Soarin sighed as he slammed his locker shut. He'd had his off days but practice today was a joke.

Not only did he have issues leading his squadron (which came as no surprise to him) but he himself just couldn't keep his movements fluid throughout. Stiff and slow the whole way; even most of the rookies at the academy would have outperformed him, probably.

Of course, it didn't help that none of the others would talk to him or even look him in the eye. They'd given him the usual morning greetings and asked him all the necessary questions but it was obvious what was going on. This was an outcome he was expecting, to some degree. He'd just wished Spitfire would have demoted him on the spot so they could have just put somepony else in charge and they could have just all passed it off as a joke- he never thought he was really a leader anyway.

But alas, she knew he hated awkward social situations and likely took measures to discourage the other 'Bolts from speaking with him when it wasn't necessary. It was a favorite tactic of hers, the cruel bitch (though he still thought she was awesome).

''Lieutenant, a moment please,'' a familiar voice came from behind him. Speak of the devil, he thought as he turned to find Spitfire leaning against the locker room entrance with her usual fiery glare.

Well at least now they would get it over and done with.

He stood up straight, gathering his professionalism with practiced ease and marched up to his superior- who as usual had to gain a foot or so of air to avoid looking up at him.

''Yes, maam''. He saluted with a wing, buffing out his chest as he did so, trying to hide the sense of dread flowing through his mind and body.

''At ease,'' she commanded. His stance changed to a more casual one.

''Heh, I love doing that,'' she smirked as usual, grounding. ''You can look at me now, Soarin''.

''Ugh. Could we just get this over with, Cap? I really don't like all this waiting for news''.

''And what d'ya think's about to happen exactly, Soarin'?'' half like his superior officer and half as if she were his mother.

''Well, you're demoting me obviously,'' he scowled. ''No way I'm still bossing anypony around after today''. He couldn't quite hide the resentment in his voice. Thankfully she wasn't stupid and likely expected it so she didn't mind.

She shrugged. ''Eh, you shouldn't give up so easily. If you go around sulking and thinking nopony respects you anymore, chances are they won't''. Smiling at him as if she were innocent. She knew he knew it was just teasing.

''All due respect maam, I really just wanna get back to barracks''.

Her expression dropped slightly. ''You're lucky I'm not kicking your flank out, you idiot. I had to apologize to ponies just to keep you outta trouble. My second-in command. Bearing in mind we're supposed to be celebrity fliers''.

He said nothing, standing with his head hung like a child who'd misbehaved.

''-if I didn't know you so well I'd make sure you never flew professionally again! You know I can do that, right?'' He nodded.

''I wouldn't even expect that level of misconduct from bucking Misty Fly!'' He nodded again.

She poked him in the chest with a foreleg. ''Violating the ''no-fraternization'' policy- pretty much! Making a pass at your commanding officer! In front of civvies! Maybe I should call for a disciplinary and see how stupid it would all sound!'' He nodded- wait... oh crap, he forgot about that. Damn. He had to admire how comfortable she was with that, actually.

''Uh...'' he was caught off guard.

''Uh... what? Something to say, say it!''

''You forgot assaulting members of the public?'' he smiled as wide as he could.

Her face had been dangerously close to his, she relaxed a little and shook her head. ''You are such a half-wit, Soarin. If you didn't look so clueless I'd probably kick your ass right now...'' she visibly took a moment to gather her thoughts.

''As your boss, I have to give this to you professionally. But first let's get one thing clear: if I ever see you with that douche from before again, you'll both spend a night in jail. No joke, understood?''

He quickly agreed. If he saw his army buddy again any interaction they'd have would be non-verbal and less than friendly, so this was probably a good idea anyway.

''Good,'' she approved before taking back to the air and staring down at him.

''Stand to attention!'' she barked. He obeyed.

''Lieutenant Soarin, you are hereby under probation, the duration of which will be three weeks. Furthermore, I hereby strip you of your rank and demote you to Sergeant!'' he winced as an orange blur caught his uniform and his insignia was ripped off, one depicting three stripes handed to him instead. ''Do you have any objections to this decision?''

''No, ma'am,'' he answered stoically. She grounded again.

''Then you may stand at ease''. He obeyed again.

''Starting tomorrow, you'll be assisting with clean-up at the end of each session every day until I say you can stop- if you're not the worst flier of the day, whoever is can help you. I hope I don't need to tell you I'll be watching your performance too?''

''Yeah, sure''. He was still kinda bitter about the whole thing, honestly.

''Less of the attitude,'' she smirked before turning to leave. ''Get your new rank sewn on and get some sleep, you'll need it. If you'll excuse me, I now have to think of who I'm gonna promote to replace you''.

Yeah, he was gonna beat the shit out of Dagger if they ever crossed paths again, he thought as he entered the shared dorm. All the other Wonderbolts were either asleep, winding down for the night or gossiping to each other quietly.

A few mocking remarks about him being a troublemaker were thrown his way from Lighting Streak as he expected, which he dismissed with a rude hoof movement. At least they'd all be on friendly terms again in the morning, he thought to himself, relieved at the one bit of good news.

He'd get up early with the others and sew his insignia on quickly before practice tomorrow, he figured. He just wasn't in the mood for anything but sleep.

Tomorrow would be a start- a new little adventure, yeah that's how he'd think of it. A new beginning. He'd been given a second chance, after all.

Uh. Maybe I didn't think this through. Could I have a second chance?

Soarin prayed to nopony in particular, joking to overcome the terror he felt as he watched a couple shots approach his section. One hit them squarely between his gun and the one to his right. All four of them in that area were hit- he and his partner were lucky only to be knocked to the ground briefly but the other gun was disabled and if the two manning it weren't dead they wouldn't be able to fight for some time, which made them as good as.

The rest of the airship was struggling to grasp the situation: there had to be more than one hostile vessel as was custom for Royalist bounty hunters. Soarin was convinced from the jerky flying that the cockpit had been struck.

''Damage taken! Need eyes on, Starboard!'' came a voice he recognized as the captain. Yeah that would be nice. Couldn't fight the enemy too well if you couldn't see them.

''One standard warship, at least three escorts Sir! One o' clock!'' his nearest officer shouted back. Getting to his hooves and adjusting his gun with his surviving crewmate, the young Pegasus followed the vision to see a gigantic shadow emerging more and more profoundly from within one of the stormclouds.

Indeed, as they expected Canterlot had sent an interceptor- class battleship after them. As fast as their own but with a few more guns. Between that and their escorts... yeah this was gonna hurt.

The ship took another jolt as more than one of the enemy craft fired again, this was followed by a few profanities from various crew members.

''Two helmsponies dead, lads! Need you to fire at those damned gunners before they land another good hit!''

Obeying with urgency, Soarin didn't even wait for the command to angle and fire, simply loading shot after shot in, firing at anything that looked like a good target.

He thought maybe one or two splinters emerged here and there on the opposing ships but he had no idea how many hits he was actually scoring with all the damn clouds and the adrenaline clouding his thoughts. He flinched but ignored the pain as bits of wood came flying at him as they fired back, blood flowing from various parts of his body.

He was fine, he was fine as long as they didn't hit his eyes or throat, all that mattered was that the ship would stay in the sky. Even his partner started to protest at how fast he was going but he didn't care. He'd do the damned thing himself if he had to. He was strong and quick enough. He'd send these golden-clad bastards to the ground with a nice shade of blood added to their uniforms.

At last, he let up in an instant as he saw one of the enemy craft caught fire and began descending- as luck would have it, it narrowly missed the main ship, which had to veer off into a particularly violent stormcloud, catching a strong jolt as one of its wings was hit and it came to a stop, clearly struggling to re-position.

Perfect! We might actually win this! he thought with pride. Of course he had no idea if it had been he or even anypony on his section who'd landed it.

The captain noticed this too, it seemed as he gave his next order:
''That's it boys! All able crew bring guns to midsection! We'll charge the bastards and give em' all we got at their main supports! Get off your asses, go, go, go!''

There were cheers here and there as the crew began their task of dismantling the guns and rushing them over. They had maybe a minute.

Soarin detached the base and wheels of his cannon and handed them to the other Pegasus beside him. Lifting the barrel, he pushed himself to his limit as he flew to the midship area, powerful wings propelling him so that he was easily quicker than most of his other crewmates.

His partner gave a complaint or two about overly eager Soarin was but Soarin dismissed it impatiently, pressing to find a space amongst the other guns. It didn't prove too hard as a few vacancies had been created in the skirmish, broken cannons and corpses littering the floor.

Poor bastards, he cringed at some of the sights. He was still a little squeamish about this part of the job. This thought was interrupted as he stumbled due to a sudden force around him.

A scraping noise was made as the two ships collided. ''Weapons ready!'' came a cry.

Getting himself frantically back to his hooves, Soarin positioned and loaded his gun, locking on just in time.

''Aim!'' There was a split second of silence. Soarin held his breath.

...

''FIRE!'' Soarin activated the cannon. Almost simultaneously, every other functioning gun on the ship followed suit, the sheer force recoiling them all back, some even losing their balance.

When they'd gotten a look, however, the shock was replaced by instant satisfaction. The main wings and supports of the enemy ship went up in flames: it began dropping slowly but surely as any survivors desperately tried to bail.

Cheers erupted from around the ship. There you go, you Royalist pricks. he thought, more relieved than anything else.

A hearty laugh came as the captain- a large and gruff black Pegasus with a predictably messy collection of facial hair- emerged, more relaxed now most of the danger was dealt with. ''Those bastards'll think twice from now on. My thanks to all of you fine gentlecolts. How about we all fly home and enjoy some well deserved debauchery?'' He suggested happily, patting any nearby crew members on the back as he strutted.

Being pirates, this proposition was met very well; clapping and stomping as the collective mood had a drastic boost.

Soarin felt a tap on his shoulder. He looked over to find his partner smiling. ''I had my doubts about your brashness boy but-'' he extended a hoof- ''very well played''.

''Well played yourself bro,'' the young stallion replied as he took it. ''I am gonna get soooo wasted toni-''

''Captain! CAPTAIN!'' all the celebration came to a halt. Another stallion Soarin recognized as one of the Quartermaster's assistants came rushing into the section.

''What?'' came a slightly annoyed reply.

''Quartermaster's dead!''

They lost crew pretty much any time there was trouble, which for them was regularly. Naturally, the captain replied with: ''Oh well. I'll offer you his share of the loot then to make you feel better. Were you fricken' married or something?'' He looked around for signs of amusement at the joke, getting a respectful chuckle here and there.

The other pony gritted his teeth and rolled his eyes aggressively. ''The magazine's been hit, Sir!''

The response to this was far less humorous. Panic erupted as the pirates got up from their positions, unsure of what to do.

''Bucking hell! Well, go secure it then!'' 'Cap barked at him.

''Yes Sir!''

''What are you dumbasses stood about for! Go help, for Cerberus' sake!''

There was disarray as the crew run in a disorganized rabble. If the mag went up, they were all good as dead.

Soarin panicked, not expecting such an outcome. Maybe he should look for an exit just in case-

''Hey, Blueberry!'' he turned to see the captain glaring down at him. He received a shove. ''Get your bucking ass in gear!''

Still unsure of the situation, the young Pegasus looked nervously at his captain before gathering himself and saluting, turning off.

His captain called to his back: ''Try growing a pair and getting to it faster next time, ye- UGH-'' a distressed cough/ yell ended the sentence. Soarin stopped and turned, confused.

There, on the deck, was an alabaster stallion standing with his face over the captain's shoulder. He was wearing a gold uniform with a dark blue trim, obviously designed for a scout pony of the Princesses' Special Air Force. His cutie mark was a knife graced with a pair of wings which suited him as his own wings were still outstretched from the obviously swift and quiet entrance he'd just made while he himself had a double edged bayonet protruding from the base of the captain's skull.

The intruder pushed his victim's corpse to the ground, sheathing his weapon and reaching for his crossbow while staring directly into Soarin's eyes. Ill- prepared for such a foe, the young pirate grew wide- eyed: he was alone in a wide open part of the ship. If Celestia's personal privateers were as skilled at marksmanship as he'd heard, he was screwed, unless he could-

The ship blew up.

''Soarin? Hey, Soarin!'' The wonderbolt felt his body rock.

''Oh, crap. Goldies got on board''.

''What? Hey, wake up!''

''Yeah, yeah wake up... apologies sir''.

The shaking grew intense.

''Wake the buck up!''

With a sudden movement, his eyes opened and he sat upright.

''What, what's going on? Where am I?''

''Hey, relax. You're in the barracks,'' came a worried voice which was somehow female.

Rubbing his eyes, he glanced up to see a familiar light blue mare with a distinct rainbow mane. That's right, he was a Wonderbolt now, he remembered.

''Dash? What in Tartarus? What time is it?''

''Um, seven in the morning. Debriefing is in twenty minutes, dude!'' she exclaimed urgently.

Debriefing? Oh. Oh crap!

As he expected, all the others were already there. He'd tripped over himself trying to get himself ready on time, just making it on time, having to skip breakfast and... forget sewing on his rank. There would be consequences for that.

Although a certain orange mare whose presence he was dreading was not yet there, the other Bolts had no shortage of witty remarks for him. Dishonoring the team and being demoted, then turning up last of all and in improper dress? Almost all of them had to get their two cents in on that.

One thing he actually kinda liked about them, they really were a mixed bunch. Whereas some (like Lightning Streak and Misty Fly) mercilessly taunted him whenever he screwed up, others gave him scoldings and disapproving looks. Fleetfoot was the worst for that, if she had Spitfire's temper he was sure she'd be next in line for captain.

The captain herself appeared almost dead on time as usual, one of her many remarkable abilities. She wore the same glare she usually did, observing them all with a stare that could almost steal one's soul. Searching, as she did, for any imperfections in the team she'd spend almost every waking hour making into the best fliers in Equestria. And Cerberus did she have a way of putting right anything she didn't like. Shouting could go a long way, it seemed.

As expected, her eyes narrowed as soon as they rested upon her former commander. Soarin almost wished he'd stayed an outlaw and been hanged at that very moment. Though she'd never delay the day's events for it, he could recognize a non-verbal promise to shatter his ear drums when he was given one.

Well, there's something to look forward to.

The debriefing consisted of the usual instructions for practice routines and warm-ups, there was something else about them beginning rehearsals for a show they had a few weeks later. It was adjourned as it usually was within a half hour or so. The whole thing was more for protocol's sake than anything else; with the possible exceptions of Dash since she was the newest member and Surprise due to her short attention span, most of the team could figure out the routines well enough on their own.

They left the locker room for the runway as they usually did in an orderly fashion- years of discipline pressed home masterfully by Spitfire. Lagging behind everypony else as he simply was not in the mood today, Soarin sighed to himself as he gathered all of his equipment and followed on.

He was stopped however, by a forceful yank on his goggles from behind. He gave a yelp as he was pulled backwards to meet the scathing eyes of his superior. After dismissing one or two members of the team who'd paused to observe the scene, she pressed her face directly into that of her subordinate, flaring her nostrils and baring her teeth like she was about to literally tear into him for daring to let her down right after she'd already lectured him.

''Oh Tartarus have mercy''.

After what seemed like an eternity, she finally opened her mouth slowly. He swallowed.

''If I have to start holding your hoof through this Soarin, I will. And trust me, you'll wish you were never born''. She punctuated this with a few hoof jabs. She turned and left without another word.

Author's Note

Probably a few inconsistencies and a rather crappy ending but then I'm a crappy writer.
I swear I didn't PIRATE any of this from anyone (lol geddit).

Kinda rushed since I wanted to get this out in a few hours total (just because) so if there are any errors or bits of poor content, that'll be why.