“Wait, did you just say Rainbow Dash?” Sharp Side asked. Eagle Eye glanced back at the letter in amazement. It couldn’t have been Rainbow Dash. But, there, in his hooves, was a letter in her writing. How could it not be her?

“Yes! I… I didn’t even think she remembered me. I’m surprised she even remembered my mailing address. I can’t believe it’s really from her!” Eagle finally replied.

“What’s it say?” Sharp asked. Eagle scanned the letter over once more.

“Well, she was wondering if I got an invitation to the Flight Camp Reunion. As a matter of fact, I did, but I can’t believe I completely forgot that she was in my class. I guess I’ll be seeing her next Friday night.”

“Looks like you’ve got a marefriend to see again,” Sharp Side said jokingly, nudging Eagle Eye. Eagle simply pushed his friend to the floor.

“You know as well as I do that we aren’t a thing anymore numbnuts. Although, it’s gonna be awesome to see her again. I’ve only been able to hypothesize how her life has been. I can’t wait to hear it from her.” Eagle Eye was full of joy, knowing that his ex was going to be in attendance at the reunion.

“Hey, what was her friend’s name?” Sharp Side asked. Eagle Eye looked to his friend and helped him up off the floor.

“Friend? Oh, you mean… crap, what was her name?” Eagle asked himself. “Oh yeah, Fluttershy. Why?”

“Well, wasn’t she in your class too?”

“True. I bet she’ll be in attendance as well, unless of course she is still as shy as ever. I guess that’s why her name is Fluttershy. Man, I can still remember how Dash and I would always defend her from the bullies at Flight Camp. The three of us were the closest friends, but Dash and I were obviously something a little more.” Sharp Side smiled and put his hoof on his friend’s shoulder.

“Looks like you’ve got a big day next Friday then my friend.”

“Indeed I do,” Eagle replied, nodding his head. He looked at the letter once more and smiled. ‘Rainbow Dash,’ he thought to himself. “Anyway, let’s get back to my novel. I don’t want the creative flow to be interrupted any more than it already has been.” Sharp Side nodded and reassumed his position on Eagle Eye’s bed. Eagle simply rolled his eyes and sat back down at his desk. He kept the letter on the corner of the desk, hoping to reminisce on his favorite mare a little later.

Eagle Eye and Sharp Side continued to write for another half hour, until Sharp Side finally decided to leave. He made his way downstairs to the door. Before he left, Eagle Eye wished him good luck for his date the next day. Eagle and Sharp wouldn’t be seeing each other beforehand, so Eagle had to give his best friend some good luck. Sharp Side nodded and gave his friend a hoof bump. The green stallion walked out the door and headed home.

A few moments later, Sky Dove and Ruby walked back into the house, their bags filled with groceries for dinner. Eagle Eye heard the sound of the door opening, but he was too focused on his writing still to greet them. Sky Dove entered Eagle’s room.

“Hello Eagle. I see you got your creative juices flowing again,” Sky Dove greeted him.

“Yeah, Sharp Side came up with an obvious, yet brilliant way for the story to progress. But, that’s not the only thing that happened while you were out.” Eagle Eye gestured to the letter on the corner of his desk. Sky Dove picked up the letter in her hoof and read it. Eagle Eye noticed her mouth fly open and her eyes widen.

“Eagle Eye, is it really from her?” Sky Dove asked. Eagle Eye nodded.

“Is what from who?” Ruby called to her mother, walking up the steps. Sky Dove looked at her daughter, and then back to Eagle Eye.

“You can show her Mom.” Sky Dove handed the letter to Ruby. She read it over, and shortly after, grabbed Eagle Eye in a bear hug.

“Eagle Eye! You’re getting back together with Rainbow Dash!” Eagle Eye let out a faint cough, which told Ruby to stop hugging him so forcefully. Eagle Eye caught his breath before speaking.

“Actually Ruby, if you read the letter, you would know that she just wanted to know if I was attending the Flight Camp Reunion, which I am.”

“Oh wow, I completely forgot about that. It’s next Friday right?” Ruby asked.

“Yep, and now, I have even more of a reason to go,” Eagle replied.

“What about her friend?” Sky Dove asked.

“Fluttershy? Well, if Dash and Flutters are still as close as they were back then, then I’m sure Fluttershy will be there. I just hope that if all punks from Flight Camp attend this thing that they have at least matured over the past few years. Those guys were jerks.” Sky Dove simply giggled to herself.

“I’m sure they have changed Eagle. Now, come on, I want you to help us make dinner. Where is your father by the way?” she asked.

“He had to go meet somepony downtown. He said he would be back in about an hour, so I assume he’ll be home soon,” Eagle said. His mother nodded as he got up from his desk and followed her and his sister down to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

As if on cue, Fire Streak walked in through the door as the three ponies walked into the kitchen.

“There you are darling,” Sky Dove greeted her husband. “We were just about to start making dinner. Care to join us?” she asked.

“Of course I would darling,” he responded, walking into the kitchen. “Eagle, did you get any further on your story while I was gone?”

“As a matter of fact I did. Sharp Side helped with a simple but awesome idea. And, I also got a letter from an old friend,” Eagle Eye responded.

“Who?” Fire asked.

“Rainbow Dash.” Fire Streak looked at his son with wide eyes.

“You mean the mare you went out with during Flight Camp?”

“The very same mare. She wanted to know if I was going to be attending the Flight Camp Reunion next Friday, which I am. I can’t wait to see her, and most likely Fluttershy, again.” Eagle Eye was full of happiness, but his father seemed to be a little edgy. “Something wrong Dad?” Fire Streak shook himself out of his small trance.

“Oh, no, it’s nothing. I’m just worried that those bullies from your class will be in attendance is all,” Fire responded. Eagle raised an eyebrow at his father.

“Dad, you know that if they give me trouble, I can handle them.”

“I know that very well Eagle. I just want you to have a good time, not having to worry about the shenanigans of a few punks.” Eagle Eye chuckled at his father’s high amounts of unneeded concern.

“Everything will be fine Dad. Besides, it’s not until next week, so I’ve got time to plan everything out. Come on, I’m getting hungry with all of this food out. Let’s make some dinner,” Eagle Eye finished, and he started to chop away at some vegetables with a knife. Fire Streak nodded and did the same, levitating his knife with his magic.

It didn’t take long for Eagle Eye and his family to prepare their dinner. They all sat down, ate, talked, and just enjoyed each other’s company. They really were a great family. Eagle Eye felt, and literally was, right at home with them. He felt like nothing could go wrong with them. If something ever did go wrong, he would protect them and keep them safe. His family really did mean the world to him. He could only hope that someday he would have his own family. He had no hopes of Rainbow Dash being his soul mate, but he always kept her in his thoughts.

Eagle Eye helped his father clean up all of the dishes and the table. Afterwards, he returned to his room to continue writing. But, Eagle was stopped by the letter on his desk. He stopped writing, pulled the letter in front of him, and just read it once again.

Eagle Eye chuckled as he read her signature once again. He would always call her Rainbow Danger Dash for her insanely dangerous attitude and personality. When they starting dating, Eagle mostly referred to her as Dash, but his original name for her always stuck. To see that she remembered that made Eagle Eye one happy stallion. His thoughts of his novel started to fade as they were replaced by thoughts of the first day they met each other.

The sun was high and bright in the sky. The clouds that made up the Summer Flight Camp were as white as ever, perfect for the daily activities of the young Pegasi. Fillies and Colts were already practicing out on the field. This day, a new group would be joining them.

The newest group of the Flight Camp gathered at the main racing track. There were about 15 Pegasi in total, each about the same age, which would be about 12 to 14 years old. The group’s teacher started to take a head count of his group, going by alphabetical order in the names. He went up the list to the letter E.

“Eagle Eye?” the teacher called.

“Here,” the young Eagle Eye responded. Right after him was a shy yellow filly.

“Fluttershy?” the teacher continued.

“Here,” she responded, in a very hushed tone. Continuing down the list, he made his way to the R’s.

“Rainbow Dash?”

“Here, and ready to fly!” the cyan blue filly replied. Eagle Eye let out a soft chuckle at the overenthusiastic filly. The teacher finished his role call and let the young fillies get acquainted with the camp, which would practically become their home for the whole summer. Eagle Eye started to walk by himself, only to be greeted by the filly known as Rainbow Dash.

“You think something’s funny pal?” she asked him, getting in his face a bit.

“Um, no. Could you please get out of my way?” he replied. She only moved closer towards him.

“No! What were you laughing at?” Rainbow continued. Eagle Eye couldn’t help but crack a smirk.

“Sheesh, are you always this obnoxious Rainbow?” Eagle asked jokingly. Rainbow backed up from Eagle and gave him some space, but she didn’t change her attitude one bit.

“Only to the guys that get on my nerves, and you just so happen to be one of those guys.”

“All I did was chuckle at you being excited to fly.”

“What’s so funny about that?” Rainbow asked, once again getting in Eagle’s face. He gently pushed her back.

“Nothing, it’s just the way you said it.” Eagle Eye couldn’t help but crack another smirk at the overreacting filly. He didn’t really care, but she was just so… passionate in arguing against him.

“Man, you colts are all the same,” she said, and she turned and bluffed her tail in his muzzle. Eagle Eye suddenly got serious.

“I know you didn’t just do that,” he said, his tone getting more serious.

“And what if I did?” Rainbow replied, turning her head back to him. She backed up and waved her tail in his muzzle again. Now he was getting a little angry.

“Let me just tell you something Rainbow. Nopony bluffs their tale in my face. I don’t like it when ponies do that to me. I don’t need to smell where your tail has been. Now, because you’re a girl, I can’t, and won’t, hurt you, but if you do that again, somepony may wake up with a new hairstyle or color,” Eagle threatened.

“Oooooh, I’m so afraid. What are you gonna do, paint my mane and tale blonde?” she said, both mockingly and sarcastically.

“Try me,” Eagle Eye responded. He looked her dead in the eyes. She must have gotten the message, because she backed off from Eagle pretty quickly.

“Um, ok, I’ll stop. Sorry.”

“Yeah, that’s what I thought,” Eagle Eye responded. Rainbow started to back away, only to hear a faint snicker from Eagle.

“What?” she asked. Eagle burst out in laughter, falling to the floor.

“You should have seen your face! You were like, “AAAAH,” it was priceless!” Eagle mocked, still laughing. Rainbow let out a huff.

“I was not!” she cried out, but Eagle kept laughing. “Stop laughing at me!” Eagle looked up, stopped laughing, and picked himself up.

“Alright, alright, sheesh. I’m sorry, alright. I’m just joking around is all,” Eagle Eye said, wiping a small tear from his eye. Rainbow didn’t look at all amused. “Look, I think we got off on the wrong hoof here. Why don’t we start over? I’m Eagle Eye,” he said, and he extended his hoof forward. Rainbow Dash looked at it for a moment. She didn’t know whether or not to trust this guy. Something told her that he was alright. She let out a faint smile and extended her hoof.

“I’m Rainbow Dash,” she replied. Instead of hoof shaking, they actually hoof bump. Eagle Eye smiled back to the cyan blue filly.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you Rainbow Dash. See, now why didn’t you greet me like that in the first place?” Eagle asked sarcastically. Rainbow let out a small giggle.

“Because you laughed at me,” she responded.

“Yeah, but now look. You’re laughing too.” Rainbow could only keep laughing as Eagle’s smile grew wider. “Hey, you wanna hang out for a while before we start all the training stuff?” Eagle asked. Rainbow looked at Eagle and smiled.

“Sure, why not?” she responded.

“Cool,” Eagle finished. He started to walk to the Mess Hall, and Rainbow followed him. Little did the two little ponies know that this would be the start of a real relationship.

Eagle Eye was snapped out of his thoughts of Rainbow Dash by a knock at the door.

“Huh, oh, uh, come in,” he called out. Ruby entered his room. “What’s up Ruby?”

“What did you two talk about?” she quickly asked.

“Huh?”

“You and Sharp Side, what did you talk about? Did you talk about tomorrow? What did he say? Is he nervous, cause I think I’m getting nervous. Do I look nervous?” she asked. Her questions were spoken rapidly, and she started to breathe a bit faster.

“Uh, yes. Sit on my bed Ruby, I think we should talk,” Eagle responded. She quickly made her way to her brother’s bed. She lied down on his comfortable bed and relaxed.

“Sorry, I’m just getting worried about tomorrow. I’ve been waiting for so long to go on a date with him, and tomorrow, it’s finally going to happen. I just don’t want to mess anything up. I want him to like me, cause I really like him,” Ruby said. Eagle Eye could tell that she was nervous.

“Yeah, it’s called love little sister. Don’t worry, everything will be fine. Truthfully, he said he was looking forward to it. He told me that he had really lightened up to you. He sort of has a thing for you now even, so you’re in luck. Just calm down and think of how great it will be. Just you and him, together.” Ruby started to think of that very thing. She sighed and let out a soft smile.

“Thanks Eagle. You always know how to cheer me up.”

“Well yeah, it’s my job to make sure my little sister is happy and safe. Just one thing though.”

“What?” she asked.

“Please, do not let him talk you into having sex with him, or vice versa,” Eagle Eye said, starting to laugh.

“Eagle Eye! What kind of mare do you think I am?!” Ruby responded, less than amused by Eagle’s comment. He could only continue laughing.

“I’m joking, I’m joking. Don’t worry, he won’t do anything like that. I can expect the same thing from you, right?”

“Yes, Eagle, you can. I won’t do anything with him. We are just going to go on a date, that’s it,” Ruby responded. Eagle stopped laughing and just smiled at his sister.

“Good. Man, I can’t believe my little sister is going on a date.”

“I’ve gone on tons of dates before Eagle,” she replied, raising an eyebrow at her brother.

“Yeah, but not with my best friend,” he replied. They both started to laugh.

“That’s true. Anyway, thanks Eagle,” she said.

“Anything for you sis,” he replied. She got up, kissed him on the head, and walked out of his room. He smiled to himself and looked back to his book. “Alright, let’s get back to work,” he said to himself. Eagle lost himself in his novel once again.

Another hour of work left Eagle Eye beat. He was out of energy and had fully exhausted his creative juices. He had managed to get to a decent point in the story, and was ready to just pass out. He quickly showered, brushed his teeth, and dropped dead in his bed. His memories of Flight Camp once again consumed his thoughts as he slept.

Eagle Eye’s group was now one month into their Flight Camp session. Eagle and Rainbow Dash had become best friends, partnering up for every activity that required partners. They started to do everything together, from racing to playing to even eating together. They didn’t look at it as a relationship though. They looked at it as just friendship.

At that time, Eagle Eye and his family lived in Cloudsdale, which allowed him to see Rainbow Dash much more often. The day that Eagle Eye introduced Rainbow Dash to his family was probably the most embarrassing day in his life. His mother assumed that they were an item, and Eagle Eye kept moaning and face hoofing. Rainbow Dash couldn’t stop laughing. Ruby really enjoyed Rainbow Dash’s mane and tail, and Fire Streak seemed quite impressed by Rainbow’s loyalty and courage. Eagle Eye simply took her to his room. He just had to get away from his family. But, even so, Rainbow Dash was basically a part of Eagle Eye’s day to day lifestyle now.

Seeing as though that was the case, Rainbow Dash got involved with a few bullies at Flight Camp. This ultimately got Eagle Eye involved with them as well. They would always call Rainbow Dash Rainbow Crash, and Eagle Eye was given the name Eagle Cry. Although, Eagle Eye would always present a very valid argument. Eagle Cry isn’t very insulting. To him, an eagle’s cry is one of the coolest animal sounds that could ever be made. But, the bullies were too arrogant to give a damn, and they would always persist with annoying both Eagle and Rainbow. They got over it rather quickly, but one day, Eagle and Rainbow found those same bullies picking on a shy yellow filly.

Eagle Eye and Rainbow Dash had just finished their lunch and were exiting the Mess Hall. They were both in hysterical laughter at a joke Eagle Eye had made. But, over their own laughter, they heard the laughter of the two bullies. They were picking on the filly known as Fluttershy.

“Heh, nice goin Cluttsershy,” one of them said. “They ought a ground you permanently.”

“Yeah, my baby brother can fly better than you,” the second one jumped in. They continued to laugh at the shy filly. But, moments later, Rainbow Dash swooped in to defend Fluttershy.

“Leave her alone!” she demanded.

“Oh, what are you gonna do Rainbow Crash?!” one of the kids replied. Eagle Eye dropped down next to Rainbow.

“Keep making fun of them and find out buck for brains,” he insulted. Now, these bullies would always get on Eagle Eye’s nerves, but around the Flight Camp, Eagle Eye was known to be a really good fighter. But, these bullies would always risk it just for the laughs. They started to back up a bit from him and Rainbow, but they weren’t running away.

“You two think you’re so tough. Why don’t you prove it?!” one of them fought back.

“What do you have in mind?” Rainbow asked.

Moments later, the four young Pegasi were lined up at a racing line. Fluttershy was at the start point with a flag. Rainbow and Eagle eyed each other, smiled and nodded to each other, then faced forward again. Fluttershy waved the flag, and the four Pegasi rushed off, causing her to fall off her little cloud.

Rainbow Dash and those two bullies kept racing, but Eagle Eye caught notice of the falling Fluttershy. He quickly diverted from the race path to save the shy filly. She was getting closer to the ground, so Eagle picked up his speed. But, moments before he could get to her, a flock of butterflies caught her. Eagle Eye quickly slowed his speed and landed on the ground, watching the yellow filly being carried by the butterflies. He watched her take in all of her surroundings. She was completely mesmerized.

A few moments later, Eagle Eye heard her start to sing. He had no idea that this shy little filly could sing. She had a beautiful voice. She started to sing of how she absolutely loved everything about being on the ground. She loved the animals, the colors, everything. It was like she was in a new world.

Suddenly, from behind them, a giant explosion erupted through the sky, followed by a rainbow. Fluttershy noticed it, but her attention was quickly drawn to her new animal friends, which had all run for cover. Eagle Eye, on the other hand, knew exactly what had just happened. Rainbow Dash had just pulled off the impossible. She pulled off a Sonic Rainboom.

Eagle Eye was about to fly back up to the Flight Camp, but he noticed Fluttershy comforting all of the animals. He noticed her flank started to glow, and shortly after, three pink butterflies formed on her flank. He smiled at her and walked over to her.

“Hey, Fluttershy right?” he asked. “Take a look at your flank.” Fluttershy turned to look. Her face beamed with joy and happiness. She had just earned her cutie mark. She didn’t want to frighten her new friends, but she couldn’t help but jump up and start to fly. It amazed Eagle Eye how just getting her cutie mark made this little filly better at flying. He sat next to her.

“Hey, if those bullies ever give you a hard time again, just find either me or Rainbow Dash. I’m Eagle Eye, by the way. You must have some talent, talking to animals and all.” Fluttershy hid behind her hair. Eagle Eye simply chuckled. “No need to be afraid. Listen, I’ll let you be with your new friends, but like I said, if you need either Rainbow Dash or me, just try to find us. I’m gonna get going. See you later Fluttershy.” He patted her on the head, which made her smile.

“Thank you Eagle Eye,” she said as he walked away. He turned to her and smiled. He turned back and flew back to the camp. He just witnessed that little filly earn her cutie mark, but what came next, he wasn’t expecting.

Landing on the cloud where Rainbow Dash was relishing in her victory, Eagle took notice of the rainbow colored lightning bolt on her flank. Had she just earned her cutie mark too?

“Yeah, I know, you’re jealous! Hey, what happened back there?” Rainbow asked, walking up to Eagle Eye.

“Well, I saw Fluttershy falling from her little cloud, so I raced to save her. But, she was caught by some butterflies. Your Sonic Rainboom frightened all of the animals that were surrounding her, and she got them all to come out of hiding. Moments later, she earned her cutie mark.”

“Seriously?! Wow, that’s awesome! Where is she?”

“She stayed on the ground. She really likes it down there,” Eagle Eye said, looking back down to the ground from the edge of the cloud.

“What was her special talent?” Rainbow asked.

“Apparently talking to animals. I think she can literally talk to them. Her cutie mark was three pink butterflies, which really accompanies her pink hair. But, anyway, congrats on getting your cutie mark as well Dash,” Eagle finished. Rainbow chuckled and smirked, continuing to gloat.

“Yeah, thanks. I must be that awesome. I just knew I could pull that off, I just knew it! And now, I’ve got the cutie mark to prove it!” Rainbow was a little ball of pride and joy. Eagle Eye could only smile at her.

Eagle Eye then noticed that they were actually alone. They were on one of the more isolated clouds. He was surprised even more so because Dash had just managed to pull off a Sonic Rainboom. Where was everypony? But, he didn’t really care at that moment.

Something told Eagle Eye to pull Rainbow closer to him. She was still staring at her cutie mark, and she was caught completely off guard by him. Within seconds, Eagle Eye kissed her on the lips. Rainbow was completely surprised. But, even to her own surprise, she didn’t back out of it. She enjoyed it. It was, after all, her first kiss. It was the first kiss for Eagle Eye too. They held that kiss for a good 30 seconds. When they finally released, they stared into each other’s eyes.

“Best day ever,” Rainbow said.

“You got that right,” Eagle replied.

Eagle Eye was awakened by the sound of birds chirping from outside his room. He slowly opened his eyes and turned to the window. He got out of bed and walked to the window. Opening his curtains, he found that the sun was shining bright in the sky, and that the day seemed to already be in full motion.

“What time is it?” Eagle asked himself. Turning to his clock, he found that it was four o’clock in the afternoon. “Wow, I slept that long? Well, at least no one interrupted my sleep.” Eagle sat back down on his bed. He started to think of Rainbow Dash. He wondered if she still had feelings for him, or if she had found another stallion to be with. Eagle Eye didn’t think about it for too long. He got out of bed and started his day, which would in fact be a very short day. But, before he left his room, he said one more thing to himself.

“I’ll see you in six days Dash.”

Author's Notes:

Another slow chapter, but now you guys can get an idea of the bond between Eagle Eye and Rainbow Dash. That becomes pretty important later on in the story. The next chapter is when things start to get interesting.