"Ok, come on, you can do this." Colton groaned to himself as he slowly got off of the ground. Rainbow Dash had taken him to Fluttershy's cottage after his fainting episode, and rather than staying inside to rest and assess the situation he immediately ran off to try and fly back to wherever he came from. He tried his hardest to fly, but ended up making a name for himself as the worst flier in Equestria, and the most profane according to some passing animals with a mild understanding of the English language.
---
"So, you rescued him from a burning building falling from the sky?" Fluttershy asked on the edge of her seat, a look of slight excitement in her eyes.
"Well, it was more like a giant metal thing, but thankfully it hit near the river so we don't have to worry about much collateral damage." Rainbow Dash stated matter-of-factly. She had to admit, she was impressed by the stallion's knowledge of weather patterns and location, despite obviously not being from Equestria. "He says he's from the "United States Air Force" but other than that he didn't really know much else about himself." She picked up her fresh tea, courtesy of Fluttershy, and took a small sip. "I mean, he's a Pegasus, so that's gotta count for something."
And pretty damn cute...She thought to herself.
"Hey! Maybe he could be your date to the Royal Guard's ball. Didn't you say the Wonderbolts were invited this year?"
"Every year, and no I'm probably not going. Last year I was in heat so I didn't go. But at least I had a coltfriend at the time. This time, I'm solo." She said, remembering the short fling she had with Thunderlane. It had only lasted about two months, but even then she constantly made him the butt of her jokes when someone made the comment about something being 'small' or 'annoying.' It made everyone wonder why she went out with him even after she showed a lot of disdain for the stallion during the tornado season in Ponyville. "And before you ask, no I'm not taking one of the girls. We're all meeting in Cloudsdale for the big air show all the way to Canterlot, so I'd rather not risk it considering Billy or any of my other Flight School bullies might be working the event." She said disgustedly.
"Why don't you just go with a male friend? That way you wouldn't have to worry about any unwanted contact, and still have a good time." Fluttershy tried to find a solution to her friend's problem, but Rainbow Dash only sighed as she finished her tea.
"I don't have that many-" She stopped, thinking for a moment, then it suddenly dawned on her. "Wait! Colton could go! I could train him to be a better flier and he could do the airshow with me. He was tough enough to pull of a sonic boom coming here, he'd be perfect!" She practically beamed.
"Um, isn't that what I just-"
"I have to go talk to him. Maybe he's up by now!" She trotted upstairs to Fluttershy's bedroom where they'd left the unconcious stallion and kicked open the door. "Hey big guy, you up?" She asked as the door fell off its hinge. She looked down at the bed in horror, only to find that the stallion was gone. "Dammit, he ran off!" She darted towards the window and tried to find any trace of him. Then suddenly, over in the distance, she noticed a tall Pegasus limping back towards the cottage, a slight red trail down his left side as he tried to lift himself off the ground again, only to practically fire himself forward and into the ground after climbing several feet. Rainbow Dash opened the window and flew towards the stallion, a disgruntled Fluttershy following her.
---
"God freaking damn it, this hurts." Colton grumbled as he limped back towards the cottage, his wing and side bleeding. He thought he could fly using those new wings of his, but every time he took off he ended up going seriously too fast and crashing. Airmen don't quit, he thought hard to himself as he prepped his wings for another take off. He bit his lip, prepared for the pain that was sure to follow while he flared his wings as wide as he could. Then, without a moment's hesitation, he kicked off from the ground hard and flapped his wings as fast as he could. "Yes, we have liftoff!" He exclaimed as he flew fast and far...
And right into Rainbow Dash's chest.
"Oof!" He heard her say as the duo came falling from the sky. The two landed hard on the ground, with Colton landing on his left side (ow!) with Rainbow Dash having had the breath knocked out of her on top of him. "Wow, and they call me Rainbow Crash?" She clutched her chest for a moment, all while trying to stifle a few giggles. He winced as he felt her move herself from on top of him, slightly moaning at the rocks and dirt that now covered his wounded side.
"Hey," He blinked remembering who she was for a second. "You're the girl who saved me earlier. Nice catch." He laughed as he rolled over to attempt to get back up on his four legs. "I probably would have just crashed again. Man, this flying thing is tougher than it looks." He shook his head as he tried to think for a moment.
"Wait, but you said you were a pilot in the Air Force, isn't flying what you did?" Rainbow Dash asked. How could someone who's job was to fly not know how to.
"I remember my name, I remember my rank and what I did, but I can't really remember much else after that." He said, still rubbing his head trying to recollect the events of what had happened to him. He remembered being in a plane, breaking the sound barrier, and then next thing he knew he was a pony. Or a horse...thing. He really didn't know what was going on except that he needed answers.
"Well, if I take you to someone who could help restore your memories, think you might do me a solid?" She asked with a grin on her face.
"What kind of solid?" Colton asked, wondering where a horse learns that kind of language.
"All in good time, but for right now let's-" She turned around to find Fluttershy, still angry, and having not said a word since they showed up. "Umm, is something wrong Fluttershy?" She asked, almost afraid of Fluttershy's intimidating glare. Wow, never seen her this upset before out of nowhere, Rainbow thought to herself.
"You owe me a new door, you jerk." She said in a quiet, albeit angry voice.
Rainbow's ears lowered as she smiled sheepishly. "Oh..."