I FOUND YOU (Soarindash)

Kicks and Confidence

The late afternoon sun poured through the car windows as Rainbow Dash parked beside the soccer field. Kids were already kicking balls around, their laughter echoing through the park.

Rainbow Blaze hugged his soccer ball to his chest.

Rainbow Dash: grinning "Alright, superstar. Ready to show these kids how you run the field?"

Rainbow Blaze: "Mom, I'm not as fast as you..."

Rainbow Dash: laughs softly "Fast? Blaze, I spend half my life in recording studios sitting down."
leans over to nudge him "You're way faster than me these days."

Blaze snorted and opened the car door, but Rainbow noticed he moved slowly. His shoulders were tight.

Rainbow Dash: "Blaze? Talk to me. You look like you're about to audition instead of play soccer."

Rainbow Blaze: mumbling "Coach said we're doing practice matches. What if I mess up?"

Rainbow crouched to his level, brushing a strand of her bright-colored hair behind her ear.

Rainbow Dash: "Listen, kiddo... I mess up on stage sometimes."

Rainbow Blaze: "No you don't! You're Rainbow Dash!"

Rainbow Dash: "Exactly. And even I mess up."
smiles softly "Once I forgot the second verse of my own song-your dad had to yell it from backstage."

Blaze giggled, the nervousness easing just a bit.

Rainbow Dash: "Messing up means you're trying. And trying is how you get awesome. You don't have to be perfect-just Blaze."

He took a slow breath.

Rainbow Blaze: "Okay... I'll try."

Rainbow stood and held her fist out.

Rainbow Dash: "Go give that field your best shot. And I'll be right here cheering like the loudest mom on earth. Singer lungs, remember?"

Blaze fist-bumped her and ran toward his teammates. Rainbow cupped her hands around her mouth.

Rainbow Dash: "LET'S GO BLAZE! SHOW THEM WHO THE SKIES ARE!"

Some parents chuckled. Blaze smiled despite pretending to be embarrassed.

Rainbow leaned against the fence, arms crossed, heart full.

Rainbow Dash: quietly "That's my boy."

The sun dipped lower as practice came to an end. Kids jogged toward their parents, sweaty and laughing. Rainbow Dash waved eagerly as Blaze approached, his hair sticking to his forehead, cheeks flushed from running.

Rainbow Dash: smiling wide "Look at you! You were on fire out there!"

Rainbow Blaze: panting "Mom... I-I scored twice!"

Rainbow Dash: "Twice? Blaze, that's amazing!"
playfully shakes his shoulders "What did I tell you? You just had to try."

Before Blaze could respond, Coach Rivera walked over with his clipboard tucked under his arm.

Coach Rivera: "Mrs. Skies? Can I talk to you and Blaze for a moment?"

Blaze's eyes widened. Rainbow raised a brow but nodded.

Rainbow Dash: "Sure, Coach. Everything all right?"

Coach Rivera: grinning at Blaze "More than all right. Blaze did incredible today. His footwork, his awareness, and the confidence he found halfway through practice-huge improvement."

Blaze stared at the ground, blushing.

Rainbow Blaze: "Really?"

Coach Rivera: "Really. Which is why..."
pauses for effect
"...I want you on the roster for Saturday's game."

Rainbow gasped dramatically and put a hand over her chest.

Rainbow Dash: "Coach, are you serious? Blaze, did you hear that?!"

Blaze's jaw dropped.

Rainbow Blaze: "Me? On the team? For a real game?"

Coach Rivera: "You earned it. You put in the work today. We want you starting in midfield."

The boy bounced on his shoes like he couldn't contain the excitement.

Rainbow Blaze: "YES! Yes yes yes!"

Rainbow crouched down, pulling him into a tight hug.

Rainbow Dash: voice warm and proud "See, kiddo? I knew you had it in you. I'm so proud of you."

Blaze grinned so hard his eyes squinted.

Rainbow Blaze: "Are you gonna come watch me play?"

Rainbow flicked his forehead gently.

Rainbow Dash: "Watch you? I'm going to scream so loud the whole field's gonna think I'm performing a concert."

They both laughed. The coach chuckled too.

Coach Rivera: "Just make sure the refs don't mistake you for a stadium speaker system."

Rainbow Dash: winks "No promises."

As they walked toward the car, Blaze bounced each step, swinging his soccer bag with newfound confidence.

Rainbow Blaze: "Mom... today was the best."

Rainbow Dash: "It's only the beginning, Blaze."

She unlocked the car, looking at her son with the fullest smile.

Rainbow Dash: "Game day, here we come."