//------------------------------// // Ponyville Air Show Spectacular! // Story: Soaring Skies // by Gallifrey //------------------------------// Soaring Skies by Gallifrey Chapter Three Ponyville Air Show Spectacular! A purple train chugged its way through Equestria's vast and varied landscape, dutifully carrying its passengers to the charming town of Ponyville. Not that the train had any say in the matter, but it would have carried its passengers even if it did. Spitfire slumped lower in her seat, now so far down that she was almost level with the table in front of her. She raised her gaze a few inches to look at Soarin', who was growing restless. He had been sitting in one place for a whole half hour now and was eager to reach Ponyville. He was watching the world go by out of the window of the train, eyes flittering back and forth rapidly as the world flew by, as if to make up for his lack of movement. The stallion kept running a hoof through his rich blue mane, his hind hooves sometimes broke out into tapping, and he occasionally snorted, apparently not aware he was doing so. Spitfire found these little quirks of his endearing; the other Wonderbolts found them irritating, which might have been the reason they were alone in their compartment. Spitfire somehow descended even lower in her seat, and one of her legs accidentally met Soarin's. Soarin' suddenly turned to look at her and the yellow mare quickly averted her gaze "How long until we get to Ponyville?" he asked his captain. "Another three hours, Soar," she said, hauling herself up into a normal sitting position, yawning as she did so. His mouth opened in horror. "Three?!" "I'm afraid so." Soarin' digested this information, and resumed staring out of the window, an added layer of desperation in his eyes. Spitfire tried to look out the window too, but she found her eyes constantly being drawn to the stallion before her whether she liked it or not. The view outside may have been a stunning landscape of dew sparkling forest, but it was nothing to how stunning he was... No, stop it, she scolded herself. The time slinked by, each minute deciding to last at least five before they relinquished their claim to the present to the next minute. After ten of these excruciatingly long minutes, Spitfire couldn't hold herself back any longer. "Why?" she murmured. "Hmmm?" asked Soarin', diverting his attention from the pretty scenery to his friend. "Why did you ask Rainbow on a date tonight?" she asked, carefully not letting her tone slip into accusation. "Oh come on Spits, I thought that would be obvious!" he said, smiling at her. "You tell me," she said plainly. . "Well, she's fast, athletic, strong, independent, cool, and best of all, she's feisty. I like feisty mares." Spitfire wanted nothing more than to say, 'so what's the difference between her and me?' but she couldn't bring herself to do it and spoil his day, or fall out with him, or both. She took a few calming breaths and put on a smile for him. "Ohhh, didn't think you'd like the feisty ones Soar." "How could I not? They're hot!" he exclaimed, eyes gleaming. Spitfire nodded thoughtfully at this. She wondered whether to warn Soarin' about Rainbow's noticeably short temper, at which point, she would be too feisty for him to handle, but held her tongue, she didn't want to sound patronising after all, as everypony who met Rainbow figured it out within five minutes more or less. "Well, they are hot, it's not like I'm gonna disagree with you there. But seriously, good luck tonight and treat her good, she... she deserves it." "Thanks, Spits. I'll do my best!" he said, raising a hoof in salute. Spitfire, with an effort raised the corners of her mouth into a weak smile. As Soarin' resumed staring out the window, Spitfire felt her heart sink yet further. She glanced at Soarin', then she rose to her hooves and left the compartment without another word. "Spits, where're you going?" asked the stallion, but she didn't answer. Soarin' was left wondering if he'd said something wrong for a few minutes, until she returned, and not alone. "This young lady tells me you have a fondness for pies?" croaked an elderly mare with a sugar sweet smile that looked as sweet as the array of tasty treats she had on a trolley. "Pies?" he said instantly, ears pricking up. Spitfire gave him a small smile as she sat back down. I'll treat him good, he deserves it. ------------- "How do I look?!" "For the fifth time Twilight, you look great!" sighed an exasperated Spike, watching Twilight run around him in a near panic. The purple mare consulted her extensive check list which, among other things, included: brush mane, clean teeth, wear that nice lavender perfume and file hooves. Twilight paused in her running for a second. "Spike, do you think I should put a flower in my mane or not?" "Twi, am I really gonna be the best judge of that?" asked the dragon, scratching his head. "Perhaps not, but you're the best I've got!" She picked up the white lotus flower with her magic and rushed to a mirror and compared how she looked with and without it. "It looks pretty, that much can be ascertained. But does it look like I'm making an effort, or making too much effort?" "It looks good Twilight, so what does it matter?" Why does it matter? Rainbow doesn't care about me, she's seeing Soarin' straight after... no! You can't spoil her evening by being miserable. Be happy for her, and... try, try to get over it. Twilight's overactive brain didn't get to consider the matter any further however, as a sudden sound cut through the aether of her mind. A knock from the door. "Coming!" Twilight opened the door to reveal Rainbow Dash, looking the same as she ever did, though she may have put a brush through her mane. Once. Maybe. "Hey Twilight, how's it hangin'?" "How's what hanging?" asked Twilight, nonplussed. "Never mind, you ready to go? The show starts in like twenty minutes." "Yup, all ready, I'll get the picnic blanket and we can be off." She scurried up her stairs to get said blanket, and returned with it bound in her magical aura. "See you later Spike!" she called on her way out. "Have a good time!" he replied as she shut the door. Twilight took a deep breath of the warm evening air and looked around. Ponyville seemed busier than usual under the evening sunlight, with everypony heading in the same direction, towards the park. Rainbow Dash grinned widely as they walked together; no matter how many times she saw the Wonderbolts, it never grew old for the speedster pegasus. "So Twi, what you been up to since I saw you this morning?" asked Rainbow, striking up conversation. Twilight knew the honest answer would have been 'wallowing in self-pity like the pathetic mare I am,' but imagined that would spoil the mood somewhat, so she settled for: "Reading a book," she said meekly. "No surprises there," chuckled Rainbow. "What book?" "Melody for my Mare." "Bleh, you and your sappy romance novels," said Rainbow teasingly, sticking her tongue out in mock disgust. "They're not that bad, you should try one out." "Nah, the only ponies who read them are the ones who can't get laid. I don't need them." It was a few seconds before Rainbow realised she was walking on her own. She turned to see Twilight standing alone behind her, looking hurt. The pegasus groaned internally. "Oh, I didn't mean- It's not like- Twi, you know I didn't mean you, right?" The poor unicorn looked as though she was trying to hold back tears. "Twilight, I'm really sorry," urged the pegasus, placing a hoof on one of Twilight's shoulders, looking into the wide purple eyes of her friend. She meant it too, and Rainbow hardly ever apologised. "It's alright," said Twilight with a small sniff, "I know you wouldn't say something like that on purpose." They continued walking, and Rainbow had to initiate conversation a few times before she managed to banish the awkwardness she had accidentally introduced, by the time they were talking and laughing like normal, they had reached the park. A gruff looking stallion was at the entrance, Twilight showed him their tickets and he nodded. "Where should we go?" asked Twilight. "I reckon by the lake will be our best bet," said Rainbow, making a beeline that Twilight followed. The purple mare set down the picnic blanket, and the two of them lay down on their backs, ready to enjoy the show. "You ever seen the Bolts before?" asked Rainbow, putting her forelegs behind her head. "Only once, and that was a long time ago," said Twilight, tilting her head slightly in Rainbow's direction. "I was just a filly, and Princess Celestia took me to see them as a treat for doing well in my exams one time. I remember her telling me what you could achieve if you chased your dreams, and then pointing to them as they soared through the sky." "Oh wow, the Princess sounds like a great teacher," said Rainbow quietly. "She was, and still is," said Twilight, eyes glazing over as she reminisced. "I sometimes wonder where I'd be if she'd never accepted me as her student. Just another nopony I suspect, still, that's no bad thing." "Nah, you'd still be here, super clever and amazing," said Rainbow, as she looked around for any signs of the show beginning. Twilight said nothing, but smiled a bittersweet smile at Rainbow's kind words. The loud, amplified and honeyed voice of a certain yellow pegasus mare suddenly boomed out over the park, causing Twilight to jump. "Fillies and gentlecolts, welcome to the Wonderbolts' air show right here in Ponyville! We hope you all enjoy what we have in store for you this evening, and we have some manoeuvres that we'll perform for you and you only, so yeah, don't say you weren't treated!" The crowd chuckled appreciatively at Spitfire's words. "Now, of course, the pleasantries are in order. Let me introduce you to the team! First up, the most agile pegasus in all of Equestria, give it up for Fleetfoot!" Spitfire sure knew how to work a crowd, applause and cheers erupted as the pale blue maned pegasus flitted out over the audience, seeming to teleport from one area to another rather than actually fly. "She's like a hummingbird," said Twilight in awe, watching her dart. "I don't know what one of those is, but I know she's cool!" said Rainbow excitedly. "Next up, we've got the feistiest mare this side of Canterlot, excluding myself of course, please welcome our newest member, who you might not have seen before, Thunder Wing! Rainbow grumbled. "Damn girl totally stole my spot: that should be me! What's she got that I haven't?" "Now, for what all you mares have waiting for, the stallions! There was another ripple of laughter. "A master of aerobatics, a flier with truly prodigious skill, it's Rapidfire!" The fiery maned pegasus dashed out into the skies, flying in tight circles around his other team mates who were out there already. "And a stallion who can rival Fleetfoot in agility, who will incidentally be doing some very tricky stunts with her later on, give it up for Oncoming Storm! "And now, for a stallion who needs no introduction, but I'm giving him one anyway! He's fast, he's fearless, an aerial ace with a fondness for pie and frankly pretty easy on the eyes too, I'm sure some of you will agree, it's Soarin'!" "Soarin'," said Rainbow and Twilight simultaneously. Though Rainbow said it with anticipation and admiration while Twilight muttered it with a barely concealed tone of sourness and resentment. "And there's me, Spitfire, who's pretty fast. So who's ready for a show?!" The crowd gave a raucous cheer. I said, who's ready for a show?! A roar spread through the crowd and Spitfire shot off into the sky to join her team, leaving a crackling fire in her wake. She joined Soarin' and they ascended high into the heavens at an astonishing rate, and raced back down even faster; Spitfire with her trail of fire, Soarin' with a trail of thunder. They catapulted themselves straight at the ground and only banked up at the very last moment, right above Rainbow and Twilight, who could only gasp with wide shiny eyes at the danger and skill that was on display before them. -------------- As all six Wonderbolts finished off their spectacular finale, which involved flying extremely fast and missing each other by the breadth of a feather, all in perfect synchrony, with a few dozen fireworks thrown in too. The crowd erupted and thunderous applause joined the thunderous crackle of their trails. The team landed as one, sweaty, exhausted, but happy with how they had performed. "Great job guys!" said Spitfire brightly, removing her flight goggles, adrenaline still coursing through her body. "Rapid, I know you were worried about that reverse barrel roll with the clouds, you pulled that off perfectly, so well done on that, now everyone hit the showers, you all stink." She grinned. Soarin' looked around for a clock. "Spits, what's the time?" he asked, pushing up his flight goggles. "It's about to hit eight o'clock, why?" "Already?! Horseapples! I-I'll see ya later!" "Bye?" she said, completely confused, but Soarin' was already galloping away in the direction of Ponyville town hall. A sneaky idea occurred to Spitfire, and she followed, keeping to the shadows all the while. ------------ "Thanks again for taking me to the show, Twilight," said Rainbow sincerely as they trotted out of the park together. "It was no trouble, really!" she said, and then added in an undertone. "Just obscenely expensive..." They reached Ponyville town hall, and it was almost eight o'clock. "Don't be stupid, seriously, I owe you one, don't think I'll forget." "Sure. Anyway, I should get going, don't want to be around when your date gets here after all." Rainbow chuckled. "'Kay. We'll have to meet up again soon, I'll tell you all about it!" "I can't wait," said Twilight. She was extremely good at being sarcastic without anypony noticing. Rainbow raised a hoof in an offer for a hug; Twilight took it and embraced her friend. The studious mare felt her heart beat speed up slightly, her face was full of Rainbow's scratchy mane, she sighed, and got a noseful of Rainbow's sweet scent, which was like freshly fallen rain blended with the finest honey. The moment was bittersweet for Twilight, serving only to remind her that which she could never have. The last thing the unicorn wanted to do was break the hug, but break it she must, and she pulled back. "See ya later egghead, loving the flower by the way," said Rainbow, her eyes darting upwards and she leaned forward to sniff it. "Mmm, nice!" "Than- bye- Rain- do you thin-" Twilight stammered. "Ahem! Thank you Rainbow. See you soon!" She flashed the pegasus a smile and raised a hoof in farewell, and not a moment too soon, as Soarin' approached out of the darkness, looking flustered and a little lost, but his eyes brightened as they fell upon Rainbow Dash. Meanwhile, Twilight began walking down Ponyville high street at a snail's pace, head bowed. "Psssst!" Twilight's head snapped up in alarm, looking around. "Hello?" she asked, feeling a little silly. "Over here!" said an urgent voice somewhere to her left. The unicorn wandered vaguely in the right direction until she saw an agitated looking mare hiding in the darkness, Twilight was fairly sure she recognised her as- "Hey, name's Spitfire, though you might already know that; and you're Twilight Sparkle right?" "I am," said Twilight unsurely, wondering what the captain of the Wonderbolts was doing skulking around the streets like this, though she could guess. "Have you seen Soarin' or Rainbow Dash?" she whispered. "I've seen both," said the unicorn, with a expression about as cheerful as a thundercloud, "they're over there." She pointed in their direction. Spitfire slinked out of the shadows, and peered in the direction Twilight was indicating, she saw two blue ponies walking away, in the direction of DeCanter's, Ponyville's classiest restaurant. The fiery Wonderbolt let out a deep sigh. "I had to see for myself, and I had kinda hoped..." said Spitfire weakly, gazing wistfully at their retreating backs, "that she wouldn't turn up, or he would forget, or something... is that bad of me?" She looked at Twilight, eyes almost pleading for her to say no. "You too huh?" was Twilight's only response, eyes fixed on Rainbow in the distance. "Oh, did you have feelings for Soarin' too?" "Aha," said Twilight mirthlessly. "No, but I do for Rainbow Dash." "Of course," said Spitfire, facehoofing at her own stupidity, "that makes a lot more sense. I guess we're in the same boat then?" "Looks like it," said Twilight quietly. Silence took this chance to descend over the pair, leaving each mare to her own thoughts. "Why does it hurt so much," began Spitfire, all the usual fire and frisk absent from her voice, leaving a hollow intonation in its wake. "Why does it hurt to see them happy with someone else? Why, when every time I see him smile and it's because of her, does it feel like I've been stabbed in the heart? Why am I angry he's not with me? Am I that selfish?" "No," said Twilight after a second's thought, "the selfish thing to do would be sabotage or manipulation, by doing this, we are letting them go... no- no matter how painful it is." She blinked and a single sparkling tear fell from her eyes. "Yeah... I guess you're right." Twilight sniffed. "Would you like to come back to my house?" asked the unicorn politely, "I was planning to have some tea, and you're welcome to join me." "Thanks for the offer, but I need some time to myself right now." "I can understand that." "Still, it was nice meeting you, Twilight Sparkle," said Spitfire, proffering a hoof. "Likewise," said Twilight, tentatively bumping her hoof against the pegasus'. Spitfire gave her a small, sad smile, and then launched herself into the rapidly darkening sky, leaving Twilight Sparkle alone in the night.