The New Recruit

Over the next few days, Ace was pretty bored. Spitfire had reached out to the news crews that were supposed to visit the day after the lightning storm, letting them know that Ace would not be in attendance due to injuries, and that she'd still be willing to answer any questions at that time. The press conference came and went without a single reporter talking to Ace.

The one that talked to Ace the most, aside from the nursing student that thought herself a comedian, was Peregrine. And unfortunately, their talks had to be all business, because Peregrine still had to do all of his normal stuff and, while flying alone, score them both passing grades. Ace could only imagine how difficult it was to do that.

Soarin came by a few times, as did Spitfire. They even snuck in a pudding cup for him. They were primarily checking in on him to make sure everything was coming along, and to see if he was ready to move again. It was a reminder to Ace that life just kept going, whether he was there or not. On one hoof, that was a comforting thought; that the Wonderbolts were so resilient that they could stomach him not being around. On the other hoof, he didn't want to be left behind, so he spent some time working out to make sure he could go back to class as soon as he was out of the infirmary.

His muscles were fine. He could move around after a day of letting the soreness subside. He was a little bit stiff, but he could manage. What he couldn't manage was the light and sound sensitivity. They were diminishing, and the doctor even said he'd be cured within the week, but having to stay in the infirmary was very annoying.

On day four, just after being told by the doctor to go back to bed, somepony surprising came to see him. "Rainbow Dash?"

Rainbow saluted, though she really didn't have to. "Ace, right?"

Ace nodded.

"So, you're the earth pony who decided you wanted to join the Wonderbolts..."

He nodded again, more shyly this time.

"Don't look so glum, kid. I'm impressed, I'm just... I have mixed feelings." Noting that his demeanor hadn't changed, she pulled up a chair and sat down. "Look, I just want to talk to you. Do you mind?"

"Not at all. I ended up missing my interview with the press, so..."

Rainbow nodded. "I saw the notice. My condolences for your injury, but..."

"It happens," he shrugged. "I'm just glad I should be back to normal, soon."

"That's a good attitude to have," smiled Rainbow. "So, listen: I have a friend that's disabled. We're like sisters. She's always been a pegasus, and she's always wanted to fly, but she can't."

Ace just shrugged. "Why?"

Rainbow's browfurrowed. "Because she's disabled? I literally said that already."

Ace shook his head. "No, I mean, why does she want to fly?"

"Because she's a pegasus, and pegasi are supposed to fly?"

Ace nodded. "What you should tell her is that she doesn't have to fly; that pegasi are more than just a pair of wings. She should be looking for something else to do with her life. I'm sure she has a talent that can keep her on the ground."

"Really?" snorted Rainbow "And what's your excuse? I'm sure you had something you could do on the ground, too."

"Of course," nodded Ace. "I'm a regional Poker champion. Two-time winner of the North Equestrian Hold-em Tourney. I had a job in a warehouse, and I'm also a pretty decent cook."

"So, why should she stay on the ground while you're up here?"

"Because you said the reason she wants to fly is because society told her she has to. Make society change to accept her, don't make her change to accept society."

Rainbow held up her hoof. "Let's step back a bit. It's more than just that. That's the one that bothers her the most because of the reason you just gave. She doesn't like being unable to fly because society looks down on her, and she'd like for that to stop. That's the biggest reason, but it only accounts for, like, a third of what she wants, at most."

"Okay. What's the next reason?"

"She wants to spend more time with me."

Ace just shrugged. "You can do that on the ground."

"Yeah, but I like to fly."

"I like to walk. Doesn't mean I can't spend time with a pony with no legs."

"She wants to fly with me."

"Have her ride a cloud. Or carry her."

Rainbow grunted in frustration. "You're not understanding. I'm trying to ask you how to make her able to fly!"

Ace was silent for a moment, then threw his hooves up. "I don't know."

Rainbow was unimpressed, and did not move until the nurse came to find out what the shouting was all about.

"I don't understand your question," Ace sighed. "It sounds like you want me to help her fly."

"That's exactly what I want," clarified Rainbow. "I want her to be able to come to my cloud house without needing to be carried. I want her to see the place where I grew up. I want her to be able to sign up to join the Wonderbolts, even if she wants to do something else with her life. And I'd like her to be able to attend all of my races, not just what few are on the ground. I want her to be able to have the same opportunities that are afforded to every other pegasus, from which she's held back by a stupid birth defect..."

Rainbow was starting to crack. Ace could see it on her face, and hear it in her voice. He wanted to help her, but he just shook his head. "You know more than I do when it comes to flying. You know more than I do about your friend; her wants and her limitations. I wish I could help, but I can't fly, either."

Rainbow took a deep breath. "How did you come to the academy, then?"

"It was foggy in Whinnyapolis that morning. I scooped it all up and built a cloud." He shrugged. "I told you to have her hop a cloud, didn't I?"

Rainbow scowled. "That's not flying."

"Neither is being carried. Being a Wonderbolt may have nothing to do with flying. I just want to make the world better, and this is my first plan to do so. Maybe I'll fail, maybe I'll pass. Who can say? But I'm going to try, despite the limitations of my birth. She can, and should, do the same."