Vapor Trail stood tenaciously by Sky Stinger’s side, afraid Spitfire’s eyes would burn a hole in the floor she stood on and fall through. The stallion’s hoof firmly held Vapor’s, a true sigh their relationship has transitioned into a romantic one. But despite her wonderful blessing, Vapor Trail was still in fear of Spitfire. And if either Sky or Vapor said the incorrect excuse to why they were in their captain’s closet, both special someponies would end up in an early retirement for the Wonderbolts.
“Go on,” Spitfire said patiently, her arms resting on the desk, holding up her yellow stature. “Tell me why you both were in my office without my volition?”
“‘Volition,’” Sky repeated with a grin. “Nice word use.”
A clenched hoof pounded the desk. “I am not amused with your shenanigans, Sky Stinger!” Shame crashed over the stallion. Both ears fell back, and his muzzle aimed for the ground. “I understand you have a tendency to mess around, and yeah, I’ll admit, I like a good snarky quip battle. It’s fun. I get to practice coming up with good comebacks if and when I get at it with somepony. However, what you did, what you said over the intercom about my Mom, was not cool!” A slightly amused smile lifted Spitfire’s left cheek. “And if my mother was here, Sky, she would easily show you how fast of a racehorse she was.”
Vapor Trail had to save her friend from falling deeper into the hole he fell into. “I admit, Sky shouldn’t have said that,” the white pegasus agreed. Vapor looked at her special somepony, and for once, Sky Stinger looked like he did not want any attention to himself. To bring that light off of him, Vapor Trail said, “However, Sky and I were trying to get you and Soarin in the same room.”
Spitfire’s brows twitched, her mood quickly swinging from anger to… calm. “Oh,” was all she said. The captain eyed Sky Stinger, “Why didn’t you start explaining yourself with why you used the intercom like your friend here instead of being impressed with the word ‘volition?’”
“A stupid reason…” Sky answered.
“I’m glad you realize that,” Spitfire smirked. She looked down at her desk, leaving the two teammates to stand in silence.
Vapor Trail bunched herself against Sky Stinger. Just as she was, Sky looked terribly nervous. Without being secretive, Vapor said to him, “It’s going to be fine.”
The stallion swallowed something before saying to Spitfire, “I apologize for stepping out of line. My intention was to get you to your office as fast as possible because… I was eager to see Soarin tell you how he felt about you.”
Spitfire did not look up; she kept eyeing her paperwork. “Go on. I’m listening.”
Sky Stinger looked at Vapor Trail, his hold on her hoof tightening a bit. “You see, Soarin and I talked before Vapor, he, and I came here.” Vapor was curious about where he was going with his apology, wondering what the two discussed among themselves. Maybe it was words of encouragement. Or an exchange of stallion pride or something like that; stallions have a tendency to get a little riled up when mares are involved. “When he and I talked, I… I told him that your reaction will dictate how I responded to Vapor Trail’s confession.”
The captain’s ears twitched, both eyes upon the couple. “Which explains why Daydreamer was on top of you in my closet.” Vapor Trail flushed, embarrassed she went above and beyond to give Sky Stinger her love. Spitfire looked at the flustered mare and smiled, “I assumed you both were together when I saw you both in the closet, but I am glad to know your words finally got to him.”
Sky Stinger looked at Vapor Trail. “What does she mean by ‘your words finally got to him?’”
“I’ll explain later,” Vapor Trail said.
However, Spitfire did not wait for later. “Daydreamer here has been trying to confess her feelings to you for the last two weeks.”
A quick flinch made Sky Stinger’s brows twitch with confusion. “She… she has…?” Vapor Trail’s eyes looked elsewhere, her memory remembering the frustrating tale of failed confessions. “Vapor… I… I had no idea…”
“Ohoho, but I did!” Spitfire sang. “And boy was it amusing, Sky. You were so oblivious to how Vapor Trail was behaving around you, but the others started to think she had a thing for you.”
Vapor Trail flushed even more, and she had to interject. “Did you tell anypony anything I told you?”
“I would never do that to a teammate of mine,” Spitfire said. “Your romantic problem was not mine to solve, even though I tried to help you at the obstacle course. However, I do care about my fliers and their trust with me. Not once did it slip my mind.”
“‘Obstacle course?’” Sky Stinger repeated. “What does she mean by that?”
It was a strange feeling for Vapor Trail to listen to her friend admit he was unaware of every confession she tried to make. Part of Vapor was frustrated. But she was also curious as to why he was so oblivious. “When you beat Rainbow Dash’s record last week, I was hoping that Spitfire telling you we looked like special someponies, you would possibly consider it.” The truth started to overflow Vapor Trail’s mind; she didn’t care if Spitfire listened in. “That same day, before you broke the obstacle course’s record, at the waterfall, I told you I loved you. I was hoping that those words were enough to get through to you. Then you told me that you loved me like a sister.” In the corner of Vapor Trail’s eye, she saw Spitfire shake her head with an amused grin. Vapor couldn’t blame the captain’s mood. It was ridiculous that Sky Stinger did not pick up on that hint, or any others for that matter.
“I-I had no idea…” The truth deeply hurt the mare, even though she was in a relationship with Sky Stinger. The stallion was swift and brought Vapor’s hoof to his beating chest. “But remember what I said in the closet. I romanticly blocked you out when I couldn’t forgive myself for how I reacted to the truth during tryouts. Maybe that is why I didn’t see how much you really wanted me to be your special somepony. And…” Sky’s heartbeat began to increase. Vapor Trail could feel his emotions when he said, “...I never thought you, the most amazing mare, would want me to be your special somepony. Forgive me for being such an idiot.”
“Oh, Sky,” Vapor Trail giggled. She pecked the stallion on the cheek. “You aren’t an idiot. You are very-”
Spitfire cleared her throat and tapped a very irritated hoof on the desk. “Yes, yes, you love him and all that… Let’s get back on track with your involvement with me and Soarin.”
Sky Stinger nodded, but he still kept Vapor Trail’s hoof clutched to his chest. Vapor felt some relief as she sort of understood why her words didn’t reach the stallion over the last two weeks. She didn’t allow her thoughts to dwell on the past for long; it was far away; the present was what mattered.
“Where was I?” Sky asked aloud.
Spitfire scratched her chin, “Something along the lines of Soarin’s confession dictating how my response would influence your decision to have Vapor Trail your special somepony or not.”
“Right. So, part of me was eager to see you both together.”
Vapor Trail agreed with a soft, “Mmhmm,” and nothing else. She too wanted to see two veterans happily in love with one another. Of course, Vaper witnessed how badly the confession went, and she had a feeling Spitfire and Soarin had a tragic case of, “it was never meant to be.”
“As for the other half,” Sky Stinger continued, “I wanted to not leave Vapor Trail waiting.” Vapor leaned into Sky, curious what his “other half” meant, though the excuse seemed self-explanatory. “When I realized that I was who Vapor Trail was daydreaming about, I kissed her on the cheek.” Sky looked down at Vapor, his smile as handsome as ever. “You should have seen how happy she was as she flew around the air with such speed.”
“More talk, less romance,” Spitfire said, rolling her hoof dismissively.
Vapor Trail knew that their captain demanded respect, but she couldn’t help but feel disgruntled about Spitfire’s attitude. Vapor knew Sky was making a point through all his flattering; she also really liked his kind words. “Spitfire,” Vapor Trail spoke up to comment on her captain’s attitude. However, when Spitfire’s hot-orange eyes fell upon her, Vapor squeaked and regretted interrupting.
“What is it, Vapor Trail?”
Escape was impossible. So the white mare asked, “I… can assume the just about why you don’t want to be in a relationship with Soarin, but you seem so… so… negative when Sky and I started our romantic talk. Why?”
Instead of getting angry, Spitfire only adjusted herself in her seat, perhaps to get a little more comfortable. “For starters, I just want to cut to the chase. I don’t need extra exposition. Second-”
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!
The three ponies in the room flinched and turned around to face the door. “I’m having a talk with somepony!” Spitfire called to the door. “Come back another time!”
“Okay,” Soarin’s voice responded.
Vapor Trail gasped, not expecting Soarin’s interruption. She quickly looked back at Spitfire, her ears pinned back. “Come in, Clipper.”
Every single door hinge squeaked as Soarin slowly opened the door and entered the office. Vapor Trail and Sky Stinger glanced at one another, curious why the new challenger had entered Spitfire’s ring of fire. The first thing Soarin did was look at the couple before bringing his attention to the captain. “I can come back.”
“Too bad for you, Soarin, you are the subject of our discussion,” Spitfire said, gesturing to Vapor and Sky. “I found these two in my closet, claiming that you were in on getting me to come to the office so you can do your thing.”
“I was in on it.” Soarin rubbed the back of his head, “I was hoping to talk to you to get you out of your office and allow them to escape.” He nervously smiled and looked at Sky Stinger and Vapor Trail. “Too bad it looks like you both were caught…”
Spitfire shrugged, “At least you confirming that you knew about them being in my office won’t force me to give them an early resignation. I’d hate to have two amazing fliers off the team because they wanted to be nosy.”
It was impossible for Vapor Trail to know if Spitfire was being sarcastic or serious. But it was still frightening to hear Spitfire say the words, ‘resignation.’ She hadn’t even performed at one show, and Vapor ran the risk of being thrown off the Wonderbolts. All Vapor could do as she stood and listened to the captain was keep hold of Sky Stinger.
“I’m glad you hadn’t done that, Spitfire,” Soarin said. “I’d now love to see how they fly now.” The stallion winked at Vapor Trail, and the mare felt a flare of positivity in her breast. She wondered, because of her love for Sky Stinger, if her confidence to fly alongside him would greatly improve her skill as a flier.
Spitfire looked at the couple, “You both better be ten-times as good as you were earlier today, considering the huge amount of second chances I am giving you two.”
“Yes, Captain!” both Vapor Trail and Sky Stinger exclaimed.
A laugh escaped Soarin. “Alright, Spitfire, I think you got your fill on scaring them.”
“Maybe not quite enough…” Spitfire grinned. Her smile did not sit well with Vapor Trail. The white pegasus could only hope Spitfire was joking. As quick as it came, the smirk was gone. “Anyways… Soarin, since you were late to my little talk with Vapor Trail and Sky Stinger, I’ll fill you in on what we discussed.”
Soarin nodded without a word, his common positivity evaporating in an instant. Vapor Trail predicted another flurry of emotions was on its way, and she mentally braced herself to aid Soarin if he needed it.
“So, we already know you were in on Sky’s and Vapor’s spying on us in the closet. Sky Stinger and Vapor Trail had their lovey-dovey, I love you, moment. And while Sky was expressing how much he cared about Vapor, I interrupted his talk with her and wanted him to cut to the chase. Vapor Trail then asked me why I seemed so angry with their romantic talk.” Spitfire gestured an arm to Soarin. “And then you showed up.” Soarin looked away, his eyes on one of the decorations that clung to the walls.
“You know,” Soarin carefully spoke, “I was wondering that myself. Why are you so aggressive toward the subject of romance? I could only assume it is because of the past and how Shot Put damaged your heart, but even you never gave me a firm answer.”
The queen upon her spinning throne sat in silence, Spitfire’s eyes were back on the paperwork. “Because…” Again, her fiery stare burned into Sky and Vapor. “This talk only stays between the four of us. Understand?”
The two pegasi nodded. Vapor Trail swallowed but was still eager to listen to Spitfire’s reason for getting angry at somepony else’s loving words. For once, curiosity overruled Vapor’s nervousness.
“The truth is, Soarin, and you are going to hate me for this… I am… jealous.” Hot blush stained Spitfire’s yellow cheeks, the truth known among her teammates. Confusion crashed over Vapor Trail. She knew Spitfire was afraid of being hurt, which is why she turned down Soarin. However, because Spitfire admitted she was jealous of others for being in love contradicted everything the captain had told her friend.
“Why are you jealous?” Soarin asked, his eyes warm with curiosity.
“Because I want somepony to tell me I’m cute and beautiful. But I don't know if somepony genuinely thinks I am beautiful and somepony they care about, or if they want to be with me because I'm a hot Wonderbolt. And of course, I’m too scared to want to be in a relationship because I don’t want to end up hurt again.” Spitfire let out a defeated sigh, “I told you before, I am an emotional mess, Soarin… I know what I want, but I am too afraid of getting too close to anypony…” A rare phoenix tear rolled down Spitfire’s face. Vapor Trail gasped, shocked as well as saddened by her leader’s true emotion. “I confess, Soarin… that… that it did hurt me to reject you the way I did. You are such a great friend to me. And I think I overreacted…”
Soarin was quick to disagree. “It was obvious that you weren’t ready.”
“How would you know without asking?” Spitfire countered. Her sad eyes looked to Vapor Trail. “Be honest with me, Daydreamer, did you have a feeling that Sky Clinger would, in some way, love you back?”
Vapor Trail flinched at the sound of her name. Her involvement in Spitfire’s and Soarin’s talk took her by surprise, and Vapor knew her input would most likely direct the outcome of their talk; just like how Spitfire’s rejection almost influenced Sky Stinger’s reply to her confession. The stallion at her side kept silent but gave the mare a positive smile. With motivation at her side, it was enough to get Vapor Trail to speak. “I did. I mean, Sky really seemed to love my hugs everytime I pounced him when I was happy for him.” Sky Stinger’s happiness grew, the compliment doing the works on his heart, further assisting Vapor Trail with collecting the right words from her mind. “When the signs were there, I just… had a feeling. Love cannot be explained as something simple as being happy or sad. There is a connection. A wanting for that pony’s touch.” Vapor Trail looked at Spitfire with a positive smile, “Have you wanted that, even after your harsh breakup? A stallion to be at your side with a warm hoof around your neck and… a nice, firm kiss on the lips…?” Even though Vapor Trail was Sky Stinger’s special somepony, the mare couldn’t help herself from daydreaming about the things he and she could do together.
“I mean… perhaps I have…” Spitfire admitted. The Wonderbolt’s captain smiled at Vapor Trail, “I appreciate you trying to change my mind.” She looked up at Soarin, her expression never changing. “And I think… you might have made me think differently about Clipper here.” The mood in the office quickly took a drastic change. Vapor Trail’s heart almost jumped out of her chest, shocked her influence may have very well allowed Spitfire and Soarin to be holding hooves in no time. Soarin almost ran over to Spitfire’s desk, his face red and overjoyed. “Woah, woah! Settle down, Romeo. I only said I might have a different opinion about you and me being… you know.”
Soarin flushed, “Sorry…” Everypony besides Soarin laughed at his fast reaction to Spitfire’s second wind.
Spitfire got up from her seat, and the mare had to slightly look up at Soarin, his height barely overshadowing her. “How about you and I go get something to eat? Just the two of us? We can talk about… the obvious friendship we have.”
It was amusing for Vapor Trail to witness Spitfire dance around romantic words. The offer was as plain as day, and Soarin easily took the opportunity given to him. “I’ll pay for the bill.”
“You’d better,” Spitfire said as she walked passed the stallion, bumping her flank into Soarin. “Let’s get a move on. I want to take a break from Vapor Trail’s influence on everything that has happened over the last two weeks.” Vapor Trail creased her brows, the comment not necessary or wanted. “I’m kidding, Daydreamer,” Spitfire laughed.
Spitfire made for the door as Soarin followed her with a skip in his step. As he passed Vapor Trail, the stallion said to her, “Thank you.”
“Your welcome,” Vapor Trail said back with a smile.
***
“Roll over, Sky.”
“You better get closer, then.”
A cute giggle came forth as Vapor Trail scooted close to Sky Stinger as they both laid on their backs. The two pegasi faced the star-lit sky as they rested on a cloud. Sunbeam happily took refuge on Vapor’s belly, his scales tickling her sensitive underside.
The stallion took notice of the fish’s action, and Sky said to him, “I hope you know that spot you’re sitting on is reserved for me.”
Sunbeam responded to Sky Stinger’s comment by shuffling himself and getting comfortable. Vapor Trail giggled as her belly was tickled. “Stop it, Sunbeam! That tickles!” She stilled the fish by trapping him in a hug.
“I hope I don’t have to compete with Sunbeam to gain your affection,” Sky Stinger said as he folded his arms.
Vapor Trail grabbed the stallion’s hoof and smiled, “Oh, don’t be like that, Sky.”
The stallion rolled onto his side and kissed the mare on the cheek. “Oh, I am going to be like that, Vapor.”
Vapor sighed, “Then no hugs for Sky Stinger. Right, Sunbeam?” Sunbeam nodded in agreement and stuck out his tongue at Sky.
“Too bad,” Sky Stinger said with a shake of his head. “I was reserving my lips exclusively for you. Might as well share them with Sunbeam.” The angel fish winced in disgust, while Vapor Trail wanted to put that to the test.
The mare picked up Sunbeam and brought him close to Sky. “Better pucker up, you two.” Sunbeam was not having his mouth be poisoned. He flailed around before flying out of Vapor’s hooves.
“Now’s my chance!” Sky Stinger quickly rolled onto his stomach. With no hesitation, he pressed his mouth onto Vapor Trail’s belly and blew with all his might.
A squeal of laughs cried to the stars. “Ah, Sky!” Vapor Trail cried. “That tickles!” To retaliate against the stallion, Vapor leaped onto Sky and pinned him down. The cloud bounced a little, a few particles puffing out of the platform before fading away.
As she looked down at her special somepony, Sky Stinger placed both hooves behind his head. “Enjoying the view like I am?”
Vapor Trail blushed, “If only I could look at the stars and you at the same time.” The mare fell onto the pegasus and kissed him on the lips. Sky’s body heat was like a camp fire’s warmth, slowly getting hotter and hotter with every second she laid on him.
After they parted lips, Sky Stinger said, “Rest your back into me.”
“Okay,” Vapor Trail giggled. A quick roll was all it took, and the mare was consumed with two turquoise arms. Vapor shuffled around to get more comfortable before looking up at the stars. Her pet fluttered around her head before Sunbeam reclaimed his spot. “Hehe, looks like you still have some competition, Sky.”
“I can end that contest real quick,” Sky said. “I still have Sunbeam’s receipt for the pet store.”
“Sky!” Vapor cried. She held Sunbeam close, afraid Sky was going to go through with his threat.
“I’m joking! I’m joking!” Sky Stinger laughed. Vapor Trail felt the stallion his her head, and her fear was replaced with bubbly joy.
“Okay, I forgive you.” Sunbeam, on the other hoof, did not seem to want to forgive Sky. “Don’t worry, Sunbeam. The mean, yet handsome, stallion won’t take you away from me.”
“And I won’t let any pony try and take you away from me,” Sky said, his hold getting more firm. “In fact, I am sure Sunbeam will do the same, and keep you out of harm’s way when I am not around. So, maybe he and I can be a tag-team of sorts.”
“Hmm…” Vapor Trail looked at Sunbeam with a curious stare. “Do you like Sky’s idea?” The angel fish nodded in agreement. For once, Sunbeam didn’t dislike Sky Stinger.
Speaking of skies…
Up in the atmosphere, white spots decorated the black air in a random assortment. A few clouds that were higher drifted about among each other at their own pace. The moon did its best to bring light to those clouds and the world below it.
The air around Vapor Trail was a little chilly, but thanks to the stallion cuddling her from behind, she avoided having to leave their cloud to get a blanket.
“I wonder how Spitfire and Soarin are doing…” Vapor said softly.
“Who knows…” Sky said in kind. “I do hope they work out. Just like you and I.”
Vapor suddenly became uncomfortable, and needed to change position. “Sunbeam, can you fly up for a second?” The pet obediently got up to allow her owner to move freely. She got off of Sky and rested on her hip. The stallion did the same. In doing so, Sky Stinger was close enough to touch Vapor Trail’s nose with his own. Sunbeam wiggled himself under Vapor’s wing, and the mare bunched him close to herself with a gentle squeeze of her feathers.
“Sky…?”
“What is it…?
“Do you think we will last?”
Sky Stinger slipped an arm from underneath Vapor Trail and pulled her up against him. “Why worry about that when our relationship has just started? This is what you wanted. We both know the risk. And I know, that right now, I don’t have to chase another dream. I get to be with the mare I love.”
It was a surprise to Vapor Trail that she was still able to bring tears to her eyes after all the crying she had done throughout the day. “You love me?” her little voice squeaked.
“More…” Sky Stinger whispered.
There was too much joy within Vapor Trail’s heart. She needed to let it out. “Oh, Sky!” the mare cried as she pounced on her best friend.
***
Warm… It’s too warm…
Vapor Trail slowly cracked her eyes to see what was overheating her body. A turquoise face rested close to her, which almost startled the pegasus. But when she lifted her head, Vapor remembered the night before with Sky Stinger. The two had gotten onto a cloud to look at the stars, and then got carried away in another makeout session. Before Sky even knew it, he grew tired and fell asleep in Vapor’s arms. Instead of waking him, she chose to not ruin her first time with her special somepony and allowed herself to sleep with Sky.
Vapor ruffled her feathers and remembered Sunbeam had taken refuge under her wing. It was not her intention to wake up the pet, but she did. Sunbeam blinked a few times at Vapor Trail before letting out a yawn. She kissed the angel fish on the forehead before looking out to the land.
Sunrise had already happened. The Wonderbolts’ Academy had nopony walking around the base. Several clouds surrounded her. And the sun gave no time to Vapor Trail.
Where was everypon-
“GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD MOOORRRRRNIIIIIIING, LOVEBIRRRRRDS!”
Vapor Trail jumped into the air, screaming at the top of her lungs. Sky Stinger flailed about and fell off the cloud. He quickly recovered and returned to their lone cloud. “What in the hay!” Sky exclaimed, looking around to where the outburst came from. Sunbeam darted out of Vapor’s wing and hid in the cloud.
From above, Spitfire looked down at Vapor Trail and Sky Stinger with a wide smirk. “HAVE A WONDERFUL REST?” she cried into her megaphone.
Before Vapor could recover from Spitfire’s loud shout, she noticed more heads popping out of the clouds that surrounded Sky and herself. The rest of the Wonderbolts stood from their hiding spots and smiled down at them.
Vapor Trail hadn’t been awake for more than five minutes, and she was already red in the face with embarrassment. However, Sky Stinger reacted much differently. “Sorry, everypony! Vapor and I are no longer single! And no, I don’t do three-way relationships!”
Spitfire flew off her cloud, and Soarin followed after the mare. Vapor smiled as she saw Soarin grin alongside Spitfire. Just as the two Wonderbolts touched down, Vapor asked, “How did your date go last night?”
An angry glare stabbed at Vapor Trail and Sky Stinger. “Terrible…” Spitfire growled.
Soarin began to laugh, “It wasn’t bad until you chose to spend fifty bits on a claw machine.”
“Hey, that stupid bear with the twenty bit gift card looked easy to get!” Before the anger could get to her, Spitfire cleared her throat and reclaimed her smile. “If you are wondering, our date went well.”
“Are you two together?” Vapor squealed.
The captain hissed at the loud mare, “Shh! Keep it down! Nopony knows about Soarin and I!” Something tickled Vapor’s leg. She looked down and saw Sunbeam shivering, which was no surprise because of Spitfire.
“We are planning a second date,” Soarin whispered. “And I want to make sure there aren’t any crane games to tempt Spitfire before she and I go.” His comment was enough to get him pushed off the cloud by Spitfire.
Vapor Trail, still flustered by everypony’s presence, asked, “So, why is the entire Wonderbolts team here?”
“Ah! That!” Spitfire’s eyes looked down at Sunbeam, causing the scared fish to retreat into Vapor’s mane. “You see, Daydreamer, after Sky Clinger made his comment yesterday over the intercom, everypony has been wondering what I plan to do to punish him.”
“O-Oh…” Vapor muttered.
“I thought you were giving me a second chance,” Sky argued.
“And I am by allowing you to stay on the team,” Spitfire countered. “But that does not mean I let off ponies easy. I put Rainbow Crash on probation because she showboated during her first performance.”
Nervousness possessed the white pegasus and began to violently shake her. “Then… what do you plan on doing to him…?”
Soarin returned and landed beside Spitfire, acting like nothing happened. “Did you tell them the bet?”
“Bet?” Vapor Trail and Sky Stinger replied in unison.
“That’s right, lovebirds!” Spitfire exclaimed. “You see, I am in a good mood because of last night thanks to you both. When Soarin and I returned from dinner, the teammates have been making bets on how I plan on disciplining Sky. So I decided to raise the stakes.” The captain pressed fanned out her wing and pressed a feather against Vapor Trail. “I told them, that if either you…” Spitfire jabbed the feather into Sky Stinger’s breast. “...can wow me and the others with a trick, both of you are off the hook, and… you two lovebirds can have your own performance together.”
“Interesting…” Sky grinned. He puffed out his chest with pride. “I think both Vapor Trail and I can shock you with anything. And I am sure that would get us two personal performances.”
Vapor tapped her chin, amused with the bet Spitfire had made. But like every bet, there is a catch. “What happens if we don’t wow you?”
“The entire team gets the day off, while you two have to do conditioning all day with Spitfire,” Soarin answered with a smile that enjoyed witnessing a world on fire. “She told everypony that you both were making out in her closet, framing Vapor Trail as well for intruding into the captain's office. Spitfire also forgot to mention that if either of you impress her, the entire team has to do the conditioning.”
An evil chuckle bubbled in Sky Stinger. “You better get your sweat bands ready, team!” he shouted. The stallion darted away without warning to anypony toward the Wonderbolt Academy. In less than two seconds, he returned with a white flower and began to place it in Vapor Trail’s mane. “I can wow everypony, you included Vapor.”
“Oh, stop it, Sky,” Vapor Trail blushed. She looked around to see the mare Wonderbolts giggling with one another, further flustering Vapor more than she wanted. The stallions only looked down at her with simple smiles.
However, Spitfire was not impressed with Sky Stinger at all. “Oh, wow! You flew to the ground and picked a flower!”
Instead of having a witty comeback to combat Spitfire’s comment, Sky Stinger remained silence. Soarin grinned nervously, “Well, Vapor Trail, you’re up. Make it count.”
All attention was on her. The gravity of the situation did not make Vapor feel comfortable at all. But Sky was by her side to cheer her on. “I know you can impress everypony,” he said into her ear. “You’ve already impressed me with your morning smile, so why don’t you knock the horseshoes off our teammates with some amazing flying.” A warm kiss planted against Vapor Trail’s soft cheek.
And that gave her an immediate idea.
“Spitfire, can I do a few practice laps at the obstacle course?”
***
Everypony was there. Not just the core team, but the recruits and employees of the Wonderbolt Academy. Spitfire stood with her megaphone tightly gripped in a yellow hoof. Vapor Trail stretched some more before propping herself at the starting area. She looked at Sky Stinger who sat close to the final ring. Sunbeam hovered beside him, his expression not clear from where Vapor was standing; but she knew Sky and Sunbeam were smiling at her.
Fleetfoot was the closest pony to Vapor, amused her record was being challenged. “You know, Daydreamer, when I heard you finally got the right words across to Sky and became special someponies, I was very happy. However…” Fleetfoot chuckled into her hoof. “...when you said that you would beat my record I just… Good luck.”
“Don’t let Flatfoot get into your head, Vapor Trail!” Sky Stinger called. “Show her who to not mess with!”
“Yeah…” Vapor Trail said under her breath.
“Alright, Daydreamer…” Spitfire said into her megaphone. “...this is it. Your last chance to save yourself from an entire day of painful conditioning is on your wings now.”
Don’t let her get in your head, Vapor. Don’t let her get in your head, Vapor.
“READY…”
Don’t let them get in your head, Vapor. Don’t let them get in your head, Vapor. Don’t let them get in your head, Vapor.
“...GET SET…”
Do it for him! Do it for him! Do it for him! Do it for him! Do it for him!
Vapor Trail placed her goggles over her eyes, and the pegasus hunched over.
“...GO!”
Vapor pushed off the ground so hard, she kicked up some chunks of grass. Up and down she went between for the first two rings. The hard turn quickly approached, but Vapor Trail knew she had to take it on with little slowdown. That was where most of the slowdown was created, and the mare had to risk clipping the ring in order to beat Fleetfoot’s time. Vapor heaved herself to the right as she turned into the ring, her mane shaving the top of the loop. YES! A surge of adrenaline coursed through the excited mare, the goal on a fast approach. The final rings tried to intimidate Vapor Trail, but Sky Stinger’s cheer kept her from slowing down. It shocked the mare that she was able to keep a fast speed while she fit through the smaller rings.
Sky was right. I am an amazing flyer.
She darted through the final ring and climbed high into the sky. Vapor Trail felt alive! It had been the longest time since she had had such a rush of adrenaline. Her heart was in her throat, begging for a slowdown. But Vapor kept rising and rising, not stopping for anypony.
Suddenly, something latched onto her. She looked back to see Sky Stinger nuzzling her cheek. “That was, and pardon my language, really freakin’ fast!”
For a second, Vapor and Sky hovered in the air, still from any gravity. Then, they both fell together, further falling in love with each other.
The two touched down with a gentle land. Sky Stinger held Vapor Trail’s hoof in a confident hold. Everypony around Spitfire tried to get a look at her stopwatch, but she was very protective of it, not allowing anypony to catch a glimpse of the time. Before Spitfire could proclaim the time, Vapor Trail called out loud, “Sunbeam, where are you?”
A blur of orange blinked in front of the mare. Sunbeam’s speed was so quick, it appeared that he materialized in front of Vapor. He nuzzled his owner before resting under her wing.
“So…” Sky Stinger said with a grin. “...tell us what the new record is…”
Fleetfoot was allowed to get close to Spitfire but was not granted a proper look. The entire world was quiet. And it waited for Vapor Trail’s official time.
Spitfire looked down at the stopwatch.
Fleetfoot leaned in to finally look at the time. Her brows creased. “Aww, f-”
“FILLIES AND GENTLECOLTS, WE HAVE A NEW RECORD AT 5.68 SECONDS!” Vapor Trail’s eyes went wide, not sure if she was in a part of another daydream. Most of the ponies cheered for Vapor Trail, while the rest of the official fliers stomped their hooves with a half-hearted effort.
Before the shocked mare could reclaim her ability to breathe, Sky Stinger gave Vapor Trail a firm kiss on the lips. She melted on the spot and wrapped her forearms around the stallion’s neck. Vapor cracked her eyes to get a look at Fleetfoot. The Wonderbolt was not at all pleased with having her record beaten.
For once, Vapor Trail’s ego inflated.
That’s what you get for showing off my stallion.
The end.