As they gathered in the clearing outside of Ponyville, the Wonderbolts and Rainbow's friends stood ready for their journey. Soarin gave Rainbow an encouraging nod and activated the portal. The swirling, misty gateway shimmered in the air, casting a soft glow over the eager group.

"Alright, everyone," Rainbow announced, her voice tinged with excitement. "We're about to head to Enchancia. It's gonna be awesome, but remember, try not to freak out too much."

"Oh, freak out? Us?" Fleetfoot smirked, crossing her hooves and giving Rainbow a mock-serious look. "Please, Rainbow. We're only freaking out about this mysterious prince who's been taking such good care of you."

Rainbow rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on, Fleetfoot. Soarin's just helping me out!"

"Just helping out?" Spitfire raised an eyebrow, exchanging a knowing glance with Misty Fly. "Rainbow, you've been gone for weeks, and from what we hear, you've been keeping pretty close company with a certain 'prince.'"

"Yeah, Dashie!" Pinkie Pie chimed in, bouncing in place with excitement. "How come you didn't tell us you had a special somepony?"

"Special somepony?" Rainbow's cheeks turned a shade darker as she glared at Soarin, who was chuckling at the playful banter. "For the last time, there's nothing like that going on! Soarin's just... you know, being nice."

"Uh-huh," Fleetfoot teased, nudging Soarin. "Well, if being 'nice' means leaving your entire kingdom just to help a certain someone bring her friends over, then you're doing a pretty good job at it."

Soarin shrugged, trying to keep his expression cool, though a hint of blush crept up his cheeks. "I just thought she'd be happier with all of you here. Besides, it's kind of fun watching you guys freak out about it."

"Oh, trust me," Spitfire added, grinning. "We're not the only ones freaking out. I mean, look at him! He's practically glowing every time he looks at you, Dash."

Rainbow felt her face heat up as she glanced at Soarin, who simply shrugged with a sheepish smile. "Okay, fine!" she snapped, though her tone was more flustered than angry. "He's sweet, alright? And maybe he makes things... better. But don't go making this some sappy romance, alright?"

"Awwww," the everyone except SoarinDash I mean Soarin and Dash chorused in unison, leaning in with exaggerated interest.

"Oh, cut it out, you guys!" Rainbow huffed, but a reluctant smile broke through as she looked at Soarin, who was now laughing along with the rest of them.

"Ready to go?" Soarin asked, extending a hoof toward her as the portal continued to swirl.

"Yeah," she said, taking his hoof. "Ready as I'll ever be."

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The group stepped into the portal, and within moments, they were stepping out into the sunlit forest on the outskirts of Enchancia. The sights, sounds, and smells were completely different from what they'd left behind—lush green trees, flowers blooming in every color, and the faint song of birds echoing through the trees.

"Wow..." Twilight breathed, her eyes wide as she took in the scenery. "This place is beautiful!"

"Not as beautiful as Rainbow and Soarin over here!" Fleetfoot teased, watching the two of them as they released each other's hands with a bashful smile.

"Oh, for Celestia's sake!" Rainbow threw her hands up in mock frustration, turning to Soarin. "Are they going to do this the whole time?"

"Probably," Soarin grinned, unbothered. "Guess you'll just have to deal with it, Princess Rainbow Dash."

"Oh, don't start!" Rainbow laughed, playfully shoving him. The gesture only seemed to fuel the Wonderbolts' laughter as they shared amused looks, clearly having way too much fun with the situation.

"So, Rainbow," Spitfire leaned in, smirking. "When's the big coronation? Or should we call it a wedding at this point?"

Rainbow's jaw dropped as she stared at Spitfire, speechless. "I—I... What? No! There is no wedding! You guys are the worst!"

"Oh, come on, Rainbow," Applejack chimed in with a wink. "You and Soarin here would make a great royal couple. Just think about it: the skies would be yours to rule together!"

"Oh, just shut up!" Rainbow groaned, trying to stifle a grin.

"Sorry, can't hear you, darling," Fleetfoot sing-songed, cupping a hand to her ear. "All we hear are the wedding bells ringing loud and clear!"

The Wonderbolts burst out laughing, some of them making exaggerated heart shapes with their hooves, while Pinkie Pie started bouncing around in circles, chanting, "Wedding bells, wedding bells!"

Rainbow felt her face grow impossibly hot. "You guys are impossible!" She gave Soarin a pleading look, hoping he'd jump in to defend her.

But Soarin just shrugged, grinning as he shrugged in mock helplessness. "Hey, don't look at me—I think they've got a point. I mean, you're the one who dragged me into this, remember?"

"Oh, you too now?" Rainbow huffed, giving him a light punch on the shoulder. "Great, just great. Everyone's officially lost their minds."

Fleetfoot smirked, leaning closer. "Hey, Rainbow, don't be shy. You can tell us—when's the big day?"

"Ugh!" Rainbow clamped her hooves over her ears, half laughing, half exasperated. "If you don't quit it, I'll personally make sure Soarin kicks you all back right now!"

Spitfire just winked at her. "Nice try, Dash, but you're not getting rid of us that easily."

"Yeah," Soarin added, chuckling as he threw a casual arm around her shoulders, "you're stuck with them for the next two weeks—teasing included."

Rainbow sighed dramatically, though she couldn't hide her smile as she playfully shrugged him off. "Fine, you guys win. But no more wedding talk, got it?"

"Ohhh, if you insist," Fleetfoot said with a mischievous smirk. "But just wait until we meet the rest of Enchancia. I bet they're already planning the guest list."

Rainbow groaned, burying her face in her hooves as Soarin chuckled beside her, seemingly amused by the teasing. "Alright, alright," Soarin intervened, looking at the group with a grin. "How about we go to the palace instead of planning imaginary weddings?"

"Aww, you're no fun," Fleetfoot sighed, but she winked at Rainbow. "Lead the way, your highness."

With the Wonderbolts' laughter still echoing in her ears, Rainbow sighed and looked up at Soarin, who gave her a reassuring smile. Despite the embarrassment, a warmth spread through her at the thought that Soarin would go to all this trouble just to make her happy.

"Thanks, Soarin," she whispered, just loud enough for him to hear.

"Anytime, Dashie," he replied softly, his smile growing warmer as they led the way toward the castle, the rest of their friends following close behind.

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As they walked, Rainbow glanced back at her friends, all of whom seemed more than a little curious about her and Soarin's "royal adventure." Even if they were teasing her mercilessly, she couldn't deny it was amazing to have everyone by her side again. And maybe, just maybe, she'd let them keep teasing—for now.

As soon as they all gathered, walking all the way to the palace (I get while you are thinking, this is the forest and doesn't it take 3-4 hours to walk back well let's just say... it's just a 1 hour walk) Rainbow could see the smirks forming on her friends' faces. She braced herself, but the teasing hit her like a tidal wave.

"Oh, look at you two, side by side!" Rarity cooed, fluttering her lashes. "Just like a prince and princess... or should I say future king and queen?"

Rainbow rolled her eyes. "Seriously, Rarity? We're just friends."

"Yeah, sure," Applejack drawled, giving her a sly grin. "And Ah'm just a regular ol' farm pony. Ain't foolin' any of us, Rainbow."

Pinkie Pie bounced up, grinning from ear to ear. "Oooooh! Does this mean I get to throw a royal wedding party soon? I already have the cake ideas! Chocolate, vanilla, with a rainbow filling... and—"

"Pinkie!" Rainbow cried, turning as red as her mane. "There's no wedding!"

"Oh, come on, Rainbow!" Twilight said with a wink. "Everyone can see it. The two of you traveling together, going on royal adventures, having kids..." The last one made Rainbow blush hard.

"Yeah!" Fleetfoot chimed in, nudging Spitfire with a smirk. "She can't even last a few days in Enchancia without calling him her 'partner.' I mean, it's obvious."

Rainbow threw her hands up. "You're all nuts! We're not getting married, and I'm definitely not calling him my 'partner'!"

"Oh really?" Spitfire raised an eyebrow, her grin spreading. "Because from what I heard, you're pretty comfy here with your 'royal companion.'"

Rainbow shot a glance at Soarin, who was just barely holding back his laughter. She huffed, trying to look unfazed. "It's just... formal stuff. That's all."

"Formal, yeah, right," Misty Fly said with a laugh. "You've been swooning over him since the last show in Cloudsdale."

Rainbow's jaw dropped. "I don't swoon! And for the record, he's just helping me with, you know, the royal things."

"Right," Spitfire drawled, smirking at Soarin. "Helping her, huh? You sure there's nothing else you'd like to 'help' her with?"

Soarin just shrugged, putting on an innocent face as he turned to Rainbow with a mischievous glint. "Hey, you know, Dashie, I think they're right... should I be, uh, brushing up on my vows?"

Rainbow's cheeks burned as her friends all burst into laughter. She looked at Soarin, exasperated but smiling. "Oh, you're all impossible! Just wait until I tell the palace guards to keep you all outside!"

"Oh, sure," Rarity giggled. "But you'll want us in there for the dress fitting, right, darling?"

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As they walked through the forest, Rainbow couldn't help but glance over at Soarin, who was talking animatedly about his plans for showing her and her friends around the palace grounds. He was grinning, his usual carefree charm shining through, and the way the evening light caught his blue hair...

Whoa, Rainbow, she thought, quickly tearing her gaze away. You're just looking because he's... tall. And standing there.

"Hey, Rainbow." Soarin's voice snapped her out of her internal debate. She looked up to find him watching her with a playful glint in his eye. "You okay there? Looked like you were checking me out."

Her face flushed instantly. "Wha—checking you out? Ha! Dream on, Soarin!" she huffed, crossing her arms and hoping her blush wasn't too obvious.

He smirked, clearly enjoying her reaction. "Really? 'Cause it looked like you were trying to figure out if I'm more dashing in my royal suit or my Wonderbolts uniform."

Rainbow spluttered, struggling to think of a comeback. Ugh, stop blushing! He's just messing with you. "Well, for your information, I wasn't looking at you. I was just, uh... admiring the scenery!"

Soarin chuckled, leaning in just a little closer, his gaze never leaving her. "If you say so, Dash. But for the record, I'm flattered. Didn't know I could get the attention of the Rainbow Dash."

She tried to scoff, but his teasing smile was making it hard to ignore the flutter in her chest. Get it together! He's just Soarin!

But he didn't make it easy. As they walked, he leaned over, whispering in a low voice, "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're starting to warm up to this whole 'royalty' thing. Who knows, maybe one day you'll be the one wearing the crown."

Rainbow's face turned an even deeper shade of red. "You are impossible, you know that?" She shot him a glare, trying to steady her heartbeat. "Besides, if anyone's getting a crown, it's me. I don't need you around to be some... prince."

"Oh, I don't know," he replied, shrugging. "We make a pretty good team. And if you ever need a partner in crime..."

Rainbow rolled her eyes, but a small part of her was smiling. He's just a teammate, she told herself again, refusing to admit her heart was racing. Just... a really annoying, kinda sweet, surprisingly handsome teammate. Nothing more. Okay I did not just think that!!