High Fire

by CossackFox

First published

When a rivalry escalates between the Wonderbolts and Washouts how far will it go?

The rivalry between The Wonderbolts and The Washouts escalates and things get bad from worse. Rainbow Dash is worried about her friends, Lightning Dusts team grows with help from her family with a shady background, and a romance is created. But the rivalry will not only draw the line, but it will also cross it.

Introduction

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In the quiet grasslands, flowers bloom, with nice cool wind brushing upon them. Bees buzzed on the flowers, and quietly collect nectar. When suddenly, above the clouds, in the blue skies appeared trails of smoke. Three smoke trails belonging to three pegasi.

The Wonderbolts! The best and most amazing flying team in Equestria!

There were three right now. One with yellow fur and an orange mane, the leader Spitfire, another light blue fur and an navy blue mane, Soarin, and Fleetfoot with an aquamarine coat and a white mane. All in blue and yellow uniforms with goggles on their eyes.

They were flying in a group formation, Spitfire smiled to her team "Nice day to practice, green grass, cool air. Great!"

Fleetfoot nodded "It really is nice, ma'am"

Soarin rubbed his head "Captain, ma'am? It's nice and all but where is?...."

Suddenly a unique cyan pegasus, with a rainbow mans and tail, appeared right next to Soarin, but she left behind a Rainbow Trail "Welp....here I am!"

Soarin almost panicked but was able to stay in formation "Oh! Hey Crash! Don't scare me like that! Almost gave me a heart attack!"

Rainbow Dash chuckled "Sorry Soarin, hope I didn't miss a lot"

Spitfire shook her head and looked down at a pond "Alright team! Down near the pond!"

They did as instructed and dove down near the pond, they flew close to the water and left behind a stream of water as they flew. Rainbow was really enjoying her time "WOOOOHOOOO!!!!!! THIS. IS. AWESOME!!!!!!!"

They flew back up into the air and the water stream died down. They approached some clouds with buildings on it, it was The Wonderbolt Base!

They slowed down, and equally landed on the ground. They pulled up their goggles and sighed in relaxation. Spitfire smiled "Aaaah! I looove the feeling of frozen water in the clouds!"

Soarin laughed and rolled his eyes "We all do Captain."

The light-blue pegasus turned his head to look at Rainbow Dash and smiled "Great day of flying, eh Crash?"

Rainbow shook her body and smiled "Yep! Day was just great!"

Spitfire spoke to the three Wonderbolts "Alright Bolts, we'll be taking the weekend off tomorrow"

Rainbow and Soarin moaned "Aaaaaaahhhhh, but Spitfire"

Spitfire raised her eyebrow "Ahem"

The two stood attention "Sorry ma'am"

Spitfire walked back and forth "I will be visiting my mom tomorrow, and I won't be back until Monday. So until then, have fun, ooooor you can practice. Whatever you choose. See you on Monday bolts!"

Spitfire walked away and then Fleetfoot followed. Soon the other Wonderbolts that practiced before they did, started to head to the lockers. Soarin and Rainbow Dash soon followed.

Rainbows ears perked as she heard two voices talk silently
"Big Bro, take it, take it, take it!"
"We're stealing A PIE sis?"
"Yeah, we need this Pie for the get together"
A slam was heard and the sound of flapping too, soon it faded away.

Later in the lockers, the Bolts were getting undressed. Misty Fly closed her locker and stared back at Rainbow Dash and Soarin. The two were talking to each other, Rainbow Dash put her jacket on "Can't wait to go to Twilights castle! We're gonna have a sleepover!"

Soarin took his Wonderbolt uniform off and placed his goggles down "Glad you're having fun. I'm just going back home and watching the TV. As usual"

Rainbow paused for a minute before closing her locker door, she was thinking, about how Soarin is usually by himself. She saw Soarin turning his lock, she stood up straight and turned to Soarin "You know...maybe you could come over with us"

Soarin mumbled for a moment "Uh...uh...uh...ummmmmm"

Misty Fly smirked "Ooooooo, a mares inviting you. Lucky guy!"

She laughed while she walked out "Soarin and Rainbow sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!"

Soarin groaned while blushing "Ugh! This again!"

Rainbow rolled her eyes, though she didn't like to admit it but...

Soarin soon unlocked his locker "Lets get to your friends before anything else happens"

He opened up the door "What the!? My pie and my chocolate cake! It's gone!"

Rainbow gave a look of confusion "Wait what? A pie and a cake?"

Soarin panicked and looked around "Oh my gosh! Somebody stole it! How did my locker get unlocked! Who got.."

Rainbow grabbed his jacket and grabbed his face "Hey!....Relax!"

Soarin calmed down, took deep breathes and did as Rainbow asked. The cyan pegasus spoke again "Pinkie Pie can make you a better Pie and cake"

Soarin nodded and smiled "Yeah! You're right"

The stallion got his jacket, closed his locker, and looked at Dash "Wanna race to Sugarcube Corner?"

Rainbow gave a determined smile "You. Are. On!"

They both ran to the door. They saw the bright blue sky and the white fluffy clouds. However, before they took off however, Soarin saw something rather unsettling. He saw a pale-green colored pegasus looking at the two with a trench coat and a fedora hat, glaring at them. He stood right still, no movement.

Rainbow called to Soarin "Hey! I'm beating you!"

Soarin frightfully said "I...I...I'm coming for you!"

He rushed for his comrade and caught up to her.

The pale green pegasus gave a clicking sound with his teeth "Yo sis, they gone!"

A aquamarine pegasus with a yellow mane and tail appeared, she gave a sinister smile, and soon a tall but shadowy figure appeared behind her holding Soarin's pie "Well, boys. I think it's time we ruin the Bolts little 'party'. Time to get the Washouts and the rest. We're gonna have a family meeting"

The three laughed, Lightning Dust smiled "Soon, the Washouts will be THE TOP FLYING TEAM IN EQUESTRIA!!!!!"

The pegasus pulled out the chocolate cake Soarin had and started eating it. The pale-green pegasus looked at his sister "That's why you wanted to take the cake too? Just so you could eat it?"

Lightning Dust glared at her brother "I didn't have breakfast okay? We had to plan ya know?"

She took another bite and smiled again. The shadowy figure behind her gave a deep and frightening laugh.

Chapter 1

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Out in Ponyville, it was sunset for Celestias warm and beautiful sun. Rainbow Dash and Soarin were walking to the Castle of Friendship, along with Pinkie Pie. Pinkie Pie bounced up and down and looked at Soarin "Sooooooooo, Rainbow invited you over?"

Soarin nodded keeping his pie and cake on his back "I can't believe I'm being allowed inside The Castle of Friendship! Though, I really hope I don't feel intrusive on you guys, especially since I'm the only stallion here"

Rainbow laughed "Ha! You're not going to be the only one"

Soarin looked confused "Really?"

Rainbow chuckled "Twilights got Spike and has Flash Sentry for a castle guard!"

Soarin looked even more confused "A guard for a powerful princess? When did that happen?

Pinkie gasped "You don't know!?"

Rainbow sighed "He doesn't Pinkie"

Pinkie smiled slowly "Weeeeeeeellllllllll, basicallyafterthewholesituationwithTartarusandCozyGlowShiningArmorandPrincessCadancegrewconcernedwithTwilightandworriedaboutustoo! Soooooooooo, thetwosentFlashSentryovertoTwilightsCastleandtheysaidthathewillbewatchingoverherandescorthertoandscouttheSchoolofFriendship!"

Pinkie gasped and smiled again. Rainbow looked at the confused Soarin "Ya got that?"

Soarin simply said "Nope"

Rainbow gave a head shake "Neither did I when she told me and Twilights other friends"

They arrived at the castle, Flash Sentry, in a purple and pink armor, was standing guard at the door. He realized Twilights friends as well as Soarin, and opened the door for them. They walked in and Flash followed, shutting the door behind the four.

Twilight, Applejack, Fluttershy, Spike, and Rarity saw the four. Twilight smiled "Pinkie! Rainbow! You're finally here!" she smirked at Flash a bit "Also nice to meet you again Flash"

Flash blushed while he began standing to guard the door. Applejack was confused at the sight of Soarin "Uhhhhhh? What's Soarin doing here?"

Rainbow saw the disapproving looks of her friends and flew in the air "Relax girls, and guys. I invited him"

Rarity shook her head "Darling, you should of told us. This is just completely out of the blue"

Fluttershy spoke in her soft voice "Its um, kinda strange when someone you don't know comes in"

Rarity smiled "But he can stay with us"

Rainbow smiled "Thanks girls"

Soarin nodded "Yeah, thanks. Appreciate it very much"

Soarin took a seat "Well what did you girls and guys do today?"

The Mane Six, aside from Rainbow Dash, spoke all at once "Taught at the School of Friendship"

Spike simply blurted "Same"

Flash spoke last "Watched over the Princess and the school"

His helmet fell off his head and he quickly picked it up and laughed "Um...just ignore that"

Rainbow explained her absence "I had practice today, so Applejack had to double teach. Sorry AJ"

Applejack gave a look of unimpressed look "No problem" she said sarcastically.

Soarin placed the pie and cake down "Well, here you all go. I was going to save this in my fridge, but you guys seem to like"

Twilight smiled "Thanks Soarin. Much appreciated"

Flash licked his lips "Chocolate cake! My favorite!"

Spike patted Flash on the back "Whoah! Whoah! Easy!"

Applejack smelt the pie "Mmmmmmmm, Apple! Mah favorite!"

Soarin rubbed his head "I originally had a pie and a cake, but someone stole it"

Applejack rubbed her head after taking her hat off "Who would be so ridiculous to steal a pie and a cake? It's not like they needed it"

Pinkie smiled "I made him fresh and even better ones! Hehe"

Soarin smiled "Yeah, one pie that I didn't need to fight for!"

Everyone laughed and chuckled, as the sky was now Nighttime.


Meanwhile in Manehattan....
The loud city with bright lights was still awake, carriages and cars zooming in the city, ponies walking on the sidewalks of the city. In one lonely area, was a Bar. With blue and lightened up words: FOAMCUPS

Inside this bar was wooden tables, video games, and a bar. The only one in the bar so far, was an elderly pony. This pony was Wind Rider. A retired Wonderbolt stripped of his identity, he had a mug of beer and was jugging it down. He sighed and spoke to the bartender "Another round Mr. Foamcups!"

The bartender and owner of the bar Foamcups approached and took the mug away from him, ready to refill it "Man buddy, you are quite the drinker"

Wind Rider smirked "I learned from the best"

The Wonderbolts were also known to be quite the drinkers, when they're off duty of course, and Wind Rider was known as one of the best drinkers of the Wonderbolts.

Foamcups spoke back while refilling his mug "So how've you been doing buddy? Any fights or lash-outs with other ponies?"

Wind Rider kept smirking "Yeah, a few, but guess what? I took them down, no problem"

Meanwhile, outside the bar, three cars drove up and parked next to the bar. Each of the cars had glowing green lights underneath them. Cars are VERY expensive for ponies, which is why they are not commonly seen. Only in cities. Three ponies walked out of them.

Back in the bar, Wind Rider was bragging "This guy called me out on that little incident with the Wonderbolts, so when he tried to punch me, I grabbed him smacked his face into a wall and broke his nose!"

The two laughed together, Foamcups continued smirking "Call me if you want another round"

Wind Rider nodded and started drinking his beer. The door softly opened up, so soft that he couldn't hear it. He heard hoofsteps, two sounded normal, but one sounded like something massive stomping the floor. Wind Rider looked behind him and saw a tall and towering stallion with nearly his entire body covered, except his tail and eyes.
The same pale-green with his fedora that appeared at the Wonderbolts Base along with Lightning Dust appeared, the pale green pegasus sat down next to Wind Rider and tapped his hoof on the bar table "Hey bartender!"

Mr. Foamcups walked back to Wind Rider and stared in shock at the three new arrivals "What the!? When did you three get here!?"

The pegasus smirked "Just now, buddy"

Lightning Dust gave a sly look "Two beers please!"

Mr. Foamcups looked at the towering stallion resting on a wall and shivered, the near sight of him was uncomfortable, the pale-green stallion spoke "Oh! None for him. He's driving"

Mr. Foamcups quickly filled two mugs of beer up and placed them to Lightning Dust and her "friend"

Wind Rider gave a look of annoyance at Lightning Dust "Well, if it ain't the rookie that got kicked out of the academy! Ha!"

Lightning Dust growled in anger, then the tall stallion was right behind Wind Rider, he bent his head down and growled "Ya got something to say old boy?"

The fedora pegasus glared "Three against one, disgraceful Wonderbolt!"

Wind Rider sipped his beer "Touché. Well what do you three young ones want? I don't have all day"

The fedora pegasus grinned "Listen her old timer, we got an offer you're not gonna want to refuse"

Wind Rider sat back in his chair "Alright, enlighten me"

Lightning Dust rested back in her chair with her beer mug and crossed her hind legs "I made a team called The Washouts, recruits that got kicked out for being reckless, like me"

The aquamarine pegasus began drinking her beer. Wind Rider looked around him "Anything else"

Lightning Dust smirked "These two are my brothers, they're new recruits for my team. I first had Rolling Thunder and Short Fuse. But after that" She spat out some of her beer "STUPID RAINBOW DASH CAME IN AND LEFT THAT STUPID FILLY IN MY HOOVES!"

Wind Rider became terrified of her, the tall brother of the pegasus enjoyed seeing his sister scare others. Lightning Dust calmed down and continued "I've been lacking fans lately. So we're gonna have a family meeting!"

The pale-green brother grinned "We heard that you got your Wonderbolt rank taken away from that Rainbow gal too. So we're letting you in. We want YOU to be a model for our group. Help us train better"

Wind Rider chuckled a bit "Getting back on that pegasus huh? I'm in"

Lightning Dust sat back and smirked "Sweet! Meet my two brothers. fedora lover on your side is Steel Deal and the big guy is Timber Hammer, we call him Big Timmy"

Timber snorted and tapped his hoof on the ground "I make Short Fuse cry around me" he laughed as if he enjoyed it.

Lightning Dust took another sip of her beer again sighed "You know me, everypony knows me"

Wind Rider laughed "Well, I don't work for free you know, in fact, I made plenty at the fish market today"

He dropped a small bag of bit on the table. The three pegasi laughed at the money. Timber laughed "That's your pay!?" He continued laughing.

Steel Deal put a steel briefcase on the table and spoke "Our dad is one of the richest businessmen in Manehattan old timer, owns one of the biggest buildings" he clicked open the locks "Soooooo......how would you like to work for a Team that does his shows and make, some real money?"

The briefcase reveals huge bags of bits, the gold literally shined at Wind Riders eyes "You're gonna love me young ones"

Steel Deal and Lightning Dust finished their beer and sighed happily "Well then, let's go do business then"

Mr. Foamcups was about to speak but then, Timber placed a gold block right on the table, Wind, Lightning, and Steel stood up and walked out, Wind Rider holding the briefcase. Timber followed shortly after.

Timber pulled out keys and turned on his car. Wind Rider stared at the three black, bright green, and glowing cars "Wow! You're able to own vehicles!?"

Timber smirked underneath his bandanna "We're rich old timer, and rich equals cars!"

The car doors opened upwards, Lightning smiled while pointing her hooves at the car "Legends first Mr. Rider"

Wind Rider went into the first car and sat down, Lightning went in next and Timber went in the drivers seat. Lightning smirked at her brother "Crank up the speed big bro. Full blast"

Timber chuckled after the doors closed and pressed on the gas pedal. The speeding car let out green and glowing smoke as it took off, with the other two cars following as well. Steel Deal laughed in the passenger seat of the second car.

Chapter 2

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Chapter 2

Rainbow Dash and Soarin were were walking in Ponyville after sleeping with Twilight and her friends. It has been almost two hours since the two Wonderbolts went out to the village, and they seemed to just enjoy the view. Rainbow smirked at Soarin "Well, I hadn't seen any of the Wonderbolts around here. I can't even see them in the sky"

Soarin looked at the sky too, unaware that Steel Deal was watching them, his black goggles covered his eyes. Soarin, unknowing to his surroundings, spoke to Rainbow Dash "Yeah, usually they would be out and about practicing. It just doesn't seem like them today"

Rainbow nodded "You know, maybe we should go and see Spitfire and her mom today"

Rolling Thunder and Short Fuse are waiting for the duo to come around, Soarin still talked with his comrade "I don't think we should, she's busy and it's her family time, I wouldn't get in the middle of your family time"

Short Fuse snarled as Rolling Thunder waited "Okay Short Fuse. Let's get ready to pounce"

Short Fuse grinned and stared hard at the two Wonderbolts. Soarin looked down at Rainbow "You know Crash, maybe we should check on the other Bolts and see how they're doing?"

Rainbow smiled "Yeah, I can agree on that. We'd have quite an awesome day hanging out with them"

Suddenly Short Fuse and Rolling Thunder blocked their path, but the two were still unaware. Rainbow Dash rubbed cheeks "Um, Soarin? There's something I want to tell you...."

Short Fuse yelled out "HEY!!!!! YOU TWO!!!!!!!"

The two finally looked in front of them, Rolling Stone and Short Fuse were menacingly looking at them, Rolling was chuckling a bit and Short Fuse growled. The two were shocked at first and jumped up in the air. But then the two Washouts smiled and fell to the ground laughing. Rainbow had a confused face "Ummmmm, what?"

Rolling pointed her hoof at the duo "You should've seen your faces! They were priceless!"

Short Fuse laughed and snorted "Losers!"

They both laughed for a little bit but then stood back up. They both smiled at the two Wonderbolts. Rolling spoke first "Anyways, how are you two?"

Soarin had a confused face "We're....okay. How are you?"

Rolling turned away "We're find, just wanted to check on Lightnings long time 'pal' Rainbow"

Soarin looked back and forth in even more confusion "What? Wait, them and you and, you know them?"

Rainbow sighed "Yeah, but I don't think we're on good conditions anymore, especially with Lightning Dust"

Soarin walked alongside Rainbow "Oh! You mean that pegasus that got kicked out at the academy"

Rainbow Dash gritted her teeth "Soarin!"

Short Fuse flew up to Soarin "WE DON'T SPEAK ABOUT THAT, EVER!!!!!"

Soarin gave a look of fright, he was scared of the little guy "Okay, okay"

Rainbow decided to talk with the two Washouts, hoping that they were more friendlier than Lightning Dust "So, how is she"

Rolling Thunder scoffed and rolled her eyes "Yeah, Lightning, she's still pretty mad at you, kinda ruined our reputation a bit"

Rainbow facehoofed herself "When is she gonna face the facts!? Scootaloo nearly got killed on that rocket!"

Short Fuse growled "WELL ITS A GOOD THING THAT WE HAVE ONLY A COUPLE OF FANS LEFT YOU DIRTY LITTLE...."

Rolling grabbed Short Fuse and covered his mouth, hoping to block out any words that fillies weren't allowed to hear "Heh, heh, heh, yeah. But we're getting our popularity back, it's only been a couple of weeks since then and they moved on"

Soarin sighed "Well, if you're doing death-defying tricks, just try not to get too cocky"

Rolling laughed "Don't worry wild hair, we've been through a lot of tight spaces and got out alive!"

Soarin had a face of shock and thought to himself Wow no wonder they got kicked out of the academy.

Rolling let go of Short Fuse and walked away from the two "Anyway, we better get going, we certainly have a lot of practice to do for our next stunt show, you know us"

Rainbow laughed nervously "Ha, ha, uhhhhh.....yep. Lightning Dust got you on a tight schedule, gotta be smart with the stunts" she laughed nervously.

Rolling Thunder gave a simple nod "Welp, nice talking to ya Bolts" and with that, she flew off into the sky.

Soarin gave a short cough "Well, they seem nice enough"

Rainbow looked at the two "Yeah, but I really don't think I'm fooled. Lightning is probably up to something"

Steel Deal quietly approached near a building close to Rainbow and Soarin, overhearing every single word from the two Wonderbolts. Soarin didn't notice "Come on Crash, you shouldn't worry about her, if she wanted to hurt you she would've done it last year. But she didn't so it just a silent rivalry I guess"

Rainbow Dash nodded but she couldn't help but remember what Lightning said as he leg was tied up accidentally to the Rocket
Rivals for life!!!!!!!

Rainbow rubbed her hoof, she felt a bit of sweat drip from her head, and then she saw him. She saw Steel Deal, looking at her with his black goggles, his trench coat, and his fedora hat shadowing his face. The near sight of him was uncomfortable "Hey, um Soarin, maybe we should see Spitfire and the team?"

Soarin nodded "Yeah, I think we should....it's a long journey to Spitfires mom. So whaddaya say Crash? Race?...."

Pretty soon he saw that she wasn't with him anymore and she was in the air, leaving a Rainbow trail in the air, Soarin laughed "Ha! Got ya!"

Soarin jumped up in the air and zoomed to catch up with his comrade.

Meanwhile, Rolling and Short Fuse hid behind the clouds "Wow, Rainbow sure ain't naive, is she?"

Short Fuse chuckled "They got no idea what they are in for!"

Steel Deal flew up to them and took his goggles off "Well, I guess we found our Wonderbolts. I guess we should talk to my little sis about this"

Rolling laughed "Sure! And man, is her boyfriend as oblivious as get all"

Steel Deal looked confused "Wait? Boyfriend? Soarin? I don't think Rainbow is dating anypony"

Rolling chuckled "She may not now, but I know a crush when I see one"

The three laughed and chuckled at each other in the clouds.


After one hour, the two Wonderbolts finally arrived at Spitfires moms house. It was nice and comfy at her home. Stormy Flare smiled warmly at Soarin and Rainbow "It was very nice of you to join us, isn't it Spitfire?"

Spitfire flew beside her mom "Yes mom" she looked at her two partners "I'm surprised you decided to visit us. Didn't you have anything to do?"

Rainbow laughed "Not really, all my other friends had their jobs to do. AJ is helping the farm, Pinkie had to prepares someponies party, Rarity was chatting with Sassy Saddles about business, Fluttershy is helping Dr. Fauna, and Twilight is under protection of Flash"

Spitfire chuckled "Princess got herself a body guard? Nice!" she took a sip of her iced tea.

Stormy Flare continued the conversation between the group "So what have you two been doing?"

Rainbow picked up her iced tea and drank it "We were wandering around Ponyville, and then we had a run in with a few of The Washouts"

Spitfire groaned "Ugh. Those guys are still at it? They got kicked out for a reason, They. Are. Trouble"

Soarin nodded as Rainbow continued "At least Lightning Dust is as far away from Scootaloo as she is. They've lost a lot of fans"

Stormy Flare looked surprised "Wait? Washouts? That team that Mr. King Wing Jr. made?"

Rainbow looked confused "Wait? The Washouts were made by who?"

Soarin put down his drink "Mr. King Wing Jr. He's one of the richest business colts in Manehattan. He's second in line of a dynasty of Rich ponies"

Rainbow facehoofed herself "If only he knew what the Washouts are like. And he funded for their creation?"

Spitfire drank from her cup even more "Business ponies do a lot of things to earn more money. And that guy is certainly living it up in his tower"

Stormy Flare looked around her house "I am certainly glad that I'm not too rich, once somepony gets a lot of money, they will never stop asking for more"

Spitfire decided to change the subject "Welp, mom's gonna be watching us practice tomorrow. So, we're gonna have a big day"

Rainbow lied on the couch and said "I'll be late, I have one more class to teach before summer break"

Soarin blushed a bit and was tapping his hooves together "Ummmmmmm, Crash?"

Rainbow looked at the now nervous Soarin "Yeah?"

Soarin stuttered while speak "C-c-can I, h-h-help e-e-escort y-y-you?"

Rainbow irked an eyebrow "Um, okay"

Soarin chuckled "Thanks Crash. Wait! Can I Captain?"

Spitfire shrugged and smiled "You got time before practice"

Soarin silently said "Yes! Score!"

Spitfire and Stormy Flare looked at each other and laughed. Rainbow was certainly confused about the two laughing Why are they laughing? Whats so funny?

She would eventually get what they meant. But she would have quite a day tomorrow, and definitely NOT in a good way.

Chapter 3

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The speeding Wonderbolts soared across the sky, each in a group of three. They circle and leave a trail of smoke behind. Stormy Flare watched in excitement as the six Wonderbolts separated and spread out "Nice work Spitfire!"

Scootaloo was at the training session as well, with Spitfires permission of course and she was, just being Scootaloo "Rainbow Dash! Woohoo!"

Rainbow Dash, Soarin, and Spitfire soared through the clouds in the sky. Soarin chuckled at Rainbow "Feel that breeze Crash!?"

Rainbow laughed "Sure do Soarin!"

Spitfire yelled to the both of them "Stay in formation!"

The three would meet with Misty Fly, Fleetfoot, and Surprise.

Right when the trio are circling together, a dark figure speedily approached, it hid in the clouds. Soarin spotted the dark shadow in the clouds "Hey guys! I see something!"

Spitfire looked around her "What!? Where!? What is it!?"

She looked around her and saw a shadow fly in the clouds "What the!?"

Suddenly, the figures popped out of the clouds and speedily flew above, below, and underneath them. It was like a group of sharks circling a fish. Rainbow looked around her and was frightened a bit "What the heck is going on here!?"

It took a few minutes but the group of shadows flew away and gave space to the trio. Spitfire looked around "Alright! Bolts! To the base!"

Soarin and Rainbow spoke in perfect sync "You got it!"

All the bolts got together and landed right on the landing platform. They all looked scared and looked around the clouds to find the shadowy figures. Scootaloo saw Rainbow Dash was scared as well "Rainbow Dash! What's wrong!? What's going on!?"

Rainbow looked all around her, panicking "Just...stay where you are Scootaloo!"

Stormy Flare hopped out of her seat, she was the most concerned about her daughter "Spitfire! Spitfire!"

As soon as she got out of he seat and headed towards her daughter, the shadows finally appeared and landed right in front of the Wonderbolts. There they were, in their green and black suits and helmets, The Washouts.

The three took off their helmets, Rolling Thunder smirked, Short Fuse growled, and then there was Lighting Dust. Lightning whipped her mane back and forth and gave a hard and glare and bared her teeth towards the Wonderbolts "Well, well, well, Rainbow Dash!"

Rainbow hopped to her hooves and glared back "Lightning Dust!"

Rainbow and Lightning approached each other and glared hard, Rainbow spoke first "You stay away from us! You are trouble! You almost got Scootaloo killed!"

Lightning Dust made a sarcastic laugh "I'm not here for the shrimp! I'm here to deal with you Wingpony! The mare that ruined my life!"

Short Fuse bursted at Rainbow as well "Yeah!"

Spitfire approached The Washouts "Well, well, well, lookie here. My expelled recruits! How was it endangering a filly and doing tricks that would get you in a hospital?"

Short Fuse hopped in the air "THAT'S IT!!!!! LET ME AT HER!!!!!!!!!"

Rolling Thunder quickly grabbed Short Fuse and spoke in his ear "No! No! No! You will have your chance buddy, you'll have your chance"

Short Fuse stopped struggling and settled down.

Stormy Flare looked frightened as the Washouts approached her and the Bolts, Lightning Dust gave an even harder glare at her rival "Well, you really done it this time you two! While you were practicing with your stupid, formation-only, team, I got myself some new recruits! Now, we got twice as many Washouts!"

Lightning shouted at the sky "You can come out now Wind Rider!"

As soon as she said that, Wind Rider appeared, he was now sporting a black and green fancy suit, had shades, and had a badge with a green skull with wings "Hello, Bolts"

Stormy Flare scoffed and growled at the stallion that nearly made her daughter get lost "It's YOU!"

Wind Rider approached Lightning Dust "Yes dear, it's me. I have very much joined The Washouts. We share much in common, and we are a TRUE family! I get to help fund for them, and King Wing Jr. pays me in such a fine amount"

He approached Spitfire and smirked while holding up a bag full of shining, bright, and gold bits in front of her snarling face "All this money....FOR ME!!!!!!" he said as he swiped the money back away from her face.

Rolling Thunder laughed "Soarin is quite the naive one, he actually thought that Lightning would get over her rage?" she continued laughing loudly "Oh! That's priceless!"

Soarin bowed his head down in shame. He can't believe he was wrong about The Washouts and Rainbow Dash. Lightning Dust smirked "That's not all I got" she turned to look at the sky "Family meeting!"

Then suddenly without warning, more speeding shadows came about in the clouds. And soon, 7 different pegasi landed alongside Lightning Dust and her comrades. These pegasi were Washouts as well, but their suits were different. The fire-proof vests were the same, but their head covering was a little different. They wore similar helmets to the washouts but instead of glass covering, they had round goggles that blared a sickly green color. Each pegasus took off their helmets, the ominous goggles still glowing.

Steel Deal revealed himself first, then the other six pegasi consisting of both stallions and mares did the same and smiled. Steel Deal gave a grin "Well, well, well, got ourselves college stallions and mares"

The other pegasi laughed at the joke. Lightning Dust was approached by Wind Rider and they both smirked at the aquamarine pegasus spoke "These are my brothers, sisters, and cousins. Steel Deal, The Spring Brothers, Sky Dive, Sleet Dancer, and Dipstick!"

The now enlarged Washouts laughed at the Wonderbolts. Spitfire glared hard and shouted "You will not insult us!!!! We are more trained and safe than you!!!!!"

Misty Fly shouted next "Yeah!!!! Crash told us all about you!!!! Endangering a filly and doing things that could get others killed!!!! There's a reason why Spitfire expelled you Lightning Dust!!!!!"

Suddenly a huge shadow zoomed across the clouds, the flapping of its wings could be heard very well. Then suddenly, the figure crashed down right behind The Washouts, he was certainly the biggest of all the group. As he walked to Lightning Dust, the stomps of this giant stallion were heard by everypony. It was Timber Hammer, he took of his helmet and his goggles, and glared at the Washouts.

Timber Hammer had chocolate-colored fur, a brown mane and tail, and he had very ominous yellow eyes. His most obvious and frightening trait was that he was enormous! He seemed to be a few feet higher than Rockhoof, and could possibly give Big Mac as well as Rockhoof himself, some serious competition.

Rainbow saw that Short Fuse was scared of this guy, his teeth were clattering and his eyes were widened as he muttered. Spitfire looked very frightened at Timber Hammer, she dealt with Bulk Biceps before, but nopony this big. Rainbow stepped backwards and spoke only one word "Mommy..."

Lightning Dust grinned "Say, Windpony? Why don't you tell my big brother, Timber Hammer, what Spitfire did?"

Steel Deal spoke second "Yeah! Something about ripping her badge clean off of her suit?"

Timber Hammer growled "So.....You're the wise gal who got my little sister kicked out of the Academy huh?"

Rainbow Dash muttered in absolute terror "N-n-n-no I didn't"

Timber Hammer smashed his hoof on the ground "Liar. I can smell a liar a mile away"

Wind Rider smirked "So here's the deal fillies and gentlecolts, mess with Dusty and her team, and our buddies here get to crush you"

The Wonderbolts backed up, all of them were terrified at the updated rival team, but especially Timber Hammer. Scootaloo came off of the grass and into the Wonderbolts side "Leave them alone!"

There was complete silence, but the silence was soon broken by Timber Hammer. He stepped forward to the small filly, Scootaloo's eyes widened as the behemoth looked down on the tiny pegasus "You got something to say little lady?"

Scootaloo whimpered "N-n-n-no"

Timber Hammer growled "That's what I thought!" he stomped his way back to his comrades.

Steel Deal laughed "Hope you got some repellent, because we're gonna pester you around!"

The Washouts laughed, while Timber Hammer just gave a smirk. Lightning Dust grinned, giving a rather uncomfortable look "Hope to run into each other again Wingpony!"

Lightning Dust, Rolling Thunder, and Short Fuse flew up into the air, laughing at their successful invasion. Lightnings relatives followed as well, Timber was the last one to leave, glaring hard at his two main enemies, Rainbow Dash and Spitfire. He flapped and flew in the air, his ominous flapping was heard. Rainbow Dash stared at the sky and gulped in fear.


"Lightning Dust got her WHOLE FAMILY in on your rivalry!?" shouted Applejack in SugarCube Corner, with all the rest of her friends, as well as Soarin and Flash.

Rainbow nodded "Remember that time Lightning Dust got sent off with a rocket? Yeah, I really made her peeved"

Twilight shook her head "Rainbow, this is not good! The last thing we need is a rivalry. It's bad enough that The Washouts didn't like the Wonderbolts"

Fluttershy shivered "That big meanie you told us about sounds scary"

Rarity looked flabbergasted "And Wind Rider is on this too? How despicable! You would think that he had learned his lesson at that party"

Rainbow jumped into the air "I know right!? Just when me and Rarity thought he couldn't bring himself to a bigger low"

Flash joined in the conversation "I don't like this rivalry. That Timber Hammer fellow especially sounds dangerous. I had a friend who dealt with a stallion like that. Guy broke some of my friends teeth, broke his ribs, and I think he may have been grounded to the ground for life"

Soarin drank his Raspberry milkshake "Spitfires not too happy, she wants to have a word with me and Crash tomorrow. Wanting to know why this ridiculous rivalry is going on"

Pinkie jumped behind Soarin "Maybe you could give them a great big hug or a nice pie!"

Rainbow facehoofed herself "Timber may be giving me a hug of DEATH Pinkie!!!! And he didn't look happy when he saw the Bolts"

Twilight was drinking her chocolate milkshake "I certainly hope this doesn't escalate. I'd hate it if authorities have to get involved. This rivalry is already looking bad enough"

Soarins hind legs were bouncing under the table out of fear "Crash is staying with me tonight, it doesn't really seem like it's safe. I really hope she doesn't get hurt, she's one of the best members of the Bolts" he then looked into Rainbows cerise eyes "But more importantly, she's a really awesome teammate"

Rainbow blushed a bit, she looked into Soarins green eyes "Thanks. I-I-I really appreciate it"

She sat back down in her chair, rubbing off the blush. She went back to her milkshake and focused on that. But what was it about Soarin? Was it his speed? Was it determination? Is it...him? She didn't know, but it was something, she just didn't know yet.

Chapter 4

View Online

Soarin and Rainbow we’re flying in the sky. The sun was setting in the east and the sky was now a beautiful purple and orange.

Rainbow looked at her fellow comrade “So where’s your house?”

Soarin pointed at a small cloud house, near the city of Cloudsdale. The home of many of Equestrias many pegasi.

As the duo reached the cloud home, they landed softly on the clouds and approached the door. Soarin quickly approached and opened up the door for his fellow Wonderbolt "You first madam" he bowed his head.

Rainbow Dash played along "Why thank you good sir". Rainbow entered the house and Soarin followed behind, making sure to shut the door behind him.

Rainbow saw the house, there wasn't really much in it. Just a couch, with a TV, and a kitchen, and quite a few Wonderbolts posters and photographs. Soarin walked up to Rainbow "Well, here it is Crash, the house. It's not much but it's a nice place to stay in"

Rainbow looked around her and flew towards pictures of Soarin and the rest of the Wonderbolts "Wow! You got a lot of nice memories here!"

Rainbow paused and saw one picture with The Wonderbolts, and Wind Rider. Spitfire was right next to Wind Rider in the photo Wow, this has got to be awkward after that party.

Soarin flew around the room "Yeah, I like to keep this clean, for guests"

The pegasus picked up a picture of him with his friends "Of course...no one really comes to see me" he sighed as he placed the picture down on a table.

Rainbow was awfully confused, no one comes to see Soarin? "Wait! Ponies don't come to visit you? You're a Wonderbolt! You gotta have some visitors once in a while"

Soarin flew to his couch with a Wonderbolts blanket on it "Yeah, sometimes I do get visited by Spitfire or Surprise. But other than that, no one else"

Rainbow made a confused face at her comrade "Wait! Surprise?"

She suddenly heard a tap on the window, the window was covered in curtains and suddenly the cyan pegasus pulled the curtains opened and was surprised at who she saw "What the heck?"

It was Surprise, one of the memebers of the Wonderbolts. She was a white pegasus, with purple eyes, and a yellow mane, oddly looking like a certain pink party pony. The pegasus was also holding a lemon meringue pie "Oh! Um, Crash? What are you doing here?"

Rainbow paused in disbelief and simply stared right at the white pegasus. Soarin softly pushed Rainbow aside and gave a nervous smile to Surprise "She's just here for the night, just until the fire dies down. Waiting until the Washouts go away"

Surprise made a frown at the mention of the name "Yeah, those guys are the absolute worst. To think a rogue recruit would come up with such a dangerous team!"

Soarin took the lemon meringue pie from the white pegasus "Lightning Dust was really reckless with her skills at the academy. Crash remembers that all too well. Almost killed her friends!" his serious mood went away when he smelled the pie "Is the pie from you?"

Surprise nodded and grinned "Baked it myself! Have a nice day!" she looked at Rainbow Dash "Be safe Crash!"

Rainbow then noticed something about Surprise that she should've noticed earlier "Um? Surprise? Why is your mane like Pinkies? And why does your cutie mark look similar but purple?...and how are you good at baking?"

Surprise gave a shocked look and slowly looked at her mane and at her cutie mark and slowly looked back at the rainbow-maned pegasus. Surprise kept blankly staring at Rainbow, she flapped her wings and flew right through the clouds.

Rainbow closed the window and looked at Soarin, she opened her mouth but Soarin spoke first "I'm weirded out by Surprise a lot as well, she's certainly the oddest of the Bolts"

Soarin offered the pie to her guest "Want a slice? It's lemon meringue!"

Rainbow chuckled nervously and blushed a bit "No thanks, I'm not really a fan of pies"

Soarin looked at his pie and set it on the table "Well, suit yourself then"

Rainbow flew back to the couch and layed on her back and rested it "So no one but those two visit you?"

Soarin was chewing on his pie when his house guest spoke, he wiped his face and silently spoke "Yeah, aside from those two, no one. Not my parents, my siblings, or anyone. I'm usually just here by myself"

Rainbow sat up, she was in total disbelief at what she heard, Soarin doesn't get visited by his own relatives!? "This is totally not cool. You're a Wonderbolt! Your parents should be proud of you!"

Soarin flew towards her and sat next to her again "Yeah, I know right?" the Wonderbolt sighed and bowed his head towards the ground "I really wish I had your parents, they sure do love you"

Rainbow nodded in agreement "It took me a while to realize it, but they really did love me"

Soarin still bowed his head towards the ground and Rainbow layed her head on her arm, the mood became awfully depressing. The sun of Princess Celestia was starting to finish setting, and Princess Luna's beautiful night would be in the sky. Rainbow noticed this and realized she had to do something to lighten up the mood. She looked around her, but then she saw her savior, there were a pile of video games near the TV with two controllers "Hey Soarin, ummmm....how about a game?"

Soarins head moved up he looked towards his collection "Sure! I got plenty of great games!"

Rainbow looked through the pile and saw one that stood out to her "OH. MY. GOSH!!!!!!!!! YOU HAVE TWISTER GLIDER 7!?"

Soarin flew towards Rainbow "Yeah!!!! I play online!!!! I'm currently at Level 25!!!"

Rainbow hopped up and down and jumped as if she were her friend Pinkie Pie "I love this game!!! It's one of the best franchises in gaming!!! My mom and dad got the third one for me on my 6th birthday!!"

And with no hesitation at all, they rushed for the gaming console, the HareSkull 5, and immediately turned on the game. The two pegasi sat down in the same couch again, this time with the two controllers in their hooves. They chose their pegasi and their speed, and started a multiplayer round.

Soarin gave a look of determination at his comrade "You ready? I practiced on any weekend I can!"

Rainbow laughed "I practiced while playing against Scootaloo and Button Mash and Flash Sentry! I'm also 6 levels higher than you! Bring it on!"

They both stared at the tv screen smirking as the announcer voice in the game started the game with its words Ready?...Set...GOOOOOO!

Chapter 5

View Online

In a stadium full of colorful lights, The Washouts were practicing there moves for their next show and if they EVER have to race against The Wonderbolts. Lightning Dust was leading the line of her teammates as they zoomed through 5 rings of fire and dived down. Rolling Thunder eyed at the dangerous obstacles ahead of the team "Ya ready rookies?"

She and the original trio dived down into the obstacles, and the "New recruits" followed. Lightnings family relatives were pretty impressive for the most part, they were surprisingly fast enough to avoid getting hacked by saw and axes and crushed by giant spikes. Though most of them were sitting out to watch over and learn about the tricks that the Washouts usually do.

In a special lookout protected with glass, Steel Deal, Wing Rider, and Timber Hammer were all watching The Washouts in their comfy chairs. Wind Rider was gulping down a bit of his Grape Soda as he was gazing down behind his shades "So, when's the big boss gonna come?"

Timber Hammer glared at Wind Rider "He gets here when he gets here old fella!"

Steel Deal was eating a carrot roll and rudely speaking with his mouth full "Fyah, fit fown und fatch fe fow"

Suddenly everyone heard humming behind them, it was the big boss. The leader of a business and the founder of the Washouts, Mr. King Wing Jr. The pegasus certainly looked very handsome, with his combed blue mane and his yellow eyes. He had fur similar to Lightning Dust and he had a nice black business suit, the tie however, had green stripes. The pegasus smirked as he approached Wind Rider "Well, look who we have here. Wind Rider, a former Wonderbolt, my own overseer of Lightnings team"

Wind Rider stared at the aquamarine pegasus in awe and had an uncomfortable feeling around him, just as much as he had with Timber Hammer. Wind Rider eyed The Washouts, but he especially looked at Lightning Dust. King Wing Jr. noticed and sat in a chair next to him "Like my daughters skills? Taught her a bunch of the moves myself, even though I'm not a Bolt, I sure have skills of a master flier! Makes me MAD when I reflect on the fact that I didn't get in"

Back at the training down below, the team split up. Lightning Dust twisted her body and spun right past sharp blades as they hit the ground right behind her. Lightning Dust soon gazed towards rings full of electricity, she gave a determined look as she touched the ground and gazed right at the end of the line of rings.

Wind Rider turned to look at King Wing Jr. "So sir, tell me more about your daughter. I heard many things about her, not all of them are good ones. I'd like to hear about her skills and your daughter herself"

King Wing Jr. looked towards Wind Rider, and back at his flying daughter "Well if you must know, Mr. Rider" a butler arrived with two three glasses of White Wine, the businessman thanked the butler as he left "As I was saying, she was quite the job to take care of. She was a bit of a challenge to take care of when she was a filly. She would get into fights with big old Timber here, but I believe its good for children to become fighters"

Lightning Dust was pinned on the ground, the little filly was helpless to try and get up as the young Timber Hammer grinned evilly. Lightning then layed a kick to Timber Hammers face as his lip bled.

Their brothers and sisters were even encouraging the fighting, with King Wing Jr. smirking while drinking his glass of wine "Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!"

Timber Hammer punched Lightning Dust, leaving a bruise on her cheeks. But the tiny filly wasn't going down, grabbed Timber Hammer by the mane and ripped out pieces of it. The two children yelled at each other angrily, until the shouting stopped. The two were pulled away from each other by a mare with the same coat as Lightning and King Wing Jr., but this mare had a purple mane and tail and had blue eyes. This was Cirrus Powder, the wife of King Wing Jr. "YOU STOP FIGHTING RIGHT NOW!!!!! KNOCK IT OFF!!!!!"

The two young ponies glared at each other, Cirrus spoke again "I can't believe you two! Fighting each other! What is wrong with you!?"

Timber Hammer glared at Lightning Dust "I was being HONEST with her! She doesn't deserve to be a member of the Wonderbolts! She belongs in a stupid Weather Team!"

Lightning Dust struggled like a fly in a spiders web as she tried to get out of her mothers grasp. Cirrus held on tightly "Lightning Dust! Knock it off right now!"

Lightning Dust was still struggling determined to hurt her brother "Let me go! Mom! Let me go!"

Lightning then resorted to biting her mom's hoof and then flying to Timber Hammer and continuing punching the living daylights out of her mean brother. Her siblings went right back to cheering for the fight "Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!"

King Wing Jr. smirked and nodded at his two children fighting.

Wind Rider rubbed his head and looked at Timber Hammer and back at King Wing Jr. "That doesn't seem very good. Did they not have those wounds for a long time?"

King Wing Jr. smirked and scoffed "I pull them away from each other when it gets to harsh"

Wind Rider shook his head in disbelief and gazed back at Lightning Dust "So how did you teach her your tricks?"

The business pony smiled and laughed "Its not just me, my wife took part too! She was once a Bolt too, before she retired. I was trying out for the team but didn't make it. But both me and her had our share of trophies. Mostly for speed"

Wind Rider took off his shades and looked at King Wing Jr. "Your wife was a Wonderbolt? Amazing!" he kept his smile on but it soon disappeared when he thought of something "Wait! Sir, I didn't see your wife around. What happened to her?"

King Wing Jr. soon sat still with his eyes widened, he remembered exactly what happened to his wife.

King Wing Jr. dropped his jug of beer on the floor, the cup shattered and beer and glass was spilt all over the floor. All his children were watching the TV, a casino building was lit on fire.

A news pony looked at the camera "I'm here at the casino right now, a fire has suddenly occurred! There appears to be no survivors..."

An explosion happened on screen as more screams were heard "Cirrus Powder, a retired Wonderbolt had been reported to have been caught in the fire, and there appears to be no sign of her alive"

Later...
Lightning Dust was crying on her pillow, her mother was just killed in a fire. And she has now lost one of the people that loved her.

Only one pony was there to comfort her, a white pegasus named Bottle Fizz. Her only sibling that wasn't threatening or wanting to be intimidating. He hugged her tightly as Lightning Dust count crying.

Lightning Dust was traveling through the rings of electricity and spinning through the rings, electricity surrounded her as she approached the end.

Wind Rider was still trying to catch King Wing Jr.s attention "Um, sir? Sir?"

King Wing Jr. shook his head back to reality and glared at Wind Rider "That's none of your concern!"

Wind Rider quickly went back to looking at Lightning Dusts skills. The aquamarine pegasus touched the stream of water, closely but not enough to electrify her. The stream she left behind was electrified water hopped into the air as Lightning finished by touching the ground.

Wind Rider smirked a bit "You know, I can definitely work with her and the Washouts!"

Wind Rider then thought of something and got more ideas "Can you fund me and this team to make a show for ponies in Las Pegasus? I hear the Wonderbolts are planning on doing a show there, we can show them how much better we are! We can make Rainbow Dash and Spitfire look like the stupid clowns they are! Will you sir?"

Steel Deal and Timber Hammer grinned and nodded towards their dad, King Wing Jr. nodded back and smiled at Wind Rider "Anything for somepony to make me money"

Wind Rider and King Wing Jr laughed together. The thought of being better than the Wonderbolts sure did bring a smile to the greedy ponies.