The Pressures of Being a Wonderboltby SpittyfireChaptersChapter 1: The Golden Ticket Chapter 2: Getting to Know ThemChapter 3: The NightmareChapter 4: The CasinoChapter 1: The Golden Ticket Chapter 1: The Golden Ticket Spitfire was relieved that it had finally been summer, a time to finally relax from studying. She had no care for studying math or reading. She wanted to fly in the clouds like the birds below. They chirped and sung the songs she would hear on her radio, which she had found at an antique shop. As she closed her eyes and sat in the beaming sun rays, she opened one eye to see her old foal mate, Thunderlane. "Thunderlane," she smiled, "What are you doing here?" She sat upright and Thunderlane landed by her side and held a little pouch in his mouth. He dropped it on her lap, and smiled as he waited for her to open it. Before Spitfire opened it, he whispered to her, "You've been doing a lot for me recently, after helping my sister recover from her cold, I have been searching for the right thing to give to you, as a thank you." He nudged the pouch, again. Spitfire's eyes dazzled, she felt so flattered. She opened the pouch and inside were two tickets. Spitfire read the back of one of the tickets aloud. "Congratulations! You are going to attend a wonderful show between the brand new team, titled, the Wonderbolts!" The ticket was worded in gold lettering, and the edges were dark blue. Spitfire couldn't feel anymore happier. She was attending a stadium filled will pegasi. She would taste a fancy hot dog, and those fast food treats her mother would never let her chew. Everything had to be organic in Spitfire's house or it was sent to the trash. Spitfire looked into Thunderlane's eyes. "Thank you," she held onto her ticket tightly, "I couldn't be any luckier, but I must ask. Who are the Wonderbolts?" She asked a bit curious of who these ponies were. Thunderlane looked at her as if Spitfire had three heads. He lstared at her again just to make sure she wasn't sick or out of her mind. "The Wonderbolts are a special group of pegasi, who do amazing tricks. They have just started their group, and you would never believe how amazing they truly are." He grinned picking up his ticket and keeping it in his mane. He stood from the cloud and jumped into the air. Spitfire waved to him and called. "Thunderlane, thank you for my ticket! I'll be sure to attend this race with you," she called. "No problem Spitfire. I'd do anything for you," he responded and flew away into the clouds. Spitfire blushed for some reason. Her cheeks becoming the color of her mane. She flew inside as fast as she could. She slammed the door behind her and leaned on it. Had she liked Thunderlane? No. She didn't like him at all. He was just her old foal mate. As she leaned on the door, a newspaper slid from the window onto her head. She picked it up, still embarrassed. She read it to herself. "Upcoming Wonderbolt race will be showing soon! Bring your best friend, your family, or even that special some pony!" Spitfire shredded the newspaper. She didn't want to see herself with Thunderlane at all, but then she wondered. Is he really more than a foal mate? She looked at one of the shredded pieces to see a face. It was a familiar face, yet she had never seen it. She lifted the piece to see a pegasus who had a light blue body color, and a navy blue mane. He was very handsome. Spitfire lifted the piece and carried it to her room. Shelves were filled with golden trophies from her sport activities. She opened her curtains and looked at the picture of the stallion pegasus. She sat on her messy bed and fixed her mane. She had a happy feeling about looking at this picture of the stallion. She grabbed scissors and cut a frame around it. The picture was so tiny that it barely fit in her hoof. It was probably the size of a stamp. She went into her closet and unzipped one of her hoodies. She placed the stamp sized picture inside of a pocket and it smelled of pine needles from the trees on the ground. She would find out who this stallion was one way or another, and seeing a picture of him wasn't good enough. She would have to go to the market and find out who he was. So she flew out of her home and soared to the market. The market was filled with so many pegasi. So many it was hard to tell if everyone from Cloudsdale was at the market. She landed on the clouds on four hooves. Spitfire flew to the nearest magazine stand and picked up a magazine titled "Meet the Wonderbolts". She paid the correct price for the magazine, and flew to the nearest corner shop restaurant. Spitfire tried her best to hide the magazine. She didn't want all of Cloudsdale to know that she was a fan-pony. Usually, she played the games instead of cheering for the players. Spitfire stood in the line of hungry pegasi. As she was in line she bumped into two of her friends from fly-school. One of her friends was Flitter, and the other was Cloudchaser. Cloudchaser had a spiked up hairdo and looked a lot like Flitter. Flitter had a big pink bow in her hair, and was a slower flyer compared to Cloudchaser. "Well, well, well. It's Spitfire, the fastest flyer in our class!" Cloudchaser smiled, next to Flitter. Flitter fixed her bow and grabbed a tray, picking up a banana nut muffin. "Have you caught up with any pony, you haven't called us in ages." "I'm sorry guys, I've had to think a lot lately because I still don't know what I'm going to do for a living," Spitfire sighed, responding to Flitter. Spitfire picked up some bread and some strawberry butter. She lifted a pack of some goat cheese, and a lavender tasting tea. Cloudchaser examined Spitfire's tray and placed her potato chips back. "Would you like to sit together?" Cloudchaser asked. Spitfire hesitated. She looked at her magazine and then her old friends. "Of course! We should really catch up!" Spitfire looked at both of them with a smile. The three mares paid for their lunches and sat at a table for three. As Cloudchaser poked her salad around with her fork, Flitter chewed on a "Haywich" which was the special of the day. Spitfire had to ask the question about this Wonderbolt figure. She finished chewing a piece of goat cheese spread bread, and asked. "Did you guys here about the Wonderbolts?" "Who hasn't?!" They said in sync. "I was wondering if either of you knew the one with the navy blue mane and light blue coat," Spitfire tried her best not to blush. "His name.." Cloudchaser pondered, trying to wonder what his name was. "We don't know yet, but a local magazine stand is selling magazines all about the Wonderbolts!" Flitter smiled pointing out the window with her hoof. Spitfire chewed faster and faster, until her tray was empty. "Hey, I'll catch up with you guys later, I have some business to do," Spitfire said taking her empty tray to the counter and flying out the door in a breeze. Spitfire turned to see Cloudchaser with a grim face, it seemed that the two were upset that she hadn't stayed longer. Spitfire continued to fly through the Cloudsdale market until she stopped towards a poster saying, "Sign Up to Become a WONDERBOLT". Spitfire couldn't resist and she flew home with a sign up sheet, to join the Wonderbolts. She reached her home, and sat on her roof and starred at the clouds flying by. As she sat on the roof and watched the stars, she seems them. These so-called "Wonderbolts" flew by her home and she saw one Wonderbolt in particular. She saw the stallion with the navy-blue mane and the light sky blue body. She took out her magazine and starred at the one Wonderbolt on the cover. He was so close to her. Spitfire stuck her sign up sheet, inside her magazine and starred at the handsome stallion. He was stunning! As soon as she blinked, Thunderlane was by her side. "What's that you got there?" He asked out of no where. Startled, Spitfire fell off the roof and landed on a cloud. Thunderlane soared down to help her up, but as soon as he went to lift her arm. He saw the magazine and the sign-up sheet. Shocked, he looked up and was face to face with the blue coated "Wonderbolt." Chapter 2: Getting to Know ThemSpifire lied on the cloud near her house, and seemed to be out cold. Her eyes were shut, and her lips felt cold. She lied there and didn't hear the two stallions above her. Luckily, she didn't hear a peep. She was out cold. Above, Thunderlane was shocked to stared at the magazine, the sign up sheet, and the blue "Wonderbolt." "Who are you?" Thunderlane grunted. "I'm Soarin', I'm from the Wonderbolts-" "Stay away from her!" Thunderlane yelled interrupting the "Wonderbolt". Soarin' stood back in shock. No pony talked to him like that in so long. He didn't like this coming out of a pegasus that he had just met. "Pardon me?" Soarin' asked trying to stay calm. He didn't need some pony coming from no where and taking snaps of this for a magazine. He was just becoming popular, and he didn't want to become one of those "shooting-stars". "I know your looking at her like that! Stay away from her, I don't want her to be used like most of you stars!" Thunderlane stomped on the magazine. He was furious that this pony saw Spitfire, and tried to help her. Or maybe he was being over protective of her. "Listen, I was just helping her, it's not like you haven't seen a pony get hurt and you went to help him or her." Soarin' remained calm looking around for cameras. He was in luck, not a single camera. He helped Spitfire up and Thunderlane lost his temper. "Hands off!" He ordered, Thunderlane pushed Soarin's hooves away and picked up the sign-up sheet, ripping it apart. "Keep calm!" Soarin' said narrowing his eyes. He noticed where Spitfire had fell, and lifted her from the cloud. Thunderlane almost snapped, but he didn't. Soarin' carried Spitfire to her roof and placed her down. Angered, Thunderlane picked up the magazine and the shreds of the sign-up sheet. He looked down in shame. He hoped Spitfire wouldn't be mad at him when she would wake up from her passed out slumber. Soarin' fixed Spitfire's mane, and tried to look into her eyes, but they were closed shut. She did have a lively pulse though. Soarin' had one choice. He decided to grab her shoulders, and shake her. Still, she wouldn't awake. Soarin' looked towards Spitfire's entrance to her home. Maybe there was some medicine inside. He flew in and looked once more to make sure that Spitfire wouldn't fall off the roof. He quickly flew inside to search for some medicine or something to help her. Thunderlane smirked. He flew above to Spitfire, and looked at her. He knew how to wake Spitfire up from anything, from personal experience, which was trying to wake Spitfire up from nap time when they were foals. He rubbed the back of her ear and she awoke. She started panting, and her eyes were wide with fear. "I-I fell! I remember two ponies. You, and-" "You were seeing things. I was only there." Thunderlane interrupted her with a lie. Spitfire rubbed her head. Had she been out cold, and seen weird things? She looked at Thunderlane. He wouldn't lie, he was her first foal mate. Spitfire sat up and hugged Thunderlane. "Thank you, I can't believe you saved me like that," she grinned hugging Thunderlane tightly. Thunderlane smirked. As the two hugged each other in the blue sky, Thunderlane saw Soarin' come out of the house with a medicine kit. He smirked even more. Soarin', in shock, dropped the medicine kit and went to open his mouth. Spitfire was turned away from the scene, and only Thunderlane could see Soarin'. Thunderlane made a signal with his eyes and mouth to leave, and Soarin' became heartbroken. He had just met a mare in danger, and some sort of stallion had truly pointed to him to back off. Spitfire realized the hug was getting quite long, and she went to let go of Thunderlane. Soarin' had already begun to fly away from the two pegasi, but Spitfire saw him. She noticed his navy mane from the magazine. Not even noticing that her magazine, and sign-up sheet was missing, she flew to him. She had to know who this stallion was in order to truly know if he was worth developing a crush on. Thunderlane's eyes narrowed. This isn't what he had planned for. He flew down to the magazine and opened it. Scanning for a picture he needed, he ripped out a picture of Soarin' and kept it in his mane. Thunderlane yelled to Spitfire. "See ya in two days, for the BIG SHOW!" He hollered. He turned away grimly and flew home, plotting to stop Spitfire from getting to know anything about Soarin'. Meanwhile, Spitfire yelled for Soarin' to turn around. Finally, Soarin' turned. "Oh, you caught up to me," he said a bit glumly. "Sorry? I guess I didn't see you," she said a bit confused. Soarin' took the word "see" as if she was joking, he decided this was the time to introduce himself. "Hi, I'm Soarin'," He raised out his arm to shake her hoof. Spitfire shook his hoof and said. "I'm Spitfire, I live over there, you were quite close to my house," she said pointing to her home. "I know you live there- I mean that's a lovely house you have," Soarin' tried his best to not sound like a stalker. He blushed nervously. "Don't worry, I don't think your creepy in anyway. We're all weird you know?" She blushed. Soarin' nodded. Quickly, Spitfire grabbed his hoof and flew to her home. Soarin' thought to himself that she was quite a fast pegasus. One of the fastest he had ever encountered. As the two flew in, Spitfire landed in her living room. "Lucky for you, my parents aren't home. Yeah.. I live with them, but one day, I dream of being famous in my own penthouse!" She grinned. Soarin' realized that Spitfire had been quite open about her personal life. Did she know that he was a Wonderbolt, and not some type of big fan poser, who dressed up in a costume? He then let go of her, and said. "I don't know if you have picked up a magazine lately, but I'm a Wonderbolt, you see?" Soarin' put on his goggles and posed as if he was in a photo shoot. Spitfire nodded. "I know your a Wonderbolt. That's why I invited you in!" Spitfire laughed. Spitfire wondered if Soarin' had a secret crush on her too, even though they had literally just met in person. Then Spitfire realized Soarin' had said the word magazine, where did she put it? Spitfire looked around, and Soarin' asked. "Are you looking for something?" He asked beginning to look around too. "I just had a magazine and a paper for, uh, something special," she said not wanting to tell Soarin' that she wanted to be a Wonderbolt. She didn't want to revealthat much. She turned to the clock and looked at the time, her parents would be home anytime soon. "Soarin', it was nice to meet you, but my parents are coming home soon. I hope we can meet again," she said opening the front door. "Anytime, the Wonderbolts are having a special show soon. You should come see. I'd be glad to see you," Soarin' said and waved. Spitfire closed the door, as Soarin' left. She felt hearts bloom in her eyes. Spitfire was being silly to herself. She couldn't seriously be liking two different guys in one day, but... she was. Spitfire stood up and picked up the remaining shreds from before. Her parents would be home soon. She cleaned the house and found her tickets inside the couch. She thought to herself about Thunderlane. She picked up the ticket and put it in her room. She was so thankful that Thunderlane had saved her. Too bad it was a lie. The door opened and her parents were home. Spitfire jumped onto her bed and locked her door. She wasn't in the mood to greet her parents. She was conflicted about two stallions who could possibly be the keepers to her future, filled with love. Spitfire glared at the ticket once more, and put it under her bed. She turned to her side and yawned. Today had been a busy day. As Spitfire turned towards her window, the sunset glowed in the distance. Spitfire closed her eyes, and fell into a deep slumber, once again. She began to have a dream, but it wasn't going to be a good dream. More of a nightmare. Chapter 3: The NightmareSpitfire's dream went from blurry to clear. She woke up in a field of flowers. It had been some sort of meadow on the grounds of Equestria. She thought to herself why would she dream about this? It was so happy, and upbeat. Maybe something good would happen! Spitfire looked at around, and heard a rumble. The flowers began to shrivel up and die. The sun had gone from a happy yellow to a dark scenery. The trees melted into the ground. Spitfire flew into the air, and could barely see anything. Everything was still. "Hello?" She called into the distance. The shriveled flowers began to awaken, but they were still dying. The flowers unleashed vines that grabbed Spitfire's body. She wailed trying to scream for help. The vines wrapped around her as if she was one of those caterpillars becoming a butterfly. Eventually the vines moved Spitfire to the ground, and the vines shriveled up. In pain, Spitfire could barely move, and she lied in the darkness. She felt odd and noticed she was sinking into the ground. It wasn't quicksand, but she was sinking. Spitfire wailed and tried to call for help, but it was useless. She sunk and sunk into the ground. Spitfire was fell deeper until she fell into some sort of room. She could stand up, and felt unharmed. The room was dark until there was some sort of glow around her. She was surrounded by mirrors. The room was shaped in an octagon with eight large mirrors that would touch from Equestria's land to the clouds which she napped in. Spitfire looked around, she hadn't loved anywhere yet. She placed a hoof on the ground and the vines flew out of the ground and wrapped around her legs. Spitfire looked at the vines. It seemed like they were holding her in mid-air, and she was to be controlled by these vines. She tried to break them, but they became tighter. A twisted voice boomed from no where, it sounded as if it had eight voices in one. "Hello Spitfire," the first voice said. The vines lifted Spitfire like a toy, and held her in front of one mirror. In front of her, was herself as a filly. This had been the only good thing that happened so far, until it began to act peculiar. It hopped and hopped like a little filly, and the filly Spitfire grinned in joy. The real Spitfire tried her best to look away from the mirror, but the vines forced her to stare at the mirror. "Let me go!" Spitfire commanded, struggling to be freed. The filly turned away from the present Spitfire, and it shrilled. "YOU MUST LEARN YOUR LESSON!" The filly's eyes darkened and the mirror shattered. Spitfire stared at the broken glass with fear. Was this really a nightmare? She tried to convince herself that it was some sort of weird dream. Maybe she had watched a scary movie.. but no. This nightmare had to be connected to something else. The vines tightened around Spitfire's hooves and put near the second mirror. Spitfire became tame and starred at the mirror bracing herself for fear. The 2nd mirror glowed brightly, and then faded to a scene with a young Spitfire and a young Thunderlane. The two were throwing a ball towards each other. It was the color of light pink, and it shimmered in the sun. The young Thunderlane threw the ball too high, and it went over the young Spitfire's head. She chased it, and left the scene of the mirror. Thunderlane turned towards the real Spitfire grimly. "YOU MUST BEWARE!" The young Thunderlane hissed. The young Thunderlane's eyes were dark and grim. It looked as if it would pounce out of the mirror and grab her. She squeezed her eyes shut, and embraced for impact. The young Thunderlane was ready to pounce, but the mirror cracked before he could. There were two mirrors down. Six more scenes to watch. The vines turned Spitfire to the third mirror. The vines becoming tighter as she struggled, she herself in a race, and Soarin' next to her. Had this been the future? Or some sort of past? The two were flying in a race neck and neck with each other. The speedy Spitfire soared across the finish line, leaving Soarin' in second place by a hair. The speedy Spitfire won and cheered, and the second place Soarin' congratulated her. The trophy had been so familiar to her, she must have had it in her room, piled with all of the other golden trophies. Then the mirror seemed as if it was zooming into Soarin's face. Spitfire bit her lip, she couldn't seriously be in love with a duplicate mirror subject. The second place Soarin' snapped his head towards Spitfire and spoke. "YOU MUST CARE FOR THE REAL ONE!" The second place Soarin's eyes filled up with bright tears and seemed like he was trying to say something, until the mirror cracked. There were three mirrors down. Five more to go. The vines loosened on Spitfire after seeing Soarin'. Were they trying to tell her something? She hadn't had such a graphic nightmare in ages, and no dream or nightmare could compare to how real it seemed. The fourth mirror showed a picture of the present Spitfire and Thunderlane. The two were sitting on a bench and staring into the sunset. Spitfire felt happy inside, but something wasn't right. She looked closer, and the vines tried to help her to see what was happening. The view of the two sitting on a bench, and Thunderlane's head snapped back. Spitfire screamed, she hadn't expected something that scary to happen. The Thunderlane hissed, and the present Spitfire became steam and vanished. "YOU MUST REMOVE THE FAKE ONE!" The present Thunderlane hissed, and before the mirror cracked, he held a Soarin' doll, and it faded into dark flames. Finally, the mirror cracked. There were four mirrors down. Four more to go. Spitfire was getting nervous of how extreme this dream was becoming. It seemed so long too... The vines tightened around Spitfire's hooves and pulled her to the fifth mirror. In it, was Spitfire asleep on Soarin's lap. The two were sitting on a cloud and Soarin' had been singing some lullaby. Spitfire resisted to fall asleep, but it was a dream, and it seemed impossible to fall asleep to this scenario. Instead of the image becoming horrible, as the others, Soarin' slowly looked right in the eye of the real Spitfire, he spoke smoothly. "You will have it as your choice, so there is no pressure," his words soothed the senses of Spitfire, and she would have nodded if she could respond to him. The mirror didn't crack, but the image faded away slowly. Spitfire was shocked that it hadn't shattered. Were the mirrors trying to tell her something important? Or was it just made up? She tried to convince herself that this was all just a dream... There were five mirrors down. Three more to go. This time, the vines showed Spitfire two mirrors at the same time. In the sixth mirror was Spitfire in a wedding dress with two fillies who resembled Thunderlane and Spitfire's kids, but Spitfire knew they weren't real. Hopefully. In the seventh mirror was Spitfire again, with a Wonderbolt suit and her mane styled into an interesting mohawk style. The two future Spitfires looked at each other from two different mirrors, and then to Spitfire herself. The sixth mirror spoke and the seventh spoke after. "If you choose this future you will have fillies and joy and laughter!" The Spitfire with the wedding dress laughed with her fillies. "Please choose this future! You'll have a better-" "NO! You must choose this side, do what's right for you!" The sixth mirror said to interrupt the seventh. The two mirrors continued to bicker and bicker until Spitfire had enough of it. "CHOOSE WISELY OR PREPARE FOR SORROW!" The sixth one hissed. "DO WHAT IS RIGHT!" The seventh one pleaded. "ENOUGH," The real Spitfire yelled out loud, the two mirrors cracked and the vines shriveled. Spitfire fell to the ground with one remaining mirror. Shocked out how loud she was, she rubbed her hooves at the vine marks. The broken and used mirrors faded into a darkness, leaving the one behind. Spitfire cringed and hoped there wouldn't be anymore Spitfires, or Thunderlanes, or Soarin's. She lied on the ground in pain, and fatigue. The mirror glowed and an unfamiliar mare appeared. She had a light blue mane, and she wore pajamas and had familiar goggles on her head. Spitfire stood confused. "Who are you?" Spitfire asked, nervous that this mare could summon vines and hurt Spitfire again. "I am only trying to teach you something do not fear me," the mare said with a reassuring face. Spitfire tried to be nice and said to the mare. "What is going on? Everything that these mirrors have told me sounds like they are from ominous fortune cookies!" Spitfire sighed. "I know, but I am real. I am trying to communicate with you to tell you what you must do. Y-You must choose-" the mirror image became blurry and the voice was crackled. Spitfire looked at the mirror desperately, with tears coming out of her eyes. "Please tell me! Where can I meet you? I need to know what your trying to tell me!" She wailed. The mirror completely shattered and the room glowed white. Her nightmare was ending. She didn't want it to end, she had to know what was happening! Everything became white and Spitfire awoke in her room. Everything was normal. Everything was perfect. But was her dream actually real? Spitfire stood and looked in the mirror, it had been early morning. She wondered how long she had slept, but one thing was needed. Who was that mare? Chapter 4: The CasinoDetermined, Spitfire, was ready to find the mare in her nightmare. She yawned feeling like her nightmare lasted a whole day. Luckily, her nightmare lasted a whole night, and it was morning now. Spitfire yawned opening her makeup drawer. Inside was mascara, eyeliner, and rouge. She smiled at the makeup she would always had to wear in fly-school. She put on some eyeliner just to feel younger again. She placed the eyeliner back in her drawer and put on a orange hoodie from her closet. She placed a yellow bow in her hair and unlocked her bedroom door. Opening the door, she stopped in front of her mom, and she didn't look too happy. Spitfire looked at her mother and said. "Good morning mom, I'm going to go out today," Spitfire made a cheesy grin. Her mother resumed with her angered face. "Spitfire, what was all that noise coming out of your room?" Her mother narrowed her eyes. Spitfire's eyes widened. Had she spoken out loud about what was happening? "What did you hear?" Spitfire asked pretending to know nothing. What if her mother heard about Spitfire's goth dreams? Spitfire didn't feel like showing her mother her wrists. "I heard noises about you falling out of bed, and something about Thunderlane, and a stallion named "Soarin'", but that's all I could hear from the bedroom. Who is Soarin'? Is Thunderlane okay?" Her mother looked concerned. Spitfire felt safe to know that her mother didn't know too much. "Soarin' is just a new friend I made, and Thunderlane if fine. By the way, Thunderlane is taking me to the "Wonderbolts" race tomorrow, I heard they are the newest race team!" Spitfire avoided the nightmare conversation. Her mother nodded. "Okay Spitty, but you better get back home no later by eleven!" Her mother ordered. Spitfire shook her head, and flew past her saying bye. She zoomed out the door, and flew to the market. It had been early morning according to clocks she had passed. Spitfire saw Flitter and Cloudchaser below and she waved to them. The two flew up to Spitfire and Flitter glanced and Spitfire's new bow. "Well, well, I told you Cloudchaser! Bows are totally going to be a new trend." She squealed fixing her big pink bow. Cloudchaser rolled her eyes and looked back to Spitfire. "So what's up? I heard you had to leave us at the corner shop. Is anything going on?" Cloudchaser asked concerned. "I had a crazy nightmare last night! There were these mirror that were giving me ominous fortune cookie sayings. I'm super scared really, I have to find this mare that gave me this strange nightmare!" Spitfire caught her breath. Flitter and Cloudchaser looked at Spitfire like she had three heads. Flitter's ears went down and she said to Spitfire. "Are you okay? Are you sure this happened? Or were you hanging out with the bad ponies?" Flitter asked nervously. Spitfire rolled her eyes. "I'm serious! Don't you guys believe me?" Spitfire asked desperately. The two lookalike mares looked away from Spitfire's eyes. "We should go.." Cloudchaser said nervously. She grabbed Flitter hoof and flew away with a SWISH! Spitfire looked down sadly. She flew in the air still determined to find the mare inside her nightmare. She zoomed back to the market. It was her favorite place to find goodies, or even information. She walked around passing strangers who either eating bagels, or chatting with their friends, or either staring at things they could or couldn't afford. Spitfire looked at a few ponies and bumped into a wall by accident. How embarrassing... She looked at the wall to see a sign to a casino. She read the poster to herself. "Come one come all, come to the Diamond Casino tonight, for special guest, Misty the Wonderbolt!" The sign had a colorful picture filled with partying ponies, but in the corner was the special guest signature, and a mare who looked awfully familiar. Spitfire rubbed her smooth chin and then her eyes dazzled. Spitfire realized who this was. She had to go to the casino, but she wasn't old enough. She was a few years off, but she needed to go to the casino. She had an idea and flew towards the way Flitter and Cloudchaser went. She flew towards there was and yelled after them. "Wait!" She yelled. Flitter and Cloudchaser turned towards her. "Well someone caught up!" Flitter smirked. Spitfire nodded and spoke. "Have you guys heard about that casino? I think we should sneak in," Spitfire smirked not trying to spook them about the nightmare problem. "Oh yeah! That's the Spitfire we know and love!" Cloudchaser pumped her hoof to the sky. Flitter and Spitfire laughed but then Spitfire realized something. "What about our parents?" Spitfire asked nervously. "Don't worry, I'll tell them we're going to.. Ponyville! For uh... buying clothes... with our own money!" Cloudchaser said with a cheesy grin. "Well you better not say it like that," Flitter rolled her eyes. "Let's meet at the entrance of the casino, and wear older mare's clothing," Spitfire winked. "See ya then!" Flitter and Cloudchaser said in sync, the girls waved and went different ways. Spitfire flew home, and went to her room as fast as she could. It was time to her look like an older mare, and meet Misty. Her room was filled with rouge drops on the floor, lipstick smears on the carpet, and bright pink kiss lip prints on her mirror. She didn't look like a clown from the city. She looked as if she was going to have an interview with an important pony. No, she looked as if she was going to cut a royal ribbon for some sort of opening in Equestria. Spitfire applied mascara and eyeliner and all of that girly makeup. She had to decide an outfit though. She grabbed an orange glittery dress with no straps. She wore a necklace with a red ruby heart on it, too bad it was fake. She put on red earring studs, and high hoof heels. They were ruby red too. Spitfire didn't exactly like how she looked, but she had to look older to fit in with the casino crowd. Her goal was to find Misty, and get out of there. She drew a fake license and took a picture of herself and pasted it on. She didn't want to have a duck-face, so she looked as if she was posing for a photo shoot. Grabbing a small purse, filled with her allowance, she looked at herself one more time. She didn't like it. She had to wear it though. Turning away from the mirror she wrote a note to her mom and dad. "Dear Mom and Dad, I have to go shopping for clothes with Flitter and Cloudchaser, I'll be back as soon as I can, but I'll be in Ponyville. I hope you understand this girly stuff, but I promise to get you guys something too! Love, Spitty XOXO" She placed it on her mirror and opened her window. Using her upper-body strength she flew out of the window and flew towards the bright lights in the sky. The sky was dark, but the lights far away showed that the casino was packed. As she flew in the night, she felt some of the glitter go in one of her eyes. She tried to rub her eyes but then it would ruin her makeup. The other specs of glitter went into her other eye and she was falling towards the clouds. She couldn't see, and was crashing into the clouds! Blinded, Spitfire could still hear the pumping music and heard a voice call to her. As she was close to landing face front into the wall of the casino, something grabbed her. Spitfire struggled from the grip of someone, or something. Then she heard the voice much clearer. "Spitfire what are you doing here?" The charming voice asked her. Soarin'. Soarin' had grabbed Spitfire and placed her correctly on the ground. She never knew he was that strong. Spitfire smiled and let go of his hooves. She opened her eyes and rubbed the glitter out. Luckily, it didn't ruin her makeup. "How could you tell it was me?" Spitfire asked nervously. "I know that beau-orange mane you have," he stammered. "Aren't you too young to be at a casino?" He whispered. "Yes, but I came here to meet Misty," Spitfire whispered back. She looked around to see they were in a red carpeted line filled with many older ponies. Spitfire saw Soarin' had a VIP pass around his neck. He took out another pass from his pocket of his Wonderbolt costume, and put it around Spitfire's neck. "Yeah Misty is here, I'm not as famous as her. I can easily get you in here," he winked to her. "What about my friends? They wanted to come here too," she said, holding his hoof. Soarin' tried to look reassuring and said to Spitfire. "We will probably meet them inside," he reassured her with his charming smile. The two held hooves with each other and Soarin' heard a snap of a camera. Alarmed, he let go of Spitfire's hoof. She looked down nervously. "Oh I'm sorry Spitfire, I didn't mean to, it's just I'm not used to the camera, and a lot of ponies twist things easily," he said nervously. Spitfire understood what he meant, but she just wished that Soarin' wouldn't have let go of her hoof. The two continued to walk, and stopped at two security guards, Soarin' waved both VIP passes, and the two bulky guards let them in. As the guards opened the door bright lights blinded Spitfire's eyes, and music blared. She blinked a couple of times to see large machines with coins going in and out of them. There were tables with cards, and a bar with ciders and drinks. Spitfire caught her eye on the stage, where Misty would be tonight. "So are you performing?" Spitfire asked reaching for his hoof again. "Well, I came to watch. Misty said I should watch, and learn some of the things she does," Soarin' said, and held her hoof again. Spitfire blushed and then heard Soarin' whisper something. "I see your trying to fit in with these older ponies," he tried not to laugh, but Spitfire did. "I don't want to look like them, I just wanted to get into the casino to meet Misty," Spitfire answered. Soarin' raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean meet her? You've never spoken about her before," he said. Spitfire paused. She didn't know whether to tell Soarin' about the dream or not. She decided an answer as fast as she could. "It would be nice to meet your coworkers," Spitfire grinned. In the distance, she saw two lavender ponies with ponytails in there hair. One had a bow, and the other had a black headband. "Flitter! Cloudchaser!" Spitfire called. The two pegasi waved to Spitfire and pointed that they were going to go to the slots. Spitfire nodded and turned back to Soarin'. "You know I really wanted to tell you something," Soarin' half smiled. "Really?" Spitfire's eyes glimmered. "Yeah, you know your a really nic-" Soarin' was interrupted. "There she is!" Spitfire yelled. Spitfire saw Misty on the highest floor. Above the stage was the VIP area, and there was a glass room above the stage, where Spitfire saw Misty's mane. She ran past Soarin' and went up the red carpeted stairs. She zipped out of sight and Soarin's ears went back. He straightened his pass and noticed she would be gone for awhile. His chance to tell Spitfire how he really felt was a blowout. He put his head down and walked towards the bar. He sat towards the stage, his back turned from the bartender on a leather red seat, and the bartender spoke behind him. "Come here a lot?" The bartender began to pour a cider. "Nah, I'm just here for my coworker, Misty, plus I have a nice mare here with me," Soarin' yawned still staring at the stage. "A nice mare, eh? Is she the one that bolted upstairs?" The bartender asked. "Yes, her name is-" "Spitfire," the bartender said grimly. Soarin' turned around and was face to face with the black coated, white mohawk pegasus. Thunderlane.
Chapter 1: The Golden Ticket Chapter 1: The Golden Ticket Spitfire was relieved that it had finally been summer, a time to finally relax from studying. She had no care for studying math or reading. She wanted to fly in the clouds like the birds below. They chirped and sung the songs she would hear on her radio, which she had found at an antique shop. As she closed her eyes and sat in the beaming sun rays, she opened one eye to see her old foal mate, Thunderlane. "Thunderlane," she smiled, "What are you doing here?" She sat upright and Thunderlane landed by her side and held a little pouch in his mouth. He dropped it on her lap, and smiled as he waited for her to open it. Before Spitfire opened it, he whispered to her, "You've been doing a lot for me recently, after helping my sister recover from her cold, I have been searching for the right thing to give to you, as a thank you." He nudged the pouch, again. Spitfire's eyes dazzled, she felt so flattered. She opened the pouch and inside were two tickets. Spitfire read the back of one of the tickets aloud. "Congratulations! You are going to attend a wonderful show between the brand new team, titled, the Wonderbolts!" The ticket was worded in gold lettering, and the edges were dark blue. Spitfire couldn't feel anymore happier. She was attending a stadium filled will pegasi. She would taste a fancy hot dog, and those fast food treats her mother would never let her chew. Everything had to be organic in Spitfire's house or it was sent to the trash. Spitfire looked into Thunderlane's eyes. "Thank you," she held onto her ticket tightly, "I couldn't be any luckier, but I must ask. Who are the Wonderbolts?" She asked a bit curious of who these ponies were. Thunderlane looked at her as if Spitfire had three heads. He lstared at her again just to make sure she wasn't sick or out of her mind. "The Wonderbolts are a special group of pegasi, who do amazing tricks. They have just started their group, and you would never believe how amazing they truly are." He grinned picking up his ticket and keeping it in his mane. He stood from the cloud and jumped into the air. Spitfire waved to him and called. "Thunderlane, thank you for my ticket! I'll be sure to attend this race with you," she called. "No problem Spitfire. I'd do anything for you," he responded and flew away into the clouds. Spitfire blushed for some reason. Her cheeks becoming the color of her mane. She flew inside as fast as she could. She slammed the door behind her and leaned on it. Had she liked Thunderlane? No. She didn't like him at all. He was just her old foal mate. As she leaned on the door, a newspaper slid from the window onto her head. She picked it up, still embarrassed. She read it to herself. "Upcoming Wonderbolt race will be showing soon! Bring your best friend, your family, or even that special some pony!" Spitfire shredded the newspaper. She didn't want to see herself with Thunderlane at all, but then she wondered. Is he really more than a foal mate? She looked at one of the shredded pieces to see a face. It was a familiar face, yet she had never seen it. She lifted the piece to see a pegasus who had a light blue body color, and a navy blue mane. He was very handsome. Spitfire lifted the piece and carried it to her room. Shelves were filled with golden trophies from her sport activities. She opened her curtains and looked at the picture of the stallion pegasus. She sat on her messy bed and fixed her mane. She had a happy feeling about looking at this picture of the stallion. She grabbed scissors and cut a frame around it. The picture was so tiny that it barely fit in her hoof. It was probably the size of a stamp. She went into her closet and unzipped one of her hoodies. She placed the stamp sized picture inside of a pocket and it smelled of pine needles from the trees on the ground. She would find out who this stallion was one way or another, and seeing a picture of him wasn't good enough. She would have to go to the market and find out who he was. So she flew out of her home and soared to the market. The market was filled with so many pegasi. So many it was hard to tell if everyone from Cloudsdale was at the market. She landed on the clouds on four hooves. Spitfire flew to the nearest magazine stand and picked up a magazine titled "Meet the Wonderbolts". She paid the correct price for the magazine, and flew to the nearest corner shop restaurant. Spitfire tried her best to hide the magazine. She didn't want all of Cloudsdale to know that she was a fan-pony. Usually, she played the games instead of cheering for the players. Spitfire stood in the line of hungry pegasi. As she was in line she bumped into two of her friends from fly-school. One of her friends was Flitter, and the other was Cloudchaser. Cloudchaser had a spiked up hairdo and looked a lot like Flitter. Flitter had a big pink bow in her hair, and was a slower flyer compared to Cloudchaser. "Well, well, well. It's Spitfire, the fastest flyer in our class!" Cloudchaser smiled, next to Flitter. Flitter fixed her bow and grabbed a tray, picking up a banana nut muffin. "Have you caught up with any pony, you haven't called us in ages." "I'm sorry guys, I've had to think a lot lately because I still don't know what I'm going to do for a living," Spitfire sighed, responding to Flitter. Spitfire picked up some bread and some strawberry butter. She lifted a pack of some goat cheese, and a lavender tasting tea. Cloudchaser examined Spitfire's tray and placed her potato chips back. "Would you like to sit together?" Cloudchaser asked. Spitfire hesitated. She looked at her magazine and then her old friends. "Of course! We should really catch up!" Spitfire looked at both of them with a smile. The three mares paid for their lunches and sat at a table for three. As Cloudchaser poked her salad around with her fork, Flitter chewed on a "Haywich" which was the special of the day. Spitfire had to ask the question about this Wonderbolt figure. She finished chewing a piece of goat cheese spread bread, and asked. "Did you guys here about the Wonderbolts?" "Who hasn't?!" They said in sync. "I was wondering if either of you knew the one with the navy blue mane and light blue coat," Spitfire tried her best not to blush. "His name.." Cloudchaser pondered, trying to wonder what his name was. "We don't know yet, but a local magazine stand is selling magazines all about the Wonderbolts!" Flitter smiled pointing out the window with her hoof. Spitfire chewed faster and faster, until her tray was empty. "Hey, I'll catch up with you guys later, I have some business to do," Spitfire said taking her empty tray to the counter and flying out the door in a breeze. Spitfire turned to see Cloudchaser with a grim face, it seemed that the two were upset that she hadn't stayed longer. Spitfire continued to fly through the Cloudsdale market until she stopped towards a poster saying, "Sign Up to Become a WONDERBOLT". Spitfire couldn't resist and she flew home with a sign up sheet, to join the Wonderbolts. She reached her home, and sat on her roof and starred at the clouds flying by. As she sat on the roof and watched the stars, she seems them. These so-called "Wonderbolts" flew by her home and she saw one Wonderbolt in particular. She saw the stallion with the navy-blue mane and the light sky blue body. She took out her magazine and starred at the one Wonderbolt on the cover. He was so close to her. Spitfire stuck her sign up sheet, inside her magazine and starred at the handsome stallion. He was stunning! As soon as she blinked, Thunderlane was by her side. "What's that you got there?" He asked out of no where. Startled, Spitfire fell off the roof and landed on a cloud. Thunderlane soared down to help her up, but as soon as he went to lift her arm. He saw the magazine and the sign-up sheet. Shocked, he looked up and was face to face with the blue coated "Wonderbolt."
Chapter 2: Getting to Know ThemSpifire lied on the cloud near her house, and seemed to be out cold. Her eyes were shut, and her lips felt cold. She lied there and didn't hear the two stallions above her. Luckily, she didn't hear a peep. She was out cold. Above, Thunderlane was shocked to stared at the magazine, the sign up sheet, and the blue "Wonderbolt." "Who are you?" Thunderlane grunted. "I'm Soarin', I'm from the Wonderbolts-" "Stay away from her!" Thunderlane yelled interrupting the "Wonderbolt". Soarin' stood back in shock. No pony talked to him like that in so long. He didn't like this coming out of a pegasus that he had just met. "Pardon me?" Soarin' asked trying to stay calm. He didn't need some pony coming from no where and taking snaps of this for a magazine. He was just becoming popular, and he didn't want to become one of those "shooting-stars". "I know your looking at her like that! Stay away from her, I don't want her to be used like most of you stars!" Thunderlane stomped on the magazine. He was furious that this pony saw Spitfire, and tried to help her. Or maybe he was being over protective of her. "Listen, I was just helping her, it's not like you haven't seen a pony get hurt and you went to help him or her." Soarin' remained calm looking around for cameras. He was in luck, not a single camera. He helped Spitfire up and Thunderlane lost his temper. "Hands off!" He ordered, Thunderlane pushed Soarin's hooves away and picked up the sign-up sheet, ripping it apart. "Keep calm!" Soarin' said narrowing his eyes. He noticed where Spitfire had fell, and lifted her from the cloud. Thunderlane almost snapped, but he didn't. Soarin' carried Spitfire to her roof and placed her down. Angered, Thunderlane picked up the magazine and the shreds of the sign-up sheet. He looked down in shame. He hoped Spitfire wouldn't be mad at him when she would wake up from her passed out slumber. Soarin' fixed Spitfire's mane, and tried to look into her eyes, but they were closed shut. She did have a lively pulse though. Soarin' had one choice. He decided to grab her shoulders, and shake her. Still, she wouldn't awake. Soarin' looked towards Spitfire's entrance to her home. Maybe there was some medicine inside. He flew in and looked once more to make sure that Spitfire wouldn't fall off the roof. He quickly flew inside to search for some medicine or something to help her. Thunderlane smirked. He flew above to Spitfire, and looked at her. He knew how to wake Spitfire up from anything, from personal experience, which was trying to wake Spitfire up from nap time when they were foals. He rubbed the back of her ear and she awoke. She started panting, and her eyes were wide with fear. "I-I fell! I remember two ponies. You, and-" "You were seeing things. I was only there." Thunderlane interrupted her with a lie. Spitfire rubbed her head. Had she been out cold, and seen weird things? She looked at Thunderlane. He wouldn't lie, he was her first foal mate. Spitfire sat up and hugged Thunderlane. "Thank you, I can't believe you saved me like that," she grinned hugging Thunderlane tightly. Thunderlane smirked. As the two hugged each other in the blue sky, Thunderlane saw Soarin' come out of the house with a medicine kit. He smirked even more. Soarin', in shock, dropped the medicine kit and went to open his mouth. Spitfire was turned away from the scene, and only Thunderlane could see Soarin'. Thunderlane made a signal with his eyes and mouth to leave, and Soarin' became heartbroken. He had just met a mare in danger, and some sort of stallion had truly pointed to him to back off. Spitfire realized the hug was getting quite long, and she went to let go of Thunderlane. Soarin' had already begun to fly away from the two pegasi, but Spitfire saw him. She noticed his navy mane from the magazine. Not even noticing that her magazine, and sign-up sheet was missing, she flew to him. She had to know who this stallion was in order to truly know if he was worth developing a crush on. Thunderlane's eyes narrowed. This isn't what he had planned for. He flew down to the magazine and opened it. Scanning for a picture he needed, he ripped out a picture of Soarin' and kept it in his mane. Thunderlane yelled to Spitfire. "See ya in two days, for the BIG SHOW!" He hollered. He turned away grimly and flew home, plotting to stop Spitfire from getting to know anything about Soarin'. Meanwhile, Spitfire yelled for Soarin' to turn around. Finally, Soarin' turned. "Oh, you caught up to me," he said a bit glumly. "Sorry? I guess I didn't see you," she said a bit confused. Soarin' took the word "see" as if she was joking, he decided this was the time to introduce himself. "Hi, I'm Soarin'," He raised out his arm to shake her hoof. Spitfire shook his hoof and said. "I'm Spitfire, I live over there, you were quite close to my house," she said pointing to her home. "I know you live there- I mean that's a lovely house you have," Soarin' tried his best to not sound like a stalker. He blushed nervously. "Don't worry, I don't think your creepy in anyway. We're all weird you know?" She blushed. Soarin' nodded. Quickly, Spitfire grabbed his hoof and flew to her home. Soarin' thought to himself that she was quite a fast pegasus. One of the fastest he had ever encountered. As the two flew in, Spitfire landed in her living room. "Lucky for you, my parents aren't home. Yeah.. I live with them, but one day, I dream of being famous in my own penthouse!" She grinned. Soarin' realized that Spitfire had been quite open about her personal life. Did she know that he was a Wonderbolt, and not some type of big fan poser, who dressed up in a costume? He then let go of her, and said. "I don't know if you have picked up a magazine lately, but I'm a Wonderbolt, you see?" Soarin' put on his goggles and posed as if he was in a photo shoot. Spitfire nodded. "I know your a Wonderbolt. That's why I invited you in!" Spitfire laughed. Spitfire wondered if Soarin' had a secret crush on her too, even though they had literally just met in person. Then Spitfire realized Soarin' had said the word magazine, where did she put it? Spitfire looked around, and Soarin' asked. "Are you looking for something?" He asked beginning to look around too. "I just had a magazine and a paper for, uh, something special," she said not wanting to tell Soarin' that she wanted to be a Wonderbolt. She didn't want to revealthat much. She turned to the clock and looked at the time, her parents would be home anytime soon. "Soarin', it was nice to meet you, but my parents are coming home soon. I hope we can meet again," she said opening the front door. "Anytime, the Wonderbolts are having a special show soon. You should come see. I'd be glad to see you," Soarin' said and waved. Spitfire closed the door, as Soarin' left. She felt hearts bloom in her eyes. Spitfire was being silly to herself. She couldn't seriously be liking two different guys in one day, but... she was. Spitfire stood up and picked up the remaining shreds from before. Her parents would be home soon. She cleaned the house and found her tickets inside the couch. She thought to herself about Thunderlane. She picked up the ticket and put it in her room. She was so thankful that Thunderlane had saved her. Too bad it was a lie. The door opened and her parents were home. Spitfire jumped onto her bed and locked her door. She wasn't in the mood to greet her parents. She was conflicted about two stallions who could possibly be the keepers to her future, filled with love. Spitfire glared at the ticket once more, and put it under her bed. She turned to her side and yawned. Today had been a busy day. As Spitfire turned towards her window, the sunset glowed in the distance. Spitfire closed her eyes, and fell into a deep slumber, once again. She began to have a dream, but it wasn't going to be a good dream. More of a nightmare.
Chapter 3: The NightmareSpitfire's dream went from blurry to clear. She woke up in a field of flowers. It had been some sort of meadow on the grounds of Equestria. She thought to herself why would she dream about this? It was so happy, and upbeat. Maybe something good would happen! Spitfire looked at around, and heard a rumble. The flowers began to shrivel up and die. The sun had gone from a happy yellow to a dark scenery. The trees melted into the ground. Spitfire flew into the air, and could barely see anything. Everything was still. "Hello?" She called into the distance. The shriveled flowers began to awaken, but they were still dying. The flowers unleashed vines that grabbed Spitfire's body. She wailed trying to scream for help. The vines wrapped around her as if she was one of those caterpillars becoming a butterfly. Eventually the vines moved Spitfire to the ground, and the vines shriveled up. In pain, Spitfire could barely move, and she lied in the darkness. She felt odd and noticed she was sinking into the ground. It wasn't quicksand, but she was sinking. Spitfire wailed and tried to call for help, but it was useless. She sunk and sunk into the ground. Spitfire was fell deeper until she fell into some sort of room. She could stand up, and felt unharmed. The room was dark until there was some sort of glow around her. She was surrounded by mirrors. The room was shaped in an octagon with eight large mirrors that would touch from Equestria's land to the clouds which she napped in. Spitfire looked around, she hadn't loved anywhere yet. She placed a hoof on the ground and the vines flew out of the ground and wrapped around her legs. Spitfire looked at the vines. It seemed like they were holding her in mid-air, and she was to be controlled by these vines. She tried to break them, but they became tighter. A twisted voice boomed from no where, it sounded as if it had eight voices in one. "Hello Spitfire," the first voice said. The vines lifted Spitfire like a toy, and held her in front of one mirror. In front of her, was herself as a filly. This had been the only good thing that happened so far, until it began to act peculiar. It hopped and hopped like a little filly, and the filly Spitfire grinned in joy. The real Spitfire tried her best to look away from the mirror, but the vines forced her to stare at the mirror. "Let me go!" Spitfire commanded, struggling to be freed. The filly turned away from the present Spitfire, and it shrilled. "YOU MUST LEARN YOUR LESSON!" The filly's eyes darkened and the mirror shattered. Spitfire stared at the broken glass with fear. Was this really a nightmare? She tried to convince herself that it was some sort of weird dream. Maybe she had watched a scary movie.. but no. This nightmare had to be connected to something else. The vines tightened around Spitfire's hooves and put near the second mirror. Spitfire became tame and starred at the mirror bracing herself for fear. The 2nd mirror glowed brightly, and then faded to a scene with a young Spitfire and a young Thunderlane. The two were throwing a ball towards each other. It was the color of light pink, and it shimmered in the sun. The young Thunderlane threw the ball too high, and it went over the young Spitfire's head. She chased it, and left the scene of the mirror. Thunderlane turned towards the real Spitfire grimly. "YOU MUST BEWARE!" The young Thunderlane hissed. The young Thunderlane's eyes were dark and grim. It looked as if it would pounce out of the mirror and grab her. She squeezed her eyes shut, and embraced for impact. The young Thunderlane was ready to pounce, but the mirror cracked before he could. There were two mirrors down. Six more scenes to watch. The vines turned Spitfire to the third mirror. The vines becoming tighter as she struggled, she herself in a race, and Soarin' next to her. Had this been the future? Or some sort of past? The two were flying in a race neck and neck with each other. The speedy Spitfire soared across the finish line, leaving Soarin' in second place by a hair. The speedy Spitfire won and cheered, and the second place Soarin' congratulated her. The trophy had been so familiar to her, she must have had it in her room, piled with all of the other golden trophies. Then the mirror seemed as if it was zooming into Soarin's face. Spitfire bit her lip, she couldn't seriously be in love with a duplicate mirror subject. The second place Soarin' snapped his head towards Spitfire and spoke. "YOU MUST CARE FOR THE REAL ONE!" The second place Soarin's eyes filled up with bright tears and seemed like he was trying to say something, until the mirror cracked. There were three mirrors down. Five more to go. The vines loosened on Spitfire after seeing Soarin'. Were they trying to tell her something? She hadn't had such a graphic nightmare in ages, and no dream or nightmare could compare to how real it seemed. The fourth mirror showed a picture of the present Spitfire and Thunderlane. The two were sitting on a bench and staring into the sunset. Spitfire felt happy inside, but something wasn't right. She looked closer, and the vines tried to help her to see what was happening. The view of the two sitting on a bench, and Thunderlane's head snapped back. Spitfire screamed, she hadn't expected something that scary to happen. The Thunderlane hissed, and the present Spitfire became steam and vanished. "YOU MUST REMOVE THE FAKE ONE!" The present Thunderlane hissed, and before the mirror cracked, he held a Soarin' doll, and it faded into dark flames. Finally, the mirror cracked. There were four mirrors down. Four more to go. Spitfire was getting nervous of how extreme this dream was becoming. It seemed so long too... The vines tightened around Spitfire's hooves and pulled her to the fifth mirror. In it, was Spitfire asleep on Soarin's lap. The two were sitting on a cloud and Soarin' had been singing some lullaby. Spitfire resisted to fall asleep, but it was a dream, and it seemed impossible to fall asleep to this scenario. Instead of the image becoming horrible, as the others, Soarin' slowly looked right in the eye of the real Spitfire, he spoke smoothly. "You will have it as your choice, so there is no pressure," his words soothed the senses of Spitfire, and she would have nodded if she could respond to him. The mirror didn't crack, but the image faded away slowly. Spitfire was shocked that it hadn't shattered. Were the mirrors trying to tell her something important? Or was it just made up? She tried to convince herself that this was all just a dream... There were five mirrors down. Three more to go. This time, the vines showed Spitfire two mirrors at the same time. In the sixth mirror was Spitfire in a wedding dress with two fillies who resembled Thunderlane and Spitfire's kids, but Spitfire knew they weren't real. Hopefully. In the seventh mirror was Spitfire again, with a Wonderbolt suit and her mane styled into an interesting mohawk style. The two future Spitfires looked at each other from two different mirrors, and then to Spitfire herself. The sixth mirror spoke and the seventh spoke after. "If you choose this future you will have fillies and joy and laughter!" The Spitfire with the wedding dress laughed with her fillies. "Please choose this future! You'll have a better-" "NO! You must choose this side, do what's right for you!" The sixth mirror said to interrupt the seventh. The two mirrors continued to bicker and bicker until Spitfire had enough of it. "CHOOSE WISELY OR PREPARE FOR SORROW!" The sixth one hissed. "DO WHAT IS RIGHT!" The seventh one pleaded. "ENOUGH," The real Spitfire yelled out loud, the two mirrors cracked and the vines shriveled. Spitfire fell to the ground with one remaining mirror. Shocked out how loud she was, she rubbed her hooves at the vine marks. The broken and used mirrors faded into a darkness, leaving the one behind. Spitfire cringed and hoped there wouldn't be anymore Spitfires, or Thunderlanes, or Soarin's. She lied on the ground in pain, and fatigue. The mirror glowed and an unfamiliar mare appeared. She had a light blue mane, and she wore pajamas and had familiar goggles on her head. Spitfire stood confused. "Who are you?" Spitfire asked, nervous that this mare could summon vines and hurt Spitfire again. "I am only trying to teach you something do not fear me," the mare said with a reassuring face. Spitfire tried to be nice and said to the mare. "What is going on? Everything that these mirrors have told me sounds like they are from ominous fortune cookies!" Spitfire sighed. "I know, but I am real. I am trying to communicate with you to tell you what you must do. Y-You must choose-" the mirror image became blurry and the voice was crackled. Spitfire looked at the mirror desperately, with tears coming out of her eyes. "Please tell me! Where can I meet you? I need to know what your trying to tell me!" She wailed. The mirror completely shattered and the room glowed white. Her nightmare was ending. She didn't want it to end, she had to know what was happening! Everything became white and Spitfire awoke in her room. Everything was normal. Everything was perfect. But was her dream actually real? Spitfire stood and looked in the mirror, it had been early morning. She wondered how long she had slept, but one thing was needed. Who was that mare?
Chapter 4: The CasinoDetermined, Spitfire, was ready to find the mare in her nightmare. She yawned feeling like her nightmare lasted a whole day. Luckily, her nightmare lasted a whole night, and it was morning now. Spitfire yawned opening her makeup drawer. Inside was mascara, eyeliner, and rouge. She smiled at the makeup she would always had to wear in fly-school. She put on some eyeliner just to feel younger again. She placed the eyeliner back in her drawer and put on a orange hoodie from her closet. She placed a yellow bow in her hair and unlocked her bedroom door. Opening the door, she stopped in front of her mom, and she didn't look too happy. Spitfire looked at her mother and said. "Good morning mom, I'm going to go out today," Spitfire made a cheesy grin. Her mother resumed with her angered face. "Spitfire, what was all that noise coming out of your room?" Her mother narrowed her eyes. Spitfire's eyes widened. Had she spoken out loud about what was happening? "What did you hear?" Spitfire asked pretending to know nothing. What if her mother heard about Spitfire's goth dreams? Spitfire didn't feel like showing her mother her wrists. "I heard noises about you falling out of bed, and something about Thunderlane, and a stallion named "Soarin'", but that's all I could hear from the bedroom. Who is Soarin'? Is Thunderlane okay?" Her mother looked concerned. Spitfire felt safe to know that her mother didn't know too much. "Soarin' is just a new friend I made, and Thunderlane if fine. By the way, Thunderlane is taking me to the "Wonderbolts" race tomorrow, I heard they are the newest race team!" Spitfire avoided the nightmare conversation. Her mother nodded. "Okay Spitty, but you better get back home no later by eleven!" Her mother ordered. Spitfire shook her head, and flew past her saying bye. She zoomed out the door, and flew to the market. It had been early morning according to clocks she had passed. Spitfire saw Flitter and Cloudchaser below and she waved to them. The two flew up to Spitfire and Flitter glanced and Spitfire's new bow. "Well, well, I told you Cloudchaser! Bows are totally going to be a new trend." She squealed fixing her big pink bow. Cloudchaser rolled her eyes and looked back to Spitfire. "So what's up? I heard you had to leave us at the corner shop. Is anything going on?" Cloudchaser asked concerned. "I had a crazy nightmare last night! There were these mirror that were giving me ominous fortune cookie sayings. I'm super scared really, I have to find this mare that gave me this strange nightmare!" Spitfire caught her breath. Flitter and Cloudchaser looked at Spitfire like she had three heads. Flitter's ears went down and she said to Spitfire. "Are you okay? Are you sure this happened? Or were you hanging out with the bad ponies?" Flitter asked nervously. Spitfire rolled her eyes. "I'm serious! Don't you guys believe me?" Spitfire asked desperately. The two lookalike mares looked away from Spitfire's eyes. "We should go.." Cloudchaser said nervously. She grabbed Flitter hoof and flew away with a SWISH! Spitfire looked down sadly. She flew in the air still determined to find the mare inside her nightmare. She zoomed back to the market. It was her favorite place to find goodies, or even information. She walked around passing strangers who either eating bagels, or chatting with their friends, or either staring at things they could or couldn't afford. Spitfire looked at a few ponies and bumped into a wall by accident. How embarrassing... She looked at the wall to see a sign to a casino. She read the poster to herself. "Come one come all, come to the Diamond Casino tonight, for special guest, Misty the Wonderbolt!" The sign had a colorful picture filled with partying ponies, but in the corner was the special guest signature, and a mare who looked awfully familiar. Spitfire rubbed her smooth chin and then her eyes dazzled. Spitfire realized who this was. She had to go to the casino, but she wasn't old enough. She was a few years off, but she needed to go to the casino. She had an idea and flew towards the way Flitter and Cloudchaser went. She flew towards there was and yelled after them. "Wait!" She yelled. Flitter and Cloudchaser turned towards her. "Well someone caught up!" Flitter smirked. Spitfire nodded and spoke. "Have you guys heard about that casino? I think we should sneak in," Spitfire smirked not trying to spook them about the nightmare problem. "Oh yeah! That's the Spitfire we know and love!" Cloudchaser pumped her hoof to the sky. Flitter and Spitfire laughed but then Spitfire realized something. "What about our parents?" Spitfire asked nervously. "Don't worry, I'll tell them we're going to.. Ponyville! For uh... buying clothes... with our own money!" Cloudchaser said with a cheesy grin. "Well you better not say it like that," Flitter rolled her eyes. "Let's meet at the entrance of the casino, and wear older mare's clothing," Spitfire winked. "See ya then!" Flitter and Cloudchaser said in sync, the girls waved and went different ways. Spitfire flew home, and went to her room as fast as she could. It was time to her look like an older mare, and meet Misty. Her room was filled with rouge drops on the floor, lipstick smears on the carpet, and bright pink kiss lip prints on her mirror. She didn't look like a clown from the city. She looked as if she was going to have an interview with an important pony. No, she looked as if she was going to cut a royal ribbon for some sort of opening in Equestria. Spitfire applied mascara and eyeliner and all of that girly makeup. She had to decide an outfit though. She grabbed an orange glittery dress with no straps. She wore a necklace with a red ruby heart on it, too bad it was fake. She put on red earring studs, and high hoof heels. They were ruby red too. Spitfire didn't exactly like how she looked, but she had to look older to fit in with the casino crowd. Her goal was to find Misty, and get out of there. She drew a fake license and took a picture of herself and pasted it on. She didn't want to have a duck-face, so she looked as if she was posing for a photo shoot. Grabbing a small purse, filled with her allowance, she looked at herself one more time. She didn't like it. She had to wear it though. Turning away from the mirror she wrote a note to her mom and dad. "Dear Mom and Dad, I have to go shopping for clothes with Flitter and Cloudchaser, I'll be back as soon as I can, but I'll be in Ponyville. I hope you understand this girly stuff, but I promise to get you guys something too! Love, Spitty XOXO" She placed it on her mirror and opened her window. Using her upper-body strength she flew out of the window and flew towards the bright lights in the sky. The sky was dark, but the lights far away showed that the casino was packed. As she flew in the night, she felt some of the glitter go in one of her eyes. She tried to rub her eyes but then it would ruin her makeup. The other specs of glitter went into her other eye and she was falling towards the clouds. She couldn't see, and was crashing into the clouds! Blinded, Spitfire could still hear the pumping music and heard a voice call to her. As she was close to landing face front into the wall of the casino, something grabbed her. Spitfire struggled from the grip of someone, or something. Then she heard the voice much clearer. "Spitfire what are you doing here?" The charming voice asked her. Soarin'. Soarin' had grabbed Spitfire and placed her correctly on the ground. She never knew he was that strong. Spitfire smiled and let go of his hooves. She opened her eyes and rubbed the glitter out. Luckily, it didn't ruin her makeup. "How could you tell it was me?" Spitfire asked nervously. "I know that beau-orange mane you have," he stammered. "Aren't you too young to be at a casino?" He whispered. "Yes, but I came here to meet Misty," Spitfire whispered back. She looked around to see they were in a red carpeted line filled with many older ponies. Spitfire saw Soarin' had a VIP pass around his neck. He took out another pass from his pocket of his Wonderbolt costume, and put it around Spitfire's neck. "Yeah Misty is here, I'm not as famous as her. I can easily get you in here," he winked to her. "What about my friends? They wanted to come here too," she said, holding his hoof. Soarin' tried to look reassuring and said to Spitfire. "We will probably meet them inside," he reassured her with his charming smile. The two held hooves with each other and Soarin' heard a snap of a camera. Alarmed, he let go of Spitfire's hoof. She looked down nervously. "Oh I'm sorry Spitfire, I didn't mean to, it's just I'm not used to the camera, and a lot of ponies twist things easily," he said nervously. Spitfire understood what he meant, but she just wished that Soarin' wouldn't have let go of her hoof. The two continued to walk, and stopped at two security guards, Soarin' waved both VIP passes, and the two bulky guards let them in. As the guards opened the door bright lights blinded Spitfire's eyes, and music blared. She blinked a couple of times to see large machines with coins going in and out of them. There were tables with cards, and a bar with ciders and drinks. Spitfire caught her eye on the stage, where Misty would be tonight. "So are you performing?" Spitfire asked reaching for his hoof again. "Well, I came to watch. Misty said I should watch, and learn some of the things she does," Soarin' said, and held her hoof again. Spitfire blushed and then heard Soarin' whisper something. "I see your trying to fit in with these older ponies," he tried not to laugh, but Spitfire did. "I don't want to look like them, I just wanted to get into the casino to meet Misty," Spitfire answered. Soarin' raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean meet her? You've never spoken about her before," he said. Spitfire paused. She didn't know whether to tell Soarin' about the dream or not. She decided an answer as fast as she could. "It would be nice to meet your coworkers," Spitfire grinned. In the distance, she saw two lavender ponies with ponytails in there hair. One had a bow, and the other had a black headband. "Flitter! Cloudchaser!" Spitfire called. The two pegasi waved to Spitfire and pointed that they were going to go to the slots. Spitfire nodded and turned back to Soarin'. "You know I really wanted to tell you something," Soarin' half smiled. "Really?" Spitfire's eyes glimmered. "Yeah, you know your a really nic-" Soarin' was interrupted. "There she is!" Spitfire yelled. Spitfire saw Misty on the highest floor. Above the stage was the VIP area, and there was a glass room above the stage, where Spitfire saw Misty's mane. She ran past Soarin' and went up the red carpeted stairs. She zipped out of sight and Soarin's ears went back. He straightened his pass and noticed she would be gone for awhile. His chance to tell Spitfire how he really felt was a blowout. He put his head down and walked towards the bar. He sat towards the stage, his back turned from the bartender on a leather red seat, and the bartender spoke behind him. "Come here a lot?" The bartender began to pour a cider. "Nah, I'm just here for my coworker, Misty, plus I have a nice mare here with me," Soarin' yawned still staring at the stage. "A nice mare, eh? Is she the one that bolted upstairs?" The bartender asked. "Yes, her name is-" "Spitfire," the bartender said grimly. Soarin' turned around and was face to face with the black coated, white mohawk pegasus. Thunderlane.
