The New Recruit

The weekend passed so quickly. Soarin had to rush through putting together a routine for Ace to perform for the show, they had to be able to run it through and practise it over and over until he could do it right, he had to be fitted for a uniform, he had to practise in the uniform to grow accustomed to the feel of flying in a full jumpsuit instead of the cadet outfit, there were four photoshoots he had to pose for, and all of that had to be finished within two days. It was little more than a blur, and when he woke up on Monday, Ace could not remember going to sleep. The fold out bed that doubled as a bench looked uncomfortable, and certainly felt uncomfortable when he lay down, but when it was time to go to bed, he hit the plastic mattress and was out.

Ace was given the shower first, while Soarin ate breakfast. It was meant to be a light breakfast, as while they needed the energy, they had to be flipping around in the air, spinning and looping and whipping this way and that. It wasn't good to fill one's stomach right before doing that. He'd be having a big lunch, though, and their meals would be regulated today and tomorrow. Ace stepped out of the shower and started his own breakfast while Soarin washed up. Ace was allowed to eat more, because he wouldn't be in the first two events of the day, and had an extra half hour to digest.

After their showers and breakfast, they put on their uniforms and made their way to the arena they'd be competing in. The Las Pegasus Skyview Dome was the fifth largest arena in Equestria, and fans were already camped out in front of the doors to be let in. Soarin and Ace were able to avoid them through the staff entrance, as were several other Wonderbolts. Lance-Commander Skylight, Lance-Sergeant Wind Spire, and Lance-Lieutenants Autumn Gust and Freefall were already there and mostly in uniform.

"What's this rookie doing here?" asked Wind Spire, approaching them. "This is a professional environment. You're supposed to have some experience under that belt before you start performing."

"Easy, Sergeant," calmed Skylight. "He's probably the stallion Steelwing sent. The better question is, why weren't you at the meeting?"

"He's been very busy," answered Soarin for him. "Ladies, this is Ace. He's going to be performing with us today."

Wind Spire snorted. "Have you done your wing-ups today, rookie?"

"Don't antagonise him," growled Soarin. "He may be a bit green, but he's not going to do better if you exhaust him before he even goes on."

"He should still limber up a bit," encouraged Autumn Gust.

"Yeah," agreed Freefall. "We should know the limitations of our new performer. Stretch those wings, Squire!"

Ace just lowered his head.

"Enough with the teasing," surged Soarin, stepping forward. "Let him be. You can chat with him after the show, but for now, we need to set up."

Before long, the stands were filled with ponies, and the prep rooms filled with technicians and VIPs. There was a large opening through which the Wonderbolts would exit the room and into the arena, and through it, Ace could see how many ponies were here already. Soarin had left him to have his mane touched up, because Soarin was in the first event, and needed to have his mane styled to consistently blow away from his face.

"Nervous?" asked Skylight.

Ace swallowed hard. "Yes, ma'am."

"Good. You should be, because the tailor forgot to put wing slits in your uniform. You're going to have a lot of trouble spreading your wings."

He nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

"Once you have that fixed, try to relax. There are thousands of ponies here to watch you, and they didn't come here to watch you shake in your boots or wet yourself. They came to watch you perform amazing aerobatic feats. So what are you going to do?"

"A-amazing aerobatic f-feats, ma'am."

"Good. Now, go fix your uniform."

"Yes, ma'am."

Ace returned to his prep room and waited for a bit, then unzipped his wing holes. His outfit was the standard uniform, and instead of making a whole new one or stitching the wing holes closed, they'd just slapped two zippers on it hidden under a flap to look invisible at a glance.

He stepped out when it was time for the opening ceremony. Seven Wonderbolts were selected, himself not included, to perform the opening ceremony. Soarin was number three; the left center. He was fitted with a smoke trail to show his path, then they were sent out in formation, first to fly over the crowd, then to draw the Wonderbolts Logo, and then to break formation and fan out, each landing at designated locations. Ace was ineligible for selection, of course, because there was a minimum speed requirement, to make sure the logo could be created before the smoke over the crowd dissipated, and a maximum speed requirement to keep the smoke from running too thin. It was fairly complicated to put together, but it looked amazing, was a real crowd-pleaser, and was made a lot easier when there were thirty different ponies all working together to make sure it went right. This was where team cohesion was crucial.

That lasted about two minutes as six more Wonderbolts took the field and three stepped away. Ten of them would be racing out of the twenty that were here today. It was a pretty standard race; twenty-five laps around the track. Soarin would be competing, as would Freefall and Autumn Gust. Skylight would be officiating, and Wind Spire was coming back to the prep room.

"You're not competing in the race?" she asked. "Come on, rookie, that's the easiest event of the bunch! Just fly fast and turn left."

"I'm not the fastest flyer," chuckled Ace.

"That's because you didn't do your wing-ups. If you'd have practised instead of loafing about, you'd be ready to race."

Ace shook his head. "I lack the proper bone, muscle and feather formation for quick flight. I'm more designed for dexterity, maneuverability and accuracy."

"Sounds like an excuse to me," she snorted back at him. "Just remember: When you're wearing our uniform, when you're using the title of "Wonderbolt," you're representing what we are; the best of the best. There's no room in the Wonderbolts for quitters or losers."

Ace nodded. "I guess it's a good thing I'm not a quitter, then."