The world was a blur to Lightning Dust as she reclined on her bed, her eyes drooping and somewhat bloodshot. The cold beads of sweat trickling down her forehead didn't help, nor did her aching head. It was another morning, and like all mornings since she almost got kicked out of the Wonderbolts Academy, a tight, nauseating sensation consumed Dust as dread loomed over her.
Swirling lights danced above her like fireflies, coming closer together as they soon formed the image of a dimly lit lamp dangling on the ceiling. The bluish watercolors around the light cleared up as well, the ocean-like world metamorphosing into a rather basic room with beds spread out. Light passed through the array of windows just like any other morning. The brightness gave a little life to the humble room. Aside from the aforementioned beds and the cabinets standing beside them, it was about as empty as one could make a room without it being empty. However, while the ample space did provide room to move about, it felt more cramped after each day.
"That blasted nightmare again," she murmured, rubbing the back of her neck. She pushed herself up, then stretched her forelegs as a yawn escaped her throat. Such was her morning ritual, Dust unsure of how she adopted it. She had lost count after some time, though she knew it was part of her routine for months.
"I know I messed up, but I'm still here, right?" Dust continued. She let out a soft chuckle, which faded away into nothingness seconds later. "Captain Spitfire might give me grief, but—" Dust gritted her teeth, eyebrows furrowed "—that perfect, cocky Rainbow Dash is so flawless." She cringed, the sheets covering her body flapping up. "Why does she have to be like that? Everypony has to have flaws, right?"
Flaws. Dust brushed her hoof against the marshmallow-like mattress, her mouth moving as if to repeat the word like a broken record, though no sound came out. When the Wonderbolts Academy got underway, she considered herself to be perfection in the shape of a pony. Nopony was as fast and agile as Lightning Dust from what passersby said about her. Of course, she knew the competition would be tough. Only an idiot would think they'd blow past everypony in the trials.
And for those brief moments, Dust knew she was right. She was the best out there, and only one pony even came close. She thought she was perfect. Everypony must have felt the same way. Then, she blew it all away with a tornado. Looking back at it, however, she wondered if she was the idiot.
Dust couldn't help but sigh as these memories swelled into her brain. Closing her eyes shut, Dust exhaled. Now wasn't the time to dwell on the past. Any hope of leaving an impression would be impossible if she didn't give it her all and double her effort. Nevertheless, she wondered if trying was worth it, her brain ready to split in two as she questioned herself.
Am I still trying because I'm actually crazy? Dust opened her eyes. Or is it something else? Heck, maybe I'm the only one here with flaws.
With a sigh, Dust rolled off of the bed. Her limbs wiggled a tad, the floor appearing closer. Soon finding her body touching just air, she plopped onto the ground, a thud ringing in her ears. Kissing the fluffy, carpeted floor, a muffled groan left her mouth. Slight twinges covered her body from head to hoof for a few seconds. Still, at least she figured nopony saw her crash into the ground.
"Lightning Dust, what are you doing?" a serene, albeit low-pitched voice asked.
"Waking up, Cloudchaser," Dust replied. Standing upright, she shook her body and swished her tail around. "Just waking up to get ready for today."
"Well, you did mutter some sort of monologue." Cloudchaser rubbed her wild, spiked mane. Stretching her wings, she then trotted up to Dust with a blank expression. "I was already up and nopony seemed to be awoken by your little speech, so don't worry about it. Anyway, is everything okay for you?"
Dust nodded without hesitating, though his throat tightened. "Of course. I sometimes think out loud."
"Well, you've been doing it for the past two weeks." With a gentle flap of her wings, Cloudchaser then hovered in the air. She crossed her forelegs. "This isn't like you, Lightning Dust. Is the mistake which cost you your position among the trainees as Lead Pony still bothering you?"
Blushing, Dust shook her head. "Not at all." She gazed into Cloudchaser's glimmering eyes, the latter's brow furrowed. "That was long ago, and I'm still here. I mean, things have been going well for us since then, right?" She paused, feeling as though gravity pushed down on her until she couldn't fly. "Um—I mean, for the most part, that is."
"Yeah, for the most part would be a more accurate phrase to use." Cloudchaser lowered her head, releasing a soft sigh. "Equestria is not the safe haven some of us thought it was, huh?"
"No kidding." Dust trotted toward the front door, its blue surface smooth, but pale and weathered. "Anyway, I'm going to practice by myself for a bit before today's training exercises begin." She glanced back to Cloudchaser, whose eyes were still fixed on her. "Did you want to join or something?"
"No thanks. I'm probably just going to get breakfast for now. Want me to save anything for you?"
"I'm fine." Dust ruffled her wings. "I'm not hungry."
Pursing her lips, Cloudchaser ruffled her wings. She then waved at Dust, a faint smile across her face. "Well, don't hurt yourself or anypony out there. I hope it goes well."
Dust feigned a chuckle, waving back to Cloudchaser. "Same here."
Opening the door with a slight push, Dust crept out of the bedroom, not even the slightest of creaks piercing the air. Some of her fellow cadets were still snoozing the early morning away, Dust's face taut at the mere thought of waking them up and being greeted with glares. However, given how almost everypony glared at her as she trotted by, except for maybe Cloudchaser and Wild Flower, why did she need to worry?
Trotting out of the break room, the room's mild temperature and sweet scent from the decorative lilies loosening her body, Dust stepped outside. She squinted upon staring at the outside world, its brightness enough to blind somepony. Dust then blinked thrice before her vision became clear once more.
The dew-covered blades of grass tickled her hooves, their coldness a nice contrast to the warm breeze which swirled around her. The fresh air and pleasant climate signaled optimal flying weather for the day. Dust felt ecstatic for once, a smile across her face.
However, the tarmac runway was mostly vacant her surprise. There were some stray birds flapping about or gliding, but she noticed no fellow cadets doing some early practice. The sun's glow as it rose above the horizon did make Dust's eyes sparkle a bit, also bringing the absence of any clouds to the top of her mind.
"What should I work on first?" Dust whispered. She rubbed her muzzle, eyes darting around the perimeter of the Wonderbolts Academy. Cloud kicking was out of the option, though giving the exercise a little thought dried her throat. None of the equipment used for drills rested outside, though thinking about using the Dizzitron again churned her stomach. Sure, it was foal's play as far as Dust was concerned, but it still made her and anypony who used it queasy.
Taking a deep breath, Dust's wings twitched for a moment. With a few flaps, she rose up in the sky and noticed a grayish speck flying about. Coming closer to the figure, she noticed the stallion's dark gray coat and grayish-blue mane. It was Thunderlane, his body twisting and turning as he danced across the air.
"Of course I had to spot Thunderlane," Dust said under her breath. Descending, she planted her hooves against the runway with a clack. "He and Cloudchaser are the most likely to be future Wonderbolts—besides Rainbow 'Perfection' Dash, that is." Her visage twisted into a scowl, cheeks flushing. She hissed, "Why do all of my thoughts have to go back to her?" Sticking her tongue out, Dust pretended to hack up something. "Those three have the opportunity to go somewhere. I'm just stuck here, waiting for when I'm told I failed and can't come back."
Dust let out a sigh, wings clinging to her sides and refusing to budge. Her shoulders drooped as though the weight of the world was on her. Maybe she should eat first as Cloudchaser suggested. After all, she was known as one of the wiser cadets, which to Dust probably explained why she was paired with the stallion with muscles for brains. Everypony knew he wasn't the best flier, but the pony-shaped colossus did make it to the Equestria Games while she remained huddled up in her abode. Dust gnashed her teeth at the mere thought.
"Wait, didn't he have trouble—" Dust shook her head. "No, that would be ridiculous, wouldn't it? He had to have made it there for a reason while I stayed behind, right?" Her chest twisted into a knot, feeling like a punch to the gut. "Right?"
With heavy, slow steps, she made her way to the Mess Hall. It was the next building to her right, which made traveling to the blue and yellow structure simple. However, upon taking her fourth step, something poked her shoulder. It was a soft tap akin to being poked by foam, the gentleness sending a warmth down her foreleg.
Shrugging, Dust then blinked twice. There couldn't be another pony behind her. The tap had to be a figment of her imagination. She resumed moving, but two steps later, it happened again. The warmth was replaced with a chill in the blink of an eye, Dust sensing she'd get frostbite if it persisted long enough.
"Is someone there?" Dust asked, her left eyebrow raised.
"Lightning Dust," a soft, somewhat recognizable voice replied. Her tone was welcoming, perhaps ill-fitting given whom she thought the owner was, but Dust couldn't help but gulp. She was the second-to-last mare she wanted to spot.
With a deep breath, Dust then shivered. "Captain Spitfire, is that you?"
"Yes it is, cadet." She paused. "You know you can turn around, right?"
Dust did as instructed, locking gazes with the yellow pegasus. Her amber eyes lacked the ferocity of a hydra she had grown accustomed to, but glowed while looking sweeter than an angel's. There was even a slight, but warm smirk across her face. Dust couldn't help herself from taking a step back, brow raised.
"What do you want?" Dust asked, head hung low.
"I understand you might be feeling down," Spitfire replied, her tone smooth. "However, I ask that you be a little more polite, please?" She paused for a second. "Are you ready to repeat your question?"
Dust's ears twitched, something about Spitfire's demeanor nudging the back of her mind. Either this was a test or a changeling who didn't do their homework, though the latter couldn't be it. The air wasn't thin and there was no trace of the familiar, greenish glow. Dust took a deep breath, muscles loosening. "Is there something on your mind, ma'am?" Saluting Spitfire, her posture perked up.
"That's more like it." Spitfire's lips curled into a faint smile, which disappeared the second after. "Anyway, I wanted to talk to you. Not as your commander, but as an average pony."
Jumping up in surprise, Dust rubbed her eyes. There was Spitfire speaking with a soft tone again. The thought of getting enough sleep reached the top of her mind, though the idea she could still be dreaming lingered. This wasn't the Spitfire she knew. No traces of ruffled eyebrows and the fierce tone harsh enough to frighten a dragon were present on her.
"Yes," Spitfire continued. "This is actually happening."
Dust cocked her head, pupils dilated. "Are you—um—sure?" she asked, a faint smile across her face. "Kind of feels dreamlike." She glanced to her left, gazing at the sky lit in orange and blue layers, then back to Spitfire. "Or is this the part where you tell me to pack up and leave?"
Spitfire chuckled. "No need to worry, cadet. You're still going to be in the academy." She swiveled her head left, then back to Dust. "Anyway, the sun rising in the morning is always a fantastic sight. It's especially beautiful from up here. Is that why you're here?"
Dust nodded with puckered lips, her face taut. Less than a second later, Spitfire raised an eyebrow.
"I know why you're out here. It's a part of why I wanted to talk to you."
"It is?"
Nodding, Spitfire stretched her wings for a moment. "Yeah, a lot has been on my mind. I know it'll sound weird, but I think you're the best pony to talk to about this."
Dust shrugged, her head cocked a little to the left. "You think that I'm the pony to talk to about something on your mind?" With a few short steps, she approached Spitfire until the two were inches apart. "Princess Luna, are you messing with my dreams?"
Spitfire shook her head, then snickered for a brief moment. "I understand why you'd think this is a dream." She trotted past Dust, their eyes still locked to each other. "However, you are indeed awake and I am in front of you." Spitfire ceased trotting, lips pursed. "You do know that my persona as a nasty drill sergeant is for the benefit of the Wonderbolts Academy and its recruits, right?"
"Um, I guess that makes sense."
"See, if you're going to become a Wonderbolt, there will be times when you'll face something frightening. My attitude out there is like a test in a way. If you're able to get past my shouting and my strict nature, you'll be ready for some of the challenges Wonderbolts have to face." Spitfire lowered her head. A second later, she took a deep breath, straightening her posture. "It's hard for me as well, because I have to balance being tough on cadets like you and being supportive and caring when needed."
Dust rubbed her muzzle as silence filled the air. With a deep breath, she responded, "Well, I think you're doing a good job. You got to the bottom of my little—um—big tornado thing and punished me for my actions. Yeah, some might call me lucky to still be here, but we both learned something from it."
"That's a part of why you're still here." A slight smirk appeared across Spitfire's face. "You do have the talent, but more importantly, you're learning. Your attitude almost made you leave the Wonderbolts Academy after your little stunt, but because you're showing efforts in becoming a better pony, the academy and I decided to give you a less severe punishment. Learning from one's mistakes is something I highly appreciate."
Blushing, Dust's wings fluttered to the beat of her heart. "Thanks, Captain Spitfire."
"You're welcome." Spitfire raised her hoof up to her chest, then brought it down. "Anyway, I'm struggling with being a good pony, so I guess I could learn a few things from you."
"Learn from me?" Dust's jaw dropped, feeling as though she had the air knocked out of her. "Are you sure I'm not dreaming?"
Spitfire bobbed her head. "I'm positive. Let me repeat myself, if everypony here didn't think you deserved to be in the academy, I would have already kicked you out."
"Oh." With short, quick breaths, Dust's shoulders rose up. When she felt the weight of the world jumping off her back in a flash, she couldn't help herself from cracking the slightest of grins. "Well, now that you say it again, I guess that makes sense."
"I'm glad to hear, cadet." Spitfire trotted a few hoofsteps forward, then froze in place once more. "Lightning Dust, could you come to my office?"
Dust's heart skipped a beat, her eyes widened. "Wait a second, but I thought I'd still be here."
"Don't worry, you're not leaving the Wonderbolts Academy." Spitfire's lips curled into a warm smile, her foreleg extending toward Dust. "I promise you'll still be a cadet here."
"Then why do you want me in your office?"
"Because I'm going to talk about something important, and it makes more sense to do it there." She planted her hoof back on the ground, a clack ringing into Dust's ears. "Now then, please follow me. This part does have the traditional commander, cadet relationship."
With a nod, Dust followed close behind Spitfire with short steps, the former's heart pounding to where she could hear its thumping. Her legs quivered a little as her steps became shorter, though she made sure not to stray too far behind Spitfire. Dust's mind stewed a number of possibilities as to what awaited her in the office, her throat tightening as the seconds passed by.
Is she going to demote me even more? Will I be cursed to clean toilets with a toothbrush for years to come? Dust's teeth chattered, more thoughts racing into her mind with no signs of slowing down. Maybe she actually is going to kick me out and this was all just to make me feel better. There's no reason why she'd send me into the office just to continue this conversation, right? I mean, why would she?
Reaching the main office, Spitfire pressed her hoof against the front door and pushed it open. Upon stepping inside, she held the door for Dust, the latter nodding in return. She shivered for a brief moment, her brow raised. Spitfire's act of kindness caught her off guard. Such an occurrence did tickle her heart, but her muscles tightened to where it ached to trot. With a slumped posture, Dust couldn't help but wonder if such actions were an omen for something. And as the world around her seemed darker, there was no way it could be anything else.
"So this is important enough for us to have to go to your office?" Dust muttered.
"It is," Spitfire said without hesitating. "It has more to do with me than anything."
With heavy steps, Dust's eyes darted around the perimeter of the room, a dark blue covering it from head to toe. The carpet felt comforting on her hooves, but such a comfort was paltry to the pain she felt everywhere else. Dust lowered her head, gazing down at the Wonderbolt insignia printed beneath her hooves. When she finished gawking at the symbol, her brain turned on autopilot, aware Spitfire would lead her down the dungeon's hallway and to her office. With her having been there before, it wasn't like she didn't know where to find it.
A minute later, Spitfire's office was where Dust found herself, her eyes still focused on the floor as though it hypnotized her.
"Lightning Dust," Spitfire said. "You can look up, you know." Trotting a few steps, Spitfire sat down on her chair, placing her forelegs against the desk's oak surface. "I'm not going to turn into a monster."
Dust raised her head as instructed, blinking twice as the desk's sheen caught her eyes. "I know. It's just—well—whatever is going to happen to my status as a cadet in this room, it can't be good."
Spitfire raised an eyebrow, a bemused look painted on her visage. "Do I need to repeat myself, cadet?" She paused. "Look, I understand you're nervous. I'd also be anxious if I was in your position right now. Just let it play out, please. Just let it play out, please."
With a taut expression, Dust nodded. "So why do you want me here, ma'am?" She threw her weight on the empty chair across from Spitfire, its warm pillows hugging her back. The seat's velvet cushions were soft to the touch, perhaps as comfortable as the mattress Dust slept on. At least she could take solace in knowing it wasn't all terrible.
"Just call me Spitfire for now, if you're okay with that." She clasped her hooves together, lips pursed. "We're just two ponies having a talk."
Scanning the office, Dust's eyes caught the plaque resting atop the desk, Spitfire's name and rank engraved on its gold surface. To her left and right, towering bookcases reclined against the walls. The books' spines displayed such titles as The Starswirl Anthology, Flying Feats, and even one titled Becoming a Better Pony: Learning the Magic of Friendship. Why the Captain of the Wonderbolts would need some of those titles escaped Dust's mind, her eyes surveying the other decorations.
A few statues and portraits of pegasi adorned the room, their faces exuding a palpable power. Dust didn't know who most of them were aside from a few legendary Wonderbolts from the distant past, but these and everything else in the spotless room felt ill-fitting for the 'typical' pony.
"Impressed with my office?" Spitfire asked. "Well, I do think it gives the place more personality. How about you, Lightning Dust?"
Dust brought her focus to Spitfire, making eye contact. "I agree, m—I mean, Spitfire." She paused for a few seconds, brushing her thick mane with the tip of her hoof. "But what does this have to do with anything? I mean, your office is nice and all, but it doesn't have to do with me—" Dust winced, pupils dilated "—I'm sorry! I didn't mean it like that!"
Chuckling, Spitfire blushed a tad. "It's okay, I knew you didn't mean to offend. Still, it's a good idea to be mindful of what you say and do." In a flash, her face now wore a sagging frown, head hung low. "Believe me, I still can't do that yet. I know what to do, but I keep slipping up. This is why I wanted to talk to you. You're actually making progress, but, as usual, I can't."
"But you're the Captain of the Wonderbolts. You don't make errors as often as you're implying, right?"
"It kind of depends." Spitfire raised her head, gazing into Dust's eyes. "Most of the time, things work out for the team and I. When I became the youngest captain in the history of the Wonderbolts, I helped the team reach new heights with spectacular shows and major victories." Spitfire hiccuped, her eyes shimmering for a second. "However, we've had trouble recently. For some reason, whenever Rainbow Dash and her friends are all together or there's some horrible foe tearing apart Ponyville, we've had—" Spitfire rubbed her eyes, then regained her composure "—failures."
Noticing a twang in her chest, Dust's jaw fell a little. Watching Spitfire have such a toxic reaction to something was surreal to where her forehead ached. After all, Dust always figured Spitfire's heart was tougher than metal, always able to avoid even the slightest catharsis. Her eyes widened, feeling as though she stumbled into an alternate universe upon entering the office. She took a quick breath, regaining her composure.
"Doesn't everypony mess up a few times?" Dust questioned. "I—I learned that the hard way." She titled her head. "So what do you want to ask me?"
With a deep breath, Spitfire adjusted her seating position, bringing the chair she sat on closer to the desk and Dust. She sighed. "Lightning Dust, how can I learn from my mistakes like you have? How can I be as strong as you?"
Standing as still as a statue, not a word escaped Dust's mouth. Only the ticking of a small clock and her heavy breathing filled the room. It wasn't as though she didn't have the answer to Spitfire's question. In fact, the answer was clearer than crystal. What made her mind burn and ache, however, was whether the contents of her answer were worth sharing. The secret behind her desire to not only become a Wonderbolt, but also what defined her was at risk of being unearthed. To Dust, the embarrassing nature of the latter made her cheeks turn a pale green at the mere thought of it. However, as Spitfire sat there with a brooding expression, an itch in Dust's mind told her to speak up.
"Okay, I'll share," Dust muttered. She took a deep breath. "I'll share, but please don't get mad or disappointed at me. It kind of goes into who I am, which I need to say to give my answer."
"I won't." Spitfire nodded. "You have my word."
"Here goes nothing." Dust cleared her throat, the hairs of her teal coat rising up. "See, not only do I want to be a Wonderbolt, I want to be the best."
"That's an understandable goal. Tough, but understandable."
"It's actually why I want to be the best that's the embarrassing part." Trembling for a moment, Dust felt as though a golf ball had become lodged in her throat. Not a peep polluted the air for ten seconds. There was no escaping now. When Dust had enough time to calm down, she resumed speaking, "I want to be the best because I want ponies to notice me."
"I see." Nodding, Spitfire then leaned closer to Dust, the former's eyes gazing into her soul. "Lightning Dust, judging by some of your facial expressions, you've probably noticed what one could call my other side."
A gasp escaped Dust's mouth, eyes widened. "How did you know?"
"I've been trying to learn more about social cues, facial expressions being one of the cues I've been reading about." Spitfire assumed a straight face. "You expressed surprise at my—well—melancholic side."
"Melancholic?"
Spitfire placed her back against the chair. "It has to do with being in a sad or depressed state." She snickered, her lips curling into the faintest of smirks. "Perhaps I've been reading a little too much."
"Well, I can't blame you for being an egghead." With pursed lips, Dust's cheeks burned a hot pink. "Oh Celestia, I'm even beginning to sound like Rainbow Dash!"
"There's nothing wrong with that, you know." Spitfire clamped her hooves together. "Rainbow Dash is a great mare. She's one I could understand idolizing." Her shoulders sagged, then whispering, "At least it makes more sense than idolizing me."
"What was that?" Dust cocked her head.
"Nothing!" Spitfire raised her shoulders back up, her cheeks strained from the smile she bore. "Just talking to myself." Her visage assumed a mild expression once more, Dust wondering if it was all just an illusion.
"Um—okay." Dust paused, wiggling her body to shake off any tension. "Anyway, as I was saying, I act the way I do because I'm afraid that if I don't, nopony would ever notice me. I'd just be invisible to them."
"I know how that can feel, cadet." Spitfire let out a sigh. "Even as Captain of the Wonderbolts, there are still some days where I feel invisible. You're probably aware of our many accomplishments, right?"
"Of course! The Wonderbolts have done a lot for Equestria."
With her head hung low, Spitfire gazed into the desk's bright sheen. Her eyes shimmered, unable to avert them from her blurred reflection. "You're correct. We have done a lot to help Equestria. However, most ponies don't seem to care about that anymore." She wiped her eyes again, then placed a hoof to her chest. "Whenever we happen to screw up, almost everypony knows and points hooves at us. I mean, we're still popular enough to still be around, but it's hard when some just like to focus on your failures."
"So what you're implying is—"
"Not at all." Spitfire raised her hoof, brow furrowed. "I'm sorry if I implied that everypony is a jerk or something like that. Most of the critics the Wonderbolts have are probably nice ponies for the most part."
"Yeah, I guess so. I should apologize for coming to conclusions as well."
"Apology accepted."
The two sat with sealed mouths, their eyes locked to each other, as more seconds of silence passed by. Dust wondered if she should ask what the details were behind Spitfire's own troubles, though the possibility of bringing the loud, aggressive Spitfire back froze her spine. With a quick breath, Dust asked, "Captain Spitfire, if you don't mind me asking, what are the details behind why you're feeling down?"
Spitfire sighed in response. "Lightning Dust, it would take a while to explain everything, so I'll just give you the abridged version." She paused for a second. "First, there was my failed attempt at catching a crazy unicorn. Second, Blaze, Surprise, and High Winds were nearly killed by a dragon. Third, the mess at the academy you're familiar with could have been handled better."
"But you handled it perfectly."
Spitfire shook her head. "I could have done a better job. Then again, the ones who were assigned to observe the exercise while I attended to penning a letter to Princess Celestia could have also done a better job, but I—"
"Then why don't you blame them instead of yourself?"
Crossing her forelegs, Spitfire raised her left eyebrow. "I'm not heaping the blame on others just because I had something important to do at the time. I'm at fault as much as everypony there supervising was."
"Well, I guess that makes sense. Anyway, is that it?"
"No. I accidentally wronged a teammate because of a huge misunderstanding and I almost died after Discord blew the cover of an attempted ambush ordered by Shining Armor." With clenched teeth, Spitfire cringed. "I'd rather forget both of those days."
"That sounds rough." Noticing the tension inside of her lessen, Dust placed a hoof to her chest. "Sorry you had to deal with all of that."
"No apologies necessary."
"But the Wonderbolts are mostly successful, right?"
"True." Spitfire straightened her seating posture, a slight smile on her face. "About ninety percent of the missions we've done have been successes. Some were easy, others—" Spitfire's smile vanished as though it was a mirage "—not so much, but it always felt great to accomplish something, whether it helped one pony or an entire community or kingdom."
Dust shrugged. "Well then, focus on the good stuff."
"Yeah, that's something I've been working on, though it hasn't come easily to me. It's why I wanted to ask how you made it look so easy."
When those words reached her ears, Dust's pupils widened. "Easy?" She stood up firmly, chest puffed. "I'm not even close to having healed my old wounds. In fact, I might be the only one who's having trouble doing—"
Dust's train of thought halted, star-like twinkles forming in her eyes. "Wait a second," she said. Perhaps this was to be a part of why Spitfire wanted to talk to her. One half had the pains she kept locked up inside of her until just then, and the other half was to teach her she wasn't the only one going through such difficulties. And if she wasn't the only one dealing with this, than perhaps everypony also has flaws.
Did I just learn something? Did I discover something about myself?
As the ideas created by her anxiety faded away, a radiant grin brighter than the sun formed across Dust's face, her body almost free of tension.
That's it.
"I get it now!" Dust blurted out. "Sometimes, life can be rough, but there's always a chance it can be better. Not only that, but everypony has flaws, and having flaws isn't necessarily a bad thing. That's it, right?"
Spitfire's lips curled into a warm smirk. "You're right. You're absolutely right, and seeing you this enthusiastic again is wonderful."
"Wonderful is an understatement!" Dust jumped up in the air, flapping her wings to stay airborne. "This is wonderfully awesome! I feel like nothing could go wrong from here!"
Three hollow knocks reached Dust's ears, the sound constricting her limbs like a python.
"Captain Spitfire, may I have permission to enter?" a voice asked from behind the door. "I'd to talk to you about something."
Dust's wings turned to concrete, her bottom plummeting back onto the chair below and landing with a thud. Gazing at Spitfire as she rubbed her muzzle, Dust held her breath. There was no doubt Rainbow Dash was behind the door, Dust wincing upon thinking of how a meeting with them together would go. Her eyes rose as Spitfire's eyebrow did, the former grinding her teeth.
"I suppose I could let you in," Spitfire said. "However, I need you to do something for me first, and you're the only pony who can do it. Permission granted."
Dust's heart skipped a beat as the door clicked open, the perfect being of her nightmares strutting inside with her typical grin and swishing, rainbow tail. Rainbow glanced over to the right, her eyes making contact with Dust's. The two gave each other empty stares. When three more seconds of awkward silence passed, Dust raised her hoof up to her chest and waved.
"Lightning Dust, did you get yourself into trouble again?" Rainbow asked. The slight edge to her tone was like sharp needles into Dust's flesh. "Or is this something else?"
"Cadet, Lightning Dust has been trying her best to become a better, more responsible mare. We learned a lot about each other and grew as ponies, but I do have one test for her."
"Let me guess, it involves me." Dash trotted up to the desk. "I doubt it's something awesome, but I guess I could help."
"That's better." With a quick nod, Spitfire smirked. "Now then, I do know a thing or two about you, but Lightning Dust doesn't. Now then, would you call yourself perfect?" Spitfire paused for a second. "Be honest, please."
"Well, I'm awesome and the best flier in all of Equestria—" Rainbow turned to Dust, her brow ruffled "—however, I'm far from perfect."
"Huh?" Dust blurted out, her eyes widening as though a jolt coursed throughout her body. "What do you mean? That can't be right?"
"I appreciate that you think highly of me." Dash blushed, her face wearing a bright grin. "I really do, but the truth is that even I'm not perfect." Rainbow knelt down to Dust, leaning her body toward her. The pair made eye contact. "Lightning Dust, before I joined the academy, I did something so stupid that it changed my life forever."
"Wait, did you break into the Cloudsdale Weather Factory or something?"
Rainbow chuckled, her blushing more intense. "Nope, but it did have to do with how I acted. Anyway, after I won the Best Young Fliers Competition, I felt like I was unstoppable! Nothing could put me down! I thought I was perfect in every way!"
"Kind of like me." Dust rubbed the back of her neck. "We have so much in common it's starting to get weird."
"Well, I did see a lot of myself in you when we first met." Rainbow snickered, a grin adorning her face. "It was like competing with my own double! As I was saying, everything was going perfect for me, that was until it got in my head. See, I had done a lot of heroic acts in Ponyville one week, and I was bragging up a storm."
"I bet your friends weren't too impressed. After all, I didn't receive many friendly faces after my stunt."
Rainbow raised an eyebrow. "Do you know the story?"
"No. It was probably a lucky guess."
"Well, to make a long story short, my friends did something foolish back at me, we all felt bad about it, but the experience stuck with me and now I'm a better pony because of it." Rainbow shifted her eyes from left to right, then back to Dust. "Well, I still goof up from time to time, but for the most part, I'm much more mature."
"So you're telling the truth?" With dilated pupils, Dust brought herself closer to Rainbow.
"Of course I am!" Rainbow stood up straight, as did Dust. "Why would I make up a story that's bad about me?"
"Good point." Dust placed a hoof to her chest. "Say, you're quite the interesting pony. You know, maybe I could learn a thing or two from you. I guess it'll take some time, but it should be possible." A slight smile decorated her face. "Thanks for chatting with me."
"No problem!"
"Rainbow Dash told me about it two weeks after it happened," Spitfire added. "She was still a little distraught over it, but she's grown so much since then." Pushing herself up, she then trotted toward the door, glancing back at Dust and Rainbow. "Lightning Dust, looking at you, I know you'll grow like Rainbow Dash has. You might not pass the academy this session, but you're welcome to train up for next time if you need to. Feel free to relax for the next hour. I'll meet both of you outside when training begins."
"Yes, ma'am!" Dust and Rainbow orated in unison.
"Captain Spitfire, I'll ask my question after the first practice session," Rainbow continued. "It can wait. Anyway, I'll see you out on the runway."
"Understood, cadet," Spitfire responded. "And one more thing."
Dust froze in place as Rainbow trotted out of the office, head swiveling to Spitfire. "What is it?"
"Thanks for chatting with me. It felt nice to have some catharsis." Spitfire giggled, wearing a smirk on her visage. "Sorry, it's a releasing of emotions. Anyway, I appreciate you talking with me, and sorry if I scared you."
"It's okay. Anyway, I think our talk was good for me as well." Dust waved her hoof, trotting out with short steps. "I'll see you at training, ma'am."
And as Dust made her way across the office, a skip in her step, she knew the path before her. It would be rough, unlike the carpet comforting her hooves, but as smooth as said carpet at times. Most important of all was the flicker of light at the end, its glow brighter than the sunlight passing through the office's windows.
The world was clear to Lightning Dust.
