The city of Manehatten was full of excitement, due to the Wonderbolt show being in town for the first time in two years. During the Wonderbolts last performance, one of the bolts was injured mid show and had to be taken to hospital. Since then there had been no more shows. Until today. The streets were filled with little fillies and colts who couldn't contain their excitement for the show. Although Manehatten was predominantly a unicorn city the citizens still enjoyed the aerial show performed by the pegasi.
The Wonderbolts were performing in the national stadium, where the city's large hoofball games were played. The stadium was half full, even though the show itself didn't start for another hour. The fans had to come to watch the Wonderbolts prepare for the show. The lineup selected to perform was a great one. Spitfire was leading the performance, with her second in command, Soarin. The rest of the group consisted of Fleetfoot, Rainbow Dash, Suprise and Misty Fly. All top quality Wonderbolts. Everypony knew that once Rainbow Dash was in the performance that she would be doing a sonic rainboom. That would be the climax and end of the show.
Down on the playibg field the Wonderbolts were doing their baisc warm ups and stretchs before begining the practice routine. At the other end of the pitch, the reserves were also training, incase they were needed to fill in last second. Amongst those reserves was a grey pegasus by the name of Thunderlane. He was from Ponyville, like Rainbow Dash. He too had dreamt of being a Wonderbolt ever since he was young. Now his dream was a reality. He knew that it would take him a while before he could start performing in shows, but he didn't mind. He had gotten this far and knew he could get further.
The grey pegasus trotted over to one of the rest benches where his waterbottle was. As he took a drink, one of his teammates approached him. She was a light purple pegasus named Cloudchaser. She stood beside her teammate and the two watched the main Wonderbolt squad in action.
"They're amazing, aren't they?" Cloudchaser said to the stallion. He swallowed the water in his mouth.
"Yeah. I can't wait to get up there myself one day." Thunderlane responded. The two continued to watch the group. They seemed to move in perfect synchronization, not making any visable faults. The two focused on their friend Rainbow Dash. She had been a reserve with them, but had easily surpassed then in training, due to her sheer skill and ability. As they were watching they noticed that Rainbow Dash suddenly pulled out of formation and headed straight for the ground. A few seconds later Soarin could be seen speeding after her. He managed to catch her just before she hit the ground. The two pegasi ran over to them. When they arrived a small crowd had formed around the two. Soarin pushed some of the ponies nearby.
"Give her some room." he shouted, causing the rest of the ponies to take a step back. Rainbow Dash moaned slightly. A nurse came over to help her."I'll help take her to the infirmary." Soarin said, placing Rainbow Dash on his back. The three ponies walked off in the direction of the changing rooms, where an infirmary had been set up. Cloudchaser looked at Thunderlane.
"Looks like you won't have long to wait." she said. The two ponies stood silent for a moment. Then Spitfire trotted over to the two. She looked at them before shouting.
"Thunderlane." she bellowed. The stallion saluted.
"Yes captain?" he said.
"I need you to fill in for Rainbow Dash in today's show. She's fractured her wing and won't be able to fly until tomorrow." Spitfire said. Thunderlane gawped at the captain."Can you or can you not fly colt?" the captain shouted.
"I can fly captain." Thunderlane responded.
"Good. Now come with me so you can learn the routine." she said turning and walking back over to the main Wonderbolt group. Thunderlane paused for a moment before following. The next hour was going to be intense.
***
Thunderlane tried his best to memorise the routine. They had only got an hour to go through it a few times before they had to get ready for the show. He was sitting alone in the changing rooms. A pegasus pony came and sat down beside him.
"You nervous?" Cloudchaser asked him
"A lot." he responded. Cloudchaser chuckled.
"You'll be fine. You're the best flier in the reserves, now thay Rainbow Dash get promoted." she said, trying to encourage the stallion. Thunderlane smiled at her.
"Thanks." he said.
"Anytime. Now go out there and give them one hell of a show." she said slapping him on the back. He jumped to his hooves with the impact. He went out tot the tunnel to join his flight team. They all gave him a smile. Spitfire stepped up to him.
"First show is always they hardest. Don't try to be perfect, just follow the routine and you'll do great " she said. Thunderlane nodded. The announcer then spoke.
"Ladies and Gentlecolts of Manehatten, stomp your hooves for the Wonderbolts." he shouted. As soon as the applause started the Wonderbolts flew out of the tunnel. Thunderlane went toward the light.
***
Two hours later the Wonderbolts all reentered the tunnel, one by one, Thunderlane at the rear. They all poured into the changing room. Soarin pulled out a bottle of champagne.
"Great show everypony." he said opening the bottle, spraying his team."And a special well done to Thunderlane on his first show." he said. All the Wonderbolts cheered. Fleetfoot went over to him and kissed him on the cheek, causing the stallion to blushed profoundly. The Wonderbolts all laughed. A cyan coloured mare walked into the changing room. She went over and hugged the stallion.
"Great performance Thunder." Rainbow said."If you keep performing like that you might just take my place." she said. Thunderlane beamed at the comment. The Wonderbolts continued to party for the rest of the night. As Thunderlane made his way back to his hotel room he felt a sense of pride. He knew that he had made it as a real Wonderbolt.
