//------------------------------// // Day 5: Demonstration // Story: Scoot Camp // by theNDinspector //------------------------------// The morning exercises proved to be an almost futile gesture. Nopony put their full heart into it and were more interested in talking about what happened that morning—particularly the Sonic Rainboom. There was a multitude of theories as to how Rainbow Dash does it; each more ludicrous than the last. After that topic ran its course, a new one eventually came up; why was an elite Wonderbolt squadron there in the first place? While it was the Wonderbolt Academy, it didn’t make sense to have professional and graduated members of the Wonderbolts there for no reason. Theories popped up about that too, including the one about the “Wonderbolt Movie” again; but with the actual Wonderbolts in addition to famous actors. “Come on,” one cadet said in response to this idea. “Colonel Spitfire said that the film ponies were here to make a documentary, not a movie.” “Isn’t a documentary technically a movie?” Another cadet countered. This went on for the next hour, despite Major Soarin’s and Lieutenant What’s-his-name’s efforts to maintain discipline. Eventually, Soarin decided to give up and let the conversations continue, as long as the cadets were still being productive while they talked. Admittedly, it would have been easier if he had just responded to the inquiries and tell them what was going on, but there was an unusual amount of secrecy behind the whole thing. “Are you sure Rainbow Dash didn’t tell you anything?” Blue Yonder asked Scootaloo as she did some wing push-ups. “Yes!” Scootaloo exclaimed. “All she said was that it was going to be awesome, but I kind of suspected that already. Honestly, I don’t know why she said to keep something like that between us.” “She does like to be dramatic, doesn’t she?” Blue Yonder said. “Heh, you don’t know the half of it,” Scootaloo smirked. “All right cadets, that’s enough,” Major Soarin finally said. “You’ll be dismissed for lunch, but you are to report at Section G of the Eastern Field at 1400 hours for your training. Company dismissed!” With that, the cadets departed, continuing their conversations from training. “Section G, isn’t that where the track is and where they were setting up the bleachers?” Scootaloo asked. “Sure is,” Blue Yonder answered. “I guess we’ll finally find out what is going on around here.” *** After lunch, Scootaloo and Blue Yonder were among the first to show up at the newly erected bleachers at the track. Everypony at the academy was showing up. It was apparent that the older cadets seemed to have a better idea as to what was happening; but like everypony else so far, they wouldn’t let the new cadets in on it. “Arrgh!” Scootaloo groaned. “This is so frustrating!” “I guess we’ll just have to wait and see,” Blue Yonder sighed. Thankfully, they didn’t have to wait long. Everypony had filed into the bleachers and the time had come for whatever this was to start. Colonel Spitfire walked out to the middle of the field with a megaphone. After an ear-shattering screech emitted from the device, Spitfire started talking. “All right cadets, it’s that time again,” Spitfire announced. “As many of you know, the Newbies’ time here is coming to an end and we need to find out who will be continuing on at the Wonderbolt Academy. Basically, Newbies, this is your final exam.” The new cadets started murmuring at this news. “Great, I love exams,” Scootaloo said sarcastically. “However, this isn’t your typical school exam,” Spitfire elaborated, interrupting the various comments. “That’ll come later. Instead, you’re going to showcase what you have learned during your time here at the academy; not only in your companionship, but with another one as well.” The cadets started to get excited at this prospect. “This time, we have a special treat for you all,” Spitfire continued. “I’m sure that all of you have noticed the arrival of one of our own Wonderbolt squadron’s this morning. Well, they’re here to demonstrate the type of skills and teamwork we expect from our flyers. They will also aide in the evaluation process when you perform for everypony tomorrow. “As for you older newbies, this will be a chance for you to see some elite flyers in action. So, without further ado, I give you the 1st Wonderbolt Squadron!” With that, the four ponies in the blue flight-suits took off. Every eye in the makeshift stadium was glued on them. They were powerful, fast and graceful. Few flyers could rival the mastery and excellence of precision flying displayed by the Wonderbolts. They truly were the best of the best. Scootaloo watched as they would fly in arcs, loops, split into pairs and rejoin the full formation. They even did a version of the figure-eights where the two pairs would go in mirrored curved paths that would intersect each other multiple times as they flew forward. They even added to it by switching companions when their paths intersected once, and switched again the next time they crossed paths. The Wonderbolts concluded their show by soaring together in one large arc over the field, leaving a large trail behind them. Everypony cheered as they came in for a landing, thus completing the demonstration. The Wonderbolts even took a bow and waved to the audience. Scootaloo cheered loudest of all. Although she had seen Rainbow Dash fly on her own before and do many amazing things then, she was still awed whenever she saw her perform. And the fact that Rainbow Dash did this with three other ponies only added to the respect that Scootaloo always had for her. Even though they were four ponies, the Wonderbolts worked together as one, leaving those below in awe and wonder. Individually, they were all great; together, they were utterly spectacular. Colonel Spitfire walked back to the middle of the field and waited for the cadets to quiet down before she resumed speaking. “Thank you Captain Fleetfoot for you and your squadron’s demonstration,” Spitfire said before addressing the cadets. “Now Newbies, your training time today will be spent on developing a routine, practicing it and preparing it for tomorrow. The Wonderbolts displayed some very advanced moves today that you have not been instructed on yet. I want you to challenge yourselves and show what you’ve learned, but don’t focus on thing that you do not know. Major Soarin will form your teams and instruct you further. You will stay here while the other cadets will report to their training areas as instructed earlier. Company dismissed.” Everypony started talking as the older cadets started filing out of the bleachers. The new cadets remained and talked excitedly among themselves over what they just saw. “Wow,” Blue Yonder said. “Can you believe that we get to do something like that?” Scootaloo’s smile started to fade a little. “Yeah,” she said, beginning to feel very nervous. ‘How can I hope to do something like that?’ She wondered. Scootaloo had never done anything like this before, even when flying with Rainbow Dash. Could she really pull off something truly spectacular? She then looked to the pony in the field with the rainbow mane and tail. ‘Yeah, I can do it,’ Scootaloo thought, a new sense of determination rising in her. ‘I can impress Rainbow Dash!’