Soarin has never been a lucky stallion. So when the mare of his dreams seems unreachable, he has to compromise a bit. Not that he minds his compromise. But who's to say it has to stay that way? Who's to say Soarin can't get lucky once in a while.

Soarin bit his lip in annoyance. "That's blackmail."
Surprise smiled innocently. "Oh is it? I didn't realise!"

An opening of an art exhibition featuring the Wonderbolts premieres in Canterlot, drawing crowds of enthusiastic upper-crust ponies along with two much less enthusiastic Wonderbolts; Soarin and Surprise. Readying themselves in for a long and boring night of photos, autographs and hanger-oners, the unexpected arrival of a guest opens a door to Soarin's past; a door Surprise is all too happy to pry open a little further...

“Dashie, you can talk to me about anything. Problem at the academy? What is it?”
She looked him squarely in the eyes. “Soarin, I’m really not sure if this is normal… and I don’t want to sound stupid… But…”

Just because you're friends doesn't mean everything works out all fine and dandy. What happens when a unforeseen hiccup puts a new strain on Soarin and Rainbow Dash's relationship? An old acquaintance with only the eyes for a certain blue flier enters town? An early and unexpected meeting with a certain parental figure?

Issues, that's what.
But hey, what's life without a few curve-balls every now and then?
A sequel to 'Friends have Benefits'

“What the hell?” he muttered. “What happened? He cautiously opened his eyes again.
“Oh…”
He wasn’t in his room.
“Oh…” Soarin mumbled again, looking down at the bed beneath him.
He wasn’t in his bed.
“Oh my…” He said, his eyes snapping open as his foggy brain put two and two together.

After being discharged from the Wonderbolts and spending an interesting night with a certain rainbow-maned Pegasus, Soarin moves into a new career, Weather Control.

He has no idea what he's in for.

Now has a sequel.

“All plant seeds kind of look similar. They share many traits. You put them in the soil, water them, and provide sunlight. They grow, but they don’t always grow up to be the same. It could be just as well that when the seeds have sprouted, grown up to be six feet high, is when you realize that they’re completely different and share not even a single trait.” - Lesson from Celestia | Part 5

As Rainbow Dash prepared to return home from the Wonderbolts on winter leave, she expects to attend the gala and spend the rest of the winter season relaxing with her friends. Instead she receives an urgent telegram summoning her to Ponyville where she is greeted by an angry mob and a shadow of her past.

When it starts to threaten her friendships, Rainbow Dash realizes just how dangerous the situation is, and is forced to confront the ghosts of her past and the life she left behind. Lest the one she built for herself crumbles in her hooves.

We all have days we feel we can’t survive. Sometimes our dreams are crushed. Sometimes our friendships fall apart. Sometimes the ones we love betray us. Sometimes sickness overtakes us and we may even lose the ponies we love.

One thing that is guaranteed is that we all have our day in disdain.

------

Quotes about the story:

"By the end of the first part, Cheerilee's blind in one eye, Dashie's had her nose broken among other wounds, and Twilight is paralyzed from the neck (or shoulders?) down. <.< And the plot just barrels ever onward" - Present Perfect

It's time for the Wonderbolts' weekly media roundup. This time around, the newest member has a simple question with a rather complex answer.

An entry in Estee's Ship Sinkers contest. The following story was written solely to fulfill that contest's prompt and does not reflect the author's opinion towards any potential pairings between small cartoon horses. Please think before commenting.

Spoilers for S6E7, "Newbie Dash." Rated Teen for some oblique references to rear orifices and potential uses thereof.

Cloudsdale High is going to participate in some friendly games vs Canterlot High....but when magic is exposed, things take a different turn

Cover art by Lucy-tan

When Soarin'' comes to Ponyville to personally invite Rainbow Dash to the upcoming Wonderbolts tryouts, she couldn't be more exited. But when she hears what Soarin' wants in return, she isn't all that thrilled. Will Rainbow be able to keep the date secret, or will gossip and rumours get the better of her?

Soarin' x Rainbow Dash

Spectrum Skies always wanted his eldest, but also adopted son, Soarin Skies, to follow traditions. His family's legacy.

Following through all but one, Soarin fails to stop himself from falling for an ordinary village mare, Rainbow Dash.

The two fall instantly in love, but Spectrum has other plans. He wants his son to marry Spitfire, a promising Wonderbolt.

How will Spectrum react to Soarin going behind his back and marrying Dash? How will Dash react to her father's death and mother's disappearance?

What will the couple do, when Spectrum threatens to kick them out of the house?

And most importantly, what will Soarin's younger brother, Speedy, do when he comes back from college to find his entire family ripped apart?

After all, if you want happiness, you'll have to sit by a few tears as well.

Based on KJ's "K3G"~

All art in this story by NorthernLights8.

I really love this ship.

Rainbow Dash. Who is Rainbow Dash? The captain of every sports team at CHS? The loyalist of people? The coolest, most awesome kid at school? Well turns out she's actually a bit more. She's in love.

Cover picture is a cropped version of one of the amazing pieces by FJ-C on DeviantART. You should definitely go and check some of her stuff out!