A Day With Friends

by MyOpinionIsSuperior


Breakfast Brutality

The soft morning rays of sunlight etched through the window slits of a comfortable, upscale cloud home. Their glow provided warmth to a small lump under the blankets of a cozy bed, fighting the frigid high-altitude air. The lump rose and fell with a gentle rhythm, revealing nothing except for a few strands of red hair that refused the blanket’s hospitality. A scratchy voice laced deep breaths; the weekend truly was the prime time for sleeping in, and the unconscious lump enjoyed every fleeting minute of it. The soft, creaking sound of the bedroom door failed to stir the bed occupant’s slumber, as did the hoofsteps that followed. Rainbow Dash groggily approached the bed, pausing for a moment. She sympathized with the lump, but as much as they both enjoyed their shut-eye, there was an agenda to be followed. Gently removing the covers, Rainbow Dash took in the image of her slumbering child, cherishing every moment. His unmistakable rainbow mane clung to his pale blue face, bent from the pillow's influence. He shifted from the uncomfortable temperature change, but remained unconscious. Nuzzling the colt’s wings, Dash spoke in a hushed tone, a faint melody tracing her words.

“Whose little wings are these?”

The colt smiled and kept his eyes closed, feigning a slumbering image.

“They’re tired wings that think Mommy should let them sleep more.”

Rainbow Dash suppressed her laughter and formed a confident smile.

“All right, but I guess they’ll have to miss chocolate chip pancakes. It’s too bad; I hear they’re one of Rainbow Blitz’s favorites. I wouldn’t wanna be the wings that made him miss those.”

Rainbow Blitz snapped his eyes open.

“They might be willing to work out a deal.”


Soarin’ lazily stirred pancake batter over the counter, the chocolate chips rising and sinking in motion to the spatula’s will. He gazed at sweet mix longingly before turning his attention to the boiling oatmeal on the stove. He gave the slop a venomous glare before the cinnamon and sugar on the countertop caught his attention. Soarin’ scanned the kitchen area, confirming he was truly alone. Grabbing the containers, he shook a generous amount into the mush before quickly returning them to their former positions. Soarin’ stirred the oatmeal quickly to hide the additions before the distinct sound of hoofsteps sounded from the hallway.

Oh man, He thought, biting his lip. Just in time.

Rainbow Dash trotted into the kitchen, her son bouncing up and down on her back as he attempted to awaken from his half-conscious stupor. She plopped him onto the stack of Daring Doo books situated on a kitchen table chair before checking on breakfast’s progression. Soarin’ poured the pancake batter into a readied pan, creating a large puddle that fizzled around the edges. The aroma danced around his nostrils, eliciting a loud gurgle from his hungry stomach. He sighed and took his pot of sweetened oatmeal, pouring it into a ceramic bowl before taking his place at the table.

Rainbow Dash walked to the pan and flipped the pancake, catching it neatly as it landed face-up with a sizzle. She gave her family a brief glance, enjoying the mundane scene.

It’s certainly a nice change, that’s for sure, she mused, smiling as her son gave a vocal yawn.

Rainbow Blitz rubbed the sleep from his eyes, barely aware of the pancake’s aroma. Soarin’ munched happily on his oatmeal...

Wait a minute. He looks too happy eating that stuff. Dash squinted her eyes threateningly. I’ll take care of that little mystery myself.

Soarin’ finished the meal with a belch, contently patting his stomach. Rainbow Blitz eyed him with a knowing smirk.

“Sugar and spice makes everything nice, isn’t that right, Dad?” he whispered.

Soarin’ broke into a cold sweat and looked at his wife, paranoid that she overheard their son.

“What do you want?” he whispered back.

“Longer flight lessons,” Blitz murmured. He tapped his chin in contemplation. “And mini-golf. My friends said it was fun.”

“Deal.”

“What’re you boys talkin’ about, hmmmm?”

Rainbow Dash stood menacingly in front of them, spatula in hoof. Soarin’ choked on his words, unable to vocalize a response. Luckily, Blitz did not share in his disability.

“Dad was just tellin’ me how excited he was to see me give my performance at the Wonderbolts’ show today.”

Dash smiled warmly at her son’s fib.

“We’re both excited for you Blitzy.” She ruffled his bedhead, earning an audible grumble from the colt. “Spitfire finally allowed it after the media hounded her to let you perform once you started flying. You sure you wanna do this?”

“You bet I do, and I’m gonna knock their saddles off!”

“If you’ve learned anything from your father’s lesson I know you will, Blitzy. Take a word of advice: don’t try anything you’re not comfortable doing. Nopony is expecting anything like a Sonic Rainboom from a five-year-old. I was twice your age before I did mine and sealed the deal with my cutie mark.”

“Your mother’s right, Blitzy.” Soarin’ piped up. “Nothing dangerous, no sharp turns, nothing too fast… you know, how about we just cancel and tell them you need more lessons first? That way-”

The angry looks from the two spectral mane ponies forced Soarin’ to shrink back.

“Oh will you relax, Soarin!” Dash growled. “He’ll be just fine! He’s a natural born flier and he’s even gotten a lesson from you.”

“Still waiting on that next lesson,” Blitz grumbled.

“How about waiting until after the final performance of the season before givin’ us lip, Blitzy?”

Rainbow Blitz whined indignantly before his mother continued. “As I was saying, if anypony was gonna teach him how to fly safe, it was definitely you Soarin’! C’mon let him perform.”

Soarin’ sighed, pinning his ears back in annoyance.

“You’re just asking to be nice, and I don’t really have a choice in the matter, do I?”

“Pretty much,” Rainbow Dash and Blitz responded simultaneously. Soarin’ stood up with a huff, bringing his dishes to the sink. A familiar glance was exchanged between mother and son before Dash walked up to her disgruntled husband. He hung his head in false sadness, giving her a pathetic look as his eyes drifted upward. Pressing her muzzle against his, she kissed him for his troubles. Licking her lips, Dash made audible ‘tuts’. Her suspicions confirmed, she scowled and pounded a hoof on the countertop. Rainbow Blitz covered his ears for the oncoming storm.

“Cinnamon and sugar?! Really Soarin’?! Do the doctor’s orders mean nothing to you?! You’re lucky we have a big show today, or I’d be working your wings so hard you’d become an earth pony!”

“She found out on her own Dad!” Rainbow Blitz piped up, drawing attention from both parents. “I still get my longer flying lessons and mini-golf.”

Rainbow Dash gave her husband an incredulous look that quickly turned into over-boiled anger. Soarin’ trembled in fear from the fury in Dash’s features. To his surprise, Rainbow Dash took a deep breath and did her best to calm down.

“Soarin’, I’m only upset because I’m worried about you! Please, pleeeease stop with the sugar.” She paused, taking one of his forehooves with hers. “For me? I don’t wanna see you fall short of the cut.”

Soarin’ nodded solemnly, reminding himself to have more self control in the future.

“You’re still taking Blitzy mini-golfing and giving him extra time in his lessons. I don’t know where you’ll really find the free time for that, but hey, you got yourself into that one. He gets to wake you up too; have fun taking him nice and early to go have a good time while I sleep in.” Rainbow Dash finished, giving her husband a quick peck on the cheek, his skin taught as his eye twitched. Grabbing the pan’s handle, Rainbow Dash tossed the pancake into the air. Soarin’ watched in amazement as the giant flapjack landed perfectly on the waiting plate situated on the countertop.

Every single time! He shook his head, envious of her accuracy. How does she do it?

Grabbing the plate, Rainbow Dash trotted over to the table and dropped it neatly in front of Blitz. The two rainbow-maned pegasus ponies gave each other identical smirks. Soarin’ knew those looks all too well; they were the looks of competition.

“So, little colt. Think you got what it takes to keep your appetite up with the legendary Rainbow Dash?”

“I was born ready,” Rainbow Blitz barked, pounding a hoof on the table. “Now let’s quit yakkin’ and start snackin’!”

They both readied themselves at opposite sides of the pancake. Mouths ready, they looked to their referee to start the signal. Soarin’ cleared his throat before bellowing,

“Ready! Set! Eat!”

A pale blue hoof swung down, signaling the beginning of breakfast carnage.


Melted chocolate splattered the floor. Pancake crumbs littered the table. Not a scrap of edible pancake remained. Soarin’ remained frozen in awe at the ferocity his wife and son had attacked the flapjack with. He had his heydays with pies and other sweets, but not even those could compare to two stubborn athletes eating for the sake of beating the other. Both pegasus ponies were covered in chocolate and crumbs from snout to tail. Rainbow Blitz walked unsteadily from the table, zigzagging toward his bathroom. He looked back, his voice resembling a moan as he forced himself to speak.

“Some day," he paused, releasing a deep belch, "Mom. I’ll beat you someday.”

“In your dreams, kiddo,” Dash replied, maintaining a laid-back position the whole time, her hooves relaxed behind her head. She waited until she heard the sound of his door closing and the water running before she flopped down onto the ground, groaning in pain. “Sweet Celestia, does he have your appetite or what? That kid can eat! I’m not sure if I can keep up with him next time around, Soarin’. How did I even beat him this time?”

Soarin’ gave his wife a playful smirk.

“Pride? Stubbornness? Recklessness? Gluttony?”

Rainbow Dash returned the smirk, approaching Soarin’ before throwing her hooves over him in a light embrace.

“Watch it, mister. I’m still mad at you, remember? I wouldn’t worry about it too much, though. The show today should be pretty good exercise,” she paused, giving him a coy smile. “But there are… other ways you can burn some calories.”

Soarin’ flushed red and nodded, smiling at the implications. Dash’s smirk vanished, replaced by a more serious expression.

“But if you cheat your diet again, you’ll have to find your own way to ‘burn calories’ for a month. Got it?”

Soarin’ gulped and nodded. “Yes, Dashie.”

She smiled once again and pecked him on lips before trotting off to their restroom to wash the chocolate smudges off of her coat.


“You have your lunch money?”

“Yes, Dad,” Blitz deadpanned.

“First Aid kit?”

“In my backpack, Dad.”

“Scarf?”

“I’m wearing it, Dad!”

Soarin’ paused, scratching his chin with a forehoof. His eyes squinted as he concentrated in thought.

“Sunscreen?”

“Daaaaaaaaad!”

“Oh for the love of Celestia, Soarin’, the kid’s gonna be fine!” Rainbow Dash barked. “He’s being watched by Fluttershy today for Pete’s sake! If there’s anypony who is even close to being as overprotective as you, it’s her. Now let’s get a move on. Ponyville’s a long flight.”

Soarin’ grunted but obeyed his wife. He pulled an object made from refined fabric, strapping it to his back, much to the displeasure of Rainbow Blitz.

“Awwwww Daddy, not the saddle!” Blitz moaned. “Please! Anything but the saddle!”

Soarin’ shot his son a stern, authoritative look and pointed to the saddle with a forehoof, silently commanding him to take a seat.

“Don’t make him use the saddle, Soarin’!” Dash shouted. “He’s a strong flier. You know that.”

“He’s still only five, Dashie,” Soarin’ barked back. “He can’t make that trip in one go; his muscles aren’t developed enough.”

“Nopony said he had to,” she said. ”Just let him ride without the saddle; if he falls off he can just, oh I don’t know, fly back to us!” Dash paused, raising an eyebrow in smug confidence. “It’s not like he’s in danger of falling to his doom or something. You know either of us would be more than capable of catching him if there was an accident.”

“B-but he… b-but,” Soarin’ stammered, unable to come up with a logical counterargument. Rainbow Blitz ripped the saddle off and climbed onto his father’s back, hugging his neck and nuzzling into the fur. Soarin’ let out an exaggerated sigh before tilting his head up, meeting a pair of rose eyes. Rainbow Dash smiled warmly, stepping forward and strapping Soarin’s flight goggles over his eyes.

“All set for Ponyville.”