Blaze woke up in Banana’s forelegs as the stallion nuzzled her mane, the two trying to ignore the sun coming through the window.

“Hey wake up,” Merry May nudged Blaze quickly. “Corporal, wake up.”

Merry May had known the two were seeing each other. Naturally, she had agreed to keep quiet about it immediately, quickly earning Blaze’s trust and gratitude.

“Oh shoot. It’s morning roll call,” Blaze muttered as she shot up in bed. “Thanks Merry, I owe you another one. Can you take care of Banana for me?”

“You know it,” Merry saluted Blaze and Blaze saluted back. “Take the window ma’am. I can hear the Captain and the Commander in the hallway. And Captain Spitfire sounds mad.”

Blaze winced at Spitfire shouting at some cadets. She had remembered those days very well and it wasn’t something she wanted to relieve anytime soon.

Blaze kissed Banana’s cheek as Spitfire pounded on the door and Blaze jumped before hastily flying out the window as Merry May started shaking Banana.

“Wake up loverboy, damnit!” Merry hissed in his ear. “We got hell at our door!”

Banana shot up and looked around at the empty spot next to him before looking at the window and sighed, watching Merry May roll her eyes with a knowing grin.

“Easy Casanova. Blaze gave you her wishes. Must be nice to be dating your boss. Now get dressed in your uniform,” Merry paused to sniff the air and scowled. “And spray some cologne around. I can still smell Blaze in the air.”

“Ughhhh. Five more minutes.”

“No!” Merry snapped and grasped the blanket in her muzzle, yanking it off. “God, you’re such a colt sometimes. Get up!”

“Fine fine. Get off me, Merry,” Banana Split grumbled and rolled off the bed onto his legs. “Thanks for waking me. I hate mornings.”

“You’re like Tropical Flutter. He hates mornings too Sassaflash said.”

Blaze flew quickly over the clouds, dipping through a few as she used her wings to stop outside of Sunset’s apartment, pounding on the window as the unicorn jumped on her couch.

“Blaze? Why are you pounding on my window at seven am?” Sunset asked after opening it with a scowl.

“What are you doing up this early?” Blaze asked curiously and quickly shook her head. “No time! If Spitfire asks, I slept on your couch last night. We stayed up late watching horror movies and eating ice cream, okay?”

“Uhm Blaze, I hate horror,” Sunset reminded her and scrunched up her muzzle in confusion. “Why would you sleep on my couch? I have a spare room. What is even going on?”

“Personal business. I’ll tell you later, k? Thanks sis I love you!” Blaze leaned through the window and hugged her before rocketing off into the sky again leaving a confused Sunset behind.

“What the hell was that about?” Sunset wondered aloud and stared after the rapidly disappearing Blaze, the red trail she often leaves behind her fading away.

Blaze trotted down the hall as she hastily pushed her normal wild mane down and finished adjusting her uniform as Spitfire continued shouting at some cringing cadets.

“Morning,” Blaze grinned as she approached Fleetfoot as the mare eyed her suspiciously. “What’s up Flatfoot?”

“Nothing,” Fleetfoot leaned closer and stared into her eyes. “Where have you been? We were searching up and down for you. You weren’t in our barracks groundside.”

“Oh I spent the night at Sunset’s,” Blaze lied casually and waved a hoof in the air. “Watching movies and all that. I swear I told High Winds before I left.”

“Not that I recall,” High Winds pushed her goggles up into her mane. “Maybe she did and I didn’t hear her. Spitfire is angry today. She woke up on the wrong side of the bed apparently.”

“Yeah she does that,” Blaze chuckled and the two bumped flanks with grins. “Let’s get up there. Me and you still gotta perfect our Tailslide maneuver.”

Fleetfoot watched as the two started trotting to the doors that led to the runway as she raised an eyebrow. She gave a frustrated sigh and kicked some cloud aside.

“Hey Captain?”

“What Fleetfoot?” Spitfire finished yelling and turned to face her. “Make it snappy. You two, don’t go anywhere.”

“Can I speak to you? It’s uh important,” Fleetfoot gestured with her head up stairs as a pale faced Tropical Flutter and Sassaflash breathed nervously.

“Fine. I’ll find you two later,” Spitfire shot them a look. “We need to get your partners flying skills up. Help him Cadet Sassaflash. You’re a lead pony for a reason so lead, damn it!”

“Yes ma’am!” Sassaflash offered a hasty salute and Spitfire returned the gesture before turning away.

“This better be important, Fleetfoot. I have things to do today.”

“It is.”

“And you’re sure about this?” Spitfire asked with a stunned expression as she sat behind her desk, her sunglasses sitting in front of her.

“Yes ma’am. I’m not trying to get Blaze in any trouble but if she is dating one of her cadets, they could take her badge. She could kicked out of the Wonderbolts for this Spitfire,” Fleetfoot and Spitfire rubbed the bridge of her nose as Soarin sat quietly nearby.

“I know. Soarin, go get me Corporal Blaze please,” Spitfire groaned and Soarin nodded.

“Corporal Blaze? Not just Blaze?” Fleetfoot asked and Spitfire shook her head as she slipped her sunglasses on.

“I’m not here as her sister right now, I’m here as her captain. I’m gonna sort this out with her right now.”

“You aren’t kicking her out, are you?” Fleetfoot asked worriedly as Spitfire shook her head and Fleetfoot sighed in relief.

“No.”

Thank Celestia, Fleetfoot thought to herself as she and Spitfire waited. Fleetfoot had been halfway through counting how many letters were sitting on the desk when Soarin and Blaze entered.

“Hey sis. What’s up?” Blaze tossed a salute and sat down in the chair in front of Spitfire. “Did you see me and High Winds up there? It was insane!”

“Corporal,” Spitfire said coolly and shifted slightly in her chair. “I got some reports about you dating a cadet in our academy. This true?”

“Of course not,” Blaze forced a laugh and rolled her eyes. “Why do you ask?”

Spitfire and Fleetfoot made eye contact as the latter sat up straighter.

“Blaze, I caught you last night with Banana Split hugging outside his quarters. He himself said you two were dating,” Fleetfoot answered and the turquoise mare raised an eyebrow.

“You had her following me?” Blaze demanded and shot Spitfire a glare. “What in Equestria?”

“No I didn’t but maybe I should,” Spitfire pressed a hoof against her desk. “Dating a cadet is strictly forbidden in the guidelines Blaze. You know that, I know that.”

“Hmph. So what if I’m dating him? I don’t see me telling you about your non existent love life,” Blaze rolled her eyes and Spitfire narrowed her eyes.

“Easy there,” Soarin said quietly and folded his wings.

“Fine. What do you want, Captain?” Blaze mocked and Spitfire glared at her.

“I want you to end things with him. This could end your career, Blaze. You’ve worked harder than anypony to get here. Are you seriously going to throw that all away?”

“My life is not your concern,” Blaze shot back and her wing twitched. “I don’t know why you always do this.”

“Do what? Look out for you and protect your career?” Spitfire snapped and Blaze stood up.

“No, you ruin my life and boss me around. You and Sunset scare off every boyfriend I’ve ever had for some sick entertainment because you’re an awful pony. No pony cares about what Blaze wants. It’s all about what Spitfire wants!” Blaze leaned forward and gave Spitfire a push as Spitfire sat back with a stunned expression.

“You think I ruined your life?” Spitfire asked quietly as Soarin and Fleetfoot watched with stunned expressions.

“You just did. You always try to tell me who see. Oh, that stallion isn’t good enough for you. Nor is that one,” Blaze did a poor impersonation of Spitfire and trotted back and forth in the small office. “You can never let me make my own decisions or live my own life. I’ve spent my entire life trying to live up to the image you’ve set!”

“I am trying to protect you!” Spitfire shouted and Dizzy hide behind the paperwork on her desk. All of them had forgotten to look for her as her eyes darted between the four.

“Well, I don’t your protection!” Blaze shouted back. “And feather the rules! I’ll date who I want and you know what?” Blaze pulled the silver wing pony badge off her chest and the three stared with wide eyes as Spitfire started shaking her head.

“Don’t do this,” Spitfire begged as Blaze slammed the badge on the desk and stepped back with a hurt expression.

“I quit,” Blaze said simply and Dizzy stifled a gasp as Blaze saluted Spitfire. “Thanks for the time. I’ll pack my bags.”

Blaze sniffed slightly as Spitfire held out a hoof and Blaze pushed the door open, stepping in the hallway and the door slammed shut.

“What in Equestria just happened?” Spitfire asked finally and picked up the badge in front of her. “I want her back in my office now. We can’t let her just walk out. This has been her dream for years.”

“What are you going to do?” Fleetfoot asked as Spitfire stood up.

“I’m going after my sister. Knowing her, she’s gonna go to High Winds and Sunset first,” Spitfire headed for the door. “Come with or not, up to you.”

Soarin and Fleetfoot looked at each other before following Spitfire.

Blaze stormed outside as she watched Banana and Merry May flying in perfect formation above her with a few other cadets behind them.

“Woah what’s with you?” High Winds asked as she landed in front of Blaze. “You’re crying.”

“I just quit the Wonderbolts,” Blaze answered and High Winds stared at her.

“Let’s get you out here so you can probably tell me what’s going on. You just up and turned your badge in? What the heck for?” High Winds covered Blaze with a wing and started walking forward.

“Him,” Blaze answered and pointed a hoof at Banana doing a barrel roll with Merry behind him. “But hey, at least now I can publicaly date him right?” High Winds watched him briefly for a minute as she slowly put it together before staring back at Blaze.

“And Spitfire caught you with him I take it?” High Winds guessed.

“Fleetfoot did. Last night when I spent the night in his room. But I told them I slept at Sunset’s apartment,” Blaze answered as she gave Banana a fond look. “Screw the rules. It’s only against the rules to date a cadet, not a full member of the Wonderbolts. One day he will be one.”

“But you just quit,” High Winds reminded her as Blaze winced.

“I know. One of the few times I get angry and I give up on my dreams. Being a Wonderbolt is fun and all, but it’s also not what I expected. I joined to live up to Spitfire’s image and it never helped me. Sure didn’t get Mom to love me more,” Blaze grumbled bitterly and continued walking.

“We should probably get you to Sunset’s so you can calm down and then get you back in the Wonderbolts. Knowing Captain Spitfire, she’s looking for you most definitely.” Blaze winced as she allowed High Winds to hug her. “You two need somepony to sit in as you two work it out. I’d suggest me but well, I’m biased. I’m your best friend, after all. Maybe Twilight? Or Spike.”

“Spike and Twilight,” Blaze answered immediately and spread her wings. “Maybe have Sunset there? She did get brought up in the fight.”

“You head down there, I’ll find Spitfire and let her know what’s up. Unless you want me to wait a few days,” High Winds offered and Blaze shrugged.

“You can tell her.”

“Okay.”

Spitfire paused outside the lunch room and took a deep breath before stepping inside as she slowly looked around, internally cursing at the lack of her orange maned sister.

“Cadet Banana Split,” Spitfire called out as the stallion glanced at her. “Walk with me. Now.”

“Yes ma’am. Let me clean up and I’ll be right there.”

“Don’t worry about it. Fleetfoot will handle that. You’re needed with me. It’s important. Merry May won’t be punished for leaving your side,” Spitfire added and the two sighed in relief. “Come on. I won’t wait.”

She turned and left, her ear flicking to make out two sets of hooves running to catch up with her. Merry May and Banana joined her as she raised an eyebrow.

“I only asked for Banana. Not you,” Spitfire deadpanned flatly as Merry inhaled.

“If you’re going to punish him for dating Corporal Blaze ma’am then you’re gonna have to punish me too for knowing,” Merry said and shifted nervously. “Ma’am.”

Spitfire examined her before nodding in satisfaction.

“I can respect you standing by your teammate. That’s what we are all about. I know about you dating my sister Banana,” Spitfire focused on him coolly as he gulped. “I’m not happy with this fact. But Blaze just quit the Wonderbolts to keep dating you-”

“She did what?” Banana cut her off with a stunned expression and Spitfire glared at him.

“Yes, she did after we had a fight. But that’s not your business. All my life, my job was to protect my sisters no matter what. Especially Blaze with her being the youngest. Sunset is a very talented unicorn and can take me in a fight I bet if she really truly wanted to. But I’m starting to realize I baby Blaze too much. She’s a grown mare and a beautiful mare at that. I’ll be willing to overlook this rule breaking if you’re one hundred percent honest with me right now,” Spitfire stopped walking and gazed at Banana. “Why do you like my sister?”

“She’s kind,” Banana answered instantly. “She’s nice. Friendly and caring. She has the prettiest purple eyes I’ve ever seen. And she’s a damn good Wonderbolt. She has a good heart and soul. That’s all ma’am.”

“Good answer,” Spitfire sighed and scuffed a hoof on a cloud. “Just one thing, Banana-” Merry May gave a startled gasp as Spitfire slammed him against the wall and pressed a foreleg against his throat. “If you ever hurt Blaze, I’ll be coming for you. With everything I have, I will bury you. Understand?”

“Yes,” Banana locked eyes with her and Spitfire smiled as she released him.

“You’re the first of Blaze’s boyfriends to say that. Every other one was only dating her to get tickets to shows or have attention from the media for dating her. I was protecting her,” Spitfire looked away and groaned. “Obviously she didn’t see it that way. I opted to keep that information secret to not hurt her.”

“Permission to speak freely ma’am?” Merry May raised a hoof and Spitfire nodded.

“Granted.”

“That doesn’t make you a bad sister, that just means you were looking out for your family. Just like I’d do for my family if I was in your horse shoes,” Merry May rested a hoof hesitantly on her back. “I suggest telling her that. She deserves to know at the very least.”

“Thanks Cadet. Now come on, you two are going to help me find my sister.”

“Spitfire!” High Winds panted as she leaned against a doorframe and held up a hoof. “Blaze is at Twilight’s. Sunset is on her way there as we speak. She wanted Twilight and Spike to be a mediator for a talk between the three of you.”

High Winds opted to leave out the fact that she had encouraged Blaze.

“Thanks High Winds. Come on, you’re coming with me. She might need her best friend.”

Author's Note

Don't you just love family drama?