//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: The Party // Story: Surprise! // by Nailah //------------------------------// Soarin couldn't help but to take a deep sigh of relief, so far Spitfire hadn't been seen anywere near the headquarters. That meant Rainbow Dash was actually taking this seriously and he was glad for that. He couldn't pull this off without them all functioning as well...as a team. He looked around the main area where they often practiced, the field was beginning to look rather nice, tables and chairs, and even streamers hanging from the flag poles. He just hoped that Spitfire would actually appricate this, even if it was “just a party” to her, it was more than that to him. He knew that most ponies didn't really look up to them, sure they had their fans but a lot of ponies questioned if they were actually helpful or not and if they cared for one another. Soarin had always cared about the team and he always would. Nothing would change that, no matter how often Spitfire chewed him and the others out, she was the leader, but more than that. She was his friend. He suddenly felt a hoof upon his shoulder. He turned his glance to find High Winds once again by his side. “Hey Soarin, you okay?” she asked concerned. It seemed like he was just literally starring at the sky endlessly. She just wanted to be sure everything was alright. He always took on the burden when Spitfire wasn't around, and this time he was doing it for Spitfire, even if she might not want it. “Hey, High Winds, it's good to see you. I'm doing great.” smiled Soarin. He actually was happy and more calm, then he had been the last time they had spoken. “Alright, well I had Derpy send a letter to Twilight to see if she and her friends wished to come to help with prepartions for the party.” said High Winds. “Oh that's great. I just hope Pinkie Pie knows that this is something we wanted to do. I don't mind her coming, but I feel this is something we should be able to do.” “You know Soarin, sometimes you are a lot like Spitfire. You think you have the wait of the whole world on your shoulders, and you feel like you have to carry that burden alone, because you want to be strong for the rest of us. The truth is, we all feel that way, we all struggle, and we all want to impress Spitfire. We want her to know just how valuable she is too us, so if that means we need a little help, I don't think it's a bad thing.” replied High Winds. She meant every word of what she said, but more than that she wanted Soarin to understand that, it never hurt to ask for help. Sure, it was often hard for someone like him to ask for help, espicially as secondary leader of the Wonderbolts but sometimes you had too, espicially for an occasion such as this. Soarin smiled towards her, he couldn't deny, that she was right. Though he just wanted this to be special. He knew how much it meant for Spitfire to have a successful day of training when preparing for a big event, and he wanted this to be no different. “Alright, have Surprise ask Pinkie Pie if she has any recommendations or if there is any last minute things we need to do before Spitfire returns.” replied Soarin. “Alright, Clipper, see you in a shake's of a lamb's tail!” smiled High Winds and with that she flew off into the sky. Soarin couldn't help but watch as she flew up and away. She had really come a long way from the young mare he had seen back at camp. *******8 Surprise had to be cautious, who knew where Rainbow Dash would take Spitfire. She was always glancing back and forth before taking off from the Headquarters to head down to Ponyville for supplies. When she landed she just about crashed into one of the ponies walking through the town, because she was so nervous about Spitfire seeing her. So far so good. What was she supposed to do again? Oh right! Get party supplies, well she knew the best one to ask. She knew Soarin wanted this to be something they did, but he never said she couldn't ask Pinkie's advice. After all she was the party expert. She headed right for Sugarcube Corner and walked in to see Mrs.Cake behind the counter packing up a cake for a delivery. “Oh hello there dearie, is there something I can help you with?” questioned Mrs.Cake as she finished boxing up the order. It was scheduled to be picked up later, so there wasn't any need to worry about it now. “Oh yeah, have you seen Pinkie Pie around?” questioned Surprise looking back and forth suspiciously, just to make sure that Spitfire wasn't here for some random reason. I mean this was Rainbow Dash, she wouldn't put it past her to bring her to Ponyville, but then again did Rainbow even know that she was here? She quickly shook that thought out of her head, she had to get the supplies and get going. She didn't have time to waste! “Hmm...well I think I saw her heading out towards Twilight's Castle awhile ago.” replied Mrs.Cake. “Oh well...maybe you can help me but you gotta keep it a secret!” whispered Surprise as Mrs.Cake leaned forward as Surprise whispered about the “Surprise” in her ear. “Oh...I see. Sure I would love to help. As a matter of fact, could you deliver this cake for me? It's for the party actually.” smiled Mrs.Cake innocently. “You already knew about it?” questioned Surprise worried. She was wondering just who all knew about this party. Well as long as Spitfire didn't know it didn't really matter.... “Yeah. I was asked to make a cake for it, oh it's so exciting. She doesn't know yet does she?” questioned Mrs.Cake curiously. “Nope, and hopefully it stays that way.” replied Surprise as she took the boxed cake and decorations in a knapsack over her back for the party and hurried back towards Wonderbolts headquarters. She couldn't help but notice Rainbow flying by, and she hurried by before Spitfire saw her. Seemed like the two were having a race, go figure. Of course Rainbow Dash would challenge her to a race, oh she couldn't help but wonder who would win but she couldn't worry about that now. She had things to do! She hurried to the party as she landed down with a thud. She smiled up towards Soarin who just gave her a look. “Did you get it done?” he whispered. “Of course. I told you, you could count on me.” smiled Surprise. She only hoped that Spitfire hadn't seen her. She couldn't help but be nervous, but hopefully everything worked out for the best. ****8 Thunderlane was probably the most calm one of the group here. He could understand why Soarin was so nervous, but there was really nothing to worry about. It wasn't like this was the end of Equestria. This was just a nice little party that they decided to have for their leader. He had his grill on and flaming as he was making carrot dogs and hayburgers in prep of the party in a few hours. Though he had a small tag along by his side running errands for him from the kitchen and back. Rumble had refused to work on his cutie mark for the longest time because he just wanted to be like his big brother. Thunderlane didn't mind his help, but wished he would find his own way in life, he wanted the best for his brother. “This is so boring.” complained Rumble sitting on his flank in the grass next to where his brother was working. “Well you could always help decorate.” suggested Thunderlane. “After all every little bit helps.” smiled Thunderlane and with that Rumble went off to help Surprise set up the party. It was beginning to look like a real party now, it was hard to believe but they might actually pull this off! Soarin could only hope. Now everything relied on how long Rainbow could keep Spitfire distracted. They only had a few hours to go yet. Though to Soarin it felt like a few minutes rather than a few hours. *****8 “Crash, I won just face the facts and admit it.” smirked Spitfire as she sat back down at her desk. She couldn't help but notice most if not all of the other Wonderbolts weren't around. She couldn't help but wonder if this had something to do with her birthday. She sighed, she really hoped that Soarin wasn't trying to throw her a party again, she had told him numerous times it wasn't important. What was important was that they got their trainings done and that they were ready for any threat that Equestria might face. “Fine, you win but you have to at least see my new trick. Come one please.” begged Rainbow. She had to find a way to get her to go down to the training grounds where the party was being held. “Will it take long?” questioned Spitfire. “Nope. It won't even take more than a minute or so.” smiled Rainbow Dash. “Fine...let's just get this over with.” replied Spitfire as she allowed Rainbow Dash to take the lead. She wasn't sure what sort of new trick Rainbow Dash had learned now, but if it was anything like the Rainboom then it was certainly worth seeing. Though she couldn't help but wonder where every one was, it wasn't like them to not be around. Though it didn't take her long to figure it out. “Surprise!!!!!!!!!!!” they all shouted as they jumped out from under tables and some behind flag poles as Spitfire entered the training area. She looked over towards Rainbow. “Was this your plan all along?” “Nope, it was Soarin's idea, but Happy Birthday Spitfire!” smiled Rainbow Dash. Spitfire couldn't help but sigh. She walked over to where Soarin and High Winds were standing. “Listen....Spitfire...” began Soarin but before he could finish, Spitfire put her hoof up to his lips. “No, it's fine. I get it. You think I work too much and forget to actually celebrate the smaller things in life. Thanks.” smiled Spitfire. “Really?” questioned Soarin surprised. “Well, then I have a gift for you.” he smiled as he handed her a pie. “You and your love of pies.” replied Spitfire with a smile as she accepted the pie and put it in her knapsack to eat later. Spitfire was going to enjoy the party, but more than anything else, she was enjoying how she was able to bring all of them together for something so trivial, now if only they would all arrive for training without being late, then that would really be a surprise.