1.2 - Burned

For the second time that day Wildfire sat a desk wishing she was someplace else. Hot Spot sat opposite her, pen in mouth as he finished the last of his paperwork. The pegasus cast a glance at the ticking clock on the wall. Two thirty in the afternoon. Half an hour since the fire had been bought under control and finally extinguished. Thirty minutes since she’d said goodbye to Heatwave as Red Alert had driven him to the morgue. Thirty minutes since she’d spoken to anypony. Wildfire’s world had fallen apart, what was there to say? Now she sat facing her Captain in silence, as she had for the past ten minutes.

Eventually Hot Spot laid his pen down on the last sheet of paper and looked over his glasses at the pegasus on the other side of his desk. “What happened out there Reserve?” He asked quietly, his gruff voice neither hostile nor friendly.

Wildfire looked up at him once before looking away, at the floor, the walls, anything to avoid his piercing dark green eyes. ‘Reserve’…Hot Spot hadn’t called her that since she had signed up three years ago. Usually it was ‘Rookie’ or ‘Wily’. Studying the pattern on the carpeted floor the yellow pegasus opened her mouth to reply, but found she had to attempt it another three times. “You know what happened, Sir.”

Hot Spot took his time cleaning his glasses, watching Wildfire fidget nervously before placing them back on his nose. “I want to hear it from you Reserve.”

Wildfire wrung her hooves together, trying to marshal her thoughts to answer her Captain. “I – I brought the cloud as requested on my pager, I was making it rain like you ordered when…” Wildfire choked back her tears at the thought of her partner, “When H – Heatwave landed and asked if I needed help. We, we worked the cloud together…” Her voice trailed off, she didn’t want to say aloud what happened next.

“And, then what happened?” Hot Spot gently coaxed her. Wildfire couldn’t understand why he was so calm, why he wasn’t shouting at her. It’d be easier to bear if he were shouting, angry, anything.

Wildfire sniffed, rubbing her eyes with a hoof. “Then…then I heard their screams. That family screaming for help. I – I didn’t stop to think, I was in the air, I asked…I asked Heatwave to take over the cloud and I went to help them.”

“You. Didn’t. Stop. To. Think.” Hot Spot repeated her words back to her, punctuating each word. To Wildfire each word felt like a crushing hammer blow to her heart. “Did Heatwave warn you of my standing orders?”

“Yes Sir. He did, Sir.”

“What were my orders, Reserve?”

“Nopony was to enter that building while it was burning, Sir.” Wildfire’s brown eyes were glued firmly to the floor, her voice barely above a whisper.

“What did you do?”

“I – I…I hovered at the window, I heard the mare scream for help. Sir, I…I burst through the window and…”

“You disobeyed my direct orders Reserve.” Hot Spot cut across her defence.

“Sir, I…I couldn’t let them burn! I just couldn’t. I had to do something!”

“It wasn’t your call to make Wildfire.” The use of her name finally made her look up at her Captain. She wished she hadn’t. The disappointment on Hot Spot’s face was almost too much for her to take. “Yes you saved those ponies. You also put yourself in very serious danger and endangered the life of your partner. Chain of command exists for a reason, and you broke that chain today.”

A feeble “Yes Sir” was all she managed in reply.

“Now, I’m entering this formal reprimand into your permanent file.” Hot Spot extended his hoof across the desk. “Pager please Wildfire.”

“You’re suspending me Sir?” Wildfire used her left hoof to slide the pager off her right foreleg, and dumped it on the desk top between herself and her Captain.

Picking up the pager Hot Spot turned it over in his crimson hooves before putting it in the drawer of his desk. “Your Captain is suspending you Wildfire.” He noted the saddened downcast look on her face before continuing, “Your friend is suggesting you take as much time as you need before coming back to the team.” Hot Spot finished with a gentle smile. “Is there anything else?”

Wildfire felt her chest constrict at the thought of her partner laid on the stretcher, her heart a leaden weight. “Heatwave was my fault.” She confessed miserably. “I don’t belong on your team, Sir.”

To her very great surprise Hot Spot actually chuckled at her. Wildfire could count on one hoof the times she had heard him laugh. “Let me tell you why you’re wrong on both counts Wily. Heatwave had a medical condition that left him with a weak heart. That’s why he was your trainer. He wasn’t on active duty for several months. However that fire earlier was so intense I had no choice but to return him to active status.”

If Hot Spot’s words were meant to comfort the pegasus they had the opposite effect, only deepening her melancholy. “So…it was my fault then, when I asked him to take over on that cloud, I had no idea he couldn’t handle it…”

“And you wouldn’t have had any idea. I was the only pony he told, apart from his wife. He loved the job Wily, Heatwave practically begged me to keep him on in any capacity. Remember he was my friend a lot longer than he was yours, I didn’t have the heart to refuse him.”

“I still disobeyed your orders, Heatwave only went in the building because I asked him to. You- you don’t need a liability on your team Sir.”

Hot Spot looked directly at Wildfire’s flank. “You say you don’t belong on my team Wily? Your cutie mark says otherwise.”

Wildfire looked at her Captain, confusion on her face. “I don’t understand, what’s that got to do with it?”

“Wily I’ve been with my team for years. I flatter myself that I know them all rather well, both at work and personally as well.” Hot Spot then proceeded to list off the names of the ponies under his command, “Heatwave did, Red Alert; Inferno; Firefly; Smokescreen; Trailblazer. Each one would’ve followed you into that fire. There isn’t a pony on my team that would’ve let that family burn.”

“Then…”

“Officially I have to reprimand you, my hooves are tied. Unofficially I’m very pleased to say I couldn’t be prouder to have you serve on my team.”

“But, Heatwave…”

“Wily, please understand Heatwave was on borrowed time. His heart would’ve killed him eventually. Do you really think he’d have wanted to waste away in a hospital bed? No, Wily. Heatwave died doing the job he loved, helping the pony he loved. He would’ve preferred it that way.

“I – I loved him too Sir, Heatwave…he was a father to me.” Wildfire started crying again. Openly sobbing as they splashed onto the desk she wondered how she had any tears left to cry out.

Now it was Hot Spot’s turn to be confused. “Pardon me Wily, last I heard your dad was alive and well?”

Wildfire choked back her tears and let out a bitter laugh, “Heh, since mum died all he loves is the bottom of a cider bottle. Most of the time he’s too drunk to realise I exist.” She glanced up at the clock, which read two fifty. “About now he’ll be face down in the living room or passed out in his bedroom.” ‘If I’m lucky…’ she thought to herself, rubbing a hoof-shaped bruise on her neck that had nothing to do with flying through the burning building.

Hot Spot caught her rubbing the curiously shaped bruise, thankfully she didn’t notice him looking. “You alright Wily?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah…yeah I’m fine, just thinking…” ‘Damn that sounded lame.’

“Where did you get the bruise?”

“This? Oh I, err, I dunno,” ‘Think! Think of something! Tell him anything!’ Wildfire’s brain scrambled, sorting through her long list of excuses for her dad’s behaviour. Usually she had at least five ready to go at all times, but Hot Spot had caught her with her guard down, and now her brain was coming up empty. “I – I must’ve flown into something in the rescue earlier. Not looking where I was going.”

“Uh huh.” Hot Spot looked at her with a raised sceptical eyebrow. “Flew into something shaped like a hoof did you?”

“It must’ve been Summer, y’know, the little colt?” Wildfire’s brain latched on to the first plausible sounding thing she could think of, and ran with it. “Yeah, that little guy, when he held on tight…sure was strong, for a colt I mean.” Meanwhile her brain kept its metaphorical hooves crossed. ‘Please buy it…please’

“Hmm…” Was all Hot Spot made as a reply. Anypony could clearly see that bruise was much too large to be made by a colt. It was as plain as the muzzle on the earth pony’s face what was happening, just as it was plain that Wildfire didn’t want to admit it. He knew he’d get nowhere if he pushed. “Wildfire, I’d like you to tell me if any other ‘colt’ decides it’s alright to leave a bruise like that.”

Wildfire sighed inwardly. It was clear her Captain didn’t believe her, but she was glad he hadn’t pushed the issue. “I will Sir.”

“One last thing, plans for this afternoon?”

Wildfire brightened almost instantly, as if somepony had flipped a light switch in her. “I’m going to visit mum, read her my new poem, and see how she’s doing.” Just as quick a shadow seemed to cross her brown eyes, “Then I’ll head home, take care of whatever mess dad’s left before he passed out today.”

“Dismissed then Rookie,” Hot Spot smiled at her as she got up to leave his office. When she was at the door he added, “Don’t be a stranger just because you’re suspended.”

~

Wildfire trotted happily down the streets of Equestria’s capital city. The meeting with Hot Spot, while it hadn’t been all pleasant, hadn’t exactly been the roasted serving of her flank on a plate she had been expecting. True she was still upset about Heatwave, and while she would miss him in her life her Captain had gone a long way to reassuring her about the whole situation.

Carefully the yellow pegasus wove around the slower moving ponies around her. Some were families’ window shopping, little colts or fillies diligently pestering their tired looking parents for the latest whatever it was they wanted. Wildfire checked the clock outside a café as she passed. Three ten p.m. that gave her at least three hours until the scheduled rainfall later.

‘Heh,’ she giggled to herself, thinking of the absent Nimbostratus. ‘I know one part of Canterlot that won’t be getting any rain.’ Wildfire found her mind wandering as she trotted along, her saddle bags loaded with one of her most prized possessions, a real leather bound folder. A treasured gift from her mother, every poem she’d ever written from the age of ten was written in this folder. As it was there was a fresh sheet of parchment inside, along with her favourite calligraphy pen, also a gift from her mum, it was battered with teeth marks from years of writing, and while she had newer pens in her room, when it came to her poems it just didn’t feel right to use anything else.

Wildfire began humming to herself as she trotted towards the Cemetery at the far end of the Residential District, a habit she’d had for as long as she could remember. She only did it when she was really happy, and it was such an ingrained habit she didn’t realise she was doing it anymore, unless somepony pointed it out to her.

Line one is the time, that you, you first stayed over at mine.

And we drank our first bottle of wine

Wildfire skipped along the cobbled street as she hummed the first verse of a song called ‘Prettiest Eyes’ her favourite tune. A favourite of her mother’s, she’d always sing along to it when it came on the radio and to the skipping pegasus she equated that tune with feeling happy.

Reaching the gates of the cemetery Wildfire hit the first chorus, and without bothering to check if she could be overheard by anypony started to sing the words.

Now you’re older and I look at your face,

Every wrinkle is so easy to place.

And I only write them down just in case

That you’d die.

Take a look at these crow’s feet, just look,

Sitting on the Prettiest Eyes.

Sixty twenty-fifth of Decembers

Fifty-nine fourth of Julys,

Take a good look at these crow’s feet

Sitting on the Prettiest Eyes.

Wildfire was just about to hit the second verse with full gusto when thankfully, for those other ponies within earshot at least, the beeping of her phone alerted her to a newly received text message. Taking it from her left saddle bag she immediately blushed, her yellow cheeks flushing a fierce crimson at the name of the sender.

Air Raid.

In Wildfire’s opinion the nicest, prettiest lime green pegasus mare in Canterlot. Her oldest mare friend, Air Raid had the peculiar ability to make her lose the ability for coherent speech whenever she was around, which thankfully she was, rather a lot.

‘Saw your fire on the afternoon news. Awesome you rescuing that family. Proud of you my little hero. Party later?”

If Wildfire was happy before, she was fit to burst now. Air Raid, her crush, thought she was a hero! And she wanted to party, with her! Maybe today would be the day she admitted her years long crush and actually did something about it, or tomorrow. Fumbling her phone in her hooves Wildfire managed to reply on the fourth attempt that yes, she’d love to meet up later.

Presently, after not too much walking, Wildfire found the grave she was looking for. Not that she had to look anymore, she was sure she could find this headstone if she was blind given the number of times she’d made the journey. “Hi mum,” she said reverently as she pulled up the few weeds that were growing around the plot before sitting in front of the headstone. Wildfire didn’t need to but she read the carved letters anyway just as she always did when she visited.

In Loving Memory of

Silverbolt

1971 – 2018

‘Death has the swiftest wings of all’

“I bought you something.” Wildfire took a single yellow daffodil and placed it at the foot of the grave marker, clearing away the other older ones that were getting past their best. Every time she visited her mum, which was at least twice weekly every week for the past six years she always bought her a single daffodil.

“Busy day today mum,” Wildfire began, “Had a fire in the Residential District, a big one too. Hope you were watching, Air Raid thinks I’m her hero!” She stopped and smiled coyly at the stone. “No, before you start I haven’t asked her out yet, I will do soon, in my own time alright?”

Wildfire took a deep breath before continuing. “I don’t feel much like a hero mum, we lost Heatwave today. I know you’d have liked him.”

“Hey!” She exclaimed as an idea hit her. “He’s up with you right? Can you say hi from me? Let him know I’m sorry he had to go, and tell him I’ll miss him.” Wildfire looked at her hooves, embarrassed at what she asked next. “Could you maybe hang out with him, keep him company?” She sniffed away a little tear. “Thanks mum.”

Wildfire dug in to her saddle bag, retrieving the leather folder and her pen. “Wanna help me write something while I’m here? I’ll read it to you then you can show Heatwave ‘kay?” The yellow pegasus took her pen in her mouth and began to write, her beautifully crafted letters that she reserved for her poems almost an art in themselves. Occasionally she’d raise her head, think of a different line or word and put her pen to paper once more. While she was writing Wildfire didn’t notice the midnight blue pegasus walk behind her, sitting quietly a respectful distance away while she worked.

Twenty five minutes later she put her pen away. “Right mum it’s finished. Honest opinion alrighty? Tell me if you don’t like it.” Holding the folder open with a hoof Wildfire read aloud the poem she’d just written.

I stand alone with you in my mind

Your words taught me how to survive

Your strength never let me down

Now you're gone

I won't disappoint you daddy

But my tears will remain in my eyes

My heart will hurt forever

Sorry I never told you what you deserved

You cared for me and I took you for granted

You live alive in my heart

Thank you for loving me from the start

“Not bad Wily.” Dusk said quietly from behind her, making the yellow pegasus squeak in shock and surprise. "At least your mum has decent company up there now."

“Gaaaah! Horseapples D you nearly gave me a heart attack!” Wildfire stuck out her tongue as he sat there sniggering at her. “Warn a pony next time mate.”

“Sorry Wily, I saw your back was turned and I couldn’t resist, besides your mum said it’d be funny.” He got up and walked the few steps to sit beside her at Silverbolt’s grave.

Wildfire scowled at the stone, “Thanks mum, ganging up on me now are we?” Her scowl turned into a reluctant smile, before she giggled. “Guess it was pretty funny.”

The yellow pegasus then cast a sideways glance at her best friend as he tucked his wings away. “Royalty stalking me now are they?”

Dusk laughed at that, “Hardly Wily. It’s Thursday. Where else would you be?”

“Alrighty, good point you got me there.” She conceded as she packed her folder and pen back in her saddle bags.

Dusk laid a dark blue wing over her shoulder, draping it over Wildfire’s own wings as he nuzzled her neck gently. “How you doing, really?”

“What d’you mean?”

“Saw you on the news? Y’know, as in the ‘news’ programme on TV? You have heard of it right?” Dusk withdrew his nuzzle but kept his wing firmly over his friend.

“Har har. I speak sarcasm too D. I’m alright I guess, chat with Hot Spot helped some.

“We’re meeting up for a party at mine later, you in?”

Wildfire turned to look her best friend in the face. “You. A party. You are throwing a party. Air Raid put you up to it didn’t she?”

Dusk blushed. “Is it that obvious?”

Wildfire lifted a hoof to her chin in mock thought, “Well let’s see. Your idea of a party is studying for a math exam, and you don’t know one end of a party popper from the other.”

“Alright I’m busted, yes Air Raid suggested it’d be a good night, thought you’d need it.”

“By that you mean she badgered you and pestered you until you gave in and said yes? Wildfire sniggered as Dusk nodded. “How many times did she ring you?”

“Only eight.” Wildfire’s snigger turned into a full blown laugh. “The eighth time I gave in and told her she could use my suite however she liked as long as she stopped calling me.”

“Anypony else coming?” She asked, after her laughter had died down.

“Well I’ll ask Bright Star, you know he’ll bring his sister. Dark Star will almost certainly bring Cyclone.  It’s a foregone thing that Air Raid will ask Slingshot to come, that just leaves us, so seven in total.” Dusk finished counting off the list of possible attendees. “So, gonna finally ask her out tonight?”

“Yes…no…maybe, what if she says no?” Wildfire stuttered out.

“I don’t think she will. I reckon Air Raid fancies the fur off your flank.”

“Yeah right D.” Wildfire chuckled at her friend. “Air Raid could have the pick of anypony in Canterlot, what makes you think she fancies me?” Her voice was sceptical, however her brain was performing somersaults. ‘She might fancy me! She might fancy me!’

“Because the seventh time she rung she used the phrase; ‘That cute little pegasus deserves a party.’ That’s why.”

Wildfire’s brain had given up the somersaults and was now attempting barrel rolls in her head. ‘she called me cute…woot!’ “Alrighty then, I’ll come. And who knows, maybe I will ask Air Raid out.” Wildfire dug her phone out of her bag. “Let me ring dad, let him know what I’m doing.”

Dusk noted the time on his watch, it was fast approaching four p.m. “Wily Will he even be conscious this late in the day?”

Wildfire gave Dusk a ‘look’ which succeeded in shutting him up as she dialled her home number. Part of her hoped her dad would answer, the other part, the bit nearest her bruise, hoped he’d be passed out. She was about to cancel her call when it was answered on the eleventh ring, the slurred voice on the other end didn’t fill her with confidence.

“What?”

“Dad it’s me Wildfire…” She began, but was cut across.

“Huh…you is it…whadaya want now?” As he hiccupped down the phone Wildfire winced, she could practically smell the drink from here.

“I’m just letting you know I’m staying at Dusk’s tonight.”

“Do as you like…” Wildfire was sure she could hear him muttering something about pointless stuck up royals, but decided not to argue.

“Dad I got my cu…” Wildfire paused mid-word as her dad hung up on her, the dial tone ringing in her ears. “…tie mark today.” She stared at her phone for a few seconds, wanting nothing more than to launch it as far as equinely possible. For what felt like the millionth time that day she felt tears build up as she stomped a hoof into the grass.

"Bastard..." Once again Dusk was at Wildfire's side, nuzzling her neck as a comforting wing held her in a tight hug