Blue Jay’s eyes fluttered opened as she woke up but felt far too comfortable to move. Somehow during the night she had ended up back-to-back with Paige but she didn’t mind since it would be a lot less embarrassing than had they been facing the other way. Plus, having shared the bed with her the entire time she and her friends where in Neighagra, it really didn’t bother her anymore. Trying not to wake Paige up, she scooted over a little so she could roll onto her back and sit up but the moment caused Paige to roll over and scoot a little closer trying to find the missing warmth.

“I didn’t think you’d be awake already.” Lyla Firecracker said quietly as she came out with a dripping mane that was plastered to her back and a towel around her neck.

“Is it that late already?” Blue Jay asked quietly as well while rubbing the sleep from her eyes so not to wake the other two sleepers up.

Lyla Firecracker shook her head. “No, it’s still relatively early.” She approached the bed and both fore-hooves on top of the covers. “How are you feeling?”

As cliché as it may have been, Blue Jay felt much lighter now that she wasn’t burden as much. “To be honest… all the pain, the guilt, and the weight is gone. I mean, I’m not going to forget what happened, but I feel hollow now.”

“I can only imagine, however, it has to be a better feeling than carrying that baggage around all the time.”

“We’ll just have to fill the hollowness with happy memories then.” Paige said tiredly as she sat up before yawning.

“Sorry if we woke you up.” Blue Jay said with a soft smile.

“It’s okay, I was awake just before you two started talking. I just didn’t feel like waking up just then.” Paige then poked Blue Jay in the side. “Yep, she’s hollow alright.” She laughed as Blue Jay swatted her hoof away.

Lyla Firecracker suddenly yelped after a snap of a towel and a smack was heard. She spun around to see Harmonious Flash rolling on the floor laughing with Lyla Firecracker’s towel nearby.

“Oh, that was too good.” Harmonious Flash gasped between her laughs until a shadow blocked out the light. Looking up, she saw Lyla Firecracker looking down at her with a pillow in her mouth and an evil grin causing the pegasus to gulp.

“Payback.” Lyla Firecracker muttered and brought the pillow down a couple times before Harmonious Flash could escape. She threw her pillow at the pegasus’ retreating form though she had to duck as a pillow came her way. Unfortunately, the pillow sailed over Harmonious Flash and smacked Paige right in the face before plopping down into her lap.

“Oh, it’s on now.” Paige said as she levitated hers and Blue Jay’s pillows from the bed before jumping to the floor and playfully attacking her friends.

Blue Jay grabbed the remaining pillows on the bed before flying up to the ceiling and lazily flew around the room. With her target in sight, she released one of the pillows so it landed on Lyla Firecracker. “Whoo-hoo!” She cheered and went after her next target, a certain bi-spectacle mare standing still. She flew past dropping the pillow when she was sure she could hit her opponent but the pillow landed right beside Paige, stopping in mid-flight, she threw her hooves to the side thereby releasing the last one she had. “Oh come on!”

Harmonious Flash tapped Blue Jay on the shoulder and the two stared at each other for a while second before Blue Jay suddenly flew away with Harmonious Flash chasing her.

“Harmony!” Lyla Firecracker called out before tossing her a pillow just before Paige was able to tackle and pin her down, while Harmonious Flash used the pillow to hit Blue Jay with a few times before Blue Jay was able to turn around and wrestle for the pillow.

Paige looked up. “Girls, you’re going to-” she started to warn them but the pillow split sending feathers everywhere. “-Never mind then.” She finished as the feathers floated down around Lyla Firecracker and Paige.

Lyla Firecracker on the other hoof, had a mischievous glint in her eyes. Slipping from under Paige, she picked up a few feathers as the two pegasi came down. Approaching Harmonious Flash, she began tickling her and soon had Harmonious Flash crying in her laughter and begging her to stop.

“Want to hop into the shower?” Paige asked as she walked over to Blue Jay.

“No, go ahead.” Blue Jay replied as she sat on a pillow, well away from the other two. “This is fun to watch.”

When Paige came out three minutes later, she saw all three of her laying on the floor panting while Blue Jay held her hind legs tightly closed. When she realized the bathroom was open, she dashed in and slammed the door behind her. “Um… did I miss something?”

“We teamed up.” Harmonious Flash said as she regained some breath. “I think we got her a little too close.

Paige sighed after a second and then heard the shower turn on. “I think you might have gone a little further than stopping at the edge.” Walking over to the bed, she watched as her hooves sent some feathers back into the air. “Oh, and have fun cleaning the feathers up.” Thankfully neither of them argued and did the best they could.

“Feel better Blue Jay?” Lyla Firecracker asked as the former emerged and Blue Jay nodded. “So… Harmony and I were thinking. Since we took you to the Dark Mango, why don’t we take you to see the Wonderbolt show today?”

Blue Jay perked up. “Sure, that sounds fun.” She told her friend but was already thinking of something as Harmonious Flash went to take a shower.

As they made their way to their seats, Blue Jay wore a cap with an orange windsock attached to it and a large foam finger on her wing that read ‘Wonderbolts are #1’ on it.

“I didn’t think it would be that expensive.” Lyla Firecracker whispered to Harmonious Flash as tears ran rivers down her cheeks.

“I kind of expected it. This being Canterlot and all.” Harmonious Flash admitted back in a whisper. They found their seats and happily sat down on the fluffy cloud cushion that sat over the hard plastic. They made small talk until the announcer started the show.

First up was a race between Blaze, Silver Lining, Lightning Streak, and Soarin. The four lined up at the starting line and waited as the race official held a red flag over his head. He waved it in a circle above his head once, twice, and a third time before bring that hoof down and raising his other hoof which held a green flag which sent the four Wonderbolts rocketing off. The announcer was having a hard time calling out which pony was currently in the lead, often just managing to get the first names out in Silver Lining’s and Lightning Streak’s case before one of the other three took the lead.

Neck-to-neck, Soarin flew alongside Lightning Streak but in the final lap, Blaze suddenly blasted by, leaving a reddish-orange streak trailing behind her. She crossed the finished line half a pony length before Soarin, then Lightning Streak missed second by a muzzle, and finally Silver Lining crossed over halfway down Lightning Streak’s tail. As they were a quarter of the way around the track, Soarin took the lead and led the group skyward spiraling around the second group of Wonderbolts before disappearing into a cloud ceiling.

The second team –consisting of Fleetfoot, Surprise, Firestreak, Misty Fly, and Wave Chill– shot straight down through the spiraling Wonderbolts. As they got closer to the ground, they spread their wings out and pulled up into a V-formation around the stadium, flying just over the fans’ heads.

“Whoo-hoo! Go Surprise!” Harmonious Flash yelled as the Wonderbolts flew over them, while the cloud ceiling slowly evaporated.
The Wonderbolts headed back towards the center and climbed to gain altitude while staying in the V-formation when Misty Fly and Wave Chill flipped outward so they were flying upside down. A second later, Surprise and Firestreak flipped inward to fly upside down as well. As Fleetfoot dove back to the ground, the other four flew upward for a second before they righted themselves and splitting apart.

Fleetfoot flew fast as she could before preforming several barrel rolls leaving a spiral of white around the stadium. At the end, she flew low enough to touch the outstretched hooves of the crowd and causing at least one pony to faint. She waved at Blue Jay, who waved back enthusiastically and there was another pony she waved to but it was impossible to see who.

With an unspoken command, the four pegasi flew towards the center before passing by each other and then pulled upward into a sharp, individualized spiral. They reached a high height before they stopped and hovered in mid-air, then one by one they closed their wings and fell towards the ground. As they spread their wings to come out of the free fall and sped towards each other, they flipped to their sides so their stomachs passed a hoof length away and they started lining themselves up for the next act.

Fleetfoot was flying around for the fourth time when she saw her wingmates flying up and she broke off to join them. When she reached her wingmates, they split off into a star pattern while leaving grey clouds in their wake with a trail of lighting following them.

With everypony watching as the five disappeared, they all failed to notice as Rapidfire, Spitfire, and High Winds calmly walk into view on the ground. A nod to the two flanking her, Spitfire took off at a trot with Rapidfire following her and High Winds following him. Spreading their wings, they started a lazy lap around the stadium allowing the crowd to calm down and build up anticipation but the three Wonderbolts were increasing their speed with each passing second and started to fly towards the center of the stadium. They disappeared from sight for a couple seconds before flying straight overhead over the crowd, causing most of the ponies’ heads to follow them.

With everypony wondering where the Wonderbolts went, Fleetfoot and Soarin came by a couple seconds later dropping candy on the ponies’ unsuspecting heads. “Soarin and Fleetfoot just demonstrated the Wonderbolt stealth capabilities!” The announcer called out, earning a few chuckles from the crowd while cloud pylons were being assembled, some with red rings and others with blue rings on them and two yellow checkered ones. The object was for the pegasus to fly through the obstacle course while staying under the cloud tips. The blue rings meant the pegasus had to maintain a level flight while the red rings meant they had to turn ninety degrees before they passed by and anytime they clipped a pylon, a two second penalty would be added to their time.

As the Spitfire, Rapidfire, and High Winds took a moment to rest, the announcer explained what was going on. “To start the clock, the Wonderbolt has to pass through the yellow checker pylons before making a sharp right weaving around the three, single red pylons, making sure their backs are closer to the pylon they’re currently passing. Then it’s a diagonal cut to the left where they have to pass through the first set of blue pylons. Afterwards, they bank a slight right and pass through the set of four red pylons before making a sharp to the left in order to enter the pylons from the other direction. With a right turn, they have to pass through the second set of blue pylons before making a hard right to pass through the third set of blue pylons. Once they cleared that, it’s straight through the yellow checkered pylons only to fly skyward in an arc and come back down going through the third set of blue pylons, which is now the fourth set. Once they’re back on the course, they’ll reverse the flight path they just flew and once they pass through the yellow checked pylons for the third time, the clock will stop. Whichever Wonderbolt does it in the shortest time will be declared the winner.” He paused for a moment. “Rapidfire, ready when you are!”

Rapidfire waved to the crowd before he started his flight path. He may have lacked the grace for the stunt flying, but he made up for it with a dare devil attitude flying so close to the pylons that it was a wonder he didn’t hit them. When he started the return run, he passed through he fourth set but banked a little too much while caused him to clip one of the pylons, earning a groan from the crowd but his time was still impressive.

High Winds started her run but it was clear she was in it for the show as opposed to the timing. Whenever she could, she added a little flair to her flight, whether it’d be a barrel roll or a couple loops but her best part was when she flew skyward. Instead of arcing over like Rapidfire did, she arced the opposite direction before flying the reverse pass upside down and still managed to fly the correct path.

Spitfire grinned as she watched High Winds fly over her head. Seeing High winds stick her tongue out, Spitfire shook her head before she took off from the ground, circling so she could build up her speed before starting the clock.

“We have a surprise for the captain.” Fleetfoot’s voice came over the loudspeakers.

“Yes we do, or my name isn’t Surprise.” Surprise said as well. “You see, it was Fleetfoot’s idea to challenge the captain.”

“Yes it- wait, what? Surprise! It was your idea in the first place.” Fleetfoot called out, disbelief in her voice

“You see, we know the captain is a great flier, and quite honestly I think she’d be a bit bored with the current setup.” Surprise continued as if Fleetfoot hadn’t spoken.

“And who rigged the clouds to move closer?” Fleetfoot growled, though there was a lack of hostility to it. “You said all I had to do was announce the current time.”

“Anyway, Fleetfoot wishes you the best of luck captain~!” Surprise said finishing with a sing song voice before she went quiet.

“I am so getting you back for this, Surprise!” Fleetfoot got out before the loudspeaker went out as the cloud pylons moved closer to make Spitfire’s flight path tighter.

Spitfire just rolled her eyes before flying through the course fast as she could leaving behind a white cloud trail and her light brilliant gold and light brilliant orange and amber streak. The sharp turn almost appeared to be a ninety degree turn while the arc was a tight, two-hundred and seventy degree turn. She rocketed past the yellow checkered pylons for the third time and the crowd stomped their approval while she had to zoom around the stadium a few times to bleed off the excess speed. The other Wonderbolts joined her and waved to the crowd while Spitfire led them out of the stadium.

“That was so cool.” Blue Jay gushed happily as the ponies around her were getting up and leaving.

“Please, I could fly better through that course better than they could.” Harmonious Flash teased with a playful smile.

“Right, which is why you participate by watching.” Blue Jay stuck her tongue out.

“I just don’t want to show off.” Harmonious Flash replied as they walked along the hallways to get to the street while Paige rolled her eyes.
Emerging onto the streets, Lyla Firecracker walked between Blue Jay and Harmonious Flash in case any play fighting started. “Say, isn’t that Rainbow Dash up ahead?” She asked and pointed to where Rainbow Dash was in the air doing an excited play by play. “Want us to join you, Blue Jay?”

Blue Jay shook her head. “You girls already know what I’m going to say, so don’t feel you need to wait up for me.”

“We’ll just hang out around here then.” Paige said as Blue Jay started to weave her way through the ponies to get to Rainbow Dash.

“Rainbow Dash!” Blue Jay called out a few times before she was able to get the other mare’s attention.

“Hey Blue Jay.” Rainbow Dash greeted as she touched down beside her. “Sorry for bolting on you like that last night when you probably needed me.”

“It’s okay, I’m the one that needs to apologize. Do you know where I can find Twilight Sparkle?”

“I’m right here.” Twilight Sparkle emerged from the throng of ponies, hey voice a little behind cool. “I didn’t realize I had gotten separated at first, what did you want?” It was clear there was hurt in her voice with the question.

“Twilight, Rainbow, I’m sorry for last night.” Blue Jay said looking between the two. “I swear it was not my intention to invite you in only to go off like I did. I had something completely different in my mind but my voice decided to go a completely different direction.”

“I probably shouldn’t have said anything.” Twilight Sparkle replied. “It was your time and I just butted in without thinking.” She sighed and at the same time something caught Rainbow Dash’s attention. “Plus, it didn’t help when I ran away before you could explain did it?”

“Not really, but I have amazing friends.” Blue Jay said and looked at Rainbow Dash. “Rainbow?” She asked when she realized Rainbow Dash wasn’t fully with the conversation.

“You’re fine… never needed to ask… you were forgiven.” Rainbow Dash struggled to get out and moved her head side to side to keep whatever caught her attention in sight. “Sorry, gotta run.” She suddenly said before flying over everypony’s heads and soon disappearing around a corner.

There’s no way that’s her. Rainbow Dash thought as she flew after a light opal mare with a brilliant amber and vivid gamboge mane. The pegasus she was chasing made sure Rainbow Dash could never get close enough to be a hundred percent sure who it was, not even a check to the cutie mark helped since it was hidden by a set of saddle bags. There were a few times she almost caught up, but then a pony would block her path for a second or two on accident and soon turned a corner to face a dead end at the end of the alleyway. “Where did she go?” Rainbow Dash asked as she touched down, acting like she was Daring Do and scanning the walls for any possible hidden entry ways but after a couple minutes of searching, she sighed and turned back around to leave when she found herself face to face with Lightning Dust.

“Hello, Dash.” Lightning Dust smirked. “Long time no see.”

Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but to gasp in surprise when the voice confirmed who she was seeing, though she narrowed her eyes. “Lightning Dust.” She stated, still haven’t fully forgiven her for the little stunt with the tornado. “Why did you show yourself?”

“Because I have some information that you might want to hear.”

“Like what?”

“Oh nothing major.” Lightning Dust shrugged her shoulders. “But if I tell you, you have to let me go.”

Rainbow Dash barked out a short laugh. “Fat chance of that happening. Tell me the information or I’ll beat it out of you.”

“Guess the deal’s off then. It’s a shame, since I’m sure you’ll enjoy reading about the aftermath of something you could have avoided.” Lightning Dust turned away and spread her wings. “I thought you were loyal to the princesses.” She laughed and was about to push off when she heard Rainbow Dash speak up. “Unless of course, you want to race for it.”

Rainbow Dash knew, like most pegasi, that turning down a challenge was unheard of but she really wanted to fight instead. “I’ll race you for the information. I win, you spill everything.”

“And if I win, you won’t get anything from me.” Lightning Dust flew out of the alleyway with Rainbow Dash hot on her tail as she headed for the Wonderbolt stadium. “Five-hundred laps. Winner will be determined by the fastest time.”

“You’re on.” Rainbow Dash challenged as the two lined up at the starting line, she narrowed her eyes feeling like this was one race she couldn’t afford to lose.

“Three… two… one… go!” Lightning Dust said waiting until she actually had said the word before both pegasi took off. More than halfway through their race, she started flying closer to the inside part of the circle, often cutting Rainbow Dash off and forcing her to veer away to avoid a collision.

Rainbow Dash gritted her teeth and growled when she was cut off, though the sound was lost to the rush of wind. As they rounded the final turn, she quickly figured out a risky plan, one that would mean it’d be her lose if she didn’t time it just right. With a sudden jerk towards Lighting Dust, she flapped her wing above Lightning Dust’s wing to change the air current and in that split second, gave Rainbow Dash the time she needed to win. Braking to a stop, she wheeled around. “Out with it.”

Lightning Dust snarled when she realized what Rainbow Dash was doing, but by then it was too late with her losing the race. She didn’t say anything until she reached the side of the stadium. “You cheated.”

“So did you. The way I see it, we’re fair.”

“Fine. We’re fair, this time. In a little over a week, the Crystal Empire will be attacked.”

“What? How!?” Rainbow Dash cried out. “That’s not “nothing major,” that’s bucking huge!”

“Sorry, that’s all I know. I just happen to walk by and heard a couple ponies whispering but before I could find out more, they noticed me and stopped. As they moved away, I snuck after them and watched they change back into Changelings when they thought they were alone.”
“But why tell me then?”

“Who else would believe me? I know you’re skeptical enough as it is and if the great Rainbow Dash is skeptical at me, even after we flown together, nopony is going to listen to a pegasus that was kicked out. On top of that, the Changelings are thought to have been banished with your help so then I have to face the possible consequences of appearing to bash you and your friends.”

“I don’t believe you.”

Believe it or not, it’s your choice.” Before anything else could be said, Lightning Dust took to the air but didn’t go too far when she saw a rainbow color streak heading the opposite way. Loyal to a fault. She thought and smirked before heading on her way.

As Rainbow Dash flew off, Blue Jay and Twilight Sparkle stood their awkwardly as they tried to figure out what to say. They would look at each other, then something would catch their eye and they would break eye contact only to repeat the process a couple minutes later.

“Twilight, I really am grateful you were there.” Blue Jay started. “Not because of what I said about you, but because I know you had to make a hard choice. And now you’re making up for that.” She held out a hoof and smiled. “I want to start a new chapter with you, one based on friendship and smiles, not resentment and guilt.

Twilight took the extended hoof in hers and smiled. “I would like that Blue Jay.” She then pulled Blue Jay close and gave her a surprise hug. When they broke apart, she looked to the castle for a brief moment before returning her gaze to Blue Jay. “You know, I think this would make a great entry in our friendship journal. I’m not pushing you to do so, but maybe you and your friends would want to start one as well.” She was turning to walk away but Blue Jay stopped her.

“What about Rainbow Dash? Shouldn’t we wait for her?”

Twilight Sparkle shook her head. “It’ll be okay, she probably decided to nap on a cloud and will be there for a bit.”

Blue Jay nodded and waved before trotting over to rejoin her friends, a quick trip made much easier now that the crowd had thinned out.

“You two seemed like you parted on good terms.” Lyla Firecracker commented, noticing that Blue Jay was a little happier than when she first saw Rainbow Dash just now.

“We did, thankfully.” Blue Jay replied and looked at the afternoon sun high above the few clouds. “With that out of the way, what should we do now?”

“Well, Lyla and I had the rave.” Harmonious Flash said with a smile. “Blue Jay just had the Wonderbolt show, so I think it should be Paige’s turn.” She suggested and the other two nodded in agreement.

“You don’t have to. I’m not sure you’ll enjoy what I want to do, plus you’ll think it’s silly.” Paige said with a dismissive wave, but noticed none of her friends were saying anything. Looking down, she pawed at the ground and pushed her glasses up. “I may be a writer, but I’m also the mare that likes to spend time with her friends quietly and just read.”

“I think that a trip to the bookstore is in order.” Lyla Firecracker smiled. “I think we’re ready to have some down time with each other as opposed to being with a large crowd so soon.”

“Could we get a couple of playwright books as well?” Paige asked.

“As long as they’re not too difficult to read or in a foreign language.” Harmonious Flash told her as they headed off to find a bookstore.

“Agreed.” Blue Jay added.

Author's Notes:

Disclaimer: I don't own My Little Pony, Hasbro does.
However, I'm pleased to say I do own Blue Jay, Paige, Harmonious Flash, Kitsune/Feral Lupus, Lyla Firecracker, Minako, and Shadow.

Fainthoof is used with permission from Damien, a good friend of mine.

As always, constructive criticism is welcome. It'll help me to improve my writing and seeing what people liked.