//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 // Story: Lifelong Partners // by Creativa-Artly01 //------------------------------// A few days later, Airess goes with her parents to the Wonderbolts Arena, where she sits in the stand and watches them perform alongside the rest of the team. As she sits in the stand, she can't help but cheer. She's so proud of her parents. As she's sitting alone apart from the other spectators, she is soon greeted by two of her closest friends: Soara, RD's daughter, and Flitzy, her flying buddy from Young Flyers Assistance Group. "Hey Airess," say the two as they climb up onto the bleacher beside her. "Hey Flitzy, hey Soara," replies Airess with a grin. The three then quiet down and watch the performance, snacking on their popcorn as they watch. A few minutes later, Vapor Trail, Skystinger, Captain Rainbow Dash, and Soaren fly right past them at full speed ahead. The three cheer and wave as the four pass by them. "Wow! Your parents are amazing!" says Flitzy as she turns to face Airess and Soara. "Thanks," reply Airess and Soara in unison. "What do your parents do for a living?" The two ask curiously. "My mother is a therapist and my father is a retired member of the Royal Flight Team," replies Flitzy. "The precursor to the Wonder Bolts." "Oh cool!" replies Soara. "Yeah, that's awesome!" adds Airess. "Thank you guys," responds Flitzy with a blush. Her father then comes over and sits down beside them. "Hey girls," says the stallion, "my name is Hogan Harthoof, I'm Flitzy's dad." "Nice to meet you," reply Soara and Airess as they shake his hoof. "Hey daddy," says Flitzy, "I was just telling them how you were part of the Royal Flight Team back in the day." "Yep I was," replies Hogan Harthoof. "I was the commander of the team. I was second in command to Captain Storm Shadow. She was a great pony and a spectacular leader. Our team was respected and world-renowned. Heck, we even had the favor of both the princesses. They had us perform for them several times up until Luna's banishment. After that, Celestia didn't have us perform for her anymore. We toured all across Equestria. Several years later, we disbanded and went our separate ways. I still keep in touch with Storm. She has her own bakery now called Sunshine Delights by Storm. It's a very popular bakery and a place where I've run into the other members of our old team on several occasions. Hey, I'll take you girls there after the performance. Just ask your parents first." "Okay!" exclaim Soara and Airess. "We'll see you there!" "Great!" replies Hogan. He then goes off to get a soda before coming back and sitting beside the girls. Two hours later, the performance comes to an end and Soara and Airess run off and get permission to go to the bakery from their parents who happily agree to let them go. They then fly off and join Hogan and Flitzy. The four then head off to the bakery, Hogan carrying Soara on his back all the way there. A few minutes later, they arrive at the Sunshine Delights bakery. They are then greeted with a sweet hello from Storm. "Hey to you too, Storm," replies Hogan. She then comes out and greets him and the girls. "And who are these three little ones?" she asks. "This is my daughter, Flitzy, and her friends Soara and Airess," replies Hogan. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Storm," reply the girls with a curtsy. "What kind of cupcakes would you guys like today, on me?" she asks sweetly. "The triple chocolate pecan one for me," says Hogan. "The strawberry one for me," replies Flitzy. "The rainbow cake for me," replies Soara. "And a lemon snickett one for me," replies Airess. "Sure thing, I'll be right back with those," replies Storm with a smile. A few minutes later, she walks out and hands each of them their cupcakes then goes and rings them up on her personal tab. She then comes out from behind the counter and talks with them for about an hour before they leave her shop and return Soara and Airess to their parents. She can't help but admit she was glad to see Hogan again and glad to meet his daughter and his daughter's friends.