Breakfast was already underway as Lightning and Fluttershy entered the cafeteria. They went over to the serving area and got their food, some fried eggs and toast. They took the food and made for the table that Derpy was sitting at. "Hey Derpy, where's Rainbow Dash?" Lightning asked.
"I think she's with others from her dorm." Derpy replied.
"Oh...well I'd like you to meet Fluttershy. Fluttershy this is Derpy." Lightning said.
"Hi Fluttershy." Derpy said. "Do you like muffins? I love muffins! Especially blueberry muffins!"
"Umm well I..." Fluttershy studdered.
"Um Derpy..." Lightning was interupted.
"And banana muffins!" Derpy continued.
"Derpy!" Lightning said.
"Oh...sorry Fluttershy." Derpy said.
"It's...fine." Fluttershy said.
They then ate breakfast as Lightning told Fluttershy how he met Derpy, and how he's been there to defend her. He was about to start about how he lost his father but breakfast time had ended. Steel had entered and was about to announce today's activity. "Good morning everypony!" Steel said. "Today we're going to test all of you to see what you've all got. This will help us to give you all the best experience we can offer. If you'll all follow me." With that everypony brought their empty trays to the serving area, then lined up behind Coach Steel. They exited the building and all ascended to a cloud overlooking the main cloud the runway sat on.
"First the red team will be tested." Steel said turning to Rainbow Dash's team. "First on the list is Rainbow Dash."
Rainbow Dash trotted up to the edge of the cloud and flexed her wings. She then coiled down and launched, leaving a rainbow trail in her wake. This suprised Lightning as the only other pegasi to leave a trail were the Wonderbolts. And this was the first time she had ever done it. It left everypony in aw, as the only explanation was in the old mares tale of the Sonic Rainboom. It were as if she had tapped into a deep well of power that was never before touched. She circled the platform then landed.
"Next up, Lightning Ace of the blue team." Steel said.
Lightning approached the edge and looked back at everypony. 'How can I possibly measure up to THAT!?' Lightning thought. He took a deep breath and took off, trying hard to give his own take off as much flair as Rainbow Dash. Unfortunately he was only average. For most ponies this would suffice...but not for Lightning! Before landing he bolted upward. Steel stopped himself from giving chase, he wanted to see what Lightning would do. Lightning flew high enough that he could see all of Cloudsdale below him. He looped twice then flew straight down, gaining intense speed. At this point there was no turning back. Everypony was watching. Though even he didn't know what he was attempting. As he gained speed a mach cone started to form upon him. He had gone too fast. For a split second, a small arc of lightning issued from his body, but his small form could take the speed no more. He needed to stop, and fast. He knew that at this speed not even the clouds would slow his descent. So he started to pull up. Still at near mach one, he slowly managed to pull out of the nose dive. If he could get horizontal, he could try to slow himself using gravity. As he got level the mach cone dissapeared. 'At least I'm not at mach one anymore' Lightning thought as he quickly approached Flight Camp. Though he nearly lost complete control, he had at least partially sold his point. He landed completely worn out but in front of a nearly speechless croud. "Impressive." Was all Steel said. "Next up is Fluttershy."
Fluttershy was now nearly frozen with fear. The first two ponies to go were unbelievable. Rainbow Dash now leaves rainbow vapor trails and Lightning nearly did a sonic boom. How could she possibly compete? She nervously approached the edge and peered over, the cloud below seeming farther than usual. Her vision started to blur as her shyness and fear of heights got the better of her. She was rooted to the spot, as she could feel all eyes on her. Steel simply pushed her off the cloud. She flailed for a second, then plummited to the cloud below, where a croud of foals had gathered. She impacted the cloud, leaving a small crater in her wake. She lay completly still. All eyes were on her. Then, just as things couldn't get any worse, "FLUTTERSHY, FLUTTERSHY, FLUTTERSHY CAN HARDLY FLY!" They chanted. They repeated it again and again. Lightning was now disgusted with himself. Had he not tried so hard...he couldn't take it anymore. He flew off back to his dorm in tears.
to be continued...