She whined.

Suddenly, the double doors to the room opened wide. Revealing Cadance, Shining Armor, and a certain orange pegasus guard.

"Announcing the arrival of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, and Prince Shining Armor!" Flash Sentry yelled out, as Cadance and Shining Armor stepped in.

"Sentry. I still don't understand why we had to go through that. This is my family. Not my subjects." Shining Armor told the guard. Flash saluted.

"Sir, It's an important ritual that almost always must be done, sir. I've forgotten countless times before, sir. I didn't want to make the same mistake again, sir!" He said, saluting several more times. Shining shrugged, and walked by him with his wife.

Before Flash left though, he glanced around the room, spotting the Mane Six. He quickly gave Twilight a small smile, and a nod towards everypony else.

Spectrum and Ace entered the room, their coats and scarves still on. They wore huge grins, as they set all their stuff down.

"Sorry we're late, everypony!" Ace said, taking off her coat. Spectrum did the same.

"Yeah. Sorry 'bout that! We got caught in traffic." He said. Ace ran up to her sister in-law, and her friends, and gave Dash a hug.

"Good to see you again, Rainbow!" She exclaimed happily. Dash gladly returned the gesture.

"You too, Spark!" She replied. Ace smiled, before returning to her husband, and turning to the large crowd of ponies in front of her.

"Everypony! We'd like to make an announcement!" She yelled, capturing the attention of everypony in the large room. They all turned to her with curious looks. Ace looked at her husband with a loving glance, which he graciously returned.

"We're having a foal!"

Chapter 27: Presents

A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies

By: RDcrystalheart AKA Crystal Heart

Chapter 27: Presents

Rainbow Dash beamed as sunlight poured into the dark room.

It was the crack of dawn, and she was already wide awake, breathing in the fresh air around her. She looked besides her, and saw her coltfriend sprawled out on the bed in the most ridiculous pose ever. Dash fought back a giggle, once she saw his drooling face.

She rolled her eyes, and put her hooves to his back.

"Soarin! Wake up! Wake up! It's Hearths Warming!" She whisper-shouted, shaking him violently. Soarin snorted loudly, before opening his eyes a crack.

"What happened?" He asked groggily. Dash frowned.

"Soarin! Wake up! It's Hearths Warming!" She repeated. Soarin opened his eyes a little more, and gave her a small smile.

"I bet you can't wait to see my present!" She said, teasing him slightly. Soarin grinned.

"What do you mean? I'm staring right at it!" He said, tickling her slightly. She blushed profusely.

"Awe... Thanks. But seriously! Get up! I wanna give you your present before everypony else wakes up!" She said, pushing him off the bed. He groaned, as his fur made contact with the cold wooden floors of the house. He shook his head, and slowly got up.

"Alright, alright! I'm up! Sheesh woman..." He said, before leading her out of the room. Dash grinned in satisfaction, and trotted out the door, Soarin following close behind.

The two made their way downstairs, where Firefly and Blaze were sitting in front of the fireplace. Each of them had a gift in their hooves, and it looked like they were about to exchange.

Dash and Soarin trotted downstairs, and the minute they set their eyes on the older couple, Dash groaned.

"Great. I was really looking forward to some alone time." She mumbled underneath her breath, just loud enough for Soarin to hear her. He grinned, and wrapped his hooves around her.

"We'll have plenty of time for that later." He said simply. Dash smiled, and nodded.

It was then when Firefly and Blaze noticed the two standing over there. They gestured them over.

Soarin and Dash made their way to Dash's parents, before sitting themselves down in front of the tree. Dash glanced at her parents, who quickly went back to giving each other their gifts, before turning to Soarin.

Dash reached underneath the tree, and pulled out a package. It was a light blue box with a single yellow ribbon going around it. She held it out to Soarin, who smiled, and took it.

Carefully, he unwrapped the present, making sure he didn't rip the insides.

First, he grabbed the gold card, and opened it.

Soarin,

Here's a little something I made myself.

Love ya you big goof.

Yours forever,

Dashie.

Soarin smiled up to Rainbow, who was looking up at him with a hopeful grin.

He then proceeded to opening the main gift, lifting the box open with a swift motion of his hooves, he gasped at what he saw inside.

It was a pie!

And not just any pie... It was an apple pie! His favorite!

Soarin stared at the pie in awe with an amazed look.

"Don't ask me how I managed to keep that inside a box. Pinkie Pie helped me with that part... But I did the rest! Made the pie myself. It wasn't easy, I'll tell you that..." Dash said nervously. She looked at Soarin, who had an unreadable expression on.

"You hate it don't you? I knew it! I'm so sorry, Soarin! I'll get you something else to make up for it! Promise!" She stammered out. Soarin's eyes widened, and he looked up to his marefriend.

"Dash?" He asked her in a soft voice. Dash slung her ears down, and nodded.

"Yeah?"

"This is the sweetest thing anypony's ever done for me. Thank you." Soarin said, before placing the pie down, and proceeding to give his marefriend the biggest hug ever.

She squeaked in surprise, but giggled, and wrapped her hooves around him in return.

After a few minutes, the two let go of each other, and Soarin grabbed Dash's present out from underneath the tree.

"Here you go," he said in a tender voice. "Hope you like it..."

Dash, unlike Soarin, grabbed the paper with her teeth, and ripped it open with a single tug. She grabbed the card, and scanned the text, her smile getting bigger by the second.

My sweet, beautiful little Dashie,

Can you believe it's already been almost five months since I asked you out?

But one thing's for certain, when I first laid my eyes on you, I had no idea I would the lucky stallion that would end up standing by your side. I only asked myself, "Who is that beautiful mare?"

Rain, you have no idea how much I love you.

I hope we can spend our entire lives together, and no matter what, always know that I'll always stick by your side.

I'm never letting you go.

Ever.

My only wish on this Christmas is that you'll love me as much as I love you.

I'm yours,

Soar.

Rainbow looked up to the baby blue stallion, tears daring to fall out of her eyes. She had no idea he loved her this much!

"Soarin... I... I..." She stammered, tears starting to fall freely down her cheek.

Rainbow then burst into tears, taking her stallion into her open hooves. He smiled into her back, and rubbed it with his hoof.

"Soar... I love you too... Much more than you know..." She whispered into his ear, before giving him a light kiss on the cheek. He smiled tenderly at her, and wiped a few tears away.

"Don't you wanna open your present?" He asked with a grin. Dash returned it, before ripping open the box. Soarin winced at her strength.

"Well that's definitely one way to open a gift." He mumbled underneath his breath.

Dash gasped as her eyes set on the object inside.

It was a book.

But not just any book.

It was the Wonderbolt's Guidebook.

"It's my own personal copy. But since you're on your way to becoming a Wonderbolt, I thought you might like to preview everything?" He asked her hopefully. Dash's jaw fell to the ground, as she stared at the book.

"Soarin... THIS IS SO AMAZING!" She shouted, leaping back into the stallion's hooves. He grinned, and hugged her back.

"Thank you... SO MUCH!" She yelled again, before gasping, and covering her mouth. She didn't want to wake anypony up! Soarin chuckled.

"It was no problem at all, Dashie. I love you." He said. Dash smiled.

"I love you too."

Chapter 28: Trouble Strikes!

A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies

By: Crystal Heart AKA RDcrystalheart

Chapter 28: Trouble Strikes!

Firelfy and Rainbow Blaze opened the gifts their respective partner had given them. They both smiled simultaneously.

"Thanks, Blazey." Firefly whispered to her husband, looking at the beautiful necklace in her hooves. Blaze smiled, and glanced over to his own present; a cuff-ring.

"And thank you, Fire, for the cuffing." He said, giving his wife a kiss on the cheek.

Their concentration was broke when they heard somepony burst into tears. The couple instantly recognized the pony to be their daughter, Rainbow Dash.

Both instinctively looked over to her with worried expressions, and were taken aback by the scene in front of them.

Dash had leapt into Soarin's hooves, and was embracing him in the tightest hug they could muster. Soarin was gently rubbing her back, while Dash was crying into his.

The older couple watched as Dash leaned for Soarin's right ear, and whispered a few words to him. The words were inaudible to the mare's parents, but they could both instantly tell that they had been words of love. Seeing how much of an effect they had on Soarin.

Dash then let go of him, and gave him a tender kiss on his clammy cheek. Soarin smiled, and then lifted his hoof to wipe a few tears from the mare's eyes.

"Don't you wanna open your present?" He asked with a grin.

Firefly and Blaze watched intently as their daughter opened her gift, gasping at the sight of it. They couldn't see what it was, but could definitely tell that Dash liked it. A lot.

"Soarin... THIS IS SO AMAZING!" She shouted, leaping back into the stallion's hooves. He grinned, and returned the gesture.

"Thank you... SO MUCH!" She yelled again.

What they said next had lasting effects on the older couple.

"It was no problem at all, Dashie. I love you."

"I love you too."

The young ponies got up, and trotted into the kitchen, smiling, and chattering to themselves as they walked.

Firefly and Blaze looked at one another in disbelief.

"That... Just... Happened." The pink-coated mare said in shock. The stallion dumbly nodded.

"Yeah... What do you suppose got her so worked up like that?" He asked her. Firefly gestured to the card sitting in front of the tree.

"I'm pretty sure it was the card, seeing that Dash hadn't opened her present until later." She guessed. Blaze nodded, and bent over to pick up the card. He then showed it to Firefly, as they read it silently.

"Oh!" Firefly exclaimed, blushing slightly. Blaze's eyes were wide.

"Wow..." He said. His wife turned to him.

"Who knew the boy was so sappy?" She said. Blaze shrugged.

"Eh. I've seen better," he said. Firefly raised an eyebrow.

"Oh really? Like you?" she asked. Blaze blushed.

"Because if I remember clearly, twenty seven years ago, you were too shy to even look at me!" Firefly said, crossing her hooves. Blaze put his head down in shame.

"Well, it all worked out in the end! But I think this colt is acting a little too sappy. Maybe it's a trap." He said. Firefly rolled her eyes.

"I think this is genuine, Blazey. Our daughter's in love!" She exclaimed happily. Blaze shook his head.

"No. This is... Peer pressure! Yes! That's what it is! Nothing to worry about! Just peer pressure!" he said. Firefly sighed.

"From who?" she asked simply.

"Uh... From... Her friend Rarity? I heard she's going out with some weather pony. Don't know about the rest though... Maybe the princess? Oh I know! Princess Twilight's brother and sister in-law! Or maybe even Spectrum and Ace! All these couples around us! It could be any one of them! But all I know is that Rainbow is not in love. It's impossible! Have you even seen that girl?" Blaze exclaimed. Firefly looked taken aback by his sudden outburst, but regained her composure.

"And who says she can't fall in love?" She asked him. Blaze hung his head.

"She promised me she wouldn't fall in love! It's never going to happen!" He mumbled. Firefly shook her head.

"Blaze... Why can't you just move on? You've seen how much those two care for one another! Why can't you just be happy for them?" she asked. Blaze glared suddenly at her.

"No." He said, before walking out, and back upstairs. Firefly sighed, as she watched him leave. She sat down, and looked around, noticing the card that Dash made for Soarin was lying there. She smiled, and picked it up, scanning the text. She giggled.

"Oh Dashie... He wrote a whole page for you... And you only write a few words? Typical." She said, before tossing it back into it's original position, and getting up to wake everypony else.

"Thank you, Fluttershy! This tortoise caller is boss!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, taking the present her animal loving friend gave her.

"Here's yours." She said, handing over a box to the yellow coated mare. She smiled, and took it happily.

Soarin lightly trotted up to Rainbow Dash, and gestured her over. Confused, Dash complied, and got up from her seat by the fire, letting Soarin lead her out of the room. Firefly and Blaze saw this, and Blaze started to get up too.

"Blazey? Where are you going?" Firefly asked him slyly. Blaze shook his head.

"Just getting a drink of water! I'll be right back!" He said, trotting out the same exit Dash and Soarin went through. Firefly glared towards him, and ran out after her husband.

"Yeah right..."

"Soar! Where are you taking me?" Dash asked Soarin. He looked back to her, and grinned.

"Oh you'll see..." He said, not revealing too much information. Dash sighed, and let him drag her through the house.

They reached the back door, and Soarin pushed it open, letting the cool morning air hit them.

It was snowing!

Soarin grabbed a few nearby scarfs, and slung them around his and his marefriend's necks. They took two hats, and some boots, and slipped them on.

"Come on!" Soarin said, dragging her outside into the backyard. Dash smiled at his eagerness, and followed him.

"Wow... It's so beautiful out here!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, running her hoof through the soft white snow beneath her hooves. She smiled, as Soarin came up from behind her.

"It really is a magnificent sight..." He sighed. Dash nodded, before turning around a slyly smirking. She quickly produced a large snowball in between her hooves, and threw it at her coltfriend, hitting him straight on the nose.

"Oops!" She said, laughing to herself. Soarin frowned initially, before joining in the laughter. He made a snowball of his own, and threw it with all his force towards the rainbow-maned mare.

"Hazaa! The fun has been doubled!" He said, earning himself another snowball to the face. He grimaced, before throwing more snowballs to his marefriend.

After a few minutes, the two were laughing so hard, they almost couldn't breathe! Soarin grabbed Dash's hoof, and led her underneath a large tree.

Once the laughter died down, Dash turned to Soarin.

"Soar, why'd you call me out here?" She asked him. Soarin smiled softly at her.

"Look up." He said. Dash glanced above her head, and noticed a bushel of mistletoe hanging from the tree they were standing underneath. She quickly caught on, and looked back at Soarin.

No words were said, no gestures were made, as the two just stared into one another's eyes. Dash took in the deep pools of emeralds she had fallen for so long ago, as Soarin did the same with her magenta's.

Suddenly, Dash grabbed the back of Soarin's neck with her hoof, and roughly planted her lips on his with a swift motion.

Soarin smiled beneath the kiss, and wrapped his hooves around her waist, pulling her close to him. Dash lifted her hoof to his face, and softly caressed his cheek. Soarin moaned, as he slipped away into the world of passion, Rainbow following not far behind.

Blaze gritted his teeth in anger as he saw the scene in front of him. He was about to go up to them, when somepony placed their hoof on his shoulder. He turned around, to see his wife standing there with a stern look.

"Blaze. What has gotten into you?" She asked with a hint of disappointment evident in her voice. Blaze glared at her sharply.

"Can't you see he's using her? He hasn't done one thing to prove that he really, truly loves her!" He insisted. Firefly raised an eyebrow.

"What about the time when he tried to perfect Dash's wing angle after she crashed at tryouts?" She suggested. Blaze shook his head.

"That was his job. He would have been fired if he didn't do that." He said simply.

"Maybe you're right, and maybe you're wrong! We can't be sure until we have enough proof! You cannot go around making assumptions that may or may not be true!" Firefly insisted. Blaze shook his head roughly.

"Until he proves himself to be worthy... I can make as many assumptions as I please. I'm just looking out for my daughter. And if you cared, you would as well." He said harshly. Firefly's eyes widened, as she took a step back.

"What did you say?" She said, in a tone barely above a whisper. Blaze's glare only hardened.

"I said if you cared enough to see what Soarin's doing to her, you would try and look out for her as well. I'm only doing my part. And I think it's time you started doing yours." He said roughly. Firefly quietly gasped, not daring to believe what she was hearing.

Blaze had never talked to her like that! This whole thing was just a huge misunderstanding! Why couldn't he just embrace the truth?

Something in Firefly cracked at that moment. Something that had been hidden away for such a long time. It was time to let Blaze know just how his actions were hurting others.

"Okay that's it. What has gotten into you? First, you majorly hurt Soarin, after he did absolutely nothing wrong. And then you try to spy on a clearly very happy couple whenever they try to have an intimate moment? Can't you SEE what's happening? OUR DAUGHTER IS FALLING IN LOVE FOR THE FIRST TIME YOU IDIOT! WHY CAN'T YOU JUST LET HER BE HAPPY? You know what? I'm done. I'm done with you thinking you can control her life. She is a grown mare now. She can do what she pleases. And you know what else? YOU. ARE. NOT. THE. STALLION. I. FELL. IN. LOVE. WITH. This isn't you. The Blaze I fell for had a kind heart, that would never hurt anypony." She said, expressing her anger.

Blaze was taken aback by her force. But being the stubborn stallion he was, he only shrugged.

"Too. Bad." He said, walking back to where the main festivities were being held.

Soarin and Dash both entered the living room once again with huge smiles on their faces. Everypony noticed them coming inside, and welcomed them both in happily. Well, except for Firefly and Blaze.

The older ponies were sitting across the room, far away from each other. They had no problem with this, and continued on talking to their friends. Dash gave her mother a worried look when she noticed this, but Firefly simply shrugged, and went back to talking with Cookie Crumbles.

The doorbell rung a few times, and Twilight Velvet got out of her seat to go and check who it was.

She returned a few minutes later, and looked towards Dash.

"Dash? There's somepony out there who claims he wants to see you." She said. Dash raised an eyebrow, but nodded, making her way to the front of the Canterlot mansion.

She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw who was taking off their coat, and placing it in a nearby closet. Soarin rushed in after her, taking in the newcomer with a confused look. He looked back to his marefriend with a weird face, which was instantly swapped with a worried one once he saw her expression.

The mysterious stallion looked up, and noticed Dash, and instantly grinned.

"Hey Rain! I'm here to take you back," he said. Dash grimaced.

"Hoops. We meet again."

Chapter 29: Get Away From Her!

A Dash of (ANGER) um... I mean, HAPPINESS Soared Through the Skies

By: Crystal Heart, who's very anxious to see what's about to happen!

Chapter 29 (Almost to 30!): Get Away From Her!

Soarin gaped at the scene in front of him. He recalled hearing Dash's earlier story on how heartbroken Hoops had left her, and was interested to see why he was here now.

"Rain! Remember all those years ago, when we used to be coltfriend and marefriend?" Hoops asked the rainbow maned mare. She grimaced.

"How could I forget? And what happened to Rainbow Crash?" She asked him, with subtle hints of disgust. Hoops shrugged.

"Eh. Got over it! But what I do know, is that I really missed you!" He said. Dash raised an eyebrow.

"Oh yeah? What are you here for?" She asked him, cutting to the chase. He glanced at Soarin, and dropped his jaw to the floor.

"Commander Soarin? WOW! I've never met a Wonderbolt before!" He said childishly. Soarin glared at the sand-colored stallion.

"What are you here for, Mr. Hoops?" He asked him, showing respect that the colt obviously didn't deserve. Hoops simply smirked.

"Oh me? I'm here to take my Dashie back! I love her, she loves me, we're the perfect couple!" He said, slinging a hoof around the cyan mare. Rainbow gasped, and instantly backed away.

"No way! I never said I loved you!" She protested.

At that moment, everypony else walked in, gasping at the scene in front of them. Rainbow Blaze and Firefly, who immediately recognized Hoops, gasped in shock.

Soarin's glare hardened.

"Dude. Rainbow Dash is my marefriend." He said firmly, ignoring all the eyes on him. Hoops' eyes widened, as he stared between Dash and Soarin. But instead of apologizing, he took a step up, and raised his hoof.

"And who says she is? She clearly loves me more." He said. Soarin's face was now red with anger, not daring to believe this childish colt. But he was just so angry, he didn't even care about anything else.

"Rainbow Dash loves me. And I love her. And that's that." Soarin said, not shifting his gaze. Hoops shook his head.

"Tell you what... We'll fight. Winner get's Rainbow Dash." He said, getting into a fighting stance. Soarin backed away, and took his own.

"I'd never fight for that. But I will fight to show you you're a jerk!" Soarin said. Hoops' nose flared with anger, as he threw a punch.

Soarin easily blocked it, shooting his hoof up, and then down, countering the poorly aimed throw. Hoops glared, as he threw more punches.

Soarin, who had been trained in combat many times with the Wonderbolts, was no rookie when it came to fighting. He managed to gain the upper hoof quickly, pinning the orange colt down.

Hoops, underneath Soarin's tight hooves, simply smirked, as he pushed himself up. When he saw Soarin's awestruck face, he aimed right on his nose, punching hard, and hitting the given target.

There was a faint cracking noise, as Soarin held his hooves up to his face, wincing in the incredible amount of pain he had just received. Dash saw this, and gasped.

"SOARIN!" She yelled, falling to the ground. She saw her coltfriend start getting beat up, as she covered her eyes, unable to see more of it.

"SOARIN PLEASE! STOP!" She yelled again, trying to talk some sense into him. Soarin ignored her, and started to punch Hoops more.

But the pain that was currently beating through Soarin’s nose was weakening the poor stallion. Of course, if he let Dash see this, it would only make her worry more. And that’s not at all what Soarin wanted!

    Firefly and Blaze looked at each other, forgetting about their past argument, and galloping over to their daughter, who was now in a complete state of shock.

    “Honey? Are you alright?” Firefly asked. Rainbow let a few tears escape her eyes, fearfully stealing a glance at the fight going on before her hooves.

    “Give up already?” Hoops asked menacingly. Soarin grunted, and shook his head.

    “Never.” He said simply, punching the stallion once again.

    From the corner of the room, Twilight Sparkle used her magic to quickly summon Spike, who was all the way back in Ponyville.

    There was a faint burst in the room, as Spike appeared out of thin air.

    “What? Where am I? Twilight? What’s going on… WOAH!” Spike said, catching sight of the combat battle taking place in the room. Twilight shook her head.

    “No time to explain. Take a letter!” She said quickly. Spike nodded frantically, getting out a scroll, and a pen.

    “Go!”

    “Alright. Dear Princess Celestia. Please get the Canterlot Police to arrive as soon as possible to my parent’s house. Something terrible is happening. From, Princess Twilight Sparkle.” Twilight said quickly, as Spike rushed it all down onto the paper. He gave her a nod once he was complete, and sent it off.

    “Done!” He said, clapping his claws together.

    A few minutes later, the front doors burst open, revealing four police ponies, and Princess Celestia herself.

    The second the police saw the sight in front of them, they rushed in and broke up the fight. Soarin gasped.

    “Sir!” He said, saluting them roughly. The stallions glared at him.

    “What is going on here?” The first one asked. Soarin gulped.

    “Sir. I was acting on self defense. This one here started the fight.” He said, gesturing over to Hoops, who was glaring to Soarin. The police nodded, turning to the crowd.

    “Is this true?” Another one asked them. Blaze was the first to speak.

    “Yes. I believe Hoops here was emotionally abusing my daughter, Rainbow Dash. Soarin is her coltfriend, and was simply defending her.” He said. The police nodded, and went to Hoops.

    “You’re coming with us.” They said, leading him out of the room. Hoops shot everypony in the room another glare, before going out with the police.

    Several medical ponies then rushed inside, instantly spotting Soarin, and leading him onto a stretcher.

    “Soarin?” Dash mumbled, getting up to see what was going on.

    “We’re taking him over to the Canterlot Hospital.” One of the nurses said. Dash gasped, but nodded.

    “Alright.” She said, sagging away. The nurse then looked towards the crowd again.

    “We can have one pony riding with Soarin in the ambulance.” She said. Dash instantly looked up again, and trotting back to the nurse.

    “I’ll go.” She said simply. Blaze was about to protest, but then remembered what had just happened. Reluctantly, he backed away, getting ready for the taxi ride to the hospital.

    The ride was quiet, as Dash and Soarin simply held onto each other’s hooves, staring into each other’s eyes. The nurse, who had been observing them, looked over to Rainbow.

    “He sure is important to you.” She said, marking her observations. Dash nodded glumly.

    “Yeah. Soarin’s everything to me.” She said, as Soarin closed his eyes. Dash sighed, as the nurse nodded.

    “He’ll be fine. Trust me.” She said, reassuring the cyan coated mare. Dash gave her a small smile.

    “I sure hope so…” She said sadly.

    A few minutes later, the ambulance, with all of Dash’s friends and family riding behind them, all arrived to the hospital.

    Soarin was rolled inside, Dash galloping besides him.

    Soon, the stretcher arrived at a private room. Dash was not let inside, but she stayed by the door the entire time Soarin was inside. Firefly

came up to her.

    “Are you alright, Dashie?” She asked her with concern. Dash didn’t answer, leaning onto the window.

    “Do you think he’ll be okay, Mom?” She asked the older mare. Firefly was taken aback by the question, but decided to investigate further.

    “Dash. Let me ask you something. How much do you care about Soarin?” She asked her daughter. Dash gave her a small smile.

    “Soarin’s my world. I love him with all my heart… I would strap my wings behind my back, and jump off a plane for him. I can’t bear seeing him like this… I wish that idiot Hoops was never born…” She mumbled, putting a little more force at the end. Firefly’s eyes widened.

    “Wow… I don’t think I loved your father as much as you do to Soarin, at five months…” She said. Dash smiled softly, and nodded.

    A few hours later, a doctor came out.

    “Soarin Skies?” He asked in a deep voice. Everypony there stood up, and nodded.

    “I have good news, and bad news. The good news is that he’ll survive." The doctor started. Dash breathed a sigh of relief.

    "The bad news is, that he’s going to need surgery.” He finished. Everypony in the room gasped.

    "SURGERY?"

Chapter 30: Daddy and his Daughter

A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies

By: RDcrystalheart, AKA Crystal Heart

Chapter 30: Daddy and his Daughter

"Rainbow! You need to come back with us! Soarin will be fine!" Rainbow Blaze said, trying to pry his daughter off her seat by Soarin's door. But Dash didn't budge.

"No Dad... I'm staying right here." She insisted.

"The entire night?"

"Yes. Now you all go on without me!" Dash said. Blaze shook his head.

"What would Soarin want?" He asked her. Dash stopped dead in her tracks, and looked up to him with a mortified look.

"What do you mean?" She asked him.

"I mean... Would Soarin want you to be staying by his door, in a worried state, slaving away for him? Or would he want you to head on back with your family, and get a good night's sleep?" Blaze asked. Dash sighed.

"Probably the second one..." She mumbled. Blaze nodded.

"Exactly. Your friends are all waiting for you outside. Now, go on!" He encouraged. Dash slowly lifted herself off the hard hospital chair, and made her way out of the building.

Is Soarin going to be alright?

What's going to happen next?

Is this all my fault?

Why Soarin? What did he do wrong?

Dash thought about all these things, as the desperately tried to get to sleep.

She tossed, and turned, and fluffed her pillow multiple times... But nothing seemed to be working!

It was impossible to get to sleep!

No matter how hard she tried, Dash couldn't get Soarin out of her mind.

She loved him.

She finally realized just how much she loved him.

Of course, she knew all along that this was so, but after seeing him sacrifice himself for her earlier today, she really realized just how lucky she was to have him.

And how lucky he was to her her.

Blaze may not like it... Her friends may not like it... Her mother may not like it... But did that even really matter?

Because in the end... It was her decision. Right?

It was up to her to decide where to go in life.

Of course, she wanted to become a Wonderbolt... But now she realized something more.

Life isn't always about winning.

With such a wonderful stallion to share her time with, what could go wrong?

Everything. Absolutely everything.

Like her long lost ex-coltfriend coming to her, declaring that he wanted her back. And that Soarin were to defend her so badly, he went as far as needing surgery?

Why Soarin? Why did it happen to Soarin?

It could have happened to anypony. Anypony in Equestria!

Dash would rather herself being faced to such a dreadful fate. But not Soarin!

Anypony but Soarin!

After everything he did for her?

After everything she did for him?

After everything they did for each other?

"I need some water." Dash mumbled to herself, climbing out of the bed she was supposed to be sharing with Soarin.

Dash trotted down the stairs, heading towards the kitchen.

She entered, and turned on the lights, making the room dimly lit.

Grabbing a cup, she filled it halfway with ice cold water, and took a sip, calming her scratchy throat.

"Rainbow? What are you doing up?" A voice asked her. Dash turned around, to see her father standing at the entrance to the white tiled room.

"I couldn't sleep." She said, trotting by him, and heading into the family room. Blaze followed her soon after.

They both sat down on separate couches, Dash shaking slightly, while she sipped her drink.

They sat in dead silence for quite a while, just thinking to themselves.

Suddenly, Rainbow Dash sniffled slightly. Blaze looked up with wide eyes.

"Dash? What happened?" He asked her worriedly. Rainbow just shook her head, and put her face in her hooves.

"Do you think he'll be okay?" She asked quietly. Blaze leaned back, clearly not expecting that.

"Rainbow..." He mumbled. Dash took a few deep breaths, trying her hardest to stay calm.

"It's just that... Seeing him in such a state... It really frightens me..." She said. Blaze hung his head, not knowing how to respond to this. His daughter was openly expressing her emotions to him... What was he going to do?

        "Rainbow... It'll all be okay..." Blaze tried. Dash shook her head.

        "But what if it doesn't? What if... What if something terrible happens?" She asked, a few tears starting to escape her eyes. Blaze frowned.

        "Why are you crying?" He asked her, a little confused. There was no need for tears!

        "What? Dad! I love him!" Dash said. Blaze frowned.

        "How can you be so sure? How do you know for certain that you love him?" Blaze asked her. Now it was Dash's turn to frown.

        "How do you feel when your with Mom?" She asked.

        "I feel great! I feel like my life is complete! I feel like I can take on the world!" He said, beaming slightly. Dash nodded.

        "Exactly. I feel the same way when I'm around Soarin. Only probably twice as much." She said, mumbling the last part. Blaze raised his eyebrows.

        "That's impossible! You're Rainbow Dash! How could you, of all ponies, fall in love?" He asked her. Dash frowned.

        "Are you saying that I can't fall in love? Who says I can't? I'm a pony too, you know! I have feelings too!" She protested.

        "But you promised me, Dashie! You promised me you wouldn't fall in love! How could you break a promise like that?" He asked her. Dash gasped.

        "Well, I guess that promise was just never meant to be." She said simply. Blaze frowned.

        "Dad... Why can't you just accept the fact that I'm growing up? It's natural to fall in love at my age! I love Soarin! And he loves me! Can't you believe that?" She asked him. Blaze sighed.

        "I think I can..."

Chapter 31: It's Just You and Me

A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies

By: RDcrystalheart AKA Crystal Heart

Chapter 31: It's Just You and Me

Note: We are nearing the end of this story! I plan for no more than 40 chapters.

I'm actually working on a sequel right now... If you'd like that... Yes? No? Maybe So? Oh well... If I don't write a sequel, I'll probably start a new SoarinDash story. Tell me in the comments which one you'd like to see me do!

And now... Without further ado...

Rainbow Dash knelt beside Soarin's hospital bed. It was done.

Soarin had finished the surgical process, and was now being held in the hospital for a few days.

Dash, not wanting to leave his side, had stayed by his door the entire time. And when visitors were aloud inside, she was the first to go. Not wanting to let anypony feel bad, she of course made sure if it was alright with everyone.

Her family and friends just shook their heads, an pushed her inside the door, and closing it behind her, letting the rainbow maned mare take a good look at her coltfriend.

Dash immediately gasped at the scene in front of her.

Soarin's eyes were closed, and he was wrapped up in a warm white blanket, laying almost lifelessly on the hard bed.

"Soarin..." She whispered softly. The baby blue stallion stirred on the bed, opening his eyes just a crack.

"Dashie?" He mumbled. Dash's eyes widened, as she saw him try to speak. She squealed in delight, and tried her hardest to restrain herself from jumping onto him with a bone crushing hug.

"Soarin!" She exclaimed. His eyes were now completely opened, and he was looking around the room. He instantly smiled upon seeing Rainbow besides him.

"Rainbow Dash!" He said happily, trying to get up. He winced in the amount of pain it brought upon him, but nevertheless, he held his hooves out, summoning her in for a hug.

Dash, not wanting to hurt him, gently embraced him, being sure not to hit him in any rough spots. She smiled when she felt him shift to the side for a better touch. She giggled, and released him.

"How do you feel?" She asked him. He sighed, and shrugged.

"Eh... Could be better... But I'm feeling a lot nicer since... You know... I still can't believe he did that!" Soarin said. Dash nodded.

"Yeah. He's awful..." She said, before sighing. "I really wish we could spend some time together... We haven't done that in a while..." She said sadly. Soarin nodded, before brightening up.

"Hey! When I'm out of the hospital... We can spend the rest of the holidays together. Just you and me." He said. Dash smiled, and nodded, hugging him quickly once again.

"I'd really like that."

As promised, as soon as Soarin was out of the hospital, he and Dash excused themselves to go spend time with each other in Canterlot.

The city was beautiful at this time of year. Snow hung from the tall evergreen trees, ponies laughed, and played, as they cherished the beautiful sunny day Celestia brought upon them.

It really was an amazing sight.

"So! What do you want to do?" Soarin asked the cheerful mare besides him. Dash looked up, and shrugged.

"To be honest... I don't even really care. I just really wanted to spend some time together." She said, sighing slightly. Soarin smiled, and nodded.

"Hey! I have an idea! Follow me!" He said, taking off lightly into the sky. Dash smirked, and slowly followed behind him, silently wondering where he was taking her.

"Soarin.. Where are we going?" Rainbow asked her coltfriend after a few minutes of shallow flying. Soarin grinned back at her.

"Not telling." He said simply, picking up some speed. Dash gasped.

"Don't go too fast! You're still recovering!" She said. Soarin winced, and slowed down just a little. Dash rolled her eyes, and flew up to him. She grabbed his tail, and pulled him back to slow him down.

"Soarin. I'm serious." She said. Soarin sighed.

"Yeah... I know." He said. Dash smiled, as she allowed him to guide her to wherever he was taking her.

"Here we are!" Soarin exclaimed, moving out of the way to let Dash through. Dash instantly gasped.

They were at a cliff. But not just any cliff... The Peak of Equestria.

It was called this way because you could see every inch of Equestria if you stood at the middle. The sightseeing spot had been shut down for years, because ponies thought it was too dangerous... Making it an ideal sight to just lay back, and enjoy the scenery. Dash's eyes widened, as she looked back to Soarin.

"Wow... I've never been to the Peak..." She said, sighing softly as she glanced around her. Soarin smiled.

"Do you like it?" He asked her. Dash instantly nodded.

"Of course I do! This is downright amazing! I've always wanted to come here since I was just a little filly... Never thought I'd ever get the opportunity! This is absolutely perfect!" She said happily. Soarin sighed in relief.

"Oh good... I thought you wouldn't like it.. This is my real Hearths Warming present to you... Follow me..." He said, walking to a tall tree nearby. Dash raised an eyebrow in confusion, but followed him nevertheless.

They stopped right in front of the tree, and Soarin pointed towards the center bark. Dash quirked her eyebrows again, but she closely inspected the tree, gasping in shock once she saw what was there.

In the tree, words had been carefully engraved, spelling out a beautiful sentence dedicated to the rainbow-maned mare.

I love you Dashie... Will you marry me?

Dash stopped dead in her tracks as she read it. Her jaw dropped down, as she quickly spun around to face Soarin. But he was way ahead of her.

Soarin was kneeling down on his back legs, holding out a velvet box to her. Inside, it held a beautiful, sapphire and diamond ring. Dash gasped.

"Look... I know we've only been going out for a few months... But I also know that these last few months have been the best of my life! We've gone through our ups and downs... And I can't see my future with anypony else... Will you marry me, Dashie?" Soarin asked her with sincere eyes. Dash's eyes widened in shock, as she shook slightly.

"I... I..."

Chapter 32: Breaking the News

A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies

By: Crystal Heart

Chapter 32: Breaking the News

NEXT CHAPTER IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE THE LAST CHAPTER! SEQUEL IS ON THE WAY!

"I... I..." Dash stuttered out. She stared into the eyes of her hopeful stallion. Those big, beautiful eyes that she loved so much... The eyes of the stallion who wanted to marry her...

Marry her.

Soarin Skies of the Wonderbolts wanted to marry her.

"Soar..." She whispered. Soarin hadn't left his position, and was staring into the rainbow maned mare's magenta eyes. He gave her a small smile, while he patiently waited for her answer.

"Yes.... YES!" She yelled out, jumping into his arms. Soarin grinned, and happily accepted the embrace. Dash let a few tears escape her eyes.

"Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!!!!" She yelled. "HAHA I LOVE YOU SOARIN SKIES!!" She yelled out, grabbing his face and passionately kissing him. He smiled beneath it.

They broke apart after a while, and Soarin instantly looked at her with the biggest grin ever.

"Oh my god, Dashie.... I was so worried..." He said. Dash smiled.

"Yeah... I never thought I would ever get married... But with you... It's different." She said. Soarin smiled, and leaned in for a second kiss, slipping the ring onto her hoof.

Soarin and Rainbow Dash burst into Twilight Velvet's house, laughing to themselves as they put their coats and boots away.

They walked inside the family room, where everypony else was sitting down, talking to Ace and Spectrum about the foal and their plans for the future.

Everypony stopped and looked up to Soarin and Dash as they came in. Dash instantly hid her hood behind her back, not wanting them to see her ring.

"Soarin! Rainbow Dash! How lovely for you to be here! Come in, come in!" Nightlight said, ushering them both inside. They both smiled, and took a seat in the back of the crowd.

"So what did you two do?" Firefly asked them. Soarin and Dash looked at each other in alarm. Soarin cleared his throat.

"We went around Canterlot, and then I took Dash to the Peak of Equestria." He told her. Firefly raised her eyebrow.

"The Peak of Equestria?" She inquired. Dash nodded. Blaze looked impressed.

"Hm... That's quite an opportunity... It's very hard to get up there... And the view is beautiful!" He said. Dash nodded, and glanced over to Soarin. He nodded towards her.

"Um... Something else happened when we were up there..." She said, taking her hoof out from behind her back, revealing the beautiful jewel upon it.

Everypony in the room gasped as they laid their eyes on the magnificent diamond. Dash's family the most. Rarity was the first to speak... Well, more like screech.

"EEEEEE!" She squeed happily, galloping over to Rainbow Dash and taking her hoof in her own.

"My my my! Hello there! You are absolutely beautiful! I mean... Hehe... Congratulations?" She said uncertainly. Dash rolled her eyes, and snatched her ring away.

"Uh... Thanks, Rarity..." She said, going back to Soarin's side. Dash's other friends were the next ponies who came up to them.

"Gee, Rainbow! That's a mighty fine ring ya got there! Congrats!" Applejack said, hugging Rainbow and Soarin. They both smiled.

"Thank you, Applejack..." Soarin said happily.

"Rainbow Dash! This is incredible! Soarin's one lucky stallion! I'm so happy for you guys!" Twilight said, giving the two ponies quick hugs, which they both happily returned.

"Thanks, Twilight." Dash said. Twilight nodded, before trotting next to Applejack.

"Oh my gosh Oh my gosh! Dashie's getting married! This is amazing! I wanna bounce all over Equestria and blurt out how happy I am!" Pinkie exclaimed. The two blue pegasi simply rolled their eyes, but gave their friends a nice, long hug. Pinkie then bounced away, before they could say thanks.

"Rainbow... This is so incredible! You two are going to be so happy! I just know it!" Fluttershy said, giving both her friends giant hugs. They both giggled, and smiled over to her.

"Thank you so much, Fluttershy... This all really means a lot." Dash said. Rarity spoke up then.

"And to think... Rainbow Dash was the first out of all of us to get engaged! Who'd have thought?" She said, hugging her friends happily. Dash chuckled, and Soarin grinned.

"I am pretty awesome... Surprising all of you like that..." Rainbow said. Her friends rolled their eyes, and trotted away, chattering amongst themselves. Spectrum and Ace were the next to come up to them.

"Wow... My little baby sister is all grown up!" Spectrum said, embracing Dash in a tight hug. She smiled.

"Thanks, Spec... Congratulations on your foal, by the way... I don't think I ever told you guys that..." She said, sighing slightly. Spectrum and Ace both smiled.

"Oh, that's alright! But I just can't believe you're getting married, Rainbow!" Ace said. Dash grinned up at her.

"Thanks, Spark... This all means so much..." She said, glancing up to Soarin, who was standing in a stiff position. She cast a worried look at him, and found what he was looking at. Her parents.

As Spectrum and Ace departed, Firefly and Blaze trotted up to them. A few tears escaped Firefly's eyes, as she pulled her daughter in for the largest hug she could muster.

"Mom? What's the matter?" Dash asked her, pulling away from the older pink mare. Firefly sniffed, and wiped a few tears away.

"My little girl's all grown up... And now she's getting married..." She said quietly. Dash raised her eyebrows, but allowed the pink mare to hug her once again.

After a little while, Dash rolled her eyes, and let go. Firefly kissed her on the cheek, and smiled at Rainbow and Soarin. She then turned to the Wonderbolt.

"You'll take care of her, won't you?" She asked him. Soarin gave her a light nod.

"With my life." He said simply, earning a hug for himself. He chuckled, and gave Firefly a hug back. Once they let go, Soarin turned to Blaze with a fearful look.

"Sir-" He started. But Blaze stopped him. He held out his hoof, and placed it on the younger stallion's shoulder.

"Thank you." He mumbled. Soarin scrunched his eyebrows in confusion.

"What?" He said, rubbing his ears. He had obviously not heard.

"Thank you..." Blaze repeated, a little louder this time. Soarin looked taken aback.

"For what, Sir?" He asked him. Blaze sighed.

"For standing up for my daughter. What you did to protect her from Hoops... I owe you one..." He said. Soarin's eyes widened, as she stared up at the older stallion. Blaze then grumbled a little.

"And now you two are getting married?" He asked them both. Dash then spoke up.

"Well, not yet. We're going to get married when we feel the time is right. Right now, we think it's a little early... But in a few months, we'll give you our final decision. I need to finish tryouts first!" She said. Blaze raised his eyebrows, but nodded.

"That's a good idea. I wouldn't want you to be thinking you're marrying a pony you don't even know very well!" He said. "When did you guys meet anyway?" He finished. Dash smiled up at Soarin.

"Well, we met almost... Let's see... Almost four years ago! At the Best Young Flyer's Competition in Cloudsdale!" She said happily. Soarin smiled, and nodded. "But of course this goof was too chicken to ask me out until many years later..." She mumbled. Soarin blushed.

"Well, to be honest... You weren't the most... How should I say this... patient pony... Heck, you barely even stood still with us that day! Let alone let me ask you out..." Soarin said, nudging his fiance. Now it was Rainbow's turn to blush.

"Well excuse me for being excited to spend time with my idols!" She mumbled. Soarin and Rainbow Dash looked at each other for a few seconds, before bursting out laughing... Something that was relatively common for them to do now and then.

Blaze and Firefly looked between them for the amount of time they were laughing for, with confused glances. Firefly then turned to her husband.

"Do you get what they're laughing about?" She asked him. Blaze only have her a dumbfounded shake of his head.

"Nope. But it seems to be funny to them..." He said. Firefly nodded, glancing back to the younger couple, who were howling with laughter, holding on to each other to make sure they didn't lose their balance. Firefly chuckled.

"They make a cute couple..." She said happily. Blaze only nodded.

"Uh huh..."

Chapter 33: And Your New Wonderbolt Is...

A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies

By: Crystal Heart

Chapter 33: And Your New Wonderbolt Is...

Welcome to the final chapter of A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies! You now have my confirmation of a sequel arriving in the near future! It will probably be uploaded later today, or tomorrow! It will be called: A Dash of Love Soared Through the Skies... So be on the lookout for a blog posted by me telling you when I've sent it in for submission! That is all! Enjoy the chapter!

All the recruits had their eyes wide, leaning in their seats, as Spitfire, Soarin, and Fleetfoot made their way to the front of the stage. Today was the day. The day when the Wonderbolts would announce the newest member of their crew!

It had been a year since Soarin's surgery, and him and Dash decided to wait a little while till they got married.

Spitfire took the megaphone from the announcer, and cleared her throat.

"Hello everypony! I am here to tell you who will be joining our ranks today. As you all know, more than three-hundred ponies came to tryouts this year. Every single one of them had exceptional standings! But these ten are our best." She started, gesturing to the ten ponies sitting in the front row.

Rainbow Dash, Hibiscus Wings, Cloud Ember, Lightning Tile, Epic Note, Water Tag, Button Down, Burning Cloud, Storm Fire, and Swift Wings all looked towards each other with nervous faces. Rainbow Dash then quietly spoke up.

"Guys... We may have only met a few months ago.. But just so you know, no matter who becomes a Wonderbolt today, we will all stay friends. Right?" She said. The others all nodded in agreement.

"You bet your wings, Rainbow Dash!" Burning Cloud exclaimed. Dash smiled, as the other's all grinned.

"Yeah! Just because only one of us get to fulfill our life long dream, doesn't mean it should come in the way of our friendship!" Cloud Ember said. Hibiscus Wings nodded.

"I completely agree! We're all ponies! We shoudn't let our brains get in the way of our hearts!" She said, clutching her own. The other's rolled their eyes, and giggled slightly. From the front podium, Spitfire cleared her throat. Everypony looked over to her with wide eyes.

"You guys done yet?" She asked, checking the watch on a nearby wall. Dash and her friends all blushed, and nodded.

"Yes, ma'am..." Dash said quietly. Spitfire smiled, and then continued.

"Anyway! I just wanted to let you know, that even though only one of you get to become a full fledged Wonderbolt, you all will be dearly remembered as an important part. You all were the top recruits in the academy! And that is nothing to be ashamed of!" She said.

There was a murmur of approval between the ten ponies in the crowd. Spitfire smiled again.

"So! Without further ado! Let me welcome our latest member..." She said, rising her voice at the end.

Dash took a few deep breaths. This was it! The next few words that came out of Spitfire's mouth would determine her future! With not only herself, but also her fiancé! Speaking of...

Soarin glanced over to Rainbow Dash from the stage. Dash smiled up at him, and he gladly returned it. He shot her a wink, before looking back at the Wonderbolt Captain. Dash sighed, and did the same.

"Rainbow Dash!" Spitfire exclaimed. Dash's jaw dropped. Did she just say what she thought she said?

Spitfire said Dash's name! And that meant...

"Congratulations, Rainbow Dash!" Spitfire said happily. "You're our newest Wonderbolt member!"

Dash jumped up, while her friends patted her on the back.

"Congrats, Rainbow!" They all told her. Dash grinned, and made her way to the podium. Spitfire then handed her a brand new Wonderbolt flight suit, and a handbook for all her needs.

"Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!" Dash yelled, covering her mouth with her hoof. Spitfire held out her own for a shake.

Dash happily took it, and shook hooves with all of the elite Wonderbolts.

When she came to Soarin, she not only shook his hoof, but she also pulled him in for a massive hug. Soarin chuckled, and wrapped his hooves around his mare, and lightly kissed her on the cheek, as they pulled away.

Everypony's jaws dropped as they saw the encounter, Lightning Tile the most.

In a fit of jealous rage, she made her way up the podium, slapping Dash hard on the place she received the kiss.

"STAY AWAY FROM MY STALLION!" She yelled out. Soarin gasped, as Dash winced in pain from the hit. He glared hard at Lightning Tile, and stepped in front of Rainbow Dash.

"HEY! GET AWAY FROM MY FIANCÉ!" He yelled out. Everypony in the room gasped.

"What? Fiancé?" Lightning stuttered. Dash glared at her.

"Yeah.. Fiancé. You got a problem with that?" She said, standing besides Soarin. Lightning looked between them with a shocked expression.

"Hmph! This isn't over, Rainbow Dash!" She said, stomping out of the stadium. Dash and Soarin chuckled, as Spitfire came up to them.

"Fiancé? You two are getting married? When did this happen?" She asked them.

"Uh... We got engaged almost a year ago..." Soarin said uncertainly. Spitfire's eyes widened.

"But! You know the rules!" She said. "You can't!"

"Please, Spitfire! It won't be a distraction! I promise!" Dash insisted. Spitfire sighed.

"Look, I really shouldn't be doing this..." She started.

"Please?" Soarin asked, holding his hooves out. Spitfire sighed.

"I can tell you guys care for each other a lot..." She said. Dash and Soarin both nodded.

"Oh... Alright..." She said, earning herself a hug from both ponies. She chuckled, and let go.

"Hehe... Welcome to the Wonderbolts, Rainbow Dash."

Chapter 1: Invited

Disclaimer: I do not own My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Rainbow Dash flew with all her might, piercing through the skies. She only had one destination in mind, and that was the majestic Crystal Castle, that stood in the outskirts of Ponyville. She was meeting the rest of her friends there, getting ready for their weekly mail exchange.

You see, every once in a while, the mailpony, Derpy Hooves, sometimes mixed up the mail between the six elements of harmony. This happened more than once, and to avoid further confusion, the six mares decided they would meet up every Sunday, and go through their mail together. Rainbow had just finished collecting her's, and was heading over to her best friend, Princess Twilight Sparkle's castle in Ponyville.

She did some neat new tricks in the clear blue sky, a first for the small town, as their weather troop wasn't the most organized...

Soon, she arrived at her friend's place, and peeked through the window. She saw her five friends, including the princess of friendship herself, sitting on the living room couches.

She knocked twice on the doors, and they were instantly opened by her overly excited friend, Pinkie Pie.

"HIYA DASHIE!!!!" She cheered. Rainbow rolled her eyes, and smiled towards the two-toned pink mare.

"Hey Pinkie... I'm here for the letter exchange." She said dully. Pinkie grinned.

"Well, DUH! Come on in!" Pinkie said, pushing Dash's flank inside the room. She was immediately greeted by the rest of her friends, (Though not as energetically as Pinkie Pie,) and they all sat down, about to start the exchange.

"Alright. Who wants to go first?" Twilight asked. Rarity put her hoof up.

"I will, darling. Let's see. This one's from Gold Dusk, and addressed to Fluttershy. Gold... Dusk? Who in the world is that?" Rarity said, directing her question towards her timid yellow friend.

"Gold Dusk was the mare who helped me at the animal shelter a few years ago... She was very nice, and we've been pen pals ever since!" Fluttershy said, taking the letter from Rarity. She then turned towards her own letters.

"Let's see... This one's for me... For me... For me... And for me! Derpy didn't get a single one wrong with my orders!" Fluttershy said. The other's nodded towards her.

"Ah'll go! I have one for Twi, and one for Pinkie!" Applejack exclaimed, handing the letters to their owners.

"YAYYY! I GOT MY VERY OWN LETTER!" Pinkie cheered, and ripped open the paper. She then reached towards a letter from her own pile, and tossed it over to Twilight. Her friends rolled her eyes, and continued.

"I guess it's my turn! I have one for... Rarity! And... Wait... What's this?" Twilight said, stopping herself. She was staring at a letter with a golden symbol on the front. It had a lightning bolt, and a pair of wings behind it. Rainbow instantly recognized it, and her eyes widened.

"Wait... That's the Wonderbolt's symbol! Twilight... Why are you getting a letter from the Wonderbolts?" Dash asked the purple alicorn. Twilight looked more closely at the envelope, and gasped.

"Rainbow Dash... This isn't even addressed to me! It says your name on it!" Twilight said. Rainbow did a double take.

"REALLY? WHERE?" She said, jumping at the princess. Twilight turned the letter around, and everypony saw it for themselves. There, in small, gold letters, were the words: To, Rainbow Miriam Spectrum Dashery.

Rainbow lept up into the air in joy, and snatched the letter out of her friend's hooves. The WONDERBOLTS sent her a letter! Her life long heroes! They were contacting HER!

Dash quickly tore open the paper, and scanned the text.

Rainbow Dash,

We have been keeping a close eye on you for a while now, and it seems we have all come on an agreement. In a few weeks, we are hosting open Wonderbolt tryouts, and we were wondering if you could come and participate. Recently, one of our elite Wonderbolts retired, and we need somepony to fill the spot.

Tryouts are held for everypony who wants to come, but we wanted to personally invite you. If you plan on showing, please show this letter to the front desk, and they will help you get settled. You will have some advantages of being invited through mail.

We really hope to see you soon! Tryouts will be held at Wonderbolt Headquarters, in the heart of Cloudsdale city. Also were reserve classes are held, and Wonderbolt Camp. I know you are familiar with both these things.

Tryouts will be held two weeks from today, and we have attached a one-way train ticket if you are interested.

We hope to see you soon!

-Spitfire, Captain of the Wonderbolts

Once Dash finished reading the letter, and let it all sink in, she let out a very uncharacteristic squee.

"Woah Dashie! What happened?" Pinkie asked her. Rainbow turned to her pink friend with one of the widest smiles she ever wore.

"I was just... invited... to.... WONDERBOLT TRYOUTS! AHHHH!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. Her friends looked at her with mild confusion, before gasping, and leaning in to hug their friend.

"That's fabulous news! Will you be going, darling?" Rarity asked. Rainbow gave her a look.

"Rarity... I have waited my entire LIFE for this! Of COURSE I'm going!" Dash exclaimed.

"Good Luck, Rainbow Dash! We're sure gonna miss you!" Fluttershy said. Dash smiled, and hugged all her friends once again.

Back at home, Dash looked at all her posters of the Wonderbolts, imagining herself flying alongside her heroes. Her eyes drifted to her very favorite member, and smiled.

"I'll be with you all very soon..." She said, before screaming in excitement.

Chapter 6: "Quiet" Breakfast

A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies

Chapter Six: "Quiet" Breakfast

Rainbow Dash lay in the fluffy cloud, supporting her's, and the pony who was also sleeping beside her's, weight. Soarin slowly opened an eye, blinking in the soft glow of the sun.

I wonder what time it is... He thought to himself. He quietly turned his head, facing it directly towards the sun. Doing some quick calculations, he figured out that it was about 6:00. Breakfast ends at 6:30, so I should probably wake up Dashie. He decided to himself.

Soarin turned his body once again, so it was facing the mare who was laying beside him. Dash was quietly snoring in her sleep, and her hooves were wrapped around a piece of the fluffy cloud surrounding her. Soarin smiled to himself. He gently reached a hoof out towards the cyan pegasus, and started to slowly shake her.

"Rainbow Dash?" He asked quietly. The mare stirred in her sleep.

"Come on, Dash! It's time to wake up! Don't you want some breakfast?" He asked. Dash's eyes instantly opened wide at the mention of food. She gave a wide grin.

"Did somepony say... Breakfast?" She asked sneakily. Soarin laughed, and nodded.

"I did... And if you want some, you need to wake up! Breakfast is ending in about 20 minutes!" Soarin said, purposely reducing the time to get her up faster.

"Oh! Well then, we should get up!" Dash said, sitting up, and stretching.

"I slept like a baby on that cloud! So comfortable!" Dash said, hugging herself. Soarin chuckled.

"Well, I did too! Every once in a while, I like to just escape the compound, and just sleep on a cloud. It's extremely entertaining to see Spitfire's face when she meets me in the morning. Her nose flared up, and her mane gets even more fired up than usual..." Soarin said, watching as Dash burst out laughing.

"HAHAHAHA! I can just imagine her doing that..." Dash said, trailing off at the end. She then remembered something.

"Didn't you say something about breakfast?" She asked him. Soarin chuckled.

"Well, yeah! Let's go! I'm starving!" He said, spreading his wings out, and taking flight. Dash repeated his motions shortly afterwards.

The two flew side by side back inside the compound, where Spitfire was waiting for them. Dash instantly saluted, while Soarin gave a lighthearted chuckle, and rolled his eyes.

"Morning, Spitfire!" He said. Dash didn't take her hand off her forehead, as she greeted the captain as well.

"Good morning, ma'am!" She said, keeping a strictly respectful tone. Spitfire glared at the two of them.

"WHERE HAVE YOU TWO BEEN? PONIES HAVE BEEN SEARCHING EVERYWHERE FOR YOU! At ease Rainbow Dash." She yelled at them, while giving Dash the okay signal for acting casual. Soarin leaned to her ear.

"Escape while you can, and grab some breakfast. I'll take care of this. Save me some food!" Soarin whispered to her. Dash giggled, and nodded. Spitfire narrowed her eyes at the two.

"What's going on? Is there something I should know?" She asked them, raising an eyebrow. "I thought you were better than this, Soarin! You know as well as I that you cannot be in a relationship! I have no choice but to kick you out of the Wonderbolts!" Spitfire said. Dash and Soarin looked at each other, before bursting out in laughter. This made Spitfire even more curious.

"What's going on?" She repeated. "I demand that you tell me!" She said. Dash wiped a few tears away from the laughter. Soarin saw that she was in no condition to answer, so he did it for her.

"Oh Spitty... Your such a hoot. Me and Rainbow aren't in a relationship! We're friends! I was just telling her to grab some breakfast for herself, so she won't miss it. We're not romantically involved in any way!" Soarin told her. Spitfire looked at him suspiciously, before slowly nodding.

"Um... Okay... Dash, you go grab some breakfast. You too Soarin. We'll talk later." She said, before flying away. Dash and Soarin looked at each other again, before shrugging, and flying away to the mess hall.

They walked in side by side, and went to the counters. Dash grabbed a bowl of fruit, and Soarin got some oatmeal. They both went out, and saw that all the tables were completely packed. Just one table had two open spots left. It was the Wonderbolt table. Soarin started walking towards it, and Dash just stayed behind, wondering where to go. Soarin looked back at her, with a confused look.

"Aren't you going to come?" He asked her. Dash looked at him, clearly surprised.

"What do you mean?" She asked him. Soarin rolled his eyes.

"I mean... Are. You. Coming?" He asked again, emphasizing the last three words. Dash raised her eyebrows.

"I can't sit there! It's the Wonderbolt's table! You go on ahead! I'll wait for something to clear up." Dash said, and went back to looking around for an empty spot. Everypony had clearly woken up late, and come to breakfast fifteen minutes before it ended. Suddenly, Rainbow felt somepony tugging her along. She yelped, as she turned to see who it was.

Soarin was dragging her to the Wonderbolt's table. Dash tried to shake him off, but the mares strength was no match for the stallion's. Soon, Dash and Soarin had taken the two available seats at the table. Everyone turned to them, with confused looks.

"Morning Soarin... Who's this lovely lady?" One of the male wonderbolts asked. Dash blushed lightly. Soarin leaned over to her ear.

"Don't be intimidated. Wave Chill does that to every mare he meets. He's the polite one of the group..." Soarin told her quietly. Dash nodded.

"Uhh... I'm Rainbow Dash." Dash said nervously. Soarin spoke up for her.

"We arrived to breakfast late, and the only two seats left were these two... Is there a problem, Spitfire?" Soarin asked his captain, who just curtly shook her head.

"Not at all. We'll allow it because there was no other place to sit." Spitfire replied, clearing her throat of oatmeal. "Allow me to introduce everypony to you, Dash." She continued. Dash nodded.

"Soarin, Fleetfoot and I are the lead squad. Then there's Silver Lining, Wave Chill, and Rapidfire, who make up Squad Two, Fire Streak, Lightning Streak, and Misty Fly, who are Squad Three. Surprise, Blaze, and High Winds, who make up the fourth squad. We have many more Wonderbolts, but they are not here right now." Spitfire said, before narrowing her eyes. "Don't think this is a permanent thing... From tomorrow your back to sitting with the other recruits." She finished sternly. Dash gulped.

"Y-Yes, of course ma'am!" Dash said, building up a confident tone in her voice. Spitfire nodded. Fleetfoot came up to Dash.

"So! Where were you and Soarin last night?" She asked her. With a little lisp in her voice. Dash gulped, and Soarin could clearly see that she didn't want to answer the question.

"Uhh... We were out flying." Soarin said, covering up for her. Fleetfoot raised an eyebrow, before slowly nodding. Her reaction to the news was similar to Spitfire's.

"Yeah... Like I believe that..." She mumbled underneath her breath. Soarin rolled his eyes, and went back to his breakfast.

"Dream on, Fleetfoot." He told her. Everypony around them started chuckling to themselves. Dash grinned, understanding what happened. She went back to her fruit, and took a few bites. Misty Fly came up to her.

"Wow! So you're the famous Rainbow Dash! Soarin has told us about how you saved his pie at the gala all those years ago. Pretty impressive, since not many things make Soarin impressed..." She told her. Dash grinned.

"Thanks..." She said. A white pegasus mare with a bubbly yellow thrown back mane appeared out of nowhere.

"HI! I'M SURPRISE! AND I LIKE CUPCAKES!" She screamed into Dash's left ear. She had a voice much like Pinkie Pie's, just a little lower pitched. Dash screeched from the sudden shock of the mare, and then looked fearfully over to her.

"P-P-P-Pinkie Pie?" She stuttered. Surprise rolled her eyes.

"No silly! I'm SURPRISE!" Surprise said, before bouncing off. Dash stood there, looking after the mare in confusion, before shrugging it off.

"Is she always like that?" Dash asked the others. Her only answer was multiple frantic nods.

"Oh you have no idea... Sometimes, it pains to be her teammate." High Winds sighed, before brightening up. "But she's still sweet. Just crazy, and very random." She finished. Dash nodded.

"Yeah, I have a friend just like her. Do you remember Pinkie Pie?" Dash said, directing the last question to the lead squad. Spitfire, Soarin, and Fleetfoot nodded.

"How could we forget?" Spitfire said, shuddering at the events at the Equestria Games tryouts. Dash chuckled.

"Yeah... She seems just like Surprise." Dash said. Soarin nodded.

"Who knows... They might be distantly related... In some weird way..." He said. Before grinning, and shaking his head. Dash smiled.

"Well, I need to go make the announcement for the training to begin." Spitfire said, while getting up. "I'll see you there, Rainbow Dash. Go knock 'em out!" She said encouragingly. Dash grinned, and nodded, while Spitfire got up, and flew to her office.

"You'll do great, Dashie!" Soarin told her, giving her a hoofbump. Dash turned to him, with a warm smile.

"Thanks so much, Soar! I'd better get going!" She said, and got up, making her way to the changing rooms.

Once she was out of their sights, all the Wonderbolts turned to Soarin.

"DASHIE?!?!"

Chapter 26: Songs and Laughter

A Dash of Happiness Soared Through the Skies

By: Crystal Heart AKA RDcrystalheart

Chapter 26: Songs and Laughter

"Alright! Who's ready for some Christmas carols?" Velvet exclaimed. Everypony cheered madly.

"Now! Who's singing tonight?" Velvet asked. The Mane Six looked at each other with wild grins.

"Me, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy will be singing tonight!" Twilight exclaimed. Velvet smiled at her daughter, and nodded, handing each one of them a microphone.

The six ponies headed towards the front of the fireplace, and Twilight used her magic to summon some instruments.

"Alright girls. Those instruments can play the background music. Are you all ready?" Twilight asked them. They all nodded enthusiastically.

"Hey, Twi? Which song are we playing first?" Applejack asked. Twilight smiled.

"I was thinking we could play the song we wrote a few years ago. Remember? It was called... It's a Pony Kind of Christmas? We wrote it for our first Hearths Warming!" She said. The other's gasped, and nodded.

"Awesome! This is going to be so epic!" Dash exclaimed. They all giggled, and turned to the crowd of family and friends.

"So! We wrote a song a few years ago. We called it, 'It's a Pony Kind of Christmas' And that's our first song of the night! Then, we'll do a few solos!" Twilight said into her microphone. There were murmurs of approval.

Soarin glanced at Dash with a surprised look. Was she really going to sing? Dash didn't seem like the singing type... Dash saw him, and gave him a wink.

Twilight nodded towards her friends, and they all took deep breaths to start the song.

"It's a pony kind of Christmas!

In every color, shape!

All around the world of Equestria!

It's Christmastime here today!

It's a pony kind of Christmas!

It's light never fades!

All around the world of Equestria,

Christmas is here to stay!"

The six sang strongly. Everypony looked over to Twilight, as she sang her solo verse with passion.

"Christmas is a time of joy.

When the light of friendship burns bright!" She sang with a smile. It was Applejack's turn next.

"Takin' time for family!

To recall the past and do what's right!"

Everypony then looked over to Fluttershy, who was beaming.

"And outside gentle snow is falling,

forest creatures keeping warm below!"

Everyone then took a breath for air, and did the chorus.

"And all throughout Equestria,

we feel the light of friendship only grow!

It's a pony kind of Christmas,

it's light never fades!

All around the world of Equestria,

Christmas is here to stay!"

The five mates all turned to Rainbow Dash. Soarin's eyes widened as he saw her preparing to sing. Now this was going to be interesting!

"Dashing through the snow,

in a one horse-open sleigh!

Over the fields we go,

laughing all the way!" She sang in a strong voice. Everypony's eyes went large... Who knew Dash has such an amazing singing voice?

"Decorate with bows of holly,

fill the halls with wonder!

Wrap the presents,

silver paper,

trim the tree and place them under!" Rarity sang.

"Time for counting down the days till Christmas!

Everyday that passes is a party we can throw!" Pinkie sang. The Mane Six then sang the chorus together.

"Time for counting down the days till Christmas!

And everyday our friendship grows!

It's a pony kind of Christmas!

In every color shape!

All around the world of Equestria!

It's Christmastime here today!

It's a pony kind of Christmas!

It's light never fades!

All around the world of Equestria,

Christmas is here...

To stay..." The Mane Six finished strongly.

Everypony erupted into cheers. The six mares bowed, before Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Fluttershy went into the crowd and sat down. Twilight remained on stage.

"Okay! I'm really glad you enjoyed that song! I'll be singing the next one by myself. It's a little parody of We Wish You a Merry Christmas!" Twilight said. Everypony clapped their hooves together in excitement.

Twilight took a deep breath, and began to sing.

"We wish you a merry Christmas

We wish you a merry Christmas

We wish you a merry Christmas

And a happy New Year

Day one: time to get my list in shape

Christmas is around the corner

So much to do, not a moment left to wait

Have to get it done before the holidays are here

It's that Christmas time of year

So everypony sing

We wish you a merry Christmas

We wish you a merry Christmas

We wish you a merry Christmas

And a happy New Year

Through the streets of boutiques

Picking out the perfect presents

Every shop, have to stop

Try to find the perfect gift

Now the tree has to be

Just the perfect one – that's it! That's the one!

Every light shining bright

Starting from the base to tip

Have to bake, decorate

Now I need the perfect dress – a success!

Oh, no, I can't be late

I've got Pinkie Pie's party date

Where everypony sings

We wish you a merry Christmas

We wish you a merry Christmas

We wish you a merry Christmas

And a happy New Year

Ponies caroling, singing songs we know and love

Music fills the air, rising to the stars above

Watching snow, reading by the fire

Family close, stockings hung with care

Outside those ponies singing merrily

Listen close as they start to sing

We wish you a merry Christmas

We wish you a merry Christmas

We wish you a merry Christmas

And a happy New Year

Time to stop and count my blessings

Put the craziness aside

Christmas only comes around once a year

And every year fills my heart with pride

When everypony sings,

We wish you a merry Christmas

We wish you a merry Christmas

We wish you a merry Christmas

And a happy... New... Year"

Twilight finished singing with a strong ending vocal. Instantly, everypony stood up and clapped for her. She had really done a wonderful job!

"Awesome job, Twilight!" Dash congratulated. Twilight thanked her, and everypony else who praised her beautiful voice.

Twilight went and sat down, as Applejack and her family went on.

Applebloom, Grannh Smith, and Big Mac each took a microphone, and Applejack kept her own.

"Hi! Me and my family wrote this song... About... Well family! And how even if you've lost your loved ones, there are always good times ahead. It's called, Days Gone By." Applejack said, as Twilighg used her magic to start the music.

Applejack took a deep breath, as she started to sing in a beautiful, majestic voice.

"When family, cannot be here

Havin' journeyed far and wide!

We sing a song

To honor them

To remember

Days Gone By..." She started. Applebloom soon joined in.

"So take your cup

And raise it high

Just as surely, I'll do mine!

And laugh we will,

At stories told,

As we smile

At Days Gone By

As we smile

At Days Gone By" The sisters sang in a harmony nopony possessed. Their voice was angelic to anyone who heard it.

Granny Smith then joined in.

"For family, not here, my dears

Havin journeyed far and wide

For loyalty and kindness both

We smile

At Days Gone By"

Applejack then went solo again.

"Our paths will cross

Again, one day

In time

To reunite!

For family

Is always near

Even when, the seas are wide!"

Applejack and Applebloom then took the first half of the chorus.

"So take your cup

And raise it high

Just has surely, I'll do mine!

And make a toast

For family,

And the tales

Of Days Gone By" They sang. Then, Granny Smith and Big Mac joined.

"For family

Not here, my dears

Havin' journeyed far and wide!

For loyalty and kindness both

Take joy

At Days Gone By!

For loyalty

And kindness both

We smile

At Days Gone By!" They finished.

There wasn't a dry eye in the audience as the quartet sang. And everypony started crying silently at what Applejack said at the end of her performance.

"We love you, Ma... Pa... And we miss you..." She said silently into the microphone, letting a tear escape her eyes, as they walked back into the audience.

Rainbow Dash, who knew she needed to brighten up the mood a little, volunteered to sing next. She went up in front of the fireplace, and grabbed her microphone.

"I'm sorry, Applejack. You have our condolences." She started. Applejack smiled, along with her family, as Dash turned back to the crowd.

"Now this next song is one of my personal favorite Christmas songs. Jingle Bells! But in a 20% cooler fashion!" Dash said. Everypony giggled, and turned to the rainbow maned mare, as some drum beats started playing.

Dash glanced at Soarin, who was staring at her in shock. Was Dash really going to sing solo?

"One!

Two!

One two three FOUR!

Dashing through the snow,

In a one horse-open sleigh!

Over the fields we go!

Laughing all the way!

Ha ha ha

Bells on bobtail ring!

Making spirits bright!

What fun it is to fly and sing a sleighing song tonight!

Oh!

Jingle Bells!

Hey!

Jingle Bells!

Hey!

Jingle all the way!

Hey! Hey!

Oh what fun,

It is to fly

In a one horse-open sleigh!

Jingle Bells!

Hey!

Jingle Bells!

Hey!

Jingle all the way!

Hey! Hey!

Oh what fun

It is too ride

In a one horse-open sleigh!

Thought I'd grab some friends!

And take them for a ride!

Not so sure what's up?

As ponies run and hide!

Put Rarity in the back!

Right next to Pinkie Pie!

Better buckle up my friends 'cause

We're about to fly!

Oh!

Jingle Bells!

Hey!

Jingle Bells!

Hey!

Jingle all the way!

Hey! Hey!

Oh what fun,

It is to fly

In a one horse-open sleigh!

Jingle Bells!

Hey!

Jingle Bells!

Hey!

Jingle all the way!

Hey! Hey!

Oh what fun

It is too ride

In a one horse-open sleigh!

Go grab Applejack

Who's hiding in the barn!

Put her in the back!

And leave behind the farm!

Sky is clear and blue!

And the wind is at our tails!

Ponies hold on right because we're

About to tip the scales!

Tomorrow is Christmas morning!

Tomorrow is Christmas Day!

And Santa's coming 'round the corner

And he's bringing presents!

'Cause he's been filling up that,

Filling up that Santa sleigh!

We start speeding up

As colors start to show

Streaming through our manes

The higher up we go!

Moving faster still,

Our faces fearing doom!

What fun it is to fly and sing

As we

SONIC RAINBOOM!

Jingle Bells!

Hey!

Jingle Bells!

Hey!

Jingle all the way!

Hey! Hey!

Oh what fun,

It is to fly

In a one horse-open sleigh!

Jingle Bells!

Hey!

Jingle Bells!

Hey!

Jingle all the way!

Hey! Hey!

Oh what fun

It is too ride

In a one horse-open sleigh!"

Dash finished the song with a strong, confident voice, as everypony stomped their hooves, and clapped for her. In fact, many ponies got out of their seats, and started dancing along to the tune when she was halfway. Dash really knew how to get a crowd moving!

"Thank you! Thank you!" She said, taking a few extra bows, before moving off the stage. Soarin soon trotted up to her.

"Rainbow Dash?" He asked her with his eyes wide. She raised an eyebrow.

"Yes?" She replied, a little confused.

"That was the most amazing thing I've ever heard in my life." He said simply, bringing her in for a massive hug. She blushed, and quickly pulled away.

"Soarin! Not here!" She whined. Soarin rolled his eyes, but obliged.

"But thanks." She finished. Soarin smiled, and nodded. Rainbow blushed again, before following him into the crowd, and taking a seat.

Rarity volunteered to sing next, so she made her way to the front of the roaring fire.

"Now! Let's tone it down a little bit with a simple cover of Deck the Halls!" She started. Twilight queued the music, as Rarity started to sing.

"Fa-la-la, fa-la-la

Fa-la-la-ahhh

Fa-la-la, fa-la-la

Fa-la-la-ahhh

Deck the halls with boughs of holly

'Tis the season to be jolly

Christmas day's around the corner

Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Light the hearth, let's make things warmer

Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Bring the tree in front and center

Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Gleaming bright in all its splendor

Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Boughs of fur upon the mantle

Shining stars, each dancing candle

Draped in ribbons red and silver

Joy upon us is delivered

Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Fa-la-la, la-la-la

Fa-la-la-la

Fa-la-la, la-la-la

Fa-la-la-la

Wrap our gifts in colored paper

Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh

Tie with bows and store for later

Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh

Set the feast upon the table

Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Friends together, willing, able

Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Fa-la-la, fa-la-la

Fa-la-la-ahhh

Fa-la-la, fa-la-la

Fa-la-la-ahhh..." Rarity finished singing in a gentle, soothing voice. Everypony was in awe at her beauty.

"Thank you, everypony." She said, before taking a bow, and heading off the center stage. Everypony then looked over to Fluttershy, who was hiding in her seat.

"Do I have to?" She whined. The other's simply nodded. She sighed, and slowly trotted up.

"Well, this is a very traditional song called Silent Night. I hope you like it." Fluttershy said, as she took a deep breath, preparing for the song. She nodded towards Twilight, signaling to start the music.

"Silent night, starry night

All is calm, all is bright

'Round the forest, parents and young

Gentle creatures everyone

Home in burrows deep

Home in their burrows deep

Silent night, starry night

Snowfall makes the meadows white

Huddle close to keep family warm

Tomorrow's dawn will bring Christmas morn

Now the day is done

Now that the day is done

Silent night, starry night

Leaves are still and the moon's in sight

Dreams are born as their eyes fall closed

Tomorrow's gift is that nobody knows

Sleep in beautiful peace

Sleep in beautiful peace

Oh-whoa

Sleep in beautiful peace

Oh-whoa-oh-oh

Sleep in beautiful peace

Oh-whoa-oh-oh

Sleep in beautiful peace

Oh-whoa

Sleep in beautiful peace

Sleep in beautiful peace

Sleep in beautiful peace." Now with her eyes closed, Fluttershy sang the last note, holding it out for as long as possible.

How was it even possible to sing like that?

No matter how hard anypony tried, nopony could ever come close to Fluttershy's soothing voice. Soarin smirked, and leaned over to Dash.

"The day I hear you sing like that is the day Celestia forgets to raise the sun." He whispered. Dash glared at him, and punched him on his shoulder.

"Wow, thanks Soarin! You're so nice!" She said sarcastically. Soarin grinned.

"Oh! No need to thank me, Dashie! It was no problem at all!" He said, turning back to the show. Dash raised her eyebrow, before laughing slightly. She gently lifted Soarin's hoof, and placed it around her shoulders. She nestled into his chest, and sighed.

"Next is Pinkie Pie. Enjoy this moment while you can." She mumbled. Soarin scrunched his eyebrows in confusion.

"What do you-"

"On the first day of Christmas my true friends gave to me!" Pinkie Pie's singing cut him off mid question. Dash sprung out of Soarin's embrace, and cringed.

"That's what I mean."

"A big bowl of ravioli!

On the second day of Christmas

My true friends gave to me

Two party cannons

And a big bowl of ravioli

On the third day of Christmas

My true friends gave to me

Three chocolate cupcakes

Two party cannons

And a big bowl of ravioli

On the fourth day of Christmas

My true friends gave to me

Four pink balloons

Three chocolate cupcakes

Two party cannons

And a big bowl of ravioli

On the fifth day of Christmas

My true friends gave to me

Five cherrychangas! Yum!

Four pink balloons

Three cupcakes

Two party cannons

And a big bowl of ravioli

On the sixth day of Christmas

My true friends gave to me

Six streamers streaming

Five cherrychangas!

Four pink balloons

Three cupcakes

Two party cannons

And a big bowl of ravioli

On the seventh day of Christmas

My true friends gave to me

Seven rocks a-rolling

Six streamers streaming

Five cherrychangas!

Four pink balloons

Three cupcakes

Two party cannons

And a big bowl of ravioli

On the eighth day of Christmas

My true friends gave to me

Eight clowns a-clowning

Seven rocks a-rolling

Six streamers streaming

Five cherrychangas!

Four pink balloons

Three cupcakes

Two party cannons

And a big bowl of ravioli

On the ninth day of Christmas

My true friends gave to me

Nine drums a-drumming

Eight clowns a-clowning

Seven rocks a-rolling

Six streamers streaming

Five cherrychangas!

Four pink balloons

Three cupcakes

Two party cannons

And a big bowl of ravioli

On the tenth day of Christmas

My true friends gave to me

Ten gifts for Gummy

Nine drums a-drumming

Eight clowns a-clowning

Seven rocks a-rolling

Six streamers streaming

Five cherrychangas!

Four pink balloons

Three cupcakes

Two party cannons

And a big bowl of ravioli

Whew...!

On the eleventh day of Christmas

My true friends gave to me

Eleven rubber chickens

Ten gifts for Gummy

Nine drums a-drumming

Eight clowns a-clowning

Seven rocks a-rolling

Six streamers streaming

Five cherrychangas!

Four pink balloons

Three cupcakes

Two party cannons

And a big bowl of ravioli

On the twelfth day of Christmas

My true friends gave to me

Twelve candy apples

Eleven rubber chickens

Ten gifts for Gummy

Nine drums a-drumming

Eight clowns a-clowning

Seven rocks a-rolling

Six streamers streaming

Five cherrychangas!

Four pink balloons

Three cupcakes

Two party cannons

And a big bowl of ravioliiiii!

WHEE!!!!!" Pinkie finished. Everypony was cheering madly.

Remember how I said nopony could sing like Fluttershy? Well, the same thing goes for Pinkie Pie.

How she managed to pull that off... Wow. Even I don't know!

"Oh silly! Just ask Shannon!" Pinkie said to the ceiling. Everypony raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"Shannon? Who's Shannon? Who would have such an obscure name like that?" Everypony asked her.

"Oh... It's probably just Pinkie being Pinkie." Twilight said, dismissing her friend's silly behaviors.

Silly Pinkie.