//------------------------------//
// Suspense 
// Story: A Day With Friends 
// by MyOpinionIsSuperior 
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The pleasant, crisp air of Canterlot hung in the air, gracing everypony’s breath with a taste of the fresh, cool temperature associated with the city’s higher altitude. Despite the cooler air, not a single pony was cold- Celestia’s sun shone without a challenging cloud in the sky, bringing radiating warmth onto the city’s surface, the infrared spreading throughout and allowing every living thing to enjoy the fine day. Gossip bounced from one pony to the next throughout the bustling city streets, ears open and eyes wide as pieces of information, some true and most false, reached one another, the happenings of Equestria distorted through dramatic retellings and the heavy influence of personal bias. Yet despite the misunderstandings that spread through Equestria’s capitol city like wildfire in a dry grassland, one thing was a certainty among everypony of even the mildest of sports enthusiasts: The son of Rainbow Dash, the only pony in modern times to ever successfully perform the Sonic Rainboom, would be performing during the Wonderbolts show that evening. Speculations as to the colt’s performance were of course discussed, the more levelheaded fans explaining that the chromatic child’s stunt display would be heavily underwhelming due to the physical limitations that came with a five-year-old’s body. Their logic was overwhelmed by the rumors of Rainbow Blitz’s ability to break the sound barrier and follow in his mother’s hoofsteps, achieving his destiny as the child prodigy everypony hoped to see soon after the marriage between two of Equestria’s finest fliers. While the child’s performance was of great interest to a particular stallion, the gossip surrounding him was not. The stallion’s ivory coat and styled soft blue mane and moustache bobbed up and down with every trot, his expertly polished hooves in a slight hurry due to his excitement. Keeping his monocle in place, the noble stallion turned his head, the slightest hint of child-like bliss laced throughout his tone.

“Come along, come along now, Fleur.” He commanded politely. “We already received word from Rarity that the dress you commissioned is finished, and knowing her work, it will be the finest in Canterlot. Aren’t you excited?”

To say that the unicorn in his wake was lovely was an understatement. Fleur de Lis was as beautiful as she was over a decade ago, though her flawless features were, at present, tainted by the slightest of frowns. The fashion model kept her relaxed pace, refusing to hurry herself for the sake of arriving a minute or two earlier.

“Fancy Pants, my dear husband,” She cooed threateningly, an eyebrow raised in cynicism that the stallion knew all too well meant she understood his true intentions. “We both know the real reason you look forward to much to receiving my commissioned dress.”

Her words seemed to strike a chord within Fancy Pants, the elite noblepony freezing in place, his monocle popping from the security of his eye. Fleur sidled up to her husband, a smirk now gracing her fair muzzle as she whispered into his ear.

“We both know you want to hear the most reliable gossip straight from horse’s mouth. Why listen to the silly ramblings of foolish and ignorant nobleponies when you can get the news straight? After all, one of Rainbow Dash’s closest friends must know a thing or two about the child’s capabilities, would you not agree?”

Fancy Pants exhaled heavily, giving up his charade with his clever wife. “You know me all too well, my dear,” He admitted, though the elite business pony was not about to admit defeat. “Could we please hurry along? I do wish to hear whether the rumors of the child’s ability to perform a Sonic Rainboom are true. And Rarity and her husband are such dear friends of ours- isn’t a little haste worth it to see them that much sooner?”

Fleur smiled sweetly, grateful for her husband’s honesty. “Of course, love.”

The fashion model broke into a cantor, leaving her surprised husband in the dust. Fancy Pants shook his head, collecting himself at the unexpected speed that Fleur had accelerated to and made off after her, the sight an odd spectacle for everypony who managed to catch a view.





The wooden steps of Sugarcube Corner creaked with every step, the small scream from the cellulose echoing the tension held by the four children. Reaching the top, Capricorn stretched a foreleg out to touch the closed door. The alicorn stopped himself, musing over the situation he was about to throw himself into before redirecting his hoof in a conspicuous point toward Ponyville’s colorful guest.

“You go in first, Rainbow Blitz,” He commanded, his tone completely serious despite the incredulous looks the stunt flier was giving back.

“Why me?!” Blitz asked, his voice a hushed shriek to prevent revealing their presence to the two pegasus ponies on the other side.

“Because she’s nice to you,” Gizmo stated matter-of-factly, offering a small shrug with his shoulders that showed he thought Capricorn’s idea to send their celebrity friend in first was simply the safest approach to handling their situation. “She has been ever since you pulled off that prank at the Summer Sun Celebration. I guess you earned her respect- or she has a crush on you.”

“Ya' know what,” Golden Delicious piped up, a small scowl on her muzzle that revealed she was not fond of the idea of somepony else seeing Rainbow Blitz in a romantic light. “Ah’ll go first.”

“Are you sure?” Capricorn asked worriedly, knowing all too well the potential danger the farm filly was throwing herself into. Golden Delicious closed the distance between herself and the door with a few confident steps, pushing the salmon colt aside with ease.

“Oh don’t ya’ll fret about me,” She said flatly, her voice icy and serious. “Ah ain’t scared of Surprise.”

Grabbing the door’s handle, she yanked it open fiercely, an act the others considered surprising due to the delicacy she normally maintained in her actions. With nothing to obstruct her view, Golden Delicious looked inside the main room of Sugarcube Corner’s second floor. She gasped.