The Wonderbolt Academy

Soarin trotted into a room where the other Wonderbolts excluding Spitfire and a few others were sitting around at. The room had a kitchen in the back half for whenever they had to cook for everypony, a table and a small tv with a couch.

“Alright everypony,” Soarin dropped onto the couch in between Silver Zoom and Lightning Streak watching a hoofball match on the small tv they had. “I got an idea.”

“No, we’re not getting an endless apple pie machine,” Misty Fly sighed as she turned the page of her newspaper with Surprise peering over her shoulder. “Did you guys know Princess Cel- Surprise, what are you doing?”

“I’m trying to see the comics!” Surprise shouted and flung her forelegs up as Misty sighed in defeat, rolled up the newspaper and hoofed it to the mare as Surprise squealed and bounced away.

“It’s not that,” Soarin shot a glare at Misty that she ignored. “And I’m not all that obsessed with apple pie.” He received a bunch of snorts and snickers as he blushed.

“There’s an apple pie flying by your head,” Misty said flatly as Soarin jumped and looked behind him as Silver Zoom and Lightning groaned.

“We’re trying to watch the game, dude!” Lightning snapped and flung his hooves up. “How the fuck did they mess up that pass, man?”

“I don’t know. It’s bull though.”

“Anyway, no it’s not that. This is gonna sound stupid but I’ve always wanted to own a bar,” Soarin tapped a hoof against his thigh as he received intrigued looks as Rapidfire rolled a hoof in a go on gesture. “You all know how I like talking to ponies and whatnot. We can be like a Wonderbolt bar. Hang out and stuff.”

“What’s the difference of us doing that at another bar like the one Wallflowers sister works at?” Lightning asked with his eyes still locked on the TV.

“Because I will own this one. And I was thinking of just co running it with two more of you,” Soarin answered and got some more curious looks. “Probably hire Fuchsia. Maybe Sunset too if she’s still looking.”

“She got a job at a sushi place after that whole kidnapping thing. Apparently Fuchsia put in a good word for her with one of her friends,” Fleetfoot answered as she set down a coffee cup. “As for the bar thing, I’m totally down to chip some bits into it.”

“Why don’t you jump on him already?” Wave Chill muttered and received a sharp elbow from a glaring Fleetfoot. “Ow.”

“Anypony else?” Soarin asked and looked around as Star Hunter looked away.

“Don’t look at me like that, Wave,” Misty grumbled as Wave Chill sighed. “I’m not into running a bar. I’ll drink there though.”

“Damn. I was hoping she’d let me chip in. Misty is usually good like that. Especially at-” Wave Chill started and was cut off by Misty’s harsh glare.

“If you like sleeping in a bed, you won’t finish that sentence,” Misty threatened him with narrowed eyes.

“I was going to say at helping her teammates, but go off.”

“You know what,” Blaze stood up and all eyes fell on her. “I’m in.”

“Blaze to the rescue,” Soarin commented with a smirk and Blaze blushed. “I already found a couples place down town we can use.”

“Just one question,” Sunchaser raised a hoof and Soarin gestured for her to continue. “Who’s gonna run it while we’re away?”

“Oh. Buck, I didn’t think of that.”

“Let me get this straight,” Fuchsia started with a bored expression as the earth pony laid down lazily on a blue couch with a foreleg flung over it and her hind legs crossed. “You want me to quit my paying bartender job, to come work at a
bar you and two other Wonderbolts are opening on the off chance it’ll be successful. And you also want me to run said bar in your absences if necessary.”

Soarin, Fleetfoot and Blaze all three looked at each as they sat in the other pony’s living room. Fuchsia had a scarily good poker face, so none of them could tell how she truly felt about the proposal.

“Well yeah,” Soarin answered and fidgeted in his chair. “It’s always been a dream of mine. You’ll get manager pay for running it while we’re-”

“I’m game,” Fuchsia cut him off quickly and he raised an eyebrow. “My job is kinda shitty recently anyway.”

“That was fast,” Fleetfoot noted. “Was it the offer of more money or-?”

Blaze whapped her upside the head with a wing as Soarin frowned at Fleetfoot and shook his head.

“Partially,” Fuchsia answered flatly and narrowed her eyes. “Okay, mostly. I don’t know how it is for you rich airheads who never really have to worry about money issues or wondering when your next meal is or worrying if you or your baby sister are gonna be kicked out because your check was shit and couldn’t make rent, but I do. Most of us in this town and around Equestria do. Must be nice to never have to truly worry about anything in your perfect little life, you entitled, rich, stuck up little sh-”

“She’s sorry,” Blaze cut her off as the three Wonderbolts grew increasingly nervous of the angry mare in front of them. “She’s an idiot sometimes.”

Fuchsia silently stared Fleetfoot down as the pegasus stared back, Soarin and Blaze both nervously clearing their throats.

“First off, my mom was a prostitute to make money to get me school supplies. Dad was a gang member and drug dealer to help make ends meet. My life was and is far from perfect,” Fleetfoot sneered and stood up. “I’m leaving. I’m still on board for this bar thing. I’ll leave you three to decide.”

Fleetfoot trotted out of the small house that had a leak in the ceiling that Fuchsia had tried (and failed) to fix herself. There were various stains on the walls that Soarin suspected to be water damage. The door slammed shut as the three sat in silence.

“I may have pushed her a bit far,” Fuchsia broke the silence and stood up.

“A bit,” Soarin admitted as the two watched Fuchsia come back with three glasses of water balanced on a tray on her back. “Do you want-”

“I don’t want help. I’m independent and you’re my guests. So you will sit there,” Fuchsia pointed a hoof at the couch before kneeling in front of the two.

“I should go find Fleetfoot. We both know how destructive she gets when she gets mad,” Blaze said nervously and glanced at the door. “She’s reckless at times like this. I’ll be back and if not, I’ll catch up later on in the week.”

“Yeahhhh,” Soarin trailed off worriedly and rubbed his head with a hoof. “I’ll do this and catch up.”

Blaze gave Fuchsia a nod of acknowledgement before taking off after the turquoise mare, shutting the door gently behind her.

“So uh,” Soarin started and looked around the cramped room. “This is a nice place.”

“Thanks. I try,” Fuchsia sighed and looked down with an uncomfortable expression. “I’d like it to be better but-”

“Money issues. I don’t believe in judging ponies for anything. Fleetfoot doesn’t either but she uh isn’t fond of ponies assuming stuff about her,” Soarin watched Fuchsia curiously. “And nor are you clearly. But you’re a decent bartender. We will look after you, I promise.”

Fuchsia looked away as she bit her lip. The last time she had heard that was back in Ponyville before she left.

“I don’t know about that. I’ve heard that line before Soarin,” Fuchsia growled slightly as she moved slightly on her old couch and the stallion sat unphased.

“Whoever said it to you isn’t me. I keep my promises, no matter what. Just give this a chance. Sure, you both were out of line but things happen. You game still?” Soarin hopefully held out a hoof and Fuchsia eyed it warily. “Wallflower spoke fondly of you. Says you’re a damn good sister and pony, just prickly and a bit rough around the edges. And the few times I’ve ordered drinks from you, you’ve proven you know your way around a bar.”

Fuchsia inhaled before giving a small, grateful smile and bumped her hoof against his.

“I’m game.”