A week had now passed rather quickly, soon it was time for the Wonderbolts relay team to start their early training. Being the captain of the Bolts, Spitfire had gotten up early to get everyone ready. However, it wasn’t going as well to plan as she’d hoped.

“So, if I break the sound barrier in the relay and blow the whole competetion away, can I be like second in command for the Bolts?”

“No, Fleetfoot, like I’ve said for the fifth time now this past hour, there’s more to becoming a captain or ‘second in command’ than just flying fast,” Spitfire stated as she lazily sat on her blue suitcase. The two Wonderbolts had been at Ponyville station for a while now. They knew Soarin would have wanted more time with Dash, but they were now both starting to question why they’d shown up as early as they did.

“So, if I was to—”

“Fleet, if you start this one more time, I’m throwing this suitcase at you,” Spitfire playfully threatened, shaking her head as she stood up and trotted to the edge of the wooden platform. She leaned her head out to check for any oncoming trains.

“Aurgh,” Fleetfoot groaned out while lying down on her own suitcase as she looked up to the ceiling of the platform, putting her shades back on. “Isn’t there something fun we could do while we wait?”

“Did somepony say fun?”

Both Spitfire and Fleetfoot turned to see a pink mare standing at the end of the platform. She was wearing what looked to be like a cheerleading outfit and was accompanied by what both Wonderbolts knew as the Ponyville relay team, minus Rainbow Dash.

Fleetfoot raised her sunglasses as she looked over to the ponies. “Hey, I know you guys. Ponyville relay team and... is it Pinkie Pie?”

The cheerleading mare nodded as she began bouncing around the wooden platform, making creaking noises as she jumped up and down. Fleetfoot raised an eyebrow. “And you’re all here for... what exactly?”

“WE ARE HERE FOR PONYVILLE RELAY PRACTICE!” Bulk Biceps hollered, before sitting down on his flanks and waiting for instruction. Fluttershy had to regain her balance before nodding to confirm what he’d just said.

“Wait,” Fleetfoot said, looking over to Spitfire who just shrugged. She then turned her expression to a little more of an annoyed one. “Why are you guys going to practice a week early, that’s our idea, which is why we—”

“—are so happy to have you come along,” Soarin stated proudly as he landed, cutting Fleetfoot off. She shot a glare at the grinning stallion. Rainbow soon landed by his side, the pair carrying suitcases of their own.

Spitfire just simply rolled her eyes. “Took you long enough to show up,” the captain said jokingly.

Soarin chuckled as both he and Dash clambered onto the platform. “Yeah, I know, we kinda... didn’t sleep that much last night.”

“Hmm, I wonder why...” Spitfire replied sarcastically, giving a mischievous grin to the pair.

Soarin’s eyes widened. “No no, it’s just I promised Pinkie she could throw me and Dash a party when we came back from the Games. But she did kinda insist that we have a small party for going to training a week early,” he explained.

Fleetfoot looked over to Dash, “So lemme guess, Soarin asked you to come along so he doesn’t get himself hurt from gawking at mares again?”

Soarin blushed from the statement as Dash snickered slightly, before she could reply however Pinkie Pie informed the two Wonderbolts. “Well, it’s funny you should say that, because Dash decided since Soarin was going to train in the Crystal Empire that for the awesomeness of the team she should go as well! But Twilight, Rarity and Applejack had stuff to do, so they couldn’t come,” Pinkie said deflating a little. “But,” she continued perking back up, “they’ll be there for the Games!”

“That’s just wonderful,” Fleetfoot remarked, putting her shades back on as the sound of metal clattering started to sound from the track just a few meters away. Spitfire turned back from the platform to grab her suitcase as the train pulled into view. The brightly coloured train halted itself parallel to the station, its doors opened to reveal a few ponies disembarking as steam from the brakes filled the platform.

A stallion wearing a tailor made blazer and a pocket watch came into view as he shouted, “All aboard for the train to the Crystal Empire!”

Spitfire motioned for Soarin to join them as they entered one of the carriages. Soarin looked over to Dash who just smiled back. “We’ll wait for you to have a chat with your team,” she said, trotting over to another carriage with her friends just after giving him one last wink. Soarin grinned at his marefriend before making his way into the train with his teammates.

Once the doors closed the train whistled, before the wheels began to grind against the tracks as the large locomotive began to gain speed, setting the train off towards its destination.

Soarin dragged his suitcase into the holding area of the cart before he heard Fleetfoot speak up. “Well, Soar, congrats on bringing half the town to come train with us!”

“What? I didn’t think it was a secret!” Soarin exclaimed as he turned around slightly shocked.

“It’s alright, Fleet. At least it’s not every team in the Equestria Games,” Spitfire said laying down on one of the seats. It was then that she eyed Soarin’s suitcase. “Eh, Soarin?” she asked the stallion who turned to face her, “either you’ve moved in to Dash’s home or you’ve robbed some store in town. How is your suitcase so big?”

Soarin felt slightly embarrassed by what he was about to say. “Rarity kinda... made me some stuff to wear at the Games. I did try to tell her I’d need to be wearing my Wonderbolts uniform most of the time, but she insisted,” the stallion explained, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Rarity… she’s the one that fell from the Cloudsdale arena, wasn’t she?” Fleetfoot inquired as she went over to the bag.

“Yeah, at least that’s all I remember before she knocked me out,” Spitfire answered as Soarin chuckled at the thought. It was then that a clicking sound was heard and both Wonderbolts turned to see Fleetfoot next to Soarin’s open bag. She was holding up a glittery golden Wonderbolts uniform while trying to hold back the oncoming laughter.

“Soarin,” Fleetfoot started while desperately trying to contain what little composure she had left. “If you wear this in public, I will give you 10 bits.”

Spitfire was trying to keep a hoof at her mouth to stop her own laughter as Soarin turned a deep shade of red. “Fleetfoot, why do you always try and make bets?”

The mare shrugged before throwing the garment at Soarin’s muzzle. Spitfire just proceeded to giggle before speaking up. “Alright, let’s calm down and get to business.”

“What do you mean?” Soarin asked as Spitfire pulled out a bunch of folders from her own suitcase and threw one each at Fleetfoot and him.

“I think we need to go over a few things before we start training,” Spitfire announced. “For example, safety rule number one: Staring at the cheerleaders may cause serious injury.”

Fleetfoot burst out laughing, not being able to contain much more before Spitfire continued. “Also safety rule number two: Don’t raid the energy drink supply in an attempt to see if you can go at the speed of light,” Spitfire said, eying Fleetfoot as it was her turn to be snickered at by Soarin. Spitfire grinned as she watched on, this was going to be a fun meeting.

A few hours later, the sunlight started to dip from its peak as the day progressed its way into the night. Dash was currently reading some of her classic Daring Do books while she sat on one of the many seats in the carriage. Fluttershy was looking out of the window at the passing scenery. Her eyes drifted back to the train as she gazed over to see her friend. With a smile, she got up and went to sit next to her.

“So uh... Rainbow, how are you doing?” Fluttershy asked as she sat next to her old time friend on the train.

Dash smirked as she flicked through a few pages in her Daring Do book before looking over and replying, “It’s awesome as usual, how’s yours? Still taking care of Angel?”

“Why, of course!” Fluttershy said happily, but keeping her voice to a minimum. Rainbow rolled her eyes, she really didn’t know what Shy saw in that rabbit. Still, she didn’t let that bother her.

“How are you and Soarin?” Fluttershy asked, catching Dash slightly off guard.

The rainbow mare put her book down on the seat before turning to her friend and raising an eyebrow. “What about us?”

Fluttershy fiddled with her hooves slightly. “I was just asking if you two were getting along well?” she asked slightly more nervous than she had been prior to the question.

“It’s cool, Flutters. I think it’s going well, I mean, it’s not everyday somepony asks you out,” Rainbow replied with a smile as she turned to look out the window of the locomotive.

“That’s nice,” Fluttershy said with a small smile.

Just then the door to the carriage slid open, revealing the Wonderbolt in question. A tired look was plastered on his face as he yawned to himself. The ponies in the carriage all looked at him with faces of confusion.

“Eh, you okay there, Soar? You look like you haven’t slept in days,” Dash remarked, getting up to give her coltfriend a quick hug.

Soarin chuckled slightly as he embraced her. “Although the talk with the team was fun, it does have its boring points,” he answered, yawning again and letting go of his marefriend. Rainbow rolled her eyes while Fluttershy let out a small giggle.

Soarin trotted over and sat next to Dash as Fluttershy moved away to talk to Bulk. The two had become fast friends since the qualifying at Rainbow Falls. Soarin leaned close to Dash as the sunset began to fade away from the horizon and fill the cabin with darkness as the lights flickered on to give the place some light.

“You know somethin’ Soar?” Dash asked looking up to her coltfriend. “I know it’s only been a week since we started, but I kinda feel like this is a little cliche,” Rainbow said with a smirk, thinking to herself.

Soarin raised an eyebrow curiously, “What do you mean by that?” he asked.

Dash suddenly changed her expression, looking around the carriage to make sure nopony was listening in. Once she was safe knowing the coast was clear, she spoke up. “If you ever tell anypony else about this, I’m totally gonna make you wear that Wonderbolt beach party suit Rarity made for you.”

Soarin was about to agree when he thought of a better way to make his promise. Smiling he said, “Cross my heart, hope to fly. Stick a cupcake in my eye.”

Rainbow smiled widely at the gesture, relaxing into Soarin again before telling her story. “When I was little... I used to idolize the Wonderbolts even more than I do today. I always kinda used to tell my mom that I would grow up to be a Wonderbolt and have Wonderbolt fans and I’d be on top of the world,” Rainbow said dreamily as she remembered the thought. “I kinda... also used to say I’d have a Wonderbolt coltfriend as well,” she chuckled. “Mom used to say I was a little too young for that part of my dream.”

Soarin smiled as he listened to Rainbow’s memory. “That sounds like a really nice life Dash, come to think of it,” he leaned down to nuzzle her ear, “you’re already halfway there.”

Rainbow flicked her tail at his snout. “Maybe, but what’s to say I’ll get all the way there with you?” she asked raising an eyebrow mischievously.

Soarin’s look turned slightly shocked. “W-What do you mean—”

Soarin was cut off by Rainbow laughing as she snuggled closer to him. “You’re so gullible, Soarin... I like it.”

Soarin grinned as he leaned into his Rainbow again, “I’ll be sure to keep it up then.”

Dash smirked as she leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. “Goodnight, Soarin,” she said happily.

Soarin smiled as he draped a wing over his marefriend as the pair leaned against one another on the seat. “Goodnight, Dashie,” he whispered making sure no one in the carriage could hear. Rainbow smiled before drifting off into a deep sleep.

Soarin looked at his marefriend before he changed his view to the train window. He saw the dim lights of the Crystal Empire drawing ever closer. Soon both him and everyone on the train would be at the heart of this year’s Equestria Games.

To Be Continued…