Son of Sombra

It was a bright day in Cloudsdale and puffy white clouds inched along the blue sky. A group of twelve Pegasi flew in perfect formation. They arched lazily through the clouds and then sped up so fast that they broke the sound barrier. Racing past an audience sitting in the seats beside them as they rocketed passed, the aftershock slamming them back into their seats. The ponies cheered as multi colored smoke then was released and a rainbow was formed.

The crowd went nuts. These were the Wonderbolts, and elite squadron of the best flyers in Equestria. Their captain was a light tan pony with a long black shaggy mane. They all wore tight fitting blue flight suits and flight goggles. The years that followed since the squadron was created, they held many spectacles and functions. They knew they were the best, and so did their leader. Even Princess Celestia herself commented on their skill admiringly. The pride which these fliers felt was immense, but earned. In order to be the best one must train hard, not only in speed, but in technique. You had to be masters of both in order to be in the Wonderbolts.

When the show was over, they landed in front of the crowd which swarmed them. Pictures were snapped of the fliers as they posed, flicking back their manes, removing their goggles, and smiling dazzling smiles. However, their captain noticed a blue Pegasus eagerly trying to get through the crowd, but getting pushed back. She was in the last row of people to meet the Wonderbolts and was looking disappointed. However, the captain flared up his wings and glided over to her. She was shocked into silence, her mouth opening wide as the captain reached down with his hoof “Hello little Pegasus,” he said “I’m Lock Light…”

“The captain of the WONDERBOLTS!” the Pegasus screamed excitedly.

“Yes,” he said “what’s your name?”

“It’s Rainbow Dash,” she said hesitantly and grabbing his hoof and shaking it violently. Lock Light grinned, he let her have this moment in her life. He didn’t know whenever she’d have it again.

He looked down at her and said “Would you like to take a picture with me?”

“Yes,” Rainbow Dash said breathlessly.

“And,” Lock Light said whispering in her ear “afterwards would you could hang out with us at the after party, what do you say to that?”

“Uh,” Rainbow Dash gawked “really? You mean, I get…”

“You can have this chance to hang out with myself, and all of the Wonderbolts,” Lock Light said.

“That,” Rainbow Dash said emphasizing each word “would, be, AWESOME!”

“Alright,” Lock Light said putting an leg across her shoulder “how about you come and take some photos with us for a starters.”

Rainbow Dash could barely keep in her excitement. However, she quickly got over herself and got into the photo shoot, posing for the camera like she’d done it her whole life.

One reporter asked “And who is this lucky filly?”

“The name’s Rainbow Dash,” she said “I get to hang out with the Wonderbolts for the after party and even with the team captain!”

“And are you excited?” asked another reporter.

“Of course,” Rainbow Dash said “I mean, who WOULDN’T want to be a Wonderbolt if you’re a Pegasus?”

“I’m sure a lot of other Pegasi sure would,” another reporter said “would it be accurate to say that the Wonderbolts are your heroes?”

“Oh,” Rainbow Dash said “most definitely. These guys are the best flyers in Equestria’s history. Didn’t you see the way they spun, dove, and were constantly in formation? That takes skill.”

“Do you think you’d want to be a Wonderbolt someday?” asked another reporter.

“I’d love to,” she responded “I mean, I think that it’d be a great opportunity.”

Lock Light stepped forward and spoke to the cameras “I personally think that Rainbow Dash here would be a great asset to the Wonderbolts,” he said and then turning to Rainbow Dash “if you can fly fast enough, and work hard enough, you can one day join our ranks.”

“You really think so?”

“I don’t think,” Lock Light said grinning down at her “I know. Wonderbolts!”

The Wonderbolts snapped to attention and faced him “Let’s take our new protégé out for a Wonderbolt blast! What do you say?”

They all cheered and with that, they all darted upwards with Rainbow Dash and went to go to their party.

Rainbow Dash had no idea what to do or what was going on. She was so overwhelmed that she couldn’t even really think straight. The food was good, the Wonderbolts were cool, and Captain Lock Light…was the best. Lock Light showed her around their special quarters, he gave her a full grand tour. He showed her the mess hall, sleeping quarters, the dressing rooms where they got into their jump suits, and even outfitted her for one. Lock Light spent a lot of personal time with Rainbow Dash. He’d asked her a lot of questions, about her home, her parents, what she liked to do for fun, and so on. Lock Light secretly looked at her like the sister he’d never had. She adored him, and followed him around everywhere like the perfect wing pony. They talked for what seemed like hours, and they didn’t even pause once, except to eat the delicious food of course. When they were finished later that evening, they were sitting on some puffy clouds and watching the sunset, Lock Light turned to the little Rainbow Dash and said “Have you ever heard of the Legend of the Sonic Rainboom?”

“No,” Rainbow Dash gasped “what is it?”

“It’s a tale which stretches back before the time my father was even born,” Lock Light said “do you know how rainbows are normally formed?”

“Uh,” Rainbow Dash said “no.”

“Well,” Lock Light said “a rainbow is formed when water droplets in the clouds or in the sky reflect light. Do you understand?”

“Not really,” Rainbow Dash said.

“That’s okay,” Lock Light said “let’s take this glass for example. Light penetrates it and you can see right through it. It bends, even in the water. Do you see?”

“Oh,” Rainbow Dash replied “okay I get it now.”

“When light is split enough,” Lock Light said “it changes from the color white, into seven separate colors. This spreads beauty and joy where ever it goes. Have you ever seen a rainbow?”

“Well,” Rainbow Dash said “yeah, of course, but they’re common place.”

“Not the Sonic Rainboom,” Lock Light said “the legend I spoke of says, that if a Pegasus, and ONLY a Pegasus flies fast enough, that the SAME thing can happen. There’s something which happens in the air, I don’t know, maybe it’s the fliers sweat, maybe it’s the desire of the heart being released for all the world to see. I don’t know. But, when it happens, the Sonic Rainboom, not only is seen by those below you, as a normal rainbow, but it rockets across the sky and can be seen by the whole world. No pony knows, what exactly may come of it. Some deep magic lies in the Sonic Rainboom.”

“Have you ever done it before?”

“No Rainbow Dash,” Lock Light said “I’m nowhere near fast enough. But I think, YOU might be able to do it?”

“Really?”

“If you work at it,” Lock Light replied “anything is possible.”

“How do YOU think it could be done?”

“Well,” Lock Light said “if I knew, I would have already done it by now.”