The next morning, Twilight got out of her bed and went to the kitchen to get some breakfast, and then she saw Spike making her some coffee with a plate of fried eggs and toast with butter and jam. When her breakfast was ready, she started eating.
After she finished, Spike took her dishes to the sink to get them washed, and then Twilight heard a knock on the door, and then she walked over to answer it. When the door opened, she saw Rainbow Dash standing there. “Twilight, good news! Spitfire just announced that you and I were to come help with some things at the Wonderbolts Academy!” she said. “Wow! I’ve always wanted to try something like that,” Twilight said. “Aww, yeah! It’ll be like...” Rainbow Dash was cut off by another knock on the door. Twilight answered it again, and then she saw Fluttershy standing there, and then she and Rainbow Dash saw Thomas feeling a little sleepy, and he was wearing a new jacket that was a zip-up sports blue sweatshirt with dark grey fuzz underneath, and it had the male Wonderbolts symbol in yellow on the left chest side and his ball cap. “Thomas?” Twilight asked, until she trotted over to him and then held him against her chest. “How are you doing, sweetie?”
Thomas then looked up at her eyes, “I’m doing good, Auntie Twilight.” Twilight smiled warmly with a short nod, and then gave him a kiss on the forehead. “Umm... I realized you two were going someplace, but I was wondering if you could take Thomas with? It’s his school’s Take Your Child To Work Day today,” Fluttershy said. “Take Your Child To Work Day? They don’t do that,” Rainbow Dash said. “It’s for his school, Rainbow Dash,” Twilight said, while hugging her nephew against her chest. “Right...” Rainbow Dash said. “So, can you take care of him while me, Applejack and Rarity go over to Manehattan for something important?” Fluttershy asked. “Yeah, sure,” Rainbow Dash said. Fluttershy smiled warmly and then handed Twilight Thomas’s travel bag, “I packed him some snacks if he gets hungry, and his Snuggle Bear teddy.”
“Snuggle Bear?” Rainbow Dash asked. “He told me this. His teddy bear was the one gift he had ever since he was a little baby,” Fluttershy said. “Aww... Well I think it’s lovely,” Twilight said. “Thomas? It’s gonna be a little chilly up in Cloudsdale, so... how about if I let you borrow my Wonderbolts jacket?” Rainbow Dash said, as she gave it to Thomas, and when he put it on, he felt like he was wearing a sleeved blanket. “You look so cute in there,” Fluttershy said. Twilight then performed the cloud walking spell on Thomas while he was snug and warm in the jacket. “Do you feel warm?” Twilight asked. Thomas nodded, and then Twilight levitated him up and placed him on her back, before she tied the sleeves around her neck.
“Okay, let’s head on over! Cloudsdale, here we come!” Rainbow Dash said, as she and Twilight flew off to Cloudsdale. Fluttershy then went back to meet Rarity and Applejack at the train station.
When they arrived at the Wonderbolts HQ, they saw some recruit flyers doing loops. Twilight looked back and saw Thomas still feeling snuggled and warm underneath Rainbow Dash’s jacket, “Alright, bug. When we get there, we’ll take care of the talking.” Thomas nodded, and then he held onto her neck and then she and Rainbow Dash flew over to the training field.
“Alright, newbies! Welcome to trials week for the Wonderbolt Academy!” Spitfire said to the new recruits. “Now just so you know, you’ll be judged on your speed, strength, agility, and technique, culminating in a final evaluation. And I know what you’re asking: Will it be hard? Yes! Will you cry? Maybe. Will you fly so much your wings might fall off? Maybe, maybe not, but that only happened once.” Some of the recruits felt nervous. “So if there aren’t any complaints, you think you’ve got what it takes to be an elite flyer?”
“Yes, ma’am!” they shouted in unison. Spitfire then continued, “Well, lemme tell you all something you might never forget: YOU DON’T! You all got me?!”
“Yes, ma’am!” they shouted in unison. Spitfire then blew her whistle, “Good! Now that we’re done with things, get up there and give me 500 laps! Go, go, go!” The recruits took off like bullets and then did their exercise routine.
Spitfire then smirked, “I love my job.” Thomas then saw many recruits and other professional Wonderbolts flying around. Spitfire then turned around and saw Rainbow Dash and Twilight, with Thomas on her back snuggled underneath Rainbow Dash’s jacket, and secretly wearing something in blue, “Welcome, Princess Twilight. What brings you and Rainbow Dash over here?”
“Official friendship business,” Rainbow Dash said. Spitfire then saw Thomas peeking from behind Twilight’s neck and underneath Rainbow Dash’s jacket, until she trotted over to him and then gently ruffled his hair with her hoof, “Hey, squirt. Good to see you.” Thomas nodded and then gave her a hug. “Thanks. Felt kinda nice,” Spitfire said.
Soarin’, Misty Fly and Fleetfoot then came over, and they were wearing new sweatshirts the same color as their uniforms and they had their uniform symbols as pins on the left side of their chests.
“Hey, Rainbow Dash!” Soarin’ said. “It’s good to see you, Princess Twilight,” Misty Fly said. “Thanks,” Twilight said. “Oh, by the way, we brought somepony special along,” Rainbow Dash said, until Thomas waved at them after she turned herself around.
“Thomas! Hey, bud!” Soarin’ exclaimed. “Oh my gosh!” Fleetfoot said with a soft chuckle. The other three trotted over to the small boy to greet him, until Thomas wrapped his arms around Fleetfoot’s neck, giving her a warm hug until she wrapped her foreleg around him, bringing him closer towards her chest, and then she held him on her hoof.
“How’s our favorite little buddy?” Soarin’ asked. “I’m doing good,” Thomas said. “What are you doing here anyway, cutie?” Misty Fly asked. “It’s Take Your Child To Work Day,” Thomas said. “Then why isn’t your mom here?” Fleetfoot asked. “She’s doing things with Rarity and Applejack in Manehattan,” Twilight said. “So she asked us to take care of him while she’s out,” Rainbow Dash explained. “Oh, I see,” Fleetfoot said, as she continued to hug Thomas as he leaned his head against her chest. “You’re cute when you do that, you know?” Thomas nodded, and then he received a kiss on the forehead from Fleetfoot. “Wow, nice jacket!” Soarin’ said. “Thanks. Auntie Rarity made it,” Thomas said.
“Since we have nothing to do...” Rainbow Dash whispered into Spitfire’s ear about her idea, and then Spitfire acknowledged the idea. “Thomas? How about if we, along with these three and your aunts, give you a tour of the place?” Thomas nodded, and then he looked up at the mare hugging him, “Can I ride on your back, Miss Fleetfoot?”
“Yeah, sure, buddy,” she said, and then Twilight magically placed him onto Fleetfoot’s back. “We’ll be right here, sweetie,” Twilight said, stroking his shoulder. Thomas nodded and then they all started the tour.
While they were walking, Thomas, who was riding on Fleetfoot’s back, saw more of the training field, then he saw the obstacle course, he had a walkthrough of the locker rooms, Spitfire showed him her office, and then he saw the dining hall where they all go to lunch, and Thomas saw Thunderlane cooking over there.
When they walked over to the training field, Twilight and Rainbow Dash were talking with Spitfire while Fleetfoot held Thomas against her chest on one foreleg and he was eating his snack, consisting 2 chocolate chip cookies and some red delicious apple slices in a bag. “So, have you noticed anypony having a hard time with their friends?” Twilight asked. Spitfire thought for a moment, “Not really, but basically it’s my job to worry about their relationships. I’m here to make them elite flyers.” Rainbow Dash sighed, “Adorable. They’re so full of hope and competition. Eh, their technique could use some work, though.”
“You should tell them. I’m sure they’d appreciate any notes from you,” Twilight said. “No way! I wouldn’t want to mess with their confidence,” Rainbow Dash said. “But they’ll never get better if they don’t know what to work on,” Twilight said. “Auntie Twilight has a point you know,” Thomas said. “You said it,” Fleetfoot said. “Well, there’s sloppy wing placement, crooked lines... I guess I’m gonna have to drill them on basic technique in the classroom portion,” Spitfire said. “Classroom portion?” Thomas asked. “Yeah, but the problem is that it’s everypony’s least favorite part of this week, but it has to be done,” Spitfire said.
“Maybe we can help!” Twilight said. “Between Rainbow Dash’s flying skills and my teaching expertise, they could learn a lot! Plus, once they get to know us, they’ll be more comfortable coming to us with their friendship problems!” She then looked at Thomas, who was still being held by Fleetfoot, then she walked over to him for a hug, “But maybe deal with Thomas while we sort this out, if he can behave himself.” Thomas nodded and then Twilight kissed him on the forehead. “So if you’re looking for some trainers, then count us in!” Rainbow Dash said. “Great! Then you have your work cut out for you,” Spitfire said.
Later on, while Spitfire went back to drilling the new recruits, and when Soarin’, Misty Fly and Fleetfoot went on patrol, Twilight and Rainbow Dash were waking together while Rainbow Dash flew slowly. Thomas rode on Twilight’s back while they were walking. “Thank goodness I had time to whip up a few charts on flight patterns and wing symmetry! It’s fresh in my mind from when I learned to fly! This is so exciting!” Twilight said. “You really used that when learning to fly?” Thomas asked. “That’s right, sweetie. I wasn’t a professional like Rainbow Dash was, but I made sure I had some practice,” Twilight said. “Wow,” Thomas said. “Thomas? Since this is “Take Your Child To Work Day,” do you want to draw while we teach?” Twilight asked. Thomas nodded, and then after they entered the classroom, they saw many recruits sitting at their desks.
“Heads up, newbies! Class is in session!” Rainbow Dash said, then snickered. Twilight rolled her eyes, and then entered the classroom, until she lifted her wings up hiding Thomas, “Hello, students. My name is Twilight Sparkle, and that’s Rainbow Dash, and this...” She lowers her wing and put them back in place. “is our nephew, Thomas. He’s going to join us today, but since it’s Take Your Child To Work Day.”
They all made an awwwwww at how cute he looked, causing him to blush nervously. Twilight then placed him with Rainbow Dash so she can keep an eye on him, and then she gave him some paper to draw some pictures on, and then she went back to the chalkboard, “Okay, so we’re here to go over basic flying technique.”
Suddenly, they heard a groan, and Rainbow Dash spoke up, “Alright, who said that?!”
“Me,” said a voice. Rainbow Dash, Twilight, Thomas and the entire class turned and saw a male pegasus with moderate cerulean blue fur, a light sea green zappy mane and tail with very pale streaks, light sea green eyes, and his flank had a cutie mark of a golden streaked lightning bolt. “I mean, we’re here because we’re amazingly awesome crazy-good flyers. And we’re way past basics,” he said. Thomas then hid underneath Rainbow Dash’s hug, “Who are you?”
“Sky Stinger. What? You’ve never heard of me?” Thomas shook his head. “He set the record for the fastest vertical acceleration rate, but in 500 ft in 2 seconds,” said a raspy female voice. She was a pegasus mare with light chartreuse greenish gray fur, a cloud-like curly mane and tail in multicolored streaks of light cyanish gray, light emerald greenish gray, and very pale apple green, pale light grayish turquoise eyes, and her flank had a cutie mark of a golden yellow star with a wiggly trail.
Thomas then realized, “Whoa...” Rainbow Dash and Twilight weren’t impressed. “That’s, uh... pretty impressive,” Rainbow Dash said. “I know. It’s amazing,” the light green mare said. Twilight then cleared her throat, “It is, and we can talk about personal records later after class, Ms...?”
“Oh, my name’s Vapor Trail,” she said. “She’s my wingpony. I never fly without her,” Sky Stinger said. Thomas was shocked, until Rainbow Dash spoke up, “But you’ll have to in the solo trials.” Vapor Trail was nervously shocked about what she heard, “There are...” She gulped nervously. “...solo trials?”
“Yep. It’s a part of your final evaluation,” Rainbow Dash said. Thomas suddenly felt a little worried about Vapor Trail. Sky Stinger scoffed, “We’ll ace that test with our wings tied behind our flanks. My picture will even go up there, right next to yours.”
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, “That’s a mighty big claim, considering everypony here is an amazingly awesome crazy-good flyer.” Sky Stinger leaned back on his chair, “I know.” Twilight then cleared her throat, “Okay! Let’s get back on track.” Everypony was now ready for her lesson while Thomas continued to draw some money pictures, then Twilight started the lesson, “Now, who can tell me the best wing angle to achieve minimal air resistance?”
Thomas then continued to draw more pictures, until he got sleepy, causing him to lean back towards Rainbow Dash’s soft barrel and belly. She looked down with a warm smile, and then wrapped her forelegs around him for a hug while she listened to Twilight’s lesson. Thomas felt warm underneath his aunt’s embrace until he started hearing her heartbeat as it put him to deep sleep.
After class ended, the recruits wandered off to practice or go enjoy themselves, until Rainbow Dash and Twilight came out, while Rainbow Dash carried Thomas in one foreleg. “Well, there weren’t any hiccups, but overall, that went pretty well,” Twilight said. “Yeah, looks like nopony fell asleep, except this little guy,” Rainbow Dash said, as Twilight saw him snuggled against Rainbow Dash’s chest fur with his small form rising up and down as he was slowly breathing. “Aww... guess that lesson tuckered him out,” Twilight said. “Looks that way,” Rainbow Dash said, until she saw Thomas slowly opening his eyes. “Oh, he’s waking up!” Thomas then rubbed his eyes and stretched his body, removing the stiffness from his bones, “Hi.”
“Are you okay, sweetheart?” Twilight softly asked. “Yeah, I’m fine,” Thomas said. “Was I asleep?” Twilight and Rainbow Dash nodded, “Sorry.” Twilight gave him a kiss on the forehead. Twilight then began talking to Rainbow Dash about the class, while Thomas saw Sky Stinger flying with Vapor Trail, but he saw her casting a wind gust underneath Sky Stinger secretly as he did some loops, causing him to feel more worried. “Thomas? What’s up with you, bud?” Rainbow Dash asked. “I think we’ve just found our problem,” Thomas said as he pointed at what he just saw, and then it caused Twilight and Rainbow Dash to feel worried, too.
“I don’t believe it! Vapor just created a gust of wind that caught Sky’s wing at a 45 degree angle, propelling him into a flipping loop!” Twilight exclaimed. “Sky doesn’t even realize that he’s not amazingly awesome at all!” Rainbow Dash said. “You’re right, sweetheart. Looks like we‘ll have to deal with this our way!” Twilight said. “We gotta warn somebody!” Thomas said. “No!” Rainbow Dash said. “But I don’t want them to look bad!” Thomas said. “Thomas! Don’t worry. We’ll talk to Vapor Trail about this,” Twilight said.
After practice, Vapor Trail was tired out and Sky Stinger felt stretched and pumped up, “Ah, yeah, I totally nailed that flipping loop. I’m actually surprised you’re still here.” Vapor Trail was out of breath, “You were... great, Sky.” Spitfire came over, “Come on, Vapor Trail! You’re gonna have to build up your endurance a little more faster if you want a shot at the Academy!”
“Sorry, I’ll... try my... my best,” Vapor Trail said, as she was still out of breath. “Hey, we’ll keep working, and who knows? One day, we might even fit in, and you’ll come close to being as good as me,” Sky Stinger said. “Thanks, Sky,” Vapor Trail said. “Whew, I’m beat. I’m gonna go hit the showers.” Sky Stinger then went to get a drink of water. Thomas then began to feel more worried about their relationship problem. “We have to help them,” Thomas said. Rainbow Dash and Twilight both nodded in agreement, and then they went over to check on Vapor Trail.
Meanwhile, in the locker room after a nice warm shower, Vapor Trail dried herself off and then went to her locker. “Vapor Trail?” a voice said. It was Rainbow Dash, along with Thomas riding on Twilight’s back. “Can we talk?” Twilight asked. “Yeah, why?” Vapor Trail asked. “We know you’ve been hiding something, but we just want to make sure if you’re okay,” Twilight said. “I’m fine. Why?” Vapor Trail asked. “Look, the point is... we know you’ve been helping Sky Stinger. We’re worried about you,” Twilight said. “What? I don’t know what you’re talking about! Sky doesn’t need anypony’s help. He’s amazing,” Vapor Trail said nervously. “Please, just tell us. We don’t want you to feel bad. We just want to help you,” Thomas said. “Aww, who’s this?” Vapor Trail asked, as she walked over to him and then softly ruffled his hair. “Does this little cutie have a name?”
“This is our nephew, Thomas. You may not know, but he was in the classroom earlier, and he’s also the adopted son of our friend, Fluttershy,” Twilight explained. “She’s been taking good care of him ever since she adopted him, but that happened when he was 5. He recently turned 6 a couple of days ago,” Rainbow Dash said. “Aww... that’s so cute!” Vapor Trail said. “Do you want to hold him?” Twilight asked. “Sure,” Vapor Trail said, and then she went over and lifted the small child off his aunt’s back and held him against her chest with one foreleg. “He’s very shy, but he has a big heart,” Twilight said, then Vapor Trail saw him giving her a hug around her neck, causing her to softly blush. “Look, Vapor Trail. We’re not mad. We just want to know what’s going on with you two.”
“Why do you keep asking?” Vapor Trail asked. “Because it’s gonna be pretty obvious during the solo trials when he get enough air to do a flipping loop,” Rainbow Dash said. Vapor Trail then started to freak out, “Oh, no! I can’t let that happen! I mean, ah, uh... Aw, sugarcubes!” Thomas then softly rubbed her chest to calm her nerves, “It’s okay.” Vapor Trail smiled warmly with another rosy pink blush on her cheeks, “Aww... you’re so sweet. Thanks, sweetheart.” She then leaned down and gave him a kiss on the forehead. “I know you’re tired of asking, but why are you doing this for him?” Twilight asked. “We just want to help you both be better,” Thomas said.
Vapor Trail sighed as she was still holding Thomas against her chest, until she sat down on a bench and then held Thomas in a cradle so that she wouldn’t upset him, “Okay, the truth is... ever since we were foals, Sky grew up with a lot of siblings. It was really tough for him, because he was always trying to get his parents’ attention. Meanwhile, I was an only child who hated the embarrassment type of attention that I got from mine. But ever since I first helped him with his first flipping loop, I realized that he was so proud of himself, so I rolled with it. Flying together gave us both what we wanted! But I never got a chance to tell Sky about how much I’ve been helping him. It only started with a small boost here or a little gust of wind there, but I didn’t think my help could’ve actually been hurting his chances and make him look like a failure.”
Thomas then hugged her again, “I know what that feels like.” Vapor Trail looked at him confusingly, “You do?” Thomas nodded, and then Twilight told her his past life before he came to Equestria. When she finished explaining, Vapor Trail suddenly felt sorry for Thomas, until she changed his position and held him with two of her forelegs and gave him a proper hug. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that, sweetie,” she said, while Thomas rested his head on her shoulder. “It’s okay. I’m just glad to be in my new home and with my new family,” Thomas said, until he softly stroked her mane.
“I’m glad you’re doing good with Thomas, but what matters now is that you and Sky Stinger are both in trouble!” Twilight said. “You need to work on your tricks, and Sky needs to be able to fly without you or else he won’t make it,” Rainbow Dash said. “I know, but he has to! Flying with the Wonderbolts has been Sky’s dream ever since he was a colt!” Vapor Trail said. “Please, think how sad Sky Stinger’s gonna feel if he fails! Don’t you want him to get kicked out and blame it on you?!” Thomas asked while Vapor Trail held him near her chest as he sat on her lap. “What will you do?”
“I... I guess I haven’t thought about it,” Vapor Trail said, then sighed in depression. “I just want to be with my best friend.”
“Then we have to find a way to help both of you,” Rainbow Dash said. “Starting with telling Sky the truth,” Twilight said. “No, you can’t!” Vapor Trail exclaimed. “If you do, then Sky will be crushed! And without his confidence, he won’t fly as well!” She then looked down in sadness, until Thomas hugged her again, “I know this is hard, but he has to know, otherwise he’ll be a laughingstock in Equestria. Don’t you want that to happen?”
“I guess not. You’re probably right, Thomas,” Vapor Trail said, as she softly ruffled his hair with her hoof. “Don’t worry. Rainbow Dash and I came up with a little backup plan,” Twilight said. “Okay, here’s what we do. It turns out Sky thinks he doesn’t need practice, right?” Rainbow Dash said, until Vapor Trail nodded. “So, the point is that he needs to build his strength. Including air drills, wing lifts, and all that other methodical stuff that makes one pony a Wonderbolt.”
“Sounds like my cup of oats,” Twilight said, with a soft giggle. “Instead of physically practicing, we’ll just tell Sky that he should practice with Twilight so you won’t have to feel so self-conscious about getting special training from me,” Rainbow Dash said. “With you? Really?! You’d do that for me?” Vapor Trail asked. “Don’t worry. It’ll probably be a piece of cake,” Thomas said. “Thomas’s got a point, you know. Besides, you say that like it’s gonna be a blast. It should be pretty easy,” Rainbow Dash said. “Then, I’ll do it, for Sky Stinger!” Vapor Trail said. “YAY!” Thomas cheered.
While Twilight helped Sky Stinger study some basic techniques, although he was sleeping and it made Twilight unimpressed and run through some exercises later on, Rainbow Dash, with Thomas sitting on her back, helped Vapor Trail run through some obstacles and some training to help get her speed and strength in good shape.
When she was done, Vapor Trail landed on the ground and then stood up straight. “Okay... YOU WERE AWESOME!” Rainbow Dash said. “Really? Thanks! I can’t believe I was able to keep it up!” Vapor Trail said. “See?! I told you it’d be a piece of cake!” Thomas said. “And you were right, sweetie. You and Rainbow Dash were the best,” Vapor Trail said, until she brought him over for a hug. “I love it when he does that,” Rainbow Dash said.
“Hey, can we switch now? I wanna do tricks with Rainbow Dash!” Sky Stinger said. “You can’t!” Vapor Trail said. “Because it’s not time yet.” Thomas nodded his head nervously. “Heh, yeah right. Like I need to learn the basic nerd stuff,” Sky Stinger said. “Hey, basic stuff is important!” Twilight said. “But you’ve probably gotta practice a little bit! Since you’re pretty much so good at the fancy stuff!” Vapor Trail said. “You’ve got a point there. I don’t need practice at all,” Sky Stinger said, until he saw Vapor Trail holding Thomas against her chest on her hoof. “Who’s the kid?”
“Oh, this is our nephew, Thomas. It’s Take Your Child To Work Day,” Twilight said. “And he was very sweet when he saw me practice,” Vapor Trail said, until she saw Thomas softly blushing. “Are you feeling okay, by the way?” Sky Stinger asked. “Sky, maybe you oughta think about this,” Vapor Trail said. “Relax. I’m already the best and everypony’s gonna know it when I’m asked to join the Academy tomorrow,” Sky Stinger said. “But not if you don’t practice...!” Vapor Trail said. “Heh. I wouldn’t be surprised if they asked me to become a Wonderbolt straight out of the trials,” Sky Stinger scoffed.
“Sky, I want you to get in as much as anypony, and you’re really amazing, but...” Vapor Trail said. “But what? What the matter?” Sky Stinger asked. “SKY, YOU’RE NOT AS GOOD AS YOU THINK YOU ARE!!” Vapor Trail hollered, until Sky was suddenly confused. “I’ve been using wind gusts to make you look popular. I’m sorry,” Vapor Trail said. “Puh-lease! I don’t need your help to make me popular! Watch!” Sky Stinger said, and as he looped the first half, he struggled to do a full one, but he fell down trying to catch his breath. Vapor Trail tried to help him up, but he slapped her hoof, “How can you do this to me? Did you all know about this?” Vapor Trail looked back, and then she, along with the other three nodded in unison. “Oh, great. So everypony but me knows I’m a great big joke! Was this your plan this whole time? To embarrass me?” Sky Stinger asked angrily. “What? No! Don’t you know me at all?” Vapor Trail asked, until Thomas went to Twilight for a hug. Sky Stinger scoffed in disappointment, “I guess not, since it took me this long to find out you’re a terrible wingpony!”
Vapor Trail gasped, along with the others three, and it caused Thomas to shed tears in his eyes, until Twilight hugged him more. “I can’t believe you would think that!” Vapor Trail said. “What’s going on here?” Spitfire asked, as she, Fleetfoot, Misty Fly, and Soarin’ trotted over with some security guards. “Sky Stinger and Vapor Trail are arguing!” Thomas said. “Shhhhhh... it’s okay, bug. We’ll handle it,” Twilight said, until Misty Fly came over, and then Twilight gave him to her, and Thomas sat on Misty Fly’s hoof as she held him against her chest, and Soarin’ came over and softly stroked his back as the boy hugged his Snuggle Bear teddy.
“So you’ve been using wind gusts to make Sky Stinger look popular?!” Spitfire asked. “I didn’t mean to make him feel bad. I just want him to get into the Academy, but he keeps saying he doesn’t need practice. I just want to be with him,” Vapor Trail said as she began to cry like she felt her heart breaking, until Fleetfoot came over and comforted her. “Sky Stinger? Is there something you want to say for yourself?” Spitfire asked as she looked at him sternly.
“If she hadn’t make me look like I was a nopony, this wouldn’t have happened in the first place!” Sky Stinger said. “Alright, I’ve never been so disappointed than this. Vapor Trail, I want you and Sky Stinger to practice hard without helping each other or else you’re disqualified from the Academy. Copy?” Spitfire said. They both nodded, and then Rainbow Dash and Twilight walked over. “We’ll take care of it,” Rainbow Dash said. “You better,” Spitfire said. “And since there’s nothing wrong with it... Fleetfoot, you, Soarin’ and Misty Fly watch over the kid. It’s probably time for him to cool off a bit.” Fleetfoot and the other two nodded, then Soarin’ walked over to his aunts, “Don’t worry about him. We’ll keep an eye on him until they’re ready.” Rainbow Dash and Twilight both nodded, and then when Thomas was comfy in Misty Fly’s hugging hoof, she and the other two walked with them over to the obstacle course to watch Sky Stinger practice after Vapor Trail had her turn.
Thomas still felt sorry for them while he sat on Fleetfoot’s lap and wearing Rainbow Dash’s jacket as a blanket, until he began to cry. “What’s wrong, bud?” Soarin’ asked. “It’s all my fault!” Thomas said, until Fleetfoot hugged him closer to her chest. “What do you mean, little guy?” she asked. “They never shouldn’t have argued because of me. We weren’t trying to make them feel bad! They just wanted to get in the Academy!” Thomas said, until Fleetfoot gently pressed his head on her chest and softly stroked his back. “Shhhhhh... It’s okay, little guy. It’s okay,” Fleetfoot said. “Besides, you didn’t do anything wrong,” Misty Fly said. “So don’t blame yourself for something that you didn’t do.” Thomas nodded, and then he leaned closer towards Fleetfoot’s chest as she continued to calm him down with her hug. “Do you think we can give them a second chance?” Thomas asked, as he wiped his tears with his eyes. “Sure thing, bud,” Soarin’ said. “We’d be happy to help,” Fleetfoot said, until she gave him a kiss on the forehead, causing him to smile softly.
When training was done, Thomas saw Vapor Trail looking let down. “Can you take me over to her?” Thomas asked. “Yeah, sure,” Fleetfoot said, as she stood up and held him on one hoof and then walked over to Vapor Trail. “Are you okay, Vapor Trail?” Thomas asked, after Fleetfoot left him with her. “Oh, hey, Thomas,” she said. “Can I sit with you?” Thomas asked. “Sure,” Vapor Trail said, and then she lifted him up and placed him on her lap. “Are you still upset about what Sky Stinger said to you?” Thomas asked as he softly stroked her chest fur.
Vapor Trail nodded. “Vapor Trail, can you look at me?” Thomas asked, and then she looked at him. “I felt the same way when those bullies at the orphanage picked on me, and when I never got picked for adoption. But you shouldn’t let those words get to you. It’ll only make you feel bad and let you live enough alone, without any friends. All you have to do is do what your heart tells you and then it will guide you in the right direction. I let that guide me when I never gave up hope that I would get a chance to have a family and make some friends. That’s what you should’ve done. But if you’re still feeling let down like recently, you can always talk to Spitfire or some of the other professional Wonderbolts and they’ll listen to you. I promise.”
Vapor Trail smiled warmly at him, and then she brought him over for a hug, “Thanks, sweetie. You really do have a big heart.” Thomas nodded his head, and then Vapor Trail gave him a kiss on the forehead, “That was for telling me to believe in myself.” Twilight and Rainbow Dash were proud of their nephew’s thoughtful words, until some of the other recruits felt happy with how the boy touched Vapor Trail’s heart. “Vapor Trail? I know what I said was wrong. And I’m sorry for that,” Sky Stinger said apologetically. Vapor Trail went over to hug him, “It’s okay, Sky. You’re a good pony, but you just needed a little confidence from others if you want help.” Sky Stinger nodded. “Now, how about if we go try those solo trials?” Vapor Trail asked. “You’re on,” Sky Stinger said.
After a few minutes of practicing and studying, Sky Stinger and Vapor Trail managed to get through the solo trials perfectly while Spitfire took notes and checked her stopwatch. Twilight watched the performance with Rainbow Dash while she held Thomas against her chest.
When they both made a perfect landing, the recruits, along with Rainbow Dash and Twilight, who held Thomas against her chest, cheered and rooted for them. “Congratulations! You’ve both made it to the Wonderbolt Academy!” Spitfire said, giving both Sky Stinger and Vapor Trail gold pins. They both hugged each other.
“Whatever you did, along with your nephew, worked pretty well. They may have a lot of potential, but hey. Who knows? They might even be better as you, Dash,” Spitfire said. Rainbow Dash laughed, “Okay, let’s not get carried away.”
“Thomas, I want to say thank you for helping me believe in myself. You’ve been a good teacher, after your kind words,” Vapor Trail said. Thomas nodded, then he went over to give her a hug. After they broke the hug, Sky Stinger ruffled his hair, “You’ve got guts, kid. Thanks for helping us out.”
Thomas nodded, and then the two ponies flew off, until he saw the sun setting. “Auntie Twilight? I gotta go home now. Momma will be worried about me,” he said. Twilight, Rainbow Dash and Spitfire saw the sun was starting to set. “Well, look at that,” Spitfire said. “Don’t worry. I got it covered,” Rainbow Dash said, and then she leaned down on her forelegs, and then Thomas climbed onto her back, “Alright, let’s get you home.” Spitfire stopped them for a second, and then put something on Thomas’s jacket. “I wanted to give you this. A Wonderbolts badge, lead pony style,” she said. Thomas nodded, and then gave her a hug. After that, Twilight and Rainbow Dash flew off to take their nephew home.
After a nice dinner of chicken broth with corn, peas and carrots, and a nice, warm bath, Fluttershy tucked Thomas into bed after a long day. “Did you have fun, baby?” she asked. “Yeah. I helped two recruits with a friendship problem. But I had the best Take Your Child To Work Day ever,” Thomas said. Fluttershy nodded, and then gave him a plate full of cookies and a glass of cold milk, “I got you this if you wanted a snack before sleep.” Thomas nodded, and then he ate his snack while Fluttershy read him a bedtime story. When he was done, the plate and glass were empty, and when Fluttershy finished the last page of the book, she saw her son sleeping. “Goodnight, my precious little one,” she whispered, then gave him a kiss on the cheek. Fluttershy then walked over to the bookshelf and put the book away, and then quietly trotted downstairs, while Thomas slept comfortably in the big soft bed, feeling the warmth of Princess Luna’s moon shining over the sky.