The Best

“It’s not all that hard, Soarin.” said Spitfire, flapping her rather small wings. “You just have to get the take off right.”

“Easy for you to say.” the blue colt retorted. “You’ve always been better at flying than me.” Soarin jumped off the ground again, flapping his wings as hard as he could. He managed to stay in the air for a several moments before falling flat on his rump. “I’ll never get it...” he lamented.

Spitfire chuckled. “Oh, just don’t try so hard. It’s not how many times you flap your wings that counts, it’s how you use each one. You’re using up all your energy on the take off, so you’re too tired to fly.”

Soarin sighed. “Fine, I’ll try it your way.” he said, gearing up to try again. He lowered his front legs, building up energy.

“Careful, not too much!” Spitfire advised.

Soarin shushed her, sticking his tongue out as he focused. With a mighty leap he propelled himself two feet into the air. He flapped his wings more slowly this time.

“Hey! I’m doing it!” he cried happily.

“See, I told you.” Spitfire smiled, flying closer to inspect his form. “You’ve still got a bit of work though. Your flying posture is atrocious. We’ll have to fix that.”

“I’m fine! See, I’m flying just as high as you are!”

“Yeah, for now, but your wings are already lookin-”

Soarin’s wings cut out, sending him sprawling to the ground.

“Tired.” she finished.

“Ow...” Soarin rubbed his head. “Why are you making me practice anyway? School’s out for the weekend”

“Because.” Spitefire puffed out her chest. “Someday we’re going to be the best fliers in Equestria, that’s why.”

“You’re dreaming.” Soarin got to his hooves, dusting off his wings.

“Of course, I am. But you wouldn’t know anything about that would you? You’re too busy falling.”

“Hey!” The small colt complained. “I’m trying aren’t I? Why do you want us to be the best anyway? There’s better ponies in our class. Get one of them.”

Spitfire smiled. “I want you because I happen to l like lost causes.”

Soarin’s head slumped. “Hey...”

The small yellow filly landed on the ground next to him, punching him in the flank.

“Ow!”

“I’m kidding you big idiot!”

“Okay! Can you kid with less force next time?” Soaring complained.

“Only if you practice more.”

“But we’ve been practicing for hours!”

“Well, you haven’t got it. So we need to practice some more.” she sidled up next to him. Here, I’ll help you. Bend your forelegs here.”

Soarin did as she instructed.

“Good, get your wings ready.”

Soarin opened his wings.

“And when I jump, jump! But don’t flap till I say the word ‘Wings’. Got it?” She looked Soarin up and down.

“I got it!” he insisted.

“Good.” She stood back a bit. “One....two....three...Jump!”

Soarin leapt up into the air, going much higher than he expected. His legs floundered around in the air for a moment. He almost flapped his wings on instinct.

“I didn’t say wings yet!” Spitfire chastised.

Soarin was still on an upwards arc, he wanted desperately to flap his wings in order to balance himself, but he kept them firmly at his sides. As he came to the top of his jump, his stomach lurched, gravity began to pull him downwards, for a moment he felt weightless.

“Wings!” yelled Spitfire.

Soarin closed his eyes and started to flap his wings, fully expecting to fall flat on his face.

“Open your eyes Soarin.”

“No I’ll fall!”

“You will not! You’re already flying, your form is much better too I might add.”

Soarin opened a tentative eye. He saw the ground several feet below. He was flying! It felt so much easier too! He grinned widely looking around for Spitfire. His smile faded when he didn’t see her anywehre. “Fire?” he asked slowly.

“Up here.”

Soarin craned his neck to find the small Filly hovering a few inches above him. “I told you you just needed to get the takeoff right.” she said.

“Fine...you were right.” he admitted.

“Oh don’t be so morose about it. You can fly now! We’re one step closer to being the greatest fliers in Equestria!”

“Yeah, yeah, I got’cha.” he muttered.

“No, really!” Spitfire insisted. “We’re going to be the greatest.” she flew down to his level and looked him dead in the eye. “Promise me.”

“What?”

“Promise me we’re going to be the greatest!”

Soarin rolled his eyes.

“Well! Go on!” She eyed him reproachfully.

“Fine.” he gave in. “I promise.”

“Cross you wings and hope to fall?” Spitfire asked.

Soarin raised an eyebrow “What?”

“It’s a promise, just say it.”

He looked away for a moment. “Fine, ‘Cross my wings, and hope to fall.’” he agreed.

“Wonderful. Now, next lesson. How to recover from a fall.”

“What!?”

Spitfire leaned in and kissed Soarin on the cheek. His face flushed bright red, and his wings went stiff. He fell to the ground with a loud thud.

“That was terrible.” she tisked. “You didn’t fall right at all.”

“Because you cheated!” yelled Soarin, trying to get to his hooves.

“I did no such thing.”

“Yes you did! Come down here!” Soarin leapt up, trying to catch her leg. She nimbly avoided. Spitfire flew off down the road, with him in hot pursuit.

“You’re gonna have to be faster than that if we’re gonna be the best Soarin!”

“I’ll catch you!” he retorted. “And we will be the best! I don’t break promises!”

He ran after her down the road of ponyville before taking off again. The two were off like rockets, speeding through the sky.

THE END