Breeze in the Storm

After a few hours rehearsing their standard moves to ensure they all checked out and performance-ready, the Wonderbolts shifted their attention to learning this new closing stunt.

“Alright, Crash,” Said Spitfire, standing with the rest of the team, “This is your move, so it’s up to you to direct us.”

“Yes, ma’am!” Rainbow Dash displayed a confident face and demeanor, but on the inside, she was ecstatic!She wasn’t only having her own original move as a stunt in the show, but she was also leading the team for it! “Alright, here’s the plan. Spitfire, go stand in the center of the field. Everyone else, stand in a circle formation around her.” The Wonderbolts did as she asked and soon a ring of Pegasi surrounded their captain.

“Ok, Crash, what’s next?” shouted out Rapidfire from the far end of the circle.

“Now, you are all going to take off with me following close behind. I’ll then begin to circle you guys in a funnel as we all fly towards the clouds.”

“Straight forward enough, captain!” shouted out Soarin.

“‘Captain?’ Ha! Yea, she wishes,” replied Spitfire with a playful connotation. The team let out a collective laugh, which is something that Dash really admired. These ponies weren’t only teammates but also close friends. It also reinforced just how normal these ponies were. Since joining the Bolts, Rainbow Dash’s idolization of them began to dwindle. She of course still highly respected them and would occasionally fangirl here and there, but it was moments like this that showed her that they were just like her, normal ponies with exciting lives. Spitfire recaptured the team’s attention. “Alright! Let’s give it a shot!”

The team shot up with great speed and created a circle of streaking smoke around Spitfire. Rainbow Dash soon followed and began to funnel around her fellow teammates. She couldn’t tell what it exactly looked like from the ground, but she knew in her mind it had to be awesome, it was her idea, after all. The team quickly approached the clouds that hung in the Baltimare sky. As the broke through the clouds, Rainbow Dash was met with clear open sky as well as the bright summer sun. The rest of the team went back through the  clouds to carry out the second part of the move as she took in the sight as it dawned on her just how magnificent this move would be. When the Rainboom went off, not only would it blow away the Wonderbolt symbol away in glorious fashion, but she would also clear the sky of clouds. This would mean the light would amplify the rainbow explosion even more so. She couldn’t wait. She quickly turned back towards the canvas of clouds as she approached the speed of sound. Just as she broke through the veil that covered the city, the Sonic Rainboom shot her towards the ground. She pulled up to avoid an unscheduled meeting with the turf and as she did, she looked back at epicenter. The scene was incredible. The Wonderbolt logo was engulfed in a beautiful spectrum of light that spanned the entire stadium, completely illuminating it with an arrangement of greens, reds, and so on. Dash was filled with emotion; the stunt was just as amazing as she envisioned it and seeing it as a reality only made it better. Soarin was right: it was a great way to end a show.

The rest of the Wonderbolts stood on the turf looking up at the finale to their newest addition to their arsenal of moves. Awestruck faces looked up at the rainbow ring that spread out across the sky and whispers of approval came from every member. Spitfire looked up at the impressive display and also nodded in approval.

“Told ya it was cool,” Soarin said with a smirk on his face.

“I never said it wasn’t,” she replied, “Alright, Bolts, good job all around. It looks li-“

“That was incredible! Wahoo!” Dash landed next to the Wonderbolt captain began to congratulate her fellow Bolts. “Great job, everyone! It looked awesome! I mean, I knew it would, but that right there was a real showstopper!”

“Well, glad we could be of service,” said Fleetfoot.

“Yea, it was a fine move if I do say so myself,” said Rapidfire with a sarcastic bow.

Soarin stepped towards Rainbow Dash, “Thank finish was phenomenal! Really Dash, you should be proud of this. It’s going to blow the roof off the place!”

Dash raised an eyebrow. “You do know there is no roof right?”

“Uh… Well, I guess you have a head start?”

Dash rolled her eyes and chuckled, “But, really, thanks for helping out with getting the idea through.”

“No need to thank me. This was all you. Really, the only person who deserves any credit is you.”

Dash rubbed the back of her head and put on a big grin, “Well…”

“You two done?” Spitfire waited there the whole time to get back to addressing the team, “You are? Good. Back to business.” She turned to the rest of the team. “As I saying, it looks like we are sticking with Crash’s idea for today. I would ask if anyone objects, but the consensus seems to be positive.” Looked over a clipboard that was sitting on the bench besides her. “It looks like everything was covered for the show, I think we’re done practicing for today. Hit the showers and get ready for the performance. Crash, can I talk to you?”

The two pegasi stepped off the side as the rest of the team headed towards the tunnel that led to the locker room. When they were alone, Spitfire turned to Rainbow Dash.

“I really have to hand it to you, Crash, that idea of yours was pretty solid. Really wish I had thought of it myself."

Rainbow Dash took this as her captain’s own unique way of praising her move. “Uh… Thanks? But why did you want to speak with me privately?”

“Because I wanted to know why you didn’t bring the idea up earlier, and if you weren’t going to tell us about this move, I doubted you’d say the reason for secrecy in front of everyone.”

“Oh… Uh, you see…” This was the last thing Rainbow Dash expected and wasn’t sure how to answer it. She didn’t want to lie about it but she also didn’t want to make it awkward between her and the rest of the team by saying she felt nervous about expressing her ideas around them. “I guess I was just… afraid of bringing it up. I mean last time I tried a stunt, I ended up covered in cotton candy and ruining the show.”

Spitfire just raised an eyebrow and grinned. “That’s really it?” she let out a brief laugh, “Crash, this is completely different. This is something that involves the entire team and it wasn’t some in-the-moment discussion made by a certain newbie. This has thought in it and, to be honest, it’s fantastic. Don’t be afraid to share your ideas with your friends, because we will at the very least listen to it. Just know we will never judge you on them, though.”

Rainbow Dash took this in. She had been in attendance to a number of Twilight’s friendship rants, but coming from Spitfire made it somewhat different.

“Thanks, Spitfire, that’s definitely good to know going forward.”

“No problem, Rainbow Dash. Now, go get ready for the show.” The two pegasi, captain and newbie, made their way to the locker room together.

In the locker room, Rainbow Dash was met by teammates with encouraging words as they praised her for her idea.

“It really was impressive,” said Blaze.

“The crowd’s going to love it," said Misty Fly.

“It was pretty cool, Crash,” said Fleetfoot.

“Thanks, everypony,” replied Dash, “but really you all were a part of that awesomeness, too. So, pat yourselves on the back before you break mine.” She turned to leave the locker room and as she did she ran into Soarin.

“Oh! Sorry Soarin.” She said.

‘No problem. So you ready?”

“You bet! This show is going to be amazing!” she replied

“Well, yeah it is, but I wasn’t talking about the show.” Soarin said

‘What were you talking about then?” Dash said, visibly confused.

“The amount of people that are going to be begging for an autograph! After that stunt, there are going to be lines of fans just for you.”

“Oh c’mon! It’s not that good.” It’s totally that good! “Besides, I’ve already got my own fan club in Ponyville so it won’t be anything new.”

Soarin looked at her, wide-eyed. “You’re serious…”

“I’ll explain it some other time.”

“Anyway, it’s definitely going to be better than the one in Ponyville.” He said with a smirk.

“I don’t know, that really was a showstopper in every sense.” She replied. The two shared a laugh together before starting again.

“Where were you going, anyway?” Soarin asked.

“Oh, I was just going to go outside, look at the skyline from the top of the stadium.” She replied.

Well, I’ll join you, make sure you don’t fall.”

She rolled her eyes, “Fine, let’s go.”

The two flew to the highest point of the stadium and overlooked the entire city of Baltimare. The sun was reaching about high noon so the show was starting in about an hour and a half. The two pegasi sat down.

“View’s not half bad.” Soarin said.

“It’s nice, but nothing compared to some of the other cities.” Dash replied.

“Yea, staying the Canterlot Castle gives some nice scenery.”

“I was actually thinking more of the castle in the Crystal Empire, but I guess you’re right.”

“Right, being the Element of Loyality must have its perks.” He said with a grin.

“Yea, it’s pretty sweet. I only wish one of those perks was that I didn’t have to fight deadly creatures every other day.”

"I bet! I've heard some stories about your adventures."

"Let me tell you that the truth is probably be weirder than any story. I mean have you seen a bugbear before?!" The two began to laugh once again.

“Another perk should be allowing you to beat me in a race.” Soarin said through the laughs.

“Please! I could totally beat you.” Dash said wearing a face of confidence.

“That’s not what my win-lost record against you says,” said with a mocking grin. Rainbow leaned in a pushed him off the stadium. “Wo-Woah!” He fell out of sight. Dash, however, didn’t seem impressed.

“I know you have wings…”

“Soarin floated back up, “What? Was it not convincing enough?”

She smiled, “Good thing you’re a Wonderbolt and not an actor. Besides, I’ve saved your flank once, I could do it again.”

“Hopefully it won’t come to that. I’m heading down, you coming?”

“Nah,” she replied, I’ll be down soon, though.”

“Alright,” he said, “This was fun, Dash. We’ll have to talk more at dinner.”

‘”Dinner…” she had just remembered the reason that she was going to be broke by the end of the night.

“Hey, don’t be getting any ideas. A lot of people put trust in those banks.” With that, Soarin began to fly away.

“I’m not that desperate, Soarin!” she shouted down. Once he was out of sight, she quickly made her way to the closest bank. “I need to make a withdraw.”