Turbulence

Rainbow Dash struggled against the chains that wrapped around her limbs and chest. She pulled and tried to twist against them but they refused to give. All around her was inky darkness as she called out with no voice. No reply came except for an unending and steady beeping. The air grew tenser as another presence approached, she struggled to look around to try and find what it was.

The darkness parted like a veil as it approached. Dark wings spread around her as golden eyes gleamed at her. The Roc opened it's beak and slowly moved in to swallow the entrapped pegasus, even as she tried to escape. Her mouth opened to scream but nothing came out as she was swallowed.

Dash sat up like a bolt, gasping for air like she was held under water for far too long. She attempted to look around but found her body resisted her commands, leaving her trapped on her bed. She was on the edge of panicking until a voice called to her, “Ah, good morning Miss Dash.”

Rainbow looked to the source of the voice, her eyes focusing on a brown blob until they finally came into focus. She finally was able to see it was a pony, a unicorn from the looks of the horn on his head. Brown coat and blond mane. She was about to take a chance to look at the nametag when a bright light assaulted her eyes, blinding her. “Hang on just a minute, need to check a few things.” His tone was annoying to Dash, as if her protests were a bother to him.

“Well.. gah. At least give me a warning there, doc.” Doc? Ah, seems her brain is catching up before she is. She's in a hospital. When he finally cut the light out of her eyes, she screwed them tight and rubbed at them. “So what happened? Did I crash into that cliff again?”

“Cliff,” the doctor asked, perplexed. He made a few notes on a clipboard before asking, “What do you think you were doing when you were last awake?”

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, remembering the many times she was asked that. “Obviously, I was flying. In case you didn't know, that's what I do. So I was cruising along and-” Her explanation was cut off as the memories came flooding in. The briefing, flying into the storm and the battle. That griffion.. Gilda? No, wasn't her. Then that Roc.. That Roc that tried to eat her in the dream. She and Dust brought it down...

DUST!

Dash tried to get out of the bed but her body screamed in resistance, “Dust! Where is she?!”

“If you are asking for Airmane First Class Lighting Dust..” the unicorn, the annoyance in his voice from her actions even more clear. He twisted his head and used his magic to move the curtain aside and reveal a sleeping form. “She's right here. I believe she will wake soon as well.”

Dash sighed in relief to know they had both made it out alive. She was about to go back relaxing when she is suddenly snapped back to attention by the doctor continuing his examination. “Try and sit still now, ok? I want to finish this up soon.”

Several minutes of poking, proding, popping with a hammer and one very painful needle later and the doctor finally released her. “There we are, that wasn't so bad.” Dash was sure the doctor was at least trying to look like he was trying, but his tone of dismissiveness completely ruined his attempt to settle her down.

“Oh ya, the needle is nothing thanks to your bedside manner,” Dash sneered at him, actually contemplating paperwork just to lodge a complaint.

The doctor didn't seem to notice, more focused on writing in Dash's medical chart before putting it back on the hook at the foot of her bed. “You are welcome. Make sure to give a shout if your friend wakes up. She will need an examination as well.” With that, he strolled off to find a new 'patient'.

Dash was left to let out an exasperated sigh and listen to the sounds of the room. The unending beeping of the machine next to her. The hissing coming from the bothersome air hose thing she had shoved up her nose, she swiftly removed it the next moment, and Lighting's snickering.

She almost twisted her head off snapping it to see her Wingpony smirking at her and watching with one eye. “Wow,” she said in a whisper, “That guy really worked you over. For a second, I thought he might opt for an exploratory surgery.”

Dash returned the smirk and kept her voice low, “I would have taken it just to be knocked out and not having to experience it.”

Dust snickered louder as she offered an alternative, “In that case, he might just chose instead to get a rectal probe!”

Dash's face twisted in severe disgust, “Oh Celestia, don't mention him getting close to my flank. It got weird enough when he started moving my legs around and rubbing with his hooves.” She gave an overplayed shudder at the thought.

The pair shared a soft laugh that faded in the air, replaced with the soft hissing and beeping. Dash finally had to task the risk and ask, “Are you alright?”

Dust rolled her eyes and nodded, “Of course I'm fine. I'm achin all over and my wing joint feels stiff, but I'm fine.” Dust closed her eyes and sighed before going on, “That was some ride, eh Dash? After those first battles, just swatting a few buzzards out of the air, I thought this was smooth sailing. But then that Griffon and a ROC! Looks like we just entered the big leagues, eh?”

Dash could only nod, the memory of that livid dream coming back to her, making her pale slightly. This didn't go unnoticed by Dust who tiled her head a little in confusion. “You ok there, Dash? You don't look so good.”

Dash shook her head, snapping out of it. “I'm fine. I'm.. I”m fine.”

Dust raised an eyebrow, skeptical of that answer, “Really? It doesn't seam like it.”

“I'm ok, really.”

“Dash just tell me-”

“I'm fine!” Dash was starting to get agitated but Dust didn't let up.

“I'm your friend, right?” Dust bit her lip softly before going on, “I mean, I did my best to make up for what I done. Can't you confide in me?”

Dash hung her head and nodded, the words pulling at her heartstrings, “Y-Ya but.. I don't want to share this.”

Dust furrowed her brow as she narrowed her eyes at Dash, her lips pulled down in a frown. “Don't think I”m going to drop this so easily. I don't want your mind clouded when we are flying. It won't end well.”

Dash's expression was blank for a moment before she slowly pulled up a smile, prompting Dusk to smile as well. But that smile faded when Dash's turns dubious. Before she could ask what was going on, Dash called out, “Oh Lightning Dusk! So great so see you awake!”

Dusk's eyes shot open in a panic as she tried to make Dash stop with quick shakes of her head, but Dash continued in the loud call, “Oh wait until you meet the doctor. He is just great! You are going to enjoy him!”

The door opened with a ominous creek as the doctor reappeared, “What's this I hear? Airmane Dust, I am so glad to see you wake. Now we can get your examination out of the way.”

Dusk softly whimpered while Dash smirked and started to move off the bed, “I hope you pay extra attention to her flank, Doc. I think she might have pulled something there. I'll just take a walk and give you both some privacy.” The doctor only waved her off while he focused on Dusk, putting her though the same experience as Rainbow with a bit of extra at the end.

Rainbow Dash had to give the doctor some credit. Whatever was in that needle was relaxing her sore muscles almost as well as that time she let Rarity talk her into a massage. She was almost able to move without any difficulty. She slowed her stride, hanging her head for a bit. I'll have to remember to ask to go again when I see her.

It was a short trip until she found a window facing outside and she learned exactly where she was. She didn't have exacts, but it seemed to be about a few thousand feet in the air give or take ten thousand! It took her a moment to realize where she was. With metal all around and the very faint humming of an engine, it was a War Blimp! The moment the plans were declassified enough to go though the ranks, all of the pegasi were chatting about it. Normally, the skies of a battlefield were their domain, but now there was a chance that unicorns and earth ponies were going to fly along with them? It was unprecedented.

Blimps were not unknown, but they were just the playthings of the rich and affluent. The idea of sticking armor and weapons on it seemed crazy in her eyes. The sound of hooves clanking on metal snapped her out of her daze and brought her attention to two Earth Ponies walking down the corridor, conversing about something serious. Just begging for a surprise visit by the Awesome Rainbow Dash.

She leap in front of them and presented herself proudly. “Hey there, fellas,” Dash said with a million dollar smile, completely ignoring the shock she gave the both of them. “Care to answer a question from the Awesome Pegasus who took down a massive Roc?”

The two Earth Ponies shared a look before responding to Dash, their tone a mix of disappointment and annoyance. “From what I heard,” the larger of the pair started, his coat a splotched mix of dark brown and white under a thick green vest with a whole lot of pockets. “You didn't take it down, at least not alone. Where's your wingpony?”

Before Dash could counter, the other colt spoke up. “And what about the rest of your Squadron and the others who flew in that battle. A lot of them came back hurt holding that Roc steady for your attack to hold.”

Rainbow Dash could only slink back a bit and rub her hair with a hoof. “Geez, I just wanted to ask what are we flying in. Didn't need a lecture.”

The two earth ponies shared another look before the taller explained in a professional tone, “This is the RES Everfree. First Carrier Blimp of it's kind. We are currently holding position thirty thousand feet above the most recent battle while the rest of the fleet arrives.” He drops the professional tone as he says, “Is that all?”

“Um... Ya?” Dash moved out of their way as they walked off, continuing their conversation in hushed tones. All she could get from it was 'Wonderdolt' said in a disgusted tone. That was enough to sour Dash's mood. After shooting them both a venomous glare, she returned to walking down the hall, grumbling to herself.

How far Dash walked after that, she didn't know. If she did run into anyone else, they didn't give her a reason to snap you out of her grump. She might have walked an entire circle if a familiar voice hadn't spoken up.

“Dash, didn't expect you to be awake so soon!” Dash stopped short and nearly tripped over her hooves. She planted her flank firmly on the ground before she did so and looked around to see who called to her. “Well, I guess you aren't fully recovered.” Dash finally caught sight of who it was. Spitfire, dressed in a casual uniform with an amused smirk on her face that was clear even behind her aviator shades.

Dash sprung up on all fours, a determined look on her face, “I'm better than fully recovered! I'm ready to get back in the air.” Her wings flared out as if she can catch the wind that instant.

Spitfire raised a skeptical eyebrow, “Ready to get up in the air?”

“Heck ya!”

“This instant,” she pressed.

“Sooner!”

“Off the ship and away from everypony.”

“Far away!” Dash couldn't catch herself before it came out, she bit her tongue and looked away as Spitfire looked on at her, the yellow mare's smile now in a soft frown.

She was quiet for several moments as she carefully removed her shades and tucked them in a chest pocket. “So,” she started slowly, choosing her words carefully, “You have experienced some animosity with the crew?”

Dash sighed and shrugged, “I don't know. It just feels like we aren't part of them. Just extra cargo.” Her frown turns into a snarl as she spits out, “Haven't we done the work to earn our place? Feels like boot camp all over again.”

Spitfire had no words. She knew Dash was right. They weren't considered part of the air force proper but instead more of extra baggage. There was only one solution to this that she could think of. “Dash,” Rainbow Dash snapped out of her brooding and straighted up, waiting for orders. “Follow me. Don't say anything, just listen.”

Dash did as she was told as Spitfire lead her though the corridors. Even a pegasus of her prestige didn't earn more than what was obligated of her though her rank and that only made Rainbow Dash more upset. Thankfully, their destination was only a short trip away. Corporal Warhawk was blazed across the door that Spitfire looked up at.

The golden coated mare motioned for Dash to stay against the wall as she pulled out a pin from her chest pocket. She held it in her mouth as she knocked three times on the door. “Enter,” Warhawk's voice came from inside, sharp and annoyed. Spitfire gave Dash a side glance as she stepped in the room, dropping the pin against the door frame as it closed behind her, keeping it cracked and letting Dash hear what went on inside.

Spitfire's movements were textbook from start to finish. She walked two paces short of the desk and stood at attention. “Captain Spitfire, requesting audience.”

Warhawk looked up from is work and, in complete surprise to Spitfire, smiled at her. “Well, this is a surprise. I was planning on visiting you myself after I get this all done but you saved me the walk. I wanted to thank you and congratulate those fliers of yours. Rainbow Dash and Lighting Dust, right? How are they?”

To say that Spitfire was at a loss for words would be an understatement. The colt who had spent the majority of the war treating her and her squadron as second rate was happy to see her and offering congratulations? She stammered, trying to find words after intending to feed him a few choice words, “W-Well, um.. Thank you? They are fine, the doctor says that they just need rest.” Spitfire shook her head a bit to focus her thoughts and sharply stomped her hoof. “Sir, what is this?”

Warhawk rose an eyebrow in confusion as he leaned back in his chair, “What do you mean? I am offering commendation. Was going to put it in the official record and see about getting some metals around.”

“I don't mean that!” Spitfire did her best to keep her voice level as  her emotions get loose, “You spent this entire conflict treating me and my Wonderbolts as second class, not proper fliers like your own. And now you think you can just make all that disappear with a few kind words and some shiny bits of metal!” Spitfire sucked in a breath of air and straightened herself up, just barely keeping her voice level, “I demand an explanation.. Sir.”

Once the surprise left Warhawk's face, it bore only quiet calm as he let Spitfire laid it all to bare.  He kept watching her for several moments after that before moving, opening the bottom drawer of his desk and pulling out a binder. “Let me ask you a question, Spitfire.” He set the binder on his desk and opened it, showing a collection of pictures of various ponies. Every breed and every gender were on display. “Do you recognize any of these?”

Spitfire looked though the faces and shook her head, “No?” She looked at Warhawk in confusion as he turned the page to more pictures.

“And these?”

Another scan of the images. “No, sir. I don't recognize any of them.”

This went on for several moments until they went though all the pages and all the pictures. Until all that was left was to flip the back cover and close the binder. “I see.” He reached back in his desk and pulled out a single image of a group of pegasi and set it before Spitfire. “And anyone here?”

Spitfire looked though it a moment before her face lit up, “Oh my.. Is that Stormrunner?! He's the original Wonderbolt! Our uniforms are enchanted to give the same storm cloud trail as him in his honor! Wow, he looks so young.” Spitfire looked up from the picture and recoiled a bit as she saw Warhawk's stern gaze.

“One hundred faces and no success, yet you can spot his out of a crowd,” Warhawk stated slowly, prompting Spitfire to nod before he spoke again, just as slowly, “One hundred faces of soldiers who gave their lives in service to their nation you can't recognize a single one-” Spitfire's eyes snap open in shock as she looked at the binder, now seeming a lot more sacred, “-and yet you can pick out a single face of a flier who barely got anywhere in the air force, who went on to earn fame and fortune  with stunts and shows?”

Spitfire put a forehoof over her other to keep it from shaking as she awaited the final blow, “Tell me, Spitfire. Would you expect any other reaction from we who will face into nothingness from those who bask in the spotlight? How much do you expect us to take as citizens frequently look to you for help despite your frequent shortcomings and yet we barely get a second glance even in full dress uniform.” Though Warhawk kept his voice calm, his tone made it clear that there was a lot of emotion behind his words. A lot of love for his soldiers and sadness for their fate.

Spitfire could only hang her head, her bangs covering her eyes as she tries to find some retort to defend her Wonderbolts, but found nothing. When she felt a hoof on her shoulder, she looked up to see Warhawk standing next to her. “Don't go back to your troops with a frown. They earned their place just like everypony else here. I will speak to the troops about treating the Wonderbolts with the respect they deserve, but I make no promises. Here..” He flips open the binder and goes though a few pages before pulling out a picture. “Give this to Airmane Dash. I think this will help her understand as well.”

Outside, Dash had heard the majority of the exchange thanks to the crack in the door, though it didn't completely douse the fire in her chest about what she went though. She put on her best face though as Spitfire came out with a picture in her grasp. Dash waited until the door was closed and they were a little ways down the hall before speaking up, “So, what did he give you?”

Spitfire said nothing and just handed over the picture, giving it to Dash to look over. For a while, her face only had confusion until realization dawned on her. The photo was in black and white, but the spectrum of colors that would have been in the colt's hair was still clear to see. The smug grin and the wild eyes looked so familiar to Dash that it was almost eerie. It was so much like her own.

Rainbow Dash swallowed and softly whispered, “Grandpa.”

Spitfire stood next to Dash, looking at the picture as well as the resemblance became clear to her as well. “You never knew?”

Dash shook her head and clutched the picture close to her chest as her eyes spilled over.