Rainbow Dash lied down lazily on the clouds of her home, staring at the sky where she can see Cloudsdale from the distance as Rainbows were flowing out of it. She sighed on how relaxed she felt. It's been a while since she could feel the cold and refreshing breeze moving through her, making her more calm and relaxed. It was now winter.

More clouds were forming from the Cloud Factory in Cloudsdale. That reminded Rainbow Dash about the Tornado she and the other Pegasus ponies had to do to make the Factory running to make new clouds. She was proud of Fluttershy for making a strong flight for the first time she saw. It was incredible on how much power she gave in that tornado. But she was a little bit disappointed that they didn't beat the world record of the tornado since Thunderlane, Blossomforth and some other Pegasi were sick.

"Heh. Hope next one they won't get sick again. Next time, I'm making it more challenging." She told herself that. She was still lying there relaxing until she heard a call of her name below her cloud. It was Fluttershy.

"Hello Rainbow Dash. I…I hope I'm not bothering you or anything." Fluttershy looked down slightly ashamed if she was annoying her. Rainbow Dash smiled and shook her head No.

"No No…You weren't bothering me. Anyway, Whatcha want? I have all the time in the world." Rainbow Dash said putting her forelegs in the back of her neck like a pillow and looked up.

"Twilight can use your help on organizing her library. If it's not too much trouble…I mean if you want." Fluttershy told her. Rainbow Dash got up and flew down her cloud and landed next to Fluttershy, which startled her a little.

"Yeah Sure. I got nothing better to do anyway. Plus the Wonderbolts don't perform all of this month." Dash smirked and followed Fluttershy to Ponyville.

Everything was exactly the same in Ponyville. The citizens just walking to the shops, little fillies and colts running around playing with eachother and Ponies just wandering or sitting around enjoying the fresh air. Just a regular everyday routine for Ponyville. The Skies were clear thanks to Rainbow Dash finishing her job.

Twilight's Library was right in front of them as they headed to the front door and knocked to make sure if Twilight was home. The door creaked open and showed the Lavender Colored Unicorn. Of course, It was Twilight Sparkle. She smiled and open the door more and let Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy get in.

"Hello girls. Hope I'm not bothering your days off or anything." Twilight nervously smiled hoping not causing them trouble.

"No. It's cool Twilight. Plus Fluttershy already asked me that. Plus why do you think I'm here if I was busy?" Rainbow Dash chuckled.

"Just making sure Dash. Today is a day off for most of the ponies in Ponyville." Twilight rolled her eyes in a happy manner. She walked to her main Library room. HandyFlash was there as well.

"HandyFlash? Twilight needed your help too?" Rainbow Dash asked and gave him a High Hoof.

"Twilight wanted me to organize the foreign language books. She doesn't really know much foreign so that's why I'm here." HandyFlash told her. He was on his day off as well. The Ponyville Trading Routes was closed for a while anyway.

Twilight nodded and looked at all three of them. "I like to say thank you for helping me. You guys are the best." She said giving a group hug. They all hugged back.

"No problem Twilight. If you need help, just call us." Rainbow Dash told her. She hovered to the bookshelf and began organizing them, along with HandyFlash and Fluttershy. In just five minutes, most of the library was almost done getting cleaned up.

Twilight was amazed about how fast they were working. "Wow. Well done you three. How did you all do it so fast?" She asked. Her library was already done being organized.

Rainbow Dash gave a smirk. "What else? They call me Rainbow DASH for a reason." She chuckled along with Twilight. "But mostly because of the clouds. When the clouds spread, I have a lot of work to be done."

"For me the trading route is pretty tough. Everyday I keep Multitasking on everything. Computers, My inventions and yeah." HandyFlash told Twilight. She was expecting him to work only one by one.

"For me I watch more than five animals mostly everyday. Tough job but you'll get used to it." Fluttershy smiled sweetly.

"Oh yeah. Speaking of hard work, I heard somepony is posting fliers everywhere not just in Ponyville, but all around Equestria. That's a lot of work don't you think?" Twilight told the three.

Rainbow Dash raised her eyebrow, confused. "Fliers? What's the advertisement about?" she asked.

"I don't know. You might want to check it yourself. There are some flyers out this library." Twilight said.

"I think we should check it out. Because I ignored the fliers when I got here." HandyFlash suggested.

"Yeah no kidding. Let's go." Rainbow Dash flew out the open window as HandyFlash followed but Fluttershy used the door. (Like a Boss?)

The three of them were outside and noticed Pegasus ponies holding fliers on their hooves or mouth. It almost looked like Rainbow Dash was delivering fliers to meet up in Twilight's library when they were going to do the waterspout tornado in rain clouds. That immediately reminded Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy about that day.

HandyFlash went to a Pegasus pony and went to her. "Excuse me? Do you know what these fliers are about?" he asked.

She turned her head and revealed to be Raindrops. "Oh hey Flash. You mean these?" Raindrops showed the flier which was decorated in Cloudsdale style. It was written in French Script Font.

"Woah. Never seen these before." HandyFlash went to a wall full of the fliers and picked one up. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy did the same also.

In the corner of Rainbow Dash's eye, she saw Flitter and Cloudchaser. They just got out the house. So it means they don't know what's going on yet. The two of them headed to Rainbow Dash.

"Oh hey Rainbow Dash. Mind telling me what's going on? We saw a lot of fliers in the streets of Ponyville when we just got out." Flitter said, rubbing her eyes. She must've got up from a sleep. It was 9:00AM anyway.

Cloudchaser fixed her mane and looked around. "And I see everypony got one including Fluttershy and HandyFlash." Cloudchaser said. She took one as well and began looking at it.

"Here. I'll read it." HandyFlash said and cleared his throat.

"Ahem. 'Attention all Pegasus ponies, Equestria is now making a new unit for Pegasi only. We would like to ask if you are interested in joining a new force called the E.R.A.F, known as The Equestrian Royal Air Force. Become one of the defense fighters of Equestria and fly like not another Pegasus has flown before. You're using new technology for flying. Feel the adrenaline rush as you fly and become an ace. Join now! It's not a full-time job really.' That's all it says." HandyFlash stopped reading.

Flitter raised her brow. "E.R.A.F? That's kind of weird. And what did it mean about Advanced Technology?" she asked. They all shrugged.

"Probably they are adding more stuff for us. Like shields, safety gear and stuff." Cloudchaser guessed. She didn't know much about technology and what did it mean.

"Maybe do terrifying experiments on us." Fluttershy said began to be in fear.

"Oh Fluttershy. They would never do that." HandyFlash chuckled and petted her.

Another voice was heard right behind them. It was Thunderlane along with Blossomforth. "I see you guys found the fliers also. We did too." Thunderlane said holding one.

"Yeah. Did you go to Cloudsdale yet? Is there like a joining place?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I don't know. We can check it out now though." Blossomforth suggested as she looked up at the clouds.

"Yeah just be sure. You all coming?" Rainbow Dash asked while her wings were spread.

"I guess. Plus I kind of interest in joining the ERAF anyway." Flitter didn't lie. She sounded serious.

"Same here. I got nothing really to do mostly every day." Cloudchaser said.

"Uhm...I kind of won't to see what it's like to be in it so... I guess I'll be in it also." Fluttershy said shyly. Everyone was surprised when she said she would join.

Rainbow Dash looked at all of them and they agreed to join... but HandyFlash was silent. "You okay HandyFlash?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Oh. Yes I am. Sorry. Anyway, yeah I kind want to join. Just to see what it's like." He said. It almost sounded like he was hiding something though.

"Okay then. Well let's not waste any time. Let's go." Rainbow Dash said and immediately dashed up to Cloudsdale. The others followed her. Other Pegasi were going up to.

-(Cloudsdale)-

The fresh and cold breeze was surrounding Cloudsdale as Rainbow Dash and the group landed. It's been a long time since flight school. They can see that other Pegasus ponies has already got here. Not every Pegasus in Ponyville, just a few. But it was big because the Pegasi group was from all over Equestria.

"Wow. That's a lot of volunteers." Blossomforth commented. She walked around and saw a line to a building that said 'ERAF Volunteers'. "Yup. Found the place where you can join the ERAF. Right there." she pointed.

Another familiar voice was in the line. "Yeah. Plus it's a long line." it said. Rainbow Dash recognized that voice and looked at the brown coated Pegasus.

"Dumbbell? Your joining too?" Rainbow Dash asked. She was kind of surprised he would join.

"Oh hey Rainbow. Yeah I'm joining. I see you and your group is also." Dumbbell said looking at her group.

"Yup. Your friends joining too?" She asked. Dumbbell's friends weren't in the line. It was just himself. He shook his head no.

"No. They didn't want to join. I don't know why. They just said They like being regular Pegasi. I joined because I wanted to move up the next level of becoming a Pegasus." Dumbbell told her. He sounded serious about it. He really did change after the Flying competition.

Another voice was heard. A grey coat mare with a blonde mane an tail was next to them. "Hey! Me too!" It was no other than Derpy. Her cross eyes were still there and she smiled happily. "I'm joining also." she said.

"You? Joining? Uh...I don't know Derpy. You might mess up a bit like last time to Mayor Mare's town hall in Ponyville." Rainbow Dash said steadily hoping it doesn't hurt Derpy's feeling.

"Oh don't worry. That was before. I'm sure I can handle it now." Derpy smiled. She just wanted to join.

"Okay then. Good luck Derpy." Dumbbell said, scratching his neck.

"Thank you! You too." she said moving Foward in the line. She was excited like always.

"Uh Rainbow Dash? Is that your friends over there?" Dumbbell asked pointing at them.

"I thought you already saw them. HandyFlash, Fluttershy and the rest are right there." Rainbow Dash pointed at them.

"No no. I meant that Twilight Sparkle and the others. They're right there." He said looking at another direction and saw Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Applejack.

Rainbow Dash was surprised they were there. Were they joining? She went over there to Twilight. "Girls? You're all joining to?" she asked.

"What? No. We heard you and the others were joining the ERAF so we decided to check on you all on your training." Applejack told her.

"So yeah. I did the spell where we can be in Cloudsdale." Twilight said while her horn just glowed.

"I'm sure you all will do well in training. I'm proud of you all." Rarity smiled and hugged Rainbow Dash. "Fly well...not like I did when I was here last time." Rarity laughed, remembering when she was full of herself at Cloudsdale once.

"If I was a pegasus, I would join as well! It would be fun and cool!" Pinkie Pie jumped up and down in excitement.

"I'm sure you would Pinkie." Rainbow Dash patted Pinkie Pie's head. "But still, I have a weird feeling about joining this ERAF." she looked around in the layers of clouds.

"Aw don't be nervous. We know your one of the most bravest Pegasi out there." Rarity told her, which raised her spirit up a bit.

"I guess that is a good point. But still, I need to calm down. Can we just talk while we wait till I'm up?" Rainbow Dash asked for a conversation just to get some stress out. She hated feeling weak like this.

"Of course Rainbow Dash. What are friends for?" Twilight smiled and began talking about her stories.

45 minutes have passed until the line was getting shorter. Rainbow Dash and the other Pegasi followed her in as they saw that the place looked fancy. There were also pictures of clouds and Pegasi flying in them. The stallion working in the desk called them up and sent them to a room were a mare dressed like in military uniform except it was white and it was fancy.

"Ah. You all are the new ones joining right?" she asked. She was quite young. Her coat was turquoise and her mane and tail was light red with hints of hot pink streaks.

"Yes. That would be us ma'am." HandyFlash replied. She looked at him and tapped her chin.

"Haven't I seen you before...Oh yeah! Your that stallion who flew an aircraft!" she shouted in surprise. She shook her hoof on HandyFlash and then to Rainbow Dash and the other, who were confused.

"Flew a what? HandyFlash flew a what?" Derpy asked. She hasn't heard of an aircraft before in her life.

"Pardon? What's an aircraft?" Cloudchaser asked looking at HandyFlash in an unreadable face.

"An Aircraft is just like the blimps you see in Canterlot. Except it looks like this. It's called a jet." HandyFlash showed a picture of one of his blueprints in his bag. "I have a confession to make. My father is the one who invented the jet aircraft. I myself has flew it many times." he said.

"And now that your joining the ERAF, you'll be flying in the jets. Not using your wings. This beautiful craft is our next generation fighter for air aviators." the mare in the well uniform said. "Oh by the way, my name is Neon Nimbus, a former E.S.A.S operative. Also one of the founders of the E.R.A.F." she said.

"Wait, your saying we have to fly those things?" Rainbow Dash asked in surprise. She didn't know what it was until now.

"Piloting those? Really?" Flitter looked at it. She couldn't get her eyes off it.

"Yes. Why? You all nervous or something?" Neon Nimbus looked at them in a worried way. They just stood up and said no.

"We're not afraid. We are ready to move on." Thunderlane said in a fearless way. Still, you could tell he was nervous a bit.

"We're just moving up the next level of becoming a Pegasus. Don't worry." Rainbow Dash told her. Everyone tried their best to show no nervousness.

Fluttershy was on the ground covering her head, Dumbbell stood there frozen, Cloudchaser kept staring at the jets along with Flitter, Thunderlane and Blossomforth looked around the room trying to get over the feeling of flying jets, Derpy was confused as always.

"Great! Sign your names here and we can all begin your training. Don't worry, it's not immediately going to your jets, it's a simulator. And a few tests and quizzes." Neon Nimbus said giving them the sign up sheet as they all wrote their names.

Rainbow Dash looked a bit scared, but not as scared as Fluttershy. She looked at HandyFlash in an unreadable way. He flew an aircraft? She looked at the pictures of his blueprints and saw it was jet engined aircraft which can go fast in above 1000 mph. It sounded like it was faster than her. Not really, but that feared her. She had a phobia of what happens if you go faster than a sonic rainboom.

As soon as they signed the papers, Neon Nimbus put them in the file box and looked back at them. "HandyFlash is an experienced pilot of the aircraft. So he might teach you a few stuff. Training starts tomorrow ponies. Bring your fearless emotions with you." She said and wished them luck.

Jets? Your kidding me. They all thought the new unit is about flying using their wings. But no. It's about the jets they're flying in.

Today was surprisingly shocking, Tomorrow will be difficult.

"Don't worry everypony. The training will be okay. I promise." HandyFlash said. Everyone seemed to be nervous and show some fear. Was this training for real?

"I hope it will. I mean, flying that 1000 mph beast...that makes my dashing sound like a little cat. It kinda scares me." Rainbow Dash said nervously looking on Cloudsdale's edge.

"And my name a bedtime story." Cloudchaser commented still surprised.

"We need rest everyone. Let's get ready for pilot training tomorrow."

Next Chapter: Training The Steps Estimated time remaining: 5 Hours, 38 Minutes