The New Recruit

After waking again from the same nightmare, Ace took a quick shower and put on his best Wonderbolt uniform. He then quickly packed up his belongings. Even if Luna hadn't showed up to take him back to the academy, he was planning on returning in three days' time. That's when his contract was up, after all.

As he stepped out of his trailer, he spotted Princess Luna, sitting at a picnic table and talking to Soarin and Skylight. He trotted over and bowed. "Your highness."

"You're awake," noted Luna. "Are you ready?"

"Yes, your highness."

"I'll be going with you," informed Soarin. "My orders were to stay by your side until you didn't need me anymore, or until you returned to the academy. Since one of those is happening, my orders are to return to Spitfire's command."

"Your trailer will be moved to storage," added Skylight. "I must say, I think you're overreacting. This isn't your fault, and you know it. You're a good flyer, Ace. As much as I thought you were pulling a fast one when you first arrived, working with you has shown me good things. I hope you recover fast from whatever stupidity has fogged up your mind, as I'd like you to come back and fly with us again."

Ace saluted her. "Thank you, ma'am."

Soarin sighed. "We'd best be off, then. Let's not waste any more of Princess Luna's time."

The ride back to the academy was mostly silent, like the ride out from the academy had been. The reasons were the same at the core, though not superficially so. There was a better reason, too, as Ace was eating breakfast for the first part of the ride. As much as Soarin and Luna would have liked an endless stack of waffles, time was of the essence, and taking the train to Canterlot would put them further away from the academy. It was faster just to fly.

Moreover, Ace didn't want to talk. He was upset. Reasonably so, as he was being accused of being responsible for several deaths by multiple news outlets. Soarin, Skylight, and even Princess Luna had all told him that he wasn't at fault, but he certainly felt like he was. Spitfire was probably in agreement with them, too. However, just knowing something was not the same as believing it.

They landed at the academy with little fanfare. There was some, as a few officers and students were out in front of the building. The officers saluted and the students bowed as Luna stepped off of the chariot.

"We shall inform your captain of our arrival," said Luna, taking a few steps toward the administration building. "Lieutenant, please have Ace's belongings escorted to his quarters."

"I will see to it personally, ma'am," he saluted, hoisting Ace's hooflocker onto his back.

Ace followed Luna into Spitfire's office, where they sat and waited for her to show up. The secretary had already called for her to come to her office, and Luna, being the princess, was one of the few ponies that had the authority to let herself in.

"Apologies for the wait, your highness," panted Spitfire as she burst through the door. "What can I do for you?"

"We shan't be staying long," smiled Luna. "We have come to deliver your student. Additionally, we believe he has a request to make of you."

Spitfire turned her attention to Ace. "What kind of request?"

Ace took a deep breath. "I know I'm just a first-year student and a Lance-Squire, ma'am. I know that doesn't qualify me for this, but I'd like to request taking extra classes in the subjects of rescue and field medicine, ma'am." For good measure, he saluted, as he wasn't quite comfortable asking like this.

Spitfire rubbed her chin. "That's... an odd request... May I ask why?"

"I'm responsible for the deaths of three foals, ma'am. I don't want to be responsible for any more."

Spitfire shook her head. "You're not responsible for their deaths. Less than five percent responsible, if anything. All you did was prove that it was possible for earth ponies such as yourself to fly. As well, you've made plenty of PSAs about how dangerous it is. I've spent the last four days in the Canterlot Royal Courts arguing exactly that. Unless you can prove that you pushed that filly off the balcony from halfway across the country in front of fourteen thousand ponies, I don't want to hear anything about this being your fault. Do I make myself clear?"

"Y-yes, ma'am..."

"That said, I will try to work in a rescue course, and a bit of pre-med for you. Requesting those classes early is probably going to help your case."

"It could also hinder his case," noted Luna. "While it's good to show that he's trying to do good in Equestria by doing good in his studies, it could also be seen as an admission of guilt that he's trying to fix his mistakes."

Spitfire nodded. "True, very true..."

"However, it is our belief that this will be a benefit for Ace. We only bring up the possible detrimental effects as a warning; to keep you alert and ready to respond."

Spitfire nodded. "Then it's settled." She grabbed a notepad and scrawled something down. "Starting Monday, you're taking a supplementary course in search and rescue. That is, assuming you can pass this term."

There was a knock at the door.

"Come in, Soarin," called Spitfire, smiling as the Lieutenant entered the room. "Glad to see you did your job well."

Luna stood up and turned toward the door. "We shall be on our way. Learn to rest well, young Ace of Clubs. We do not wish to be forced to return."

As she exited, Spitfire returned her attention to Ace. "You'll be sleeping in the same room you were sleeping in before you left. Three of your classmates have left, and everypony else will have passed. Retests were yesterday, so you'll need a special examination outside of the normal testing parameters."

"That'll be my first assignment back," nodded Soarin. "I have no further standing orders, and I'm almost ready to teach."

Spitfire shook her head. "No, lieutenant. I've been sitting in a chair for too long. I will administer the test. Your first assignment is to train him for said test. Before that, though, I'd like to see his act."

"Ma'am?"

"Everypony and their mothers are talking about how Ace's acts are inspiring young ponies to perform inherently dangerous stunts. As much as I'd personally like to see what one of my most interesting students has been working on over the past month, the fact that I'm representing you legally means I should watch your act to better determine how inherently dangerous it is."