Hey Brother

by Wolf-Baron

Rating: teen
Tags: Spitfire, Tragedy, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Human, Sad, Soarin, Fleetfoot, Other
Length: 5976

Inspired by the Dan Tyminski and Avicii song, this story deals with Spitfire learning to cope with the most horrible thing anypony can go through, the loss of a family member.

It seems like only yesterday Spitfire and her older brother Mustang were just little foals playing and flying above the skies of Cloudsdale. She and Mustang were more than just family, they were friends. He was always there for her and helped shape her into the tough pegasus she is today. But now, she must face the most difficult challenge of her life; dealing with the loss of her own brother. Something no pony would ever want to do.

Published 2014-05-23 19:00:06 UTC
Last updated 2014-10-14 12:38:01 UTC

Painful Memories.

Today had to be the slowest day at the academy. Unfortunately today was paperwork day. Loads and loads of paperwork.
Normally I don’t mind my work; in fact, I would consider myself a workaholic. Really I don’t I swear to Celestia I love my job! Always have. Ever since I was a filly, I dreamed of becoming a Wonderbolt! Every night I would dream that I was soaring high in the upper atmosphere over Equestria! Flying with the best!
Yes, and I lived my dream and made it and I enjoy every day of it.
But today was different.

Right from when I got out of bed, I wasn’t myself. While always got up very early in the morning to do some quick exercising and cleaning, today I slept in until 8:15.
I got up, took a shower, ate my breakfast, and reported to the Wonderbolt Academy like I always did. But this time my routine was completely different.
I didn’t do my daily wing-ups as exercise. While I showered, I didn’t take the time to comb my orange-yellow mane, or even brush my teeth for that matter. And as I was flying to the academy, I was barely gliding. Hell, I was flying so slow the butterflies were outflying me. Normally I’m doing wing sprints on my way to get myself warmed up for my duties as Captain of the Wonderbolts.

All day, today, everypony kept staring at me and whispering to one and other hoping that covering their voices with their hooves would keep it a secret.
Everypony was looking at me with a sad but peculiar look on their muzzles. Guess I couldn’t blame them. My mane was a complete disaster and my breath probably smelt like the Colt’s locker room. Well if my breath was that distracting then I could always head down to the mess hall and just grab a packet of mints from the vending machines….and I just realized I left my purse at home along with all my bits!
Seriously what was wrong with me! I was so mad that….

“OH CELESTIA FUCKING DAMMIT!!!!” I cussed at the top of my lungs, realizing a little too late that I shouted out loud in a public place. Oh Celestia what have I gotten myself into?

Now everypony had their eyes on me. Some were giggling, others kept staring at me with disbelief that I would say something like that, and some even had their mouths gaped open like they have never heard me swear before.

I gave probably the absolute weakest smile I ever tried to pull off. I was probably blushing furiously and my ears drooped down like a little filly whose mother caught her trying to steal a cookie from the cookie jar.
“Ummmm, I’m sorry everypony!” I meekly tried to apologize. I wanted to face hoof myself.
Good work Spitfire, you mess up big time!

A white Pegasus colt that I recognized as Jet Blast stepped forward from the group. He was wearing the same Wonderbolt’s officer’s uniform I was wearing. We’ve flown and worked together before and were on very friendly terms. He worked his way past the crowd and approached me offering a hoof.

“Captain Spitfire, are you alright?” He asked me with a look of worry on his face.
I kept the very weak smile on my face trying my very best to look professional, although how was I supposed to come up with an excuse for my little outburst.
“Uh….yeah,” I stuttered horribly keeping my head down not wanting to look at the other ponies, not even Jet Blast.
“Are you sure?” He asked me rather gently and calmly.
“Yes!” I practically snapped back at him. Didn’t he know I already had a bunch of shit going on at the moment?
“Look I’m sorry,” I quickly apologized trying to sound professional again. “I just wanna get to my office okay?”
Jet blast nodded his head and tapped my shoulder.
“Alright, if you insist.” He said with a rather surprising smile and trotted off trying to shoo the crowd away from me.

I kept my head down and trotted down the hallway which led towards my office. I didn’t look at anypony or answer them when they greeted me. Normally I’m a very friendly young mare but today, I just wanted to be left alone. Even if I encountered Soarin and Fleet Foot today I didn’t wanna talk.
Ever since Mustang died…
Oh great, I brought him up in my mind again! I slammed my eyes shut and tried very hard to fight the tears. I didn’t wanna think about him! Not now! Not at the one place which had always brought me happiness.
Thank Celestia that I had reached my office when my mind was assaulted by the painful fact that my best brother and friend in the whole world was gone!

Dammit there I go again!

I slammed the door behind me hard and tried my best to compose myself. I rubbed my head with my right forehoof and took a deep breath.
“Relax girl,” I told myself. “Just take this one day at a time.

I needed to distract myself quickly. I headed towards my desk and pull out my chair to take a seat.
My desk was finely decorated with medals and trophies from previous events I had flown in. A beautiful triangular name card was which had my name “Spitfire” embedded in dark black letters stood at the front.

There were also several pictures on my desk too. One was me and my team at a opening event for a large shopping mall in Manehatten. The other was a picture of me and Fleet Foot at Soarin’s twenty sixth birthday party last year. And the final picture was a family photo of me, my mom, my dad…..and Mustang.
I shook my head trying to get him out of my head. I needed to focus on something. I needed to focus on my work.

I carefully took the family photo and gently placed it face down on the desk so I wouldn’t see his face. It’s not that I didn’t want to see him it’s just that…well okay, I didn’t want to see a photo of him, not now. It was too painful.
I just wanted the pain too stop. But it wouldn’t. I don’t know if I’ll ever get over losing my brother.

I just stood at my desk trying with every bit of free will to do my work.

Today I was filing paperwork; well, I was supposed to be filling out paperwork.
But I just stood there with a quill in my mouth and my plot seated firmly on the chair. As much I as tried, I just couldn’t seem to find the strength to write or do my duties. I set the quills down and stood up from my chair and headed towards my office’s window which gave me a good view of the Academy’s Flying field.

I stood out there and just gave a thousand yard stare as I looked at the new flyers struggling to pass the Wonderbolts extremely challenging physical tests.

Training to be a Wonderbolt was very difficult. Every year, over one hundred ponies sign up and get accepted for training. By the end of that year, only four will pass and become a Wonderbolt. I remember my first day at the academy.

I was a good flyer fresh out of serving a tour with the Equestrian Royal Air Force. I was so nervous my wings wouldn’t stop jittering during the physical exam and I may have stuttered a few times during the interview.

Again I thought about Mustang, but this time, I let him stay. He was the biggest help when I was training for a Wonderbolt. Before I signed up, he spent every day with me training and pushing me to be my best. And he never lowered himself simply because I was his sister. No, when Mustang trained you, he took it seriously.

But he never put me down or spoiled me. He helped me push my abilities to their very limits. Even when I was in the academy, he still sent me letters of encouragement and even tips on how to prepare my body for the physical tests.
I still follow many of his notes and words of advice even to this day.

I went back to my desk and took the photo I put down in my hooves and just looked at Mustang. I remember now, this picture was taken four years ago at our parents’ wedding anniversary. I had just gotten accepted into the Wonderbolts and we were celebrating the two special events together.
Mustang was giving his trademark bright smile in this pic and I couldn’t help but giggle. Unlike me where I inherited my mane and fur color from my mom, Mustang looked more like our dad.

He was tall and very handsome colt (I still remember in high school he had a whole locker full of letters from young mares asking him to go out with them).
His mane was a very dark shade of blue of the night sky which went well with his turquoise colored coat. His cutie mark was sort of this falcon wings-shaped object. The funny thing is, his love of caring for others and his desires to be a doctor, he was shocked that his cutie mark wasn't something medical related.

I then frowned when I also remembered another detail.

This was taken two days after he had joined the Romancian Foreign Legion. He left for the human nation of Romancia the following day.
Mustang was a great flyer; however, he wasn’t interested in joining the Wonderbolts. He always wanted to be a doctor. While I was breaking my wings in the Wonderbolt Academy, he was studying at the Royal Air Force’s academy of Medicine. He always wanted to help people.

I think that’s why he joined the Romancian Foreign Legion in the first place. He wanted to be a military medic and help ponies and people.
I set the photo down and took another look outside, this time frowning. My vision blurred and I felt the tears burning my eyes.

I sat down back in my chair and…well, I lost it. I completely broke down and started sobbing. I wanted to die! I wanted to kill Mustang! He promised me he would come back! But it was too late, he was already dead.

“It’s not fair!” I growled to my emptiness as I lay my head on my desk and covered my face with my hooves, tears soaking down my cheeks.
Even though I was in a building full of ponies, I felt alone. My whole world just felt like it was collapsing.

I just sat there, balling like a little filly who lost her blanket. I missed him so much….

Author's Note

Yeah I mostly wrote this story because a lot of shit has happened in my personal life (I'd rather not talk about it) and writing this just helps me vent my emotions.

That Final Night.

That Final Night.

I don’t know how long I stayed crying at my desk; maybe it was only a few minutes, maybe several hours who knows I wasn’t keeping track. Personally, in the current emotional mood I was in, I probably didn’t care. A thousand moons could’ve past and I wouldn’t of notice.

The thing that finally made me realize the time I was in was a loud knocking at the door to my office.

“Come in!” I practically shouted still sobbing. I tried my best to wipe away my tears, but my eyes were still wet and puffy.

I heard the door creak open following by the sound of hoof clops as I wiped my eyes with my sleeves. I then turned to look up at my visitor and….
Holy shit!
It was General Night Striker, the head administrator of the Wonderbolt Academy!
I tried my very best to hide the fact that I had been balling my eyes out this past couple of minutes. Or hours, or ah hell I don’t know! Like I said earlier, I wasn’t keeping time.

I stood on all fours in a very upright position and saluted, putting my right hoof up to my head. I also secretly tried to cover my eyes to hide the fact I was crying. It was bad enough that Jet Blast and many others saw me the last thing I needed was my boss to see me in this emotional state.
No matter what emotions I was going through, I was still a Captain in the Wonderbolts and I was the head trainer at this facility. I couldn’t risk having my own boss see me crack under emotional stress.
“At ease kid.” He responded back in a rather low yet calming voice.
He walked into my office, shutting the door behind him as I sat down myself and tried to put a fake smile on as if I was happy to see him.
“Wha…what brings you here general?” I stuttered horribly “How are you today?”

I wanted to punch myself in the face. How was he today? Really? That was the best question I could come up with!

But General Night Striker seemed very calm as he walked around my office just staring at random knick knacks and decorations on the shelves of my office.
I kept my head slightly away towards him breathing and praying to Celestia and Luna that he wouldn’t see my face. I felt so ashamed.

“Jet Blast came by my office this morning and told me about your little outburst in mess hall when you arrived,” Night Striker said as he took a small silver plated Pegasus medal and examined it in his hooves.
My heart skipped a beat and my red puffy eyes widened with horror! Jet Blast did what! That fucking imbecile!

MY LIFE IS RUINED!!! I screamed internally to myself!

Note to self, after the general scolds me for that, I need to pay Jet Blast a visit and tell him not to be a fucking tattle tale!

“Sir I can explain…!” I began as I got up and desperately walked towards with a practically begging gesture.

Keeping the medal in his left hoof he looked at me and held up his right hoof as if to block me.
“Hey it’s alright,” He explained and I was shocked to notice he had a friendly smile on his face “I didn’t come here to scold you. I just wanna talk.”
I lowered my hoof and tilted my head towards the ground. Perfect, my life just kept getting worse. I sat back down in my chair and just fiddled around with my hooves. General Night Striker put the Pegasus medal back down and then turned towards me.
“I heard what happened to your brother.” He explained calmly.

I didn’t look at him. I didn’t want to. If it wasn’t for the fact that he was the General and my own boss, I would’ve screamed at him and demanded that he leave.
But I kept enough self restraint to not do so. Instead I just kept my head lowered, remaining silent.
He then looked at me and took off his hate revealing his black mane which was starting to gray in several areas.

“I’m sorry Spitfire,” he said very calmly. “I know what it’s like to lose someone close and dear to you.”

Then why did you have to bring him up!

I bit my lips as I felt the tears coming back.

Dammit I can’t cry in front of my boss!

But then the general approached me and pat my shoulder with his hoof almost as if he read my mind.
“Look, Spitfire, I want you to take some time off of your duties. Take a leave of absence”
I jumped up and gasped at this statement.

“But sir I can’t just abandoned my duties!” I tried to explain.

Sure I was going through a minor emotional inconvenience but that was no excuse for me to just pack up my bags and fly off to Las Pegasus.

But the General just smiled at me.

“Spitfire, it’s just a little leave of absence,” he explained “I really want you to take some time off. Trust me, coming from a pony that has lost many friends throughout his life, sometimes you need to slow down and take some time.”

I nodded even though I personally disagreed with him. I didn’t need R&R, I needed to work, I needed something to distract myself.
The General returned my nod and put his hat back on as he got up and headed to the door.

“Good. And don’t worry, we have your position covered,” he said as he opened the door. “Also, I’d highly recommend you take some time to visit your parents. They are probably going through the same emotionally pain as you and they are in need of your love. Spend some time with them. And that’s an order.”

I nodded with a faux look of understandment as General Night Striker exited my office.
“Fuck!” I cussed as I was left alone in my office.
I didn’t want a vacation! I needed to stay here! I needed something to take my mind off my brother.
But as much as angry as I was, I couldn’t disobey a direct order from Night Striker.

I rarely ever go to the largely Earth Pony village of Ponyville unless I have a reason to do so. Sure, Rainbow Dash, my absolute most favorite cadet lived there, but that was about it.
I hadn’t been to Ponyville since the time RD organized the pegasi living there to break the cloud rain water record and helped her friend Fluttershy realize the value of helping your team no matter how scared you are.

That event wasn’t the first time I was in Ponyville though. Mustang and I used to come here all the time when we were fillies. Every hoofstep I took brought back happy memories.
I saw the pink Earth-Pony known as Pinkie Pie entertaining diners at Sugarcube Corner. Mustang used to buy me ice cream there with his paper delivering money when we were fillies. I can still taste the Rocky Road!
Because I rarely traveled to Ponyville, I thankfully wasn’t recognized by many ponies. Which is good, I really wanted to be by myself right now; that was real difficult because ever since my team mates got the news, I was constantly getting bombarded by Soarin and Fleet Foot to invite me to go drinking or partying with them.
I guess they thought that would cheer me up. But no, I had a special place I wanted to go to in Ponyville. I was heading for the large lake at the edge of town.

I just laid there at the coast of the lake relaxing and letting the cool watered air splash against me. It was very therapeutic although depressing at the same time. Out of all the places I had visited on my trips to Ponyville with my brother, the lake was my absolute most favorite place.

There was a small beach near the edge of the water were me and Mustang used to build sand castles and have sand fights. Sometimes we would also watch the baby turtles flip flop their way to the lake to their new home.
I sniffled a little as I watched the sun’s light reflecting off of the lake’s waters. This was the last place where I saw my brother alive.

“I’m going to miss you.” I spoke sadly to him as we watched the sunset over the horizon. The lake’s waters churned and waved giving its magical rhythm.

Mustang turned to me and gave me his brightest smile; a smile which I would give my left hind leg to see again.

“I’m gonna miss you too Spitz.” He answered. Spitz was a pet name he would always call me.
“But this is something I always wanted to do!”

I looked at the sunset with a look of sadness on his face. I know he was an adult pony and it was his decision, but I didn’t want him to go.

I turned back to him, “I still don’t get why you chose to volunteer for a human military rather than join the Wonderbolts. General Night Striker said you were a damn good flyer!”

He frowned at my statement however.

“Spitz, I am so proud you lived your dream, but joining the Wonderbolts was your dream, not mine.” He explained with a sad frown on his muzzle. “I want to do more in my life than just fly and perform stunts for ponies.”

I remember scowling at him and raising an eyebrow.

“Not that there is anything wrong with that!” he quickly corrected with a weak smile on his muzzle.
He then turned back with his serious look.

“Spitz, I am so proud of you that you joined the Wonderbolts. Really I am,” he explained, “but, I always wanted to be a doctor. I’ve always wanted to help people.”

He then turned towards the lake watching the setting sky kiss the horizon.

“I wanna help people. Both humans and ponies alike!” he then turned to me. “Spitz, the Romancian Foreign Legion is something I want to do!”

I remember looking away from him, trying to hide the tears that were building up in my eyes.
“Spitfire, I was always there to support you. You are my baby sister and I love you. But now, you need to support what I want to do.” He told me as he gently touched my shoulder.

I turned around and gave him the biggest hug a little sister could give her big brother. I sobbed heavily into his chest.

“I’ll miss you too much!” I sobbed into his chest.
He hugged me back and rubbed my head and back. I felt a few tears trinkle on my mane. He was crying a little too.

“Shhhh, I know Spitz. I’m gonna miss you to.” He answered trying his best to comfort me. He lifted my head to me and wiped away my tears.

“But remember baby sis, I’ll always be with you, even if you can’t see me!” he told me and his closed his eyes and hugged me again.

Never in all my life had I felt so warm and safe.

Once the sun had set and the moon had risen, we headed back home to our parents were we spent one final night together as a family.

Sadly, I never saw Mustang alive in person after that day….

Family reunion.

I stood on top of the cloud where my folks lived and their house was located. Man it has been a long time since I last stepped hoof onto this yard; must’ve been about eight years.
Mustang and I both grew up here with our parents. Our mom was a stay at home mother while our dad worked at the Rainbow Factory as the chief engineer and manager. Mustang and I were the best of friends and we always stood for each other although, Mustang mostly stood up for me. He kept away school bullies, coached me on how to be an excellent flyer and he would baby sit me when mom and dad were away on a date.

I walked up to the front door of my old house and swallowed hard. I was sad and nervous, this house made many memories.
I knocked a couple of times with my hooves. I heard the sounds of hoof clops behind the door before the knob turned and the door opened up with a loud creak followed by the sound of a surprised gasp; my mom.
“Spitfire!” she exclaimed as she wrapped her hooves around me with a hug.
She was wearing a pink apron and judging by the warm aroma that was coming from the kitchen, it appears she was cooking dinner.
“Hey mom,” I sighed back with a weak smile as I returned her hug.

Despite being in her late fifties, my mom still maintained some of her beauty and brightness. She was always a beautiful and kind mare who took great care of us and loved us dearly. Her cutie mark was appropriately a pair of wings with a heart in the middle.
“Oh Spitfire it’s been so long since I’ve seen you!” she said after she finally let me go and faced me.
I gave a weak smiled and nodded, “Yeah I know, is dad home?”

My question, however, caused my mom to frown. She turned away and sighed while taking off her glasses.

“Oh Spitfire honey, ever since we got the news, your father hasn’t been the same,” She said with a sad tone and I could tell she was fighting tears. “He is so quiet now and spends most of his time just reading the newspaper.”

I nodded, I wouldn’t be surprised. Mustang was dad’s pride and joy. Not that he didn’t like me, he loved us both very much, but there was a special bond Mustang and dad had. I guess it’s that kind of father and son thing.
I expected him to be hit the hardest.
But mom suddenly got up and returned her smile back at me.

“C’mon in honey,” she greeted me with her smile which was very bright despite her age. “It’s been so long.”
I smiled and nodded with agreement as I walked into my old house where I grew up; the house that helped build me and Mustang.

I decided to stay a bit longer than I planned and helped mom with the cooking and prepping dinner. Even though I was classified as a tom girl in my filly days, I will admit, I loved cooking.
My mom was very quiet as we cooked dinner but I respected that, it was always her way of coping with troubled days. I stared outside the window as I was cleaning some vegetables and looked at our front yard. Mustang and I used to play sports and dare each other to do stupid stunts when we were young. It wasn’t unheard of for one of use to get injured in the process.

I sighed a little as I remembered those great times. I remembered that one time when Mustang tried to do a sonic rainboom and failed miserably (and broke his right wing in the process). Mom and dad were so angry that they vowed to ground him for a very long time if he tried it again and he promised to never do it again.
I set the vegetables on a plate and placed some corn in a pan full of boiling water. Mom was just cleaning some dishes and sighing presumably to herself.

“Is dad still at work?” I asked a trying to break the silence. Even though dad was in his sixties, he still worked at the factory.
Dad had worked at that factory for over thirty-five years supporting mom and his children. He started off as an engineer but he soon managed to get promoted to manager of the factory. He was a very hard working pony and even when he was approaching his late ages he still refused to retire.

“I’ve got plenty of time to rest when I’m dead!” he would say

But despite his workaholic personality, he still found the time to spend time with me and Mustang.
Mom nodded silently without looking at me.

“Oh yes dear….huh.”
I heard her sigh as she set down a plate and began scrubbing it with a sponge.
“Your father’s been spending a lot of time at work ever since he heard about Mustang.” She said with a noticeable tears dripping from the side of her cheek. “And when he is home, he spends most of his time alone and doesn’t talk to me.”

I looked away and acted like I never saw it. Mom was already saddened; I didn’t need her to see me distressed too. I walked up to her and gently patted her shoulder trying to comfort her a little.
“It’s okay mom,” I weakly tried to explain. “Just give him some time. We’re all a little shaken up by this.”
She turned to me and smiled.
“Thank you Spitfire.” She said as she placed the plates on the table: she only set three.

It was around 9:00 when dad finally came home. When I was younger, dad used to come home with high spirits and energy, even on bad days. But dad wasn’t his happy self tonight. Can’t say I blame him.
I tried to cheer him up a bit with a grin and a smile, even if it was a faux one.

“Hey dad! Guess who came to visit!” I cheered to him hoping it would lift his spirits up.
But to my absolute amazement, he just looked at me with his tired sad face.
“Hello Spitfire.” He said back in a low tired voice.
Mom got up and tapped him on his shoulder.

“I’m glad your home honey. Aren’t you happy your daughter is here?” she asked with a look in her face which told me she was trying her very hardest to maintain her complexion.
“Of course I am.” He responded, again, in a low tired voice.
He then looked up at me, “I’m sorry if I sound moody today. It’s just been…rough.”

“You mean Mustang?” I asked and almost immediately regretted bringing up. Oh sweet Celestia I am so stupid!
Dad winced his eyes and rubbed his graying black hair with his hoof. He then turned towards mom.

“I’ll be in the shower.” He said and he immediately dismissed himself trotting up the stairs to the bathroom. I could hear him turn on the shower and see steam coming from the upstairs.

I then turned towards mom and l lowered my head in shame.
“I’m sorry mom!” I tried to apologize but mom just raised a hoof.

“No need to!” she answered back sounding like she was obviously trying to hold back tears. “Despite…recent events, we are a family and Mustang wouldn’t want to see us this way.”
I walked up to her and gave my mom a big hug. She was right, Mustang wouldn’t of wanted us like this.

Mustang may be gone, but we are still a family.

I decided to spend the night at my old place figuring that maybe mom and pop needed me there for a bit. It was still sad though; dad was completely silent during dinner time which was very out of character for him. During dinner he was also being a chatty filly. But tonight, he just sat there and ate his food not saying anything to me or mom.
I guess Mustang’s death hit him harder than I thought.
After dinner, I was tired and decided to hit the sack to sleep. Mom led me to my old room, still preserved from the last time I left it. I’m surprised she kept it so intact many things from my filly years were still there including my Wonderbolts poster.

Normally I sleep fine but tonight was rough. Despite being in a warm bed, I kept tossing and turning all night. I don’t know what came over me, but I did something that surprised even me.

I headed to Mustang’s old room.

Just like my room, Mustang’s room was left completely intact and even though nobody had slept there in years it was well kept and dusted.
His dresser stood next to the bed was topped with his sports trophies and model planes which he used to collect.

On his bookshelf was a collection of of books and encyclopedias mostly about war and wartime technology. An F-86 Sabre model was carefully placed on top of a stack of old Captain Karelia comic books.

On the desk was a model of a P-38 fighter however, it was incomplete and a mess. Its wings were separated and carefully laid next to a tube of glue and a mini screwdriver.
I giggled at that site; Mustang never did finish that one. Darn shame too; the P-38 was his favorite GW2 fighter.

And finally, behind his door was a poster for the Romancian Foreign Legion. It depicted a Legionnaire holding his rifle in a triumphant pose and pointing at the would-be audience. I couldn't read Romancian but Mustang told me that the poster read: "Do you have what it takes to be a Legionnaire!"

A loud yawn escaped my muzzle and feeling tired again. I don't know why but I hunkered down on Mustangs bed.

I don't know how to explain it but sleeping in Mustang's bed mad me feel safe. I felt happy.

I drifted off to sleep and in the first time for several nights, I slept soundly.

The day I got that Letter.

One week.
It has been exactly one week since I received that letter which changed my life forever. I still think I’m not quite sure of what happened or how I can still be flying after that news. I mean, I’ve mostly stopped crying and I try to put a smile on my face for my friends and family, but… I still hurt.
You know what I’m saying?
It’s that kind of hurt you feel deep in your chest when something so emotionally traumatic happens, you just collapse. You curl into a fetal position, start sobbing. Although my crying has mostly stopped, I still find it difficult to walk and fly with a smile. My team mates Soarin and Fleetfoot try their best to help me, but as much as I appreciated them, it didn’t help.

The thing that strikes me the most is how quiet that day was. My typical routine goes like this:
Every morning I do 30 wing-ups and then I do some flying air sprints to the academy. Afterwards I just yell and school a bunch of new flyers for the next couple of hours. Some days I do get to take some time off to fly with Soarin and Fleet Foot. But on that day, well…I got the worst news of my life.

Dear Ms. Spitfire,

I am here to offer you my most sincere apologies. On March the 15th of 2014, your brother, Legionnaire Lieutenant Mustang was killed in action while assisting a med evac.

The Romancian Foreign Legion offers you and your family our absolute condolences. Mustang was an excellent army medic who cared greatly for his fellow soldiers and his duty. He will be missed by his platoon.

If it can offer you any solace, your brother died saving a fellow soldiers life, and for that, he has been posthumously awarded the Croix de Guerre, one of our highest military medals in the Romancian military and we will deliver his body back to his native soil for a decent burial.

We wish you love and comfort and our support. Your brother will be missed by not only you, but his platoon as well.

Sincerely,

General Anatonlius Baudin

Romancian Foreign Legion 36th Paratroopers.

I will never forget that message. My initial reaction was complete denial.

I remember spending countless hours lying on my bed, staring at that photo of me and Mustang taken back when we were fillies. I wanted to deny it, wanted to pretend it was all a horrible nightmare.

But it wasn’t. No matter how many times I cried or begged for it to not be true there was no denying it; my brother, my kin, my friend was dead and there was nothing I could do to say or change that.