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// Chapter 17: Time Flies when you fly 
// Story: The Long Life of Breeze Rider 
// by Tyler-the-Brony 
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	Phew. Another tough day on the course. All this intense flying was doing me good though. I’d never felt better in my life. I felt I could almost pull off a Sonic Rainboom myself. But that was the calling card of another pony, not me. A pony I hadn’t gotten to see in a very long time.

Thinking of Rainbow Dash made me reminiscent of my teacher days.

“Wonder how the girls are doing. What’s it been? 4 years or so? I really ought to ask Spitfire or Soarin for a few days off to go visit soon.” I thought aloud.

“All you had to do was ask.” I heard a familiar voice come from behind me.

“Too much to ask for some thinking room Spitfire?” I asked sarcastically.

“Thinking’s with the head, not the mouth Breeze. “ Spitfire retaliated.

“Fair point. So, since you heard me, you know what I’d like to ask. It is possible to have some time off?” I asked earnestly.

Spitfire smiled at me before saying.

“Of course Breeze Rider. You haven’t missed a single day in 4 years. Even Soarin takes one day or two off a month. We’ve got a leeway in shows for a while. You can have 2 weeks.” She told me.

I felt the shock and happiness on my own face, and also saw it mirrored on Spitfire.

“Thanks a lot Spitfire. Where should I meet up with you guys in 2 weeks?”

“Head to Cloudsdale. The best Young Fliers Competition is coming up soon. We’ve been asked to judge, so we’ll be staying there for a while. And then we gotta go prep for our show at the Grand Galloping Gala in Canterlot. So we’ll be nearby.” Spitfire explained.

“Cool. I’ll see you in a couple weeks then.” I replied, going to the showers to change and prep for my trip.

2 hours later, I was ready to go. I was still wearing my Wonderbolt suit. I HAD promised the girls a surprise when I came back. I also had a gift for each of them. For Fluttershy, a care book for the rarer creatures of nature. As far as I knew, the Everfree Forest she lived near did in fact house quite a lot of rare creatures she might not know how to help. For Rainbow, I had a signed Wonderbolt poster with every other Wonderbolts signature on it. I’d sign it for her personally there. And for Derpy, I’d brought her a special muffin from Baltimare. I’d also made sure to get some ingredients and the recipe so she could make some herself. 

I also had a large amount of bits in my saddlebags, in high hopes that I’d be able to convince Mayor Mare of something. I wanted a home in Ponyville. Sort of a vacation house. I could pay somepony to maintain it while I wasn’t there. It would be good to have a place to go whenever I took a break. Plus, with a house in Ponyville, it would be easier to rationalize more frequent visits. Hopefully Spitfire and Soarin would be okay with the occasional break, and maybe even want to come along on some. I’m sure Rainbow would love to get some tips from the Wonderbolts Leaders personally, if I could convince her and Soarin to come with me to visit. I should see if there’s some kind of special food there to convince Soarin, who would it turn convince Spitfire.

I’d worry about all that when I got there. It shouldn’t be too long of a flight. Las Pegasus to Ponyville was only a daunting distance to somepony who wasn’t one of the Wonderbolts. 

“Let’s see if I can make it there in less than a day.” I challenged myself.

As I took off, my first vision once again clouded my vision, for the first time in years. I’d kept my ability very well in check since I had left Cloudsdale. I’d told Spitfire and Soarin about it, and they’d promised to tell nopony else. I’d just used my ability to check on new tricks, routines, injuries and flight conditions for the most part these last 4 years. 
I worried for the first time in years. Maybe my vision was fast approaching. But I wouldn’t let it dampen my spirits. I was going to Ponyville to see my former students for the first time in 4 years. Nothing could be better.