The Wonderbolts flew around the track at incredible speed. Spitfire was leading with Rainbow Dash close on her tail. Somewhere far behind Soarin trailed in third place. As they came on to their final lap, the two mares were now neck and neck. Spitfire glanced over her shoulder to catch a glimpse of the distance between her and Rainbow Dash. It wasn't as large as she'd hoped it would be. The only chance she had at winning was to beat Dash at every corner, otherwise the rainbow mare would just overtake her on the straights. The yellow pegasus powered through each turn, choosing speed over control. The cyan mare seemed to have the same idea. Both mares continued to push their bodies to the limit. They finally came out at the last straight, at the end of which was the finish line. The two mares had completely exhausted themselves on the corners and so, were slowing down. As they approached the finished line, both mares at the same speed, a baby blue blur sped right past them, crossing the finish line. The two mares crossed the line at the same time. As they landed on the cloud surface they both collapsed, trying to regain the lost oxygen. A smug looking blue stallion trotted over to them. He grinned at the mares laying on the ground.
"Great race!" Soarin said. "It's a shame you both tired yourselves out on the last lap. You left the win wide open for me." the stallion gloated.
"Up...yours." Rainbow Dash panted, earning a chuckle from the baby blue stallion. The yellow pegasus bumped hooves with the cyan mare.
"We let... personal rivalry get... the better of us." Spitfire said, taking deep breaths as she spoke. "It won't happen... next time." the mare huffed.
"It better not, or ponies might start to think I'm the fastest flyer around here. I would hate to ruin both of your reputations." the baby blue pegasus said.
"Don't worry Soarin... nopony would ever... think that." Rainbow Dash giggled. She hoof bumped Spitfire again. The stallion pouted. "I'm joking you big goof." the cyan mare said, getting the stallion to smile again.
"I know, I just wanted you to say it." he said walking off, taking victory in making Rainbow Dash admit that. The two mares laughed as he trotted away. Spitfire stood up.
"Let's go hit the showers." the yellow mare said.
"Great idea." Rainbow Dash replied as the two mares headed in the direction of the changing rooms.
Rainbow Dash walked out of the shower, water dripping from her rainbow mane. She was shortly followed by Spitfire. The two mares got a few whistles from the other stallions in the changing room. They just grinned at the attention. The two mares talked as they dried themselves.
"So?" Spitfire said.
"So what?" Rainbow Dash replied, slightly confused.
"Got any plans for the weekend?" she asked the cyan mare. The rainbow maned mare looked at her.
"Well I was planning on a doing a bit of practice, but other than that, no." Rainbow Dash's said. "Why? You got something planned?".
"Well I was going to ask if you and Soarin would like to join me and my coltfriend on a double date." the yellow pegasus said. Rainbow Dash's jaw dropped. She pounced on Spitfire, earning a few cheers from the stallions still in attendance.
"You have to spill everything. Since when does Spitfire, captain of the Wonderbolts, have a coltfriend?" Rainbow Dash quizzed. Spitfire pushed the cyan mare off her. She got back to her hooves.
"Well, I've been seeing this particular stallion for the past few weeks now." the mare said. "It's nothing too serious, but we really like each other.". Rainbow Dash let out a high pitch squeal and hugged the mare.
"I'm so happy for you. You finally found somepony you like. And to answer your question, yes, Soarin and I would love to join you on a double date. It will give me a chance to get to know your new coltfriend." the cyan mare said, a sly grin on her face.
"Great. I'll let him know that you'll both be joining us. We'll be eating at my place. Feel free to show up any time after seven." Spitfire said.
"I'll see you this evening." Rainbow Dash said as she left the changing room.
***
The doorbell to Spitfire's mansion rang. She opened the door to greet her guests. Soarin and Rainbow Dash stood outside. Soarin was dressed in a black tux, while Rainbow Dash was wearing her gala dress. Spitfire ushered them inside.
"Welcome, thanks for coming." she said giving them both a hug.
"No problem. I told you we wouldn't miss it." Rainbow Dash said.
"Rainbow's right. Once she told me about the double date I was on-board immediately." Soarin said. "So what's this stallion like? Have I met him before? Is he more of a stallion than me?" Soarin asked. Spitfire and Rainbow Dash rolled their eyes.
"I can guarantee that you're more of a goofball than him." Spitfire said, causing Rainbow Dash to laugh and Soarin to scowl. "Follow me into the living room." she said leading the two deeper into her house.
Her living room was a large open space. There was a large cloud fireplace at the wall opposite the door. Two couches and an arm chair dominated the room. The walls were covered in pictures and bookshelves. It looked like the room of an excessive wonderbolt fan. The two guests sat down on one of the couches.
"My coltfriend will be here shortly. He's just caught up at work." Spitfire said. "Can I get either of you something to drink?" she asked, playing the role of hostess.
"I'll have a cider please." Rainbow Dash said.
"I'll have a brandy." Soarin said. Rainbow immediately hit him in the chest. "Ow!" he said. Rainbow Dash smiled at Spitfire.
"He'll have a cider also. He doesn't remember how giddy he gets after he's had brandy." the mare growled, glaring at her coltfriend. He had a goofish grin on his face.
"Didn't think you'd remember" he said, rubbing the back of his neck with a hoof. Rainbow Dash was about to respond but was interrupted by the doorbell. "Saved by the bell." Soarin joked. Dash glared at him with daggers in her eyes. Spitfire got up and left the room to answer the door. A moment later she returned, accompanied by a white coated pegasus with a gold mane. He walked over to the couple and shook their hooves.
"It's a pleasure to meet you both. Spitfire has told me so much about you both." the stallion said with a charming smile. "I'm Eclipse." the stallion called Eclipse said.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Eclipse. As I'm sure you can guess, I'm Rainbow Dash and this is my coltfriend Soarin." the cyan mare said. Soarin nodded a hello to the stallion. Eclipse sat down on the other couch beside Spitfire. "So tell me, how did you and Spitfire meet?" Rainbow Dash asked the newcomer. The stallion smiled.
"It's a long story." he said grinning. "I was at one of the show while it was in Canterlot, due to a business meeting I had in the city. I was sitting in the V.I.P section, talking to a friend of mine, when one of the waiters tripped and spilled wine all over my tux. I had to go to the bathroom to wash up. As I was leaving the bathroom, I bumped into this pretty mare right here." the stallion said, tapping his marefriend on the nose. "We talked all afternoon and I asked her out for dinner. She of course accepted. After the show we agreed to meet up again and things have kinda gone from there." Eclipse said.
"That's a lovely story." Rainbow Dash said. "And what job do you have?" the cyan mare asked.
"Well I don't really have a job per-se, I have a lot of money that I invest in businesses." the stallion said. "I was at the show to invest money in the wonderbolts, after which I did. I believe I am currently your biggest donor." the pegasus said.
"I didn't know that." the rainbow mare said. "I'll bet your loaded" she said.
"Dash, you can't say that to somepony." Soarin said to his marefriend.
"It's quite alright Soarin, I'm used to it at this point." the stallion said calmly.
"Oh, alright then." Soarin said. Spitfire got up off the couch.
"How about we eat. I'm absolutely famished." the yellow pegasus said.
"Sure thing." Eclipse said. The four ponies made their way out to the dining hall. It wasn't as big as the living room, but it was definitely larger than the average dining room. The four ponies sat down at a rectangular wooden table. Spitfire went into the kitchen and brought out the starters.
"So Eclipse, are you a flyer yourself?" Soarin asked the stallion sitting next to him.
"I used to be, but that when was I served in the royal guard. Now I don't get much free time for flying. I do miss it dearly though." Eclipse said.
"You served in the royal guard?" Rainbow Dash asked, surprised.
"That I did. Two years in the aerial division." the stallion said.
"Soarin also served in the guard." Spitfire said. Eclipse looked at Soarin.
"Really? What unit were you in?" He asked.
"I was in the seventeenth. I was only there for a few months though before I transferred to become a wonderbolt." the baby blue stallion said.
"That's pretty cool." Eclipse said. The ponies ate the food on the table. Spitfire collected all the plates and brought them into the kitchen. She returned with the main courses. "The food has been delicious." Eclipse said.
"Most definitely." Rainbow Dash said, biting into one of the main courses. Soarin was already stuffing his face and was unable to compliment the chef. After they were finished, Spitfire brought out desert. Soarin's eyes lit up once he saw what it was. Apple pie from Sweet Apple Acres. The baby blue stallion was in pie heaven. Spitfire cut off a slice for Eclipse, Rainbow Dash and herself and left the rest of the pie for Soarin. He devoured it in seconds. The other three ponies laughed in amusement. After desert Soarin and Rainbow Dash took their leave.
"It was a pleasure to meet you Eclipse. Hopefully we can do this again some time." Rainbow Dash said as they were leaving.
"Of course, it would be a pleasure." Eclipse said. The two ponies left leaving Spitfire and Eclipse alone. "That was a lovely evening Spitty." the stallion said kissing the mare on her forehead. "I'm going to turn in for the night, I'll see you in the morning." he said as he headed up the stairs. Spitfire tidied up the rest of the plates before heading up to bed.
"Tonight went rather well" she thought to herself.