//------------------------------// // Introducing The Wonderhawks // Story: ECRL: The Wonderhawks // by WildFire15 //------------------------------// Ponyville Town Hall was packed with journalists and camera ponies. The Wonderbolts were going to reveal their secret project that night, which was said to be in collaboration with another team though who exactly that could be seemed to be shrouded in rumour to those in the hall. A stage with red backing curtain had been set up inside the hall, a projector above the door shining the Wonderbolts logo onto the curtain. Rainbow Dash carefully peered around the edge of the curtain to get a look at the crowd of journalists and camera ponies, all ready and waiting for Spitfire and Hurricane to tell Equestria about the team. She, Concorde and Lightning Dust were suited up, their helmets were currently sat on podiums that would be raised behind them once they were on stage. There was going to be some sort of introduction before they went out on stage. Concorde was pacing up and down, looking nervous. Dash was still somewhat amused it bothered him so much as she always enjoyed the attention. Dust didn’t seem overly bothered either way and looked somewhat impatient to get this charade over with. Red Hawks leader Hurricane, in a team shirt and had arrived earlier that afternoon, was busy discussing details with Spitfire and Fleetfoot, both in Wonderbolts shirts, ahead of going on stage. Once they had finished their discussion, Fleetfoot went over to her flyers. “One minute until we start, ponies.” She said. “Wait for your signal, stand in place and don’t forget to smile.” “But I’ve been working on my grimace.” Concorde remarked, trying to defuse his obvious nerves but Fleet just ignored him. “Just line up behind the curtains and wait until they’re opened.” The three of them nodded before Fleet went to her own position. “I’ll quickly just abuse the facilities before we go on.” Concorde announced before heading for the bathroom. Maffett shuck her head, looking amused. “That’s the third time.” Dust observed. “Is he always this bad?” “He is.” Maffett answered. “Even if we’re seeing a show or movie he seems to need the toilet at least twice before hoof.” “There’s our pre-race entertainment, watching him rush back and forth.” Dash mused. “Want to take bets on how long he’ll be?” “Mika Lentävä was much the same. I wouldn’t be surprised if he came out, paused and went back in again like he used to.” Spanner said as a generic rock track from some generic rock album, courtesy of the resident DJ P0N3, was played and the crowd went silent. “Jää Hevonen was exactly the same.” Ratchett added, which seemed to be funny to Maffett as she laughed. *** Spitfire went out on stage and stood behind the podium as the music played which had been set up off centre and regarded the crowd. Several cameras flashed, but they mostly waited for him to speak. “Mares and Gentlecolts, welcome to Ponyville Town Hall.” She said once the music had been faded out, quickly regarding her notes. “The Wonderbolts are almost as old as Equestria itself, a team of exemplary Pegasus formed to protect, deliver and serve the ponies of this great nation in its infancy. Over the years, our need to fight has been diminished but the need to inspire the next generation will never end. “The Wonderbolts inspired not only many young Pegasus to join our ranks, but many other teams as well, but I believe we can do more than just promote extreme flying and Equestria’s airborne military. I believe we can inspire greater co-operation in even more disciplines for Unicorn and Earth ponies as well as Pegasus ponies. “To this end, I decided to create a joint initiative with another fabled flying team that has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years thanks to the efforts of their leader, who I had the honour of flying alongside when I was briefly a member of the team. “I would like to welcome on stage that very pony. Please give a round of applause to the leader of the Red Hawks; Hurricane Hawker.” Spitfire finished. The crowd applauded politely, though there were hushed, surprised conversations and flashing cameras as Hurricane walked out onto the stage, taking the podium as Spitfire stepped aside. “Thank you Spitfire, everyone.” Hurricane said, regarding the crowd. “The Red Hawks may not be as old and prestigious as the Wonderbolts, but there are still those, possibly in this room, who were alive to remember a time when they were considered the best by far. “Discipline and skill are said to be the bedrock of a successful team, but I also believe a leader with an eye for talent can take a team from simply good or extraordinary. When I was younger, I remember my father watching a particular fire maned mare auditioning for our team and he said that she would go far. Stood next to me is that same mare and when we finally met again years later, we started discussing the talent we had seen and had the honour of flying with. “During that conversation, we both came to realise we had an opportunity to propel that talent further and, in doing so, inspire and open opportunities for Unicorn and Earth ponies as well as Pegasus ponies. “To this end, we created the Wonderhawks, a team of three flyers who will compete in the Equestrian Cloud Racing League this season. The team will be managed by experienced Wonderbolt Echo Fleetfoot, who I would like to welcome on stage to discuss the team.” The crowd politely applauded again, the cameras flashing as Fleetfoot went out on stage, Hurricane stepping aside for her to take the podium. “Thank you everyone, Hurricane.” She smiled. “When I was a filly in Cloudsdale, like many I dreamt of joining the Wonderbolts. At the time, I simply wasn’t good enough and while trying to improve I found my way into race, eventually competing in the ECRL. I learnt a lot in this competitive environment which eventually let me to finally achieving my dream of joining the Wonderbolts. “I don’t want to discredit the series by saying it’s only good for training, but racing led me to be a considerably better flyer then I was before and I believe our chosen flyers will benefit from both competing and from sharing their own experience. “We don’t just aim to help performance flyers reach their potential, but we also want to see racers reach their potential as well and I will do my best to guide that along the way.” Fleet eventually finished, many of the journalists not entirely sure what to make of what she said. Spitfire took to the podium again as Fleetfoot stepped aside. “I would now like to introduce you to those who have been chosen for it. Please welcome the ponies who will compete for the Wonderhawks team in the Equestrian Cloud Racing League: Red Hawks flyer Concorde Cayley and Wonderbolts Academy exemplars Lightning Dust and Rainbow Dash.” The curtains opened for the three flyers and their spotters to walk through as the crowd applauded, though they were lost behind all the bright camera flashes and stage lights as the three walked out and stood on stage to what sounded like more generic rock guitar music. The pedestals with their helmets on also rose up behind them once they were in place. “These three ponies represent the best our teams have to offer. Concorde, as you’re all likely aware at this point, competed against championship favourite Wolke Schwade in junior races while Lightning Dust and Rainbow Dash together shattered many long standing records at the Wonderbolts Academy. We’re confident they can exceed in the Equestrian Cloud Racing League and the first of many young flyers to be given this opportunity. “Assisting them as spotters will be experienced analysts Ratchet and Spanner as well as talented young-” Spit paused for a second to look at Maffett, who shot her a disproving look. Maffett was tetchy about her first name. “Maffett, formerly the Red Hawks’ commentator.” “We’ll take a few questions off the floor before we wrap up.” Spitfire smiled, glancing around with a smile as multiple hooves shot up and a few shouted to get her attention. “Yellow unicorn.” She randomly picked out of the front row and the stage hooves quickly rushed a microphone over to her. “Golden Quill of the Canterlot Times.” She started. “Question for Concorde; You were mentioned by name by Wolke Schwade in a newspaper interview recently and he had high praise for you. Are you confident you can live up to the expectation?” Concorde mulled an answer over for a moment before replying, fully aware every pony in the crowd was ready to write and record what he said. “I think we’ll have to wait and see. I was lucky enough to compete with him at Windy Valley but he was fortunate enough to be picked up by Fancypants Racing while I opted for a break from racing to join the Red Hawks. I’m confident I can do well in the Equestrian Cloud Racing League, but I’m not expecting to challenge Wolke straight away.” “Mr Cayley!” A journalist next to Gold Quill shouted, snatching the microphone. “Speaking of Windy Valley, the League will be returning there for the first time in years. Looking forwards to it?” “Of course. I might be slightly biased, seeing as it’s my home track, but it’s the best track in the world!” “Concorde, what made you join the Red Hawks!” Shouted another journalist as the crowd started to go slightly mad to ask questions. “Well, Hurricane sort me out himself and offered me the chance to join the Red Hawks early in their revival and I saw it as both a good challenge and an opportunity to improve further.” The questions came thick and fast for Concorde, who became visibly more flustered as they went on. Maffett knew he wasn’t far off telling them to give him a break and he probably would have if one of the journalists didn’t finally decided to give Dash and Dust some attention. “Question for both Rainbow Dash and Lightning Dust.” Asked Gold Quill after finally winning the microphone back, Concorde breathing a sigh of relief. “Dash, you took a surprise victory at the Best Junior Flyers Competition in Cloudsdale a couple years ago and more recently you and Lightning Dust have broken many long standing records at the Wonderbolts Academy. The Equestrian Cloud Racing League is an entirely different type of flying to the performances required for the Junior Flyers Competition and Wonderbolts, do you think you can make the translation from performing to racing?” Rainbow Dash quickly mulled over an answer, but Lightning Dust didn’t have the same level of restraint to think one through. “Of course I can.” She responded, as if it was a stupid question. Fleetfoot watched with a slight look of concern. “I’m aiming for the top, I don’t take second best.” The journalists exchanged a few glances as they wrote her response. Dash reconsidered her answer, not wanting to look less ambitious. “Racing and performance flying, while technically different, share a lot of the same elements. It’ll be tough, we’ll be up against some of the best flyers in Equestria, but I’m aiming for the top as well.” After a few moments of silence, another question was shouted from the opposite side of the hall from where the microphone was. “Spitfire, will the team have any sponsors?” “The Wonderbolts and Red Hawks, along with their sponsor Bristol Aerospace, will be providing the lion’s share of the required funding, but we’ve also approached a few local companies to see if they would be willing to provide services as well. At present, the local orchard Sweet Apple Aches and clothing designer Carousel Boutique have agreed, the latter of which designed our team’s racing suits and helmets and I believe she is also working on dresses and suits for the Season Opening Ball next week.” Spitfire answered, Concorde and Dash posing so the cameras could get a good look at their suits. As the journalists wrote, another put his hoof up. “Ratchett, Spanner, between you you’ve been analysts for four champion contenders in recent years. What made you join the Wonderhawks?” “Not to sound critical of other teams,” Spanner started. “But it’s not often you get the opportunity to join a fresh new team with a focus entirely on talent. It’s a challenge where I can make full use of my existing knowledge as well as take on new rolls.” “I feel precisely the same.” Ratchett added, Maffett resisting the urge to laugh. “Miss Maffett?” The same journalist asked, Maffett trying to look neutral and nearly causing Dash and Dust to laugh. “Could you tell us more about yourself, your experience and what you hope to achieve with the team?” “Well,” Maffett started, pausing to think. “I started as an assistant commentator at Windy Valley while Concorde and Wolke were racing there, commentating with our old friend Brundle. When Concorde joined the Red Hawks, Hurricane asked me to commentate for the team and later recommended me for the Wonderhawks as a spotter. As for this year, I’m hoping to keep Concorde pointing in the right direction and help him achieve what he wants to achieve.” “How long have you known each other?” Another journalist asked. “We’ve known each other our whole lives, so if you want the dirt on what he does in his spare time, just come to me.” Maffett smiled. Concorde slowly turned to give a slightly disapproving look, which seemed to amuse a few of the crowd, especially the innocent grin she returned. “Mares and Gentlecolts.” Spit said, drawing everyone’s attention. “This brings an end to our question and answer session. I’d like to thank you all for coming along and meeting the next generation of talent from the Wonderbolts and Red Hawks ahead of next week’s first round of the Equestrian Cloud Racing League in Cloudsdale. We look forwards to competing and seeing you there, but for now: Good night.” While Spitfire spoke, Fleet beckoned the three flyers and spotters out through the curtain. Once out of sight, they all breathed a sigh of relief. “Well, that went considerably better than I was expecting.” Concorde remarked, rubbing his forehead. “Still don’t like the spot light?” Fleet asked. “Still hate it. And yes, I am still aware of the irony.” “Looks like they love you as well. You’ll have to get used to it.” Dash smirked. “Genial.” Concorde replied sarcastically in French before switching back to English. “They’re going to love you and Dusty too with answers like that.” “Do we have to put up with this at every race?” Dust asked, sounding irritated. “Yep, they’ll even hunt you down for an opinion if they have to.” Fleet replied. “Luckily, we can lock them out of our stables and VIP rooms. Although, I want the pair of you to think your answers through a little better next time.” “Why?” Dash asked, Dust rolling her eyes and walking off. “Every word you say will be scrutinised and reflect upon the Wonderbolts. You’ve set yourselves a really high bar that might be difficult to clear.” Fleet said, raising her voice slightly to make sure Dust heard too. “Ok, ok.” Dash nodded, not really thinking her words would have that much impact. “Where’s Lightning Dust gone?” Spanner asked. “Probably to wherever she hibernates between meetings.” Maffet remarked. Dust rarely stuck around with them after practice or meetings. “I was getting a drink.” Dust replied as she walked back over. “Fair enough.” Fleet smiled, clearing her throat. “Right, seeing as we’re only a week away from the first meeting, I’d like all of you to get to bed by nine o’clock. I want you guys well rested and ready to go.”