//------------------------------// // Sign-Ups // Story: Friendship's New Flight: Rough Skies // by Masterob //------------------------------// Rainbow Dash was on her way to the home of her coltfriend Thunderlane, she had a flyer in her hooves and was really excited about the contents of what she had just read. She arrived and eagerly knocked on the door, "Come on Thunder, open up!" After some banging, Thunderlane eventually opened the door, a little confused, "Hey Dash, what's the rush? Do you miss being in my manly presence?" he had a confident suave smile. Rainbow rolled her eyes, "Very cute Thunderlane, look!" she presented the flyer to Thunderlane, "The Wonderbolts are hosting another flying competition, they're still looking for potential recruits!" "Really? Let me see that", he grabbed it and read the flyer, "Sweet, the competition's in a week, but they're holding sign ups now it seems". "True that, I say we get to Cloudsdale ASAP, lets gather Flitter & Cloudchaser, oh and get Rumble too". "Rumble? You think they'll take him? He's kinda young", Thunderlane pointed out. "Hey Spitfire herself at Canterlot said he would make a great addition, kid's a progidy, thanks to my coaching skills", Rainbow boasted. "Hey I coached him too", Thunderlane pointed out. "Exactly my point". Thunderlane narrowed his eyes, "You're pretty cruel sometimes". Rainbow chuckled, "I'm just messing with you, I know you're a great flyer, a great brother, and a great coltfriend" Rainbow gave him a passionate kiss. "Thanks Dashie, you're an awesome marefriend", Thunderlane said. "I know". Thunderlane smirked a bit, "Ever so humble aren't you?" Both chuckled a bit, then Rumble made his way over to them. "Hi Rainbow, you here to see my brother again?" "Hi little guy", Rainbow said and kissed his head, causing a small blush from him,"I'm here to see both of you, we need to round up Flitter & Cloudchaser, we're going to Cloudsdale to meet The Wonderbolts". Rumble looked excited, "Wow really? Wait is it a competition or something?" "Yeah they're hosting another try out type thing", Rainbow said. "You know considering we attended that Academy you think that'd help more, they liked our style, well mostly you but still", Thunderlane added. "The Academy was just the first step, now we gotta show the enthusiasm, let them know how bad we want it, Spitfire likes that type of determination", Rainbow Dash said. "If you say so Dashie". Rumble chuckled, "Dashie sounds so funny". Rainbow Dash grinned, "Is that so, Rumbley?" Rumble blushed, "Rumbley? Where'd you hear that!?" "I heard Sweetie Belle refer to you as that", Rainbow pointed out. Rumble blushed some more, "Why did she have to copy THAT from her sister?" Thunderlane chuckled, "More filly trouble bro? Sweetie sure has your number one way or another". Rumble's face went deadpanned, "Don't make me hurt you Thunder". "Says the colt who a whooping from 3 fillies", Thunderlane muttered. "WHAT!?" "Nothing". Rumble briefly stared daggers at Thunderlane, Rainbow Dash doing the same, "Let's just go before Thunderlane gets a whooping from one filly, or rather a full grown mare" Thunderlane chuckled nervously and walked off with Rainbow Dash and Rumble. "So where are Flitter & Cloudchaser?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Flitter is at Fluttershy's cottage, Cloudchaser was with Applejack". "Let's head to Fluttershy's place first" Rainbow said. The 3 Pegusai went to Fluttershy's cottage, luckily for them Cloudchaser happened to be there with Applejack. They were standing outside in the area where Fluttershy's animals were. "Looks like Cloudchaser is here, now we got them both" Rainbow said. "Probably here to check on Babs" Thunderlane said. "Oh yeah, hey Rumble things going better for you with the Crusaders?" Rainbow asked. Rumble nodded, "They've been really nice to me lately, Babs hasn't caused me any trouble, neither has Scootaloo or Sweetie Belle" "Sweetie's obvious in lite of that nickname she gave you", Thunderlane joked. "Don't start with me that!" Rumble warned. "No promises" Thunderlane chuckled while Rumble groaned, "One of these days". They approached the other ponies as they were talking. "So Babs has improved lately?" Applejack asked. Fluttershy nodded, "Oh yes she has, she wasn't a bad filly, just confused, but lately she's been open on her feelings and she has played nicely with Rumble". "Good, she can come back to Sweet Apple Acres soon", Applejack said. "That's good, she really wants to spend that extra time with Apple Bloom", Fluttershy admitted. "Ah should think so". Rainbow approached them, "Sup everypony, Flitter, Cloudchaser, big news, The Wonderbolts are in Cloudsdale for another tryout". "Awesome, guess we should head there ASAP" Cloudchaser said. "Hey Fluttershy, wanna come? Soarin will probably be there" Flitter said. "Sure, if that's ok with Rainbow Dash", Fluttershy said. "Hell yeah, you deserve a first class seat to my...I mean our ascension to greatness", Rainbow said, a bit nervous after the slip. "What about Babs? Thunderlane asked. "I'm sure Applejack will take her back for now, right Applejack?" "Sure thing, could use the test", Applejack said adn then called out, "Babs Seed! Front and Center!" After a few moments of waiting, Babs shyly approached the group, Rumble went to greet her, "Hi Babs" Babs waved a bit, "Hey Rumble, what brings you here?" "Just grabbing Flitter and Cloudchaser, going to see The Wonderbolts", Rumble said. "Oh...good for you", Babs said, still somewhat shy. "When I come back, wanna go on a Crusade?" Rumble asked. Babs nodded, "Sure thing kid". "Be back later", Rumble hugged her a bit before leaving with his friends, causing a small blush from Babs. "Why's he so nice to me? I wasn't exactly friendly with him for the lonest time", Babs asked. "Cause he's naturally caring, be happy you didn't lose on that friendship", Applejack said. "I know, I'm pretty lucky, wish I can make it up to him", Babs admitted. "Just be his friend, that's all he wants, now lets go home", Applejack said. Babs thought a moment, "Maybe I can be more than that...", she said in a low voice. Babs went home with Applejack while the Pegusai reached Cloudsdale. "Here we are gang, lets go find The Wonderbolts", Rainbow said. They flew around a bit and found the building where the sign ups were being held. "There it is, ready gang?" Rainbow asked. "Sure am, lets go", Thunderlane said. The others also nodded, ready for action. They entered the building and saw Soarin chatting with Fleetfoot. "There they are...Hey Soarin! Fleetfoot!" Rainbow shouted, much to Soarin and Fleetfoot's annoyance, not that they don't like Rainbow Dash, but they were talking and didn't appreciate the interruption. "Rainbow Dash, we were talking", Fleetfoot stated. "Sorry, got excited, I'm here for the sign ups", Rainbow said. "Yeah, Spitfire was expecting you, she's currently with another potential flyer right now, but I can get you signed up. You don't need to prove much, you're already a capable flyer", Fleetfoot admitted. "She sure is, you're awesome Rainbow Dash", Soarin said. "You don't need to compliment me...though if you really want to you can keep going", Rainbow said. "Can I compliment your looks? Because you're a fine looking mare" Soarin said a bit smugly. Rainbow enjoyed the compliment, she used to have a crush on Soarin but that's faded, though she still enjoyed the compliment. Thunderlane's Flitter and Fluttershy's all felt a surge of jealousy for different reasons. Thunderlane doesn't like the idea of another stallion hitting on his marefriend, and the two pegusai mares liked Soarin, they hated seeing him hit on another mare. "Quit hitting on the mares", Fleetfoot said. "Especially when they're taken", Thunderlane muttered under his breath. "So it's gonna be Rainbow Dash, the mohawk guy, the twins and that Fluttershy girl, correct?" Fleetfoot asked. "Mohawk guy?" Thunderlane asked. "Sorry I don't remember your name", Fleetfoot said a little sheepishly. "Thunderlane, and the twins are Flitter & Cloudchaser, Flitter's the one with the bow", Thunderlane pointed out. "And I'm not competing", Fluttershy said. "Aw really? I bet you'd be a great Wonderbolt", Soarin said. Fluttershy blushed a bit, this is more she liked it, "Thanks...but I'm not into flying". Fleetfoot looked like 'what'? "You're a Pegasus" "I know...but I prefer the ground", Fluttershy admitted. Fleetfoot facehoofed, "Way to disgrace our race". "Fleetfoot!" Soain shouted. Fleetfoot looked at him slightly confused, "What is it? Why are you shouting?" "Don't say that to Fluttershy, she didn't choose to be a Pegasus, she has the right to stay more ground bound if she wants to", Soarin said. Fleetfoot groaned, "Yeah whatever", she glared at Fluttershy a bit, "Still". Fluttershy blushed for two reasons, one is that she's slightly feeling a bit awkward from what Fleetfoot said, but she's also happy that Soarin stood up for her. He really was a sweetheart. Flitter felt a bit of envy but she's happy for Fluttershy knowing that Soarin cares enough to stand up for her. Rumble approached them, "I wanted to compete". Fleetfoot lowered her sunglasses, "You? You're a small colt". "But Spitfire says I'm really good", Rumble stated. Fleetfoot shook her head, "Sorry kid, there's an age requirement". Rumble looked dejected, then Spitfire entered the room. "Rainbow Dash, I expected you to come, so are you and your team gonna sign up? Just so you know, it's gonna be a two pony type thing, lead pony and wing pony". "So teams of two?" Thuderlane asked. Spitfire just looked at him, "Yeah, hence the whole 'two pony' thing, pay attention will ya?" Thunderlane blushed a bit, t hat was awkward. Sptifire cleared her throat to continue, "So at least it's even among the six of you". "Fluttershy's not competing", Rainbow said, then realized something, "Wait six? Are you including Rumble?" "Yeah...kid's great, does he not wanna compete either?" Spitfire asked. "He does, but Fleetfoot said he's too young", Rainbow said. "He is...there's an age requirment Spitfire", Fleetfoot said. "Make an exception, this kid's pretty good, remember his performance at Canterlot?" Spitfire asked. "I saw his performance, he was mediocre at best", Fleetfoot bluntly stated, somewhat bringing Rumble's spirits down. "Just sign the damn kid, make this a bit more interesting, more people watching, more profit", Spitfire said. "So it's a marketing thing?" Soarin asked. "Sorta, besides the kid's damn cute", Spitfire said while looking at Rumble, causing him to blush a bit. "What kind of stupid reason is that-" "Just do what I say!" Fleetfoot groaned, "What's the point though? He has no partner" "Well I may have somepony in mind, though I'm not sure if he wants to work with this one", Spitfire admitted. "May I see the pony in question Captain Spitfire?" Rumble asked. "Wow, good manners, sure thing kid", Spitfire went to the doorway, "Yo recruit, get in here!" They waited as a familiar Pegasus stepped out to the ponies. "You're kidding...right?" Rainbow Dashed asked, a little confused at her sight of the pony. "Holy crap", Thunderlane said, eyes bulged in shock. "It's...you", Rumble said while looking confused. The pony in question was Rainbow Dash's arch rival, Lightning Dust, flanked by her associate, Trixie Lulamoon. "We're back!" Trixie said while standing on her hind legs and extending her arms out. Lightning glanced at her like she's crazy, then back at the group. "Lightning Dust, I have a partner for you, that kid colt right there with the cool hair", Spitfire said, causing more of a blush from Rumble. Spitfire was quickly becoming one of his favorite mares. Lightning looked at Rumble, "You can't be serious, a small colt?" "It's either him or nopony", Spitfire said. "But how can I compete while teaming with a colt?" Lightning asked. "I'm not sure about this either", Thunderlane admitted. "Same here", Rainbow Dash agreed, "She's a bit too reckless to team with Rumble". Spitfire turned to Rumble, "What's your decision kid?" Rumble looked at Lighting and thought before deciding, "I'll give her a chance if she gives me a chance". Lightning glared at Rumble, "There's no pony else? What about that yellow one with the pink mane? I'd take her over a small colt". "She's not competing, it's him on no one, make your choice", Spitfire said, giving Lightning that ultimatum. Trixie pulled Lightning Dust aside, "Go for it, this may be your only shot, chances like this are rare, you need to make the most of it". "Still not sure", Lightning admitted and looked to him, "He might slow me down". "I'll help you whatever way I can, just take the chance, I know you can make this work", Trixie said and looked into her eyes, "I believe in you". Lightning sighed, "Fine...I'm trusting you on this Trixie" she turned to the others, "I'm with the kid", Lightning Dust said. "It's official, Rumble and Lightning Dust are partners" Spitfire said. Rainbow looked surprised, "This probably won't end well"