Task Force Harmony

Wonderbolt Airbase

So much for a breather.

So many ponies had been waiting for a chance to meet the Wonderbolts that it had been a full hour and a half before they had been able to find a decent point to leave the area and return back to base. By the time they'd all returned and clocked in, it was five to nine and everypony had to gather for debriefing on tonight's flight. It was later than usual, enough that pretty much everypony else on the airbase that now served as the Wonderbolts headquarters, training grounds and academy in-one had gone home already. They were okay with a little more time on base though since, barring a full scale mobilization of the Equestria Defence Force, they now had several days off to spend the holidays relaxing with their families and loved ones, a point more than welcome for those with less endurance like Bone Arrow or Skyla.

The debriefing room was built with more comfort in mind than much of the base, an area for fliers to wind down from the rush of action. Cloud chairs were set out to relax in and a variety of drinks were available in a cabinet under the window. Spitfire was waiting for the others as they came in, still in her flight suit and cleaning off the blackboard at the far end of the room. Rainbow Dash sat herself down with a contented sight on the third row of chairs, glancing aside as Mobius took the seat beside her. The rest of the team seemed to have the same thoughts as her, simply relaxing and appreciating a cloud seat the way only pegasi could.

"Enjoy yourself back there?" Rainbow asked, getting a nod in response that she let go with a chuckle. She thought that Big Mac had been the quiet type for a long time, but she'd known Mobius since he'd joined the academy eight years ago and barely heard a single peep out of him. The blue-gray stallion let his actions speak for him though, his skill was unquestionable and he was an unspoken contender for Wonderbolts leadership.

"Who doesn't?" Bone Arrow commented from behind them.

"Alright, I know you all want to head home so I'll make this quick," Spitfire announced as she turned toward the others, her voice lacking its usual authoritative tone, instead calm and carrying a hint of sadness. "Truth be told, there's nothing that really needs to be said about tonight's performance. I just, need to make an announcement."

The rest of the team looked between each other with some concern. Spitfire never sounded like this unless it was something serious. They watched in silence as she took a scroll from behind on the edge of the blackboard and opened it up, reading through steadily.

"Not been looking forward to this moment so, let's see how the higher ups put it...Blah blah blah, official regs, where's the important bit?" She said to herself as she quickly skimmed the parchment. "Ah...Effective immediately, Captain Spitfire of Sky Wing Squadron One 'Wonderbolts', is recognised as retired from service upon announcement of her successor by no later than yeah yeah I'm doing that now."

Rainbow Dash winced internally at the sound of her friend so despondent, though she managed to keep a straight face better than the others. Most of the squad gasped in shock and White Squall looked like she wanted to protest the decision right there. Spitfire looked up at them and motioned for calm.

"I know, it's weird for me too, but I've made up my mind. somepony else needs to step up and show the world the Wonderbolts have changed with it, even the eternal is only finate," She cracked a small smile at the contradictory statement she'd just made before flipping the paper round to show them the signatures on it. "Besides, the decision's already been ratified by General Blitzwing and Supreme Commander Luna. I wanna make this as painless as I can so, all that's left is to announce which of you seven will be filling my hooves."

Despite themselves, everypony present gave a small glance toward Rainbow Dash. She could feel the looks and she understood why, they all thought she was going to become the next leader. Normally she'd be on the edge of her seat herself at the opportunity, but there was something in the look Spitfire gave her before going back to the scroll, it silently screamed that something about this was wrong.

"...Chief Warrant Officer Grade Five, Gyr, with the authority I have been given, I hereby promote you to Captain of the Wonderbolts. General Blitzwing will be present when the squadron reconvenes on the second of January to present your new badge and officiate your new duties. For now...Well technically I can't give any of you orders anymore so...It's been an honour to fly with every one of you, and I know you'll continue to do the Wonderbolts name proud. Let it sink in on your days off and come back strong as ever. Rainbow Dash, I'd like one last talk with you before you go, everypony else...Dismissed."

Spitfire's voice trailed off as she finished the announcement. As she rolled the scroll back up and removed the headpiece of her flight suit, the rest of the squadron got up and over to her to offer their commiserations. As much as it stung each of them to lose her, they knew that her being at the end of a nearly thirty year path hurt her even more. After several minutes of farewells and promises to stay in contact, Spitfire waved off the last of her former teammates and went to the drinks cabinet. As she poured herself a small cup of cider, she looked back to see Rainbow Dash was still rooted in her chair, giving the blackboard one of the most intense thousand yard stares she'd ever seen. Even the sight of cider wasn't shaking her out of her stupor, so whatever she was feeling had to be bad.

"So...Rainbow Dash, want so-"

"What the fuck!?! Why him?!" Rainbow exclaimed before he she could stop herself, stuffing a hoof in her mouth as soon as she realised what she'd said.

She couldn't have stopped it though, too many emotions were conflicting within her to contain right now. Why had she been passed over like that? She had nine years more experience than Gyr, better precision and combat evaluations, she was a household name for ponys sake! This was her chance to add one last stage to the dream before age caught up to her and now it was likely gone forever! The rational part of her mind knew that this was a knee jerk reaction and that Gyr had proven himself every bit as deserving of the role. It was just so aggravating to be come close yet so far, especially after holding her current place for so long it was practically stagnating!

"Here."

Rainbow took a slow breath as she realised her hoof was shaking slightly. Another steadying breath and she realised that Spitfire was offering her a cup of cider. She took it in her free hoof and sank back in her chair, pulling her hoof out her mouth and reaching back to undo her flight suit with it.

"I'm okay, okay, I'm okay...Sorry about that." She panted as she finished with the zip and pulled off the headpiece on her flight suit, running a hoof through her mane before taking a sip of the drink.

"I understand, at least you took it better than I did the first time I was passed over for leadership. Let's just say it's lucky most of the furniture around me was cloud based," Spitfire said reassuringly as she got her own cup. "Trust me, you were my first pick for captain as well."

"I...Was?"

"Of course, when I informed General Blitzwing of my retirement and recommended you to lead the Wonderbolts after me, he seconded the idea. Was ready to make it official on the spot. Princess Luna stepped in and stopped it before we could though. Said she had other plans and would explain in...." Spitfire paused and looked up at the clock over the door. Nine past nine. "Any second now."

As Rainbow looked at the clock and opened her mouth to question that explanation, the timer ticked over to ten past nine. At that moment a flash of magic emerged in a cleared spot at the back of the room, fading quickly with Princess Luna standing in that place. Though in this case, she was here in her role as Supreme Commander of the Equestria Defence Force, signified by the black armour and helmet she wore. Rainbow absent mindedly noted that the armour had been modified slightly since she'd last seen it. There was now a silver metal patch welded into the left pauldron that sported the white winged, gold horned sword emblem of the EDF. Then the fact of just who it was sunk in and she quickly placed her cup down on the chair before bowing to the princess.

"Your highness." Spitfire said simply as she bowed as well.

"Thank you both for being here," Luna said as she walked over to Spitfire and Rainbow, her horn covered in its familiar cobalt aura as she cast a bubble of silence around the three of them. "I apologise for the secrecy but this is a highly classified matter."

"Of course." Rainbow replied as she stood up, feeling her anger fade. She couldn't take out her frustrations on the princess, partly because getting angry at an alicorn was never a good idea, mostly because of her loyalty to the princesses.

"I understand that my decision to keep you from a promotion to captain and command of the Wonderbolts may have been...Difficult," Luna continued. Rainbow bit her lip slightly at that but didn't comment. "The reason for this is simple. I have come to ask that we may make use of your abilities elsewhere within the Equestria Defence Force."

"Elsewhere...?" Rainbow asked hesitantly. Luna wanted to remove her from the Wonderbolts entirely? Was it not enough that she had been denied her chance already? She felt a sense of something new inside her, a hint of resentment that her commitment was being toyed with to keep her from her peak. She instantly regretted the feeling and grabbed her cider cup, downing half of it and biting that feeling back down on each swallow. She had to at least hear the offer out. She finished her drink and put the cup down again with a small sigh. "Where do you want me to go? A Combined Forces unit? Recon corps?"

"Special Operations." Luna replied simply. Rainbow paused at that as she processed that fact, blinking in confusion. Spitfire looked over at her, seeming slightly less fazed by the answer.

"Wait, waitwait," Rainbow said after a moment. "We have a special forces unit?" She asked, waiting while Luna double checked that nopony was around and that the bubble of silence was working.

"Officially, no," The princess replied once she was sure. "Well, unofficially we don't either. I only began the process of creating a task force for such a thing several moons ago, for missions to defend Equestria that regular ponies could not achieve and would also relieve some more of the protective pressure on the Elements of Harmony, compromised of the very best from across the defence force, suited to the most difficult tasks."

"Okay...Should, Spitfire really be hearing all this?"

"Ah, let's just say my Institute work will be connected to this." Spitfire interjected, taking a drink as she listened.

"Indeed. Captain Spitfire will be temporarily assisting from a development and logistical standpoint," Luna affirmed. "However, Rainbow Dash, I am here to ask for you to consider becoming a full member of this task force."

Rainbow paused, reflecting on everything she'd been told. Princess Luna considered her to be one of the best of the best? Wanted her to join an elite unit? Already part of her relished the idea of the challenges such a chance would offer, though it would mean having to leave her squadmates behind and starting anew with an all new team. Could she do that?...

'Then what?'

She already knew the answer to that. All her life she had pushed herself toward joining such an auspicious group like the Wonderbolts, but she realised that she years that had been her sole concern, so caught up in achieving her dream that she had forgotten about the 'and then what?'. Changes like the EDF and creating the cluster rainboom had added something new but ultimately, she realised by settling into her position as the best of the best, she'd lost that drive and determination she carried in her youth to get here there.

Staying with the Wonderbolts now would be fufilling her own selfish desires to keep living a dream she had achieved long ago. Joining this spec ops unit would provide her with a fresh start that she hadn't realised how badly she needed until now.

"It would not require you to fully withdraw from your duties here," Luna continued. "After your training period to integrate with the task force, you would be able to resume working with the Wonderbolts. Units such as these are scarcely needed full time after all. If you need time to think it over I understand. Several others are debating the choice as we speak."

"Really? Who's actually on board then?" Rainbow asked with some curiosity.

"While the task force will answer directly to me, Colonel Cipher will be the unit commander. First Sergeant Healing Wave has agreed to serve as well."

"I see..." Rainbow looked down for a moment and finished her drink before snapping to attention, mind made up. "Supreme Commander Luna, having considered your request...I accept your invitation to join this unit."

"Excellent, thank you, Rainbow Dash," Luna said with a smile, offering her hoof for Rainbow to take, the two of them shaking on it. "Welcome to Task Force Harmony, Captain Dash."

"Thank you, princess...Wait. C-captain?" Rainbow paused as her brain caught up with her ears. Luna's smile grew at that and she stepped back.

"Call it a...Welcoming gift. In the meantime, do your best to relax. The task force will meet at the defence force headquarters in Canterlot, at midday on the thirtieth of December. Until then, goodnight to you."

Luna's horn flared brighter and the same flash surrounded her. As she teleported out to attend to her other duties of the night, the bubble of silence dissipated, leaving Rainbow Dash and Spitfire alone in the debriefing room.

"Well...That's quite a step up. Congrats on the promotion, Crash." Spitfire commented, giving Rainbow a good natured punch on the shoulder.

"Y-yeah, thanks," Rainbow remarked, needing to sit down for a moment as the reality of what she'd just agreed to sank in. "I err, I think I'm gonna go pack up and get some sleep."

"Probably a good idea. We've all got a lot to think about."

As the two of them made their way to the locker rooms. Rainbow Dash realised that she was feeling something different, something she hadn't felt in a long time...Anticipation. Yes there was still a lot of uncertainty in her mind about what she'd signed on to do but the prospect of a new adventure like this was bringing back that old sensation she hadn't felt in too long. She wasn't sure if this was completely genuine or yet another little rush in the storm of emotions she'd felt in the last twenty minutes. Given how good it felt right now, and how similar it felt to her old adventures with the girls, she was willing to believe it was the former.