Order of Shadows

by PaulAsaran

Book III – Gulfstream: The Gears Turn

I don’t think I’m very bright. I never did good in school, even when Lightning was helping me. I was focused on so many different things at the time, and Lightning’s success left me so happy. I know I had no way to know. Still pisses me off that I didn’t.

It’s so obvious. All the clues were right there. I should have seen the setup! Uncle Fine says I have no reason to think that, but he’s wrong. I should have known. If I had said something, if I had noticed the scheme, I might have been able to stop it. I could have warned Lightning.

Sometimes I hate myself so much.

—Gulfstream Dust, Book of Shadows XLVIII,
June 2, 1007

Lightning busied herself with the small suitcase, the only one she ever needed for trips back to the Perilous. Gulfstream watched her from the door, taking great strides to avoid bouncing on the spot. Even so, his forehooves kept shifting about with the urge to trot in place.

Breathless, Lightning paused to re-read the letter she’d received that morning. “You’re sure you can handle yourself for a few days alone?”

He put on the most mature expression he could muster. “Sure. It’s just a week. Nothing to it.” If only his hooves would stay still.

She zipped up the suitcase, her Reserves Flightsuit disappearing within. “Remember to go by Mom and Dad’s every day. If you don’t they’re gonna start worrying.”

“I will.” His hind legs flexed with the urge to bounce. “Don’t worry, cuz, I’ve got this.”

“You’re sure?” She turned on him, lips pursed in apprehension. “I m-mean, it’s not that I don’t trust you, Gulfie, it’s just—”

“I know.” At last he couldn’t help it, hopping into the air with an excited cry. “You get to perform for Celestia! I’m not going to do anything to ruin that!”

“It’s not p-performing.” She brushed her mane back with a weak smile, but her eyes were shifting wildly. “It’s just a… a demonstration. That all. It’s not a b-big deal.”

“Is too!” He flew circles around her for the fifth time since the letter arrived. “You’re gonna fly with the Wonderbolts!”

“Only because Fleetfoot’s got the Feather Flu.” Lightning’s wings tightened around her body and she shivered. “B-but I’ll do alright. I will. I’m certainly not gonna mess this up for everypony.”

Gulfstream paused before her and set hooves to hips with a roll of his eyes. “Pu-lease, Lightning! Out of all the reserve ponies they could have chosen, they picked you, a rookie. They wouldn’t do that if you weren’t ready. Not that there was ever a time you weren’t ready.”

Lightning rubbed her hooves together, her eyes darting to the suitcase. “Yeah, but… in front of Celestia! Goddess, Gulfie, I can’t buck this up.”

The heat rose in Gulfstream’s mind, but he took it in practiced hooves and channeled it in another direction. “Hey, what’s the big deal? You were all confident and ready before the Best Young Flier’s contest. Now you’re acting more like Rainbow Dash did.”

She winced and stared at her hooves. “I know. It’s different, okay?”

Landing before her, he sat and looked up into her eyes. “How so?”

Lightning hesitated, her eyes shifting to the picture that still sat on the stand by her bed. “It’s… Well…” Her brow furrowed as she thought. “Hard to explain.”

He glanced at the image of him, her and Rainbow together. “Is it because she’s not here this time?”

“It’s related to her, yeah.” She shook her head with a sigh. “It’s complicated, okay? I’m not sure you’d get it.”

He shot her a deadpan frown. “I’m twelve, not two. And how is this any different from flying in front of Nightmare Moon?”

“Back then it was just me.” Lightning shivered once more, perhaps recalling being in the dreaded alicorn’s presence. “If I screw this up, it’s not just my tail on the line. It’s not that it’s her or her sister, it’s the stakes.”

He sighed and shrugged. “I don’t get it, but it doesn’t matter. You’re Lightning Dust, and you are the best flier in Equestria, young or not. Celestia can’t be anything but amazed at how awesome you’re gonna be.”

A smile drifted at last to Lightning’s lips. She bent down to nuzzle him. “Thanks, Gulfie. You’re the best cousin a mare could ask for, y’know that?”

He scoffed and flung his head back, imitating one of her haughty poses. “Of course I am. I come from a family of awesome.”

With a chuckle, she gave him a whack on the shoulder just strong enough to topple his unbalanced pose, sending him to the floor. Pouncing before he could respond, she proceeded to tickle him and blow raspberries on his belly. “You’re not so awesome as to best me!”

He roared with laughter and kicked frantically. It all proved fruitless, and after some time he admitted defeat amidst his tears. She sat back to let him up, taking on a prim pose of her own. “Train harder, kid.”

Laying on the floor with legs splayed, Gulfstream spent a few seconds huffing. Once he had recovered somewhat, he raised a weak leg in the air. “I’m gonna pay you back for that. Gimme a few years to get bigger.”

“Hah! Good luck.”

“Won’t need it.” He rolled onto his hooves and stood. “You watch me, Lightning, someday I’ll be as good a flier as you are.” He puffed out his chest and grinned. “Then I’m joining the Royal Guard!”

She patted him on the head. “Aww, aren’t you a cute little warrior? Better buff up, though; they’re not going to accept somepony who can’t even fight off a few tickles.”

He jerked away from her to glare. “I ain’t cute.” At her warm smile her turned away, the fire having shifted into his cheeks. “I ain’t.”

“Sure you aren’t, Gulfie. Not at all.” Lightning grabbed her suitcase and set it on her back, securing it with some travel belts. “I’ve got to go. If you’re gonna have any crazy parties while I’m gone, at least make sure the evidence is cleaned up before I get back.”

“Aww, do I have to?”

They shared a grin… and then Gulfstream jumped up to throw his hooves around her shoulders. “You’re gonna be great, Lightning. Rainbow might not be around anymore, but you’re still an inspiration to me.”

Lightning said nothing at first, but then returned the hug tightly. “Thanks, Gulfie. I’ll do my best.”

He sighed, resting his chin on her shoulder. There it was, that pleasant warmth, something so very different from the flame. “Then there’s nothing to worry about.”

They held the embrace for a time, Gulfstream soaking in the pleasant sensation he found with nopony else. When they finally separated, he offered a grin and pointed to Lightning’s bedroom door. “Now get out of here. I’ve got a party to plan!”

Lightning laughed and gave him one last nuzzle. “Alright, alright. Remember, kid, ya break it, ya bought it.”

He followed her to the door and even held it open for her, his wings buzzing with his quiet excitement. “Don’t worry, LD. When Celestia sees how awesome you are, she’ll insist the Wonderbolts make you an active member of the squadron right away!”

“Sure, and you’re gonna have a marefriend when I get back.” Lightning giggled at the disgusted expression he made before giving him on last pat on the shoulder. “I’d tell you to be good, but I don’t think you need me to anymore. So… see you later, Gulfie.”

Gulfstream’s jaw dropped as she left. Even after she disappeared from sight, he remained hovering by the door for some time, her words ringing in his ears. He slowly shut the door and landed in the middle of the hall.

She didn’t think he needed it anymore. His lips curled into a smile, his chest swelled, his eyes watered.

“Thanks, Lightning.”

To say that Gulfstream was bored would be incorrect. Distracted was a better term. Not that the History of Celestia class was uninteresting; learning about how the princess vanquished Equestria’s foes like the changelings and brought peace to the world was action-y enough for him. Especially with a teacher like Miss Sun Dazed, who had a true gift for telling stories with flare and drama. Today, however, he just couldn’t keep up.

Two desks ahead and one to the right sat a black filly with a pleasant orange mane. Gulfstream had known of her ever since his Aunt Flit made him go to flight school, which he still insisted wasn’t necessary. Her name was Summer Showers, and in Gulfstream’s opinion there was nothing special about her. Average flyer, soft spoken, not very athletic, and one of the few remaining blank flanks in his class.

Despite all of this, she had his full attention, even if he did his best to hide it. He’d spent the last few months taking careful steps with Lightning’s and his personal project, and he had no intention of slacking on that with his cousin away. But Lightning didn’t know about this step. It was Gulfstream’s own personal challenge.

The bell rang just as Miss Dazed finished recounting Celestia’s apparently epic battle with King Sombra. As always, the abrupt sound startled her out of the moment; this time she ended up flopping onto her back with a yelp that had half the classroom laughing. She rose blushing, but didn’t hesitate to join in the laughter. After reminding all the foals of their homework due the next day, she dismissed the class.

Gulfstream already had his books in his pack. His eye followed Summer Showers and he walked a safe distance behind her, thinking of what he had to say. They had to be the right words. He just hoped she wouldn’t run away when he tried to talk to her.

Not that he would blame her.

After what he hoped was some good stalking – why did that sound so wrong in his head? – he finally saw an opportunity. Summer had stopped by one of the teachers' offices and, after nopony answered her knocking, now waited patiently by the door. By now most of the foals were well on their way out of the building, escaping to an afternoon of whatever normal foals did, so there was some margin of privacy.

Except that he knew that teacher would be coming by before long. Anxiety and urgency warred with his mind. After a time, he began to slowly approach. His legs felt like lead. His stomach dropped, his throat dried up. If he messed this up…

“H-hey, Summer?”

The filly gave a tiny jump, her wings jerking open. She turned to him and the blood rushed from her face. “Oh. Um… H-hi, Gulfstream.” She backed a few steps away, prompting him to lock his legs and come no closer.

He swallowed to moisten his throat. His wings twitched as the urge to fly away came to him, but he resisted. Inhale. Exhale. He recited the words in his mind. They sounded so hollow.

The filly sat – or perhaps her hind legs collapsed – and she hunched over, still staring up at him. “I’m s-sorry.”

He blinked, all his careful plans flying out the window as he took her apology in. “Wait… what? Why?”

“I don’t know.” She shook her head frantically. “W-whatever you’re gonna shout at me for.”

Shout at her? Gulfstream had only ever done that to her once, and that was years ago. Then again, with his reputation…

The fire arose, as expected. Gulfstream grabbed it and turned it around quickly, making sure his anger didn’t go anywhere near the shivering filly. The bite remained in his tone, though. “You didn’t do anything. I did.”

Summer’s trembling ceased and her ears perked. “What?”

He turned his face away, kicking at the cloud floor and glaring at the wall. “I wanna apologize.”

She gaped at him for a few seconds. Her gaze made him uncomfortable, but he absolutely refused to let that feed the flame. At last she managed to repeat, “What?”

His teeth ground together. He took another long inhale. Then an equally long exhale. The tension in his body fell away enough that he could look at her again. “When I clipped your wing. It was an accident, but… I should have been nicer about it. I shouldn’t have laughed.”

“Clipped my wing?” She frowned and looked back at her unusually small wings, giving them a light flap. “That was years ago.”

He winced and bowed his head. “Yeah. Sorry it took so long. To say I’m sorry, I mean.”

She tapped her chin with a hoof, staring up at the ceiling. “But… you did.”

Gulfstream shook his head. “I didn’t mean it, not back then. I only said it ’cause the teacher made me.” He looked directly into her green eyes, trying to force his sincerity to the surface. His entire body felt tense. “I mean it this time. I’m sorry.”

She studied him, first with uncertainty, then with concern. She tapped her hooves together in a sheepish manner. “This is really hard for you, isn’t it?”

Another spark. The rush to push it down was a bit more frantic this time. He groaned and bowed his head. “That obvious, huh?”

She flinched and eyed her still-tapping hooves. “W-well, you had this really angry look when you said it.”

He believed it. He considered what to say next, rubbing his mane back and staring at the cloud floor. “I’m always angry. Really, I am. I get angry for no reason. I...” Why was he telling her this? It wasn’t as if she could help him.

“Look, I’m just sorry, okay?” He gave her a look he prayed was more hopeful than frustrated. He was certainly feeling both.

She cocked her head one way, then the other. Her eyes never left his. He shrank a little under her calm scrutiny. In his mind, he yelled at her; was she going to accept or not?

Then… she smiled.

“Thank you, Gulfstream.”

His jaw dropped. “Really? Y-you mean it?”

She nodded, her smile only broadening. “Thank you very much! You’re nicer than you know.”

Gulfstream stared at her. Then, slowly, he returned the smile. Then he giggled. He sat, threw his head back and laughed, making her jump back in surprise. Not that he blamed her; his reaction startled him. He didn’t care. He was too happy to care.

He’d done it. The next step had been taken. It felt like an important step. Maybe he really could be a good pony.

“Umm, are you alright?”

“I’m great!” He hopped into the air to hover over her. “I really, really didn’t think you’d accept my apology. Thank you so much!”

Her smile came back. It was a really nice smile. “Of course I accepted. It was sincere.”

It was. It really was. Even if she hadn’t accepted, this would have been a huge step forward. Gulfstream flew a couple quick circles to vent some energy, the resulting wind blowing Summer’s mane wildly. “This is great!”

“A-hem.”

He froze, wings snapping closed. The result was that he went plummeting sideways into the cloud floor, rolling to a stop in a sitting position. He looked back to see the ever-imposing frame of Mr. Fog Horn, who stared down his white muzzle at Gulfstream.

“Flying in the halls is fine, Mr. Dust, but your speed is more than a little excessive.”

There it was, that bloom of heat in gulfstream’s mind.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Gulfstream stood properly and turned to the teacher before bowing his head. “Sorry, Mr. Horn. I guess I got a little too excited.”

The stallion’s eyebrows rose; clearly this wasn’t the response he had been expecting. “Umm… That’s okay. Just try to contain yourself next time.”

“Yes, sir.” Gulfstream nodded politely – even as in his mind he was hissing insults. They faded quickly as his eyes went to the nice smile of Summer. He waved to her and turned away. “See you tomorrow, Summer.”

“Bye, Gulfstream.”

If the teacher hadn’t been staring holes into his back, Gulfstream might have flown out at top speed. That not being an option, he settled for a prance, head held high and heart soaring. He couldn’t wait to tell Lightning about this! He could almost hear her adoring praise. Too bad she wouldn’t be home for several more days.

Which only made this moment better; he’d done it on his own. He giggled at his own initiative.

He was almost to the school’s exit when he felt somepony grab him. A hoof fell over his muzzle and another wrapped around his midsection, and before he could even register what had happened he was jerked into the colt’s bathroom.

This time, he made no attempt whatsoever to hold back the fire.

Immediately registering the size of his opponent based on the weight pressed to his side, he figured he was under attack from an adult. His folded wing curled over his own back as far as it could manage before thrusting out, jabbing into the pony’ soft underbelly just behind the ribs. This was enough to make his opponent yelp – a mare, by the voice – and loosen her hold. He instantly kicked off the floor, his right elbow coming up to smack the pony’s muzzle. Now with enough room to spread his wings, he did so and flapped, twisting his body around to deliver a straight buck with his left hind leg against the pony’s chest. He landed facing her, legs splayed and wings opened wide.

As the pony fell on her side, realization swept over Gulfstream like a flood. The fire winked out, replaced by an abrupt horror: he’d just attacked somepony! Not just attacked, that could have done some serious damage. How did he even know what to do? It had been instinctual, reactionary, but that didn’t mean it was right. He should have had more control!

What if Lightning found out? How could she not? Would she be disappointed? She might never leave him to fend for himself again.

No, wait, more important; what if this meant he hadn’t progressed at all? Good ponies don’t attack other ponies, right? He’d promised not to start any fights!

Hold on… that had been self defense. That made it okay, didn’t it? Yeah, he’d been attacked first, so—

At last his mind snapped back to where it probably should have been from the beginning: his attacker. To his surprise, she hadn’t jumped back up to resume her assault. She lay on the floor, and now that he had a good look at her his heart all but stopped.

“R… Rainbow?”

With a groan, Rainbow sat up. Her hooves touched gingerly at her muzzle; there was blood dripping from one of her nostrils. “Dang, kid, you can really pack a wallop. I’m impressed.”

A new clash entered Gulfstream’s head; he’d just attacked Rainbow Dash! He’d always wanted to do that, but at the same time, he hadn’t known who he’d been hitting. So… did it count? Should he be ashamed? Proud? Worried over how Lightning would react? Wait, if it was Rainbow… would Lightning even find out?

All of his confusion led him to say the only thing that his mouth could pull off at the time: “What the hay are you doing here?”

“Hold on.” Rainbow stood and slipped into one of the stalls. She returned a second later with some toilet tissue pressed to her muzzle, the blood seeping into it in small dots. After a few dabs, she sat before him once more. Her voice came out with a nasal quality. “Where’d you learn to fight like that? I know Lightning’s not teaching you this kind of thing.”

He kicked at the floor, head low. “I dunno. I just… reacted.”

“Fighter’s instincts,” she observed as if she were a scientist examining a curious specimen. “Huh. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised by that.” She checked the tissue, breathed through her nose a couple times, then reapplied it. “Bet you’d make a good Royal Guard.”

He might have been thrilled by that statement if he weren’t so confused. “What’s the big idea, grabbing me like that?”

She sobered quickly, eyes darting about as if she expected somepony to overhear. Which was silly, since they were in a small bathroom. The colts bathroom, Gulfstream reminded himself.

This suddenly seemed very awkward.

“Sorry, Gulfstream. I’m, uh, kinda sorta maybe hiding.”

“Hiding?” He sat and rubbed the side of his head. “Hiding from what?”

“Can’t say.” She pulled the tissue away from her face and sniffed a few more times. Apparently satisfied that the bleeding had stopped, she tossed the tissue into a nearby stall. When she turned back to him, her expression was deathly serious. “I had to talk to you. I’m real sorry I jumped you like that, but I’m trying to keep a low profile.”

He cocked his head, wishing she would start making sense. “Why would you want to talk to me?”

“Well, um…” She sat back, tapping her hooves together in a curiously good impression of Summer Showers. “Y-you remember back at the Frequent Young Fliers Competition? Like… how you got to spend time with Nightmare Moon? You haven't seen her since then, have you?”

His ears perked and his eyebrows rose. “I wish. That would be awesome. But why are you bringing that up? It was ages ago.”

Rainbow fidgeted, her wings twitching. “A-are you sure? Like, maybe you saw her in your dreams?”

Gulfstream’s lips jerked up in a hopeful smile. “Can she do that? Visit ponies in their dreams?”

“I don’t know, that’s why I’m here!” Rainbow hunched over, her eyes wide but her pupils small. They danced around the room as her breathing sped up. “Why would she come to see me? It doesn’t make sense. I-I’m not worthy of that kind of attention. I’m a loser!”

He almost backed that statement up, but just stopped himself. Lightning’s voice berated him from the depths of his mind, reminding him that it would have been mean. So instead he asked, “So you’re dreaming of Nightmare Moon?”

Rainbow’s eyes fell upon him and she froze. It was almost like she had forgotten his presence. “N-no, not her. Luna. Princess Luna.”

He cocked his head yet again. “Aren’t they the same?”

“I don’t know. Are they?” She rubbed her face with both hooves. “I don’t know. I just keep dreaming about her. A-and she smiles and encourages me and… and… I don’t know! I thought that, since you’ve met, you might know more about her.”

Gulfstream hunched over, ears folding back. “I’m sorry, Rainbow. I only met her that one time. I mean, she let me hold her sword… you don’t care about that.” He shook his head. “I haven’t had any—”

He blinked, thinking back on the dreams he did have. They were usually either action-oriented or nightmares of being… what he thought he might become. But sometimes… “S-sometimes I see her eyes.”

Rainbow’s hooves lowered slowly. She stared at him with a tired expression. “Her eyes?”

He gave a happy sigh and nodded. “I still remember them. They were amazing. Sometimes I’ll see them in my sleep. I always feel stronger when I do.”

She studied him for a few more seconds, her disheveled mane dangling before her eyes. She smiled. “Yeah… she has really nice eyes, doesn’t she?” The smile faded quickly and she bowed her head. “But why would she look at me? I’m just a screw up. Couldn’t even pass flight school…”

Gulfstream studied her old… enemy? Whatever Rainbow was. He tried to think of something to say, but the proper words eluded him. His dislike for her might have mellowed with time, but he still didn’t think he could bring himself to comfort her. Or could he? That was the ‘good pony’ thing to do, wasn’t it?

What would Lightning do in this situation?

Rainbow’s head rose just a fraction. “H-hey, what about Lightning? She’s pretty awesome. Maybe she’s seeing Luna.”

While that did sound a lot more plausible to Gulfstream than the princess visiting Rainbow, he could only shrug. “If Lightning dreams of her, she never said anything to me.” An ear perked as a thought hit him. “Come to think of it, she’ll be seeing Princess Celestia tomorrow.”

Rainbow’s head snapped to attention, her eyes going wide. “Really?”

“Yeah.” He grinned at her awed expression, only to realize that he was reveling. He wasn’t happy for Lightning just then, he was happy that it was her and not Rainbow. He didn’t feel shame, but he could just see Lightning’s angry gaze bearing down on him. “I m-mean, yeah. Celestia’s visiting the Academy and wanted a demonstration from the Wonderbolts. One of the members is sick. Lightning’s in the reserves, so…”

“So they called her in.” Rainbow whistled through her teeth. “Wow. A rookie replacing a full time member. Way to go, LD.”

Knowing it was a shot in the dark, Gulfstream leaned forward with one hoof raised in apprehension. “Do you think that may have something to do with your dreams?”

Rainbow blinked, then sat back to think on the subject. She gazed at the floor with a pursed frown, her wings flicking lightly. “Maybe? It could be a coincidence. Why would Luna even look at me if they wanted to talk to Lightning? Luna never mentioned Lightning.”

Gulfstream scratched at his ear, eyes never leaving her. “Are you sure they aren’t just dreams?”

“They… might be?” Rainbow glanced over her shoulder at the fogged window near the ceiling. “But they happen a lot, they’re different every time, and—” Her mouth clamped closed and she hunched over once again.

He leaned forward. “And?”

Chewing her lip, Rainbow ran a hoof through her mane. And again. Her wings spread, flapped once, started to fold but stopped halfway. Gulfstream couldn’t help but notice the disheveled look of her feathers.

“I th-think I’m being followed.”

She said it with such dread that Gulfstream was tempted to believe the claim, even going so far as to glance at the door behind him. “Really?”

“M-maybe I’m just paranoid. Maybe it’s a coincidence.” She rubbed her face with both hooves. “A whole bunch of coincidences. Right, as if.”

Gulfstream cocked his head. “But who would want to follow you?”

Rainbow threw up her hooves. “I don’t know!” She promptly slapped a leg over her muzzle, eyes wide. When she spoke again, her tone was much quieter. “I don’t know. The Archons, maybe?”

“The Archons.” Gulfstream didn’t doubt that Rainbow believed she was being stalked, but… “Unless you’re planning on attacking Princess Celestia, I don’t think the Archons are after you.”

Her voice took on a panicked quality. “But Luna’s talking to me in my dreams. W-what if she’s got them watching me for something?” She appeared to shrink, body dropping low. “M-maybe Celestia’s keeping an eye on me. Maybe she thinks Nightmare Moon is trying to turn me against her.”

Gulfstream’s wings sagged to the floor as he attempted to comprehend that statement. He tried to picture Princess Luna and Nightmare Moon manipulating Rainbow somehow. Luna was supposedly good and Nightmare Moon was supposedly bad, but weren’t they the same pony? And Celestia wouldn’t fear the Nightmare, she dealt with her every century like clockwork. And didn’t the papers make it clear that Princess Luna was…

His thoughts came crashing down and she shook his head. “This is way too hard. Couldn’t you, like, go to Canterlot and ask? Don’t they hold courts for this kind of thing?”

“Are you kidding?” Rainbow shook her head in turn, only much more frantically. “If the Archons are after me, that’s the last place I wanna go!”

Gulfstream scowled and crossed his hooves. “If the Archons were after you, I think you’d be dead by now.”

Gritting her teeth, she surveyed the room yet again, as if somepony might have snuck in while they were talking. “Oh, no. That’s not how the Archons work. It won’t be obvious or direct. Th-they’ll get me when I’m least expecting it!”

His frown turned deadpan yet again. “And since you expect them to get you in Canterlot, they won’t go after you there?”

She blinked, her eyes at last centering on him fully. Seconds passed, even her shivering and fidgeting having come to a stop.

“That’s… not a bad point, actually.”

Gulfstream’s brows rose. He found himself at a loss for words; had he just helped Rainbow Dash? Had he meant to?

Rainbow sat up and tapped her chin, still studying him. “Yeah… That might work. If I go to Canterlot to talk to Celestia or Luna, there’s no way the Archons can hit me.”

He was still trying to figure out why they would want to.

“I’ll be too close to the princesses, it’ll look bad. Yeah… yeah!” The brightness in her eyes returned and a wary smile formed on her lips. “At the very least, I might be able to get answers. If I hurry, I can be out of here and at the castle gates before the Archons even know where I’m going!”

Gulfstream rubbed his leg as he studied her, not following her logic at all. “So, uh… You’re going to Canterlot, then?”

She reared onto her hind legs, sticking one forehoof high as she proclaimed, “To Canterlot!”

Silence lingered as Gulfstream stared. There was Rainbow, complete with a bruised face and chest and raised as if proclaiming some victory… in a colt’s bathroom. As if recognizing the ludicrous nature of the moment, Rainbow dropped down and rubbed the back of her head, cheeks going crimson. “Uh… yeah, maybe we should get out of here.”

They stepped out into the hall – after Gulfstream bothered to check to make sure nopony would see a grown mare leaving the colt’s bathroom. As they turned for the exit, Rainbow set a hoof to his shoulder. “Hey. Thanks for hearing me out, Gulfie. You were the only pony I could think of to talk to.”

He looked up at her with an uncertain frown. As much as he disliked the idea, “What about Lightning? She met Nightmare Moon too, you know?”

Rainbow flinched, her smile fading in a flash. “I… don’t think that’s a good idea. She probably—” Her eyes went wide as they went to the school doors. Her wings snapped open and she abruptly turned around. “Gotta go!” In a rainbow-colored blur, she disappeared deeper into the school.

He stared at where she’d just been, only a blink of the eyes hinting at his surprise. He turned his gaze forward.

A white pegasus approached him via a series of high bounces, her curly blond mane flopping with her motions. Her purple eyes fell upon him as she neared. “Hey there, Gulfstream! How ya doin?”

He gaped. “How do you know my name?”

“I don’t,” she replied smoothly, grinning. Her wings opened and gave a powerful flap that lengthened her last bounce, sending her sailing right over his head. Her tail fell over his muzzle as he turned to follow her movements.

“But you just said—”

Her merry voice interrupted. “Don’t be silly, Gulfstream. How could I know your name when we’ve never met before?”

She bounced off, singing a wordless but happy tune. Gulfstream stared after her, catching her cutie mark of purple balloons. He continued to gape long after she disappeared down the hall. Finally, he turned for the doors and left the school at a trot.

He’d had enough of mares and fillies for one day.

The instant he heard the front door open, Gulfstream abandoned his math homework and zoomed through the house. He came to a rough landing in the hall just when Lightning stepped past the threshold. “Welcome back!”

She grinned and spread her hooves wide. “What, no tackle this time?”

He obliged, jumping into her with a happy cry. She giggled and nuzzled his mane. “So, how many crazy parties did you have?”

“Only about a dozen.” He rubbed his cheek against her chest, delighting in the sound of her heartbeat. “And I replaced the windows. Twice.” He pulled back to look up at her. “So how did the demonstration go?”

Lightning’s eyes lit up like beacons in the night, dim only in comparison to her grin. “It was amazing. Couldn’t have gone better!”

He flew back and hoof-pumped. “I knew you’d be great! I bet Celestia was so impressed she wanted to praise to you personally.”

“That’s right.”

Whatever cheer had been on his lips, it died instantly. His legs fell limp at his sides and he almost lost control of his wings. He stared at her beaming face and realized that she was being serious. “Y-you mean she really did?”

Lightning whinnied – something he had never heard her do – and did a little dance. “Even better than that, I got to have dinner with a princess! She went on and on about how impressed she was!”

“Wow.” Gulfstream could conjure no other words. Since that seemed insufficient, he decided to try again. “Wow.”

Lightning pulled off her suitcase and hurried to open it. “It gets better.”

“Better?” He landed on his haunches. “How could it get better?”

Lightning paused, both forehooves in the suitcase, and gave him a cheeky grin. “Celestia didn’t just go to the Academy to review the Wonderbolts, she went to make an announcement.” She pulled out a flier and displayed it to him. “Early next year there’s going to be a big contest where ponies demonstrate all their skills. Guess what the grand prize is?”

He grabbed the flier and studied it. It had the Wonderbolts logo emblazoned across the top and a number of names and details he didn’t care for. His eyes skimmed it for the important part… and when they found it he gasped. “Immediate acceptance.”

“That’s right!” Lightning’s grin grew. “The winner will officially join the Wonderbolts! Skip the mandatory reserve years, bypass the tests, don’t worry about professional recommendations. Instant. Wonderbolt.”

A shuddering breath escaped Gulfstream. He stared up at Lightning with wonder. “L-Lightning... that’s awesome.”

She raised a hoof high. “Not nearly as awesome as this: most ponies have to apply and be accepted to join the tournament, but Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are each hoofpicking one pony to represent them in it. And…” Her grin broadened as she reached into the suitcase and pulled out a letter bordered in gold with Celestia’s cutie mark emblazoned on it. “Guess who Celestia picked?”

Gulfstream couldn’t breathe. His mouth bobbed open and closed like a fish, tiny squeaks barely making their way through his throat. Were he paying any attention, he’d have thought his entire body was shaking apart. When at last the air found its way into his lungs, he let out what was nothing short of a delighted scream.

This time when he tackled her, Lightning was knocked right through the open doorway.