Chapter 23: Top Bolt
One day at the Wonderbolts Headquarters, Rainbow, wearing her official Wonderbolt aviator's jacket, burst open her personal locker excitedly.
"Spring training was awesome," Rainbow aloud, "but I can't wait to see my friends!" She quickly grabbed her saddle bag and closed her locker. The view zoomed out to show Misty Fly sitting nearby.
"I'm gonna catch up on some Daring Do with Twilight, help Applejack make my favorite cider," Rainbow rambled on, "Shopping with Chase and have a sleepover with Pinkie!" Misty Fly just had a bored look on her face.
"We get it," said Misty Fly, "You have a fun week planned." She then blinked, "And did you say shopping with Chase?!" Rainbow's eyes shrunk as her face turned bright red.
"Uh...uh...heh...ehh..." Rainbow stumbled, "I should pay more attention to what comes out of my mouth..."
Misty Fly snickered.
"At least he brings out your girly side," said Misty Fly, "Too bad you're too cool for shopping, Crash. I'd invite you the next time me and Fleetfoot hang out."
"Uhh...I'll keep it in mind," said Rainbow sheepishly before she recomponsed herself. "But I still have Soarin keep me company."
"Because he's your coltfriend." Misty Fly remarked with a smirk.
"Meanwhile, I'm stuck here running trials week at the Academy," said Spitfire remarked bluntly as she walked across the foreground and rolled her eyes.
"But you love yelling and blowing your whistle," Rainbow pointed out.
"Yeah. I do," said Spitfire with a smile while standing her own locker.
"Anything you want me to message to Chase when I get home, Spitfire?" Rainbow asked as she put her saddle bag on.
Spitfire pondered.
"Tell him I want to make new adjustments for the dojo up here. Some of the air heads are getting a little bored with the old moves he's placed in there." Spitfire said smugly.
Rainbow chuckled.
"You got it," said Rainbow, "See you gals later!"
Rainbow then took off so fast that her saddle bags fell off. Rainbow just chuckled sheepishly as she grabbed her bags again and took off once more. She flew off from the Wonderbolt grounds at high speed and chuckled. As she sighed, she then heard the sound of a familiar chime. She looked to see that her cutie mark was glowing.
"Huh? Oh, the map!" said Rainbow excitedly. It was then her cutie mark produced an after image. Rainbow quickly followed the after image all the way to Twilight and Chase's castle.
Just outside the castle, Rainbow's cutie mark image floated inside and settled itself onto the map, which Twilight, Chase, Starlight, Spike, and Sokka were watching the map with interest.
Rainbow wasted no time entering the castle from an open window.
"Hey, Twilight! Chase!" said Rainbow excitedly, "So where are Chase and I going? The Crystal Mountains? Vanhoover? Here? Please say here."
"Well, the good news is we both got called by the map!" said Twilight as Starlight, Chase, Sokka, and Spike walked up to the blue Pegasus.
"Awesome!" said Rainbow, but then blinked, "Does that mean there's bad news?"
"No," said Twilight sheepishly, "but...for starters...look at Chase's cutie mark." Rainbow raised an eyebrow in confusion and then gasped. Chase's cutie mark was not glowing.
"Wait...Chase isn't coming with us?!" Rainbow exclaimed in shock.
Sokka then gave a smug smile and showed that his cutie mark, which was glowing.
"Hey, hey, hey!" said Rainbow, "Finally got called for your first cutie map mission huh?"
Sokka chuckled.
"Eeyup," said Sokka, "But I am a little nervous..."
"Don't be, you'll do great," said Twilight, "Plus you'll have me and Rainbow to help you get into the swing of things."
Sokka smiled.
"That's good to know," said Sokka, "especially since we're going...mmph!"
Twilight then quickly covered Sokka's mouth and smiled sheepishly. Rainbow looked at her curiously.
"That's the other bad news I'm guessing?" Rainbow asked.
Twilight and the others split up to let Rainbow see the map. Sokka's cutie mark hovered above hers and Twilight's as they circled...
...the Wonderbolts Academy!
Rainbow groaned loudly.
"I was just there!" Rainbow said aloud. Sokka, Twilight, Chase, and Starlight just chuckled with each other.
"Well, you three ponies have fun," said Chase. "Come on, Starlight. Ready for practice?"
"You bet I am." Starlight said with a confident smile.
Then the two ponies went to the dojo where Chase's siblings and Nyx were waiting for them.
Twilight and Sokka chuckled as Spike walked off to do his own work. Rainbow just groaned.
"At least they get to stay here and have fun," Rainbow said, jealousy.
*Main theme*
It didn't take long for the three ponies to arrive at the Wonderbolts Headquarters. As they flew closer, a pair of trainees did some double loop-de-loops around them.
"Ooh!" said Twilight excitedly.
"Wow," said Sokka impressively, "Wish I could fly like that."
"You're a pretty decent flyer," said Twilight, "Why didn't you join the Wonderbolts Academy?"
"I didn't have the confidence back in the day," Sokka replied, "But I still made a name for myself working with your brother. He was really cool and a good friend too." Twilight smiled happily. Rainbow then nudged Twilight's side.
"Ahem! Check it out," Rainbow whispered as she pointed toward Spitfire.
She was on the runway talking to some new recruits wearing her sergeant's jacket and sunglasses. All the recruits looked intimidated as Spitfire walked in front of them. All the recruits except one, a cerulean colored stallion with a turquoise mane and tail seemed just have a smug smile on his face.
"All right newbies!" Spitfire announced in a stern tone, "Welcome to trials week for the Wonderbolt Academy! You'll be judged on your speed, strength, agility, and technique, cumulating in a final evaluation. Will it be hard? Will you cry? Maybe. Will you fly so much your wings fall off? That has only happened once."
It was then a mare with sand colored fur and darker sand-greyish mane with dark pink highlights and a bow in her mane and tail looked rather frightened. Her name would later be revealed as Angel Wings.
"She's just exaggerating to make a point, right?" Angel Wings asked worried, "I mean, wings can't really fall off...can they?"
Nopony gave her an answer as she bit her lower lip nervously.
"You think you've got what it takes to be an elite flyer?" Spitfire asked the group as she walked past them in the fore-ground again.
"Yes, ma'am," said the smug looking stallion.
"Yes, ma'am," said the rest of the recruits.
"Well, lemme tell you," said Spitfire as she got into the face of a small dark orange stallion, "You don't!"
Spitfire then smiled smugly as Rainbow, Twilight, and Sokka hovered down from behind the yellow-orange pony. Rainbow sighed wistfully.
"I remember when she said that to me," Rainbow Dash said to Twilight and Sokka.
"And Chase said you started bawling like a baby right after," Sokka teased.
"I did not!" Rainbow remarked as Sokka chuckled.
Spitfire just peeked out from behind her back with a blunt look on her face. The other recruits mumbled in amazement, except for the smug looking stallion, when they all saw Rainbow.
"You don't think Rainbow Dash is the pony whose wings fell off, do you?" Angel Wings asked.
"You'd be right," said Sokka, "But they didn't fell off from flying. They fell off because her head got so big that the rest of her body shrunk and they just molted off."
"You gonna make fun of me the whole time we're here?" Rainbow remarked as Twilight looked unamused.
"Consider it payback for the embarrassing stories you told about me at your flight school reunion," Sokka said smugly before adding sternly, "I still don't know why you told everypony that I suck my hoof when I sleep!"
Rainbow snickered as Twilight just smiled and rolled her eyes. The rest of the recruits chuckled and whispered some more until Spitfire blew her whistle.
"Quit your whispering and give me five hundred laps!" Spitfire ordered, "Go, go, go!" The entire group quickly took off into the sky, except for Angel Wings.
"Um, I just wanted you to know," said Angel Wings as she walked up to them, "you two are my favorite ponies in Equestria."
"Aw, only two?" Sokka remarked feeling left out. Angel Wings looked at him funny until she gasped.
"Hey! You're Sokka, the famous swordspony! You helped Princess Twilight and Prince Chase save Canterlot from the changelings years ago!" Angel Wings exclaimed, "Oh, you look very handsome!"
Sokka just blushed and smiled sheepishly. Then Spitfire appeared behind the sand colored mare.
"Well, isn't that sweet?" said Spitfire before yelling, "Now get going on those laps!" Angel Wings flinched and then took off. Sokka sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Pushy as always," Sokka muttered.
"You know me, Sokky," Spitfire remarked.
"Whatever you say, Spitsy," said Sokka.
"Don't call me that!" Spitfire warned irritably.
"You stop calling me Sokky and you've got a deal," Sokka offered smugly as Spitfire gave him a raspberry. Rainbow was stunned.
"I...thought only Chase knew Spitfire," Rainbow replied.
"Same here," Twilight added, feeling just as surprised.
"While the Wonderbolts and the Royal Guard are two separate forces of the National Defense," said Spitfire, "there are plenty of annual events where two divisions would meet, such as BBQ's and charity competitions."
"Spitfire and I kept in touch thanks to our friendship with Chase," said Sokka, "and we were huge rivals during the charity competitions. She always beat me in the buckball tournaments. Yet I always beat her during singles tennis."
"Hey, I still say I twisted my ankle during that last match point!" Spitfire shot back.
"And she always denies I beat her fair and square," Sokka remarked as Spitfire playfully slapped the back of his head and stood before Twilight.
"Welcome Princess Twilight," said Spitfire before adding with a slightly annoyed tone, "you're not here to remind that Chase belongs to you again are you?" Twilight rolled her eyes.
"Not today, Spitfire," said Twilight with a smirk. Spitfire just chuckled and sighed when she saw Rainbow next to the purple alicorn.
"What are you doing back so soon?" Spitfire asked the blue Pegasus.
"Official friendship business," said Rainbow.
"Have you noticed anypony having a hard time with their friends?" Twilight asked curiously.
"Not really," Spitfire replied, "but it's not my job to worry about their relationships. I'm here to make them elite flyers."
"Well, look who's here!" A voice said as Soarin came into view and landed beside Spitfire.
"Soarin!" Rainbow said excitedly as she hugged her coltfriend as he hugged his marefriend back.
"Hey, Dashie." Soarin said as he and Rainbow kissed on the lips before they broke the hug. "Whatca doing here?"
"Friendship business." Rainbow replied.
"Nice to see that they are inseparable." Sokka whispered to Twilight as she giggled in response.
"Yeah, reminds me of me and Chase." Twilight said with a smile. "Just like you and Fluttershy."
Sokka blushed in response with an embarrassed smile.
Then Rainbow changed the subject and looked up as the new recruits doing their laps in the sky and sighed.
"Adorable," said Rainbow, "They're so full of hope and competition." She watched them fly about some more, "Eh, their technique could use some work, though."
"You're right about that," Sokka remarked as he finally recovered, "The only pony I've ever seen fly technically perfect was Chase."
Rainbow and Spitfire glared.
"What about yours truly?" Rainbow asked sternly.
"And me?" Spitfire asked in the same tone.
Soarin just looked at the mares unamusingly.
"Cool it, guys." Soarin said firmly.
"Yeah. Like I said, the only pony I've ever seen fly technically perfect was Chase," Sokka repeated smugly as Rainbow and Spitfire grunted.
"Besides the fact that my husband is better than any of you in flying," Twilight remarked before looking at Rainbow, "You should tell them. I'm sure they'd appreciate any notes from you."
"Yeah, constructive criticism can go a long way," Soarin remarked.
"Nah," Rainbow Dash remarked dismissively, "I wouldn't want to mess with their confidence."
"Since when is constructive criticism considered messing with one's confidence?" said Sokka firmly, "That's how ponies like you get good enough to be Wonderbolts."
"Sokka's right," Twilight remarked, "They'll never get better if they don't know what to work on."
"Even Spitfire needed somepony to give her feedback in order to get good enough to be captain," Sokka added, "Right Spitz?"
"Oh boy, here we go." Soarin said with a groan.
"First of all, Sokky, don't call my Spitz in front of the recruits," said Spitfire, "Secondly, I'm not taking sides on this issue. All I know is that I'm seeing alot of sloppy placement, crooked lines...I'm gonna have to drill them on basic technique in the classroom portion."
"Classroom portion?" Twilight said with stars in her eyes.
"Uh-oh, egghead alert," Soarin muttered as Twilight shot him a glare.
"Yeah, it's everypony's least favorite part of trail week," said Spitfire, "but it has to be done."
"Yup, or else they won't make it to Wonderbolt status." Soarin added in agreement with Spitfire.
"Maybe we can help!" said Twilight excitedly.
"We can?" Rainbow and Sokka said in confusion.
"Absolutely!" Twilight continued, "Between your flying skills, my teaching expertise, and...uh..."
Twilight just smiled sheepishly as Sokka since she didn't know what he could add to the table. Sokka took offense.
"Despite my lax nature," Sokka remarked indignantly, "I happen to be pretty good at keeping recruits in order when necessary."
"He's right about that," said Spitfire wearily.
She wasn't going to mention to anypony that Sokka was the only other pony besides Chase who actually frightened her with their yelling.
"Okay, Sokka's leadership skills" said Twilight, "The recruits can learn a whole lot! Plus, once they get to know us, they'll be more comfortable coming to us with their friendship problems!"
"Sounds like a plan," said Sokka, "Even when I was second in command, my team knew they could come to me about friendship and personal problems. Having that open line of communication really helped team grow closer to each other like a family and really improve team cohesion and morale. It's somethin I've also been pushing a certain Captain to give a try."
"Great!" Spitfire remarked, making it clear she was tuning Sokka out on purpose and blew her whistle. This made all the recruits come in for a landing. The smug cerulean stallion landed first as the rest of the group smashed into each other right behind him.
"You have your work cut out for you," said Spitfire as she walked away with Soarin by her side.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Spitz," said Sokka sarcastically.
"You're welcome!" Spitfire called out before yelling, "And don't call me Spitz!"
Rainbow then gave both Sokka and Twilight a glare. Both the alicorn and the Pegasus stallion just smiled sheepishly.
(Scene changes)
A few minutes, later, Twilight was carrying around various scrolls and other sheets of paper as they headed to the building where the recruit would have the classroom session. Rainbow and Sokka were right behind her.
"Thank goodness I had time to whip up a few charts on flight patterns and wing symmetry!" Twilight told the two ponies, "It's fresh in my mind from when Chase taught me how to fly!"
She then showed them a diagram of a Pegasus and lowered it with a giddy smile on her face.
"This is so exciting!" Twilight added happily.
"Maybe for you," said Rainbow, "I practically fell asleep when I went through this."
"Chase told us," said Sokka, "He even blew his top because he kept having to wake you up."
"Don't remind me," said Rainbow wearily, "he also made me write "I won't fall asleep in class" five hundred times! Ugh! It took me months before I could look at a piece of chalk without remembering how awful it tasted in my mouth. So tell you what. I'll leave the teaching stuff to you, Sokka can help you out with the teaching, and I'll just make sure they stay awake!"
She then grabbed an air horn.
AAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!
DING!
Twilight and Sokka were left stunned and their ears were ringing painfully after Rainbow fired off the air horn at close range.
"Ow..." Sokka groaned as he rubbed his ears.
"I'm pretty sure their thirst for knowledge will keep them bright-eyed and bushy-tailed," said Twilight as she rubbed her own ears.
Rainbow laughed.
"Good one, Twilight," Rainbow remarked.
Sokka glared.
"You know, classroom lectures may not be popular," said Sokka, "but not everypony dismisses the chance to learn from them like you do, Dashie!"
Rainbow grunted irritably.
"I just don't do well with learning in a classroom, you know that," Rainbow remarked.
"We know, you have your own way of learning," said Twilight, "now come on you two."
Sokka and Rainbow both followed Twilight to the classroom door. The other recruits were already inside, waiting for them, when...
AAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!
"Wake up, newbies!" Rainbow yelled as all but the smug looking stallion gasped at the sound of the air horn, "Class is in session!"
"Not really necessary, Dashie!" said Sokka, "Save it for the snoozing ponies please!"
"Fine..." Rainbow said rather reluctantly. It was then Twilight made her entrance.
"Hello, students!" said Twilight in a cheerful but professional tone, "I'm Twilight Sparkle, and this Sokka and Rainbow Dash!"
"But you can call us "T-Sparks", "Soother", and "The Dashinator"!" Rainbow said sternly as she got into the recruits' faces.
"Ahem!" said Twilight sternly.
"You can stop scaring the recruits now," said Sokka in the same tone.
Rainbow just laughed nervously as she hovered back beside the two ponies.
"Just kidding," said Rainbow sheepishly as Twilight recomposed herself for her lecture.
Sokka stood on standby in case Twilight had any illustrations he could draw for her. Despite the extra hoof, Twilight still used the chalk with her magic to bubble quote some writing on the blackboard.
"As we're here to go over basic flying technique," Twilight began.
"UGH!" said the smug stallion dismissively.
"Who said that?!" Rainbow called out defensively. The smug looking stallion just sat lazily in his chair.
"I mean," the cerulean stallion boasted, "we're here because we're amazingly awesome crazy-good flyers. We're way past the basics."
"Even if that is so," said Sokka sternly with his fore-legs crossed, "A good flyer knows how important is it to refresh themselves with the..."
"What's your name?" Rainbow demanded as flew up to the cerulean stallion's face and cutting Sokka off.
"Sky Stinger," the stallion replied, "You've, uh, never heard of me?"
"Should we have?" Sokka asked bluntly.
"He set the record for the fastest vertical acceleration rate!" said a mare that was sitting next to Sky Stinger. She had a white coat with a mane that had pastel green and lemon highlights in it, "Five hundred feet in two seconds!"
"Huh. That's pretty impressive," said Rainbow in a tone that was anything but impressed
"It's amazing," said the white mare excitedly as she threw her fore-hooves in the air.
"Maybe so," said Sokka, "If my best friend, Prince Chase, wasn't known for going one thousand feet in just three quarters of a second."
The other recruits oohed impressively. Sky Stinger just smiled smugly and seem unphased by the record. Twilight then cleared her throat to get their attention.
"It is," said Twilight, "and we can talk about personal records and my husband after class."
"You gotta tell us how you got so lucky, Princess Twilight!" said another mare.
"Lucky? Lucky about what?" Twilight asked.
"Getting Chase for a husband," said Angel Wings, "he's such a cutie, especially for a martial arts master!"
The other mares cooed excitedly while the stallions just rolled their eyes, including Sokka. Twilight just looked rather annoyed, which made the girls stop cooing and just gave her apologetic smiles.
"Anyway, we can discuss flying records later," said Twilight as she looked at the white mare, "Ms...?"
"Vapor Trail," said Sky for the mare since she felt a little bashful at being called out, "She's my wingpony. I never fly without her." Vapor gave him a smile.
"But you'll have to in the solo trails," said Rainbow.
"There are..." Vapor gulped, "...solo trails?"
"Yup," said Rainbow.
"While teamwork is an important part of being a Wonderbolt," Sokka added, "You still need to show that you can manage yourself alone while in the sky. After all, being a team player also means carrying your own weight so you can contribute your best."
"He's right," Rainbow replied, "It's part of your final evaluation." Vapor seemed very nervous while Sky just scoffed.
"We'll ace that test with our wings tied behind our flanks," said Sky, "My picture will go right up there, next to yours."
Sky then pointed at a picture of Rainbow, who had an over the top smile on her face, that was hanging on the wall. Sokka rolled his eyes.
"That's a mighty big claim, considering everypony here is an amazingly awesome crazy good flyer," said Rainbow sternly.
"I hope you can put your bits where your mouth is Sky Stinger," said Sokka, "It's good to be confident in yourself, but over-confidence is what will get you humiliated around here."
"I know," said Sky, completely unphased by Sokka's warning.
You're setting yoruself up for a crash and burn, mister Sokka thought. Twilight then cleared her throat again to get everypony's attention.
"Okay! Let's get back on track," Twilight called out loudly, "Now, who can tell me the best wing angle to achieve minimal air resistance?"
Twilight and Sokka heard the sound of snoring and saw Rainbow had fallen asleep and everypony was staring at her. Sokka growled.
"I'll handle her," Sokka remarked as he went to grabbed the air horn.
"I'll take care of it," said Twilight bluntly as she grabbed the air horn with her magic.
AAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!
"Wake up newbies!" Rainbow woke up with a start, "Class is in session!" She then looked to see Twilight and Sokka giving her disapproving looks.
"I don't get how ponies look up to you," Sokka remarked.
Rainbow just chuckled uneasily at being called out. Twilight and Sokka just shared smug smiles with each other, shared a fist bump, and got back to actually teaching the class.
(Scene changes)
Once the lecture was finished, several of the recruits quickly left the classroom. Twilight and Sokka walked out of class with satisfied smiles on their faces.
"Well, there were a few hiccups, but overall, that went pretty well," said Twilight.
"True, everypony was paying attention and several asked some good questions," said Sokka, "And despite his early boasting, even Sky Stinger was behaving himself." Rainbow then hovered out of the building.
"Yeah, nopony fell asleep," said Rainbow as cricked her neck and yawned.
"Well, most of the ponies inside were paying attention and behaving," Sokka remarked as Twilight they both gave Rainbow deadpan looks.
"What?" Rainbow asked, "I'm not a student!"
"How do ponies look up to you again?" said Sokka, "Oh right, because this was how you acted when you made it into the Wonderbolts!" Sokka hovered back a bit, put on a dorky smile, and pulled a rainbow wig out of nowhere and put it.
"WOO-HOO! I'm a Wonderbot!" Sokka said in a dorky smile, "I don't need my flight school diploma anymore!" Sokka began to dance and sing-song. Rainbow looked very annoyed as Twilight snickered, "I've got the smarts! I've got the smarts. I've got the S to the M- R...uhhhhhh...M-A-R-T smarts!"
Twilight laughed as Rainbow gave Sokka a loud raspberry. It was then Sky, who had stayed back after class, made his presence known.
"Hey, teach!" Sky Stinger called out.
"Me, Sokka, or Twilight?" Rainbow asked before adding, "Probably Twilight."
"Grrr!" Sokka growled.
"I think you mean either me or Sokka, since he actually helped me with the lecture," Twilight remarked as Sokka smiled smugly.
"Um, uh, all three," said Sky Stinger as he walked up to them, "About the solo test. I'm actually kinda worried about it."
"Aw, that's all right," said Twilight, "We all have moments where we doubt ourselves."
"Getting into the Wonderbolts is a big deal," said Sokka, "Having a case of the jitters is perfectly normal."
"No, no, I've absolutely zero doubts about myself," Sky Stinger boasted, getting unamused looks from the three ponies, "I'm a strong flyer. Like, really, really, really strong. This isn't about me. I'm worried for Vapor."
This surprised Rainbow, Sokka, and Twilight, especially considering how arrogant Sky was acting.
"Oh, well, that is very...kind of you?" said Twilight slowly.
"Tell you what," said Rainbow, "It's almost time for your freestyle training. Why don't grab her and show us what you got?"
"Yes! Prepare to be impressed!" Sky replied as he zoomed off and then came back.
"By me," Sky added before taking off again and then returning once more.
"Like I said, Vapor still needs work," said Sky and then took off for good this time, leaving Rainbow, Sokka, and Twilight most annoyed.
"Okay, two bits of thought," said Sokka, "One, I'm getting this feeling Vapor might not be the one who needs help. Two, I have this feeling Sky Stinger is all talk...reminds me of somepony I know..."
"That's not a nice thing to say about Fluttershy," Rainbow remarked with a smirk.
"I was talking about you, ya doofus!" Sokka remarked, "But in all seriousness, something doesn't feel right about those two ponies for some reason. I just don't know what..."
"I'm sure we will discover the truth in good time," said Twilight hopefully, but Rainbow just looked rather worried.
(Scene changes)
A few minutes later, Sky and Vapor were flying side by side as they did a power dive and then headed upward into the skies. Twilight just watched in amazement while Sokka and Rainbow had more blunt looking faces. Rainbow was also wearing a baseball cap and had a pink towel around her neck.
"Well, he may be full of himself, but I have to admit," Twilight told Sokka and Rainbow, "Sky is an excellent flyer. He must have shot up two hundred feet!"
"But did you see Vapor Trail?" Rainbow pointed out, "Her wing was under his. I think she gave him a boost."
"Not just gave him a boost," said Sokka, "But multiple boosts to be precise."
"I guess I didn't even notice Vapor," said Twilight, "I was too busy watching Sky."
"I'm not surprised," said Sokka, "I noticed that while Sky is clearly trying to be the center of attention, Vapor is keeping a low profile to avoid being noticed. She probably doesn't want anypony finding out that's she helping Sky with his flying."
It was then Sky did continuous loop-de-loops. They all noticed that Vapor was underneath him using her wings to give him a boost. Twilight gasped.
"I think you're both right!" Twilight remarked, "Vapor just created the right gust of wind that caught Sky's wing at a forty-five degree angle, propelling him into a flipping loop!" Twilight then blinked and smiled, "Somepony paid attention in class!"
"And I'm sure if Chase was here he'd tell you how he has the smartest and cutest pony in Equestria for his wife," Sokka teased. Twilight blushed and rolled her eyes.
"I'm sure you'd say the same about Fluttershy, but that's not the point here," Twilight remarked with a smirk.
"True," said Sokka, "Based on the way Sky doesn't seem to even notice her, I don't think he even knows Vapor is underneath him."
"You're right, Sokka," said Rainbow, "Sky obviously has no idea he's not actually amazingly awesome."
"And Vapor's so busy making her friend look good, she's not focused on her own flying at all," Twilight added as Rainbow and Shenran nodded in agreement. Then Twilight gasped, "This must be our friendship problem! And there's only one thing to do!"
"Fix it without telling them/Tell them the truth," said Rainbow and Twilight respectively at the same time.
Then they both gasped in shock. Sokka just sighed loudly.
"Houston, we have a problem," Sokka remarked.
Twilight and Rainbow quickly recovered from their shock.
"You don't want to tell them?" said Twilight to Rainbow as Sky and Vapor continued to fly about.
"Of course not!" said Rainbow, " Flying is thirty percent skill and seventy percent confidence! You don't mess with a flyer's confidence!"
"Rainbow, those ratios are all off," said Sokka, "Even in the cadet academy, the Pegasi were taught that flying was thirty percent power, fifteen percent skill, fifty-five percent inner power and will!" Sokka then blinked and face-hooved himself, "and...I still proved your claim about flying being mostly self-confidence was right..."
"Ha! See?" Rainbow said smugly.
"But you can't improve if you don't think you have to!" Twilight pointed out, "Besides, Vapor's been keeping a pretty big secret from Sky, and that could lead to trouble!"
"I have to agree," said Sokka, "While I agree you can't fly well without confidence, it's no good having a high confidence if it's based on a lie. If that lie is left unchecked and you don't come clean about, it's gonna set you up for a BIG fall! And that fall could permanently damage a pony's confidence for life!"
"Oh please!" said Rainbow dismissively, "Name one pony who's confidence has not been permanently damaged after his encounter with bullies."
"Chase," said Sokka and Twilight together in a deadpan tone. Rainbow blinked.
"Okay...good example...but I still say this isn't the same thing!" said Rainbow, "I still say Sky doesn't need to know."
"Now that I think about it, we can't protect Sky from the truth forever," said Twilight, "Better he finds out now than during his solo evaluation where he could completely humiliate himself in front of Spitfire!"
"Yeah, but if we tell them they've been holding each other back, that could be trouble too!" Rainbow said in her defense.
"As far as we've seen, the only pony holding back is Vapor," said Sokka, "She's the only pony hiding any true potential and she's letting Sky build a false sense of confidence about his flying. And she's encouraging it too! True friends don't lie to each other, Dashie. The truth might hurt, but if we do something now rather than later, we can minimize the damage!"
Twilight nodded in agreement.
"A better idea would be to make sure there's no damage at all!" Rainbow protested. It was then Sky landed back on the airstrip.
"Ah, I nailed that flipping loop," Sky boasted as he took the towel around Rainbow's back, "I'm actually surprised you're still here. Thought I blew you away."
Twilight, Sokka, and Rainbow just gave Sky indignant look.
"Oh, we were blown away alright," said Sokka. Rainbow quickly shushed him as Sky tossed the towel behind him. The towel then smacked Vapor in the face and made her fall onto her back hard. It was then Spitfire appeared.
"Come on, Vapor Tail!" Spitfire yelled as she hovered above the white pony, "You're gonna have to build up your endurance if you want a shot at the Academy! Wonderbolts don't get winded!" She then looked up and saw Angel Wings giving a very light kick to a nearby cloud, "Angel Wings, you call that cloud-busting?! That cloud barely knew you were there!"
Sokka watched the scene with a blunt face, Twilight just watched with a plain face, and Rainbow just watched with a smug smile on her face. Spitfire hovered up to them.
"I love my job," Spitfire bragged.
"Maybe a little too much," Sokka remarked, "Ya big bully."
"Oh, like you didn't yell when you were in command, Sokky boy!" Spitfire protested.
"Only when necessary," said Sokka, "You seem to yell just for the fun of it."
"WELL I LIKE YELLING SO DEAL WITH IT!" Spitfire screamed into his face, making him wince painfully as he covered his ears and glared at her.
Spitfire just smirked and flew away, feeling very pleased with herself.
"We'll keep working, and who knows?" said Sky as he turned to face Vapor, "One day, you might come close to being almost as good as me."
"Ugh, if he does make it into the Wonderbolts, they should nickname him Male Rainbow," Sokka whispered to Twilight, who giggled.
"I heard that!" Rainbow retorted indignantly.
Whether Sky was being encouraging or condescending was debatable, Vapor seemed to take Sky's words for the former.
"Oh, I don't think so," said Vapor modestly, "You were voted Stratusburg's most promising flyer! I was voted best sneeze!"
Vapor then gave a cute sneeze.
"You do have a really great sneeze," said Sky.
"Was he flirting with her just now?" Sokka asked aloud, but Twilight and Rainbow said nothing.
"Thanks, Sky," Vapor replied, "but I don't think I can sneeze my way into the Academy." She then sighed, "I'm pretty beat. I'm gonna hit the showers."
Vapor then walked sadly away.
"You have to help her," said Sky worriedly.
"Actually, she's not the one-" Twilight was then cut of as Rainbow covered her mouth.
"Will do!" Rainbow replied as she pushed Twilight away.
"Well do what we can to help her out," Sokka replied before following Rainbow and Twilight.
Twilight finally pulled Rainbow's fore-hooves off her mouth.
"Why'd you-" Twilight tried to ask.
"Easy, Twilight," said Sokka, "I believe Sky should know the truth as well, but for now. I think it would be best to talk to Vapor first. Maybe we can find out why she's helping him in secret and help her find her own confidence."
"That's...actually a good idea," said Twilight, "even if I had told Sky what had happened, Vapor could easily deny it. We need to get her to come clean about this first."
"No, we simply need to focus on helping her find her confidence and leave this issue-"
"Okay, you're time for talking is up!" Sokka interrupted as he used a fore-hoof to cover Rainbow's mouth, "Let's go find Vapor, Twilight!"
The purple alicorn nodded in agreement as they headed toward the main compound and Sokka made sure to keep Rainbow's mouth shut.
"YOW!"
Until...Rainbow bit his fore-hoof hard to make the stallion let go.
(Scene changes)
Once, inside the locker room, Vapor was just opening her locker when Twilight and Rainbow walked in.
"Hey, you great," said Rainbow, "You're a really strong flyer. Right, Sokk...Sokka! Where are you?"
Rainbow then peeked down the hallway they had come from. Sokka was still outside the doorway.
"Isn't the area she's in for fillies only?" Sokka remarked timidly from off screen.
"The locker rooms are for both fillies and colts," Rainbow pointed, "you can come in here."
"Oh...heh...okay," said Sokka sheepishly as he walked inside so Vapor could see him.
"Getting back on track, don't you think Vapor Trail is a strong flyer?" Rainbow asked Sokka.
"Of course, she's a very strong flyer," Sokka replied slowly, but honestly.
"Uh, me?" said Vapor, trying to play dumb despite the fact no other recruits were there.
"Vapor Trail, we know what you've been doing," said Twilight as Rainbow covered her mouth once more with a fore-hoof.
"You might have been able to hide it from the others, but..." Sokka was then cut off as well when Rainbow used her other fore-hoof to cover his mouth.
"You've been doing great!" said Rainbow.
Twilight and Sokka both groaned and shot the blue Pegasus a dirty look. The former used her magic to pry Rainbow's fore-hoof off her mouth. Sokka used his left wing to get Rainbow's other fore-hoof off of his mouth.
"You've been helping Sky!" Twilight and Sokka said together. Vapor Trail winced and began to sweat heavily.
"Uh, I don't know what you're talking about!" Vapor lied, "Sky doesn't need anypony's help. He's amazing!"
Twilight and Sokka both nudged Rainbow to the white Pegasus the truth. Rainbow rolled her eyes and huffed.
"Not without you," said Rainbow firmly, "and it's gonna be pretty obvious during the solo trials when he can't get enough air to do a flipping loop."
"Oh, no!" said Vapor in a panicking tone as a red dynamic background appeared behind her, "I can't let that happen!" The dynamic background then disappeared once she realized what had come out of her mouth, "I mean, ah, uh...Aw, sugarcubes!"
Vapor then face-hooved herself. Sokka's stern look softened as he walked up to her.
"Calm down, Vapor Trail," said Sokka gently, "It's obvious that you're not trying to hurt Sky or make him look bad. Are you?" Vapor Trail's eyes shrunk in shock.
"No, of course not, I would never do that to him!" said Vapor Trail in a sad but firm tone, "I care alot about Sky. I always have..."
"Why are you doing this for him?" Twilight asked curiously. Vapor then sighed, realizing that she should probably explain herself.
"It started when we were kids," Vapor Trail began, "You have to understand…"
Flashback
The scene changed to show young Sky Stinger, hovering about the backyard of his house with both his mother, father, and what looked to be several other ponies younger and older than him.
"...Sky grew up with alot of siblings," Vapor narrated, "It was tough. He was always trying to get his parents' attention."
As Vapor spoke, young Sky Stinger was trying to get a ball that was being tossed about by his parents and siblings, but nopony would let him have a chance to catch and toss it, leaving him feeling left out.
"I was an only child," Vapor continued, "who hated all the attention I got from mine."
Young Vapor was just watching Young Sky from a nearby lone cloud.
"Vapor Trail!" said Twirly Whirly, her mother, "Where are you? Do you need a snack? Do you wanna do homework?"
"Or we can just spend some time together!" said Steer Straight, her father, "All day is never enough!"
The two parents held each other close and smiled. Young Vapor just sighed and looked very annoyed. She quietly went back to watching Young Sky.
"Mom, Dad, I'm here!" Young Sky called out, "Look, look, look-look-look, hey! Mom, Dad, can you see?"
He then tried to do a trick, but was failing to do so. Young Vapor then hovered quietly behind Young Sky and used her wings to blew a small gust at him. The gust of wind was just enough to allow Young Sky to do his loop. Young Sky was surprised that he had completed his trick, but saw that his parents had taken no notice. Young Sky just sighed sadly.
"Whoa, that was amazing!" said Young Vapor as she made herself known to Young Sky. Young Sky smiled, shook her hoof, and the two young ponies flew off together.
"Flying together gave us both what we wanted!" Vapor Trail continued to narrate as the flashback showed them now older and wearing aviator goggles as they flew side by side.
End Flashback
"But I never told Sky how much I was helping him," Vapor explained with Twilight, Sokka, and Rainbow gathered around her, "It started with a small boost here or a little gust there, but I didn't think my help could actually hurt his chances."
Vapor turned away and lowered her head in shame.
"I understand," said Twilight, "But now you're both in trouble."
"You need to work on your tricks," said Rainbow, "and Sky needs to be able to fly without you or he won't be able to make it."
"Indeed," said Sokka, "I know you meant well, Vapor, and there's nothing wrong with wanting to help your friend, but you've helped him so much that you've given him a false sense of confidence. He believes he can do things that he clearly won't be able to without your help and once he figured that out, it could really shake his confidence. Any chance of getting into the Wonderbolt's Academy will be shot!"
"Oh, but he has to!" said Vapor in desperation, "Flying with the Wonderbolts has been Sky's dream ever since he was a colt!"
"What about you?" said Twilight.
"Is being a Wonderbolt your dream as well?" Sokka asked.
"I...I guess I haven't thought about it," said Vapor honestly, "I just want to be with my best friend."
"Starting with telling Sky the truth," said Twilight.
"Agreed," said Sokka.
"No, you can't," Vapor pleaded, "Sky will be crushed! And without his confidence, he won't fly well."
Twilight and Sokka just sighed as Rainbow gave them both an "I told ya so" look.
"Do you really think she should keep lying to him?" Sokka remarked to the blue Pegasus.
"Let her come clean about that after the final evaluations," said Rainbow, "If we can get Sky ready for the solos on his own, then he won't need to know about Vapor's help and keep his confidence intact. We can help deal with the friendship damage later!"
Sokka and Twilight just looked at each other and sighed.
"Then I guess we'll give Dash's method a shot," said Twilight with much reluctance in his tone as Sokka nodded in agreement.
"Yes! Hah-hah! I love being right!" Rainbow gloated as she hovered into the air.
"We said we would try this your way," said Sokka, "We never said anything about you being right." Rainbow blinked and then snorted.
"You're not setting me up to fail are you?" Rainbow asked skeptically.
"No, just showing that we're keeping an open mind," said Sokka, "After all, you're only asking we delay the truth for now, not keep it secret, correct?"
"Of course," said Rainbow.
"Then we're hoping things work out then," Sokka replied outright.
"Great," said Rainbow and then looked at Vapor, "Okay, here's what we do. Sky needs to build his strength. Air drills, wing lifts, all that boring methodical stuff."
"Hey, never mock physical training!" said Sokka offensively, "Remember that I am a personal body builder for Fluttershy."
"My bad," said Rainbow in a rather dismissive tone.
"Either way, sounds like my cup of oats," said Twilight, "And Sokka can help you with Vapor."
"Wait, Sokka can't fly like a Wonderbolt," Rainbow remarked. Twilight and Sokka chuckled.
"As I said before, my issue is performing around others," said Sokka, "But when it comes to my flying technique. I've got a few skills. If you'll have my help that is, you do have a habit of taking over when it comes to coaching."
Rainbow groaned.
"I promise I won't take over the training," said Rainbow, "If you can prove that you have the skills, Sokky!"
Sokka smirked.
"Bring it on!" said Sokka with determination.
"Okay then..." said Vapor, unsure of what to think of a former royal guard helping with her training, "But how will we get Sky to do that? He doesn't think he needs practice."
"Ah, yes," said Sokka, "We do need to take care of that while keeping his confidence intact."
"We'll just tell Sky that he should practice with Twilight so you won't feel so self-conscious about getting special training from Sokka and me," said Rainbow as she pulled Vapor closer to herself with a fore-leg.
"With you? Really?" said Vapor in amazement, "You'd do that for me?"
"Hah," said Rainbow, "You say that like it's not gonna be a blast."
"Yeah, Vapor," Sokka added as he walked up to the two mares, "You'll get to see firsthand how I can make Rainbow look dumb without trying!"
"Hardy-har-har!" said Rainbow sarcastically as Vapor giggled to herself.
(Scene changes)
As some montage music began to play in the background, Twilight had Sky inside of the classroom as she began giving him another lecture. She then noticed that Sky was slouching on his chair with his eyes open. At least it looked that way until she used her magic to remove a mask that had his eyes painted on it. Sky immediately woke up and saw that Twilight was glaring at him. Twilight then used her magic to shove a book into Sky's face, which made him wince as he held the book to read and follow along with Twilight's lecture.
(Scene changes)
Outside, Rainbow was giving a live demonstration of her flying techniques, while Vapor and Sokka both watched. They were both wearing a cadet's uniform, which the latter was forced to wear one but was glad they had a spare uniform for him to wear. Once the demonstration was done, Rainbow gestured for Sokka to try doing the same techniques.
Sokka did...and he did so near-perfectly. Rainbow was surprised and Vapor clapped for the Pegasus stallion. Sokka smiled and gestured for Vapor to try. Vapor bravely tried to do the move, while she managed to do so, she couldn't control her momentum and ended up crashing into a nearby cloud. Rainbow and Sokka both just smiled sheepishly.
(Scene changes)
Back with Twilight and Sky, Sky was also wearing his cadet uniform as they hovered in the air. Twilight had also put blood pressure pads around Sky's fore-legs and stomach while she took some notes on a clipboard. Once she had finished her notes, Twilight instructed Sky to fly through some rings. Sky cockily charged for the rings.
"Whoa...Ah!" Sky yelped and smacked the bottom of the first ring and bounced through each ring in succession.
Twilight just winced at the sight and quickly wrote down some more notes onto her clipboard.
(Scene changes)
Back with Rainbow, Sokka, and Vapor, Rainbow quickly zoomed around a large cloud to shape it into her head. Shenran then whispered something to Vapor, which was something along the lines of the cloud being the true size of Rainbow's head. Vapor snickered.
Rainbow cleared her throat indignantly and pointed for Sokka to show his skills. Sokka smirked with determination as he zoomed over to a cloud, quickly flew around it and shaped it into Fluttershy's head and added a heart above it. Vapor awed since Sokka had told her about the fact he was married. Rainbow just rolled her eyes and gestured for Vapor to try some cloud shaping of her own. Vapor was able to shape the cloud easily, but surprised Rainbow and Sokka by shaping it into Sky's head. Sokka then gave her a smirk and reminded her about his own cloud.
Vapor blushed heavily and looked away shyly. Rainbow just pondered at the cloud and Vapor's blushing and shrugged. Sokka smiled, finding the possibly of Vapor having a little crush on Sky rather cute.
(Scene changes)
Meanwhile, Twilight and Sky were at a special machine that produced gusts of wind. Twilight put a small droplet of a special mixture into the machine to create a tiny gust. The gust pushed Sky back a bit but he managed to recover and stood ready for a bigger gust. Twilight gave him a bigger gust by dropping a drinking glass's worth of the mixture into the machine. The gust was so strong that Sky was literally blown away in just a couple of seconds. Twilight just rolled her eyes at the results and jotted down some more notes.
(Scene changes)
High in the sky above the airstrip, Rainbow, Sokka, and Vapor sat on a cloud together with a pair of goggles resting on top of their heads. They quickly put the goggles on and did a triple power dive at the airstrip and gracefully pulled up into the air without losing any momentum.
Rainbow then flew back to the airstrip for a landing and came to quick stop. Sokka, who was flying behind her, managed to do the same. Vapor, who was flying behind Sokka, attempted to come in for a landing as well. She skipped a bit, flipped over, but landed squarely on all four hooves and came to a complete stop.
"Nice recovery flip, Vapor," said Sokka impressively.
"I agree," said Rainbow, "You were awesome!"
"Really?" said Vapor, "Thanks! I can't believe I was able to keep up!" Rainbow and Sokka both smiled at her.
"That's the first nice thing I've heard you say about yourself," said Rainbow. Vapor just gave a modest smile.
"Hey, can we switch now?" said an irritated voice as Sky stomped up to them, "I want to do tricks with Rainbow Dash and Sokka!"
Twilight then stomped up behind the cerulean stallion with a stern looking face.
"You can't!" Vapor blurted out, but then tried to change her words, "I mean, uh, you're already so good at the fancy stuff!"
Rainbow had glared at Vapor for nearly speaking up about the truth and then smiled when she went for the recovery. Sokka had given Vapor a curious look and then rolled her eyes and when she backed out from being honest.
"Heh," said Sky, "And the basic stuff..." Twilight then showed him the clipboard with notes about all his...failures, but Sky pretended not to notice, "You're right, I don't need to practice at all."
"Um, maybe, Sky, you should..." Vapor said sheepishly.
"I'm already the best and everypony's gonna know it when I'm asked to join the Academy tomorrow," Sky boasted.
"But not if you don't practice...!" Vapor retorted nervously.
"Heh, I wouldn't be surprised if they asked me to become a Wonderbolt straight out of the trails," Sky bragged, "Boom, dream achieved." Vapor started to panic as Sokka hovered up to him.
"You know, Sky," said Sokka, "Vapor really seems to care alot about you. She's only suggesting practice because she's simply look out for you."
Sokka gave her a wink, which made Vapor smile, hoping Sky would see sense. But the fact he was still smiling so arrogantly was a good clue that he didn't."
"If she really cared, she wouldn't be asking me to waste my time practicing!" Sky snapped.
Sokka took offense, but just smirked to hide his true feelings.
"Okay, Mr. Awesome!" Sokka said, "Then let's get started and see what you can do. Just be warned that what we're about to show is some of the toughest and most dangerous tricks the Wonderbolts can do. Any mistakes here could break your wings off completely! I'd be afraid if I were you."
Rainbow gave Sokka a skeptical look since she didn't understand what he was trying to do. Twilight was smirking, since she easily figured out what Sokka was doing. Vapor was just in a state of panic. She was trembling, sweating, and biting her fore-hoof. Sky just scoffed.
"Bring it on," said Sky. Sokka just chuckled.
"Okay then," said Sokka as he got ready to take off. Vapor couldn't stay quiet any longer.
"Sky, you're not as good as your think you are!" Vapor squealed and gasped and she put a fore-hoof to her mouth. Rainbow just bit her lower lip in shock and horror. Twilight had an over the top smile on her face. Sokka chuckled.
"All according to plan," Sokka whispered as he stood beside Twilight.
"You set her up to snitch didn't you?" Rainbow said in a harsh whisper as Sokka gave her a raspberry.
Sky, however, did find anything about what Vapor said funny.
"What did you say?" Sky asked in a very dark and defensive tone. Vapor just sighed and walked up to him.
"Sky, I want you to get in as much as anypony, and you're amazing, but..." Vapor sighed as Twilight and Sokka smiled, but Rainbow had a worried look on her face.
"But what?" Sky demanded.
"I've been...helping you," Vapor confessed sadly. Sky immediately scoffed at her.
"Puh-lease!" said Sky, "I don't need your help!"
"Oh really?" Sokka asked firmly, "Care to put your bits where your big mouth is?"
"Just watch!" Sky replied, accepting Sokka's challenge.
Sky then attempted to a loop and take off into the sky. He managed to do the loop, but as he went upward, his momentum immediately died out. Sky tried hard, but he couldn't regain momentum and landed on his stomach with a hard plop in exhaustion.
"Gyuh..." Rainbow winced.
"Ooooooo...that's gotta hurt..." Sokka cringed in agreement.
Sky struggled to regain his breath as Vapor went to offer him a hoof, but Sky angrily swatted it away.
"How can you do this to me?" Sky asked angrily as he looked at Vapor and the others, "Did you all know?"
Vapor looked at Twilight, Sokka, and Rainbow before slowly nodding.
"In all respect," said Sokka, "We didn't want to upset your confidence, but at the same time...we knew Vapor was keeping this a secret and needed to be honest with you. She is your best friend after all and she cares about you."
Vapor nodded in agreement, but Sky snorted.
"Oh, great," Sky snapped, "So everypony knows I'm a joke. Was this your plan the whole time? To embarrass me? All because, according to the famous Sokka, you care about me?"
"What? No!" Vapor protested, feeling hurt, "Don't you know me at all?"
"I guess not, since it took me thing long to find out you're a terrible wing pony," Sky said angrily. Vapor gasped.
"I can't believe you!" said Vapor.
"I know you're upset, Sky," said Sokka, trying to defend the mare, "And you have every right to be angry, but... she was never trying to hurt you...not intentionally."
"So what? She still did it by lying to me!" Sky yelled before turning to Vapor, "I can't believe I was ever your friend!"
Sky then took off in a hurry as Vapor sadly watched him fly away. Twilight and Rainbow watched Sky disappear with sad faces.
"Thank a lot," said Vapor, feeling too hurt to sound as angry and went to fly off.
"Vapor, hold on!" said Sokka, "I know Sky was a little harsh, but you did lie to him and you needed to be honest with him. Just give him time and things will settle down okay. We'll do what we can to make sure you're both ready for the Academy."
"Whatever...I don't care anymore," said Vapor before she flew around Sokka and took off.
"Vapor! Come back!" Sokka called out and then sighed.
"Guess I just don't have that magic touch Chase has when it comes to making ponies open up, especially when he scolds them so easily." said Sokka sadly.
"I wouldn't say that," said Twilight as she hovered up to him and Rainbow just stayed respectfully silent, "You did everything right from what I saw. They just need some time to cool down."
"And then what?" Sokka asked curiously, even Rainbow had a curious look on her face.
Twilight's hopeful smile flipped over.
"I don't know," said Twilight quietly, leaving both her friends feeling very worried.
(Scene changes)
The next day, Angel Wings was now strapped to the infamous Dizzitron. She spun round and round until she was launched into the air so she could attempt her spin-out recovery. The other recruits were standing in line waiting for their turn as Sokka, Rainbow, and Twilight walked up.
"Do you think they're still mad?" Rainbow asked worriedly.
"Let's have a look," said Sokka as they searched the line of recruits for their two ponies.
They found Sky was at the front of the line and Vapor was at the very back. Sky turned to give Vapor the stink eye and snubbed her. Vapor just looked away and rolled her eyes, but only did so half-heartedly.
"Yeah, they're still mad," said Rainbow.
"Sky is at least, but I think Vapor is just feeling hurt," said Sokka, "Sky did say some harsh things after all." Twilight just sighed.
"This is all my fault," said Twilight, "If we'd just done things your way, maybe we could have avoided this whole mess."
"No, it's my fault," said Rainbow, "It hit me when I was watching Sky train with you. He wasn't even trying!"
"So in the end," said Sokka, "Sky's self-confidence came from a lie because he thought he could do things so effortlessly. Then when he tried to fly in the same manner on his own, he failed in all of his training tests. Plus Sky did have a right to know that Vapor was helping him. I still believe that it was better he found out now when he attempted his final examination where he really could have damaged his self-confidence beyond repair."
"You do have a point," said Rainbow, "but I'm still worried just how much it might have hurt his confidence."
Sokka hummed as they watched Sky get into the Dizzitron and it quickly started spinning round and round. Vapor just looked away indignantly as the other recruits stupidly watched him spin around. Sky's lips flapped from the momentum and was then launched. No effort was made to even recover and he landed back first and upside down into the safety net in the distance.
"Oh, no," said Rainbow worriedly, "He's lost his confidence."
"Oh boy..." Sokka remarked in the same concerned tone.
"Do you want to tell me why one of my most promising students is flying like a balloon with a hole in it?!"
Spitfire demanded as she and Soarin walked up to the three ponies. Sky then hovered across the fore-ground looking very depressed.
"Isn't that how you fly all the time?" Sokka remarked, but got glares from Twilight, Rainbow, Soarin, and Spitfire.
The yellow-orange Pegasus growled at Sokka.
"Just kiddin'!" Sokka said sheepishly before he recomposed himself. "But… all jokes aside, the reason for Sky's performance slump is..."
"Something that's, uh, a long story, but we'll fix it," said Rainbow, cutting Sokka off.
"Well, you and the others better, Rainbow. Or else you'll be on probation for another month again." Soarin warned his marefriend, who gulped nervously.
"Yes, you will," said Spitfire as she blew her whistle at Rainbow from close range.
Rainbow fell onto her stomach, using her fore-hooves to cover her ears. Spitfire and Soarin then stomped off. Sokka then walked up to the blue Pegasus.
"Before you ask why I cut you off..." said Rainbow.
"I actually get it," said Sokka as he helped Rainbow get back on her hooves, "Spitfire isn't the pony to fix this mess anyway. She's only sympathetic when she feels like it."
"Chase would say otherwise," said Twilight, "But I think that only might apply to main teammates only."
"It's true," said Rainbow and groaned sadly, "We really messed up, huh?"
"Maybe so," said Sokka, "but just like Chase, I'm not giving up on those two ponies. There's gotta be a way to help mend their friendship and get them to realize their full Wonderbolt potential."
Twilight rubbed her chin thoughtfully and then smiled.
"I have a plan," said Twilight, which made Sokka and Rainbow smile hopefully.
(Scene changes)
Later that day, Sky was alone trying to do some basic exercises, but he wasn't making much progress and was only straining himself out. He eventually plopped to the ground with his fore-hooves clutched to his face. Twilight and Sokka both approached him.
"Hey, Sky," said Twilight, "I thought I might find you here."
"Well, apparently, I need a lot of practice," said Sky, "Guess I'm not the natural I thought I was."
"Afraid not," said Sokka bluntly.
"No, you're not," Twilight added in the same tone.
"Thanks," said Sky sarcastically, "Good pep talk from the both of you." Sokka and Twilight just smiled. They both had more to say.
"I wasn't a natural at friendship," Twilight told the cerulean stallion, "But with some practice and help from my husband and my friends, I got better, and now I'm the princess of friendship."
"So you're saying I can be the...Princess of Flying?" Sky asked, his tone emphasizing that he wasn't trying to be sarcastic.
"Not exactly," said Sokka, "But I wasn't naturally good at being a leader. When I first entered the royal academy, I got pushed around a lot because I was really shy. But with practice and help from my friends at the time, I found my inner strength to stand up for myself and show what I can do. That's how I became second in command to the Royal Guard and become a...highly skilled...swordspony."
"Highly skilled?" Twilight remarked with a smirk, "You're a master swords pony also and you know it."
"But I never got officially declared one," Sokka remarked before he became sheepish. "Plus, I had Chase to help me do the sword making routine."
"Well, as Princess, I officially declare you Sir Sokka, a master swordspony," said Twilight, "You've been way over due."
Sokka just chuckled as Sky sighed and rolled his eyes.
"What's your point?" Sky asked huffily.
"The point, Sky," said Sokka, "is that we weren't naturally talented in what we do best. We had to work hard to become masters, or princess in Twilight's case. This means if you work hard, you can become a really good flyer. It all depends on how much you want to achieve your dream. If you're willing to work hard, we can help you. But if you rather give up on yourself, there's the exit."
Sokka used a spare wing to show the way to leave the Wonderbolts grounds. Twilight was rather surprised by Sokka's bluntness, but found it reasonable and didn't protest it. Sky just looked in the direction Sokka was pointing and then narrowed his eyes.
"I'll give it my best shot," said Sky with determination.
"Good," said Sokka, "Now follow us for the first step of your training."
He then gave Twilight a wink. Twilight then smiled as they led Sky to their already determined rendezvous point.
(Scene changes)
Elsewhere, Rainbow had managed to find Vapor, who was just sulking sadly on a lone cloud. Rainbow wasted no time flying up to her.
"You know, you're really good," Rainbow told a rather dejected pony, "You're lead pony material."
"Hm. That's sweet of you, but no," said Vapor sadly, "But I couldn't handle all the attention."
"But you'll never become a Wonderbolt if you're too afraid to shine," Rainbow pointed out, "That is what you want, right?"
"Well, not at first," Vapor answered honestly, "I just wanted to be with Sky. But learning to do all those fun tricks with you and Sokka? It made me realize this is something I want for myself!"
"I was hoping you'd say that," said Rainbow, "Come with me." Vapor wasted no time following Rainbow to the rendezvous point.
(Scene changes)
Ironically, both groups landed in the middle of a grassy field at roughly the same time. Twilight, Sky, and Sokka landed first with Rainbow and Vapor landing just a couple of seconds after. Sky wasted no time giving Vapor a death glare.
"What's she doing here?" Sky asked defensively.
"Easy there, cadet," said Sokka, "Just hear us out and you'll get your answer."
"Sky, Vapor was never trying to steal your spotlight," said Rainbow, "She thought she was helping you."
"When you were little," said Sokka, "Sky saw how much you wanted to stand out. So she started helping you in secret so you could do just that. But she realizes now that she was overdoing it because you weren't relying on your own natural abilities to fly on your own. She cares alot about you, wants you to fulfill your dream, and she's very sorry for lying to you. She even said the only reason she joined the recruits was to be with you. That's real loyalty right there. And that's saying something since one of my best friends if the Element of Loyalty."
Sky just said nothing as Vapor gave him a sad look, but blushed when Sokka said she cared about him.
"It's all true, Sky," said Vapor, "While I do admit that after training with Rainbow that I do want to be a Wonderbolt, I don't want to get into the Academy if it means it will come between us. I want you there with me. Just like we've always been there for each other. I don't want to leave you behind."
While Sky stayed silent, his facial expression softened considerably.
"In the end," said Sokka as Rainbow pushed Vapor closer to Sky, "Vapor wasn't having any issues flying. She was holding back because she wanted you to have all attention."
"And Vapor shouldn't have been so content to take a back seat," said Twilight as she pushed Sky closer to Vapor, "real friends push each other to succeed and don't expect the other to hold back for their sake." Twilight then blinked, "Fun fact: My husband thought he had to do the same for me just so I would like him...Heh-heh...He soon learned that there's plenty for me to like about him without him having to prove himself to me."
Twilight blushed as Sokka chuckled at her expense.
"Enough of this romance mush," said Rainbow said annoyingly.
"Why? Sky and Vapor would be cute together," said Sokka remarked, "Fluttershy and I, even Twilight and Chase, as well as Clay and Applejack, started as best friends and found out later as time went that we were meant for each other. After all, being a couple doesn't means you're not best friends anymore. It just means your friendship is really, really special."
Sky and Vapor suddenly felt rather awkward being near each other as their cheeks turned dark pink. Neither pony could look each other in the eye. And neither was willing to confirm or deny if they saw something beyond friendship with each other.
"Just ignore that," Rainbow told the Sky and Vapor as she stood between, "Now, you can either stay mad, or help each other and become two of the greatest flyers the Wonderbolt Academy has ever seen!" There was a brief silence before Rainbow added in a pleading tone, "Please pick the second option. I don't want Spitfire and Soarin, my coltfriend, mad at me."
Rainbow then flew upward. Sky just gave Vapor a glare. Vapor just looked sadly away. Sky then gave her a smile and offered a hoof to shake. Vapor smiled excitedly and pounded him playfully for a hug. She then gave him a quick peck on the cheek, making Sky's eyes bug out and his cheeks turn pink once again. Vapor just giggled to herself. Rainbow, Twilight, and Sokka just smiled at the group, though Rainbow rolled her eyes at Vapor's little kiss and Twilight and Sokka awed. The three ponies quickly shared a high hoof together.
(Scene changes)
That evening, the two ponies quickly got to work. Sky and Vapor got back into the cadet uniforms as Twilight prepared the wind making machine once again. Sokka stood nearly for any necessary assistance. Sky gave Twilight a nod that he was ready. Twilight then dumped the mixture into the machine, which created another very strong gust. Sky struggled to fly against the wind.
"You got this, Sky!" Vapor shouted.
Sky heard his best friend despite the howling wind and pushed himself harder. With much effort, Sky was able to fly against the gust. Twilight and Sokka nodded in approval.
(Scene changes)
Once they were done, Sokka brought Sky and Vapor to Rainbow, who was high in the skies as she had Vapor try out her side spin trick once again. Vapor made her attempt, but was still having trouble regaining control of her momentum and crashed into a nearby cloud. Rainbow, Sokka, and Sky all winced. Sky pondered for a moment before getting an idea.
"Focus on the cloud you spin!" Sky told Vapor as he hovered up to her, "It'll help you fly straight when you come out of it."
"Uh-huh," Vapor replied as she tried her flying trick again.
This time she had much better control over her spin and momentum. As a result, she was able to come out of her spin flawlessly. Sky then raised his fore-hooves for her as Vapor flew over to him and they shared a high-hoof together. Sokka and Rainbow were very impressed.
(Scene changes)
Then it was time for their final examinations. Spitfire held a clipboard with one of her wings so she could take notes on each cadet. She then hovered over to where Vapor and Sky were and pointed at Sky to go first. Sky respectfully saluted as he took off into the sky. Thanks to all that training, Sky had problem weaving between the vertical poles.
Twilight, Sokka, Rainbow, Vapor, and the rest of the recruits watched him fly in amazement. Vapor couldn't help but cheer.
Sky then zoomed through some rings, then through a tube that was positioned at a ninety degree angle, and finally headed toward the runway to come in for a very technically clean landing. Spitfire just said nothing and wrote some notes before having the next recruit go next.
(Scene changes)
Now, it was Vapor turn to show what she could do. Vapor quickly zoomed through the sky, doing her side spin tricks as she flew about.
"Woo, yeah!" Sky shouted, earning himself a glare from Spitfire.
Sky just laughed sheepishly but still kept smiling to support his best friend. Twilight, Rainbow, and Sokka were also watching Vapor as well, but kept their cheers quiet for the time being as Vapor went to shape a cloud and came in for a nice smooth landing. Spitfire wrote down some notes, looked up to see that Vapor had shaped the cloud into her head, and then wrote down further notes.
(Scene changes)
Finally, both Sky and Vapor put on their goggles as they took off and mirrored each other as they flew into the sky at the same time. Twilight, Rainbow, and Sokka all cheered from the bleachers. Spitfire and the rest of the staff ponies kept deadpan looks on their faces, especially Spitfire since she was watching their form and technique very closely.
Once the two ponies were finished, they flew in for a landing and came to a complete stop right in front of each other and smiled. Vapor and Sky then blinked and looked to see Twilight, Rainbow, Sokka, and the rest of the recruits were cheering loudly for them. Vapor and Sky both stood with serious faces as Spitfire sternly walked up to them. It was then, Spitfire smiled.
"Congratulations! You both made it into the Wonderbolt Academy!" Spitfire announced and put a pair of golden wings into each other their uniforms.
Vapor was so happy she gave Sky another tackle hug, which he happily accepted. Then he quickly pecked her cheek for good measure. Vapor sat up and blushed as Sky just looked away innocently. Vapor smirked before slapping his shoulder and gave him another long hug. Spitfire just watched the two ponies as Twilight, Rainbow, and Sokka walked up to her.
"Whatever you did, it worked," said Spitfire to the three ponies behind her, "They still have a lot of potential. Who knows? They might be even better than you, Crash." Rainbow laughed.
"Okay, let's not get carried away," said Rainbow before muttering, "I already have one pony who's clearly better than me after all." It was then Angel Wings walked up to Vapor and Sky.
"Um, I just wanted you to know, you two are my new favorite ponies in all of Equestria," Angel Wings told them.
"Hey!" Rainbow yelled jealously, "I heard that!" Sokka laughed.
"Looks like you're now officially last year's model, Dashie," Sokka teased. Both Spitfire and Twilight tried not to laugh.
"Not funny, Sokka," said Rainbow, "I can fly with the best of the best after all."
"True," said Sokka, "I didn't mean to say you were shut down, but there's always going to be a pony who's better than you."
Rainbow just sighed and rolled his eyes, knowing inwardly Sokka was right but refused to admit it. Angel Wings just looked rather insecure as she flew off.
"I can't believe we did it!" Vapor said to Sky.
"You were great!" Sky replied, "Even though you can out-fly me, you can be my wingpony anytime."
"Aw," Vapor chuckled, "and you can be mine." Sokka beamed since he could hear their conversation.
"I expect wedding invitations when you two finally decide to take that step!" Sokka called out. Sky and Vapor blushed.
"We're just best friends, Sokka!" Sky retorted, "And that's all we're gonna..."
SMOOCH!
Vapor then gave Sky a fast kiss on the lips, making him go mute and blush heavily before she flew off.
"Catch me if you can!" Vapor called out. Sky then recovered and smirked.
"You better hide if you know what's good for ya!" Sky retorted playfully and took off after her.
Twilight, Rainbow, and Sokka chuckled as they watched Sky take off after Vapor and Spitfire walked away. It was then they heard a chime and found that their cutie marks were glowing. Sokka was the most excited to see the glow on his flank.
"And that, Sokka," said Twilight, "means your first Friendship mission was a success!" Sokka hopped up and down excitedly before the three ponies shared a hoof bump together.
Soarin walked up to Rainbow as she turned to her coltfriend nervously as she was expecting another lecture but…
"You did good, Dash." Soarin said with a smile as Rainbow smiled in reply and they shared a loving nuzzle before they broke it.
Soarin then walked away off screen somewhere else, leaving the three ponies alone. Then they finally headed off the Wonderbolt grounds for home.
(Scene changes)
A few hours later, the front doors of Twilight and Chase's castle opened. Twilight and Sokka walked into the main foyer. Rainbow hovered in and creaked her spine to stretch a bit as she threw her saddle bags into the floor. Chase was there waiting for them.
"Welcome home," said Chase as he gave his wife a hug and kiss, then looked at Sokka, "I trust you're first cutie map mission went well."
"Yeah, with a few bumps along the way," Sokka replied honestly.
"That's normal for any cutie mark mission," said Chase.
"True, but phew," said Twilight as she wiped her brow, "It's good to be home."
"Indeed," said Sokka as he sat down and released a long breath. Rainbow sighed as well.
"You're telling me," said Rainbow, "Now we can finally catch up with some Daring Do, and I can make cider with Applejack.."
"Our little shopping session in Canterlot," Chase remarked.
"That was supposed to be secret!" Rainbow whined.
"Rainbow, we all know," said Twilight, "I was there when you asked my husband about going shopping together. You only told Chase not to tell anypony, not me."
Rainbow just groaned as her cheeks turned bright pink. Sokka snickered.
KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK!
Just then there was a knock on the front door.
"Fluttershy! Come to me, my sweetheart!" Sokka called out with a huge smile on his face.
"Chill out, lover boy," said Chase with a smirk, "You don't even know if that's even her!"
Sokka snorted and blushed as Twilight giggled and went to open the door. To their surprise, it wasn't Fluttershy, but Misty Fly.
"Misty?" Chase remarked in surprise.
"Dash! I've been looking all over you!" Misty Fly said urgently, "Wonderbolt Emergency! We got to get back to HQ!"
Rainbow's jaw hit the floor.
"You gotta be kidding me!" Rainbow exclaimed, "I was just there!" Rainbow then sighed and plopped onto the floor with a long sigh.
"A Wonderbolt's work is never done," Sokka remarked.
There was a short silence as Twilight, Chase, and Misty Fly looked at each other and then laughed.
(Scene changes)
At the Hollow Shades village, a portal opened near the Well of Shade as Tai Lung and a couple of Protoquin soldiers jumped through it. They leapt all the way down the Well before they landed on their feet.
Tai Lung gave a loud growl before he and his soldiers walked forward to the throne room doors, opened them, and went inside.
The anthropomorphic snow leopard walked past the torches with the three Protoquin soldiers following behind him before they stopped in the middle and knelt before Zhao, who was sitting on his throne chair.
"Master Zhao." Tai Lung greeted his master.
"You may rise, Tai Lung." Zhao said deeply and firmly.
Tai Lung rose up to his feet with the Protoquins rising up as well. Zhao got up from his throne, walked down the staircase, and stopped in front of Tai Lung.
"Do you have the fourth piece of our next goal to find the Zeo Crystal?" Zhao asked.
Tai replied by bringing out a strange geode crystal with a flaming red color engulfing in the center.
"We have found the thunder egg you've been seeking." Tai Lung said.
Zhao smirked evilly as he took the thunder egg in his right hand as he admired it deviously.
"Ah, excellent." Zhao said sinisterly as he turned to Tai Lung. "I am impressed, Tai Lung. You may leave me now."
Tai Lung bowed his head to the Quinkan leader in respect. Then he and the three Protoquin soldiers walked away off screen somewhere else.
Once the four left the throne room, Zhao used the dagger he had given Tai Lung to steal the magic from the three artifacts he's been taking from and touched the tip of the blade on the thunder egg. The thunder egg glowed a bright red color before its powers were transferred into the dagger.
As soon as it stopped, the thunder egg stopped glowing, meaning its magic had been drained. Then Zhao crushed the geode before he dropped the remaining pieces to the ground and the Quinkan leader smirked evilly at the red energy in the dagger.
"Perfect. Now, we have one last magical energy to collect." Zhao said sinisterly as he turned to the Zeo Crystal that was shown from his orb. "Once we have the Zeo Crystal in our possession, taking the powers from the five dragon guardians will be nothing more than destroying all life in Equestria. And when I have all of the powers from their flaming breath, my army will rise again to the very end!"
Zhao chuckled sinisterly before he laughed evilly.
