The morning air was crisp and cool as it blew through the mountainside. Celestia's sun rose over the horizon, creating an orange glow along the valley.
In the Wonderbolts headquarters, a very nervous-looking pilot tightened the tie on his Captain's uniform in front of a locker mirror. Fleetfoot came up behind him and patted his shoulder.
"Ya nervous, mate?"
He cleared his throat, still having a hint of sleep in his voice.
"Yeah, a little bit. I've flown for most of my life, but never have I performed in front of a large crowd like this."
Rapidfire, who had just finished putting on his uniform and was making his way out to the main foyer, overheard and stopped by the two to put some reassurance into the pilot.
"Don't worry, Jake. On my first show, I screwed up and took out Spitfire in a nosedive. I'm not saying you're going to mess up, but it can happen to anypony."
Fleetfoot gave a deadpanned stare at him.
"Yeah you're not helping, lad. Move along and go through your moves in your head so something like that doesn't happen again, alright?"
He rolled his eyes and walked away.
"Fine."
Fleetfoot directed his attention over to the back door of the locker room, where Spitfire and Soarin were entering after getting ready themselves. They joined the two, Soarin offering a reassuring nod to Jake.
"You'll do just fine. This is going to be the best show Equestria has ever seen."
Spitfire bobbed her head in agreement.
"We're going to go out in style, for sure."
The four walked out into the foyer to meet up with the rest of the team. The remaining nine members, along with Starfyre and Rainbow Dash, turned their attention to their Captain, awaiting his orders.
Soarin gulped, not out of nervousness, but of anticipation for the coming events. He waited until the room fell silent, and began.
"My fellow Wonderbolts, this will be the last time we perform together. I know I gave some closure at the party last night, but I wanted to tell you guys in person, just us, as one brother and sisterhood. Over the years I have had numerous amazing experiences with you. Wether it was performing a show, hosting a charity event, doing kid's birthday parties, or simply hanging out in the lounge and shooting a game of pool. No matter how important or unimportant the event was, it was still meaningful to me because it was with all of you."
He turned to Jake, who was beside him dressed in his full black uniform with the shoulder boards and golden wings on his chest.
"Jake, even though we haven't known each other for a long time, the same applies to you. I can't thank you enough for your efforts this past month. I know things have been hard for you in the past, but you pulled through and remained right with us the whole time. I tip my hat to that."
He then addressed Rainbow Dash, who was dressed in her own Wonderbolt uniform.
"Dash, just like Jake, I want to thank you for your efforts. You have accomplished in one month what a normal pegasus would take at least a year to do. So go out there and show Equestria what you're made of!"
He faced the rest of his team and yelled out across the room in a loud, demanding voice.
"Now who are we?!"
They responded in unison.
"Wonderbolts!"
"What are we?!"
"The best of the best!"
"And why are we the best of the best?!"
"To beat all the rest!"
"Who are we?!"
"Wonderbolts!"
"Who are we?!"
"Wonderbolts!"
"WHO! ARE! WE?!"
"WONDERBOLTS!"
He raised his hoof in the air and pointed to the front door.
"Then let's prove it to Equestria!"
The now energetic team ran out the front door into the sunny morning, eager to get flying. The massive C-130 sat at the end of the runway, ready to go.
The team landed by the plane, six on each side positioned behind and outward from the wings, Soarin up front leading the pack. Jake and Starfyre ran to the access door, which was already opened. The technician went ahead, but the pilot stopped. He took one long look at his aircraft, slowly pulled out his captains hat, and put it on, twisting it into place. He then unfolded a pair of black aviators sunglasses from his pocket and put them on, giving a sly smile in the process.
"Ok, now I'm ready."
Soarin chuckled with amusement as Jake made his way into the cockpit and shut the door behind him.
In a matter of seconds, the four props fired up and were whining with power, creating a windstorm behind them.
The two Sabre rockets were positioned and ready when needed whenever Starfyre pressed the ignition trigger in the cockpit.
Soarin took one long breath and focused his attention to the valley ahead where the show would take place. In one swift motion he kicked off and began the flight to Canterlot.
Jake throttled up, and slowly increased speed as he followed Soarin down the runway. The Wonderbolt captain took his time, knowing that the plane simply could not keep up with a full speed pegasus takeoff.
In a minute or so, Jake was up to full speed, the team bringing up the rear on either side. He pulled back on the yoke and lifted off the tarmac, which quickly ended and left nothing but the valley far below.
The Wonderbolts on the sides kicked their back legs together, activating a blue smoke trail. Six jets were formed all parallel to each other, as the aircraft formed the centerpiece. They were on their way.
-------------------------------------
In Canterlot, ponies of all ages lined the edge of the city to look out at the valley beyond. They sat on roofs, wagons, and any other perch they could find. The main crowd was at the center of the cliff in a large courtyard area that had been converted to house rows upon rows of spectators.
Celestia and Luna sat in the very center in the back row, perched upon a throne surrounded by the Royal Guard. At their sides were Shining Armour, Cadance, and in a special raised bleacher just to their right, Twilight and her friends. Mac, along with Selina and Jade were there as well.
Applejack, who was sitting next to her brother, shifted around in anticipation.
"Ah can't wait one more minute! This has ta start soon!"
Mac chuckled.
"In good time, sis. Ahm sure they're jes getting ready and what not."
Pinkie Pie jumped up, sending popcorn flying over some of the ponies below.
"She's right! I'm going insane just waiting here! When will it start?!"
Twilight rolled her eyes and tried to talk some sense into the party pony, which, being the intelligent unicorn she was, should've been obvious it wasn't going to work.
"Pinkie, just wait and relax. It's going to start very soon, I know it."
Suddenly, a deep bass note rang over the entire valley. Instantly, the crowd went wild, knowing it was about to begin. Then, a soft, mysterious female voice spoke over the crowd and bass note, narrating the intro.
"In the beginning, our planet was formed with earth, air, and water. It sat inert, in the cold depths of space. However, there were two important elements that completed this concoction. Two essential items to sustain life as we know it. They were...the sun...and the moon."
The crowd roared at the mentioning of the celestial bodies. The voice continued.
"It doesn't matter how young or old, rich or poor, or tall or short you are. In the end...we all live here...together. So look to the pony beside you, and realize that we are all one. All one spinning 'round and 'round on this planet. Now...look out to the valley beyond...and enjoy the show."