Fleetfire

by Melody Song

First published 20th of August, 2019

the story of how Spitfire and Fleetfoot fall in love and their adventures together

Spitfire and Fleetfoot have been best friends with each other and Soarin for as long as they can remember. Soarin and Rainbow realize the signs of crushes after a day at the bar and give the two the push they need. These are their little adventures together

*Some of these chapters may contain violent actions, but they are kept at a minimum, I will include a warning if they contain violence

Can't Help Falling in Love With You

Fleetfoot was putting her gear away in the locker room when Soarin and Rainbow came in, chatting with Spitfire.

"Hey Fleet, we were looking for you. Since it's an off day tomorrow, do you wanna hit the bar with us?" Spitfire asked. The Wonderbolts all knew Spitfire liked beer, she had developed an impressive tolerance for it.

"Of courthe, let me jutht put my goggleth away." Fleetfoot said, hooking her flight goggles into the hook in her locker, then shutting it.

the four ponies headed out and flew to a bar nearby. After an hour or two, it was evening, and the ponies had had their fair share of drinks. Fleetfoot hadn't had more than one cup yet, she was drinking it slow. Fleetfoot wasn't very strong with alcohol, and was trying to prevent herself from getting drunk.

"So, then The Shadowy Pony was in this weird cave underneath the place, and we were 'bout to push him into limbo when Twi goes flying into the smokey stuff he's made of, and so does Starlight, and they come back out with another pony. He's good now, so then we push the Shadow thing into limbo without him, and everything's good again." Rainbow said, her voice slurred, she was leaning against Soarin's shoulder, and he had a wing around her.

"Great story baby." Soarin murmured, burping a little, he didn't really drink, but he'd had a couple beers himself.

Spitfire laughed at the two, as Rainbow giggled and hugged Soarin. Fleetfoot laughed to, then gave a small hiccup. Spitfire turned and rubbed her back.

"You okay?" Spitfire asked, and Fleetfoot nodded.

"Yeah, jutht had too much of the beer." Fleetfoot replied, burping. Spitfire smiled and leaned in, nuzzling her.

"You sure you don't want some more? You only had one 'n a half." Spitfire breathed into Fleetfoot's ear, she sounded drunk, she'd had a bit more than the others.

"I'm sure, thomepony needth to thtay thober to help Clipper carry you back." Fleetfoot teased, and Spitfire shrugged, hugging onto Fleetfoot.

Rainbow was done drinking for now, and was snuggled into Soarin's chest fluff, while Soarin held her close to make sure his girl didn't get too drunk. Rainbow looked up and saw Spitfire cuddling up against Fleetfoot, who was sipping from her glass and had a wing over Spitfire to make sure she didn't fall off the booth.

"Soarie, lookit." She mumbled, pointing at the two, and Soarin looked up and chuckled

"They look cute together." Soarin commented, as Rainbow pushed herself up and kissed his cheek

"You're cuter-hic!" Rainbow said, covering her mouth with her hoof as she hiccuped

"Hey, Fleet, think it's time we got these two back to HQ?" Soarin asked, and Fleetfoot nodded, putting the cup down and pulling some bits out. Soarin tossed some bits down on the table as well, then lifted Rainbow up, nuzzling her before setting her on his back.

"I can get Thpitfire." Fleetfoot told him, just as Spitfire slipped off the booth, grabbing onto Fleetfoot. Fleetfoot picked up Spitfire and the two flew out of the bar. When they got back to HQ, Soarin carried Rainbow into the Co-Captain's private room, while Fleetfoot took Spitfire into the Captain's room, setting her down.

"Fleetfoot, you wanna stay w'me?" Spitfire asked

"I-I don't know." Fleetfoot said, blushing, and Spitfire grabbed her by the hoof, tugging her into the bed.

Before Fleetfoot could leave, Spitfire was clinging onto her and had fallen asleep. Fleetfoot had no choice but to hug back, falling asleep herself. The next day, Fleetfoot and Spitfire woke up around the same time, then saw each other. Fleetfoot scrambled to get up, falling onto the floor.

"Are you okay Fleetfoot?" Spitfire asked, leaning over the edge of the bed to see her

"Yeah, but I'm tho thorry, I didn't mean to fall athleep, you were holding on to me tho tight that I couldn't get free, I'm thorry, really." Fleetfoot apologized, pulling herself upright, and Spitfire gagged.

"I-it's fine Fleetfoot, b-but I feel sick." Spitfire said, rushing to the bathroom connected to the room. She threw up into the toilet as Fleetfoot came up behind her.

"You were pretty drunk latht, night, and that'th thaying thomething for you. Um...do you mind if I go?" Fleetfoot asked, and Spitfire looked up

"Y-yeah, I'll be fine, go ahead." Spitfire replied, then gagged again.

Fleetfoot left quietly, so not to disturb Spitfire. Fleetfoot felt a little guilty that she was leaving Spitfire, but she had a headache, she needed some Aspirin. Fleetfoot went to the Sick bay and got some from the doctor, who advised that to drink less strong beer next time if only one cup was giving her headaches. Fleetfoot swallowed the amount of Aspirin the Doctor had given her, thinking that she could have asked for some for Spitfire.

"Morning Fleetfoot." Soarin called, he was leaving his room

"Morning Clipper. Where'th Rainbow?" Fleetfoot asked

"In my bathroom." Soarin replied. "She's got a pretty bad hangover, I was just going to get her some Aspirin, can you watch her for me?" Soarin asked, and Fleetfoot nodded.

Fleetfoot entered the room, going into Soarin's private bathroom. Rainbow was hunched over, and looked up as Fleetfoot came up to her.

"Where's Soarin?" She asked Fleetfoot

"He wanted me to watch you while he got you thome Athpirin." Fleetfoot replied, sitting down and sighing.

"What's wrong?" Rainbow asked

"I-I wath in Thpitfire'th room latht night becauthe she wouldn't let go of me, a-and I left her to deal with the hangover by herthelf. I guethth I feel a little guilty." Fleetfoot sighed

"Sounds like a crush." Soarin said, trotting into the bathroom and sitting beside Rainbow, passing her some pills and a glass of water. Rainbow kissed his cheek, then swallowed the Aspirin. "I mean, you are blushing, and when you said Spitfire's name, your eyes got all far-away, or something." Soarin continued

"What Soarin means, is that you like her." Rainbow added

"I-I don't think I do, we're jutht friendth." Fleetfoot insisted, but she didn't believe it herself.

"Sounds like somepony's in denial." Rainbow replied cheekily, and Soarin nuzzled her.

"I-I have to go." Fleetfoot said hastily, leaving.

"Do I really like her?" Fleetfoot thought, going into the sleeping quarters.

"I've never had a crush before, what do I do? What if Thpitfire doesthn't like me?" Fleetfoot asked herself, pacing a little.

While Fleetfoot was worrying, Rainbow and Soarin were still in his room, Rainbow was snuggling with him, sitting on the bed so they could talk while Rainbow recovered from the hangover.

"I know Fleetfoot's got a crush on her, we need to get her to confess." Rainbow said, and Soarin smiled, hugging her.

"I've known them both for a long time, I think I know how to get them to fall in love. But first, you need to rest." Soarin said, nuzzling Rainbow, and the two smiled at each other.

"Alright, love you Soarin." Rainbow said, hugging him.

"Love you too, now time to sleep." Soarin insisted, and Rainbow nodded.

Author's Notes:

I love this ship, it's second favorite only to Soarindash. just wanted to let you know that the stories will be told through the four friends in this chapter. I'll try to update when I can. Until next time.

~Melody Song

First Kiss

Author's Notes:

This chapter has a part about 3/4ths of the way through where there is a little disappointment for Fleetfoot, and some of you may want to exit the story and never read it again-I know I would-but I promise, it's going to turn out ok, just read the whole chapter before deciding.

~Melody Song

A few days after Fleetfoot had talked with Rainbow and Soarin, she was talking with Blaze when Spitfire trotted towards High Winds and Surprise, who were nearby. Fleetfoot excused herself and raced out to avoid looking at Spitfire. Fleetfoot sighed, going outside to get some fresh air. Fleetfoot's eyes watered as she took off, deciding to fly a few laps.

"I know I'm supposed to like stallions, mom and dad told me it's a sin not to, but I can't hide this. I feel so happy when I see Spitfire, so why do I cry when I think about her?" Fleetfoot thought, frustrated with herself

"Why doeth love have to be tho complicated?!!" Fleetfoot shouted, punching a cloud nearby, watching as it burst into pieces. Fleetfoot found another cloud and laid down on it, nestling into the pillow-like softness.

"Fleet?" Fleetfoot's head snapped up, and she gasped when she saw Spitfire hovering near her.

"What are you doing out here Thpitfire?" Fleetfoot asked, trying to sound unconcerned

"Rainbow told me you wanted to talk to me, and said you'd be out here." Spitfire explained, gesturing for Fleetfoot to move over. Fleetfoot obeyed and watched as Spitfire settled down beside her.

"Dang it Rainbow." Fleetfoot thought to herself angrily, she should have never told Rainbow how she felt.

"So, what did you want to tell me?" Spitfire asked, and Fleetfoot knew that she must tell Spitfire the truth: that Rainbow tricked her because she wanted to play matchmaker with two of her friends

"Uhh...that I think...you work to hard." Okay, she totally chickened out.

"Okay?" Spitfire answered, confused as to why Fleetfoot wanted to tell her this, but she had a more important question on her mind. "Why do you always leave when I come in the room? are you upset with me?" Spitfire asked

"Dang it." Fleetfoot thought, and sighed. "No, I'm not upthet with you, nothing'th wrong." Fleetfoot replied

"I don't believe you." Spitfire said harshly, then sighed, looking in the other direction "If something's bothering you, you can tell me. You've always told me about what's wrong." Spitfire murmured sadly, and Fleetfoot felt guilty. There was one big secret she'd never told her best friend-it wasn't this, but it was still important. Fleetfoot leaned against Spitfire, wrapping a wing over the bigger mare.

"It'th not that I can't tell you, I jutht...I don't know how you'll react to it." Fleetfoot explained, and Spitfire turned, surprised

"You think I'll be upset? I would never be mad at you. Just tell me what's going on." Spitfire exclaimed

"Okay." Fleetfoot sighed, retracting her wing and looking away before telling Spitfire "_{I-like mareth.}" Fleetfoot mumbled, and Spitfire looked at her

"You do?" she asked, and Fleetfoot nodded

"A-and I-I like one mare in particular." Fleetfoot continued

"Who?" Spitfire asked, leaning in to hear Fleetfoot's response

"You." Fleetfoot confessed, and Spitfire pulled back, staring at her. "I'm thorry, I know it'th wrong, b-but I can't help it. That'th why I keep leaving the room when you come in. I want to thtay, but I get tho nervouth, a-and I can't thtay in the room. Rainbow made you come out here becauthe I told her and Thoarin how I felt, a-and now they're trying to thet uth up." Fleetfoot said, burrowing down into the cloud "Are you mad?" Fleetfoot asked

"No, I'm not mad." Spitfire replied, shaking herself a little. "I'm just, well, surprised, and a little shocked. I want to tell you I feel the same way, but I'm not even sure if I like mares." Spitfire said, and Fleetfoot sighed.

"It'th okay. I didn't expect anything. I'm going to go work out. I'll thee you later." Fleetfoot said sadly, taking off, leaving Spitfire behind. Later, Rainbow found her, and cornered Fleetfoot in the room, Soarin behind her.

"Fleetfoot, Spitfire told us you left before she could respond, why did you do that? Can't you see you two are perfect together?" Rainbow demanded

"Firtht of all, you're acting like a helplethth romantic, thecond, I didn't let her finish becauthe she thaid she didn't like mareth." Fleetfoot replied

"No, Spitfire said she wasn't sure. That just means she doesn't know how she identifies her sexuality, not that she doesn't like you that way." Soarin objected, and Rainbow nodded

"Yeah, besides, I know how to tell if she likes mares." Ranbow added, and Fleetfoot perked up

"How?" Fleetfoot asked, and Rainbow leaned in, whispering soemthing into Fleetfoot's ear. "You really think it'll work?" Fleetfoot asked her, and Rainbow smirked

"Positive, I saw Lyra pull it on Bon Bon, I know it will." Rainbow assured her, and Fleetfoot hugged the two in thanks, then rushed off to find Spitfire. The mare was in her office, and didn't look to surprised to see Fleetfoot.

"Hey Fleet, look, about earlier, I didn't mean to upset you, I know you were only telling me because I asked, and I shouldn't have said that the way I did." Spitfire tried to apologize, but Fleetfoot stepped forward and touched her wingtip against Spitfire's muzzle to quiet her.

"It'th alright Thpitfire, I underthtand, but can I talk to you in your private room for a thecond?" Fleetfoot asked

"Um, I guess so, why?" Spitfire asked, but Fleetfoot just tugged her out of the chair and pulled her into the private room. "What are you doing Fleet?"

"You thaid you weren't sure if you like mareth, right?" Fleetfoot asked

"Yes, why?" Spitfire asked, as Fleetfoot sat her on the bed, sitting beside her

"I know a way to tell, it'th a tetht, if you want to find out." Fleetfoot said

"Well, alright. What do I do?" Spitfire asked, and Fleetfoot smiled

"Clothe your eyeth." she replied, and Spitfire looked taken aback

"Why?" she asked suspiciously.

"You'll thee, jutht clothe them, okay?" Fleetfoot asked, and Spitfire nodded, shutting her eyes. Spitfire held still for a minute, then began to get confused

"Fleet, why am I doing this? Is this a tri-" Spitfire's words had barely left her mouth before Fleetfoot did it.

She kissed her. Spitfire opened her eyes, which went wide with shock. Spitfire's wings suddenly opened, showing her feelings. A pegasus's wings opened on instinct when they felt a shock that they enjoyed. Spitfire and Fleetfoot broke apart, and Spitfire stared at Fleetfoot in shock, then turned to look at her now open wings.

"You like mareth." Fleetfoot told Spitfire.

The mare gazed at her, before letting out a soft snicker. Then, the snicker turned into a giggle. Spitfire leaned over, still giggling, and hugged Fleetfoot. Fleetfoot hugged back, holding Spitfire close against her.

"Your laugh ith pretty, you know." Fleetfoot commented, not knowing what else to say.

"Fleetfoot! That was the best kiss I've ever had. Well, the only one I've ever had, but still." Spitfire gasped, taking deep breaths to stop laughing. "Oh Fleet." Spitfire finally said, and Fleetfoot nuzzled her.

"Do you like me?" Fleetfoot asked, and Spitfire pushed her head under Fleetfoot's chin.

"Yes, okay, yes! I love you, do you hear me? I love you!" Spitfire answered, meaning every word of it.

Fleetfoot looked at Spitfire, and they smiled at each other, before Spitfire grabbed Fleetfoot by the shoulders and fell backwards, hitting the mattress of the bed, Fleetfoot on top of her. Fleetfoot wrapped her forelegs around Spitfire's chest, sliding them under Spitfire's back as they lay together.

"I love you tho much baby." Fleetfoot whispered, and Spitfire giggled again.

Her laugh was so sweet and cute, Fleetfoot couldn't help it. She kissed Spitfire again, knowing that Spitfire would giggle even more after her new marefriend had softened her up.

The Worn Out Wonderbolt

Spitfire was lying in bed beside Fleetfoot, the two had fallen asleep in Spitfire's bed. Spitfire woke up and rolled over, blinking her eyes to focus her vision. Spitfire nuzzled Fleetfoot affectionately, then reached over to the bedside table, grabbing the twin-bell alarm clock positioned there. It was 5:00 in the morning, Spitfire normally woke the others up at 6. Her alarm clock was about to go off, and it did. Fleetfoot yelped, waking up because of the ringing.

"What'th going on?" Fleetfoot asked, wrapping her forelegs around Spitfire's shoulders.

"Nothing Fleet, my alarm clock just went off." Spitfire replied, turning it off.

"Why? It'th not time to get up yet." Fleetfoot said with a yawn.

"I normally get up at five, get myself ready, and then wake you guys." Spitfire explained

"When do you uthually get to thleep? You tell uth lightth out at 9:00, but do you thtay up later?" Fleetfoot asked

"Well, yeah, I normally go to bed at 11 or 12." Spitfire answered

"Tho you only get four or five hourth of thleep? Thpitty, that'th not healthy." Fleetfoot said

"Why does it matter Fleety? As long as I'm awake and ready to practice." Spitfire responded, then yawned, covering her mouth with her wing.

"It matterth becauthe you're going to end up wearing yourthelf down eventually, you could get hurt." Fleetfoot nuzzled Spitfire, who pulled her in for a hug.

"I know you're worried, but there's no need to be Fleety, I'll be fine." Spitfire then kissed Fleetfoot on the tip of her muzzle, and she giggled.

"A-alright. But you should get thome more retht thome time." Fleetfoot said

"I do on breaks, unless I'm busy." Spitfire assured her, then yawned again.

During practice that day, the stallions were all goofing around, except for Soarin, who was trying to help Spitfire handle them.

"Soarin, go ahead and get some lunch with the others, I can take care of these guys." Spitfire told him

"Well, okay. I did want to have some more of the apple pie that Thunderlane made yesterday." Soarin said slowly

"You can't be kept away from that stuff with a ten-yard rope." Spitfire teased, and he shrugged.

"When you're right, you're right. You sure you won't lose your temper?" Soarin asked

"It'll be fine." Spitfire assured him, and Soarin nodded, leaving to catch up with Rainbow.

"Alright, form a line!" Spitfire yelled, and they all obeyed "Now, I want you all to understand this simple concept." Spitfire began.

"Is it that the sky is blue?" Thunderlane whispered

"Or water's wet?" Wave Chill added, and the stallions burst out laughing.

"Shut your mouths right now or you all get chore duty for a month!" Spitfire screamed, making the stallions freeze "Now, as I was saying, the concept is this: this is not the time or place for goofing off! When I want you to act silly I will say so! If you don't shape up and take things seriously none of you will get off time for a whole month! I don't care who the worst flyer of the day was, you'll be the ones doing all the chores, cleaning the whole compound, and doing extra exercise!" Spitfire yelled loudly.

"We understand ma'am!" Rapidfire called, then took off, followed by the others. Spitfire glared off after them, then sighed in exasperation.

"Those stupid stallions." She muttered, then realized her throat was sore from all the yelling, her voice also was a little raspy. "Great." Spitfire spat, stalking inside.

"Hey Thpitfire, you okay? I heard you yelling." Fleetfoot asked, meeting her inside.

"Yeah, 'm fine, my throat's just a little sore." Spitfire replied, clearing her throat.

"That doesn't sound good." Rainbow said, coming up with Soarin, who was eating a piece of pie.

"I'm fine, it just hurts a little." Spitfire insisted

"Once Big Macintosh lost his voice and he couldn't talk for a whole week." Rainbow said

"How'd he lose his voice?" Soarin asked, swallowing the pie.

"I wasn't there, but Pinkie said it was because he lost a turkey call competition to her." Rainbow answered

"Well I've yelled plenty of times before, and I haven't lost my voice yet. It should just hurt for a little while." Spitfire assured them, trotting towards her office. That night, Fleetfoot went to the Captain's room, going in to find Spitfire pacing around in her room.

"What'th wrong Thpitfire?" Fleetfoot asked

"Nothing, just thinking about if those stallions will actually listen to me." Spitfire said, Fleetfoot was surprised to hear that Spitfire's voice was still pretty raspy.

"Your voice thtill thoundth pretty bad, are you sure it'th fine? Fleetfoot pressured

"Yeah, I'm sure Fleety" Spitfire said, her voice was pretty hoarse, and Fleetfoot nuzzled her.

"Alright then, ready for bed?" Fleetfoot asked her.

"It's only eight o-clock." Spitfire objected

"You should go to bed then." Fleetfoot said, leading Spitfire over to her bed.

"But-but I still have to take care of some paperwork." Spitfire objected, as Fleetfoot pushed her into the bed and got in beside her.

"Thpitfire, when ith the paperwork due?" Fleetfoot asked

"N-not for a while." Spitfire admitted, and Fleetfoot hugged her.

"Then you can retht." Fleetfoot decided, holding Spitfire against her. "Your voice ith about to give out and there are lineth under your eyeth. You need to thleep baby." She added before Spitfire could respond.

Spitfire sighed and pressed against Fleetfoot, who held her close. Spitfire closed her eyes, which were heavy with fatigue. Spitfire woke up late the next morning, sitting up to see Fleetfoot sleeping beside her. Spitfire checked the clock and gasped, it was nine-thirty.

"_Fleety." Spitfire croaked, shaking Fleetfoot, who woke with a yawn.

"Morning Thpitfire, how'd you thleep?" Fleetfoot asked

"_{Why didn't my alarm clock go off?}" Spitfire demanded, her voice so low it was almost a whisper.

"Oh baby, your voice thoundth awful. I put the alarm clock in the drawer tho you wouldn't hear it. You needed that thleep." Fleetfoot said, nuzzling her.

"_{I would be mad, but I'm too...}" Spitfire yawned and laid back down. "_sleepy..." She closed her eyes and fell back asleep, finally getting the rest she'd needed for a long time. Then, Soarin and Rainbow came in.

"Oh, hey guyth, what'th up?" Fleetfoot asked, sitting up.

"Just wondering why Spit let us sleep in." Rainbow said

"Becauthe I let her thleep in, look." Fleetfoot took off, careful not to disturb her marefriend, then landed by the bed. Spitfire was curled up in bed, fast asleep.

"I don't think I've ever seen Spits so content, remember when we used to have sleepovers together as cadets? She never looked that peaceful at night" Soarin commented.

"You guys had sleepovers? Aw, I miss out on all the fun stuff." Rainbow said, and Soarin nuzzled her.

"That was years ago Dashie, and if we had had another sleepover since you joined the 'bolts, we'd have invited you." He assured her.

"Thpitfire told me she hadn't gotten a full night'th thleep in a long time, tho I put her alarm clock in a drawer tho she wouldn't hear it. She woke up once but fell back athleep." Fleetfoot explained

"We should let her sleep." Soarin said, turning to leave

"I'll help Soarin control the other 'bolts if you want to stay here Fleet." Rainbow promised

"Thankth guyth, I'll watch over Thpitfire while she thleepth." Fleetfoot agreed. Rainbow and Soarin left the Captain's bedroom. Fleetfoot moved over and kissed Spitfire in the forehead "Retht well my baby, love you." Fleetfoot whispered, slipping back into the bed so that Spitfire could snuggle up to her while she slept.

Author's Notes:

wasn't that last paragraph the cutest? and don't worry, Spitfire has her voice back in the next chapter, and she won't wear it out again for a while. Probably

~Melody Song

The Wonderbolts Find Out

Rapidfire was lying in the sleeping quarters with the others, they were talking together.

"You know, I've been thinking" He began

"Uh-oh, Rapid's having thoughts! We've hit def con four everypony." Lightning Streak said

"Shut up Light." Rapid said, then continued "As I was saying, isn't it weird that Fleet and Spitfire have been hanging around together a lot?"

"Oh yes, it's very suspicious, it couldn't have anything to do with the fact they're best friends." Sun Chaser said sarcastically

"I know they're best friends, but think about it. Soarin is their best friend too, and he doesn't hang out with them as much as they hang out by themselves. I think something's going on." Rapid argued

"I guess it's a little weird Rapid, but I don't get how it's suspicious." Misty Fly said

"Besides, it's none of our business." High Winds added

"Buck that, since when did we ever keep our muzzles out of pony's business?" Rapid said, and Blaze lobbed a pillow at him from across the room, hitting him in the side

"You mean since when did you keep your muzzle out of pony's business. We didn't do anything." Blaze said

"Yeah, don't try to blanket term us under that." Wave Chill said

"I'm just saying, if we were to do some digging it wouldn't be the first time we have." Rapid replied, tossing Blaze's pillow back to her.

"You can do whatever the heck you want, I'm not getting yelled at by Spitfire." Fire Streak said

"Don't you mean Sh**fire?" Rapid smirked. A barrage of pillows flew across the room and hit him. After they fell onto his bed, a baking cookbook bonked him on the head. "Surprise!" He yelled

"I didn't have a pillow!" she called back

"What are you thinking? You're never supposed to say Spitfire's Wonderbolt Nickname!" Silver Zoom cried

"Oh relax, she's not even here." Rapidfire said, grinning

"But I am." Rainbow Dash came out from behind the doorway.

"Pfft. So? You're not going to tell her." Rapid said, though he sounded nervous.

"I won't tell her, but you will." Rainbow replied

"Y-you wouldn't." Rapidfire stammered, Rainbow turned around.

"Spitfire! Rapid has something to tell you!" She called out, voice echoing down the hallway.

"Help me!" Rapidfire whispered to the others. The other Wonderbolts looked at each other and nodded.

"You're on your own." They all said together, then all spread their wings and shot out of the room.

"Wait, no! Don't leave me here!" Rapidfire scrambled off the bed, getting tangled up in the bed sheets and falling onto the floor. Misty Fly poked her head back in.

"I'm sorry Rapid but you were the only one who called her that. I love you but I know you, you'll try to blame us. Sorry sweetie." Misty Fly blew him a kiss with her wing then ducked back out of the room.

"What if I promised not to blame you?! Misty? Babe?" Rapid begged, but they were far away by now.

"What's this about the team's most dirty-mouthed member having something to say to me?" Spitfire asked, coming into the room and looking down at Rapid. Soarin and Fleetfoot were behind her. Rapidfire gulped and struggled out of the blankets, standing.

"More like telling you something he already said." Rainbow replied

"Oh, and what's that?" Spitfire asked

"Th-that...well, I sort of..." Rapidfire began

"What did you say Rapid?" Spitfire demanded

"I called you...sh**fire." Rapid confessed, and she growled

"Rapidfire!!!!!" She yelled, and he took off running.

Spitfire followed, eyes lighting up in rage. Fleetfoot raced after the two, she managed to tackle Spitfire just as she was about to leap on Rapidfire. The two mares fell to the ground, Fleetfoot on top of Spitfire. Spitfire blushed furiously and pushed Fleetfoot off her.

"Mess Hall duty for a week Rapid. Fleet can I speak to you privately?" Spitfire asked, and Fleetfoot nodded, following her into the captain's office.

"I'm thorry Thpitfire, I almotht got uth caught, I'm thor-" Fleetfoot was cut off as Spitfire kissed her.

"You don't have to apologize Fleety, I know you weren't trying to make me blush." Spitfire assured her, then sat down in the chair behind her desk. "I wanted to talk to you about when you want to tell the others."

"Maybe we should tell them. I don't want to have to cover it up." Fleetfoot said, trotting over to stand by Spitfire. She brushed her wingtip along Spitfire's cheek, and her head snapped up.

"Oh, so you wanna mess around, do you?" Spitfire grabbed Fleetfoot's hoof and pulled her onto her lap.

"Permiththion to make out with the motht beautiful mare in HQ?" Fleetfoot asked

"Permission granted." Spitfire breathed, and their lips came together.

Fleetfoot kissed Spitfire passionately, Spitfire eagerly returning it. They slid down in the chair, Spitfire wrapping her hooves around Fleetfoot's delicate body, holding her close. Fleetfoot wriggled on Spitfire's lap, running her hoof through the mare's flame mane, turning the sleek style into a tangled mess. The two mares finally let go for lack of air, gazing at each other lovingly.

"Whoa." they heard from behind them, and looked up to see Rapidfire, Misty Fly, Surprise, and Fire Streak. It was Fire Streak who had spoken.

"You two...were just...kissing." Misty said slowly.

"Aww, you loooove each other!" Surprise said, drawing out the word love in a teasing way.

"What are you doing here? I closed the door!" Spitfire exclaimed

"Oh, I had to come in because I wanted to ask you what I needed to make for dinner." Rapidfire said, unabashed

"Get out!!!" Spitfire yelled, and he ran off.

"Just so you know, I think it's adorable." Misty Fly said, then raced off.

"Imma go tell everypony!" Surprise said, shutting the door. They could here her and Fire Streak's hoofsteps as they ran away.

"Great." Spitfire said, flopping back into the chair "If you want to break up with me for this, it's okay." she sighed

"Are you kidding, I would never. I love you baby." Fleetfoot leaned in and pecked Spitfire on the cheek. "I'm not going anywhere." she whispered, and Spitfire kissed her again.

Author's Notes:

Yeah, Misty and Rapid are together, and I tried not to make Spit and Fleet's kissing scene to suggestive, but just let me know and I can change the tags to include a warning about it

Fleetfoot's little Phoenix

Spitfire was sick. There was no denying it, and now she lay on the couch at home, trying not to think about Soarin being in charge until she recovered. Stormy had tried to come over to help, but Spitfire had shooed her away.

"Mom, I know there's nopony else to look after Spark, I'll be fine, I don't want you bringing Sparkfire over and getting her sick too. I promise it'll be okay, no pony's going to find out." Spitfire had called through the door

Stormy Flare had reluctantly agreed, though she made Spitfire promise to see a doctor if she got worse.

"Honestly, does mom think I'm not capable of handling a little cold?" Spitfire now muttered to herself, shifting as she tried to find a more comfortable position.

The couch, though made of cloud, was hardly the most comfortable place to be lying on her back, and she had a kink in her neck from leaning on the arm rest. But Spitfire ignored the discomfort and reached to the side, grabbing some papers off the nearby coffee table. The paperwork had been piling up for days, and since she wasn't having a sneezing fit it was the safest time to get it done. Spitfire coughed a little as she scanned the papers, then quickly shoved them aside as she felt a sneeze coming on.

"Hold it in." she begged herself, she didn't want the magic to affect her now. But Spitfire couldn't stop herself in time.

"Ah-ah-choo!" Spitfire sneezed, a small spurt of fire coming out. Spitfire sighed as the fire dissipated, then punched the couch angrily.

"Why'd I have to be the one who got the powers?" she muttered, then sneezed again, a bigger blast of fire coming out this time.

Spitfire watched the fire hang in the air a minute longer, then slowly fizzle out as well. Spitfire knew that Fire Magic ran in her family, but sometimes she wished it had gone to one of her siblings. Well, it wasn't technically Fire Magic, that was a unicorn thing. But everyone in the Flare family referred to it as 'magic'. Spitfire sniffled and picked up the papers again.

"Ah-choo!" Spitfire gazed in horror as the document she'd been holding became nothing more than a pile of ashes "Aw sh**" she swore, brushing them off and shivering.

Normally, Spitfire's fire powers kept her comfortably warm, even in the coldest of environments, but Spitfire had noticed that when she was sick, especially with a cold or form of flu, her body temperature was uncontrollable, like normal pony's bodies worked. Sometimes the fire power made her overheat, or sometimes it stopped temporarily and she was freezing. Spitfire really wished she had thought to bring a blanket down from her room, and was considering getting one when she heard a knock at the door.

"Thpitty? Can I come in?" It was Fleetfoot. Spitfire gasped, regretting it instantly as she broke into a coughing fit.

"Wh-what are you doing here?" Spitfire asked, trotting unsteadily over to the door.

"Thoarin thaid to check on you, he thaid to thtay until you're feeling better." Fleetfoot replied, and Spitfire groaned.

The stallion was such a hopeless romantic, first he dragged Rainbow into getting them together, according to Fleet, and now the big sap had ordered Fleetfoot to come stay with her.

"I-I'm fine Fleety, I don't want to get you sick." Spitfire tried to refuse, but Fleetfoot wasn't taking no for an answer.

"Thpitfire. Thoarn ordered me to thtay with you becauthe he knew there wath no way you're going to let yourthelf retht if there'th no pony to make sure you do." Fleetfoot said

"Prove that I'm not resting then." Spitfire replied cheekily

"If you had been rethting in your room you wouldn't have heard me knocking, I would have let mythelf in." Fleetfoot answered "Now come on, open up."

"Alright, fine." Spitfire sighed, turning the door handle and opening it slowly. She was revealed to Fleetfoot, who stepped inside before throwing her hooves around Spitfire's neck in a hug. Spitfire sighed and coughed a little, closing the door.

"Baby, you look awful. Wait, what happened to your mane?!" Fleetfoot gasped, stepping away from Spitfire to get a better look at the sick mare.

"My mane isn't naturally sleek like it normally looks. I use my pegasus magic to keep it up, the same way you do with yours." Spitfire explained

"But it'th tho pretty right now, I had no idea your mane wath tho long." Fleetfoot said, running her hoof through Spitfire's mane, which went a little bit past her shoulders in length.

"Yeah, um, I'll be right back, bathroom." Spitfire said, and Fleetfoot nodded, letting her leave.

Spitfire shut the door of the bathroom tight and stopped repressing her sneezes. She waited until she was done, then went back out, finding Fleetfoot waiting for her. Spitfire tried to lay back down on the couch, but Fleetfoot put a wing on her shoulder, turning her towards the bedroom. Spitfire looked at Fleetfoot in confusion as she led her down the hall.

"Why are you taking me over here?" Spitfire asked, realizing she sounded very congested now. They entered her bedroom and Fleetfoot smiled softly.

"To get thome proper thleep. I noticed the paperwork and figured you were thleeping on the couch, tho I thought I'd make sure you went to bed." Fleetfoot replied, giving Spitfire a gentle push towards the bed. Spitfire sank into the soft sheets, nuzzling up against the pillow, then felt another sneeze coming on.

"Uh, Fleety, could you go get me some tissues?" Spitfire asked, and she nodded, leaving the room.

Spitfire sat up and sneezed, waving her hoof through the fire to make it go away. It was harmless to her. Fleetfoot came back in with the tissues and set them down. Spitfire smiled and leaned over to kiss Fleetfoot's cheek, but felt another sneeze and jerked backwards.

"Thpitty, what'th wrong?" Fleetfoot asked

"I-ah-ah-choo!" Spitfire sneezed, the flames bursting out of her muzzle.

Fleetfoot stared at her in shock, and Spitfire collapsed on the bed, about ready to cry. She did so as Fleetfoot put a hoof on her shoulder, but Spitfire was too upset, shaking her off and sobbing into the cloud mattress. She suddenly felt the pressure of some pony getting in the bed, and the next thing she knew, Fleetfoot was holding her in her forelegs, humming an old lullaby to her. Spitfire calmed down a little, looking up at her in confusion.

"Aren't you scared of me?" Spitfire whispered

"Why would I be thcared of thomeone with thuch amazing magic?" Fleetfoot replied, then shifted so Spitfire would be more comfortable. "But what ith it?" she asked

"It's not magic, it's just called Phoenix Magic, it's really like...I dunno, a superpower. I can make two different types of fire, the kind that's harmless and can heal ponies, and a more dangerous type that could badly injure somepony." Spitfire murmured, raising up a hoof to demonstrate. A ball of fire appeared. "When I get sick I sneeze out both kinds, I'm sorry, I backed away because I wasn't sure which kind would come out." Spitfire explained

"It'th alright baby, you should have told me thooner." Fleetfoot nuzzled her gently.

"I know, but I didn't want to scare you" Spitfire responded

"I'll never be thcared of you, no matter what." Fleetfoot replied, and Spitfire wrapped her hooves around Fleetfoot, kissing her. They broke apart pretty quickly, Spitfire's eyes wide.

"Oh Celestia, I'm sorry Fleety, I shouldn't have done that, now you're gonna get sick too-ah-choo!" Fleetfoot ducked as the fire appeared, then reached over and wrapped her hooves around Spitfire.

"I don't care, ath long ath I get to thtay with you." Fleetfoot replied, and the two snuggled up together, Spitfire falling asleep.

Author's Notes:

Hey, so in this chapter I mentioned a pony by the name of Sparkfire, you'll find out who she is soon, and she will be a part of a chapter where I discuss Spitfire's past. I did make up the idea of Spitfire having "Phoenix Magic", but the sneezing fire thing was inspired by the story Spits Fire by CommanderApplejack. If you've read the story you should note that I only drew inspiration from the sneezing fire bit, the rest is all my idea. I'll update again soon, probably

~Melody Song

Wonderbolt Sleepover

"Guuuuuuyyyyyysssss!" the shriek rang through the halls of Wonderbolt HQ. Stallions and mares burst from the rooms on all sides.

"Surprise! What's wrong?!" Fire Streak asked worriedly.

"I just had the most brilliant idea ever!" Surprise replied, and Spitfire trotted up.

"You disturbed our peace and quiet...to tell us you had a 'brilliant idea'?!" She exclaimed

"Uh-huh." Surprise nodded, smiling innocently. Spitfire looked as though she was about to strangle Surprise, but settled for turning and walking away, holding up one of her wings so that only her middle feather stuck up.

"Spitfire!" High Winds exclaimed

"It's not like I actually said it." Spitfire said

"What did you want to tell us?" Sun Chaser asked

"We. Should have. A sleepover!!" Surprise exclaimed

"I'm in!" Rainbow and High Winds said together

"Okay, it'll be fun." Sun Chaser agreed, Silver Zoom, Fire Streak, Lightning Streak, and Soarin murmuring agreement.

"Sure." Misty Fly said

"Yeah, sounds fun." Blaze added

"If Misty's in, so am I." Rapidfire said, Wave Chill also agreeing.

"Alright then." Thunderlane said

"Spitfire?" High Winds asked

"Come on Thpitty, It'll be fun." Fleetfoot said, nudging her a little.

"Okay." Spitfire sighed, accepting defeat.

"Yay!" Surprise bounced away down the corridor to set everything up.

That night, Surprise gathered them in the rec room, where she had set up sleeping bags, snacks, board games, and some books.

"Hey! Those are my Daring Do books!" Rainbow exclaimed

"Actually, a few of them are mine." Fleetfoot corrected sheepishly.

"Well you guys should really find better hiding places for your stuff. Did you really think hiding them under a bed was a good idea? Especially if you're not even staying in the Sleeping Quarters with us." Surprise said, shrugging

"Come on, let's just start the sleepover." Misty said, High Winds going over to the snacks.

"Pretty good selection here Slowpoke." She said, and Surprise smiled.

"Thank you!" she said. Rainbow followed High Winds and picked up the bowl of popcorn, eating a few pieces.

"So what first?" Sun Chaser asked

"I was thinking..." Surprise held up a card game.

"Never In Equestria Have I Ever. What's that?" Thunderlane asked

"It's a totally awesome card game. I draw a card, read off what's written there, and then you raise your wings if you've done it. It's super fun, wanna try?" Surprise said

"So...basically the game is us telling secrets?" Spitfire asked

"You don't have to explain yourself unless a majority of the players asks you to. And most of the questions are just stuff like egging somepony's house on Nightmare Night. They're harmless." Surprise answered

"Sounds cool." Rainbow said, the others agreeing.

"Alright! let's start." Surprise opened the box to reveal the cards. she pulled one out and read it aloud. "Never in Equestria have I ever stayed out past a curfew." she said

Rapidfire, Spitfire, Blaze, and Lightning Streak raised up their wings, followed by Thunderlane.

"Huh. Okay, next question!" Surprise said, putting the first card to the side. "Never in Equestria have I ever eaten my least favorite food." she said, Rainbow raising her wing.

"When?" Misty Fly asked

"A while back AJ dared me to eat the spiciest pepper in Equestria. She knows I hate hot peppers." Rainbow said

An hour later, they moved to Ponyopoly, and Fleetfoot was winning.

"I put two hotelth on Coltantry Thtreet, tho I'll collect money from Thun Chather, thince you're on that thquare." Fleetfoot said, holding out her hoof. Sun Chaser sighed as she forked over the Ponyoploy Bucks.

"How are you so good at this?" Blaze muttered

"Oh, I uthed to play it a lot." Fleetfoot said quickly

"I don't like this game anymore." Rainbow muttered, slamming her cards onto the floor.

"You just don't like it because you're not winning." Blaze said

"Can you blame me? I always win if I'm playing this game with Twi and the others, I'm used to it." Rainbow said

"It's just a game Dashie. For once maybe you should see how it feels to lose." Soarin teased

"Shut up Clipper." She mumbled, blushing

"And I win." Fleetfoot said, the others groaning.

"Let's do something else." High Winds said, tossing her cards onto the game.

"How about...Truth or Dare, Kiss or Swear?" Surprise suggested

"Nah, what about Seven Clues?" Misty suggested holding up the box.

"No, Ship Wreck." Fire Streak argued, holding it up.

"Let's play Cards Against Ponies." Rapidfire suggested, a familiar devilish smirk on his face.

"NO. Not on my watch we won't. If Surprise brings out alcohol afterwards we'll be cursing at each other to no end. I have to foalsit my sister tomorrow, your bad influence won't rub off on her if I have my way." Spitfire said, hitting him with a pillow.

"Alright, alright. We wouldn't want mini-Spits to hear the 'naughty words' when she was older than her sister was, would we?" Rapidfire joked

"Yeah, you told me once you heard curse words when you were younger, why would your mom let you be exposed to that?" Sun Chaser asked

"Oh, I...I just heard them around town, in more shady areas when I walked home from school. I was a latchkey kid, since my mom usually had to work double shifts to keep us fed." Spitfire answered, rubbing the back of her neck.

"No pony can fault you for that, I can see how you'd want to keep Spark from growing up that way too." High Winds commented

"Why do you think I foalsit her so often? When our mom is too busy at work to watch her, that's when I take over. And I'll have to tomorrow, so for my sister's sake, let's keep our hooves off of the dirty games." Spitfire said, and Rapidfire nodded.

"Fine. How about Apples v.s Pears?" Rapidfire asked "You know it's the cleaner version of Cards Against Ponies."

"Sure." Spitfire agreed, and they began to play.

A little while later, they were all lying in their sleeping bags, talking drowsily to one another. Rainbow was reading a Daring Do book. Soarin was leaning on her shoulder, eyes closed, listening to her mumble the words under her breath, clearly falling asleep. Spitfire had a feeling Rainbow was reading aloud for that reason. Rapidfire and Misty Fly were curled up in the same sleeping bag. Spitfire was watching the two carefully to make sure Rapid didn't get carried away.

"Hey, Thpitty?" Fleetfoot asked

"Yeah Fleety?" Spitfire responded

"Did you like thith?" Fleetfoot asked her

"Actually, yeah. It was good to unwind a little, thanks for convincing me to allow it." Spitfire whispered

"You're welcome baby." Fleetfoot leaned in and delivered a kiss on the cheek, Spitfire smiling and nuzzling up close, wrapping a wing over Fleetfoot's back.

Author's Notes:

Just so you guys know-
Ship Wreck: Battleship
Seven Clues: Clue
Apples v.s Pears: Apples to Apples
(I feel like most of you should know what game Cards Against Ponies is a reference to)

I'll include more about Sparkfire in the next chapter, then after a couple I'll do Spitfire's past. And what Surprise meant about Fleet and Rainbow not staying in the Sleeping Quarters is that on most nights they stay in Soarin and Spitfire's rooms, respectively.

I know Halloween is coming up, and I might write a Halloween one, but I really am not sure if I will, because the timeline in this story is set in maybe summer or late spring. If you have any suggestions as to what the season should be in the story, I'll gladly take advice!

~Melody Song

Sparkfire Flare

Spitfire flew towards Cloudsdale, heading for her mother's house. As she landed a fiery blur shot out of the house, grappling onto Spitfire, who was only able to keep her footing by flapping her wings.

"Hey Spark, how's it going?" Spitfire asked

"I flew circles around everypony in flight school! Thanks to you." she exclaimed, hugging Spitfire.

Sparkfire Flare was a miniature version of Spitfire. They had both got their appearance from a certain family member, but Spitfire liked to say Spark got it from her. They had the same yellow coat, orange and yellow-streaked mane, and soft brown eyes. The only difference was her cutie mark. Sparkfire's cutie mark was orange wings surrounded by lighter orange sparks, while Spitfire's resembled a Phoenix bursting into flames.

"I told you. You're going to be a Wonderbolt one day Spark, I just know it." Spitfire congratulated, ruffling Sparkfire's short-cropped mane.

"Speaking of the Wonderbolts, how are things going with your team dear?" Stormy had come out of the house, smiling fondly at her two daughters.

"Good mom. But we should probably head back now. The last time I was away this long without leaving proper supervision Rapidfire nearly burned HQ down. Ready to go Spark?" Spitfire asked

"Yes!" Sparkfire exclaimed, jumping into the air. "I can't wait to see all my friends again!"

Sparkfire didn't have any friends at her school, she was too talented, everypony was jealous of her abilities. Spitfire recalled Rainbow telling them something similar had happened to her when she was in flight school. Spitfire wished Sparkfire had her own Soarin and Fleetfoot. Her friends had been there for her as long as she could remember. They would encourage each other when nopony else in school did. Sparkfire didn't have that. Instead, she had that support in her family, and the only friends she knew, the Wonderbolts.

"Alright filly, let's head out. Want to race to HQ?" Spitfire suggested

"Yeah! Last one back has to give up their dessert tonight!" Sparkfire cried, Stormy Flare laughing. She was well aware of her two daughter's notorious sweet tooths.

"You're on sis! I'll beat you, get ready to go to bed without Thunderlane's famous cookies!" Spitfire agreed, taking off as well.

"Goodbye girls." Stormy said

"Bye mom. I'll bring Spark back in a week or two. Is that enough time?" Spitfire asked

"That's perfect dear. see you then." Stormy replied

"Bye mom." Sparkfire said

"Ready?" Spitfire asked, and Sparkfire nodded "On your marks, get set-"

"Three-two-one-go!" Sparkfire yelled, shooting off.

"Hey! That's cheating!" Spitfire cried, chasing after her, laughing.

The two raced through the streets of Cloudsdale, zooming past unsuspecting pegasi. They kept pulling ahead of each other until they neared the mountain Wonderbolt HQ was perched on.

"Hit the runway at a slow glide, that way you won't accidentally trip over yourself when you hit the ground." Spitfire advised her sister, who nodded and opened her wings further, shifting from a fast dash into a smooth glide. Spitfire did the same. She knew how to land at a fast pace, of course, but wanted to make the race fair for Sparkfire.

They skidded to a halt on the runway at the same time, standing a few paces away from each other. They turned to face each other.

"I win!" They said together "No, I win!"

"You tied." Rainbow settled for them, landing nearby with a filly on her back.

"Hey Rainbow. Who's that?" Sparkfire asked

"This is Scootaloo, she and I are practically sisters. Her aunts asked me to watch her for a few days while they worked on selling their old house. I thought you two might like to meet, since you're the same age." Rainbow explained, bending down so the filly could hop off.

She had a purple, short mane, and an orange coat. Her cutie mark was a tri-colored shield with a dark pink wing within. The wing had a light pink lightning bolt inside it. The two fillies trotted up to each other, looking inquisitively at each other.

"Scoot, this is Sparkfire, she's Spits' little sister." Rainbow introduced

"Hi!" Sparkfire said energetically

"Hey." Scootaloo replied, smiling

"You wanna come raid the kitchens with me? Last time Spitfire brought me over Surprise taught me how to sneak past Thunderlane and get cupcakes." Spark suggested

"Yeah!" Scootaloo agreed, and the two fillies ran into the building.

"Thanks Rainbow." Spitfire sighed in relief

"No problem. I know Spark doesn't have many friends her age, so I thought if I introduced her to Scoot, she'd get a chance to come down to Ponyville sometime and meet the rest of the CMCs." Rainbow explained

"Nice." Spitfire said "I'll definitely bring her down if she bonds with Scootaloo." she added

"Cool. I'll be with Soarin. I assume you and Fleet will be in your room?" Rainbow asked

"No, actually. I'm going to be spending time with my sister. Fleet said she'd join us too, I was thinking I'd tell Spark about us." Spitfire explained

"You haven't told your family yet?" Rainbow asked

"Haven't gotten the chance to. I'll see you later Rainbow." she headed inside, finding Fleetfoot.

"Did I jutht thee two mithchievouth little fillieth heading for the kitchen?" Fleetfoot asked

"Yeah. Rainbow brought Scootaloo, she and Spark have really hit it off." Spitfire responded, smirking "Thunderlane won't know what hit him."

"He'th not here. I thaw him heading to Ponyville, thomething about getting hith brother. We might have three foalth running around here pretty thoon." Fleetfoot told her

"Oh boy. Those kids are gonna get into all sorts of trouble." Spitfire shook her head, as Thunderlane came up.

"Hey Spitfire," He began.

"Fleetfoot already told me you were bringing your little brother up here." Spitfire said

"Sorry about that, my folks made me. They said I needed to spend more time with Rumble." Thunderlane explained "I saw Sparkfire and Scootaloo running into the kitchen, they had better not be trying to eat some of my cupcakes." Thunderlane narrowed his eyes.

"Knowing Spark, it's likely. And I think if you want to protect your cooking you'd better get in there." Spitfire responded, as Rumble came up behind his brother.

"Hey bro, what's going on?" Rumble asked, and Thunderlane ran towards the kitchen.

"Scootaloo's here, and Spitfire's sister, if you help me guard my cooking from them I'll give you a cupcake!" Thunderlane called

"I dunno, I'd rather help them raid the kitchen and have a lot of cupcakes than just one." Rumble said, taking off and zooming ahead of his brother.

"Come on, I want to see this." Spitfire nudged Fleetfoot, who giggled.

"How can I thay no? I want to thee it too." Fleetfoot said, and they followed the two.

---

"Rumble, how could you?!" Thunderlane was yelling at him, Scootaloo and Sparkfire were laughing. The two fillies had their hooves full of sweets. Rumble had a cupcake in his mouth, and cookies in his forelegs.

"Sorry bro, but they offer a better deal. See ya!" Rumble said around the cupcake, and they took off, Spark and Rumble leading the way from the air, Scootaloo running after them.

"Wait up guys! she called. They skidded to a halt after ducking into a room.

"Can't you fly?" Sparkfire asked

"No. I've been trying, and I'm getting really close, but I can't fly yet." Scootaloo replied

"That's okay, you're still cool." Spark commented, and Scootaloo smiled.

"Hey, Spark, can I talk to you?" Spitfire asked, poking her head into the room.

"Sure sis." Sparkfire agreed, following her sister to her office.

"I saw that little raid on the kitchen. Hope you had fun." Spitfire mentioned

"Yeah, it was really fun, can I go visit Scootaloo and Rumble in Ponyville?" Sparkfire asked

"Of course, I bet they'd love that. But I wanted to talk to you about something else." Spitfire said as they entered the Captain's office.

"Why is Fleetfoot here?" Sparkfire asked

---

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about, but you can't tell mom just yet." Spitfire said

"Okay. So what is it?" Sparkfire asked

"Well, you see, Fleetfoot and I..." Spitfire tried to say, but the words got stuck in her throat. What if Sparkfire didn't like it? Fleetfoot came up beside her and pushed her muzzle into Spitfire's neck.

"We've been dating Thpark. Are you okay with that?" Fleetfoot asked

"Of course. And I won't tell mom until you say I can Spitfire, I promise." Sparkfire said

"Thanks sis." Spitfire said, then nuzzled Fleetfoot.

"No problem." Sparkfire replied.

Author's Notes:

So, that's Sparkfire. I know some of the chapter was Spark's P.O.V, that's to help build the friendship between her, Scoot, and Rumble. They'll be hanging out for a few other chapters, since their older siblings have to watch them for a while. So expect a few chapters to include their antics as a little gang of friends.

~Melody Song

One-shot

Author's Notes:

So, this is a kind of fanfiction one-shot I wrote about what Spitfire did in Top Bolt after giving Twi and Rainbow the job of teaching the Classroom Portion of Trials Week. You don't have to read this, I just want some feedback. And I think it's really cute.

Also, some scenes may be suggestive, meaning some of you might read them that way, so you can choose not to read this if you want.

~Melody Song

Spitfire trotted comfortably through Wonderbolt Headquarters, pausing in the sleeping quarters, where the Academy recruits were bunking for the week. That was one of the many reasons Trials Week was held during the break between training periods. Spitfire sighed happily and stretched, feeling the joints in her back crack pleasingly.

"Ugh. I'm so stiff. Guess this teaches me not to stay hunched over half the night doing that ridiculous paperwork. Sometimes I wish I wasn't Captain. Wouldn't have to do all that boring stuff." Spitfire said to herself.

Spitfire straightened up and spread her wings. They too, were aching and sore. She hadn't been out for a good, proper fly in so long. It felt like her wings had just about glued themselves to her body.

"Ugh. I need to fly. Maybe I can sneak out while Dash and Princess Twilight are covering the Classroom portion." she muttered, shutting her eyes at the pain from her stiffened wings. Then, somepony spoke behind her.

"You put Dash in charge of the Claththroom Portion?" Spitfire smiled, eyes still closed, and turned, opening her eyes to see, sure enough.

"Hey Fleet." she said, as the icy blue mare came up to her. "What're you doing back here?" she asked

"I wath lonely at my place, there'th alwayth thomething exciting going on here, you do the math." Fleetfoot replied

"No thanks." Spitfire commented, wincing a little as she folded her wings up again.

"You okay?" Fleetfoot asked, reaching out and pulling Spitfire's aviator sunglasses off so she could get a better look at Spitfire's face.

"Fine. My wings are just a little sore. Think I have time for a quick fly before Crash and Princess Twilight finish the Classroom Portion?" Spitfire asked

"I've got a better idea. But why did you put Rainbow in charge of the Claththroom Portion?" Fleetfoot asked

"It was Princess Twilight's idea. Apparently they came on 'official friendship business'. Princess Twilight thought maybe if they taught a class, the newbies would be more comfortable coming to them with their problems. You should've seen the look of Rainbow's face when the Princess suggested they teach the Classroom Portion. Pure gold!" Spitfire chuckled

"Thoundth like thomething the motht openly thmart Princethth would come up with. Not sure if you have time for a fly, but I know what can get your wingth loothened up." Fleetfoot said, smiling

"You mean one of your massages?" Spitfire asked, nuzzling her

"Yep. Your room?" Fleetfoot asked

"Yeah, just in case it takes you a little longer. Don't want a Academy recruit walking into the sleeping quarters while you're helping me." Spitfire said, and Fleetfoot laughed

"Yeah, you'd probably kill them. Come on." Fleetfoot replied, leading her towards the Captain's private room.

Spitfire let them in and then sighed, pulling off the drill sergeant uniform's blazer and unfastening the button-up shirt. She walked over to the bed so as not to overdo it with her wings before the massage. Spitfire climbed in and laid on her stomach. Fleetfoot followed and sat down beside the fiery mare. Fleetfoot carefully lifted up one of Spitfire's wings and began to massage it, pressing her hooves gently into the individual feathers.

"Mm. Yeah, I'm really stiff by the joints. I should probably stretch out my wings more often, huh?" Spitfire asked, and Fleetfoot laughed

"Yeah, probably. But if you did, I wouldn't get to do thith ath often." Fleetfoot leaned over and kissed Spitfire's cheek gently. Spitfire smiled.

"This is exactly what I needed. Just a quick break before I have to get back to drilling the recruits." Spitfire sighed

"Tho, how are the newbieth? They giving you any trouble?" Fleetfoot asked

"Not much. There's one kid, Sky Stinger, who seems pretty promising. He came with a mare named Vapor Trail who claims to be his wing pony. Haven't seen them fly together much, but I should get to during the freestyle training." Spitfire replied

"That thoundth good. Been meaning to athk you, are you going to put Thunderlane on the team anytime thoon?" Fleetfoot asked

"Yeah, been holding him back to give Dash some time to settle into the team. I can only handle one new 'bolt at a time. Besides, considering the track record Rainbow says Thunderlane's got with the Ponyville Weather Team, I thought maybe some extra time at the Academy would be good for him." Spitfire replied

"That maketh thenthe. Anyway, how'th thith?" Fleetfoot reached down and put her hoof gently on Spitfire's wing joint.

"Ugh!" Spitfire grunted, and Fleetfoot pulled her hoof away. "It's alright Fleety, just a little discomfort, you can keep going." Spitfire assured her.

"Okay. But are you sure? I don't want to hurt you." Fleetfoot said nervously.

"I'm sure. But can you do my other wing now? They're going to do Freestyle training after the Classroom Portion, so I'll need to fly around in order to critique them." Spitfire said

"Alright. You shouldn't be tho hard on the recruitth, you know. They're doing their betht." Fleetfoot said

"If you'd seen them doing the required 500 laps earlier, you'd be giving them a hard time to. I do try to offer tips when I'm done chewing them out. But there's no way I'm gonna stop yelling at them, it's one of my favorite parts of the job." Spitfire said

"I know, but really, if they're that bad, then why did they bother applying?" Fleetfoot wondered

"Well, they're good ponies, but they really need to work on their basic techniques. Not that I'm complaining. Teaching new skills to the next generation of Wonderbolts is also one of my favorite parts of the job." Spitfire said

"You're a big thoftie, you know that?" Fleetfoot teased, pulling away.

"Shut up Fleet." Spitfire sat up and sighed in relief, flapping her wings a little. "Thanks. Much better." she said

"You're welcome, now, how will you pay me for that?" Fleetfoot asked

"In kisses." Spitfire wrapped her hooves around Fleetfoot and tackled her, pulling her in for a rough, but passionate, kiss. The two fell onto the bed, holding each other. When they broke apart, Spitfire glanced over at the clock nearby, jumping away.

"Hey! We weren't finished!" Fleetfoot yelped

"I know honey, I'm sorry. But I lost track of time, the Classroom Portion's over. We'll pick this up again tonight, 'kay Fleety?" Spitfire said, putting her Drill Sergeant uniform back on.

"Alright. I'll wait here." Fleetfoot said, giving Spitfire a soft kiss. Spitfire smiled and gently shoved her.

"Stop it you. I can't be blushing when I go back to the newbies." Spitfire complained

"Okay, okay. Thee you later baby." Fleetfoot replied, smiling. Spitfire smiled back and put her sunglasses on, leaving the room.

"I'm so lucky to have such a forgiving marefriend." she thought, heading for where Twilight and Rainbow were in the distance, trying to put a straight face on as she saw Angel Wings having trouble with a cloud busting exercise.

Flame Rider

Author's Notes:

This chapter contains blood, broken bones, and threats towards a character. There isn't a lot, just thought you should know

Spitfire was asleep beside Fleetfoot, who had a hoof over her marefriend, snuggling up close. Spitfire suddenly began twitching in her sleep.

"N-no. Not you...whatever you want, j-just don't hurt him...NO!" Spitfire shot up out of bed, gasping for breath and gripping the sheets.

"Thpitfire! What'th wrong?!" Fleetfoot asked, Spitfire having woken her up.

"N-nothing. Just a bad dream." Spitfire explained, rubbing her eyes a little so they would adjust to the dark.

"Are you really okay?" Fleetfoot pressed, pulling Spitfire in for a hug.

"I'm fine Fleety. I didn't mean to wake you, go back to sleep." Spitfire urged, and Fleetfoot yawned.

"Alright. Aren't you going back to thleep too?" Fleetfoot asked

"Yeah, just want to make sure you go to bed first." Spitfire replied

"Goodnight Thpitty." Fleetfoot murmured, laying back down and closing her eyes. Spitfire waited until her breathing became slower, signifying that the mare was asleep. Then, Spitfire took off, very quietly, and left the room.

She peeked into the Sleeping Quarters to check on Spark, pleased to see the little filly curled up Spitfire's bed there, fast asleep. Rumble and Scootaloo were in the beds where Rainbow and Soarin usually slept. Spitfire smiled a little as she realized the two were probably sleeping in Soarin's private room. The smile quickly faded as she remembered what had drawn her out of bed in the first place.

Spitfire trotted out of Wonderbolt HQ, standing on the landing runway and looking up at the night sky. A gentle breeze swept past, making her shiver, tail whipping a little in the wind. Spitfire watched the stars hanging in the dark night, and tears welled in her eyes. Somepony was up there, watching her, she knew it. He must be there, he had to be.

"Smoke." she breathed, letting her emotions out all at once, a sob gripping her. "Smoke." She repeated, tears streaming down her face.

Spitfire didn't know how long she stood out there, letting the tears come without fear. But as she turned to go back inside, there was a noise behind her.

"Who's there?" Spitfire asked, the response was a chuckle from behind the building. "Come out, whoever you are." she growled

"Not nearly as cowardly as the last time I saw you, I see." came the deep, growling voice Spitfire recognized all to well. She froze in place.

"What do you want...Flame Rider?" she asked

"Oh, it's Flame Rider now? I didn't realize." the pony revealed himself to be a large pegasus stallion with a dark red coat, eyes red as blood, and a familiar fire-like mane.

"Enough with your games. What. Do. You. Want?" Spitfire demanded

"Relax my little Spitty, I simply want to talk. Aren't you glad to see me?" Flame Rider asked

"You never want to 'just talk'. How did you escape?" Spitfire replied

"I don't think you need to know that Spitty. Now, I need your help, and I'm not taking 'no' for an answer." Flame Rider responded

"Well, then I guess you're going to be very disappointed." Spitfire shot back, extending her wings and letting them light up with fire.

"If you think you're going to beat me with your fire then you're mistaken. I have tricks under my wings too." Flame Rider snarled, lifting a wing and drawing it back, gathering fire in it.

He threw it at Spitfire, who barely ducked in time, shooting forwards and trying to catch him in the chest, but he grabbed her hooves in his and tossed her backwards. Spitfire hit the ground hard, but in an instant was on her hooves again, running at Flame Rider once more. Spitfire made her hooves light up with flames and took off, spinning. She threw out her back leg and caught the stallion in the side, knocking him over. Flame Rider flung another ball of fire at her, and she nimbly swerved, landing and pinning him to the ground.

"Either leave now or I'll burn the feathers off your wings." Spitfire growled

"Easy Spitty, I mean no harm." Flame Rider said

"That's a lie. Everything you've ever done was to cause me harm. You haven't changed. Now get out of my home!" she yelled, grabbing him by his fur and flinging him into the air, kicking him in the stomach.

Flame Rider flew at her, knocking her into the side of the building. Spitfire was no match for the stallion now that he had her trapped. She struggled against him but was unable to free herself. Flame Rider lit up his hooves and burned her as he hit her across the face and forelegs. Then, he began to beat her, hitting her hard in the ribs and side, injuring her wings. His breath heated her ear as he spoke.

"You're right. I haven't changed. But that won't make a difference. By the time your precious friends find you, you'll be dead. Goodbye Spitty."

He finally released her, but as they had been above the ground during the fight, she fell ten feet. Spitfire tried to flap her wings but found them too injured to work properly. Spitfire managed to turn herself so she would land on her back, to spare her legs from any injury. Spitfire let out a yell of pain as she hit the ground, feeling her wings crack underneath her weight. She moaned in pain as Flame Rider landed beside her.

"Y-you won't get away with this." Spitfire croaked, darkness threatening the edge of her vision, struggling to lift her head to look at him.

"Oh, but I will. Say hi to your brother for me." he said, before taking off and flying into the night.

Spitfire's head hit the ground, unable to keep herself awake, she slipped into the black.

---

Fleetfoot woke up to find herself alone in bed. Spitfire had said she would go to sleep too. Fleetfoot sat up and looked around, before getting up and trotting out of the room. As she passed a window she saw a stallion flying off.

"Who ith that?" Fleetfoot asked herself

Then, Fleetfoot gasped as she noticed a huddled mass on the ground. Fleetfoot raced outside to see Spitfire, beat up and unconcious, lying on the ground. Fleetfoot lifted Spitfire into her hooves and flew inside.

"Guyth! I need help!" she shouted, loud enough to wake the whole of HQ.

The Wonderbolts stumbled out of their beds, muttering to each other. Their confusion faded as they saw Fleetfoot with the injured Spitfire in her hooves. They ran for her and helped Fleetfoot carry Spitfire back to the Captain's private room, Rainbow running to the Sick Bay to get the doctor.

Spitfire's Past

Fleetfoot paced around anxiously as the doctor examined Spitfire. He bandaged her up, then turned to the others.

"She'll be alright in a couple of days, but her wings may take more time to heal. Do any of you know where she could have gotten the burns from?" He asked

"Thpitfire told me she hath fire magic, but I don't thee why she'd uthe it on herthelf, and part of it can heal injurieth, tho I wonder why she didn't heal herthelf with it." Fleetfoot said

"Well, when she wakes up, ask her." The doctor advised, then left the room.

"So, you really don't have any idea who could have done this?" Soarin asked his friend.

"No. I did thee thompepony flying away from HQ, but they were too far away for me to get a good look." Fleetfoot replied, trotting over to the mare and resting a hoof gently on Spitfire's.

"What if they hurt her?" High Winds asked

"Maybe, but the question isn't who, it's why." Wave Chill argued, and Rainbow nodded

"Yeah, I don't think we should worry about who did this, just why in Equestria they would attack Spitfire?" Rainbow agreed

"Why was she even outside? To enjoy the night air?" Rapidfire asked sarcastically.

"I don't think so. But..." Fire Streak trailed off and jerked his head towards the door. They all looked to see a fire-colored mane duck out of sight.

"Spark, we see you, come out." Sun Chaser said, and the mini Spitfire emerged, followed by Scootaloo and Rumble.

"W-we heard you all running somewhere, and wanted to see what was going on." Sparkfire confessed

"What's going on bro?" Rumble asked, but explanation was not needed as Sparkfire noticed her sister.

"Spitfire!" she shrieked, taking off and flying to Spitfire, landing by her. Sparkfire burrowed up under Spitfire's foreleg, nuzzling her. "What happened to my sister?" she demanded

"We don't know Spark, but we'll find out once she wakes up." Soarin replied

"Doc said it might take a few hours, why don't you three go back to sleep?" High Winds suggested kindly, holding out her wing to Sparkfire. High Winds and Sun Chaser normally took on a maternal role when Sparkfire was at HQ.

"No. I'm staying here with her." Sparkfire insisted

"I'll thtay with them." Fleetfoot offered

"Alright then. Bolts, we'd better head back to bed. Come get us if she wakes up, Fleet." Soarin instructed, then led them out.

"C'mon Scoot." Rainbow said

"Will Spitfire be okay?" Scootaloo asked

"Of course she will. Spits is tough, she can pull through anything." Rainbow assured her little sister as they left the room behind the other Wonderbolts.

"Rainbow'th right. She'll be fine." Fleetfoot whispered, sitting on the edge of the bed and putting her hoof on Spitfire's forehead, sweeping Spitfire's mane back out of her eyes. An hour later, Sparkfire was dozing off, and nuzzled up to her sister. Fleetfoot had pulled Spitfire into her hooves, leaning against the wall.

"Sis? Please wake up soon." Sparkfire breathed, about to close her eyes. Her sister suddenly shifted, groaning.

"Thpitty? Baby?" Fleetfoot asked, shaking her a little, and Spitfire's eyes flickered open.

---

Spitfire blinked as the room came into focus. Sparkfire was curled up beside her, almost asleep. Spitfire looked up, wincing a little as pain coursed through her head, to see Fleetfoot was holding her.

"F-Fleety?"Spitfire asked, and she nuzzled her.

"Thpark, go wake up the otherth." Fleetfoot ordered, and Sparkfire took off.

"Others?" Spitfire asked, cuddling up to Fleetfoot and wincing again.

"The other 'boltth. They're worried about you too. Clipper told them to go back to bed but I doubt they lithened." Fleetfoot answered, hugging Spitfire gently. The two lay beside each other until the others came back, Soarin and Rainbow in the lead with Sparkfire.

"Spits, good to see you're awake. What happened?" Soarin asked, as Sparkfire returned to her spot beside Spitfire.

"I was beat up, what do you think happened?" Spitfire responded

"He means who did this? And why couldn't you fight them off?" Rainbow said

"Who it was isn't important. As for how they beat me, they pinned me against the side of HQ, I couldn't get free. Then, once they'd beaten me up they dropped me, while ten feet above the ground. Then I passed out." Spitfire explained

"That explains your injuries, but what about the burns?" Blaze asked, as Fleetfoot extended a wing to gently touch the burn mark on Spitfire's cheek.

"I was fighting them with-" Spitfire was interrupted by Lightning Streak.

"Your fire magic, we know, Fleet mentioned it earlier. But how did you burn yourself?" Lightning forestalled her

"I didn't. The pony I was fighting had fire magic too." Spitfire explained

"But you told me only the ponieth in your family have that magic. Wath the pony related to you?" Fleetfoot asked

"Yes, and no." Spitfire responded

"Huh?" Rapidfire grunted

"So you know them?" Rainbow asked

"All to well." Spitfire sighed and shifted in Fleetfoot's hooves "The pony who attacked me was...my father." she explained

"Your what?!" they all exclaimed

"What? But I thought you and mom said dad died before I was born." Sparkfire objected

"That was a lie. We were trying to protect you." Spitfire told her

"So, who is your father? He must be bad if you didn't tell Spark about him." Misty Fly commented

"My father, well, our father...is Flame Rider." Spitfire confessed

"You mean the stallion who's under armed guard in the Canterlot Prison?!" Rainbow cried

"Wait, he's in jail? That's why you didn't tell me?!" Sparkfire asked

"I'm sorry Spark, I didn't want you to find out like this." Spitfire said

"Why did he attack you?" Soarin asked

"Because he hates me, why do you think he's in jail? He used to abuse me, and...and my brother." Spitfire hesitated

"We don't have a brother. Unless you were lying to me about that too." Sparkfire snapped

"Spark..." Spitfire tried to say, but Spark leapt off the bed and flew out of the room. Spitfire tried to get up and follow her, but winced and fell backwards.

"Eathy Thpitty, he hurt you pretty badly, you need to retht." Fleetfoot warned

"Do you mind explaining about this 'brother'? And your dad?" Soarin pressed. Spitfire gave a sigh and told them everything.

---

"The first time I remember my father was when I was two. He was abusing me all the time. My mother had to work two jobs, and my father stayed with me and my brother. His name was Smoke Flare, and he was my best friend before I met Soarin and Fleet. He always protected me, no matter what. When our father was beating us he'd try his best to never let me get hurt. Though it didn't always work, I was still hurt badly, both physically and emotionally. One day, however, my father...he'd had enough. While I was playing in my room, he began yelling at Smoke. When I found them, he had dragged Smoke into the kitchen and was holding a knife. Flame Rider slashed Smoke across the chest, then left to make up a cover story. I wanted to help, but I was four, I didn't know what to do, I could only watch him die. I did tell my mother a little while after, and he was arrested. Though he was released a few years later, and mom had Spark with him. Then he tried abusing me again and was sent to the Canterlot Prison." Spitfire said

"But what about the fire magic?" High Winds asked

"He stole the magic from my mother, he's not a real member of the Flare family." Spitfire responded

"Don't worry, we'll make sure he never comes back." Silver Zoom said

"You're right. We'll surround HQ until we're sure he's gone." Soarin agreed

"I'll contact Twi, she can get word to Celestia that Flame Rider's escaped, then they can send guards after him." Rainbow added

"Can you uthe your healing fire to heal your injurieth?" Fleetfoot asked

"No. It's weird, but I can only heal other ponies with it, I've tried healing myself before, but I can't." Spitfire replied

"Don't worry, I bet I could convince Twi to come up here and cast a healing spell on your wings Spits." Rainbow assured her.

"Hopefully she will, we need our Captain back." Soarin agreed, he and Rainbow leaving the room with the others.

"Thanks guys." Spitfire called after them.

"Sis?" Sparkfire trotted back in, looking sheepish "I heard everything, I get it now. I'm sorry I got mad. I understand you'd never want me to find out." She jumped up beside Spitfire and hugged her.

"It's alright sis. I would have done the same thing had I been in your place." Spitfire said, hugging back. Sparkfire closed her eyes and fell asleep against her sister, it was late after all.

"You should go to thleep too." Fleetfoot said, lying down with Spitfire. Spitfire turned and snuggled up to her.

"I hope Rainbow convinces Princess Twilight to heal me." she murmured

"She will." Fleetfoot assured her marefriend, who sighed a little before falling asleep.

Author's Notes:

So, Twi does agree to heal Spitfire, she's kind to all her friends' friends. But Twi isn't used to performing healing spells, she wasn't able to heal Spitfire completely. That means Spits will be resting in the next chapter and suffering from a severe case of Cabin Fever. Luckily Fleet and Spark will be there to help.

~Melody Song

The Waiting Game

Spitfire groaned as she punched her pillow angrily with one hoof. Sparkfire was out watching the other 'bolts practice, and Fleetfoot was with them. Spitfire shifted her body to look out the window at the practicing pegasi. Spitfire had been ordered by Soarin to stay off her hooves-and wings-until she had recovered from the aftereffects from the healing spell. Though Princess Twilight had done her best Spitfire still found herself weak and unable to do more than stand for a few seconds.

"Ugh. Rapid's being annoying again. I'm gonna have to straighten him out." Spitfire muttered, reaching for her whistle before remembering she wasn't their drill sergeant right now. She was a weak, still slightly injured mare who was their friend, not their captain. Soarin had taken over, making Fleet temporary co-captain.

"Hey sis." Sparkfire said, coming in

"What are you doing here? I figured you'd be running around with your friends." Spitfire said, turning to face her

"Well, I wanted to come help cheer you up, I know you're bored. And anyway, dad was caught, Soarin just got the message from Princess Celestia, so you should be happy!" Sparkfire exclaimed

"They caught him?" Spitfire asked

"Yep. So I'm here to make you happy! Besides, Scootaloo's watching Rumble try to mimic the flight formations, I've done that enough times. Let's play!" Sparkfire explained

"Fine. What do you want to play?" Spitfire asked, sitting up

"How about...Firework?" Sparkfire suggested

"I haven't played that with you since you were six. Aren't you too old to like that game?" Spitfire asked

"I'll never be too old for that game, we made it up together!" Sparkfire said, jumping onto the bed beside Spitfire

"You have a point. Sometimes I play by myself when I miss you." Spitfire nuzzled her little sister and held up her hoof "Should I go ahead and start?"

"Yes!" Sparkfire exclaimed, and Spitfire chuckled, lighting up her hoof and letting the magic rise into the air, then Sparkfire took off and poked it, laughing as the ball of fire explode.

"That wasn't a very good explosion, sorry, it's been a while since I've had someone to make it explode." Spitfire commented as the sparks fell onto the ground

"That's okay Spitfire, now do it again!" Sparkfire cried, and Spitfire laughed, using her wings to conjure the fire this time, the glowing orange orb flew high above them. Sparkfire took off again and touched it with a laugh. Spitfire smiled and made another, and another.

"Alright, I think I need to take a break." Spitfire panted. Creating that much fire had sapped her energy

"Okay." Sparkfire said, sitting down next to her. "What now?"

"Well, Fleet moved her Daring Do books in here after Surprise found them. I'm not really a fan but it's better than sitting here doing nothing." Spitfire suggested

"Great." Sparkfire agreed, jumping off the bed and running to the bookshelf "I thought the bookshelf was fuller than usual. I'm tired of reading your books."

"Hey! I just like reading the Wonderbolt manual and the history of the Wonderbolts!"

"They're good, but I'm tired of only having them to read." Sparkfire explained, pulling a Daring Do book off the shelf

"Which one is that?" Spitfire asked

"Daring Do and the Ring of Destiny." Sparkfire replied, and Spitfire sighed "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Can you just pick another one?" Spitfire wasn't in the mood to read the book Rainbow had been bragging about being in. Spitfire wasn't sure how Rainbow had made it into the book, and her name wasn't mentioned directly so there was no way to prove it.

"How about...Daring Do and the Marked Thief of Marapore?" Spark asked

"Sure, bring it over." Spitfire sat up straighter and let Sparkfire sit down next to her. The sisters curled up together and opened the book.

Surprisingly, however much Fleetfoot described Daring Do as an adventurer with a need for action and excitement, the book portrayed the golden pegasus as a bookworm as well. The typewriter described in one scene was confusing for Spit and Spark, but Spitfire brushed it off as a detail somepony who had read the previous books would think to look for. The two continued reading the book for a while, until Fleetfoot came in

"Hey you two." she greeted, trotting over to kiss Spitfire lightly on the cheek "Oh, you're reading Marked Thief of Marapore, do you like it Thpitty? I know you're not a fan."

"Yeah. It's good, I think I can grow to like the series." Spitfire answered, kissing Fleetfoot back

"Yuck. Mushy stuff." Sparkfire commented, and Spitfire glared at her "Sorry."

"Anyway, how are things going with the team?" Spitfire asked

"Clipper'th one more joke from Rapidfire away from going crazy." Fleetfoot said

"Sounds about right." Spitfire rolled her eyes, then rubbed her temple with her hoof

"You okay sis?" Sparkfire asked

"Yeah, just a headache. I'm fine." Spitfire replied

"What have you two been doing?" Fleetfoot asked

"We played Firework." Spark said

"Firework? What'th that?" Fleetfoot asked Spitfire, who blushed with embarrassment

"It's a game I made up when Spark was little. I used my magic to make balls of harmless fire appear, then she would touch them to make them explode like a firework. She wanted to play it." Spitfire said

"Aww, you're thuch a thoftie." Fleetfoot teased, kissing Spitfire gently on the cheek

"Fleet, I am not." Spitfire protested

"Yes you are sis." Spark said "Remember when I hurt my leg and you stayed in my room all day to cheer me up? Or when I was sick and you took care of me while mom was at work? What about when you-" Spitfire clapped a hoof over her sister's mouth

"Spark, stop." she hissed

"Thpitty, it'th cute. And it'th nice to know you care tho much about the ponieth around you." Fleetfoot said, lifting up Spitfire's chin and giving her a kiss

"I guess." Spitfire sighed "But there was a time where I wasn't nearly as considerate. You remember, don't you Fleet? The Equestria Games Tryouts?"

"That wathn't all your fault." Fleetfoot tried to say, but Spitfire gave her a 'you know that's not true' look "Okay, tho it wath your fault, but you were trying to win Thpitty, our whole town wath counting on uth."

"Yeah. Sometimes I just think Soar and Rainbow forgave me too easily. But Soar is my friend and Rainbow is the Element of Loyalty, I shouldn't expect any different." Spitfire mumbled

"They didn't jutht forgive you for that. They forgave you becauthe they knew it wathn't the real you. It wath who you thought our town wanted to thee." Fleetfoot said

"But, the thing is...the reason I regret it is that...when I did those things, I didn't understand what was so wrong about it. But when Rainbow called me out, I...I realized that I was acting like my father. That's partly why I made sure the Wonderbolt Reserves were formed, and made sure Rainbow would excel once getting in. I needed to make sure that I'd have a friend who could steer me in the right direction." Spitfire confessed

"So...my being on the Wonderbolts is because you needed me?" Rainbow asked from the doorway, Soarin beside her

"No. You're here because of your flying skills. I just created the Wonderbolt Reserves to make sure you had a better chance at getting in. I needed you on the team because of your skill. The fact that you could show me the right way to act was just another reason." Spitfire assured her

"Oh, okay." Rainbow gave a sigh of relief and followed Soarin in the direction of the Mess Hall

"Thpitfire, you are not your father, okay? Nopony thinkth you are, tho don't worry about it. You can get mad thometimeth but everypony doeth. You can control your temper better than he probably can with hith." Fleetfoot comforted

"I know you're right, but...I can still get really mad, and loose control of my anger, and my magic." Spitfire said

"But we're here to stop you sis, you can count on us!" Spark promised

"She'th right. We'll alwayth be here to calm you down. Every thingle one of the Wonderboltth." Fleetfoot agreed, and Spitfire pulled her in, kissing her.

Author's Notes:

Yeah, I think Spitfire created the Wonderbolts Reserves. In the episode "Testing, Testing, 1,2,3" Twilight referred to the Wonderbolt Reserves as "newly formed" and since there wasn't any mention of it in earlier seasons or in the History of the Wonderbolts that the episode talks about, logically, Spitfire could have created the Reserves.

Next chapter will be about Fleetfoot's past, and the explanation for why she's so good at Ponyopoly, and how she knows a lot of things the others don't, and her 'secret' I hinted at her having. (warning, it may be a tad violent)

~Melody Song

They're Your Parents?!

Fleetfoot headed outside after putting on her flight suit, though she was still confused as to why Spitfire had asked them to wear their flight suits today. She found Spitfire doing laps above her. Sparkfire, Rumble, and Scootaloo were running by, laughing.

"That can't be good." Fleetfoot thought, hearing a scream

"Hey Fleet." Spitfire landed beside Fleetfoot, pecking her on the cheek

"Hey. Wathn't that Sun Chather?"

"Nah, too high-pitched. Sounded like Rapid. Wouldn't worry about it though, he's probably fine." Spitfire said, shrugging it off

"Happy to be in the air again?" Fleetfoot asked

"You have no idea." Spitfire sighed, extending her wings and flapping them

"I'm sure. Come on, I'll race you." Fleetfoot said, kissing her cheek. The two took off and flew laps around the course, laughing as they matched each other's pace.

Fleetfoot looked down to see two ponies making their way to the seats near the course, which was reserved for tours and famous ponies. They were pegasi, and very familiar to Fleetfoot, but she couldn't tell who they were from so high up. They landed and Fleetfoot was able to see them up close. A mare and a stallion. Both were pegasi, and both didn't look pleased to be there. A unicorn couple followed them, talking. The mare had on a white blouse with a pink sweater over the other, a blue beaded necklace on as well as pink sphere-shaped earrings. The stallion was wearing a green polo with a white jacket tied around his neck, covering the back of the polo. Fleetfoot remembered them from meetings on occasion, but didn't recall their names.

"Looks like the delegates are here." Spitfire commented

"Wh-what are you talking about Thpitty?" Fleetfoot asked

"I invited a few delegates from important cities to come watch our practice. I figured it might be a way to boost our popularity. Some other couples should be here soon. I think the ponies from Fillydelphia and Manehatten should be here soon." Spitfire said

"Oh, who are they?" Rainbow asked, trotting up with Soarin "Soar told me you'd invited a few delegates, but he didn't mention their names."

"The Fillydelphia delegates are Cherry Pit and Lemon Rind. The Manehatten ones are Silver Shine and Gold Cuff. Those two unicorns are Jet Set and Uppercrust. Not sure who the Cloudsdale delegates are, but that's them over there." Spitfire said, pointing with her wing

"They're Icy Mint and Sharp Skater, of the Frost family." Misty Fly told Spitfire, coming over with the other Wonderbolts behind her

"You mean Sharp Skater, the famous Hockey player?" Rainbow asked

"Yeah."

"And Icy Mint? The creator and owner of one of the greatest candy companies in Equestria?!" Surprise exclaimed, jumping into the air with excitement

"Yeah."

"How do you know that?" Fleetfoot asked, worried that Misty might know about the Frost family...and her secret

"Oh, I recognized Sharp Skater from a magazine article. Icy Mint is just well-known. Why?"

"N-no reathon." Fleetfoot said quickly

"Here come the other delegates, we'd better start practice." Spitfire said.

It seemed the delegates consisted of a mare and stallion for each town. Cherry Pit was a mare with a light brown coat and a red mane that bobbed as she walked. Lemon Rind was a stallion with a dark yellow coat and bright yellow mane. Silver Shine and Gold Cuff were silver and gold shaded, respectively

"Alright everypony, in the air, we're doing fifty laps to warm up." Spitfire ordered, grabbing her whistle from around her neck, where it hung, the red cord a contrast from her blue and yellow flight suit. She blew it once, and they took off.

After warming up, Spitfire led them through the Icaranian Sun Salutation, the Mountain Range, the Sundown Spiral, and finally the Harmony Highflyer. When they finally landed at around noon, they received applause, but mostly just from Sparkfire, Scootaloo, and Rumble, who had come out to watch.

"Great job everypony, have a good lunch break, I've got to speak with the delegates." Spitfire instructed "Soar, Fleet, could you come with me?"

"Why do we have to come?" Soarin asked

"You two are the second and third highest in rank. They'll need to speak to you as well." Spitfire said

"Thpitty, I can't. Thethe ponieth are really high-clathth, I can't talk to them with my lithp." Fleetfoot objected

"It's okay Fleety, you don't have to say anything if you don't want to, you're third-highest in rank, you need to be here. They'll probably only want to talk to me the most anyway." Spitfire assured her. They approached the delegates, who made their way down to them. Sparkfire, Scootaloo, and Rumble ran up to them

"You were great sis!" Sparkfire exclaimed

"Thanks Spark, why don't you three go play for a bit, we need to talk with the delegates, okay?"

"Okay, see ya." Spark led her new friends towards the building.

"You guys wanna prank Wave and Silver?" Scootaloo asked

"Yeah!" they exclaimed, and started running.

"Captain Spitfire. Why are there foals running around here unsupervised?" Cherry Pit asked

"Well, we Wonderbolts have families like any other, and we need to balance work and home life. Thunderlane, one of our newest recruits, had to bring his brother here, as did another new recruit, Rainbow Dash, with her sister, and myself, with my sister." Spitfire replied

"Ah." Gold Cuff grunted

"Now, these are the other two high-ranked members of the team. Soarin Skies, my Co-Captain, and Fleetfoot, who is the third-highest in rank." Spitfire introduced

"Nice to meet you." Soarin greeted

"Hi." Fleetfoot knew she would sound rude, but Icy Mint and Sharp Skater were glaring at her, daring her to speak

"Well, after that performance how could we refuse your shows at Canterlot. As long as you don't stop performing derbies as well." Jet Set said

"Yes, the rough-and-tumble style of entertainment has certainly taken off." Uppercrust agreed

"I agree." Silver Shine said

"As do I." Gold Cuff added

"I daresay we all know how Sharp Skater feels." Lemon Rind commented

"Yes. Lemon Rind and I are in agreement with the others, so that just leaves you two." Cherry Pit said, looking at them. Icy Mint stood straight, unabashed at being singled out

"Yes, we-we agree to schedule more performances." her gaze lingered on Fleetfoot for a minute longer than normal, then turned back to the other delegates

"Now, we must be going." Cherry Pit said, turning away to leave.

"Come on you two. I think Thunderlane was making pie." Spitfire said, and Soarin smiled

"Great. Hey! Dashie! Wait up!" Soarin ran after Rainbow Dash, who was talking to High Winds. They could hear High Winds laughing at the stallion's goofiness.

"Coming Fleet?" Spitfire asked, and Fleetfoot tried to follow, hoping she had managed to get away with it. But Sharp Skater cleared his throat

"Uh, I'll come in a minute." Fleetfoot responded

"Okay, see you later." Spitfire said, trotting away. Fleetfoot turned to Icy Mint and Sharp Skater, who hadn't left with the others

"Fleetfoot." Icy Mint said coldly, flipping her long white mane, ice blue coat gleaming, glaring at Fleetfoot with her cold blue eyes

"What do you want Icy Mint?" Fleetfoot growled

"How dare you." Sharp Skater snarled, stalking forward and slapping her across the face. Fleetfoot winced and stepped back, Sharp Skater's almond-shaped, fuchsia eyes meeting hers.

"Listen here young lady. We let you stay in our home, out of the kindness of our hearts, and this is how you repay us? By becoming a third-ranked member of this pathetic little flight crew?!" Icy Mint exclaimed

"You only kept me in your home to fulfill your 'perfect family' reputation. And that wath when I wath a kid." Fleetfoot objected "You kicked me out the thecond I came of age."

"You worthless little brat! Why can't you be more like your brother?!" Sharp Skater punched her in the chest, knocking Fleetfoot to the ground

"Oh, thorry, I didn't mean to diththappoint you, father." Fleetfoot remarked sarcastically

"Listen darling daughter" Icy Mint began, sarcasm rolling off every syllable "We need you to make an appearance with us at a ball that's in a few days."

"And if I choothe not to?"

"You'll be blamed for ruining our image. Speaking of which, if you are going to be on this-ugh-flight team, and engage with ponies beneath your social status, then you need to follow our rules." Sharp Skater replied

"Your 'ruleth' are thtupid, and you created them to make me feel bad about who I am jutht tho that you can look perfect. I'm not going anywhere with you." Fleetfoot snarled

"You....you little ungrateful wrench!" Icy Mint slapped her "You know what happens if you defy us!" together the mare and stallion beat Fleetfoot, tearing her uniform and causing her to bleed slightly.

They eventually relented, and Fleetfoot stood up, looking at the two through her cracked flight goggles, the strap dangling by her cheek

"Listen brat, you're coming with us to the party or else. You will behave, meaning no talking with your stupid lisp, and as described in the ancient Frost text, no fidgeting or flapping your wings. If you even try to talk you know what to expect. A girl like you should be seen and not heard." Icy Mint ordered "Do you understand?"

"Yeth Mother." Fleetfoot sighed

"Good. We'll see you in two days time then. Come to the mansion at six, don't be late, or else." Icy Mint instructed

"Okay." Fleetfoot sighed, turning away from them.

"Look at us when we're in your presence!" Sharp Skater yelled, hitting her in the back so that she fell to the ground "We deserve to be treated as royalty, especially from the regret that ponies call my daughter."

Fleetfoot lay still on the ground, hoping they would give up if she didn't respond. The rustling and beating of wings told her her parents had flown off. Fleetfoot stood up, shaking, and headed inside.

Fleetfoot didn't know how bad it looked until she got inside. Blaze and Wave Chill were talking in the hallway when she came in, and they turned to face her.

"Hey Fleet, Spitfire was looking for-what in the holy name of Celestia happened to you?!" Blaze screeched, and Fleetfoot backed away, covering her face with a wing.

"It'th nothing guyth, I jutht hurt mythelf, pleathe don't tell-"

"SPITFIRE!" Blaze yelled, and Fleetfoot sighed

"Nevermind."

"What's going on?" Spitfire trotted up, Sparkfire behind her "Fleety!" she shrieked, running to her

"Thpitfire, it'th nothing, honetht." Fleetfoot tried to protest as Spitfire began looking her over, checking for other injuries.

"It is not nothing. What happened?" Spitfire asked, kissing her on the cheek. Fleetfoot sighed and removed her goggles, revealing her bruising eye.

"It'th not important Thpitty. Pleathe, can you jutht help me?" Fleetfoot asked, wincing. Spitfire nuzzled her and took Fleetfoot by the hoof, pulling the mare away

Spitfire dragged her into the Captain's room. She didn't ask Fleetfoot what had happened, just cleaned her wounds and helped bandage her up. The two mares didn't know, but Blaze, Wave Chill, and Sparkfire had run to tell the others.

"Thank you." Fleetfoot breathed, kissing Spitfire's cheek gratefully. The other Wonderbolts burst in, panting from running all the way there to find them

"Fleet...what...happened?" High Winds asked in between gasps for breath

"I'm...dying. Need...to know...to be healed." Surprise said dramatically, falling over. Spitfire gave Fleetfoot a 'do not lie to me' look

"Tell me the truth, now." Spitfire demanded

"Alright." Fleetfoot mumbled, looking at her sadly "It...it wath Icy Mint and Sharp Thakter, they did thith after you left." she confessed

"Why? How do they even know you?" Misty Fly asked

"Well, you thee...they're not jutht random ponieth, they're kind of..." she trailed off, unsure of how to tell them

"They're what?" Rainbow asked

"They're my parentth, okay?!" Fleetfoot blurted out

"They're your parents?!" the Wonderbolts all exclaimed

"Yeah."

"Why would they hurt you if you're their daughter?" Sun Chaser asked

"Becauthe of who I am." Fleetfoot said, looking at the floor "They hate me becauthe I'm not the perfect little princethth they wanted, becauthe I have a lithp, and becauthe I'm on the Wonderboltth. Today, when Thpitfire told them I'm the third-highetht ranked member, they were furiouth. They never wanted a filly like me." Fleetfoot explained, almost in tears. Spitfire brushed her muzzle gently against Fleetfoot's.

"Don't worry. We'll make sure they can't come near you." Spitfire assured her

"I wish you could Thpitfire, I really do, but they're the motht influential ponieth in Cloudthdale. And bethideth, the reathon I hung back wath becauthe they needed to 'talk' to me. I have to appear with them at thome party in a couple dayth."

"Why?" Silver Zoom asked "If they don't care about you why would they want you to appear with them?"

"To maintain our image ath a 'perfect family'. My brother and I both need to be there, and trutht me, we'd both rather cut off our wingth."

"Wait, you have a brother?" Thunderlane asked

"Yeah, Dark Shooter, my parentth favor him more than me becauthe he wath 'better'. They never found out that he wath alwayth trying to help me. Dark Shooter would thneak food to me if our parentth didn't let me eat, and he'd help put bandageth on the woundth they gave me." Fleetfoot explained "He'th one of Princethth Luna'th Night Guardth now."

"We used to hang out with him." Soarin told the other 'bolts. "We were friends with him too when we were little."

"Yeah, he was really close to Fleet, and now that makes sense." Spitfire agreed "But you guys should go, Fleetfoot needs rest." Spitfire added, using her wings to shoo them out

"Alright, we're going." Fire Streak said, and they headed out

"Fleety, I need you to swear to me that Dark Shooter will protect you when you have to attend that party." Spitfire said

"You mean our friendship pact?" Fleetfoot asked

"Yes."

"Okay, if it maketh you feel better about thith. And it'll make me feel better about it too." Fleetfoot sighed

"Come on" Spitfire prompted, and Fleetfoot extended her wing, Spitfire doing the same

The two locked their wings together, staring directly into each other's eyes

"I thwear by the friendship pact no harm will come to me during the party." Fleetfoot stated

"May the fallen Wonderbolts of the past honor this oath and help to protect you." Spitfire replied, finishing the pact. The two let go of each other's wings and hugged. "Thanks for doing that, now let's get you into bed."

"Thank you for helping me Thpitty." Fleetfoot said, kissing her

"I always will."

Author's Notes:

Just so you know, I made up some of those flight formations, because we don't really know a lot about the different flight formations the 'bolts typically preform. The delegates from Manehatten and Fillydelphia are my own creations, along with Fleet's parents. The Fillydelphian female delegate is called Cherry Pit to tell you what kind of pony she is (because cherry pits are poisonous)

Also, the "Friendship Pact" is something they made up with Soarin as foals, because they were best friends even then. You won't see Soarin using it a lot, but still, it might come up again. I thought it would be cute if it was Wonderbolt-themed, to show that they've always admired the Wonderbolts. Just think of it like their version of the Pinkie Promise

~Melody Song

The Frosty Party

Two days later, Fleetfoot's wounds were healed, with some help from Spitfire's healing flames. Fleetfoot's posture grew more and more slumped as she neared the mansion in the rich side of Cloudsdale. She made it to her parent's mansion at exactly six in the afternoon. The house had her family mark on the door. A jagged, star-shaped snowflake.

"Here we go." Fleetfoot breathed, shaking herself "Come on Fleetfoot. You were able to handle fifteen yearth of thith, and their abuthe everytime we get together to be 'the perfect family' everypony thinkth we are. You can handle one night." she muttered, then knocked. The door opened.

"Hey sis." a purple pegasus stallion greeted.

"Dark Shooter! Oh thank Celethtia." Fleetfoot hugged her older brother happily, and he smiled.

"Let me guess, you were expecting mom and dad?" Dark Shooter asked, and Fleetfoot nodded. He ruffled his sister's white mane, identical to his own. They had also both inherited their father's unique almond-shaped, fuchsia eyes.

"Yeah. Where are they? I figured mom and dad would be making sure their little prince ith all ready for the party." Fleetfoot said as they went inside.

"Please, I wouldn't let them if they tried. Mom's doing her mane and dad's showering. I just got here myself, only took off my uniform a few minutes ago. I was on duty this morning to make up for the time I have to take off work tonight." Dark Shooter said, nodding to the pile of black armor and dark purple helmet on the couch.

"I know you're probably the betht Royal Guard Princethth Luna'th ever had. It ith your talent, after all." Fleetfoot commented, and Dark Shooter smiled, looking down at his cutie mark. It was an arrow with a crescent moon shaped arrowhead, and black feathers tied to the other end.

"Yeah. She's thinking of promoting me to Head Guard, since Shining Armor's looking for one to take over when he's in the Crystal Empire. Anyway, how's it going with the Wonderbolts?" Dark Shooter asked

"Really good." Fleetfoot then moved closer, and whispered into his ear "Lithten, I have thomething to tell you, but you can't tell mom and dad."

"Like I would." Dark Shooter rolled his eyes "What's up sis?"

"Well, I...I have a thpecial thomepony." Fleetfoot began

"Cool, who?" Dark Shooter asked

"Thpitfire." Fleetfoot blushed "She and I have been dating for a while. You're okay with that, right?"

"Of course I am. Be yourself sis. I'll be here to support you." Dark Shooter said, and Fleetfoot smiled

"Thank you Dark, and she altho made me uthe our Wonderbolt Friendship thwear to promithe you'll protect me tonight."

"Can't fault her for that, don't worry, I would've protected you anyway." Dark Shooter assured her

"You know, mom and dad may be wrong about a lot of thingth, but they are right about you being the betht brother ever." Fleetfoot teased

"Aw, sis, don't make me blush." Dark Shooter's response was drowned out by a yell

"Fleetfoot! What are you doing?! Get away from my son and get dressed!" Icy Mint yelled

"I guethth I better go." Fleetfoot sighed, heading to the bedroom that she had lived in as a kid.

Fleetfoot pushed open the door and looked in. Her dress was lying on the bed in the center of the room. The room itself had a closet in one corner, and a vanity pushed against a wall. But other than that, it was empty, Icy Mint and Sharp Skater had cleared out every single thing Fleetfoot had owned after she moved out.

Fleetfoot flew over to the bed and picked up the dress. It was a deep purple color, long and elegant. The gown was lined with gold fabric and was styled so it only covered one shoulder, the rest of the top wrapping around her chest. The skirt was long enough that it would cover her back legs.

"And my cutie mark" Fleetfoot thought to herself as she put it on, looking at herself in the mirror. "I probably won't even recognize myself when Icy's done" she sighed.

"Time to get your mane out of that accursed style brat." Icy Mint stalked into the room, wearing an off-the-shoulder dress that was a light rose pink with darker pink lining.

Icy Mint grabbed Fleetfoot and tugged her over to the vanity, grabbing the hairbrush and intentionally pulling Fleetfoot's mane until it was down. Then Icy began styling it, pulling harder with the brush when Fleetfoot yelped. Finally Icy released Fleetfoot, half her mane done up in a complicated braided bun, with the other half flowing out under it. The bun was held by a silver hairpin that had real amethysts embedded in it.

"If you loose that pin you're getting it." Icy Mint snarled, punching Fleetfoot in the face, then slapping her before leaving the room "Cover up the bruises, we're leaving soon." she added over her shoulder.

Fleetfoot opened a drawer in the vanity, which was full of makeup and concealer. Fleetfoot was expected to wear makeup by her parents, and she also kept a lot of makeup that was the same color as her coat, so nopony would see the bruises. Fleetfoot applied the makeup and left the room, where she had to listen to Icy Mint lecturing them on how to behave. Dark Shooter was in a black suit, as was Sharp Skater.

"Sharp Skater, darling, what will you be doing?" Icy Mint asked

"Answering any questions the ponies ask about my role on the hockey team." Sharp Skater answered

"Good. Dark Shooter, my beautiful son, what do you need to do?" Icy Mint pressed

"I'm supposed to stand between Father and Fleetfoot, and talk to ponies about my job." Dark Shooter said with a small sigh.

"Very nice dear. You, brat. What do you do?" Icy Mint asked

"I'll be thtanding between you and Dark Shooter, making no noithe and pretending I don't exitht."

"You had better. And don't forget to smile." Icy Mint directed, then herded them outside. They made it to Canterlot at the start of the ball, where rich ponies were mingling with each other. Princesses Celestia and Luna were at the door. They bowed politely in greeting to the alicorns, then went inside.

It was pretty boring, and Fleetfoot wished she could talk with Dark Shooter. Suddenly, Prince Blueblood trotted up. Fleetfoot inwardly screamed. The Prince was a stuck up brat who was so spoiled he thought he could get away with anything. Icy Mint and Sharp Skater bowed, Dark Shooter and Fleetfoot following their lead. Prince Blueblood smirked and pulled Fleetfoot up, kneeling before her.

"My lady, you look very beautiful tonight. How would you like to dance with me?" Blueblood gestured to the other couples dancing to the music that was playing.

"I'm thorry, but I have a girlfriend." Fleetfoot said shortly, jerking her hoof away from his "Not sorry." Fleetfoot thought angrily as she glared at the stupid prince.

"Very well. I didn't want to be with a gay freak anyway." Prince Blueblood replied, stalking away huffily.

"You'll pay for that you brat. We could have gotten you married off and worse, you're a gay? You're not getting away with this." Sharp Skater snarled. Fleetfoot gulped and shrank down a little.

After the party, Icy Mint held Dark Shooter back as Sharp Skater beat Fleetfoot, tearing her dress with his hooves as he delivered the blows. He then knocked the pin out of her mane. It clattered onto the cobblestone road. The clinking alerted a nearby guard, and he ran to find a Princess. Something told him this would be out of his jurisdiction. Dark Shooter struggled against his mother, trying to get to Fleetfoot.

"Let me go! Mother, let me go! Father, stop, you're hurting her!" Dark Shooter cried, extending his wings to fly to his sister.

"Dark Shooter, you're hysterical. There's no way you're going to help that brat." Icy Mint objected

"RELEASE HER, I COMMANDETH THEE." Bellowed a unmistakable voice

Princess Luna landed on the ground beside Fleetfoot, using her magic to pull Sharp Skater off of Fleetfoot, who was nearly unconcious. Fleetfoot looked up at her in confusion.

"Leave. Now." Princess Luna ordered. Icy Mint dropped Dark Shooter and she and Sharp Skater ran off.

"Thank you Princess." Dark Shooter said gratefully, running to his sister.

"Yeth, thank you Princethth." Fleetfoot agreed

"It's no trouble. One of your guards heard you yelling and came to get me. I wish he'd dealt with it himself though, I needed to keep an eye on Celestia, she was eyeing the buffet." Luna replied, and knelt down, her horn lighting up. Fleetfoot's wounds began to heal, but stopped, leaving bruises and small cuts behind "My magic can only heal you this much, I'm sorry."

"It'th okay Princethth, I can get to HQ." Fleetfoot assured her

"Did you call him 'my guard'?" Dark Shooter asked

"Yes Dark Shooter, after seeing what you tried to do to protect your sister I think I will make you head guard. You will still have your regular duties, of course." Princess Luna explained

"Th-thank you Princess." Dark Shooter bowed, then turned to Fleetfoot "Should I fly you back to your Headquarters?"

"Okay, thankth bro." Fleetfoot said, and he followed her as she took off. Princess Luna smiled after them, then turned and headed back into the castle, calling for the guards to find Icy Mint and Sharp Skater.

---

Spitfire was taking care of some paperwork that needed to get done. She decided to wait up for Fleetfoot instead of going to bed.

"Ugh. I need some water." Spitfire muttered, standing up and leaving her office. As she went into the hallway, the front door opened. Fleetfoot ran in, wearing a torn purple dress, her mane tangled and hanging around her face.

"Thpitty!" Fleetfoot cried, hugging her marefriend tightly. Spitfire was caught off guard for a minute, but wrapped her forelegs around Fleetfoot anyway.

"Fleety! Do I even have to ask?" Spitfire sighed, hugging back as Fleetfoot began crying "Baby, you're hysterical. What did they do to you?"

"I didn't mean to break the promithe Thpitty, I'm thorry. They weren't thuppothed to hurt me but I told them I wath lethbian and they thnapped, I didn't mean to, I'm thorry!" Fleetfoot sobbed into Spitfire's chest fur.

"It's alright, I'm just glad you're okay." Spitfire soothed, nuzzling her gently.

"Sorry Spitfire, I tried to protect her, but mom and dad were holding me back." Dark Shooter said

"And you couldn't fight them off? You're a Royal Guard for Celestia's sake!" Spitfire exclaimed, running a hoof through Fleetfoot's mane to calm her down.

"I'm sorry Spitfire, really. I tried my best, but mom can be surprisingly strong for somepony who says exercising is inappropriate for mares." Dark Shooter answered

"It'th not hith fault baby, don't fight, pleathe. Princethth Luna already healed me, and she liked how much he cared about me." Fleetfoot begged

"We're not fighting Fleety, I'm just worried about you." Spitfire assured her, kissing Fleetfoot's forehead.

"Same here sis." Dark Shooter agreed

"Come on Fleety, let's get you to bed." Spitfire said, taking Fleetfoot towards the Captain's room. Dark Shooter ran forwards and gave Fleetfoot a hug.

"See you later sis." Dark Shooter looked to Spitfire "Take care of her for me." he said

"I'll take good care of your sister Dark, don't worry." Spitfire replied, leading Fleetfoot into her bedroom.

"Thankth Thpitty." Fleetfoot murmured as Spitfire laid her down in bed.

Spitfire smiled kindly at her marefriend as she got in bed herself, the paperwork could wait another day. Fleetfoot needed her.

"It'll be okay Fleety, get some sleep." Spitfire kissed Fleetfoot's forehead, and the mare cuddled up to her, falling asleep.

Why'd It Have To Be Dragons?

"SPITFIRE!" Rainbow's yell caused Spitfire and Fleetfoot to break apart from their kiss. Spitfire sighed in disappointment as she sat up.

"I'm in the rec room!" she called back, and Rainbow came in, panting. "What happened to you?"

"Twi...help...fast...here...big fire...Wonderbolts...need..." Rainbow fell down onto the floor and gasped for air

"Soarin, get in here!" Spitfire yelled, and Soarin flew into the room

"Spit? What's wrong-Dashie!" Soarin lifted Rainbow into his hooves and set her down on one of the couches in the room. Soarin leaned in and kissed her gently, putting a hoof in her mane. Rainbow shook her head and continued breathing heavily.

"Here." Spitfire got up off the couch and trotted over to the two.

Spitfire held out a hoof and touched it to Rainbow's chest. Her fire seeped from her hoof into Rainbow's body, making her chest glow for a minute. Rainbow gasped once, then her breathing slowed, returning to normal.

"Thanks Spit." she sighed in relief, as Soarin looked at her in concern "I'm fine Soar." she assured him, then gave Soarin a kiss on the cheek

"So, what were you trying to say?" Spitfire asked

"Right. Twilight asked me to come get you guys, she got an urgent message from Princess Celestia, and she needs the Wonderbolts' help." Rainbow explained, sitting up.

"Alright, what's the problem?" Spitfire asked

"There's a flock of rouge dragons attacking Canterlot." Rainbow replied, and Spitfire froze.

"Did you just say...d-dragons?" Spitfire asked

"Yeah, why?" Rainbow replied

"No. There's no way we can do this." Spitfire said, taking off and leaving the room.

"Huh?" Rainbow asked, then shook her head "Nevermind, let's go find her."

Spitfire flew out of the building and landed on a cliff that was part of the mountain. She sighed and sat down.

"Why'd it have to be dragons?" Spitfire muttered

"Sis?" Sparkfire landed beside her "I saw you come up here, what's wrong?"

"Rainbow said there's dragons attacking Canterlot, and that Princess Twilight told her to come get us to help." Spitfire replied

"Oh, right, your...you know. You ran off, didn't you?" Spark asked

"Yeah." Spitfire sighed

"Spit, there you are." Soarin landed with Rainbow and Fleetfoot behind him.

"Why'd you take off?" Rainbow asked

"Because Spitfire's a-" Spitfire covered her sister's mouth with a wing

"Look, don't get me wrong Rainbow, I want to help, but...I can't." Spitfire looked away from them, eyes watering.

"Why not? You know it's the right thing to do and you know we could take those dragons on. I don't understand why you wouldn't agree to help." Rainbow said

"Because," Sparkfire had pulled Spitfire's wing out of the way "Spitfire's afraid of dragons."

"Spark! I told you not to say anything!" Spitfire cried

"It's not like ignoring it makes it go away." Sparkfire retorted

"You're scared of dragons?" Soarin asked, and Spitfire sighed, nodding. Her cheeks heated up in embarrassment.

"You guys weren't supposed to know. It makes me sound so weak. I've always been afraid of them, because my dad reminded me of a dragon. Spark was the only one who knew, she didn't know why though." Spitfire explained

"Thpitty, we know you're not weak. You're the bravetht pony I know. Jutht becauthe you're thcared of one thing, it doesthn't mean you aren't thtill brave." Fleetfoot kissed Spitfire's cheek lightly and nuzzled her.

"Yeah. I mean, Fluttershy's scared of dragons, and she once stared down a Cockatrice." Rainbow commented "It doesn't matter if you're scared, we get it."

"You're our friend Spitfire, you shouldn't be shy about telling us what you're afraid of. We'll always understand." Soarin agreed

"Thanks guys. Rainbow, I really want to lead the Wonderbolts to fight the dragons, but...but I just...the thought of flying up to dragons makes me so scared, I..." Spitfire trailed off and leaned against Fleetfoot, shutting her eyes and folding her ears down on her head in terror. Fleetfoot wrapped a hoof around her gently.

"Don't worry about it Spits. Soar and I can lead the Wonderbolts, so you don't have to." Rainbow said

"No, I have to do it. Spark's right, just ignoring it won't make it go away. I'll lead us." Spitfire said

"That's the Spitfire we know and love." Soarin said, smiling at his friend.

"Alright, let's go." Spitfire said

"Can me, Scoot, and Rumble come?" Sparkfire asked

"Absolutely not." Rainbow and Spitfire replied

"Worth a shot." Spark shrugged and took off "I'll tell them what's going on anyway."

"Come on guys, let's get the other 'bolts." Spitfire said, taking off

"That'th my girl." Fleetfoot said as she followed Spitfire. She kissed her cheek, and Spitfire blushed. Soarin and Rainbow followed them, heading down to Headquarters.

"Attention! Form a line team!" Spitfire cried, blowing her whistle, and the Bolts lined up before her.

"What is it Spitfire?" High Winds asked

"There's dragons attacking Canterlot. Princess Twilight has asked us to help stop them." Spitfire said

"But I thought the dragons were at peace with us!" Blaze exclaimed, and Spitfire looked to Rainbow.

"Most of them are, Twilight and I are friends with their leader, Dragon Lorddess Ember. She reported to Twilight that ten or so dragons have turned rouge. They're mostly comprised of dragons that remember what it was like to attack ponies." Rainbow explained

"And that's what we're dealing with. Are you all ready to fight for Canterlot's safety?" Spitfire asked

"Yes ma'am!" they saluted her

"Then let's go!" Spitfire led them out of the building

"For Equestria!" they shouted, heading for Canterlot in the distance.

---

They made it to Canterlot in record time, to find ponies below them running away from the huge dragons looming above them. Spitfire motioned for them to surround her.

"Rapid, Misty, Wave, Blaze, go protect the ponies. Lightning, Fire, Surprise, High, dodge the dragon's fire and attack. Silver Zoom, Sun Chaser, go with Thunderlane and find the Princesses, make sure they're okay." Spitfire ordered, and they took off

"If the Princesses are still in the city, we'll find them." Silver Zoom promised, zooming off

"What about us?" Rainbow asked

"We'll be finding the leader. If we drive him off, we drive the others off." Spitfire replied, and they flew into the city, swerving around dragons left and right.

There was one dragon at the center of the battle, he was bearing down on a group of unicorn mares. One of them was lighting up her horn with light pink magic and trying to blast him, but the dragon didn't seem to feel it. Spitfire beckoned for the other three to follow her, then flew across to the back of the dragon and began hitting it. The dragon turned and roared at the four, causing them to be pushed away from him, but it distracted him long enough for Misty Fly to zoom in and herd the mares away.

"Why don't you just blast it, you have fire!" Rainbow called, and Spitfire shook her head.

"No, my control over it isn't good enough, I might hit the wrong creature!" she called back

"Then permission to Sonic Rainboom this thing?" Rainbow asked

"In these close quarters? You could hurt somepony Dashie." Soarin said, and Rainbow sighed, nodding agreement.

"Thpitty, what now?" Fleetfoot asked "Thith ith obviouthly the leader, what do we do if you won't uthe your magic and Clipper won't let Rainbow do her move?"

"We attack, together." Spitfire turned and yelled into the fray "All available Wonderbolts to me, NOW!"

The others heard her, and they all flew to their leader. They circled around her and waited.

"What do you need Spit?" Wave Chill asked

"Surround the leader on all sides. On my signal, I want you all to come at him with everything you've got. Am I understood?" Spitfire asked

"Yes ma'am!" they cried, going to circle the dragon. Rainbow and Soarin nuzzled each other before going off in different directions. Fleetfoot smiled at Spitfire before going to another area.

"What's the signal going to be?" Lightning asked, just as a blast of fire came from out of nowhere, and formed the shape of Spitfire's cutie mark.

"There's your answer." Blaze replied, then flew forwards to hit the dragon.

The Wonderbolts all came at the dragon at once, hitting him on all sides. Spitfire started hitting, but refused to use her fire.

"I know I said 'everything you've got' but there is no way I'm using my fire on any creature, unless they deserve it. Otherwise I'd be as good as dad. This dragon is just following his instincts, I can't blame him for that." Spitfire told herself, as she hit the dragon.

The dragon roared and spread his gigantic wings, taking off and flying over the city, the air from his wings pushing the 'bolts back to the ground. A few, like Rainbow, were good at recovering from spinouts, and managed to remain in the air. However, others were knocked to the ground, but their teammates flew down to assist them. The dragon roared again and all the dragons flew over to him, then they all flew away from Canterlot.

"And stay out!" Rainbow yelled after them "This is pony territory!"

"I think they get the idea." Sun Chaser commented, standing slowly, Silver Zoom beside her.

"Is anypony hurt?" Spitfire asked, scanning the group of ponies quickly. Nothing stuck out to her, but it wouldn't hurt to make sure.

"A few ruffled feathers, but I'm okay." Fire Streak replied.

"I have a cut on my leg, but I'll be fine." Rapidfire assured her.

"I clipped my wing on the rocky cliff, but I'm okay." Thunderlane added.

"Miss Flare." Princess Celestia said from behind Spitfire, and she turned, bowing. The others followed her lead, except for Rainbow Dash, who remained upright and gave the princess a small wave with her wing.

"Of course she knows her." Spitfire couldn't help thinking, rolling her eyes in her mind, but responded to the Princess instead of worrying about it.

"Princess." she answered

"Thank you for helping to protect Canterlot, I know we don't ask the areal part of our military to help all that often, but I'm glad we can count on you." Princess Celestia said.

"It was our pleasure Princess. Would you like us to stay and help with the mess?" Spitfire asked

"That will be a job for my royal guard, seeing as they needed you to bail them out. You are free to leave and help your teammates." Princess Celestia said, and Spitfire nodded.

"Thank you Princess. You heard her team, let's go." Spitfire said, and they took off, ready to head back to HQ on her command.

"Oh, Miss Flare, one more thing. I expect you to one day explain to me about that incredible magic you used to signal your team." Princess Celestia said, and Spitfire froze

"Y-yes Princess." she stammered, and Princess Celestia smiled kindly at her.

"I am not asking to alarm you, I only want to understand." she assured Spitfire, who nodded.

"Alright. I could explain in a letter, but it might take a while to reach you."

"I believe Rainbow Dash has a solution to that. Or, more specifically, knows a solution." Princess Celestia said, nodding to the rainbow maned mare behind them.

"Alright..." Spitfire was a little confused, but she had a team to lead. Spitfire turned back to her friends, and took off. "Fall out."

As they flew back, she turned to Rainbow. The others guessed what she was going to ask, and pricked their ears, they wanted to know too.

"What did the Princess mean about you knowing a way to get a letter to her?"

"Well, back when Twilight was Princess Celestia's student, they used to communicate using her assistant, Spike. He's a baby dragon-well, was, he's getting older now-but he's a good guy, since he was raised by ponies. They use his fire to send letters back and forth."

"So if I wrote the letter and gave it to you, you'd make sure it got to the Princess?"

"Yeah." Rainbow said

"There's one thing I still don't get." Surprise said, flipping upside down in the air as they flew.

"What?" Wave Chill asked

"Why did the Dragon Lorddess not come?" Surprise asked

"Actually, you can thank Spike. I wasn't there, but Twilight and Rarity went with Spike to the Dragonlands when the old Dragon Lord summoned all the dragons." Rainbow explained

"What does that have to do with it?" Misty asked

"The Dragon Lord had completed his time as leader, and needed to step down. Spike found out the only way to make sure that the new leader didn't come attack Equestria was to become the leader himself. The Lord had all the dragons of the land compete in some obstacle course type thing, with the leader's scepter as the center. On the way to the island where the course was, Spike rescued a dragon that was the Dragon Lord's daughter, Ember. He had forbid her to compete because she was small and...well, female. She disobeyed him, and she and Spike worked together to win. In the end, Spike trusted Ember enough to rule the Dragonlands and make sure Equestria wouldn't be attacked." Rainbow explained

"Oh, that clears things up!" Surprise said as they landed outside HQ.

"So dragons can be sexist." Blaze huffed "Well, the ones that attacked are still mean."

"How'd it go?" Sparkfire asked, running out with Rumble and Scootaloo.

"We crushed those dragons, they won't be back here anytime soon." Thunderlane responded

"Come on, let's get those injuries treated." Spitfire said, leading them inside.

"You thtill thcared of dragonth?" Fleetfoot asked, and Spitfire sighed.

"Deep down, I always will be, but if ponies are in danger, I know now to put those feelings aside." Spitfire responded

"Is that code for: now that the danger is gone I'm freaking out?" Soarin whispered as he and Rainbow came up to the two

"Shut up." Spitfire muttered, then put her muzzle to Fleetfoot's ear "But, could you maybe..."

"Thtay clothe bethide you tonight? Of courthe honey." Fleetfoot responded in a whisper, and Spitfire smiled, nuzzling her.

Author's Notes:

After a long wait...(sorry, I had writer's block on this story-also on Ex-Bolts Rising)

By the way, I know I said "herd" in the paragraph where Misty helps those unicorns (who were Twi's friends, so there's no confusion) but there was no pun intended, if you thought it was, then that's okay, just letting you know.

~Melody Song

Birthday Fever

"I can't believe Spitfire's birthday is tomorrow." Sun Chaser murmured as they gathered in the rec room.

"All the more reason we have to have everything ready." Soarin replied, picking up his clipboard.

"Right, let's go over this one more time." Rainbow added, looking over Soarin's shoulder.

"Let's see...Thunderlane, you're on food prep." Soarin said, and he nodded.

"I'm gonna make a huge cake, don't worry. There'll be enough for everypony." Thunderlane said

"Good. Sun Chaser, High Winds, your jobs are to hang the streamers."

"We'll do great. We already have the streamers, they're orange and yellow, Spitfire's favorite colors." High Winds replied.

"Okay, that leaves the rest of us to get gifts and set up. Surprise, are you all set with the rest of the decorations?" Soarin asked

"Yep! Rainbow convinced her friend Pinkie Pie to loan me her confetti cannons! Wanna see?!" Surprise asked

"We should wait until the actual-" Surprise set off the cannons with a loud boom. Soarin spat out a bit of the colored paper. "-party." he finished, as Rainbow laughed.

"Sorry." Surprise apologized. Soarin sighed, shaking his head to get the confetti out.

"It's fine." he muttered, looking back down at his checklist. "I think that's everything."

"Except for one thing." High Winds objected. They all looked to where she was sitting on one of the couches. "We still don't know exactly what Spitfire wants."

"What I want for what?" Spitfire came in, Fleetfoot behind her.

"For your birthday silly!" Surprise said.

"Oh, right. That." Spitfire sighed and looked away from them.

"What's wrong?" Sun Chaser asked.

"Nothing. It's not important. As for what I want, you can just get me anything you think I'd like. I have to go." Spitfire turned and left the room, ears drooping.

"Fleet, what's wrong with her?" Rainbow asked

"I don't know. I'll find out. How'th the party going?" Fleetfoot asked

"It's going to be great." Soarin replied, standing. "We just need you to keep Spitfire distracted while we set up."

"That won't be a problem. I think if I turn off her alarm she'll thleep for a little longer than normal, and then I can take her flying." Fleetfoot assured him.

The next day, they were setting up in the mess hall. Fleetfoot paced around, circling the table that the cake was on.

"Devil's food, her favorite, with blue and yellow frosting and orange fire designs. I hope she likes it, it took me hours to make and apply the frosting." Thunderlane said, taking off his chef's hat.

"It lookth great Thunder. I'm going to wake up Thpitfire." Fleetfoot sniffled a little, then turned to leave.

"Remember, whatever you do, make sure to bring her here by eleven." Soarin replied

"I know Thoarin, I know." Fleetfoot responded, heading away.

She was caught off balance as Rumble, Scootaloo, and Sparkfire raced in. They were heading straight for the food. Thunderlane stepped in their path, blocking the table from them. Rumble crashed into him, Scootaloo and Sparkfire crashing into Rumble.

"Step away from my cake." Thunderlane warned

"Don't you mean my sister's cake?" Sparkfire asked, and Thunderlane turned to the cake with a sigh.

"I wish I did. Now get back!" he extended his wings and pushed them back.

"Fine. But I'll try one of those cookies!" Rumble shot past him and snatched a cookie off the table.

"No, wait!" Thunderlane cried.

"Oh quit it bro, one cookie's not going to make a difference."

Rumble bit into it before anyone could say anything. Rumble chewed for a minute, then gasped and dropped the cookie, sputtering and choking.

"Rumble, what's wrong?" Scootaloo asked

"Water!" he gasped

"I tried to tell you little bro. Those cookies are ones we set aside for Spitfire. They've got hot peppers in them." Thunderlane said, picking up the cookie and tossing it into the nearby trash can.

"Can I have one?" Sparkfire asked, and they all stared at her, except for Rumble, who had run off into the kitchen for water. "What? I love hot peppers. Spitfire's the one that eats them more often but I like them too."

"Sure, why not." Thunderlane gave her a cookie and then turned back to the decorations.

Fleetfoot went into Spitfire's room. She was snuggled under the covers, fast asleep. Fleetfoot smiled and nuzzled Spitfire affectionately.

"Thpitfire, wake up."

"Mmm, go 'way." Spitfire rolled over.

"Thpitty, it'th morning."

"G' morning." Spitfire grunted, turning again. Fleetfoot sniffed and put a hoof on Spitfire's shoulder.

"Happy birthday..."

"To whoever. G'night." Spitfire muttered

"Thilly mare, get up!" Fleetfoot pulled the blankets off her, and Spitfire finally opened her eyes.

"Morning Fleety." Spitfire sighed "How much longer was I sleeping for?" Spitfire asked, stretching.

"Don't know, about an hour later than normal? Anyway, happy birthday." Fleetfoot pecked her on the cheek. Spitfire sighed and looked away.

"Right. Sorry Fleety, it's just...I haven't felt like celebrating my birthday ever since Smoke..." Spitfire's eyes filled with tears, and Fleetfoot nuzzled her gently.

"That'th okay Thpitty. How about you and I jutht go for a nice flight together?" Fleetfoot suggested, then sniffled and rubbed her nose.

"Are you okay?" Spitfire put a hoof on Fleetfoot's cheek. "You're a little warm."

"I'm fine. Now come on Thpitty, let'th go flying." Fleetfoot said, and Spitfire sighed.

"Okay then. I guess that could be fun. Should we ask the others to join us?"

"No, they're...buthy today, don't know with what-ah-choo!" Fleetfoot sneezed into her hoof as they left the room.

"Fleety..." Spitfire said, but she shook her head.

"I'm fine. Come on!"

The two mares left HQ and took off, flying into the sky. They flew around for a while, racing each other and doing tricks. They eventually came to rest on a cloud. Spitfire sighed, curling her legs underneath her body and looking out at the blue sky. Fleetfoot sat down beside her, resting her head on Spitfire's shoulder.

"We were sitting here two months ago, remember? You were telling me you loved me." Spitfire said, and Fleetfoot giggled, nuzzling her.

"I thtill do." Fleetfoot replied, and Spitfire smiled at her

"I know."

"Tho, do you want to head back to HQ?" Fleetfoot asked, coughing a little.

"Not until you tell me what's wrong." Spitfire said, taking her hoof.

"What do you mean? I'm fi-ih-ah-choo!" Spitfire held out her hooves and Fleetfoot snuggled into her. Spitfire put her muzzle to Fleetfoot's forehead.

"Fleet, you're burning up. Come on, I should take you to bed." Spitfire said

"Can't...I don't want to ruin...anything." Fleetfoot mumbled sleepily, cuddling into Spitfire's fur. She gasped, realizing she'd almost revealed the surprise.

"Fleet, you're delirious, you need rest. Let's go." Spitfire helped Fleetfoot to stand, then took off, holding her in her hooves.

Spitfire landed at HQ, going inside while supporting Fleetfoot. Fleetfoot shook herself to get her senses back and stumbled forwards. She needed to give Spitfire this day. She had to do this right. It must be nearly eleven.

"Thpitty, can we go into the methth hall?" Fleetfoot asked

"What? No, we need to get you into bed honey." Spitfire objected, putting a wing on her back.

"Pleathe?" Fleetfoot pressed, pulling away from Spitfire's wing.

"Okay then." Spitfire reluctantly agreed, pushing open the door.

"Happy Birthday!" the others called, and Spitfire gasped, turning to look at Fleetfoot.

"This is why you were trying to say you were fine, wasn't it?" Spitfire asked.

"Yeah. Happy birthday baby-ah-choo!" Fleetfoot sneezed again and coughed into her foreleg.

"Fleet, you okay? You were fine earlier." Blaze said

"I'm okay. I jutht want Thpitfire to have a good day." Fleetfoot said, pecking her girlfriend on the cheek. "I can go to bed if you really want me to, jutht thtay here and have a good time."

"No way. I won't be able to have a good time knowing you're sick. I'm taking you to bed myself." Spitfire said

"Yeah, don't worry about all this Fleet, I can put the cake and cookies in the fridge. Though I might need some help moving it." Thunderlane glanced at Silver Zoom and Wave Chill, who nodded and went to the cake.

"We'll leave the decorations up. If you're feeling better tomorrow, we can still have a party." Misty added

"Thith ith thuppothed to be Thpitfire'th party." Fleetfoot mumbled, and Spitfire smiled kindly at her.

"Fleety, I can't have a party unless you're there with me. You did a great job, but now you need me." Spitfire replied, nuzzling her. Fleetfoot sighed and nodded in understanding.

"Okay. Ah-choo!" Feetfoot ducked her head and sneezed into her foreleg again.

"Come on honey, bed." Spitfire wrapped her wing over Fleetfoot and led her out of the room.

Spitfire helped Fleetfoot lie down in bed, and she sighed.

"I'm thorry baby. I jutht wanted you to have a good birthday. We've been through a lot. You detherve it." Fleetfoot sighed, and Spitfire sat down on the bed, smiling.

"Honey, you gave me the best birthday present ever." Spitfire helped Fleetfoot sit up, then pulled the blanket around her shoulders. Fleetfoot leaned against Spitfire, eyes closing slightly.

"What do you mean? I didn't give you anything." Fleetfoot murmured

"Yes, you did. You letting me take care of you is the only gift I need." Spitfire then kissed her forehead gently. Fleetfoot smiled and wrapped her hooves around Spitfire, snuggling into her.

"I love you Thpitty. Happy birthday."

"I love you too Fleety."

Author's Notes:

By the way, Spit's birthday, in case you were confused, is March 5th in this fanfiction. But next week, there will be a Christmas special because it's the Holidays! (well, Hearthswarming Special)

A Hearths Warming Play (Christmas Special)

Author's Notes:

This takes place in the winter of the same year. Meaning other events have taken place before this. That's why a few things that will be seen in this fic aren't canon with the rest of the story (yet).

So, in this special, Fleetfoot has her Ice Magic, and the Wonderbolts have met the rest of the Mane 6.

(my story Frozen Friendship takes place in an alternate timeline, so Fleetfoot will not receive her Ice Magic in the same way she does in that fanfiction)

~Melody Song

Rainbow trotted into the rec room with a paper in her hooves.

"Hey, what's that?" High Winds asked

"My script for Ponyville's Hearths Warming Eve play. Twilight suggested we put on A Hearths Warming Tale."

"Because it's a nice change from the usual play?" Sun Chaser suggested

"No, because it's her favorite Hearths Warming Eve story." Rainbow replied.

"So, are you a Spirit? Or Snowfall Frost!?" Surprise asked eagerly

"I'm Snowdash. Starlight's playing Snowfall Frost. Rarity is going to be Merry and Fluttershy's Flutterholly. AJ is the Spirit of Hearths Warming Past and Pinkie's the Spirit of Hearths Warming Presents." Rainbow explained

"You're missing one Spirit." Blaze said

"Yeah, what about the Spirit of Hearths Warming Yet to Come?" Lightning Streak asked

"Twi's still casting for that role. She's directing. You want to come and watch rehearsal?" Rainbow asked

"Sure, why not?" Spitfire shrugged.

The next day, Rainbow led them down to Ponyville. They landed near the Friendship School, where there was a stage. Ponies were standing outside, talking.

"Alright everypony, let's get on with rehearsal. Places!" Twilight came up with a copy of the script in her hooves.

"We're making it a musical because Twi likes the songs the Spirits sing in the story." Rainbow explained as Starlight took to the stage and began singing the start of Snowfall Frost's song: Goodbye to the Holiday.

"So, who's your favorite Spirit? Mine's Presents, obviously!" Surprise asked to her friends.

"I like the latht Thpirit betht." Fleetfoot replied

"The Spirit of Hearths Warming Yet to Come?" Wave Chill asked, and Fleetfoot nodded

"Why? She's all doom and gloom." Sun Chaser said

"Actually, she wath only that way becauthe she wath showing Thnowfall what would happen if she catht her thpell. The future wathn't actually thuppothed to be like that. Tho really it wath thuppothed to be not all 'doom and gloom'." Fleetfoot replied, as Twilight passed by.

"That's surprisingly insightful Fleetfoot." Twilight commented.

"I feel inthulted." Fleetfoot said

"Oh, sorry, I wasn't trying to be rude. By the way, we need somepony to make the winter snow for the Spirit of Hearths Warming Yet to Come's scene. Since you have ice magic..."

"I'd be happy to help, ath long ath I don't actually have to get on thtage." Fleetfoot agreed

"Why?" High Winds asked

"I can't go onthtage with my lithtp. Ethpecially if I'd have to show my face. Then everypony would know a Wonderbolt hath a lithp." Fleetfoot replied

"You won't have to go onstage, no. Why don't you come backstage with me and I'll show you where to stand for the play." Fleetfoot kissed Spitfire lightly on the cheek before following Twilight.

---

Fleetfoot was taking a break from putting snow on the stage and was sitting with her friends out by the stage.

"Bet you can't recite the Spirit of Hearths Warming Past's whole song." Rapidfire told Misty.

"You'd win that bet."

"Oh come on, it's not fun unless you challenge me!"

"I can thing the Thpirit of Hearthth Warming Yet to Come'th thong."

"Prove it." Rapidfire challenged

"Fine." Fleetfoot stood up, took a breath, and began to sing.

"I see a cold wind blowing through
I see days neither fun nor free
I see a future caused by you-"

"You can sing that?!" Twilight had come out from backstage, startling them by appearing behind the group.

"Um, y-yeah." Fleetfoot responded "Why?"

"Nopony I auditioned today had any singing voice at all. Well, except Sweetie Belle, but she's already playing Young Snowfall and isn't tall enough for the role. Could you play the Spirit of Hearths Warming Yet to Come. Please?" Twilight asked

"I told you, I can't-"

"Fleetfoot, this is Ponyville. Nopony will care. Besides, the coustume has a hood. You won't have to show your face at all. Please, I need you, either nopony wants the part or they can't sing. You can sing and you mentioned it's your favorite Spirit. Please!" Twilight begged. Fleetfoot sighed and shook her head.

"You're not going to let me win thith, tho...okay."

"Thank you!" Twilight cried, hugging her before turning back to the stage and gesturing to Spike. She was likely telling him to cancel the auditions.

"Are you sure Fleet?" Spitfire asked

"Not entirely. But there will be a lot of foalth there, Twilight can't let them down, neither can I."

---

On the day of the play, Fleetfoot had to leave in early evening to head to Ponyville.

"Good luck hon." Spitfire said, pecking Fleetfoot on the cheek. Fleetfoot nuzzled her gratefully.

"You guyth are coming, right?"

"Wouldn't miss it. I'll drag the others there by their tails if I have to." Fleetfoot giggled and kissed her gently.

"I have to go. Thee you after the play, love you." Fleetfoot then left the Captain's room, flying out of HQ.

---

"Okay, good final dress rehearsal everypony! AJ, remember to keep the lasso on your left so the audience doesn't see it until you swing it at Snowfall. Rarity, make sure your makeup is perfect before you step onstage, your character doesn't have a compact mirror. Alright everypony, curtain in ten, places! Places!" Twilight said, and they all took their positions.

Fleetfoot leaned out to see her friends landing in the bleachers. Rainbow trotted up behind her to look as well. The Wonderbolts were making room for the foals to sit in front. Spitfire was watching the curtains eagerly, face shining. Fleetfoot smiled and wanted to wave, but couldn't.

"Fleetfoot, Rainbow, get away from the stage! Well, not you Rainbow, you're on in a minute." Twilight said

The play went as planned, with Fleetfoot occasionally stepping forward to add her magic. She created the Windigos that swooped around the stage while "Snowfall" brewed her potion. Then, while Pinkie gave her eerie warning, Fleetfoot made the fog out of finely made snow.

"Okay Fleetfoot, you're on." Twilight whispered. Fleetfoot took a deep breath to calm herself, pulled up her hood, and stepped onto the stage as Pinkie bounced off.

"Who are you?" Starlight (Snowfall) asked to Fleetfoot, who tried her best to look intimidating.

"I am the Thpirit of Hearthth Warming Yet to Come." Fleetfoot (the Spirit) replied

"Are you here to show me what future Hearths Warming Eves are like?" Starlight asked hopefully

"No. For there are no more Hearthth Warming Eveth for me to show." Fleetfoot replied

"W-why not?" Starlight stammered

"You will succeed in erathing the holiday, ath you wished." Fleetfoot said harshly, leaning forward to put her face near Starlight's

"And what happens?" Starlight asked, tone indicating dreading the reply. That was Fleetfoot's cue. She took a breath and sang, turning away so she was slightly facing the backdrop of the frozen village

"I see a cold wind blowing through
I see days neither fun nor free/"

Fleetfoot whipped back around and pointed at Starlight

"I see a future caused by you/"

Starlight backed away, to where the "cliff" was supposed to be. Fleetfoot flicked her hoof and cold air shot up at Starlight.

"I see a path not meant to be~"

Fleetfoot turned away and Starlight followed her.

"The future should be filled with magic~"

Fleetfoot raised her hooves and made a ball of ice blue light emerge. Another reason Twilight had wanted her for the role. Her magic could truly represent the Spirit's powers.

"Dreams and wishes, brought to life~

Fleetfoot sent her magic forward, willing it to take form. It now was a mare and stallion dancing together, like in the story.

"But the days ahead are dark and tragic
No time for hope when all is strife/"

Fleetfoot waved her hoof through the magic, and it disappeared. She turned to Starlight, stalking around her while glaring at the mare.

"Whatever might have been
All the dreams that ponies share
Because of you, Snowfall Frost,
Now the Future is a cold Nightmare~!"

Fleetfoot backed up and extended her wings through the holes Rarity had made for them in the costume. She used the unfurling of her wings as a cover for her true intentions. Wind picked up on the stage, and images of two Windigos swooped across the stage.

"W-Windigos? They aren't real, it's just a little filly's story!" Starlight cried

"They are all too real Thnowfall, and your actions will allow them to return. The future of Equestria shall be bathed in a blanket of eternal thnow!" Fleetfoot cried, backing slowly off the stage as she made the snowy wind pick up, distracting the audience to give her time to leave.

"No! I never meant for this to happen! I didn't understand! I didn't see how important Hearth's Warming Eve was! Please, spirit! I haven't cast the spell yet! Is there still time?! I'm sorry!" Starlight yelled. Fleetfoot quickly sent the snow breezing off the stage with the wind. Twilight changed the background with her magic at the same time.

"Good job Fleetfoot. Are you willing to remove your hood for the bows and final song?" Twilight asked

"That actually wathn't ath bad ath I thought it would be, tho, why not?" Fleetfoot asked, smiling.

They waited until the play had ended and the curtains closed. The others of the main cast all ran onstage to join Rainbow, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Starlight. The curtains re-opened and Starlight stepped forward. She began to sing.

"Hearths Warming Eve is filled with presents
Some take you by surprise
A story shared by your good friends
That makes your spirits rise~

Sometimes you just let go of the past/"

Applejack stepped forward and removed her hat, taking a bow.

"Enjoy the present while it lasts/"

Pinkie jumped forward, smiling and bowing.

"Don't fear the future that's to come/"

Starlight had wanted to add that to the song so Fleetfoot could have a place in the song to take her bow. She slid one foreleg forward and curled her other under her chest, bowing regally.

"I guess mother's posture lessons finally came in handy." Fleetfoot thought

When Fleetfoot stood again, the hood on her costume fell back. Some ponies in the crowd gasped, but Fleetfoot didn't care. They were still clapping for her, and they didn't seem to care that she had spoken with a lisp during her part.

"Maybe I was worried for no reason." Fleetfoot thought, smiling back at the crowd.

"Really it's not that much to ask
With good friends by your side/"

Rainbow, Rarity, and Fluttershy all bowed, then Starlight started the others off.

"Now's the time to celebrate/"

They all sang together for the rest of the song

"Hearths Warming Eve is here once again!
All together feeling great
Hearths Warming Eve is here once again

Can't hardly wait
We'll party 'till late
Our favorite date-

Hearths Warming Eve is here once a-
Happy, happy Hearths Warming Eve
Happy, happy Hearths Warming Eve
Hearths Warming Eve is here once again!"

They all took one more bow and then headed offstage as the curtains closed again.

"Great job everypony, that was fantastic!" Twilight called.

Fleetfoot and Rainbow came out from backstage to find their friends waiting for them.

"You guys were great!" Soarin said, nuzzling Rainbow, who blushed.

"Thanks Soarie." she said, kissing his cheek

"You were amazing Fleety." Spitfire told her, and Fleetfoot smiled

"Thankth honey." Fleetfoot replied. Spitfire leaned in and gave her a kiss. Fleetfoot pressed into it.

"Save for the mistletoe lovebirds." Blaze joked, and they broke apart.

"Thorry." Fleetfoot mumbled

"Ignore them. Come on Bolts, let's head to HQ." Spitfire nuzzled Fleetfoot as they took off. "Happy Hearths Warming Fleetfoot."

"You too Thpitfire. I love you."

"Love you too Fleety."

One-Shot Equestria Girls

Author's Notes:

Okay so I was listening to I Kissed a Girl by Katy Perry and got this idea stuck in my head so of course I had to write it down! Enjoy!

(also, the Twilight in the story is Sci-Twi, I just didn't want to write Sci-Twi)

~Melody Song

"So, I've always been meaning to ask, how did you two end up..." Twilight trailed off while eyeing Spitfire and Fleetfoot. Fleetfoot had her head in Spitfire's lap as they sat on the Auditorium bleachers. Rainbow and Soarin were nearby, holding hands.

"Dating?" Spitfire replied, as Fleetfoot sat up slightly.

"Oh, I remember that! It was during the Solstice Celebration last year." Pinkie commented

"Yes, I remember it because we were all over at my house to try on our dresses." Rarity added

"Well, tell me." Twilight said

"Okay, so, usually, before a dance, we all sleepover at someone's house the night before. This year it was my place, so that we could go immediately into my work space the day after and get ready. That year Rainbow had also invited Spitfire and Fleetfoot, which wasn't usual. So, the night before was normal, but the next afternoon was a little different..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Who's ready for a fashion show?" Rarity asked eagerly

"Why do we have to start so early? It's only one pm." Sunset commented

"Well, this year I need to start earlier so I have enough time to deal with four tomboys, rather than two."

"Hey!" Rainbow, Applejack, Spitfire, and Fleetfoot called.

"Oh you know it's true, just own it darlings." Rarity replied

"We were trying on the outfits I'd created, and I had some gorgeous choices for them. It was my first time actually trying to show off my designs. However, Spitfire and Fleetfoot weren't going to dress quietly..."

"Rarity, why can't I wear something normal?" Spitfire asked

"Because this is a school party Spitfire, you can't wear 'normal' clothes. Now try this on." Rarity shoved the dress into Spitfire's arms, then pushing her into the bathroom.

Spitfire came out a few minutes later, wearing the dress. It was a red-themed dress with yellow lining. The dress only had one sleeve, which was an orange fire-shaped design that wrapped over her shoulder. Spitfire spun slowly to show Rarity, who nodded, pushing her red framed sewing glasses up her nose.

"Yes, that will do. Fleetfoot, you're next." Rarity handed Fleetfoot her dress, and Fleetfoot took it begrudgingly, stepping past her friend and into the bathroom. Spitfire put her hand gently on Fleetfoot's shoulder.

"Good luck." she joked, chuckling. Fleetfoot laughed, blushing slightly.

Fleetfoot exited the bathroom, looking around. Spitfire was talking with Rainbow, who was also in her dress. Rarity gasped and clasped her hands together, beaming. Spitfire turned at the noise and gaped at Fleetfoot.

"It's beautiful Fleetfoot. You really should wear dresses more often, why you always hide that perfect body behind hoodies and jeans is beyond me. Same with you Spitfire."

"Well, I don't like wearing skirts." Spitfire shrugged, still smiling at Fleetfoot.

Her dress was a sleeveless white dress. The skirt grasped Fleetfoot's legs and clung to her slender frame. It was lined with ice blue swirls and patterns, with an extra layer of pale, ice blue, gauzy fabric. Rarity walked over and began hemming the skirt.

"Things carried on pretty much like normal, we talked for a while until Fluttershy checked the time and realized we would be late. So, we headed out to the cars to drive to the school. When we got there, Spitfire and Fleetfoot went to get some Sweet Apple Acres cider Applejack's family had provided. The rest of us were talking...until Rainbow got asked to dance by a certain someone." Rarity looked to Rainbow and Soarin, who both blushed.

"Hey Rainbow." Soarin walked up to the group of girls, wearing a black tux with navy blue lining.

"Who designed your outfit?!" Rarity asked

"Oh, Fashion Plate, he's over there." Soarin replied, then bowed and held out his hand to Rainbow. "Would you care to dance, m'lady?" he joked. Rainbow blushed and put her hand in his.

"Okay." she said, and he pulled her onto the dance floor.

"Looks like Fleetfoot and Spitfire are having fun." Sunset commented, looking over at the two.

They were hanging out by the drinks table, talking. Fleetfoot looked down at the ground, talking and blushing. Spitfire placed her hand on Fleetfoot's shoulder, smiling at her. Fleetfoot said something that made Spitfire blush and drop her cup. Then, she grabbed Fleetfoot and tugged her into a corner of the room.

"That's what I know. Spitfire, Fleetfoot, would you care to jump in and tell us what you were talking about?"

"Well, Fleet and I were having some cider, and talking..."

"So, I was thinking of making a new rank on the soccer team."

"Really? What? And who were you thinking of?" Fleetfoot asked, taking a sip of her cider.

"I was thinking Most Valuable Girl. Since there are more girls than boys. And I was considering you for the position." Fleetfoot choked on her cider and coughed into her cup.

"Me, really?"

"Of course Fleet. You're my best friend. Well, apart from Soarin, but he's a guy." Spitfire joked, and Fleetfoot giggled.

"Her laugh is so cute and light. Like being kissed by an angel." Spitfire thought, smiling. "Wait, what am I thinking? I can't have a crush on my best friend. Can I?"

"Thpitfire...do you mind me athking thomething? It'th kind of perthonal." Fleetfoot asked shyly.

"Of course not. What is it?"

"What'th your thexuality?"

"Oh...straight, I think." Spitfire said, looking into Fleetfoot's almond shaped, fuchsia eyes.

"You caught my attention Fleetfoot. Now I'm too curious to look away." Spitfire thought

"Anyway, why do you ask?" Spitfire asked, snapping back to reality.

"Well..." Fleetfoot looked down at the floor, blushing and trying to avoid Spitfire's gaze as she answered.

"Fleet, whatever it is, you can tell me." Spitfire said, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"Okay. I jutht realized today, when I thaw you in your drethth, and when you were thtaring at me...that I have a crush on you. I think I alwayth have."

Spitfire gasped and dropped her cup, which was luckily empty. She then grabbed Fleetfoot by the hand and pulled her into the corner of the room.

"Thpitfire? You're not mad, right?" Spitfire was unable to answer. She threw her arms around Fleetfoot's neck and kissed her.

Fleetfoot put her hands up, then lowered them and slipped her hands around Spitfire's waist. Spitfire pressed into the kiss, tasting Fleetfoot's chapstick. They broke apart after a minute.

"Thpitfire-?"

"Sorry, I didn't mean for this to go that way. I-I just wanted to see if I was bisexual. It felt so wrong...but so right at the same time." Spitfire breathed, eyes shining.

"Well, I bet it only felt wrong becauthe I wathn't ready." Fleetfoot said, reaching to put her hand on Spitfire's shoulder.

"Then, maybe we should dance. And maybe take a walk around school afterwards? And share another kiss?" Spitfire suggested. Fleetfoot smiled.

"I would love that."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So that's how we started dating." Spitfire finished. Fleetfoot wrapped her arms around Spitfire's neck and kissed her cheek lightly.

"And when we went for a walk, guethth who we found kiththing in the hallway?" Fleetfoot asked, glancing at Rainbow and Soarin. They both were bright red.

"So you two weren't the only ones who got together that night." Twilight laughed

"Well, after the dance, Soarin and I went out a few times before we started dating officially, so does that actually count?" Rainbow asked

"Pretty sure it does." Applejack replied, smirking.

Frosty Magic

Fleetfoot was pacing around next to her brother. They were standing in Dark Shooter's house.

"Okay, tho you're telling me that mom and dad thtole magic from me, and you're only telling me thith now becauthe...?"

"Because I only found out about it now. Mom and dad said they were going to give the powers to my children."

"Then why are we thtill thtanding here? Let'th go get them!" Fleetfoot exclaimed.

"Fleet, we need a plan. Mom and dad have it locked in a vault in the house. There's no way in."

"There'th alwayth a way in." Fleetfoot objected, turning for the door. "Come on."

"Since when have you been so bossy?"

"Thince right now. Now let'th go."

The two siblings flew to Cloudsdale, where Fleetfoot led her brother around the side. She pulled open a window and climbed in.

"How did you know that would be open?" Dark Shooter asked, amazed.

"Thith window ith alwayth open Dark, it'th how I uthed to thneak out to play when mom and dad wouldn't let me." Fleetfoot replied.

They trotted down the hallway and Dark Shooter led her to a dark hallway.

"Just down here, I think I heard mom mention the vault." Dark Shooter put his ear to the door. "But it's locked."

"Let me try." Fleetfoot walked forward and then put her own ear to the door. She spun the lock a few times, listening for the clicks. "Got it!"

"How did you do that?"

"I jutht rotated it to show your birthday Dark. I wath only lithening to the clickth to be sure." Fleetfoot replied smoothly.

"Oh." Dark Shooter looked a little sheepish. "Why didn't I think of that?"

"Dunno. But we do know who the thmart one ith." Fleetfoot teased gently, entering. She froze and gasped.

The room was full of gold and jewels, as well as priceless family herilooms.

"So that's where mom and dad hid them all. Right, you go left, I'll go right, and we'll look for the-"

"Not tho fatht Dark." Fleetfoot stopped him with a wing, and reached to the wall with her hoof. She scooped up some of the clouds and quickly molded them until they became a thin fog.

"How do you know how to do weather magic Fleet?"

"Rainbow taught uth, she'th the head of the Ponyville weather team." Fleetfoot then blew the fog forwards.

"Magic lasers? You've gotta be kidding me!" Dark Shooter groaned, facehoofing. "Mom and dad must have paid a fortune for this."

"And judging by the sheer amount of thtuff in here they really are thome of the richetht ponieth in Equethtria." Fleetfoot remarked. "Now come on."

Fleetfoot flew forwards, easily swerving around the lasers with the grace and skill of a Wonderbolt.

"Show off." Dark Shooter muttered jokingly, before spreading his own wings and diving past the lasers with his royal guard training.

The siblings reached the edge of the lasers, where they landed.

"I was scanning the stuff we passed by, didn't see anything magic-y. You?" Dark asked

"Nothing." Fleetfoot sighed, then saw something in the corner of her eye. A glowing light. "Dark, do you thee that?"

"Yeah..." Dark followed her gaze, and their eyes locked on a glass jar. Inside it, swirling and pulsing, was a ball of ice blue light.

"I-ith that it?"

"Maybe. Come on, let's find out." Dark Shooter headed over, Fleetfoot following. They reached the jar and Fleetfoot held out her hoof to graze it.

"I think thith ith it Dark. Come on, we'd better get out of here."

"One last thing." Dark Shooter flew over to the lasers and made it into the gold piles. He dug through them.

"What are you doing?" Fleetfoot asked, flying over. Dark Shooter smiled as he unearthed something.

"Thought we deserved a little reward." Dark Shooter wrapped the silver watch he held around his hoof. "Think this'll go with my armor?"

"Probably, but Dark, it'th thtealing."

"They stole your magic in the first place. Besides, they won't miss it." Dark Shooter shrugged, then saw something else that sparked his interest. "Ooh, here, either one of these would fit you!"

Dark Shooter offered up the first. It was a necklace with a geometric wolf on a silver chain. Then he held out the second, a gleaming silver-blue tiara that twinkled in the light, it's blue gemstones reflecting the light from the lasers.

"I don't know Dark, I don't want to take anything..."

"Fleet, come on, you have to take something. Here, I'll pick for you, the necklace. It suits you better anyway." Dark Shooter tossed the tiara haphazardly back into the pile, then slipped the necklace over his sister's head.

"Why a wolf though? There are like, fifteen otherth over there."

"Because you are a wolf Fleet, I mean, you're strong, you love the night, and you have a white mane. You know, like white wolves?" Dark Shooter explained.

"True. Now let'th get out of here before we're caught." Fleetfoot urged.

"Fine."

The two siblings made their way back through the laser grid and out of the vault. Dark Shooter closed and locked it again, then they made their escape. As the two flew back down from Cloudsdale, Fleetfoot shifted the jar in her hooves.

"Dark, how do we get the magic out?"

"I'm not sure. I guess we just...open the lid?" Dark Shooter suggested.

"Maybe." Fleetfoot glanced at her brother. "Where should we go to open it?"

"Your HQ?"

"How did I know you were gonna thay that?"

"Because you're my sister and you love me?" Dark Shooter asked, and Fleetfoot laughed.

---

"Fleet, there you are. Hey Dark Shooter." Spitfire greeted Dark Shooter, who landed beside his sister.

"What's that?" Rainbow asked, coming up with Soarin. She pointed her wing at the jar.

"It'th a long thtory."

"Actually, I could probably tell it pretty quick." Dark Shooter objected.

"Well, we'd better get inside." Soarin suggested, looking up at the sky. "I think it's gonna rain."

"Good thing I already took Spark back to mom's." Spitfire commented.

"Thunderlane and I took Scoot and Rumble back down to Ponyville too." Rainbow added.

The group headed inside and Fleetfoot led them to Spitfire's office. Dark Shooter was explaining what was in the jar. Fleetfoot set it on the desk, which Spitfire cleared for her.

"So, you're just going to open it and hope it works?" Soarin asked. Rainbow shrugged.

"Eh. Seems to be the plan for most of my friends and I's adventures. Winging it is pretty much our only option anyway."

"Alright, everypony thtand back." Fleetfoot warned.

They all obeyed, and Fleetfoot put one hoof on the lid, grasping the jar itself in her other hoof. Fleetfoot pulled the jar open. and stepped back in surprise at what happened. The magic exited the jar and swirled around Fleetfoot, seeping into her chest. Fleetfoot gasped and took a deep breath.

"So...that just happened." Rainbow said.

"Fleety, are you okay?" Spitfire asked, taking her hoof.

"I'm fine. And I think..." Fleetfoot extended her hoof and touched Spitfire's desk. "Ice." she thought, commanding it.

Ice spread from her hoof onto the table. The others all gasped. Fleetfoot pulled her hoof away and the ice melted.

"Well, I guess that means the magic's working." Dark Shooter said.

"Yeah." Fleetfoot sighed.

"Hey, is that necklace new?" Spitfire asked, and Fleetfoot nodded.

"Dark took thome thuff from the vault."

"It was only a necklace and a watch. They deserved to be stolen from anyway." Dark Shooter defended himself.

"True, but, you're a royal guard, so it's not very reassuring that it didn't go against your morals to steal anything from them in the first place." Spitfire argued.

"Touche." Dark Shooter sighed.

"This is so cool, I bet you could freeze anything!" Rainbow said. "And with Spit's Phoenix Magic, it's like, Fire and Ice."

"Oh yeah, it is." Spitfire agreed, smiling at Fleetfoot, who blushed.

"Y-yeah, I guess it ith." Fleetfoot agreed, then kissed Spitfire's cheek gently, making her blush.

Author's Notes:

There! Sorry for the delay, but the next chapter will be when Rainbow introduces the Wonderbolts to her other friends.

~Melody Song

Ponyville

"Come on guys, hurry up!" Rainbow called as they flew through the sky.

"Why are we doing this again? Remind me." Rapidfire commented, flying upside down near Spitfire and Fleetfoot.

"Because Rainbow wants us to meet her other friends."

"Well, yeah, but why do all of us have to come?" Rapid asked

"Because you can't be trusted alone at HQ, you're as bad as foals-"

"Spitfire, I see it!" Sparkfire had been brought along after Rainbow suggested she could come play with Rumble and Scootaloo.

"Yeah, that's Ponyville!" Rainbow called back, spreading her wings out a little to come to a soft landing on a nearby cloud.

"Why are we stopping?" High Winds asked.

"I need to tell you all a bit about my friends so you know what to expect."

"Okay, go ahead." Spitfire consented.

"Well, first is Rarity. She owns three boutiques and is obsessed with fashion and designing clothes for her friends. She also talks like a Canterlot pony and acts really sophisticated even though she was born and raised in Ponyville. Second is Applejack, or AJ for short. She works at her family's farm, Sweet Apple Acres, and regularly competes in Rodeos, so she's got her fair share of blue ribbons. Third is Pinkie Pie. For her, just think of Surprise with a higher tolerance for food and on a constant sugar rush."

"Oh boy." Silver Zoom gulped.

"Pinkie's usually just over-the-top excited when she meets new ponies, once you get to know her she calms down. Fourth, is Fluttershy."

"She was the mare who competed with you during the Equestria Games, right?" Sun Chaser asked.

"Yep. Fluttershy is a little timid, but she can be assertive when she wants to be, and runs the animal sanctuary outside town. She usually has her pet bunny, Angel, with her, though the guy is anything but an angel. Fifth, Starlight Glimmer. She's a little different, I mean, she used to be a villain, and she's still a little sensitive about it. Starlight's favorite things to do are hang out with her other friends or practice magic. Last is Twilight-"

"Pretty sure we know what a Princess is like." Fire Streak cut her off.

"Trust me, you don't. Twilight is a complete egghead and dork. I've lost track of the number of times she used magic to solve problems and ended up just making the problem worse. Twi is also really nerdy and whatever you do, don't bring up Starswirl the Bearded or time travel."

"Well, in that case-" Rapid began

"Try it and she'll make you regret it." Rainbow replied, then extended her wings. "Okay, let's go find them."

They landed in town and Rainbow led them towards the giant crystal palace.

"What's that place?" Sparkfire asked, staring to the right of the castle, where another building stood.

"The Friendship School." Rainbow responded.

"Where are Scootaloo and Rumble?"

"Scootaloo's probably either at Sweet Apple Acres or the park." Rainbow replied.

"Spitfire, can I go find her?"

"Well..." Spitfire looked up at Rainbow.

"This is Ponyville, Spitfire. It's the kind of place where everypony's welcoming and they all look out for each other. She'll be fine on her own, and the place is so small it won't take long to find them anyway. By the way Spark, Scoot will probably be with a Unicorn and an Earth Pony foal. The Earth Pony's an Apple, the Unicorn has a purple-pink mane. Just look for them if you can't find Scootaloo, and no doubt she won't be far behind." Rainbow advised.

"Go ahead Spark." Spitfire smiled, and Spark zoomed off. "But stay in town! Don't go past the Apple Farm!" Spitfire raised her voice to reach the young filly's ears.

"Got it!" Spark called back, before disappearing.

"Come on guys." Rainbow headed up to the castle. They heard laughter, and a few of the Wonderbolts stopped, the rest glancing over to see what was going on.

"Get back here Smolder!"

An orange and purple young dragoness, apparently named Smolder, flew out of the building, laughing hard. She was followed by a griffon with blue feathers and fur, that had yellow tints to it. He reached his front talons towards her, and she quickly flew up and out of the way of his grasp.

"You'll have to be faster than that to catch me...Gally!"

"Stop it! You weren't supposed to know that!" the griffon squawked, they could see his cheeks heating up.

"Well, I do now, Gally! Whatcha gonna do about it?" Smolder teased as the griffon flew up to her to look her in the eye.

"I'm going to kill you!" his eyes narrowed, and Smolder huffed.

"Please, griffons are way worse at fighting than dragons, what could you possibly-gah!" Smolder dove back down as he nearly grabbed her.

"Gallus! Smolder!" Rainbow yelled, and the two creatures froze, skidding to a halt. "What are you two doing?"

"Uh...would you believe playing?" the griffon, who Rainbow had addressed as Gallus, asked.

"No." Rainbow deadpanned.

"Smolder started it!" Gallus exclaimed, and Smolder growled.

"Don't try to pin the blame on me!" Smolder snarled.

"Well, you did!" Gallus retorted.

"Both of you go back inside and join the rest of your friends. Why are you even fighting?" Rainbow asked.

"Gallus is embarrassed that I caught Sandbar calling him-"

"If you say it then I'll start calling you what Ocellus does!" Gallus cut her off.

"How do you-"

"You two's room is right next to Sandbar's and mine, how do you think?" Gallus replied, raising an eyebrow.

"You wouldn't dare tick me off right now."

"Oh yeah? Smoldie?"

"Grr...Raaaaahhh!" Smolder flew at Gallus in a rage, eyes cut thin like sapphires, about ready to kill the griffon.

"That's it!" Rainbow took off and grabbed Smolder, hauling her backwards. "Gallus, why would you do that?"

"Because she made fun of me so I made fun of her." Gallus shrugged.

"I'm only going to say this one more time: go inside and find the rest of your friends." Rainbow ordered.

"Fine." Gallus landed and walked off.

"Let me at him!" Smolder was still struggling.

"Smolder, drop it, it's done." Rainbow ordered, and the dragon went limp.

"Fine. But if he even so much as mutters it again..."

"Then you should consider it punishment for doing the same to him. He was right about that part, at least." Rainbow said, letting go of Smolder.

"Yeah, okay." Smolder landed too and followed Gallus inside.

"Sorry about that." Rainbow landed by them.

"Who...?" Lightning Streak started to ask.

"The dragon and griffon students of the school, Smolder and Gallus. Since their species aren't really used to friendship, they can have...those kinds of reactions to problems like this. Nevermind, their friends will deal with it."

"Aren't there other species in the school too?" Wave Chill asked.

"Yeah, a changeling named Ocellus, a yak named Yona and a hippogriff named Silverstream. They're actually friends with Smolder and Gallus, as well as an Earth Pony named Sandbar."

"So, if Gallus was mad because Smolder found out about a nickname Sandbar had for him, that begs the question: why does he have a special nickname for him in the first place?" Misty Fly asked.

"No idea. And judging from what Gallus said Ocellus has one for Smolder."

"Did you ever consider the fact that they may be more than friends?" Spitfire asked, emphasizing the last part as she wrapped a wing over Fleetfoot.

"That would explain a lot, actually." A voice behind Rainbow said.

"Hey Twi." Rainbow said without turning. The others all bowed as the purple alicorn made her way towards the group.

"You don't have to bow, it's alright. If you're Rainbow's friends then you're my friends too." Princess Twilight said.

"Yes Princess." Spitfire rose. "Sorry, we didn't see you there."

"It's quite alright. And please, in Ponyville everyone just calls me Twilight. You can too, if you want. Now, what were you saying Spitfire?"

"Oh, well..." Spitfire was a little startled at being put on the spot suddenly. "Well, I was just suggesting that certain creatures among their friend group may just have nicknames for others if they care about them in a way that is more than friendship."

"I suppose that's true, but...what reason would they have for..."

"I mean, they do share dorms Twi." Rainbow said, glancing at her friend.

"By that logic, Silverstream and Yona would be-"

"Just because you share a room with someone doesn't mean you have to start making out with them." Spitfire snarled, bristling.

"Well, you're not the best example Spit, now are you?" Rapid asked, and Spitfire rounded on him. He scrambled backwards. "Itwasajokeitwasajokeitwasajoke!"

"What do you mean?" Twilight asked.

"Well, Spitfire and Fleetfoot were best friends as kids, and still were when they grew up. And now they're kind of...dating." Blaze explained, glancing at Spitfire, who relaxed and gave her a small nod. It didn't matter to her if the Princess found out.

"Oh. Well, that makes sense as to why you'd be the only one to figure it out. Well, I should probably go make sure those two are actually getting along after that incident."

"If you heard it why'd you let me deal with it?" Rainbow asked.

"Well, I only heard a little bit of it and by then you'd already stepped in. Thanks for that, Rainbow."

"Yeah, no problem. I was just showing the Wonderbolts around town. You want to help? You could just send Smolder and Gallus to Starlight."

"Well, it is true she'd probably like to be included in the problem solving, so I suppose I can." Twilight turned and trotted off quickly.

"She'll be back soon." Rainbow told them.

The group waited only a few minutes before Twilight returned.

"Ocellus actually suggested they go hang out in town, to cool Smolder and Gallus down a bit." Twilight told Rainbow, who shrugged.

"That works too."

Twilight walked beside Rainbow as they headed back towards town. Twilight began pointing out certain places and commenting on them.

"Is she always like this?" Rapidfire asked.

"Usually." Rainbow responded, rolling her eyes. "Um, Twi, can I finish this tour by myself? Don't you have...stuff to do?"

"No, and anyway, I want to help-"

"I've got it from here Twi." Rainbow pushed Twilight aside and smiled at the others. "Come on guys, I'll give you the good tour."

Spitfire chuckled and Fleetfoot nuzzled her before the group followed Rainbow.

Author's Notes:

So this takes place a few months later. And yeah, I know that I haven't exactly made this clear, but this takes place after Season Eight.

This will continue in the next chapter, I'm sorry, it was going to be too long.

~Melody Song

Ponyville's Support Group

Author's Notes:

I'm sorry this took so long to get out. I'll try to do better. Also, the chapter title sounds weird, I know. I couldn't figure out a title that wouldn't give away the plot of this chapter and also sound good. Forgive me.

~Melody Song

Rainbow led them towards a building that looked like a giant cupcake.

"Sugar Cube Corner. The sweetest place in town." Rainbow explained, and Surprise's mouth watered.

"I can smell the sugar~" Surprise moaned.

"Fine." Spitfire sighed. Surprise charged towards the sweet shoppe. Spitfire shook her head, then looked at Fire Streak. "Keep an eye on her." she directed, and he nodded, following the mare.

"Come on, I want to show you Sweet Apple Acres."

Rainbow led the gang to fields and fields of apple trees. The group all looked around in awe. They heard a grunting and Rainbow led them towards the noise.

"He-yah! Huh!"

An orange Earth Pony mare with a blonde mane and a brown hat on her head was hitting her back legs against a tree. She backed up as apples fell into buckets placed strategically under the tree. She nodded satisfactorily at the neatly piled apples, then turned.

"Oh, hey RD. What're you doin' here?" the mare asked.

"Hey AJ. I was just showing the 'bolts around."

The mare, Applejack, wiped the sweat from her brow and eyed them.

"Oh, hey ya'll. Rainbow, have you seen AB anywhere?"

"Apple Bloom? No. Sparkfire, Spit's little sister, was looking for Scootaloo though."

"She n' Sweetie Belle took off with Apple Bloom this mornin'. That's why I'm lookin' for her, she ran off without doin' her chores."

"And that's a bad thing? I mean, you and your brother could just do them yourself." Rainbow responded.

"Yeah, no. He and Sugar Belle are on a date an' Granny Smith told me to buck the north and east orchards. I haven't had time to do more 'n mah own chores."

Applejack spun on her front hooves and rammed her back hooves against another tree. The apples rained down around her and she watched them with a smile.

"Anyway, you got any pies?" Rainbow asked. Applejack eyed her.

"Why? You don't like-"

"Not for me, for Soarin." Rainbow jerked her head back to the stallion.

"Oh. Ah got a few coolin' back at the barn. Come with me." Applejack hit one more tree before leading Soarin to the farm.

"I'll come with you." Rainbow followed him.

"Me too. I want pie." Rapidfire added. Thunderlane and Misty Fly joined them as well.

"You guys wanna get a sky-side view of the place?" High Winds suggested, and they nodded, opening their wings.

"You two coming?" Wave Chill asked as they took off.

"We'll catch up with you later." Spitfire replied, and he nodded, leading the leftover Wonderbolts into the air.

"I think I thaw a park while we were flying in. You want to check it out?" Fleetfoot suggested. Spitfire nodded and smiled.

---

As they entered the park, Spitfire leaned her head on Fleetfoot's.

"Thpit..." Fleetfoot slipped out from under her, and Spitfire stumbled.

"What is it baby?"

"I-I'm not comfortable with...showing who we are in public. In front of our friendth ith one thing, but thith ith a completely new place." Fleetfoot looked away, eyes glistening.

"It's okay Fleety." Spitfire assured her, placing a wingtip on Fleetfoot's shoulder. "We don't have to be affectionate in public, I get it."

"Thank you honey." Fleetfoot whispered.

"Baby!" they heard, and Spitfire's head snapped up, followed by Fleetfoot's.

A mint-green Unicorn with a white and light green mane was running for an Earth Pony mare with a cream colored coat and a pink and blue curly mane.

"Hi Lyra." the mare greeted casually as the Unicorn hugged her around the neck. They nuzzled each other before walking away.

"That's weird. I mean, we are alone but why just practically tell everyone that may be watching; 'hey, I'm gay'?" Spitfire muttered.

"Wow, and I thought Gallus didn't know anything about LGBT couples." Spitfire and Fleetfoot turned to see the dragon and griffon from before standing beside an Earth Pony and a creature that had to be a reformed changeling.

"What are you talking about?" Spitfire asked.

"Ponyville has like, five LGBT couples, including us." the Earth Pony replied, and the griffon put a claw in his mane.

"It does?" Spitfire asked, and the dragon nodded.

"Yeah. Let's see...there's Scootaloo's Aunts, Holiday and Lofty...then there's Lyra and Bon Bon...Octavia and Vinyl...Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon...and us." the dragon filled her in, then put her claw on the changeling's back.

"I'm Sandbar, that's Ocellus, Smolder, and Gallus." the Earth Pony introduced.

"So, you're dating?" Spitfire asked. "When I heard Smolder and Gallus fighting earlier I reasoned that it might be you gave each other nicknames because of that, but I wasn't sure."

"Yeah. Gallus and I are dating, and Smolder and Ocellus are a thing." Sandbar explained, as Gallus nipped his ear affectionately.

"So, I'm guessing you two are a thing?" Smolder asked.

"Mm-hmm." Fleetfoot nodded, and Spitfire draped a wing over her back.

"You see, in Ponyville, they accept anycreature, even gays. We actually left Yona and Silverstream to go to a little get-together with the others. You...wanna come?" Sandbar asked shyly.

"Oh, uh..." Spitfire glanced at Fleetfoot, who gave her a small nod. "We do have some time on our hooves, I guess we could."

"Cool. That's where Lyra and Bon Bon were heading, we should catch up with them." Sandbar pulled away from Gallus, who took off and flew after him.

The four creatures led Spitfire and Fleetfoot to a lake near the outskirts of town. A group of eight mares were standing there, talking with each other.

"I hate being one of the only boys." Gallus muttered, and Smolder laughed.

"You'll get used to it Gal. I was the only boy in the group before you came to Ponyville." Sandbar assured him, pecking the griffon on the cheek.

"There you guys are." a pink Earth Pony filly with a purple-white mane remarked, coming up with a silver-themed Earth Pony filly, as well as a white Unicorn mare and a gray Earth Pony mare.

"Hey Diamond, hi Silver." the changeling spoke softly.

"You're the Captain of the Wonderbolts, right?" the gray Earth Pony filly asked.

"Um, yeah."

"What are you doing here?" the pink filly asked.

"She and her marefriend were interested." Smolder shrugged.

"Marefriend? Well, that's new." the gray mare said, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, only the other Wonderbolts know that Fleetfoot and I are dating...you wouldn't mind not mentioning it, would you?" Spitfire asked as the other ponies came up to them.

"Not a problem. Bonnie and I may not mind showing affection in public but we get it's not for everypo-er, creature." Lyra glanced nervously at the dragon, griffon, and changeling to see if she'd upset them.

"I'm Holiday, this is my wife, Lofty." the orange Earth Pony said, and the Pegasus nuzzled her.

"I am Octavia Melody, and this is Vinyl Scratch." the gray mare said, nuzzling the Unicorn mare by her side.

"Diamond Tiara, daughter of Filthy Rich. This is Silver Spoon...we haven't exactly figured things out yet, but we definitely love each other." the pink filly joined in.

"So, what do you all meet up for?" Spitfire asked.

"Just to have some time to talk about stuff." Silver Spoon shrugged.

"Like what?" Fleetfoot asked.

"Just anything. Come on." Smolder grabbed Ocellus around the waist and took off, flying to a tree by the lake and touching down. She held Ocellus in her lap and leaned back against the tree.

"Well, you don't have to tell me twice." Gallus lifted Sandbar up and followed her.

Unlike his friend, Gallus instead laid down on his stomach on the grass near the tree. As the mares caught up with them, Gallus let out a lazy yawn. He stretched his back legs out and curled his tail over them in a cat-like fashion. Sandbar settled down by the griffon and laid his head against his side. Gallus smiled and wrapped a wing over the colt. The rest of the group all laid down by the four as well, in various positions.

"So, what's new with you?" Smolder asked Diamond, who shrugged.

"Same old stuff. My parents still hate that I'm lesbian and threaten to take away my inheritance as well as kick me out of the house. Nothing new."

"That'th old newth to you? My parentth did that yearth ago." Fleetfoot said, then gasped and covered her mouth with her wing.

"You mean you have homophobes for parents too?" Diamond asked, but Fleetfoot didn't answer, instead looking away, down at the grass.

"She doesn't like talking in front of others with her lisp." Spitfire explained.

"Oh, we don't care." Bon Bon said simply. Fleetfoot sighed and moved her wing.

"Back to your quethtion Diamond, I'm the daughter of Icy Mint and Sharp Thkater. My older brother ith thupportive of me but they dithowned me a long time ago. The only reathon we thtill talk ith becauthe they need me to participate in the family image." Fleetfoot explained.

"And you guys wonder why I'm so messed up." Diamond joked. "I guess our families must be pretty similar."

"Mine too, my parents have been mad ever since I came out to them, and they're the second richest ponies in town." Silver Spoon added.

"You girls know that if your parents do ever disown you, you're always welcome at our home." Holiday said, putting her hoof on top of Lofty's. "Scootaloo wouldn't mind the company and we can look after you."

"Thank you Holiday...if we ever are forced to leave our parents' homes, we'll go to you." Diamond said, as Silver Spoon nestled against her.

"I'm glad my family's supportive of me." Sandbar sighed, and Gallus grunted. "Sorry Gally."

"Anyway, what about you Lyra, Bon Bon?" Lofty asked.

"Well, our anniversary is coming up." Bon Bon said, kissing Lyra on the cheek.

"Vi and I are hosting a concert together in Manehatten next month." Octavia joined in.

"Smolder and I are going to the Hive for Summer Break, she's going to meet my family." Ocellus added, nuzzling against the dragon.

"What about you two?" Lofty asked Spitfire, and she looked away.

"We don't have anything special coming up, other than our next off day." Spitfire responded.

"Well, Gallus is meeting my family this summer." Sandbar said, and Gallus shrugged.

"Better than going back to Griffonstone."

"Why is it better?" Spitfire asked, and Gallus looked away.

"Well, I don't really...have a family. I've been an orphan as long as I can remember. So excuse me if I'm not eager to go back to Griffonstone...because I don't have a family to go back to." Gallus explained, and Spitfire nodded.

"Understood. Sorry."

"Eh, it's fine. Happens all the time." Gallus shrugged and buried his beak in Sandbar's mane.

The group talked for a little while longer, until Rainbow Dash landed near them.

"Hey Holiday, Lofty."

"Oh, hello Rainbow Dash. What are you doing here?"

"Looking for Spit and Fleet, we're all meeting up at Sugar Cube Corner to hang out with the rest of my friends." Rainbow explained.

"We're coming." Spitfire stood up, followed by Fleetfoot.

"See you later then." Diamond said.

"So, you had some fun with them?" Rainbow asked as they headed back towards town.

"Yeah. They all were really nice." Fleetfoot added.

"Well, you're gonna love my friends too."

Rainbow's Friends

Rainbow, Spitfire, and Fleetfoot met up with the other Wonderbolts and headed towards the Friendship Castle again. Surprise's muzzle was coated in frosting, clearly she'd had more than one cupcake.

"Why are we going back to the castle?" Fire Streak asked

"Twi told the others to go there so you could meet them." Rainbow explained

Rainbow led them into the castle.

"Wow, it's so big!" Surprise exclaimed.

"Yeah, stick close to me, don't want you guys getting lost." Rainbow said

Rainbow led them to a room behind double doors. It had a singular round table surrounded by six thrones. A smaller one positioned beside one made it seven, but it was unoccupied. The others were taken by the Princess of Friendship and Rainbow's other friends. Each large throne had a cutie mark on it. One had Rainbow's.

"Woah." High Winds was looking up at the ceiling rather than the thrones.

Spitfire glanced up and her own eyes widened. Hanging from the high ceiling of the room were the sprawling roots of a tree. From each one hung strands containing gemstones threaded onto them. It blended perfectly with the crystal structure of the castle.

"Impressive, isn't it?" Princess Twilight spoke, and Spitfire turned to look at her. "My friends made it for me when they realized I wasn't adjusting to the castle. It's made from the roots of my old home, the Golden Oak Library."

"It's very beautiful Princess." Spitfire told her

"I already told you Spitfire, call me Twilight." She stood up and trotted around to them. "We wanted to give you a nice welcome to Ponyville."

"I wanted to throw you guys a party because there's no greater welcome than a patented Pinkie Pie Welcome to Ponyville Party!" the pink Earth Pony mare said, bouncing in her seat.

"You can throw 'em a party later Pinkie." Applejack told her, seated in her own throne.

"Guys, these are all my friends. You know Rarity." Rainbow gestured to the white Unicorn, who was checking her reflection in a mirror. "And you saw AJ earlier. That's Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie."

"Uh-um, h-hi." Fluttershy murmured, hiding behind her mane.

"Hiya! Welcome to Ponyville! Any friend of Rainbow Dash is a friend of mine!" Pinkie cried

"That's cool! I saw you in Sugarcube Corner earlier!" Surprise leapt forward, taking off and hovering in front of Pinkie.

"Yes-yeppie-yeppers! I help out there all the time in exchange for a room above it! I live with the owners, the Cakes, and their twins!"

"You live above a bakery?! That's Wonder-riffic!"

"I know! Totally roof-tastic!"

The Wonderbolts and Rainbow's friends just stood-sat in some cases-and watched the two commune in what seemed to be their own language.

"Well, this explains how Rainbow adjusted so well to Surprise's logic. It took the rest of us about a year but she already learned to just go with it." Blaze shrugged

"That's what we say." Rarity remarked, standing with a flip of her mane.

"Yep. As we like to say: It's Pinkie Pie, don't question it." Applejack agreed

"We say: Surprise will be Surprise." Wave Chill countered

"Interesting that both of Rainbow's friend groups have a pony that seems to defy logic." Twilight sighed

"They're probably gonna be at this for a while, Surprise is a big talker and Pinkie is...Pinkie." Rainbow said

"True, come on, I can show you the school, if you want." Twilight suggested

"Alright then." Spitfire said

Twilight trotted to the door and opened it, only for them to hear a clattering sound. A stream of something sticky and brown fell onto her head, followed by a bucket. Twilight pulled off the bucket and wiped her eyes.

"Wh-what is it?" Fluttershy asked

"Pudding." Twilight replied, glaring up at Rainbow.

"It wasn't me!" Rainbow defended

"Oh, hey, you found my pudding!" Pinkie bounced over, apparently not needing wings to stay suspended in midair as she moved. "I was hoping Spike would find it but oh well!"

"Pinkie. What did we say about pranks in the castle?" Rarity asked

"Whaaaattt? It was funny!"

"Nevermind." Twilight's horn glowed and the pudding disappeared. "Let's just continue. This way."

Twilight led them out of the castle and over the bridge to the school. They saw pony students milling around in the entry hall. They gave a quick tour, Rainbow's friends staying in their own classrooms to prepare or grade papers. Then Rainbow took over, Twilight dropping back to follow from behind.

"Come on, I'll show you guys my classroom!" Rainbow called.

She led them down a hall and into a classroom. It honestly looked more like a gym, with elements that reminded Spitfire of Wonderbolt Headquarters. Clearly Rainbow had drawn inspiration from it in the form of the hoops, the high ceilings with open windows, and the cloud designs on the walls. There was sports equipment leaned against the walls, a teacher's desk in the far back of the room, and a wide open floor.

Spitfire noticed Smolder hovering in midair with Gallus and Ocellus. Gallus was flying through one of the rings while Smolder and Ocellus passed a ball back and forth. She also saw Sandbar standing below them, and when Ocellus dropped the ball, he ran and kicked it back into the air.

"This is pretty sweet." Rapidfire said, taking off.

"It's so tall!" High Winds took off and flew up to admire the gaps in the ceiling where there were a few clouds. She settled on one, testing it.

"Hey Professor." Smolder waved, before reaching and catching the ball in the tips of her claws. "Hah, nice try Celly!"

Ocellus laughed and they looked up in time to see Gallus preform a loop as he flew through a ring, laughing.

"Hey, Gallus!" Sandbar called out. "Can I get a lift?"

"What exactly is he talking about?" Fire Streak asked

"Watch, the students have come up with a way to help their wingless friends." Rainbow said, gesturing.

Gallus swooped down, hooked his claws under Sandbar's forelegs, and rose up again. Smolder and Ocellus joined them as Sandbar clambered onto Gallus' back, smiling.

"You should see them pick up Yona-and she's a yak." Rainbow said, making Rapid's jaw drop.

"They can lift up a yak?"

"Yeah, with Silverstream's help." Rainbow said

"Someone say my name?!" a pink Hippogriff appeared behind them

"Hey Silver!" Smolder waved, tossing the ball to the Hippogriff. Silverstream took off, caught the ball, then tossed it back.

"Hey Smolder!"

"I don't believe you." Rapidfire told Rainbow.

"Is that...thunder?" Soarin asked, pricking his ears.

Spitfire pricked her own ears, also hearing the low rumble.

"It sounds like...hoofsteps..."

"Not quite." Rainbow said "That's-"

"Hello friends!"

The Wonderbolts all leapt to the side and into the air as a young yak barreled into the classroom, bounding up to them. High Winds flew back down to join them as Ocellus waved.

"Hi Yona!" Sandbar waved from Gallus' back, and Yona stomped on the ground.

"Yona want fly with friends!" she called out.

"Sure." Smolder shrugged

Smolder, Silverstream, and Ocellus flew down to Yona. Smolder grabbed Yona's horns, Silverstream latched her claws around Yona's middle, and Ocellus grabbed onto Yona's front hooves, helping them get her into the air.

"Wha-huh?" Rapidfire gaped.

"Told ya." Rainbow grinned

"Woah! How weird is a flying yak?!" Surprise exclaimed

"Ocellus can be weirder!" Silverstream called down, and they all looked to the young changeling.

"Oh, uh-"

"Let's not have any transformations in classrooms, kids." Twilight called, stepping forward.

"Okay Headmare Twilight." Ocellus said, looking relieved.

"And this is the best classroom of them all! Rainbow Dash's!"

They turned to see Scootaloo, followed by two more foals, then came Rumble and Sparkfire.

"Wow!" Sparkfire cried, looking around. "Oh, hey Spitfire, everypony!"

"Hey Spark." Spitfire said, as Spark ran over for a quick hug.

"She looks just like you." Twilight commented

"She should, I'm her sister." Spitfire replied

"I want to go back ta ma' sis's classroom." the Earth Pony filly muttered

"AJ's classroom is just a big barn, Apple Bloom!" Scootaloo objected, wings fluttering.

"Hey bro." Thunderlane said to Rumble, who nodded.

"Hey Thunderlane." Rumble looked up at the students. They had set Yona down on one of the window's balconies and were playing with the ball again. "Lucky. Miss Cheerilee never lets us play ball in class."

"Yeah, we've tried." Scootaloo agreed

"Well, I'm sorry to say you three-you too Rumble-already know about friendship. You don't need any extra classes." Twilight said

"We know." the Unicorn sighed "It just seems like so much fun here!"

"I know the school is a bit different than others and yes, the classes are more interesting than your usual curriculum, but you need Cheerilee's classes, not mine."

"At least we get to be official friendship tutors." Scootaloo sighed "That's something."

"Come on, let's head back to the clubhouse. We can stop by Sugarcube Corner on the way." the Unicorn said

"Sorry, but I think it's time the 'Bolts headed back, we still need to get a bit of exercise in for the day." Spitfire said, glancing around at them.

"Alright then. It was nice to meet you, and I hope you realize you're all welcome in Ponyville anytime." Twilight smiled "Besides, Pinkie's going to be looking forward to that party."

"Great! We can't wait!" Surprise cheered as they all headed out of the Friendship School.

The group of flyers all took off and headed home. Fleetfoot flew closer to Spitfire as Sparkfire dropped back to talk with Rainbow Dash about Scootaloo.

"Tho, did you have fun?" Fleetfoot asked

"Yeah." Spitfire smiled at her, then flew closer. "I did. I'd like to see the others in that support group again. And Sparkfire definitely had fun."

"So I guess that means we can come down more often...?" Lightning Streak asked from behind them, only catching the tail end of her sentence, about her sister having fun.

"I guess it does." Spitfire smiled.

Author's Notes:

And so ends the Ponyville arc for this story. Not to worry, they will continue to visit in the future, and have some adventures to boot. But the next chapter may take some time, like this one did. Bye for now then!

~Melody Song

Phoenix State

Spitfire sighed heavily as she trotted outside. A rainbow blur flashed by.

"Hey Spit!" Rainbow hung upside-down in front of her. "Whatcha doing?"

"Just checking on the Wonderbolt Museum."

"Woah, woah, hold up." Rainbow righted herself and stood in Spitfire's path. "Wonderbolt...Museum?! How have I never heard of this?! And...wait, isn't there one in Cloudsdale?"

"Yes, but this is the secret, on-campus museum. The museum in Cloudsdale's open to the public, while ours is private." Spitfire replied, then fixed Rainbow with a stern glare. "Meaning no bringing your friends up here."

"Aww, why nooot?" Rainbow asked

"Because it's for Wonderbolts only. The Cloudsdale Museum has perfect replicas of all the historical stuff in here-"

"Wait, replicas?!" Rainbow landed "I thought they were all real!"

"You really think the past Captains would let the real historical artifacts be placed in a museum with frankly awful security?"

"So all those things in the museum..."

"Amazingly accurate replicas." Spitfire winked as they approached a large building.

"So...do I get to see, or..."

"As a matter of fact, we've been meaning to bring you in. A kind of 'initiation' for new 'bolts. But then Thunderlane joined and your schedule's crazy enough as is. We never had the time."

"So I can check it out?!" Rainbow asked eagerly.

"...Okay, fine. You can come do a patrol of the building with me. But stay with me at all times, and don't touch anything."

"Okay, mom." Rainbow rolled her eyes. Spitfire chuckled and smirked, before they reached the building. She unlocked the door with the key she pulled from under her wing.

"Like I said, stick with me. This place is pretty big."

"Alright, alright." Rainbow followed her in.

Spitfire took a deep breath as she gazed around at pure Wonderbolt history. "See this Dash? All of this...we are walking in the hoofsteps of our Wonderbolt ancestors."

"Woah..." Rainbow took off and observed a low-hanging wooden glider. "What's this?"

"Commander Easyglider's original design for a glider that would allow unicorns to fly to our rescue, back before they had pegasus medics on hoof."

"How come I've never seen this before?"

"Aheh...I may have misspoke...not everything in here has a replica in the public museum..." Spitfire admitted with a slight blush.

"Typical Wonderbolts, keeping all the cool stuff for themselves." the sly, arrogant tone rang out.

"Sounds like it's coming from the left wing." Rainbow said

"That's the Hall of Heroes. Past Wonderbolts that have made a big difference." Spitfire told her.

"Oh, and would you look at that. Spitty's in here. What'd she do? Be the worst Captain ever?" the voice asked, and Spitfire growled.

"I recognize that voice...show your face, Dust!" Rainbow yelled.

"Oh, but I so love being in the shadows. After all, that's why you made sure I was kicked out, wasn't it?"

"You were kicked out due to reckless, unacceptable behavior!" Spitfire yelled back, walking forwards and snarling.

"Aww, is that what you tell yourself? You know I could have become your successor. I'm worthy of that title, you were just scared I'd rise to the top and kick you out."

"Dust, you weren't ready to be a Wonderbolt! A Wonderbolt needs to learn that her duty is to her team first, then herself! If winning a training exercise that I specifically told you wasn't a race is more important than ensuring the safety of innocent bystanders, then you're not a good captain!" Spitfire yelled, her eyes flashing with a strange red hue.

"You're right." Lightning Dust suddenly said. "I'm never going to be as good as you, Captain Spits."

Spitfire growled and lowered herself in an attack stance, while Rainbow hovered at her side, forelegs raised, ready to strike. Suddenly, she appeared. Lightning Dust was glaring at them, wearing her Washouts uniform, helmet discarded.

"I'll be even better." She snarled.

Then, Lightning Dust flew down and swerved, delivering a kick to Rainbow's stomach with her hind leg. Rainbow let out a yelp and shoved back, but Lightning Dust swiped up with an uppercut and got Rainbow on the jaw, sending her reeling back. Rainbow recovered with her training and shot towards Lightning Dust.

Spitfire was frozen. She couldn't move. All this... she closed her eyes and heard, not the sounds of two brawling Pegasi, but the screams of a colt, the metallic slicing of a knife... and louder screams of a small four-year-old filly.

"No..."

"Aw, is little Spitty scared? Is she gonna cry?" Lightning Dust suddenly taunted. Spitfire dropped her attack stance and sank to the ground, feeling tears beginning to trail down her face.

She remembered it all. Laughter and joy, running through a grassy field up a hill with a shining blue lake... the retreating form of a red pegasus... the soothing voice of a colt long gone... the beatings, the yelling, the screams of horror... and then... rushing to the mountains in search of the Ice Iris because she was so afraid of losing someone else...

"Cap?" Rainbow's limping steps echoed in the long, tall hallways. "Spit?"

"Face it Crash, your Captain's a weak little filly. How else do you explain how easily fooled she was by Rider? And she must be some kind of monster to replace her own second-in-command with a complete newbie who can't stay in the air long enough to make it through a single ring!"

Spitfire felt something ignite in her chest. She pressed down on her legs and forced her head up. "What. Did. You. Say?" her eyes flashed red.

"I called you a monster, Spitfire, why? Did it hurt your feewings?"

"It is one thing," Spitfire's voice wavered with a slight sob, "For you to call me names. But you do not insult my friend or teammate. Not on my watch."

"Um... Spit... your eyes are red." Rainbow pointed out, backing up.

"Oh, believe me Dash, I know." Spitfire snarled "I think I should stop holding it in."

"Holding what in?" Rainbow asked, suddenly sounding scared.

Spitfire's eyes gleamed red, and stayed that way. Her mane began to flicker and flow like flames. She bared her teeth to reveal fangs that hadn't been there before.

"My anger." she growled, then opened her wings.

Spitfire's wings spread open wide in a threat. The outer feathers suddenly became alight with flames, making Lightning Dust and Rainbow back up in fright. Spitfire stomped her hooves down in anger and they lit up with flames as well. Her cutie mark was glowing. Spitfire's eyes narrowed and she let out a feral growl.

"Sp-Spit?" Rainbow asked, eyes going wide.

"Get away Dash, I don't wanna hurt you." Spitfire growled, flinching and reaching to rub the side of her head.

"Gah! D-demon!" Lightning Dust screamed

Spitfire snarled and lunged. "I'm not a demon! I'm a normal pony!!" she screamed, and punched down. Lightning Dust fell backwards and rolled to the side as Spitfire's hooves came down.

"Ah! G-get away from me, you freak!" Lightning Dust screamed, taking off and flying away, out the door of the museum.

Spitfire raced after her and yelled after her. "I'm not a freak!"

"What's going on?" Soarin raced up, Fleetfoot beside him. Rainbow came up behind Spitfire to meet them. "What is that?!"

"Spit!" Rainbow raced back around, heading for her. Spitfire raced at her, headbutting her in the chest so she was pushed backwards. "Agh!"

The cry of pain did it. Spitfire's eyes widened and her gaze softened as she looked at Rainbow. The mare was sitting up, rubbing her chest and wincing. The flames around Spitfire's hooves and wings faded, and her fangs disappeared. Her mane's fire lessened and she reached up to rub her eyes.

"R-Rainbow?"

"Thpitty!" Fleetfoot raced forwards and threw her hooves around her neck. "What happened to you?"

"It..." Spitfire's eyes returned to their normal brown. "It's called my Phoenix State. It happens when I get genuinely angry... it's a drawback to my Phoenix Magic. I'm sorry Rainbow... I didn't mean to hurt you, I can't control my anger... when I warned you to move, I used the last bit of control I could manage. I lost control after that."

"So you didn't mean to hurt me?" Rainbow asked

"I would never hurt my friend on purpose." Spitfire rubbed her head. "I think I need to go lie down..."

"Okay. Come on Thpitty." Fleetfoot nuzzled her.

"Wait, you're not scared of me?"

"Not if you're not trying to hurt anyone." Rainbow said "I mean, losing control of your emotions is no big deal, happens to everyone. You just have a more... extreme reaction."

"Funny." Spitfire said dryly, then winced.

"Come on honey, you look like you need to lie down." Fleetfoot urged

"O-okay..." Spitfire followed Fleetfoot away, while Soarin helped Rainbow limp after them.

"So, what happened in there?" Soarin asked

"Dust showed up." Rainbow replied

"She what?!"

"I'll tell you once we're inside Soar." Rainbow said, nuzzling him.

"Alright." Soarin sighed

"One thing before we go inside..." Spitfire turned to them. "Don't tell anyone, please. Not even the others, okay?"

"Sure, but why?" Rainbow asked

"I just don't want them to know. You guys may not be scared of me but there's plenty of ponies who would be quick to call me a demon... evil... I'm not just talking about Dust, either."

"Poor baby. C'mon, let'th get you to bed." Fleetfoot kissed her on the cheek.

---

Spitfire snuggled up beside Fleetfoot in bed.

"So... you're really not scared of me?"

"Of courthe not honey. We know you, you'd never intentionally hurt anyone." Fleetfoot nuzzled the bigger mare, holding her in her hooves. "You're a beautiful mare, like Rainbow thaid, you jutht have trouble controlling your anger becauthe of your powerth. There'th nothing wrong with that."

"Even though I look evil?"

"But you aren't evil, that'th what matterth." Fleetfoot kissed her forehead.

"Thanks Fleety..." Spitfire cuddled up to her. "Love you."

"Love you too Thpitty."

Author's Notes:

New chapter! Yay! Yeah, so, I've kind of lost inspiration for this, but I'm not going to cancel it! You will get two more chapters after this one, then an epilogue. But I might one day gain more inspiration and write a couple more chapters. I'm sorry to all those who liked this story, but if you enjoy this one, maybe check out a couple of my other Wonderbolt stories, if you haven't already.

~Melody Song

A Day of SurPies

Spitfire was pacing before her team, wearing her uniform, whistle bouncing on her chest. "Alright troops, we're going to be having a free day today-"

"Whoo!" Rapidfire cheered

"Rapid!" Spitfire snapped. "Anyway... that means you will be responsible for your own training."

"Why?" Thunderlane asked

"Because there will be days when I'm not here to oversee your training, so I need to make sure the idiots among us know how to work out on their own." Spitfire replied, glaring out at them over her aviator glasses.

"Yea-hey!" Rapidfire huffed

"Oh you know it's true, just own it." Spitfire said, then continued her pacing. "Today, you will all be responsible for yourselves, and I will be among you doing the same. Just because I'm taking the day off from being your-"

"Mother?" Lightning Streak asked

"Single mom who's really strict?" Thunderlane suggested

"Military mom?" Rapidfire joined in.

"...Drill Seargent. Just because I'm not in charge for the day does not mean I will not see everything you do. Which means this is not a day for goofing off. I don't want to see any shenanigans today."

"Aww..." Rapidfire sighed

"That's enough out of you Gutter." Spitfire growled. "Now, if any of you have any problems, I expect you to solve it yourself."

"Why do we have to participate, ma'am?" Misty Fly asked, raising a hoof.

"Well Misty, the boys would get lonely if they had to go through this on their own." Spitfire answered teasingly, smirking

"Hey! Surprise is just as shenanigan-y as us!" Thunderlane accused

Spitfire rolled her eyes. "That's not a word, Thunder."

"My point still stands!"

"And my point is that you're all responsible for your own actions for the day. And due to likely collateral damage, let's try to stay within the boundaries of HQ, okay?" Spitfire said, before trotting off.

"Are you sure thith ith a good idea?" Fleetfoot asked as she and Spitfire headed to the gym.

"Of course I'm sure. They can handle themselves for a day and I'll be able to step in if needed." Spitfire replied.

"Heh, okay. Now come on honey, I bet I can lift more weightth than you."

"Oh you're on!" Spitfire laughed, chasing Fleetfoot into the gym. The two mares entered the gym, having left the rest of their team to their own devices. Nothing too bad could come out of that. Hopefully.

---

"Rapid, what are you doing?" Lighting Streak whispered "Spit said we're supposed to be training."

"She said that right before she announced we'd have to be responsible for our own training." Rapidfire replied, hunched down with his side pressed against the wall, leaning in to look through the doorway leading to the kitchen.

"So you're being responsible for your own training by not training? Clever..." Lightning Streak rubbed his chin with a hoof.

"Not exactly." Rapid slunk forwards. "I prefer to think of it as my own type of training. In the art of dessert-snatching!"

"What?!" Lightning exclaimed, and Rapid yanked him down as Thunderlane poked his head out of the doorway.

"Someone there?" Thunderlane asked, but saw no one. He shrugged and reentered the kitchen.

Rapid breathed a sigh of relief as Lightning composed himself.

"But... but Rapid, Thunderlane's making pies today! And you know how Soarin gets if he doesn't get pie!" Lightning whisper-yelled

"That's the point." Rapid said, smirking.

"Soarin is going to kill you."

"I know. But it'll be worth it." Rapid snickered. "Come on."

"Wait, why me?"

"Because I needed someone to help carry the pies and you're right here. Now let's go."

Lightning nodded and slunk after Rapidfire. They looked into the kitchen. Thunderlane was putting the finishing touches on a few pies, and set them on the counter. He then took off the chef's hat he wore, setting it down and leaving the kitchen from the door opposite the one they were peeking through.

"Heh, great, we won't have to deal with the angry cook. Come on." Rapidfire led him into the kitchen.

"Mm, these look really good..." Lightning said, lifting one up.

"Grab as much as you can carry, quick, before he comes back." Rapid directed

The two stallions quickly grabbed all the pies, just as they heard hoofsteps. Thunderlane was coming back. Rapid gestured for Lightning to go, and they flew out of the kitchen, carrying the pies.

"Alright, I've got the dessert taken care of, so now I-WHERE ARE ALL THE PIES?!"

Rapidfire snickered mischievously. "I relish this victory."

"So what do we do with the pies now?" Lightning asked

"Hm... let's give 'em to Surprise." Rapidfire said

"Why her?"

"She's almost as bad as us. Plus, we'll get a good laugh out of whatever she does with them."

"Ooh, okay!"

Rapidfire laughed and flew down the hallway, Lightning behind him.

"Surprise? You in here?" Rapidfire ducked into the rec room. "Oh, there you are."

"Hi guys!" Surprise called, spitting out a crayon. She was lying on her stomach in the rec room, a coloring book spread in front of her with a box of crayons. "What'cha doin'?"

"We just found all these pies." Rapid said, he and Lightning Streak setting them down in front of Surprise, whose eyes widened and a grin appeared on her face. "We were wondering if you knew something we could do with them...?"

"Of course I do!" Surprise bounced up, hovering in midair. "Why didn't you say so?! Come on!"

Rapidfire and Lightning Streak laughed and hoofbumped as Surprise scooped up as much pies as she could and flew out of the room. They grabbed the rest of the pies and followed her.

Meanwhile, Spitfire and Fleetfoot had been joined by most of the other Wonderbolts, who had taken initiative and decided to train in the gym as well. The only ones absent were Blaze, Misty Fly, Wave Chill, Thunderlane, and of course the three scheming pegasi.

"Hey Sun, where'd you say the others were again?" Spitfire asked, doing a couple chin ups on the bars mounted to the wall.

"Blaze, Misty, and Wave said they were heading out to the obstacle course, the others are probably with them." Sun Chaser replied, she was doing wing ups.

"Not Thunderlane, he's cooking dinner, he said we're having pie tonight!" Soarin cheered, and Rainbow giggled, kissing him on the cheek as they competed to see who could do the most wingups.

"Heh, you and pie, Soar." Fire Streak chuckled

"Hey, stop with the pie talk, you're making me hungry!" High Winds called out

"I think it's about time to hit the showers anyway." Spitfire said, dropping down from the bar and flying to the door.

"Good idea honey." Fleetfoot followed her.

"Eh, sure. I was winning anyway." Rainbow said

"Heh, yeah Dashie, you were." Soarin said, smiling at her.

"Come on then." Spitfire led the way out of the gym, noticing the others follow her. She turned back to them with a sly smirk. "You guys aren't stopping just because I am, are you?"

"Of course not!"

"No way!"

"Nu-uh!"

"Heh, whatever you say..." Spitfire said, chuckling.

"Hey guys!" Blaze, Misty, and Wave flew over to them.

"You done training too?" Soarin asked

"Yeah." Blaze landed, stretching. "Can't wait to hit the showers."

"Where are the others?" High Winds asked

"I thought they were with you guys." Wave said

"No... but Thunderlane's probably still cooking-" Sun Chaser began

"Spitfire, help!" Thunderlane ran up. "All the pies are gone!"

"What?!" Soarin exclaimed

"The pies are gone?" Spitfire asked

"Yeah, all of them! Where could they be?!" Thunderlane asked

"Alright, calm down. Go start making some new pies and we'll-"

"Hello everyone!" Surprise trotted up to them, pulling a long table covered with a tablecloth behind her with some rope. "I have a surprise for you, get it?!"

"We get it Surprise, now what is it?" Blaze asked

"Ta-da!" Surprise whisked the tablecloth away, revealing...

"The pies!" Thunderlane said, staring at the confections, which were resting on top of a second tablecloth.

"Surprise, you took them?" Soarin asked

"Sorta! I have them here to surprise you all!" Surprise explained.

"Oh. Well, I guess that's-" Soarin then gasped as Surprise grabbed the tablecloth in her mouth and flicked it deftly.

The pies were thrown up into the air and came down.

"Incoming!" Blaze shouted

The group of startled pegasi did their best to shield themselves with their wings. Unfortunately this didn't do much, and the pies fell on them with a comical splattering.

"Ick! Yuck, pie filling!" Rainbow spat, while Soarin began licking some of the filling off his hoof.

"Surprise! Or should I say, sur-pies!!" Surprise doubled over laughing.

Two more laughs sounded from behind her, and Rapidfire and Lightning Streak trotted up. Rapidfire patted Surprise on the back.

"Wow! That went better than I thought it would, nice work Slowpoke!"

"Thanks Rapid!" Surprise giggled.

"Wait. This was you two's fault?" Spitfire snarled, trying to look intimidating while covered in lemon meringue pie filling.

"Well, we were just the ones who gave the... heh, ammunition, to Surprise, she decided to do this on her own." Rapid said, smirking.

"So instead of doing what I asked, you two decided to goof around and do the exact opposite of what I said?!"

"Pretty much."

"Oh, you two are going to get it..." Spitfire growled

"Heh, yeah right." Lightning chuckled

Spitfire snarled, but Fleetfoot put a hoof on her shoulder. Spitfire nodded, and then grinned. She locked eyes with Surprise, who winked and reached under the table.

"Oh boys! I just remembered, you two deserve something for a job well done!" Surprise said

"Really? What?!" Lightning asked eagerly

Two pies were shoved into their faces. Surprise giggled and flew over to Spitfire, hoofbumping her.

"Surpies!" Surprise giggled

Rapidfire and Lightning Streak wiped the pies off their faces.

"And that's all our punishment?" Rapidfire asked hopefully

Spitfire laughed. "Of course not! You two start cleaning this mess up."

Rapidfire and Lightning Streak groaned and sulked off. Spitfire chuckled and put her wing around Fleetfoot.

"Come on everyone, now we really have to hit the showers." she called, then nuzzled Fleetfoot and spoke in a low voice. "And after that, you're coming with me Fleety."

Fleetfoot giggled and blushed. "Thnuggleth?" she asked.

"Snuggles." Spitfire replied, kissing her cheek. "Heh, love you Fleety."

"Love you too Thpitty."

A Wonderbolt Nightmare Night

Author's Notes:

So in this chapter, I added in Vapor Trail, Sky Stinger, and Night Glider (the pegasus from Starlight's village). My reason for this will make sense, don't worry. And happy early Halloween!

~Melody Song

Spitfire gathered all the Wonderbolts in the Mess Hall, waiting for them to fall silent. Dark Shooter was among them, standing beside Fleetfoot. Spitfire had also allowed Rainbow Dash to bring three cadet friends of hers, Night Glider, a newer recruit, and two Academy members, Vapor Trail and Sky Stinger. The reasoning behind her allowance of this was quite simple.

"Are we all ready for the annual Nightmare Night Scavenger Hunt?" Spitfire asked

"What's that?" Rainbow asked

"Well, you, Thunderlane, Vapor Trail, Night Glider, and Sky Stinger haven't experienced it."

"Mind explaining then?" Sky Stinger asked

"You see, every Nightmare Night, we have a competition, Stallions v.s Mares. The losing team has chore duty for a month. The task is to collect items for a small statue of Nightmare Moon." Spitfire explained

"The boys have won every year, but this is the year we finally will!" Blaze cried

"Who sets up the hunt?" Vapor Trail asked

"Usually I do, along with another one of the mares, so the teams are even. But I want to compete this year, so we need somepony else to do it." Spitfire answered

"Dark Shooter could do it." Fleetfoot suggested "He ith here to help, after all."

"No way, if you two are going to be participating we need our teams to be even. Dark Shooter's with us." Rapidfire objected

"But he's not a Wonderbolt." High Winds said

"He's an honorary one." Wave Chill argued

"Not technically." Sun Chaser murmured

"To stop all your arguing, I'll do it." Night Glider cut in. "With Dark Shooter and without me, each team will have nine members." she reasoned. Spitfire nodded gratefully.

"Now, let's get this started." Spitfire said, and they cheered.

---

That night, the two groups all sat down outside Wonderbolt HQ, to listen to Night Glider's opening story. Night Glider held a flashlight to illuminate her face.

"A long time ago, Nightmare Moon haunted Equestria, and even today, we build statues of her to put outside our homes. If the statues are perfect, then Nightmare Moon won't be able to enter." Night Glider began pacing. "The pieces for these statues are hidden around HQ, inside and out. The only rule is: the very last piece you'll be allowed to collect is the helmet of Nightmare Moon, and only once your statue is assembled. The first team to put the helmet on their statue wins."

The teams all leaned closer, in anticipation. Night Glider crept forwards eerily.

"But be warned... there's only one helmet to put on the statue. And you'd better be careful... or else we'll string you up on the flagpole for Nightmare Moon to devour!" Night Glider cried, and Vapor Trail yelped, hiding behind her wings.

"We'll own this competition!" Rapidfire exclaimed

"No you won't, we will!" Blaze argued

"First challenge is to collect the body of Nightmare Moon. They will be found in the place where all bodies go for a meal. Good luck." Night Glider backed into the shadows as the teams took off, laughing.

"Come on guys!" Soarin said, leading the stallions away

"Good luck!" Dark Shooter called back

"You'll need it!" Rapidfire added, laughing. Dark Shooter looked hurt, he clearly hadn't meant to make it a joke.

"We're not gonna let them win, let's go girls!" Spitfire called "To the mess hall!"

The mares raced into the mess hall to find the two bodies sitting in the kitchen. High Winds took off and flew into the room.

"Too slow girls!" Thunderlane flew out with one of the bodies.

"We'll catch up, now let's go!" Rainbow cried. They grabbed the stone body of Nightmare Moon and flew after the boys.

They met back up in front of Night Glider.

"Now you must collect the legs, head, and armor of Nightmare Moon. For the legs, search in the place everyone works theirs out. For the head, find them in the place where everyone goes to fill their heads with knowledge. Lastly, for the armor, search in the one place no one dares go after hours." Night Glider said

"The obstacle course?" Dark Shooter asked

"The locker room?" Blaze suggested

"No, Spitfire's office!" Night Glider replied, and they gasped. Spitfire laughed and shrugged.

"To make it fair, I won't even be the one to get the armor." she told them.

The boys took off immediately, but as the girls made to follow them, Rainbow held out her wing.

"You guys go get the stuff, I've got a plan to delay the boys." they all nodded eagerly and took off.

"I'll go to the gym to get the legs." Spitfire said

"I'll go with you." Fleetfoot said

"Then I'll head to your office and find the armor." Misty Fly added

"The rest of us will split up and find the head. Any ideas where it could be?" Sun Chaser asked

"The building off to the side of HQ! it's where the Wonderbolt Cadets have the Classroom Portion of Trials Week!" Vapor exclaimed

"Yes, let's go!" High Winds cried, and they all split up.

---------------------------------------------

Misty crept slowly into the office, and saw the armor resting in the middle of the room. She reached out and took the armor from the desk, just as Wave Chill burst in. He grabbed for the second set of armor just as Misty took off. She flew up and over him, then out the door.

"Later, loser!" she called, waving goodbye as the door shut behind her.

-----------------------------------------

Spitfire and Fleetfoot went into the gym, and there were the legs. There was the first set sitting on the pullup bar, while the second set rested on the weights. Spitfire looked to Fleetfoot and smiled.

"I'll get them Fleet, don't worry." Spitfire flew over to the pullup bar and put her hooves on it. She did a few pullups before she managed to get high enough to grab the legs.

Spitfire landed and looked to Fleetfoot, who was blushing and staring at her.

"You're tho thtrong." Fleetfoot mumbled. Spitfire chuckled, coming over to her and kissing her lightly on the cheek.

"Come on honey, let's go find the others."

-------------------------------------

The crowd burst into the building, looking around wildly for the head. It was glaring at them from the shelf. Vapor gulped and took off, flying up to get it. She balanced it carefully and then flew back down to the others.

"Good job Vapor!" Surprise cheered

"Thanks. Now can we go find the others? This place is kind of creepy." Vapor said, shuddering

-------------------------------------

They raced back to where Night Glider waited. Both teams began to set up their statues.

"Done!" Sky Stinger cried, stepping away from the statue

"We're done too!" Blaze added

"Where's Rainbow?" High Winds asked, looking around. "She said she had a plan."

"Now all that's left is the helmet." Night Glider said, but there was laughter from behind her. Rainbow flew up to them, holding something in her hooves.

"I've got Nightmare Moon's helmet!" she cried, dropping it onto the girl's statue.

"NO!" Rapid yelled

"Hold it." Night Glider took off and examined the helmet. "That's not Nightmare Moon's helmet. Rainbow, this is the helmet from a Nightmare Moon costume. You faked it!"

The boys brightened up. They still had a chance.

"Are you sure?" Rainbow asked

"Yes, I just hid the helmet earlier!"

"And this isn't it?"

The boys all glared at her. Rainbow's questions were just delaying the inevitable.

"Come on Rainbow, you know you weren't supposed to go looking for the helmet until your statue was complete. Rainbow Dash, you are disqualified."

As Night Glider said these words, the boys cheered. Except for Soarin, though that was due more to his relationship with Rainbow than anything.

"I didn't go find the helmet, that'd be cheating." Rainbow spoke up.

"What?" Night Glider asked, getting the stallion's attention.

"This is from my house, it's one of Scootaloo's old Nightmare Night costumes. Is there a law against wearing costumes in this place?" Rainbow asked, and the stallions froze.

"But...why would you do that?" Night Glider asked, and Rainbow smirked, turning to look directly at the stallions.

"Hmm, why would I do that? It's almost like I did it on purpose." Rainbow glanced back at Night Glider. "To slow the boys down, maybe."

The group gasped and Fire Streak looked around.

"Hey, where are the girls?!" he cried

"Rainbow's just trying to distract us!" Rapid yelled

"They're probably already looking for the real helmet." Soarin added, and Rapid sighed.

"What a low-down trick!" he smirked, putting a hoof to his chin. "Dang, I wish I'd thought of it..." Rapid's eyes widened. "Especially because the more we talk about it, the better it works!"

---

"Hurry! Find the helmet!" Spitfire called as they flew around HQ. Rainbow's trick had bought them some time, but they couldn't be sure how long it would keep the boys distracted.

"I think it's in here!" Blaze flew into the locker room and began throwing the lockers open. The other girls joined her. Hooves sounded nearby.

"The boys, hurry!" Surprise shrieked

"Ha!" Fleetfoot had found the helmet, it was in Spitfire's locker. She reached for it just as Dark Shooter did. They both grabbed and tried tugging it away from each other.

"Dark, let go! I found it firtht!"

"No way, you guys tricked us!"

"Let me have it!"

"Or I'll take it!" Lightning Streak flew in between the two siblings and scooped up the helmet, running out.

"Get him!" the girls yelled, chasing after the boys.

The two groups began pushing each other out of the way. Surprise knocked into Lightning and snatched the helmet away. Fire Streak grabbed the helmet as she held it away from Lightning. Spitfire dove in and grabbed the helmet from him, then passed it to Rainbow, who had rejoined the group. As Rainbow held it away from Rapidfire, she slipped on the floor and dropped the helmet. Soarin caught her, but Sky Stinger caught the helmet.

"Told you boys are better. One of you even fell for us!" Rapid laughed, as Sky Stinger took off with the helmet.

They reached the place where the statues were and it became an all-out wrestling match. Rainbow pinned Sky Stinger to the ground and Vapor took the helmet, but then dropped it when Wave Chill scared her. Fleetfoot tackled her brother and laughed.

"Get off me sis!"

"Make me, tough guy." she teased, and he groaned.

The girls all took turns pinning one of the boys down. Spitfire was holding Rapid by the shoulders, when Misty Fly took over.

"Go get us the win Captain!" she called.

The helmet had rolled to the side, lying abandoned on the clouds. Spitfire was the only one free, apart from Night Glider.

"Forgive me sis." Dark Shooter muttered, glancing up at Fleetfoot, who blinked in confusion.

"Forgive you for wha-"

Fleetfoot was cut off as Dark Shooter grabbed her hoof, flipped her over him and onto the clouds, then stood. Dark Shooter squared off with Spitfire, whose eyes were narrowed in concentration.

Dark Shooter lunged for it, but Spitfire was faster. She swooped over and took the helmet, placing it on their statue. The girls leapt up and cheered, they had won!

"The winners are, the girls!" Night Glider exclaimed, then joined them in celebrating.

"Woo-hoo! We won! We won!" Rainbow cheered. The boys looked at each other and began laughing, joining in with the girls.

"Why are you so happy? We beat you." High Winds asked

"We never really cared about winning. Well, most of us." Silver Zoom eyed Rapidfire, who was moping.

"Really?" Sun Chaser asked

"Of course not. We just wanted to have fun with you girls." Soarin replied, and Rainbow hugged him.

"We had fun too." Misty said, then went over to Rapid, nuzzling him.

The group of friends laughed and hung out in the rec room after that. Spitfire pulled Fleetfoot aside.

"Are you okay? He flipped you pretty hard."

"Dark Shooter would never intentionally hurt me. He didn't flip me nearly ath hard ath he could have." Fleetfoot replied.

"Okay, just making sure."

"I know. Love you Thpitfire. Happy Nightmare Night"

"Happy Nightmare Night Fleety." Spitfire replied, as they watched their friends laugh and talk together.

Epilogue

"Mama, mommy, hurry up, we're gonna be late!" a blur shot through the house.

The blur was a light blue pegasus filly with a slightly darker blue mane that faded to purple-pink tints. Her mane was done in a feathered style, slightly falling over her purple eyes. Another blur joined her, revealing a colt with an identical color scheme and mane style. His eyes were slightly darker, however.

"Bri! Mama said no racing!"

"I wasn't racing, Wind! I was just flying!"

"Mommy also said no flying really fast, Crystal and Blazing are still too little." a third foal, a filly, remarked, as she followed the other two.

This filly had a dark blue coat and the same dark purple eyes as the colt. Her mane was a dark forest green with aquamarine tints and a purple streak. This filly quietly sat down by the door.

"Stay out of this Eve." the first filly said

"Bri, Windstorm, cool it." Spitfire walked up to them, smiling softly. "Is that the attitude you want to have when we meet up with your cousins?"

"No..." they said together

"Then be nice, and listen to your sister." Spitfire said

"Yes mama..." the filly, Bri, sighed.

"Okay mama..." the colt, Windstorm, agreed

"Heh, uthually I'm the one doing that, honey." Fleetfoot's voice called from the hallway.

"Well, you were getting the babies." Spitfire turned to smile at Fleetfoot as she trotted up.

Fleetfoot giggled and smiled. She had saddlebags strapped around her waist, but they weren't usual saddlebags. They were harnesses, one on each side. And securely strapped into the harnesses were two little foals, both fillies. Spitfire smiled and went over to nuzzle the fillies.

The first young filly was a pegasus with an ice blue coat and fuchsia almond shaped eyes. Her mane had been slicked back in a style similar to Fleetfoot's, and was the same snowy white. But the edges of her mane were orange, like flames licking at snow. When the little filly reached for her mother, her tiny wings unfurled and buzzed, revealing that the outer feathers, unlike the rest of her ice blue wings and coat, were yellow.

The other filly was also a pegasus, she had a yellow coat and brown eyes. Her mane had been styled identically to Spitfire's. However, rather than a lighter yellow streak running through the orange, there was a streak of snowy white. She babbled and squirmed, opening her wings to show that the outer feathers were ice blue.

"Mommy, can I hold Crystal?" Bri asked, flying to the ice blue filly.

"Can I hold Blazing?" Eve added

"Heh, maybe when we get to HQ, okay?" Fleetfoot responded "I just got them thettled down."

"Okay mommy." Eve and Bri said in unison, landing.

"I'm sure Rainbow Heart will want to play with them too." Spitfire remarked

"Who wouldn't?" Eve asked

"Me." Windstorm said, turning his nose up at the babies.

"You're just mad you're the only boy!" Bri accused

"Wh-What? No!" Windstorm insisted

"Heh, come on little ones, we need to get going so we can go say hi to your Aunties and Uncles." Spitfire said, opening a wing to usher them out.

"And the Dash cousins!" Bri added eagerly.

"Mhm, now let's go." Spitfire said, opening the door.

---

"Auntie Sunny!" Bri flew forwards and tackled the pegasus mare.

"Heheh, aww, Bri! You've gotten so big!" Sun Chaser said, smiling at the filly before glancing at Silver Zoom, who stood beside her. "Heh, Uncle Silver and I were wondering if you're the tallest now."

"No, Eve's still tallest, but I'm catching up!" Bri said

"That's great!"

Bri giggled then flew over to Eve, who was talking with High Winds and Lightning Streak. Bri jumped into their conversation, apparently trying to say hello to everyone. Windstorm looked over at her from where he was talking with Thunderlane and Rapidfire, while Misty Fly looked on nearby. Bri noticed Windstorm and shot over, dragging Eve with her.

"Uncle Thunderlane! Uncle Rapid, Aunt Misty! Where're the Dash cousins?" Bri asked

"Heh, they should be here soon." Misty Fly said, smiling at her

"Of course they didn't show up on time, and Dash calls me lazy." Thunderlane rolled his eyes.

A blade suddenly was at Thunderlane's throat.

"Care to rephrase that, Uncle 'Lane?" a voice asked

"I-I-uh... hello Lightning, nice sword!" Thunderlane said quickly

"Better." the blade was withdrawn and placed flat side down on a hovering pegasus' shoulder.

The filly had a blue-white coat, with a spiky yellow and orange shaded mane, with a lighter red streak. Her eyes were a mottled green and magenta, the two colors blending together. Her cutie mark was of three lightning bolts.

Beside the filly hovered a colt with the same coat and eyes as her. His mane, was a dark navy blue, and had a light blue and purple streak running through it. His cutie mark, though partly covered by a sheath for his own sword, was distinguishable as three storm clouds in identical positions to the filly's lightning bolts.

"Cousin Lightning! Cousin Thunder!" Bri flew towards them, smiling.

"Bri!" the filly, Lightning, put her sword back in its sheath and hugged the filly. Thunder, the colt, landed and ruffled Windstorm's mane.

"Heheh, hey Thunder!"

"Hey Wind."

"Prism, come on!" Lightning called

A filly that looked like a miniature version of Rainbow Dash flew up, smiling. She had a bow and arrow quiver strapped around her back, not quite concealing her cutie mark. The mark was a beam of light passing through a prism and turning into a rainbow on the other side.

"Ah, hello Prismatic Skies, a pleasure to see you today." Rapidfire said, sinking into a bow.

The filly, Prism, huffed, then smirked. A dagger flew from out of nowhere and stabbed into the clouds by Rapid's hoof. He shrieked and backed up.

"Don't taunt my sister or I'll take your feathers off."

"Y-Yes sir!" Rapidfire yelped, before he, Thunderlane, and Misty headed towards the other adults.

"I was about to punch 'em anyway but thanks for the assist, Glider." Prism called, as a colt the same age as Bri, Windstorm, and Eve flew up.

The colt was a miniature version of Soarin, with the stallion's white coat and navy blue mane so dark it seemed black. His cutie mark was the golden outline of an eagle. He was just like the other foals, except for one difference. His eyes were a faded blue color, blinking sightlessly at them all.

"Hey Glider!" Bri said, and he looked over at her.

"Hey Bri!"

"Where's Rainbow Heart?" Eve asked

"Dunno." Lightning shrugged. Glider's ears twitched.

"She's circling above us with mom and dad, should be landing in three... two..." Glider began to count down as a new filly landed beside them. "One."

"Well timed Glider."

The new filly, Rainbow Heart, smiled at him. She had a pure white coat, and a long mane that was pitch black. Her eyes were a bright leaf green, similar to Soarin's. Her cutie mark showed a black heart with white wings coming out from the sides, and a metallic rainbow treble clef within the heart. A crossbow was slung across Rainbow Heart's back, but she now took it off and tapped the side, causing it to fold in on itself. She then promptly stowed it under her wing.

"Hey Rainbow Heart!" Eve said eagerly

"Hey guys. So, where are Crystal Phoenix and Blazing Winter?"

"With mommy and mama." Bri replied

"Kids, come on! It's time for the reason we're here!" Spitfire called out.

"Race you there!" Bri said

"You're on!" Lightning shot off, followed by Thunder. Bri, Windstorm, Prism, and Glider were fast behind. Rainbow Heart and Eve followed, fast but not trying to race.

The adults were all talking together, until Spitfire blew her whistle.

"Yikes!" Rapidfire covered his ears.

"How did you get that?" Thunderlane groaned

"Found it under the sink, clever, Blunderlane." Spitfire said, twirling the whistle. "Now line up."

They did as they were told, with Rainbow, Soarin, and Fleetfoot in the middle around an empty space. Spitfire turned to look at a camera next to her.

"Alright, timer on, and... kids, let's go!" she called, zipping over to her spot beside Fleetfoot, taking Blazing Winter, the orange filly, from Fleetfoot.

The kids shot over into the group just as the timer went off. And there they were.

The Wonderbolts, positioned in order of rank. Thunderlane, Rapidfire, Silver Zoom, Sun Chaser, Surprise, Fire Streak, Lightning Streak, High Winds, Blaze, Wave Chill, Misty Fly, then Rainbow, Fleetfoot, Soarin, and Spitfire. And in front of them, were the kids. Rainbow and Soarin's kids had their weapons drawn, striking warrior poses with confident grins. Bri, Windstorm, and Eve stood around their mothers. Eve was tucked under Fleetfoot's wing, Bri and Windstorm hanging off Spitfire's back.

Despite not being the most average group, one thing that they all could agree on, was they would never change a thing. They would never replace their family.

Author's Notes:

And that's the end...well, this story had a good run. But don't worry, if I get more inspiration for this, I'll add them as maybe... "flashback" chapters. I hope you enjoyed Fleetfire, if you liked it, check out my other stories!

~Melody Song