Thunderlane trotted happily up the path to Lyra and Bon Bon’s house. It had been another intense practice session and the new routine for the start of the display season was coming on well; it was certainly going to be a crowd pleaser.
He could have flown to their door, but because neither of them had wings, it would have seemed rude to flaunt his talent in front of them, so instead politely opened the gate and walked in. He was always especially careful to be considerate around other ponies and never bragged about his position as a Wonderbolt, he didn’t need to; he was popular and the mares all flocked to him anyway because he was just such a nice guy. That, and he had a cute younger brother too.
There had been some rumours circulating about him and the two mares, but he knew well enough they were off limits and genuinely enjoyed their company. In fact, they had been invaluable in looking after Rumble during the intense practice sessions, particularly as his previous foalsitter Cloud Chaser was now in the Wonderbolts herself and was consequently busy at precisely the same times as he required foalcare.
Thunderlane still kept in with Cloud Chaser and Flitter, but was particularly grateful when Lyra and Bon Bon had expressed a willingness in helping him out, and fortunately Rumble got on with them too, even though they weren't pegasi. They were always polite and complimentary about his brother, but he knew that sometimes he could be a little strong willed and a bit of a handful, so he felt especially buoyant knowing the gift he carried with him today.
Lyra had looked out at the usual time and seen his approach, admiring his confident gait as he drew near. Today, she put down the dishes she had been washing and trotted out to meet him, still wearing her kitchen apron and gave him a little peck on the cheek.
“Hey, Hey, Hey!” he exclaimed “How’s my favourite unicorn today?”
“Oh, you flatterer!” she giggled, snuggling into his neck “I bet you say that to all the mares.”
“Only the unicorns” he teased “Say, you’re looking particularly radiant – what’s happening?”
“Do I need to have a reason other than to say hello to my favourite stallion?”
“Better not let your wife hear you say things like that” he replied “I should hate to get on the wrong side of her.”
The two strolled together back to the house where Bon Bon and Rumble stood in the doorway to meet them.
“Thought I heard a commotion” said the cream earth pony with a smile, walking up to give him a nuzzle too before adding good naturedly “You can keep your hooves off that one, she’s mine!”
Lyra rolled her eyes and tutted while Rumble flushed slightly as his big brother accepted the playful adoration from his favourite two foalsitters.
“Thank you so much for looking after my little bro here” he said, giving Rumble an affectionate noogie “I’ve been calling on you a lot lately while the Wonderbolts have been building up a show for the new season.”
“We’re always happy to help” said Bon Bon “Especially with Rumble, he’s so well behaved.”
“I still can’t believe we’re talking about the same colt” said Thunderlane in mock surprise, much to his little brother’s chagrin “But be that as it may, I still have a present for you.”
He handed over an envelope which Lyra took and opened in her magic revealing a pair of tickets emblazoned with a distinctive golden winged flash in the corner and the words ‘VIP enclosure’.
“There’s only a few of these available for the first show of the season” he said “Because most have been reserved for the dignitaries and special guests.You’ll be rubbing shoulders with Royalty if you want to attend.”
The two mares stared open mouthed – Royalty?
“They’re incredible” gasped Lyra “What did you do to get them?”
“On second thoughts, don’t answer that” said Bon Bon with a wicked smile “At least not in front of junior!”
“You can tell us later!” said Lyra with a wink, cupping her forehooves over Rumble’s ears.
“Hey, it’s nothing like that ladies” he said with an easy smile “I got them as first prize for best flyer in the new routine, and I couldn’t have done it without you looking after little bro here, so I figured you had earned them already.”
“Too bad” said Bon Bon with a playful shrug “I was hoping to hear some inside gossip about Spitfire.”
“Like, is she as good as her reputation?” giggled Lyra.
“Ladies, please, I don’t know what magazines you’ve been reading, but it’s really not like that.”
Both mares pretended to look disappointed for a fleeting moment before wrapping their forehooves around him and giving him a big hug. This was an incredible gift and they were both delighted.
As the two brothers walked home, Rumble looked up and said “They really like you, you know.”
“Yeah, I know that, and I feel so lucky to be their friend too.”
“Which one do you like best?”
“Really, Rumble that isn’t a fair question. They’re both close friends and I love them both. As friends. OK?”
“Yeah, I like them both too. I’m glad you haven’t got a favourite.”
“It’s OK if you want to say you love them. Mom and Dad wouldn’t mind if they were still around.”
“I know, but it’s difficult. Some days I really miss them, then on other days it’s like you’re my Dad and they’re my two Moms.”
“They’d be proud of you, kid; just like I am” said Thunderlane giving his brother a gentle nuzzle “Love you.”
“Thanks bro” said Rumble allowing a smile to spread over his face as he nuzzled the dark stallion in return.
***
The day was sunny and beginning to hint at a warm summer to come. Some of the fledglings from the earliest clutches were just taking their first tentative flights under the reassuring eyes of their parents.
The Wonderbolts had completed their morning practice away from the public gaze and were confident that they had the new routine nailed. In spite of how casual it all looked during their displays, there was never any slip in professionalism, and Equestria’s most accomplished flyers would always give their best.
They were all undergoing a spot of massage before indulging in a light lunch; just enough to keep them going with the demands of the show, but not enough to slow them down.
As the final checks of the public address system faded away, the first guests began to arrive, either heading straight for hospitality or manoeuvring to secure the best vantage point to see the display.
Rainbow Dash herself came round to check on the flyers, giving words of encouragement or last minute advice to each as the situation warranted, taking on more of the hooves-on aspects with the team as Spitfire had hung up her flight suit to focus on being their manager. The fiery maned Wonderbolt now handled the event organising, logistics, welfare and all the other aspects of managing a team that rarely received any recognition, but enjoyed showing up for the occasional fitness session when her schedule would allow, just to remind the team that she was still a force to be reckoned with.
“So Thunderlane” she began in her trademark rasping voice “How you feelin’ for today’s big show?”
“Hey, Dashie” he replied “Good to see you. You looked really neat in this morning’s practice.”
The two of them had had a fling some time back, but both had compartmentalised their personal lives from their professional lives and neither showed any hint of favouritism. Emotional attachments within the team were discouraged and had indeed seen the end of many a potentially bright career, but these two had weathered the storm and had lost none of the respect from their team mates.
“Reckon you’ve still got it in you,” she teased “Old guy like you?”
“Hey, I’ll still fly rings round you even when I’ve got to use a stick!”
“Yeah, yeah – in your dreams! Seriously though, good work this morning. Any concerns?”
“Only that you’re going to hold me up!”
With that, the two hoof bumped and Rainbow went on to catch up with all the other flyers. It was clear that morale was high and everything was in place to give the VIPs the show of the year.