Rodeo romeo(name is beta and subject to change)

Chapter 7

"Eight minutes to show time!"

Rapidfire hollered backstage at their first live performance since he,

and Soarin quit the wonderbolts.

"Ya'll ain't gettin' nervous now are ya?" Braeburn teased as he finished slipping on his artificial wings, giving them a few test flaps before folding them to his sides.

Rapidfire smirked as he approached Braeburn.

"As if. I've done this tons of times, if anything I'm worried about you or Scath getting nervous," he said matter of factly. Just as he said this the changeling known as Scath walked over brushing his side lovingly up against Rapidfire's.

"Now sweety... Why would little ol' me be nervous?" he asked, his voice still showing faint traces of that insect-like hiss of a changeling but far less prominent as it has faded over time.

"Okay, okay! enough chitchat. Is everypony ready we go on in a minute!" Soarin snapped in a nervous tone.

"I think I know who the nervous wreck around here is..." Rapidfire muttered under his breath to Scath and Braeburn and the three began snickering. Soarin simply rolled his eyes, but couldn't

help but let loose a small smirk. He had to admit he loved how even at a moment like this his little ragtag group of two pegasi, an earth pony, and a changeling, still could get a good laugh going. Soarin's smirk grew into a fond smile as he watched his makeshift family having a good old time and it made him realize something; it doesn't matter what the audience on the other side of those curtains thinks, all that matters is they go out and have fun doing what they do best with the

ponies they care about.

'And that's something...,'  He thought to himself, 'that Spitfire would never understand...'

"Okay gang it's time to get out there."

As the curtains rose, the team, led by Soarin, followed by Braeburn, next by Scath, currently in the guise of an ash gray pegasus with a firey orange, yellow and red mane, and finally bringing up the rear is Rapidfire, flew a lap around the arena flying above and around the stands before going in for a landing on the stage.

"Good evening Ponyville!" Soarin began addressing the crowd. "...I know what you all must be thinking about now, 'if that's Soarin, where's Spitfire?' Well to answer that question I am officially no

longer a part of the WonderBolts, me and my fiancé, along with two friends of our's decided to form our own flight group, and on behalf of all four of us I want to thank you for joining us for our very

first performance!"

Once Soarin stopped speaking he heard the crowd begin to cheer, and over all of them he heard the voices of Applejack and Applebloom, Braeburn had specifically requested that they be invited to opening night.

"Go get'em partnah!" Applejack hollered, she had to admit she was wary of the idea at first but once she heard it was Braeburn's idea she knew Soarin couldn't say no. The orange mare felt bad for misjudging Soarin before, she really warmed up to him after he quit being a celebrity for her cousin.

"Yeah, what mah sis said cousin Soarin!" Applebloom cheered.

"Now Applebloom... Ya know tha' Soarin ain't officially our cousin yet. right?" Applejack questioned the filly. Just as Applebloom was about to answer, Soarin swooped in from the stage and grabbed Applebloom in a hug and spun around in midair, causing the filly to giggle in delight. Soarin placed a gentle kiss to Applebloom's cheek before setting her down in her seat.

"Glad you both could make it." Soarin said, raising his voice over the cheering of the crowd and the

music just enough so the two of them could hear him.

"yer mighty welcome Soarin, we're glad ta be'ere," A.j. greeted with a tip of her hat. With that Soarin flew back to the stage to join Braeburn and the others to officially kick off the show.

"Now you all know who I am, but help me introduce the rest of our little group."

Braeburn comes in for a landing.

"Howdy everypony, name's Braeburn, and t'is a pleasure ta be 'ere with ya'll!" He exclaimed and Soarin could see the excitement and joy gleaming in the earth pony's eyes. Next Scath flew in and shed his disguise, the crowd reacted tentatively to the changeling, but this did nothing to deter Scath,

"Hello everypony, I'm Scath, and I know what you all must be thinking but don't worry I am not here to do you harm, I am a humble follower of Celestia just as you all!" He stated firmly with a warm smile. Then lastly Rapidfire came in for his entrance.

"And I'm Rapidfire, Soarin's best friend and former WonderBolt!"

"Now that you've been acquainted with all of my friends here, who's

ready for us to start our show?"

Soarin got his answer from the cheering of the crowd.

"We can't hear you!" The four said in unison.

This caused the crowd to cheer louder and the show began.