//------------------------------//
// Part 1 
// Story: Arrow's Story: Problem After Problem 
// by NightArrow 
//------------------------------//

CHAPTER 1
It was a regular day of Shadowbolt A-Wave training. Night Arrow got up a bit earlier than CC and Skylight to get his laps in before they showed up so he can coach from the sidelines. The B-Wave Captains Fire Blitz and Treble were by the locker rooms watching as well.
“Come on, CC! Skylight is practically lapping you!” Arrow called.
“I’d like to see you keep up with freakin’ Skylight!” CC gasped while whizzing past.
Arrow smiled, he’d been training like crazy on his own time since he
knew A-Wave training sessions would consist primarily of him being on the sidelines. He was just about to jump in when he heard a familiar voice. 
“Delivery foooooor Mr. Arrow!!” The Mailmare almost never came to his run-down old stadium. Arrow was surprised she could even find it with her eyes facing different directions. This place was hard enough to find in the middle of Everfree Forest with regular, focused eyes.
“Oh, hey Ms. Hooves. I have mail?” Arrow greeted.

“You sure do! Let me just get in here... and....” The grey mare’s eyes attempted to focus into her mailbag, and she pulled out a dark blue envelope. “..here ya go!” Clearly written with silver ink was ‘to: Night Arrow From: Princess Luna” in beautiful calligraphy.
‘thanks, Ms. Hooves.” Arrow said grabbing the letter with his mouth.
“Oh, please... Ms. Hooves is my father’s name! Call me Derpy!”
“Uh, I don’t think the expression works that way. . .” Arrow replied.
“Well, I gotta go!” Derpy interrupted, obliviously.
“Wait, don’t you wanna say hi to CC or Skylight?”
“Uh no not really,” Derpy replied, ‘to be honest... Skylight’s eyes kinda freak me out.” She whispered into Arrow’s ear.
“Ha, you don’t say...” Arrow smiled at the irony.
“I sure did!” Derpy replied, clearly not getting the sarcasm. “Well, I gotta go! Go, Shadowbolts!” She cheered as she flew backwards towards Ponyville.

Skylight and CC finished their 30-lap race. “I win!!” Skylight exclaimed. 
“You always do. . .” CC replied.
“That was awesome!” Fire Blitz yelled trotting over toward the rest of the group,
Treble following behind.
“Hold on guys, I got a letter from Princess Luna while you were finishing up...” Arrow said, opening the envelope.
“Huh, I didn’t know Derpy made deliveries this far into Everfree Forest...” CC said.
“Derpy Hooves, the mailmare??” Skylight shuddered, “Have you seen that mare? Her eyes kinda freak me out.”
Treble and Blitz laughed at the irony. “What’s the letter say, Arrow?” CC asked.
“It’s pretty short... it just says ‘Night Arrow, Please meet me in Canterlot on your earliest opportunity. Sincerely, Princess Luna’...”
“Well, that sounds... cryptic. . .” Treble said.
“Road trip to Canterlot!” Skylight shouted.
“No no, I don’t think so. It might be official Shadowbolt stuff.” Arrow responded, turning the letter over for any more information. “I should probably go alone, just there and back real quick, you know?”



“Ha!” CC scoffed. "Since when do you take care of ‘official Shadowbolt stuff’? I bet you’re in trouble...”
As much as Arrow wanted to come back with a witty remark, CC was right. As Co-Captain, Arrow took care of training sessions, but CC had always helped Luna plan races and go through paperwork. The only thing he could think of this being about was Darkstreak. Ever since he hurt his wing a few months ago, he hadn’t come to any training sessions, and always just sat on the sidelines during races. Honestly, Arrow had been worried about him. 
“Well, either way, it doesn’t say to bring anypony else. So I’m gonna shower and head over.” Arrow said, heading towards his room.
“Why are you gonna shower!?” CC shouted. “It’s not like you did anything today!”

CHAPTER 2
Night Arrow always hated visiting Canterlot. It brought back bad memories for him. Before the Shadowbolts, he hadn’t really been to Canterlot since the day Skylight had her accident in Cloudsdale. They never ended up back home, they went straight to Everfree Forest, which means that was also the day Night Arrow lost all contact with his family. Literally leaving his old life behind.
A piece of him regretted it. He missed his dad very much, and since his mom passed, it had just been the four of them. He missed his sisters, Raindrops, and Scootaloo, but he couldn’t go back now; not after all these years.
Last year, at the beginning of the Shadowbolts first competitive season, he had noticed the captain of the other team, The Wonderbolts, looked familiar. After the race, she approached Arrow, to congratulate him on a great performance.
“Hey you guys aren’t half bad out there!” She said, removing her flight goggles.
“Oh, thanks. We’re not really used to racing in front of all these people.” Arrow responded, still a little shaken from being in front of such a huge audience.
“Wait a second...” The yellow pegasus pony stepped forward, surveying Arrow up and down. “You look familiar, are you from Canterlot?”



“What??” Arrow panicked, “I’m-- no, I’m not from...” He stepped back a few steps. “I’m from, uh--”
She leaned in quickly and snatched Night Arrow’s goggles from his face. “Wait, I know those eyes... Night Arrow?”
‘Great...’ Arrow thought to himself. ‘ knew it was a bad idea to come back to Canterlot...’
“Night Arrow, it’s me! Spitfire!” the orange-maned pegasus replied. “Raindrop’s friend from flight school?”
“Raindrops??” Arrow’s heart sank into his stomach. “Buck. Is she here??” He looked around quickly. “she’s not here is she??”
“What? No. No man, calm down. Are you hiding out?” Arrow didn’t respond. Spitfire’s eyes widened from realization. “Wait, you still haven’t been around since you took off that night?”
Arrow shook his head.
“Night Arrow, you gotta go see your sisters, and your dad.” Spitfire said, empathetically.
“I can’t,” Night Arrow sighed “It’s been four years, Spitfire, I just kinda took off...”
“But Arrow, they’re gonna wanna know you’re okay...” Spitfire sat down. “Heheh, Raindrops is gonna flip when she finds out--”
“You can’t tell her!” Arrow grabbed Spitfire by the shoulders.
“Whoa, chill Night Arrow, I haven’t seen Raindrops for a couple of years myself.” Spitfire moved his hooves off her shoulders. "Since your dad retired from coaching, they all moved to Ponyville; some small town near Everfree Forest.”
“Oh...” Arrow was relieved, running into them would never be a problem if he just avoided that little town.
Whenever he flew to Canterlot, he had to fly over Ponyville, and he always remembered what Spitfire had said. Although he’d never set hoof in that town, he had picked out a house from his path up in the sky. This particular house, in his opinion, was the nicest house in all of Ponyville. In his imagination, Raindrops, Scootaloo and his father were all living happily in that house.
He even imagined he would one day build up the courage to walk through the door of that nice house, and say casually with his sarcastic charm, “Hey guys! I’m home!"
Then, even his imagination got the best of him; he knew that would inevitably turn into one heck of an awkward conversation... “Look, I’m sorry I left home and never came back again.. but how are things around here?" he would say with a smile.
Arrow laughed nervously at the idea, ad continued his hypothetical internal dialogue. “Also, sorry dad, I know you put everything you had, your entire life into training the Wonderbolts to be the best they could be, but now I’m the Co-Captain of their only real competition! I’m their only real threat. Proud of me?"
Yeah... that would definitely not roll over very well with his old man.
Soon, Canterlot’s Castle was in view, and he flew around to Princess Luna’s quarters, and landed on the Royal Lunar Balcony. He knocked on the door to Princess Luna’s Royal office.
“Enter.” She beckoned from behind the doors. He straightened his shirt, and entered.

CHAPTER 3
“Hey, I got your invitation, but looks like I’m a bit early for the party.” Arrow joked. Luna was sitting behind her giant desk.
“Hmm,” she smiled “always the joker Night Arrow. If you ever decide to stop flying, you’re always welcomed to be the royal jester.”
Arrow laughed, “Yeah, that’d be the day... So... what is this all about?”
“I have bittersweet news.” Luna said sternly.
“About . . . ?” He asked.
Luna paused, “It’s concerning Darkstreak.”
Night Arrow’s heart dropped into his stomach. He had his suspicions, but Darkstreak was the closest thing to a father he had. If anything had happened
to him, he’d lose it. Arrow cleared his throat, and took a seat in front of the her desk. “What, um... what is it?”
Luna hesitated, “I think you should hear it from him.” She turned to the side entrance of the room.
“Oh thank Celestia...” Arrow gasped as he saw the big grey pegasus enter through the doorway. Luna’s eyes narrowed. “Uh, sorry... it’s an expression.” Arrow smiled coyly.
Darkstreak was wearing the official Shadowbolt member’s only shirt. He slowly walked to the window behind Luna, as if trying to choose his words wisely.



“Darkstreak! Buddy!” Arrow broke the silence. “so, uh.. so I hear you’ve got some big news? You gonna start coming back to practices again? Or... maybe win us a race or two?”
Darkstreak finally turned to face Arrow. “You’re being promoted, Arrow.” That shut Night Arrow up pretty quickly. His face lit up with excitement, which immediately turned into confusion. “But... I’m already... Co-Captain. So, how can I be...”
“Really, Darkstreak?” Luna interrupted. “this is the way you tell him?”
“Unless...” Arrow’s train of thought continued.
“Come on, boy, put it together.” Darkstreak said, impatiently.
“Well,” Arrow said confidently, “YOU’RE definitely not quitting our team, so the only logical solution is...” he turned to Luna, “I’m the new princess of the night...?”
“Hilarious.” Luna responded dryly.
“No, Arrow... I’m sorry, kid. I’m retiring from the Shadowbolts.”
“You’re WHAT?” Arrow responded. “But-- You can’t! It’s always been the four of us! We STARTED this team!”
‘damnit, Arrow shut up.” Darkstreak responded. He’d always been very no- nonsense. If Arrow hadn’t known him for as long as he had, he’d think Darkstreak was a real jerk. “I’ve made up my mind, kid. I’m too damn old for this. It was fun, and I’ve already thanked Princess Luna for giving me the opportunity, but I wasn’t planning on being on this team for as long as I did, you all knew that.”
It was true. Back when they were first building the team, Luna knew it needed a captain. CC, although the most responsible, was too young. Night Arrow was the oldest of the three, but far too brash, and arrogant. And Skylight was... well Skylight was Skylight. CC had then remembered her old flight school coach in Canterlot had been trying to join the Wonderbolts since he was a colt, but they never let him in. So, after he was hired at the best flight school in Equestria, pupil after pupil ended up making the Wonderbolts roster. When Darkstreak’s name was brought up, Arrow and Skylight remembered having him as a coach back in the day too. He was mean and hard to work with, but the best flyers in Equestria came out of that school. Canterlot Flight School only hired the best, and Darkstreak was definitely the best.
“All these years, I’ve been captaining the team, but also, teaching you how to be a good leader, Night Arrow. I remember you from when you were in my class. You were self-centered, a show-off, egotistical, arrogant--”
“I get it.” Arrow interrupted.
“But whenever anyone messed with one of your friends, you stood up for them in a heartbeat. You had all the pieces to be a good leader, I just needed to put them in the right place. I was planning on quitting soon anyway, my wing isn’t healing as fast as it used to, and let’s face it, I’m getting old. We can’t all be immortal.” They both glanced at Luna.
“What?” Luna said, “Trust me, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.”
Arrow sat in thought for a second, then: “So... I’m Captain of the Shadowbolts now?”
“Yup, congrats, kid.” Darkstreak said unenthusiastically. 
“Wait... then... do I get to choose a Co-Captain?” 
“That"s the other issue,” Luna finally jumped into the conversation. “In short, Yes. However... I think the choice is quite obvious.”
“It sure is!” Arrow said, excitedly. “I can’t wait to tell Skyli-”
“Cloud Crash.” Luna	interrupted.
“Cloud Crash!?” Arrow yelled. “But-- Skylight and I already *live* at the stadium! We could take care of all the captaining stuff before and after practices! I work best with her!”
“You’re being biased, Night Arrow.” Luna stated.
“Wha--? I’m being biased?? What about you!? You barely even *know* us! All this time we’ve been a team, you’ve been to Everfree, what... twice maybe? You and CC are always up here in fancy shmancy Canterlot doing who-knows-what!”
“CC has been with me since the beginning.” Luna said. “While Darkstreak was teaching you how to coach correctly, I was teaching CC how to handle all the paperwork, set up races, manage the finances. You don’t think all of this red tape takes care of itself, do you?”
Arrow couldn’t believe his ears, “But--”
“she’s right, Night Arrow.” Darkstreak jumped in. Luna smiled. She knew if there was anyone’s opinion Arrow respected, it was Darkstreak’s. “But don’t forget, you’re captain now, which makes this your decision.”
Luna’s smile turned into a scowl. Darkstreak continued, “Even if everyone else thinks it’s a bad decision, it’s still your decision. Now, get out of here. Come back tomorrow morning with who you’ve chosen.”
Night Arrow politely got up and walked towards the balcony window. “Oh, and Night Arrow,” Luna stopped him. “just remember, there is definitely a right and wrong choice here. I just hope you make the right one.” Arrow grimaced, and flew back home.

CHAPTER 4
Arrow landed back at Everfree Stadium, clearly a bit distraught. “Arrow’s back!” Skylight yelled from the threshold of her locker room. CC came trotting out and they both approached him.
“So?” CC asked. “What happened?”
Arrow looked at both of their expecting faces. “I... um. Well, there’s some bad news, and some good news.”
“Ooh! What’s the good news!?” Skylight bounced excitedly.



“No wait, what’s the bad news first?” CC asked assertively. “You always get the bad news first, so the good news cheers you up afterwards, come on, Skylight that’s common knowledge.”
Arrow knew CC would get to the same conclusion about the potential promotion once the news started spilling out. “Well.” Arrow started. “You see... Darkstreak was there, and...”
“Yay! Darkstreak’s coming back to practices!?” Skylight cheered, jumping up and down.
“Is he alright?” CC asked.
“No! What--? I mean, yes! Yes to CC, no to Skylight. He’s still not coming back, but he’s okay.”
“Aww...” Skylight sat down. 
“Arrow, why are you acting so conspicuously? Is everything alright?” CC asked. 
“Look guys, there’s kind of a situation that I don’t really know how to handle at the moment... and--”
Suddenly the trees rustled towards the entrance of the stadium. The three ponies turned around and saw a large, wooden cart being pulled by a light blue unicorn mare.
“Trixie!!” Skylight yipped excitedly, and quickly flew over to her.
“Hello, Skylight.” Trixie greeted, as warmly as her condescending voice allowed her to.
“Hiya Trixie!! Where are you coming from??” Skylight helped her out
of her reigns.
“Fillydelphia, The Great and Powerful Trixie had a few shows there last night. But since Trixie was near the Everfree Forest, Trixie wanted to visit... her main squeeze.” She nuzzled Arrow’s face.
“Hey Trix".” Arrow smiled, and kissed her on the cheek.
“Oh, Cloud Crash is here too? Are you having a practice? Trixie did not mean to interrupt.”
“Hmm? Me?” said CC, “No, we had a practice this morning, but Arrow was beckoned to Princess Luna’s office, now he apparently has good and bad news that he was just about to tell us.”
“Oh! Well what is it?” Trixie asked. The three mares were now staring expectingly at Night Arrow.
“Uhh... --oh, that! Well... um, actually...” Arrow wasn’t quite ready to make a decision, and he knew telling the rest of the team would end in a fight. Since Trixie was always so busy with her traveling show, he didn’t want to spend what little time he had with her trying to deal with upset ponies. “It’s uh... It can wait!” Arrow said.
“Seriously?” CC said, now annoyed.
“Okay!” Skylight said, cheerily and she trotted happily back to her locker room.
Arrow turned to Trixie “Um, Trixie! I’m hungry! Are you hungry? You look hungry! Let’s go get some food!”
Confused, she responded “Trixie is pretty famished--”
“Good! I know you’re on a schedule! So, let’s go get some food real quick, then we’ll talk all about my decision when I get back.” He smiled nervously.
“Your... decision?” CC asked.
“I mean, my news-- uh, THE news. The news from Princess Luna.” Arrow smiled awkwardly. After a long, equally as awkward silence, “Ooookay, see you mares later!” Arrow and Trixie walked out of the stadium towards Ponyville.

CHAPTER 5
“Ugh... Ponyville? Trixie HATES--”
“Ahem?” Arrow interrupted.
“Oh, I mean... I hate Ponyville.” Trixie responded.
Arrow couldn’t stand when Trixie referred to herself in the third-pony. It was a habit she used on stage and around other ponies, but he asked her to speak normally at least when it was just the two of them.



“I know, trust me. But we’re not actually going into town, I know a little cafe just outside the forest. It’s right between Ponyville and Everfree.” Arrow explained, “I avoid going too far into town anyway, the last ponies I would want to meet up with is any of my family, and I hear they live there now. But it’s the only decent place around here that serves food. Unless you just want the berries and fruit that grows in Everfree.”
“Ew, no, I suppose not.” Trixie replied.
They ended up at the small cafe Arrow had been going to since he first ran away from Canterlot. It was the only real contact with the outside world he had in the years before the Shadowbolts. The waitress knew him by name. Trixie wasn’t a fan of that.
As they sat and ate, he explained his situation to Trixie. “. . . so, now I have to get back there tomorrow morning with whoever I chose.”
“Arrow! I’m so proud of you!” She hugged him.
“Huh?” her response confused him.
“Night Arrow! You’re the Captain of the Shadowbolts!” Her hug tightened.
“Hmm, I guess I am, aren’t I?” He had been so caught up in his dilemma, he had forgotten the good news. He smiled, and returned her embrace.
“So, how does it feel Mr. Captain?” Trixie flirted, holding her drink.
“Meh, the same, really. I’ve been running things for a few months now. Darkstreak’s been MIA since... well, since before I even met you, haha...” Arrow responded.
“Well, has anything changed? Do you have to do anything differently?”
Trixie asked.
“I don’t know. I guess I’ll have to ask Luna, or CC--” Arrow stopped himself.
“She really does know a lot about the official stuff, doesn’t she?” Trixie drank her tea.
“Well-- yeah, but... Skylight’s way faster, and *always* at the stadium. CC’s missed a few practices.”
“Well, it’s not like Skylight has much else going on.” Trixie mused, “I mean, I love the mare, but let’s face it, Arrow, Skylight’s... well, Skylight is Skylight.”
“What does that even mean?” Arrow snapped. “It’s been us against the world since day one! Why doesn’t anypony want to give her a chance? She’s smarter than you all think! She’s just... active! She’s the fastest of us all, and she’s the most dedicated, and spirited mare on the team! She goes to every single B-Wave practice, and race!”
Trixie let him vent, then after a pause. “Night Arrow, honey.” Trixie broke the tension, ‘don’t you think you might be acting a bit... biased?”
“Oh, Trix’ not you too. . .” He slumped into his seat, his face landing on the table.
“I’m just saying, Arrow, I don’t even know Cloud Crash very well, and it just seems like, she’s a better fit.”
Night Arrow lifted his face. “I’m gonna go pay the bill...” he got up, clearly frustrated, and headed inside the cafe.
“Oh, Night Arrow...” Trixie sighed, still sipping her tea.
On the walk back through the forest, Arrow’s mind raced back and forth. He knew he would have to tell them eventually, and probably make a decision immediately. He only had a few hours until Luna and Darkstreak expected him back in Canterlot.
When they arrived back at the stadium, Fire Blitz and Treble were rounding up the rest of the B-Wave to start their practice. Skylight was under a tree eating berries. Cloud Crash was flipping through a three-ring binder.
Arrow sighed. “Go tell them.” Trixie said, ‘they’re both grown mares. They’ll help you figure it out.” Arrow nodded, and walked towards the two A-Wave mares.
“Hey ladies.” He called.
“Hey Arrow!” Skylight yelled.
“Hello, Night Arrow.” CC said, not looking up from her folder.
“Look, I have some news, that affects the three of us, a lot.” They both got up, and walked over to Arrow and Trixie. “I met with Luna and Darkstreak this morning, and... Darkstreak’s retiring.”
*GASP* Skylight stepped back.
“Really??” CC said.
“Yeah,” Arrow began, “which means--”
“Which means, you’re captain!” CC smiled, “and that also means, that, as captain, it’s your responsibility to fill the co-captain position with an existing A-Wave member!” CC began to get excited. “...which means--” CC turned to Skylight, then, to Arrow’s immediate dismay, they both yelled at the same time: 
“I’m gonna be the new Co-Captain!!”

CHAPTER 6
“You!?” CC stepped back. “Why would Night Arrow choose you!? You do know how much responsibility it takes to keep things going, right?”
“I’m super responsible!” Skylight countered, “Why would Arrow pick you? Was there a slow-contest that I didn’t know about?” She stuck out her tongue.



“See!? Right there! You saw that, right Night Arrow? You don’t want Equestria’s most immature mare representing our team, do you!?”
“Immature!? I’ll show you IMMATURE!!” Skylight tackled CC to the ground. They began rolling around, biting ears and shouting. The B-Wave came rushing over.
“Yeah,” Arrow said to Trixie, sarcastically, “that went exactly as planned.” 
Fire Blitz pulled the bruised up Skylight away, while Treble was holding CC back.
“Arroooow!” Skylight whined, “If you pick CC to be the co-captain, then I"ll be the only not-important pony on the team!!”
“HA!” CC scoffed, “Shows how much you know! Everypony knows that Equestrian Racing Policy clearly states that in order to compete professionally in any wave’s circuit, you need a MINIMUM of four winged ponies on your team!”
Arrow didn’t know that either, but that brought up another, very big problem. Treble’s eyes lit up, while a grin appeared on Fire Blitz’s face ‘does that mean what I think it means?” Blitz asked through her smile.
“Yes it does!” CC smiled, “Arrow’s gonna have to bring at least one B-Wave member into the A-Wave!”
This was officially, a mess.
Arrow sat quietly through the commotion. Treble was just daydreaming, while Fire Blitz was staring at him with the biggest smile on her face. CC, although a little bruised up was grinning smugly, while Skylight was still scowling at her. Trixie looked sympathetically at Night Arrow. The rest of the B-Wave began gossiping loudly amongst themselves.



“I... I have to go.” Arrow snapped his goggles over his eyes, jumped to his hooves, and shot up into the sky.
“Night Arrow, wait!!” Trixie called after him, but wingless, she remained grounded. The wind Arrow’s wings left behind upon such an intense take-off blew back everypony’s mane. Squinting through the wind, Trixie took a few steps in the direction he flew, but he was pretty far by the time she could get a clear view of him.
The other ponies stood quietly, staring at Trixie. The silence in the stadium air was deafening. Still facing away from the crowd, Trixie broke the silence.
“You should all be ashamed of yourselves.” She began, still not facing them. Skylight and CC got up, out of Treble and Blitz’s hooves. “As far as I’m concerned, none of you deserve promotions.” She turned, her eyes like daggers. They all looked down.
“Literally fighting? Look at both of you!” Trixie walked back towards them. “If either of you becomes co-captain, you think this is the way to do it?” They stayed quiet, still not looking up from the ground.



“I just...” CC started “I worked so hard with Luna this whole time. I figured all the stress was finally paying off... I guess I got a little over-eager.” She turned to Skylight, “I’m so sorry, Sky"... maybe I don’t deserve a promotion after all.”
Skylight’s eyes began to tear. “No, I’m the one who tackled you! Maybe I AM immature.” They embraced. “I’m sorry too, CC...” Skylight sniffled.
“Where do you think he went?” Fire Blitz whispered to Treble.
“I don’t know, but... I think we should cancel practice. After all this, I don’t think anypony is going to be very focused on training.”
Fire Blitz nodded, and went over to the rest of the B-Wave. “Listen up, everypony: practice is cancelled. But we’re still here tomorrow, same time as usual.”
“Cancelled?” A voice boomed from the skies above. “Now how do you expect to have a chance against the Wonderbolts if you don’t practice?” The large, gray pegasus landed with a thump on the stadium grass.
"Darkstreak?” Skylight’s eyes lit up.
“Hey Lite-Brite, long time no see. Where’s Night Arrow?” Darkstreak walked over to the three mares, keeping his goggles on.
“He flew off that way.” Trixie approached Darkstreak, motioning her horn towards the east side of the stadium.
“Flew off? Why? And what’s a pretty little unicorn pony doing in the middle of Everfree Stadium,” He turned to the B-Wave pegasus ponies ‘during what’s supposed to be a B-Wave Shadowbolts practice?”
“Uhh, you heard him everypony!” Treble jumped up, clearly intimidated, “get your goggles on, and start warming up!” The group headed towards the other side of the stadium, leaving Darkstreak, CC, Skylight and Trixie alone.
“Hmph,” Trixie scoffed, unmoved by the large pegasus; she immediately grabbed her cape and hat, “I am the GREAT and POWERFUL TRIXIE!” She said, holding her head high.
“That’s Arrow’s very special somepony.” Skylight jumped in.
“Heh,” Darkstreak grinned, “So Night Arrow found somepony just as arrogant as he is, eh?”
“Arrogant!?” Trixie gasped, appalled by the accusation. “I’ll have you know--”
“Relax, unicorn.” Darkstreak interrupted, walking away. “Trust me, from what I can already tell, you two were made for eachother.” CC and Skylight giggled. “Geeze, you two, what the hay happened? ‘Ya pet the wrong end of a Timberwolf?”
“They got into a fight.” Trixie said, still annoyed by Darkstreak.
“A fight?” Darkstreak paused, then began laughing heartily. “HAHA, I think I know what about! Alright, let’s go get Night Arrow, I think this whole decision is getting the best of him.”
Skylight and CC put their goggles on. “Nope,” Darkstreak glanced at them. “Not you two. You two go and help red and blue over there run their practice.” He turned to Trixie, “You on the other hoof, hang on tight, and explain everything on the way over.” Trixie stepped back,
“Waitwaitwait, don’t you dare lay a hoof on meeeeeeeee!” but Darkstreak quickly launched himself forward, knocking Trixie onto his back. As he soared in the same direction Arrow went, his trail tore into the daytime sky, revealing the pitch black night.
Trixie’s magic enveloped her hooves and Darkstreak’s torso. She was holding on as tightly as she could, with both her own strength, and her horn’s magic. “You said he flew off in this direction, right Tracy?”



“It’s TRIXIE! And, yes!” She yelled over the intense wind.
‘did he seem upset?” Darkstreak continued.
“He’s been stressed since I arrived at Everfree Stadium this morning!” Trixie replied.
“Then I know exactly where he’s headed.” Darkstreak took a sharp incline.
“Are we *gasp* heading towards Cloudsdale!?” Trixie yelled, feeling her anxiety kicking in.
“Yup!” Darkstreak grinned.
“But-- I’m a unicorn! I can’t stand on clouds!” Trixie felt sick as she looked at the ground getting further and further away. She’d never enjoyed heights. She mused to herself that if she’d been born a pegasus, she’d just live her life as an earth pony, never leaving the ground.
“Calm down Tawny,” said Darkstreak, “There’s more surfaces than just clouds up there.”

CHAPTER 7
Meanwhile, on the Cloudsdale water-tower, Night Arrow sat by himself, looking over the city in the sky.
“This is a mess... not only do I have to pick ONE of the mares to be a co-captain, I have to bring up a B-Waver to the A-Wave. And if I pick one of their captains, I have to choose a B-Wave member to replace THAT captain! UUGGGGHHH...” He fell to his back, eyes closed in frustration. ‘damnit, Darkstreak! Retiring now has complicated everything!”



He lied in silence for a moment, “Come on, Arrow,” he said to himself, “let’s figure this out. Okay, okay... If I pick... Skylight to be co-captain, then we’d be running the whole team! Just me and her against the world, like it’s always been!” He smiled at the idea of him and his best friend running the show... then his smile disappeared “But CC would be mad, and maybe even quit. She has been working really hard with the Princess,” his voice became more and more crestfallen. “I guess she kinda deserves... ugh...” He sat up. “But if I choose CC, Skylight may have trouble recognizing CC’s authority over her...”
“Quit talkin’ to yourself, you look like a buckin’ nutcase.” Darkstreak landed on the metal water-tower with a boom, denting it slightly.
"Darkstreak!” Arrow yelled and ran towards him, angrily “This is all YOUR fault!!”
“Hold on kid, I’ve got some precious cargo here.” He turned his back toward Arrow. Trixie was curled up tightly, completely enveloped in her magic, and attached to Darkstreak’s back like a saddle. “Well, it’s not really precious to me, but I figured you’d want it.”
“Trixie??” Arrow stepped back.
“Oh, Night Arrow!” she jumped and embraced him, tightly.
“Ack-” he coughed; she nearly knocked the wind out of him.
“Geeze, Darkstreak, you coulda at least given her some goggles! Her eyes are bloodshot!" Darkstreak shrugged, and brushed the light blue mane-hair off his back. "What are you doing in Cloudsdale?" Arrow coughed out, "You can’t stand on clouds...!”
“I know! That’s why I’m not letting go of you until we Get BaCK TO THE GROUND!!” She yelled in his ear, glaring at Darkstreak.
“Look, Terry--” Darkstreak began 
“IT’S TRIXIE!!” She snapped back at him. 
“Fine, Trixie. Look, we’re on a huge piece of metal. You can stand here perfectly fine. And if you do happen to fall somehow, both Arrow and I are fully capable of catching you before you reach the ground. So calm down.”
Trixie loosened her grip on Arrow. “Fine.” She took a few steps back. “Arrow, honey, we’re here to help.”
“Help? Haha, how can either of you possibly help!?” Arrow walked towards Darkstreak, “You think you can just retire!? Just like that? Leave me with all these stupid decisions? Make ME look like the bad guy to whoever I don’t choose?” Darkstreak stood there quietly.
Trixie stood up, “Night Arrow, we’re just--”
“And you!” he turned to Trixie, then mockingly: “OOooh, Night Arrow! You should REALLY tell the rest of the team what happened! MAYBE they’ll even help!” He scoffed, “OR, maybe they"ll just start beating the living HAY out of eachother!!”
Trixie lowered her head, sadly. The tower was quiet for a moment. “Just-- leave me alone, both of you... *sigh* I"ll figure it out.” He walked back towards the edge and sat.
Darkstreak walked over to him at the edge. “I didn’t abandon you, ya idiot.” He said. Night Arrow couldn’t help but laugh. Even when trying to sound sympathetic, Darkstreak couldn’t help but be insulting. “I haven’t been around much anyway, not much is gonna change. You’re already doing all the work of a captain, now you"ll just get the credit.”
Night Arrow turned to him, “But both CC and Skylight have been working much harder, and feel they deserve the title for different reasons...”
Darkstreak stayed quiet for a moment, choosing his words. “Night, the captain of a racing team has to be both organized and an ideal racer. Skylight’s still immature, and CC just isn’t that fast. They both have their flaws, but you gotta ask yourself: which flaw is easiest to fix?”
“Night Arrow, sweetie...” Trixie cautiously tip-toed towards the edge, still weary of falling, “I know Darkstreak said this is like, your place that you go and everything... but can we please, pleeeaase get back to the groUND SOON!?”
Night Arrow couldn’t help but laugh. “Alright.” he got up, “but this time, here, wear my goggles.”


Arrow’s Story, An Interlude, Part i
“But it’s THIS Friday night!” The little orange filly whined. “Me and Rainbow Dash were supposed to go, but she’s out with her friends on some adventure again. . .!”
“Look, Scootaloo, you know I can’t go to those races anymore...” the yellow mare replied, ‘they just remind me of Dad.” She continued washing the dishes.
“But that was forever ago!” Scootaloo dramatically dropped her head onto the kitchen table. “He’d want you to go, you know. . .”
The pegasus at the sink stopped washing her dishes, and dried her hooves. “Can’t you just go another day? When Rainbow Dash gets back?”
“But Raaaaaaindrops! This is the OPENING RACE! And there’s a rumor going around that The Shadowbolts will be racing with a new captain!”
“The Shadowbolts?” Raindrops sat at the table with her little sister. “That’s what that new racing team is called? The one Princess Luna started?”
“Mmhmm!” Scootaloo nodded. “Or at least, that’s what I hear... since I’ve never actually been to a race!”
“Hmm.. well, I haven’t been to any races since it was just Wonderbolts racing against other Wonderbolts--”
“And I’ve still NEVER been to any races!” Scootaloo interrupted, "Dad passed before he was able to take me!!”
Raindrops sat at her kitchen table. ‘Maybe this will be good...’ She thought. ‘I haven’t seen Spitfire or any of the other girls since we lived in Canterlot...’ Scootaloo stared at her sister as Raindrops continued her thought: ‘...and it would be pretty interesting to see some actual competition.’ 
Scootaloo’s smile widened. After a bit of thinking, Raindrops finally turned to Scootaloo: “Fine.”
“YAY!” Scootaloo ran to her room, “I"ll start packing!!”

CHAPTER 8
Meanwhile, back at Everfree Stadium, the B-Wave practice ended, and the two A-Wave mares were getting impatient as ever.
“Where in Equestria could they have gone?” CC asked, pacing back and forth.
“Cloudsdale water tower.” Skylight answered calmly, while laying flat on her back under a tree.
“What? Did they say that?” CC stopped pacing.
“Nope.”
“Then how do you know?”
“That’s where Arrow always goes when he’s upset.”
CC walked over and sat next to Skylight. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen
Arrow upset...” CC said, “he’s always so... relaxed. Sarcastic... really sarcastic... but never really mad.”
Skylight sat up. “He always goes over there, and thinks about going back home.” CC looked confused for a moment.
“What do you mean, ‘home’?” she asked. 
“You know, Canterlot! We didn’t always live in the Everfree Forest ya know!” Skylight responded with a smile. “Arrow used to live with his Dad and two sisters back in Canterlot! In fact, his dad used to be the coach for the Wonderbolts!”
“What??” CC exclaimed.
Skylight quickly covered her mouth with her hooves, her eyes opened wide. “Uh- oh... you didn’t know that, did you?”
CC looked down, in thought. “No, I didn’t... but I guess it kinda makes sense... I guess you guys had to have come from somewhere...”
Skylight was a bit panicked, “Oh no! I don’t know if that was supposed to be a secret...”
“Who else knows this?” CC stood up.
“Just me, Arrow, Darkstreak, and Spitfire.”
“Spitfire!? As in, captain of the Wonderbolts Spitfire? What does the leader of our rival team have to do with this?” CC never felt so out of the loop.
“Spitfire and Arrow’s sister grew up together! They were like, BFFs or something...” The words were coming out of Skylight’s mouth like a broken fountain. She’d always been terrible at keeping secrets, especially secrets she didn’t even know were secrets to begin with.
CC walked away calmly, but worried. Clearly Arrow didn’t trust her. They’d been on the same team for about a year now, and he hadn’t even bothered to tell her about his past. Then it hit her... this wasn’t all his fault. She was a smart mare, nopony had to
tell her that communication works both ways. She had never really asked. She could have easily started the conversation, but she’d always been so busy with paperwork, and books, and plans, she realized she barely even knew her own team! She knew almost everything about Luna, but almost nothing about Skylight! Or Darkstreak! Or... or Night Arrow. It’s no wonder he was so reluctant to promote her; he doesn’t even know her...

“Please don’t say anything!” Skylight pleaded from her spot under the tree. 
“I won’t...” CC said. Just then, with a large pound that shook the trees in the area, Darkstreak landed with Trixie on his back, this time, wearing Arrow’s goggles. CC and Skylight ran over to them.
“Where’s Arrow?” Skylight asked, 
“Is he alright?” CC added. 
“I’m fine.” Arrow’s voice came from behind them. “...and I’ve made my decision.”
Trixie handed him back his goggles and stood there silently. Darkstreak stood 
there with his smug smile. Skylight and CC stood next to each other, waiting for an answer, while Arrow paced back and forth, as if choosing his words wisely.
“It wasn’t an easy decision, I want you both to know that right now. But I’ve cleared my mind, and I know Luna wants a decision immediately. I expect that no matter who gets this position, you will both react with dignity, and maturity.”
CC began shaking slightly with nerves. Skylight closed her eyes, and anticipated the worst. Night Arrow stopped pacing and stood directly in front of them. He let out a sigh, and glanced at Darkstreak behind him. Turning back towards the two mares, he stood up straight, and narrowed his eyes confidently. “Skylight,”

CHAPTER 9
CC closed her eyes, holding back tears. Skylight opened hers. “Night Arrow,” Skylight smiled “I--”
“Let me finish.” He cut her off. Skylight’s smile disappeared. “Follow me into the locker room, we need to speak in private.” Skylight looked confused for a moment, then followed Night Arrow into his locker room.



CC didn’t move a muscle. She knew she deserved that promotion. She didn’t dare break down in front of Darkstreak or Trixie, but a tear managed to defiantly squeeze itself passed her eyelid. Her lip quivered, and she sniffled a bit. “Damn it,” she thought to herself. “Not now, Cloud Crash.... don’t break down.” She talked herself calm again.
“Trixie is... going to head back to her cart...” Trixie said to Darkstreak, trying to excuse herself from the heartbreaking scene. Darkstreak nodded and Trixie headed over to her cart. CC sat down, still trying not to cry.
Darkstreak walked over and sat next to her. “Hey kid.” he said, “Ya know, for being on the same team... we don’t talk much.” CC appreciated Darkstreak trying to get her mind off things, but she just didn’t feel much like a conversation.

Meanwhile, in Night Arrow’s locker room, Skylight and Arrow were sitting at one of the benches. “Oh my Celestia, thank you, Arrow!” Skylight reached to hug him. “I won’t let you dow--”
“Sky’ I have to tell you something.” Arrow cut her off, and blocked the hug.
Skylight was confused. “What’s up, Arrow?”
His eyes turned sympathetic, and a bit glossy... then returned to being stern. “Skylight, you’re my best friend. You’re like a sister to me. As much as I miss my own sisters, you’ve helped me fill that void.” Skylight smiled, she’d always seen Night Arrow as a brother, since she can’t remember ever even having a family. “It’s always been us against the world... and it always will be.” He continued, “Our friendship is too strong to be ruined by something as insignificant as rank.” Skylight’s smile dropped.... she knew exactly where this was going, and she didn’t like it. “Leadership positions take more than just doing well as a member... I... damn it, I had this all planned out in my
head on the flight over here...”
Skylight put her hoof on Arrow’s shoulder. “It’s alright, Night.” she said. Her eyes
watered. “I understand..” She smiled, “Cloud Crash will be a great Co-Captain.”


Arrow’s Story: An Interlude; part ii
Scootaloo pressed her face against the glass of the train. She’d been to Canterlot a few times, for things like the Hearthwarming Eve’s play, and Princess Cadence’s wedding. But she had always gone with her friends, Sweetie Bell and Apple Bloom, and they only went because they were following their older sisters.
Raindrops was about Rarity and Applejack’s age, but she had always been busy taking care of Scootaloo. When she wasn’t playing single-parent to her, she was working as the Cloudsdale weather coordinator for the Ponyville district.
“Hey Raindrops, did you see the--” Scootaloo turned to her sister, but she had already fallen asleep. “Oh...” she turned back towards the window. She knew her sister worked very hard to support them, so the vacation would be a well-deserved break.
She hopped off the bench and climbed up the other side where Raindrops was napping. She leaned her head on her sister’s shoulder, and fell asleep in her warmth.

CHAPTER 10
Arrow and Skylight emerged from the locker room to see Darkstreak sitting, talking with CC under a tree. “Hey, CC!” Arrow called, walking over.
“I’m fine, Arrow!” she called back, her voice shaky, and irritated. Skylight and Darkstreak walked away to give them some privacy.
“Huh?” Arrow stopped in his tracks. “Oh, wait no... Cloud Crash listen--”
“No! You listen, Night Arrow!” she turned and faced him, her eyes irritated, and glossy; tears down her cheeks. Arrow was taken aback. “I worked my flank off this last year being a Shadowbolt! I’ve trained under Luna almost every day, learning the ins and outs of the racing industry! I’ve met everypony that had investments in the Wonderbolts, and convinced them to invest in us instead! I’ve gotten this team funding that we probably don’t even deserve! These uniforms? They weren’t free, you know!”
Arrow sat down, not expecting little egghead CC to have such an angry rant. She’d clearly been holding this back for a while...
“Before Luna and me, there was just the Wonderbolts! Just them! No competition! Racing was boring! We have fans now, Night Arrow. We had to hire advertising ponies, we had to set up rules and regulations...” She sniffled, closed her eyes, and hung her head. “we had to... *sniff* while you’re here in the middle of nowhere...” Unexpectedly, CC wrapped her arms around Arrow and buried her face in his shoulder, crying. “This is where I should have been.”
Arrow had no idea what was going on. “CC, I couldn’t be more lost. Why are you so upset?”
“I know why you picked Skylight.” she let go of Arrow. He smiled,
“Cloud Crash, I--” 
“No. Let me finish.” 
Arrow stayed quiet. 
“You barely even know me. We’ve been on a history-making team for over a year now, and we barely know each other. It was just the four of us, and I spent all my time over in Canterlot playing secretary, while you three spent your time here becoming better flyers. . . and better friends. I don’t blame you at all, Night Arrow. I should spend more time on the track than in some air conditioned office.”
Just then, Skylight came trotting over. CC continued, “I promise to have Luna hire somepony else to handle most of the paperwork, and I will spend as much time as I can here at Everfree Stadium.”
“Well duuh,” Skylight inerrupted. “As co-captain you’re gonna have to spend a whole LOT of time here in Everfree! You can even sleep over more often! We’ll have so much fun!!” Arrow narrowed his eyes at Skylight. “...so much... uh, professional fun?” she corrected herself.
“Co-Captain?” CC asked, confused. “I don’t understand... didn’t you--?”
“Cloud Crash, That’s what I was gonna tell you when I came over here. I didn’t pick Skylight as a Co-Captain, I chose you!”
CC smiled. “Oh Night Arrow! Thank you so much!” she jumped up and flew around a bit, overjoyed.
Skylight followed her, calling out “Congrats Co-Captain! ...or ‘CC’ for short? *gasp!* So, now you’re CCCC for short!? Or C4? Isn’t that an explosive?? Hey, CCCC! You’re an explosive!” Her voice trailed off as they flew around the track a bit.
“Some things never change, eh?” Darkstreak said, walking up behind Night Arrow.
“They’re gonna have to change, Darkstreak.” Arrow replied.
“It"ll be good, kid. I wouldn’t sweat it. The big race is in 2 days though... you and CC better show up at Canterlot first thing tomorrow, check in with Luna and me. Get all that paperwork settled... make it official, ya know?”
“We will.” Arrow said.
“But there’s still a problem, Arrow. You can’t just have the three of ya in the A- Wave. It’s against offical racing policy.”
“I know, I have to move a pony up from B-Wave, but picking one of their captains means the other will--”
“Arrow, buddy... you gotta think outside the box. Rules say at least four... why don’t you pick a couple of B-Wavers? Eh? Give the B-Wave an entirely new set of captains, and maybe recruit some newbies?”
Arrow hadn’t thought of that... “Have more than four A-Wave members?”
“Yeah, why not? The Wonderbolts got like a dozen or some A-Wavers... you gotta learn to trust your team. That’s what a captain does.”
Arrow’s mind raced with possibility. The opening race in two days only had A- Waves racing to get investors interested, and fans to buy merchandise and pick their
favorite team. He still had time to set up B-Wave ranks. But he still needed to work quickly. “Thanks, Darkstreak.” Arrow stood up. “I’ll see you tomorrow, I have some captain business to take care of.” He ran towards the two racing mares. “CC!! Meet with me in the locker room!” He called. “We have some promotions to plan out...”

CHAPTER 11
“Okay, so who do we have on the B-Wave right now?” Arrow asked, leaning against the wall of the locker room. CC was sitting on a bench with her B-Wave files scattered out in front of her.
“Well, obviously there are the Captains, Fire Blitz and Treble Midnight.”
“Treble’s last name is Midnight?” Arrow asked.
CC sighed, “I was wondering why these files were so dusty. You never even go through them do you?”
“I do! Whenever I have time.” Arrow responded.
“Night Arrow, these haven’t been updated since... the middle of last season! According to Fire Blitz’s file, she doesn’t even have her cutie mark yet!”



“Calm down CC, she just got that like, what... a few weeks ago--?”
“Over two months ago.” CC interrupted, dryly.
“That’s not that long ago... I just haven’t had time to--”
“Night Arrow! You have to keep these updated more often then every couple of months! I’m taking these to Canterlot.” CC began to aggressively gather the files in her hooves.
“What!? No, wait!” Arrow jumped up, and snatched the files away from her. “You see? This is exactly the problem! What happened to all this talk about spending more time here in Everfree? Canterlot is Wonderbolts territory! Let them have it!”
“Canterlot is also where Luna is! And she’s the one funding the Shadowbolts!” CC said.
“Well then,” Arrow smirked “it looks like we’ll have another thing to bring up tomorrow during our little meeting with the Princess of the Night...”
“Fine, but first things first, we need an answer on the A-Wave promotions.” CC grabbed the files back from Arrow and spread them out on his make-shift table.
“Alright Ms. Crash, list off our candidates.” Arrow said, leaning against the wall, laying back down on the floor.
“Well, we have the current captain, Fire Blitz...” CC read the file, “She’s a great leader, a very strong flyer, and gets a lot of respect from the team, but she has a temper on her, and doesn’t take criticism very well.”
Arrow laughed, “Sounds like a mini, mare-version of Darkstreak.” 
CC smiled at the comparison. “Yeah, you should see her running the practices. She doesn’t joke around as much as you do.”
“Sounds boring.” Arrow yawned.
CC, being very by-the-books herself admired that quality in Fire Blitz, and had always thought Night Arrow was too layed-back during practices. “I think we should promote her.” CC said.
“CC, chill.” Arrow said, “You’ve literally only read me one candidate. Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves.”
“Well, the minimum is one promotion, and we need to talk to Luna tomorrow morning. I think if the four of us show up, she’ll know we’re taking this seriously, and we can talk to Fire Blitz and Skylight about moving the rest of the team around.”
“So, what? We just move up Blitz, and put the rest of the B-Wave on hold?”
“Well, yeah... the four of us can race opening day in Canterlot, so the pressure will be off to rush and promote other members, then maybe we’ll have both more insight from their ex-captain, and more time before the second race of the season to finalize the roster for both the A-Wave and B-Waves.”
“CC I like the way you think.” Arrow sat up, smliing. “Alright, let’s go let her know--” Just that moment, a large crash came from the entrance of the locker room.
The door swung wide open, and collapsed onto the floor (as if they’d been leaning on the door) was Fire Blitz and Skylight.
CC walked over to them “*Sigh* Something tells me she already knows.”



“WE WEREN’T EAVESDROPPING!” Skylight yelled. “WE DIDN’T HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT A FIRE BLITZ BEING IN THE A-WAVE!”
Night Arrow walked over to the rest of the ponies. “Skylight, were you--?”
“NO *YOU’RE* A LIAR!!” Skylight cut him off.
Fire Blitz stood up and brushed herself off. CC walked over
to her. “Well, I assume you overheard, but congratulations nonetheless, Ms. Fire Blitz.”
“CONGRATULATIONS FOR WHAT, CC?” Skylight continued yelling conspicuously. “WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOURE TALKING AB--”
Night Arrow covered her mouth with his hoof. “Sky, it’s okay, really. Just- stop yelling.”
Fire Blitz was smiling proudly, “Oh man! Seriously guys, thank you so much! I won’t let you down!”
“I’ve seen you fly, Blitz” Arrow turned to her “I know you won’t. But this means we have to be in Canterlot, Luna’s office early tomorrow morning. You can borrow one of CC’s Official A-Wave Shadowbolt Formal Shirts. You seem to be about her size.”
“It won’t be a problem,” CC said, “I have several extras.”
“...and Skylight,” Arrow turned to the neon green mare, “I need you to be on your best behavior. We’re going to show Luna that we’re capable of being professionals. And even though CC is the chosen co-captain, you need to show Luna you’re 100% okay with that, alright?”
Skylight was taken aback a bit by Arrow’s statement. “Uh... okay, Arrow. No problem...”
“Well, it’s getting late, and we have a big morning ahead of us tomorrow. So, get some sleep mares; oh, and Blitz,” Arrow put his hoof out “Welcome to the A-Wave.” Blitz smiled and shook his hoof.

CHAPTER 12
Leaving Night Arrow’s locker room, CC and Fire Blitz walked Skylight across the field to her own room. “Thank you so much for letting me borrow a shirt, CC.” Blitz said
“Of course, Fire Blitz! Let’s meet here tomorrow morning at 7:30 sharp, and so you can try it on, and we"ll all fly over together.”
“Awesome! Goodnight guys!” Blitz flew off, smiling broadly.
“Congrats again!” CC yelled after her. Skylight had a confused, concerned look on her face.
“What’s the matter, Skylight?” CC asked
“It’s just... Night Arrow, he kinda... I don’t know.... wasn’t that kinda mean?”
CC returned the concerned look. “Skylight, he just... he’s had a really long day... I’m sure he didn’t mean to hurt your feelings...”
“He talked to me like I was a filly!” Skylight sat down outside her locker room, clearly distraught.
CC was not very close to anypony. At all. She’d always had her face in a book, and when she wasn’t reading, she was practicing flying. Skylight was the closest thing CC had to a best friend and she knew Skylight was always in a good mood. To see her like this, she knew that this must have really upset her.
“Skylight, may I come in?” CC asked.
“Oh, yeah sure...” Skylight opened her door and they headed over to her messy locker room. CC walked over and sat on the blanket covered locker room bench.
“Sit down, Skylight, there’s something you should know . . .”


 Arrow’s Story: An Interlude; part iii
Raindrops and Scootaloo walked across the Canterlot Station platform. “Do you have everything?” Raindrops adjusted Scootaloo’s backpack.
“Yes, Raindrops... I can take care of my own stuff...” Scootaloo replied, annoyed with her sister’s overbearingness.
“Ms. Raindrops? Ms. Scootaloo?” A stallion’s voice called from behind them. The sisters turned to see a light grey unicorn in royal guard attire.
“Yes...?” Raindrops replied, hesitant. 
“First off, welcome to Canterlot,” the guard said “My name is Silver Shield, and I come on behalf of Princess Celestia.”
“Princess Celestia?” Raindrops echoed. “Are we in some kind of trouble?”
“No no, not at all.” Silver Shield smiled, “You’re the daughters of the late retired Wonderbolts Coach, Morning Arrow, correct?”
Raindrops" heart sank at the mention of her father’s name. “Uh, yes sir. Yes we are.”
“I’m very sorry for your loss, Ms. Raindrops. I had the opportunity to meet your father, he was a great Stallion.”
“Thank you Mr. Silver Shield, I appreciate it, but my sister and I have been on this train all day, and we really have to be going to our hotel room. We have plans in the morning. Come on, Scoots.”
Raindrops tugged Scootaloo by her backpack. “Oh, Miss Raindrops, wait please!” The guard followed her. “I’m sorry if I offended you, but my interruption is not without purpose.” Raindrops stopped and impatiently looked at the guard. “You see, when you bought your tickets for the train, your name was mentioned to the conductor, and he sent a message here to Canterlot. The Princess caught wind of this and personally asked for you two to see her upon your arrival.”
Scootaloo’s eyes widened, “We’re gonna meet Princess Celestia?” Her other two friend’s sisters were always being called to meet the Princess, but Raindrops wasn’t an element of harmony or whatever, she was just a weather pegasus. Scootaloo loved hearing Sweetie Belle and Applebloom’s stories about their sisters’ adventures, and now, she’d have one of her own to share!
“What’s this about, Silver Sheild?” Raindrops said, covering Scootaloo’s mouth.
“I assure you, Miss, that’s all I know. Now if you’d please, we have a taxi waiting for you, your sister, and your things.”


CHAPTER 13
Skylight and CC sat down at the old locker room bench.
“What is it, CC?” Skylight asked.
“Skylight, this last year has been fun..” CC began, “and nopony has more fun on this racing team than you.” Skylight smiled, remembering all the good times of the first season. CC continued, “but there is a such thing as *too much* fun.”



Skylight’s smile disappeared. “Wait, what do you mean?”
CC sighed, “Skylight, I’ve been working with Luna this entire season, and... well she doesn’t... really... trust you.”
Skylight stood up, appalled. “Doesn’t trust me!? Why not? I’m super reliable! You need something, and Skylight’s your mare!” She exclaimed, pointing at herself dramatically.
“No no no, not like she’s worried you’ll steal something, or lie, or anything bad like that.” CC explained. Skylight sat back down,
“Then what?” “Skylight, Princess Luna thinks you’re immature.”
That’s the second time Skylight was called immature in one day. She had no idea everypony thought of her that way. “Oh...” Skylight slouched in her seat. “Do you think... Arrow thinks that too?”
CC chose her words wisely. “Night Arrow has a long list of stuff to worry about . . . and he just wants to make sure you’re not on that list.”
Skylight’s eyes narrowed. “Are you saying you think he has to worry about me?”
CC knew she didn’t choose her words wisely *enough* “Uh-- no! No, that’s not it. I think, well, the team doesn’t really see Princess Luna except for on race days in Canterlot, and since we’ll all just be in her office as a team tomorrow morning, he’s probably just asking us to be on our best behaviors...”
“Us?” Skylight stood up. “He didn’t ask ‘us’ to be on our best behaviors! He asked ME to be on my best behavior!”
CC immediately regretted bringing this up to begin with. “Skylight, listen--”
“No!” The neon green mare cut her off. “Apparently, everypony thinks I’m some kind of filly! I’m two years older than you, CC! I’m only a year younger than Night Arrow! I can take care of me! I don’t need anypony keeping an eye on me, making sure I don’t EMBARRASS us!” She began to get teary-eyed. “I am an A-Wave Shadowbolt! You all don’t think I take this team seriously!? This is the ONLY thing I take seriously! I’m-- *sniff* I’m the best racer this team has!”
CC just sat there helplessly as her best friend broke down. There was a long silence, then Skylight whimpered out softly, through her tears, ‘the Shadowbolts are my life...” Skylight walked towards the door to her locker room.
CC stood up, “Wait, Skylight! I didn’t mean--” Skylight opened the door.
“I"ll see you tomorrow, Cloud Crash.” She said, sounding defeated. CC was about to protest, but she felt she’d said enough. This did not go at all as planned. She walked through the locker room threshold.
“I’m sorry, Skylight... I didn’t mean to--” *SLAM!* Skylight threw the door shut. “. . . offend you.”

CHAPTER 14
Meanwhile, back in Night Arrow’s locker room, Trixie decided to stay the night. “Well, you’re looking a bit more relaxed, Mr. Captain.” She laid down next to him.
“I feel more relaxed.” Arrow laughed. “This day definitely escalated out of control. To think just this morning I was running practice like usual, and the mailmare delivered that letter that eventually snowballed into this whole mess...”



“I feel you handled it pretty well, Arrow.” She said, leaning her head on his chest. “And it’s not a complete mess. I mean, now you’re the captain of the Shadowbolts! You guys are becoming bigger than the Wonderbolts, And it’s only been one season!”
Arrow smiled at the idea, then his mind wandered where it always does. “Do you think if we get too big, and popular... my family would find out?” He turned to her.

“Oh, Night Arrow...” Trixie said sympathetically. “you’ve been bringing them up more and more lately. Why don’t you just go visit them? Ponyville is kind of a small town...”
“I can’t...” Arrow sighed. “...not after this long. And you have no idea how important my dad was in the Wonderbolts.”
“I can imagine...” Trixie said. “He was the coach, right?”
“Yeah, he was the second coach since the team was founded, and he was the longest running coach they’d ever had. I pretty much had a guaranteed spot in their roster. And now look at me. He’d think the Shadowbolts were a joke.”
Trixie just listened as Arrow trailed off into hypotheticals.
“I can hear him now: ‘The Shadowbolts? What in the hay is that?” He said, making his voice deeper, imitating his father. “Is that some kind of weird Wonderbolts fan club? What happened, couldn’t think of a more original name?” He closed his eyes, frustrated at the imaginary conversation. “I’m the captain of a team who’s sole purpose is to bring down my father’s legacy.”
“Well when you put it like that--” Trixie said.
“Then there’s Raindrops!” Arrow continued his rant. “She’s Skylight’s age, but she’s so level-headed, and responsible. She’d honestly make a better captain than me... heh, but don’t tell her I said that, she’d never let me forget it...” Arrow smiled reminiscing.
Trixie loved the look on his face when he talked about his family. It was clear he missed them very much, but as proud as he was, this was one thing he couldn’t do. She knew he just couldn’t bring himself to go and visit them. He clearly regretted staying in Everfree for as long as he did, but it was too late to change anything.
“She never cared for racing though,” he said, ‘she kinda took charge of things when Mom passed. I mean with Dad coaching all the time, and me constantly training, I guess somepony had to take care of...” he paused for a moment. “...Scootaloo.” His voice trailed off again, his eyes became glassy. “She was just a foal when I last saw her... She probably doesn’t even know who I am...”
Trixie hugged him tightly.
“I’m her only brother, and she doesn’t even know who I am . . .”
Trixie couldn’t add anything to the conversation. Clearly, Night Arrow had to work this out himself, and Trixie was pretty confident he’d eventually make the right decision.
Neither of them had anything else to say that night, so in silence, they both nodded off to sleep.


Arrow’s Story: An Interlude; part iv
“It’s pretty late...” Scootaloo said, as they exited their taxi. “You think the Princess will be mad that we’re here this late?”
“Scoots, she called us here.” Raindrops said. “She should be worried about upsetting us... we still have to get to the hotel.”
The two pegasus mares were escorted by Silver Shield to the royal throne room. The doors opened, and there in all her glory was the Princess of the Sun herself. Her green, pink, and blue mane constantly flowing despite any wind. It seemed to be made up of pure magic.
“Your highness, Ms. Raindrops, and young Ms. Scootaloo.” Silver Shield announced; they bowed.
“Hello, Raindrops. It’s been a long time.” Celestia smiled. 
Scootaloo gasped, and whispered, “You’ve met her!?” 
Raindrops ignored her little sister, and they both rose to their hooves.
“It has, and I always appreciate an audience with the Princess, but we just got here, and are very tired. I have to know, what’s this all about?” Raindrops said, while approaching the stairs to the throne.
“I heard news you two were coming to see the opening race in two days.”
“Yeah, Scootaloo had never been to one, so I figured now’s a good a time as any...”
“Oh, Scootaloo, I haven’t seen you since you were a foal.” Celestia smiled.
Scootaloo’s eyes widened, she nudged Raindrops again and whispered, “I’ve met her!?”
“Look, Princess, I appreciate you checking in with us, but our hotel is on the other side of Canterlot and--”
“Oh, don’t worry about that.” Celestia said. “Any family of Coach Morning Arrow is always welcomed in my home. Your father was an integral part of making the Wonderbolts as successful as they are, and for that I am beyond sympathetic for your loss, and even more grateful to you and your family. You’re both staying in one of our royal suites tonight and tomorrow night, no charge. I also took the liberty of canceling your reservations at the other hotel, and getting all your bits refunded.”
Scootaloo couldn’t believe this was happening. Raindrops seemed less than thrilled.
“Oh, thank you Princess.” She said with false sincerity.
“You’re welcome, my little pony.” Celestia smiled. “It’s the least I can do.”
Raindrops forced a smile, “Will that be all, Princess? Scootaloo really needs her rest...” Scootaloo glared at Raindrops. She wasn’t the least bit tired.
“Yes, but please, can we meet in private tomorrow morning? I have some things to discuss with you.”
“Of course.” Raindrops bowed once again. “Now if you’ll excuse us.” They both turned and headed out of the throne room. Silver Shield closed the giant doors behind them.

CHAPTER 15
“Immature!?” Skylight shouted at her mirror. “I’m not immature! THEY’RE being immature!” She paced back and forth. “I"ll show them just how mature I can be!”
She glanced at the locker that held her flight suit and official member shirt, among other various articles of clothing she had but never really used.
“In fact, I’ll be so mature, they won’t even recognize me...” She smiled deviously.