*Gulp*

Rainbow Dash woke up and yawned. It was the morning after Fluttershy had asked her to speak with Spitfire and today was the day she'd set her friend up with the stallion of her dreams. She jumped out of bed and rolled her shoulders a few times, feeling the joints pop and crack. She cracked her legs, hooves and wings before stretching out her entire body, a shiver of pleasure running through her sleek form. She changed into her uniform as Celestia's sun came through her window and she trotted outside, feeling the warmth of the sun's rays. It was a nice enough day, perfect day for training. She beat her wings a few times before taking off, going at an easy pace to avoid straining her muscles. As the Academy came in sight, she could easily make out the forms of pegasi flying this way and that, others lounging for a break and some working themselves to the bone. She could see Thunderlane practicing on the Dizzitron, Cloudchaser making out with Snowflake... Again, Midnight Strike was soaring through the hoops with practiced ease and Spitfire was walking out of her office, brown shades on. A loud whistle bid her to speed up and she landed in line with the other pegasi, standing to attention as Spitfire marched towards them.

The golden mare looked down the line as she paced in front of it, scowling at Cloudchaser and Snowflake who were pretty much glued to each other. She stuck a hoof between them to separate them. "No time for romance." She bark gruffly and stopped when a hoof prodded her. She turned to look at Rainbow Dash, impatience in her brown eyes. "What?" She snapped.

Rainbow saluted her. "Ma'am, I would like to request meeting with you after training, Ma'am!" She said in orderly fashion, never looking the Wonderbolts' captain in the eye.

Spitfire nodded. "Request accepted. NOW," She turned to look at the line of pegasi, their spine straight, their chins up as they glared at the air. "I want to see laps! Fast as you can go, don't stop until you hear the whistle! GET UP THERE!" She ordered blasting on the whistle. Instantly, the assembled trainees took off, pumping their wings as they sped around the track. She looked with a criticizing eye at all the pegasi, picking apart their performances. "Thunderlane move those wings! Cloudchaser stop drooling over Snowflake and get in gear! Midnight Strike watch those turns! Snowflake use those tiny wings of yours and move that flank! Milky Way pull yourself out of that cloud and try harder!" She shouted.

Rainbow felt the prismatic trail behind her flashing proudly as she went as fast as her wings would allow. She passed Brolly, Cloudchaser, Snowflake, Thunderlane, Midnight Strike and Lime Jelly until she was at the head of the pack. She whipped around the circuit until her wings were numb, slowing her pace a bit but not enough to keep her from being first. A loud whistle made her screech to a halt and drop, landing along with her fellow pegasi. Right beside her Milky Way panted heavily, wings hanging at his sides.

Spitfire walked down the line again, a sneer on her face. "Those weren't too bad... If you were looking to FAIL. You need to hurry those tails up because next time you do laps it won't be so easy. You're missing a member today because Pizzelle tore her bicep in a nasty crash this morning, so make sure you don't end up like her. We don't have time for injuries. Now I want you all to do something that you choose. Take on of the many tricks you know and pick the best one to perform in front of the everypony here!" She ordered.

Five minutes later, she tweeted her whistle and pointed at Sightseer. "Get up there and show us a trick! Starburst get ready because you're next!"

Rainbow Dash watched as the pegasi did their tricks. Snowflake did an impressive 30 barrel rolls in a row, Lime Jelly made a small twister and Brolly even managed to pull off dodging lightning. "Rainbow Dash get up there!" Spitfire hollered. The colorful pegasus complied, shooting into the air and climbing as high as she could. When breathing started to get harder, she hovered for a moment and positioned herself so that she was pointing downwards. Her wings started beating faster until she shot down, buzzing them frantically. She could feel the resistance start to build up, static crackling around her. Tears were forced from her eyes, trailing behind her and her lips flapped but she pushed through it. Pale flashes of color came around her and the cone thinned, making her stretch. Just as she felt like she was going to be torn in half, the colors strengthened and she shot forwards, a loud explosion ringing and making the clouds shake. A disc, the glowing gradient display of a rainbow shot out behind her, her mane and tail merged into one to become a blazing rainbow. She did rolls, loop the loops and spins until the trail wore off, leaving her hair brighter and sparkling as she touched down on the clouds, panting.

Spitfire ran over and looked at her in amazement. "Wow kid... I have to admit it, but that was really impressive. I knew you could pull of a Sonic Rainboom, but I was knocked out at the time so I never saw it. You deserve a breather kid, I'll come talk to you in a minute." She said, giving her a congratulatory pat on the back.

Dash nodded her thanks and flapped slowly onto a clouds that had been shaken loose by her stunt. She flared her wings and let them catch the air as they drape on the cloud. She knew she'd regret this later, her back always cramped up after a Sonic Rainboom, but for now she just wallowed in her pride, watching as the other pegasi tried to pull of something half as good as what she'd done. After a while, she saw Spitfire coming closer and sat up, wincing as the muscles in her back started to seize up.

Spitfire touched down next to Rainbow and pulled off her shades, revealing her brown eyes. "Alright Dash, what's on your mind?" She asked, sitting down.

Deciding it'd be pointless, Rainbow cut right to the chase, "I have a friend named Fluttershy. She's got a thing for Soarin', not a celebrity crush thing she's actually in LOVE with him. They've met before, I've seen her talk to him once or twice and she always leaves blushing." She explained.

Spitfire nodded thoughtfully. "Can you describe her? Soarin's met plenty of mares so you'll have to be more specific."

Rainbow smiled, she had a chance! She proceeded to describe everything about Fluttershy, from her appearance to her shyness.

Spitfire's eyes widened and brightened, a smile on her face. "Soarin' told me he met a pretty mare, but never got her name. He told me he had a crush when he was a colt, but he never learned her name. I can't wait to tell him, he's crushing on the Element of Kindness!" She chuckled. "I'm gonna guess you want me to get him to go ask her out? Sure kid, I'll talk to him about it. He'll be thrilled. Whenever we have a show he always looks for her and tells us that if we see a pale yellow pegasus with a long pink mane then we stop the show so he can go and talk to her." She explained. She hadn't smiled like this in a while, it felt really good.

Rainbow nodded. "Thanks Ma'am." She started to stand but her back protested and she grunted with the effort. "Do you have any pain medicine here? Ugh, my back always cramps when I do a Sonic Rainboom." She groaned, rolling her shoulders and letting out a sharp gasp.

Spitfire nodded. "Yeah, they're in the kitchen you just have to ask the cafeteria mare for them. I'll talk to Soarin' and see what I can do for you." She called before flying off, ready for her lunch break and a nice discussion with Soarin'.

Rainbow watched as she sped off and limped slowly towards the kitchen, ready for a nice meal and some disgusting medicine that would fix up her burning muscles.

~~~~~

"Soarin'!"

The bright blue stallion turned to see Spitfire walk in, a smile on her face. "What is it Spits? I have things to do, Blaze wanted to show me a new trick." He asked.

Spitfire grabbed him around the shoulders and shook him. "I know who your mystery mare is Soarin'!" She squealed.

Soarin' tried to push her away. "Well I can't go meet her in you dislocate my shoulders!" His voice vibrated and he managed to shover her away with one back leg. His annoyance forgotten, his face brightened. "Who is it?" He demanded, starting to bob up and down with happiness. "Sweet Celestia I've waited so long for this! TELL ME." He demanded, pushing his face into hers.

Spitfire pushed him away with a hoof on his snout. "Easy there lover boy it isn't me so don't go trying to smooch me. Her name's Fluttershy, she lives right outside Ponyville. So forget your tricks with Blaze, go get dressed and get your mare!" She snapped, pushing him towards his closet.

Soarin's jaw gaped. "Fluttershy? As in the Element of Kindness? She's way out of my league Spits! She's an Equestrian hero and I'm just a Wonderbolt, why would she want to go out with me?" He asked, trying to stop his inevitable forced trek to his closet.

Spitfire rolled her eyes. "Rainbow Dash is best friends with her and according to her, Fluttershy's got a thing for you! Not a celebrity fanmare thing, a real love! Stallion up, get dressed and go woo your lady before I drag you there by your ear!" She pushed him in and closed the door. She chuckled when she heard his pretend defeated sigh and smiled when she heard the rustling and sound of him grumbling about every little detail of his appearance.

After a few moments, Soarin' stepped out. He was adorned in a tuxedo and his mane was slicked back. Well, it was, until it sprang back and shot a glob of hair gel onto the wall. He chuckled sheepishly before straightening out. "How do I look?" He asked in all seriousness.

Spitfire giggled. "You look great. Now come on, go get her." She prodded him and he nodded, trotting away. "Oh and Soarin'?" He turned to her and she gave him a very serious glare. "You hurt her and I will make sure you fly until your wings fall off and then some. Got it?" She warned.

The blue Wonderbolt nodded and took off, flapping his wings as he scanned the area for a small cottage. After a while he spotted it and descended slowly.

~~~~~

Fluttershy had been warned earlier by Rainbow Dash that she had spoken with Spitfire Soarin' might stop by. She sat in her living room, looking out the window with shining eyes. She was wearing a pink silk dress. Nothing fancy, just a simple dress the had long sleeves on the forelegs and fell neatly around her back hooves. Her mane was braided with ivy and flowers, just like at the Gala. After a while she retired from the window and watched her animals, her hope dwindling to minimal levels. "Oh what if he doesn't come? Or what if he does and he doesn't like me?" She murmured sadly. A knock on the door snapped her out of her thoughts and she trotted towards it, opening it with her wing and gaping at who stood there.

Soarin'. He was dressed in a tuxedo with a rose in his mouth. He smiled warmly at her and leaned in to slip the rose into her mane. "Hello lady Fluttershy. I am Soarin' and I'm her to ask you to accompany me for a stroll this evening. Will you accept?" He extended a hoof towards to astounded mare, his mind bouncing around with glee.

Fluttershy hesitated for a moment before she took his hoof. "I-It would be my honor Soarin'." She stepped towards him and the moonlight cascaded over her, illuminating the world in silver.

Soarin' smiled and they started walking side by side. "I was thinking of the park, does that sound good to you?" He asked politely.

Fluttershy nodded. "Oh yes, that sounds lovely." She agreed.

Soarin' nodded and stopped, gesturing with a foreleg. "After you milady." He offered, smiling when she giggled and took his offer. Now unlike most stallions, he didn't stare at her rump. He payed attention to the swish of her mane, the spring in her step. She was a beautiful mare, just as beautiful as she'd been when they were foals.

Fluttershy felt her heart flying in her chest, butterflies flitting in her stomach. He was such a gentlecolt and so handsome. Her cheeks blushed a faint rose as he walked beside her.

Tonight would be amazing. The two pegasi could feel it.