Spitfire, Soarin, and Fleetfoot were outside, playing an intense game of tag.

"Soarin! Spitfire! Slow down, will ya?" Fleetfoot shouted, struggling to keep up, her breath ragged. "You two are way too fast for me!"

"That's the point!" Spitfire yelled back with a laugh. "Gotta keep it competitive!"

Fleetfoot groaned. "You two could race to each other's rooms and back, and I still wouldn't stand a chance."

"Eww, Fleetfoot!" Soarin blurted out, his muzzle scrunched in disgust. "Me? Run to her room? No thanks! Besides, her room's a total mess."

Spitfire scoffed. "Oh, please! At least I don't have dog poop lying around—unlike somepony."

"What? I don't even have a dog!" Soarin protested.

Spitfire smirked. "Yeah, right. See, Fleet? This is why I don't like him—he's dishonest."

"Thank Celestia for that!" Soarin shot back, rolling his eyes.

Fleetfoot grinned mischievously. "You can deny it all you want, but I'm still shipping you two. Soarinfire forever!"

Spitfire and Soarin both froze. "WHAT?!" they shouted in unison.

"Pfft, like that's ever gonna happen," Soarin said. "Wanna know why, Fleet?"

"Because you don't like each other?" Fleetfoot asked, tilting her head. "If that's your answer, I disagree."

"Nope! It's because Spitfire's all heart-eyes for Wave Chill!" Soarin said smugly.

Spitfire gasped, her cheeks turning bright red. "W-What?! That's a lie!"

"Oh yeah? Then what were you two doing near your locker yesterday?" Soarin teased.

"Nothing!" Spitfire stammered, looking anywhere but at them. "It was just—just a quick kiss! And for the record, I'm only 11!"

"Uh-huh, and so are we," Soarin said, unimpressed.

"Wavefire has a nice ring to it" Fleetfoot raised an eyebrow. "Sooo... it's true?"

Before Soarin could answer, a piercing scream shattered the air.

"HELP! SOMEPONY HELP ME!"

The three of them snapped to attention.

"What was that?" Fleetfoot asked, her wings already flaring open.

"Should we check it out?" Soarin asked hesitantly.

Spitfire smirked. "Aww, look who wants to play hero."

"Less talking, more flying!" Fleetfoot shouted as she took off.

"Wait up!" Soarin said, following after her.

"Ugh, fine! I'm coming too, you dorks!" Spitfire yelled, zooming after them.

They landed near a shadowy alley, where a large stallion stood. Beside him, a young filly with a rainbow-colored mane was chained by the neck, her muzzle tied with a piece of cloth.

"Hey! What's going on here?" Spitfire demanded, her voice sharp.

The stallion turned to them with a sneer. "This doesn't concern you, kids. She's just a stray."

"She's not your property!" Fleetfoot snapped, stepping forward. "Let her go!"

The stallion rolled his eyes. "Buzz off, brats."

Soarin narrowed his eyes. "Wrong move, pal." He launched himself forward and delivered a swift kick to the stallion's hindquarters.

"AAARGH!" the stallion howled, staggering backward.

"Nice one!" Spitfire called, but Soarin wasn't done. Another well-aimed strike sent the stallion fleeing into the shadows, his broken wings dragging behind him.

Fleetfoot whistled. "Well, remind me not to get on your bad side."

"Somepony had to step up," Soarin said, brushing off his hooves.

"Okay, that was pretty gutsy," Fleetfoot said, patting him on the back. "But next time, save some of the action for me!"

"Yeah, right. If you fought, he'd have just laughed," Spitfire teased as Soarin snickered.

"Hmph, not true," Fleetfoot grumbled.

The little filly stood frozen, her wide eyes darting between them. Tears streaked her face, but she remained silent, unsure whether to trust them.

"Hey," Soarin said softly, crouching down to her level. "It's okay now. You're safe."

Her lip quivered, and she took a hesitant step forward. Then, without warning, she flung herself at Soarin, burying her face against his chest. His wings instinctively wrapped around her trembling frame.

"Aw, look at that," Fleetfoot cooed. "Hero Soarin saves the day."

Spitfire smirked. "And the filly."

The little filly sniffled, her voice muffled as she whispered, "Thank you... I thought nopony would come for me."

Soarin tightened his wings around her. "Of course we came for you. You're not alone anymore."

She pulled back slightly, wiping at her tears with a shaky hoof. Her voice was quiet but steady. "I'm Rainbow Dash."

"Well, Rainbow Dash," Fleetfoot said with a grin, "welcome to the coolest rescue team ever."

Rainbow gave a tiny smile but hesitated. "But... where will I go? I... I don't have anypony anymore."

The trio exchanged glances. Soarin's chest tightened at the vulnerability in her voice. "We'll find you a safe place," he said firmly. "Somepony who'll love and take care of you."

Rainbow's small smile faltered, her eyes filling with tears again. "Promise?"

Soarin bent down, looking her in the eye. "I promise."

Rainbow didn't know it yet, but this was only the beginning of how deeply that promise would change her life—and Soarin's too.