The Wonderbolt Academy

by TheKing2001

Rating: teen
Tags: Spitfire, Sunset Shimmer, Profanity, Random, Slice of Life, Raindrops, Alternate Universe, Main 6, Drama, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 27185

When at the Wonderbolt Academy, Raindrops is eager to try to achieve her dreams when she realizes the Academic isn't as easy as she expected.

After weeks of going over applications, the Wonderbolts open up their academy for the next four months, leaving Spitfire, Soarin and Fleetfoot to train the new cadets to work together. Being in charge of a bunch of cadets each trying to prove themselves is never easy.

Cover art is done by my friend.

Published 2024-08-03 07:10:01 UTC
Last updated 2024-08-26 03:48:24 UTC

Well, that's over

Spitfire adjusted her hat in the mirror briefly before focusing on straightening her tie. After a tiring few months, she personally was glad that the academy was closed for a while. A few cadets did drop out here and there but that’s to be expected. Most don’t make it in the training.

“You look worried ma’am,” Dizzy commented as she stretched her newly healed wing experimentally. The orange mare had swapped her training uniform for a dark blue dress uniform that Spitfire had a matching one of on.

“Public speaking isn’t my strong suit. I leave the talking to Soarin usually. Nopony in the Wonderbolts can bullshit the media as well as he does. Not a single pony in my family is good at talking to them or making speeches in general.”

“I’m certain you’ll do fine.”

“Hmph. We will see,” Spitfire focused on Dizzy. “Go to Raindrops. You all are meant to be on the tarmac in five minutes and Dizzy?”

“Yes ma’am?”

“Fix your tie. It’s lopsided,” Spitfire reminded her as the blushing mare looked down at her tie.

“Oh.”

Spitfire stood in front of a podium flanked by Fleetfoot and Soarin as she idly examined her speech she had been up all night writing. If she hadn’t misplaced the one she’s been using for years, she’d have used that one.

Fleetfoot flicked her eyes to watch the crowd of ponies in chairs to her left before focusing on the group of ponies in matching blue dress uniforms standing at attention in front of her. Her eyes lingered on Raindrops and Dizzy standing next to each other. The two resembled statues more then they did actual living, breathing ponies.

The two were surrounded by the classmates standing in similar positions as Fleetfoot watched High Winds sitting next to Sunset and the other elements. The mare wore a dark blue uniform with two triangles on each sleeve, proudly displaying her sergeant rank with a matching dark blue hat all Wonderbolts received.

“I’ve never been to a ceremony like this. This is so cool,” Wallflower looked around at the ponies milling around her. She felt a hoof on her shoulder and turned around to stare at a grey pegasus with golden eyes smiling at her. “Derpy?”

“Hey Wallflower,” Derpy gestured to the seats next to Wallflower. “These seats taken?”

“It’s so good to see you!” Wallflower exclaimed and shot up so fast High Winds was impressed as Wallflower hugged Derpy. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to see Raindrops graduate the Wonderbolt Academy. And you of course,” Derpy commented as she hugged Wallflower back with a grin as Dinky popped out of her mane.

“Hi!”

High Winds and the others almost melted at the bright smile the filly was giving them as Wallflower grinned happily at her.

“Hey Dinky!” Wallflower rubbed the filly on her head and nuzzled her. “It’s been a while now. It’s been what, five months?”

“Yep!” Dinky chirped and Wallflower patted the metal chairs.

“Sit and I’ll introduce you to the others,” Wallflower grinned widely. Wider than Sunset or Twilight had ever seen on her muzzle. “That’s Sunset Shimmer, Twilight Sparkle, High Winds and Watermelody. You already know Silverspeed and Silver Spoon.”

“Mhm. I remember Sunset as well, but I don’t think she remembers me. I was a few classes ahead of Spitfire in Flight school,” Derpy nodded briefly at Sunset. Sunset sat next to Silverspeed and idly held her hoof.

“I remember Spitfire mentioned once or twice. She had nothing but good things to say. It’s nice to finally meet you,” Sunset nodded back and quickly shook hooves with Derpy. Wallflower nuzzled Derpy and gave a content sigh as Derpy wrapped a wing around her.

“We should totally get dinner and catch up after. I’ve missed you guys so much. Where’s Amethyst and Time Turner?” Wallflower asked and looked around.

“We only had the bits to get me and Dinky here. And back for course. They sent their best wishes, of course. I’d love dinner but uh we gotta save money,” Derpy blushed and rubbed the back of her head.

“I’ll cover you,” Watermelody waved a hoof dismissively. “A friend of Wallflowers is a friend of mine.”

Derpy opened her mouth to argue and Wallflower gently pressed a hoof over her lips as Dinky jumped over to Spike and stared at him curiously with wide eyes. It was her first time meeting a dragon evidently.

“Are you really a dragon?” Dinky asked and lifted his claw with a hoof.

“Mhm!” Spike nodded and Derpy smiled at the two. “Spitfire is about to talk. We can talk all about it later.”

“If I could have the family members kindly sit down so I can begin that will be appreciated,” Spitfire said and folded her wings at her sides as she idly watched ponies sitting down. “Thank you. My name is Captain Spitfire as you all know. I’m personally honored to be here to start the graduation ceremony for my cadets. I’ve been impressed by every single one of them. They’ve worked harder than anypony I’ve ever met in the Academy. During they’re time here, they’ve displayed the abilities we look for in Wonderbolts.”

Spitfire shifted briefly and turned another page as she felt all the ponies eyes on her. She’d be lying if she said she hated public speaking. She wasn’t necessarily good at it, but ponies tended to listen when Spitfire started speaking.

“They’ve each individually displayed compassion for each other, from helping injured teammates out to working together. In the Wonderbolts, we don’t leave anypony behind and they’ve proven they know that well. These are some of the best ponies I’ve seen come through the academy and I’m proud to have them be the first class of ponies to arrive at our new training center here. I speak for everypony here that I look forward to seeing where they go from here. Today you join the greatest fighting force Equestria has ever seen. Today in honoring you graduates, in celebrating your achievements and giving thanks for your commitment, we can see clearly your role in our world. Wonderbolts aren’t just a stunt team, we are members of the Royal Guard. I myself went through the exact same training you all did. I remember the awful food, the late nights studying for exams, getting woken up early in the morning for drills, being pushed to the point of vomiting. Only the best can make it through our trainings and you all managed that with ease. I thank the families here for raising you well. Today, you have earned the right to be saluted,” Spitfire announced and Twilight watched patiently as Spike shifted next to her. “Because you’re no longer cadets, you’re Wonderbolts and I’m proud to call you that.”

Spitfire stepped backwards and stood at attention as she saluted the ponies in front of her as Fleetfoot and Soarin each mimicked her gesture. Raindrops and the other Wonderbolts returned the gesture as Spitfire gave a nod their way.

“If your families are here, they can now approach and pin the Equestrian Dfense Service Medal on your Wonderbolt on the right side along with the Wonderbolt Training Ribbon they received this morning on the left side,” Spitfire announced and lowered her hoof. Sunset and the others stomped their hooves approvingly as Dinky jumped slightly.

Derpy took a deep breath and stood up as she started trotting to Raindrops. The jasmine mare stood quietly and ignored the other ponies and their families as Derpy opened a brown box and carefully pinned a medal above Raindrops chest pocket.

“I’m proud of you,” Derpy muttered quietly and hugged her as Raindrops relaxed and hugged her back.

“Thanks Derpy. And thanks for taking the place of my parents,” Raindrops nuzzled her and shot a quiet look at Cloudkicker and a few others standing alone. “I would have been waiting forever for somepony else to tap me out.”

“Anytime. Come on, Dinky is here.”

Raindrops grinned and trotted after her quickly. It had been annoyingly long since she had seen her favorite filly. Or well, one of them she should say.

Cloudkicker and a few others stood still as Spitfire approached the lavender mare.

“Cloudkicker?” Spitfire asked and Cloudkickers eyes flicked to her briefly, the only part of her body that moved to acknowledge Spitfire.

“Yes ma’am?”

“Is your family here?” Spitfire asked and looked around slowly. Fleetfoot, Soarin, Misty Fly and a few other Wonderbolts stood talking nearby.

“No ma’am. My family and I aren’t really on speaking terms. Most of us from Ponyville won’t have our families coming due to the distance. Special cases like Raindrops excluded. Ma’am,” Cloudkicker added as Spitfire nodded.

“Where’s your medal and ribbon?” Spitfire asked and Cloudkickers eyes flicked down to her chest pocket where Spitfire made out the brown box sticking out. Spitfire pulled it out and opened it, pinning it on her chest before pinning the ribbon on her left side. “There you go. You’re free to join your friends, Cloudkicker.”

Cloudkicker nodded and hide her eyes briefly from Spitfire before focusing back at her. Spitfire briefly raised an eyebrow as Cloudkicker resisted the urge to cry and smiled at her.

“Thank you ma’am.”

“Anytime Cloudkicker. Have fun with your friends. I believe I heard rumors of this morning of getting drunk at Soarin’s bar?” Spitfire grinned and nudged Cloudkicker. “I’ll be there. I’ll buy you a beer.”

“I’ll take you up on that,” Cloudkicker grinned back and bumped flanks with her.

“I look forward to it,” Spitfire winked and trotted over to Soarin. “Take some ponies. Whoever doesn’t have family or friends here, give them their medal and ribbon. I don’t want them to sit here waiting for ponies that will never come. You know what that’s like.”

Soarin and Misty both winced slightly at that. Their families hadn’t shown up to their ceremony either. Fleetfoot had given them both their medals when she realized.

“You got it. Fleetfoot, Misty, Sunchaser, with me,” Soarin gestured and they all nodded.

“So Dinky,” Twilight twirled a fork in her magic and glanced down at the filly next to her. “First time meeting a dragon, I take it?” She sat outside at a table of Soarins bar. Technically, it was supposed to open next week but he made an exception for today.

“Mhm!” Dinky nodded so fast Twilight was certain her head was gonna fall off any moment. “We don’t have them in Ponyville. Miss Cheerilee talks about them occasionally.”

“Spike is nice. He’s a good friend of mine,” Twilight smiled at Spike sitting nearby with Wallflower and Derpy. Sunset and Silverspeed were sitting at a nearby table as the unicorn leaned against Silverspeeds side with a tired smile. She hadn’t entirely been okay with taking Silver Spoon into a bar so High Winds and Blaze had opted to take her home and hang out with the filly.

“I wanna know everything,” Dinky leaned forwards to Spike and grinned again.

“So Raindrops said you had something to tell me?” Wallflower asked as she looked at Derpy before glancing inside at Raindrops drinking with Dizzy and the other Ponyville pegasi.

“Ah the letter. Yes I do,” Derpy nodded and briefly focused on Dinky interrogating Spike. “So Roseluck and her sisters are related to Time Turner, remember?”

“Mhm. Kinda hard to forget. They were crazy at your wedding,” Wallflower rolled her eyes and Derpy chuckled.

“Yeah, they were,” Derpy agreed readily. “So I’ll just cut to the chase. Apparently they got curious and started looking at their family history. Apparently you’re related to Roseluck’s aunt.”

“What?”

Derpy gave a low giggle at Wallflowers stunned expression and nodded as Wallflower rested her head on a hoof.

“Y-you mean I have more family?” Wallflower asked quietly and Derpy frowned at her.

“Wallie, you’ve always had a family. Berry Punch, Cheerilee, Cherry Berry, Cherry Blossom, Fuchsia Blush. And if you didn’t have them, you’ve always been considered a part of mine and Timeys family. But now, you really are one of us. And Golden Harvest too. Noi. You have a lot of ponies who are here for you,” Derpy rested a hoof on her shoulder. “Your sister’s miss you and Fuchsia. Roseluck, Daisy and Lily really wanna talk to you.”

“Why?”

“Wallie, they’re your family,” Derpy reminded her with a raised eyebrow. “They want to get to know you. More than you let them. They’re not bad ponies but a bit dramatic, especially Lily.”

“I know,” Wallflower sighed and stared down at her hooves. “I’ll give them a chance.”

“Excellent!”

Wallflower snickered slightly at Derpy as the mare glanced at Spike.

“I might have to go save him from Dinky. You remember how curious she is. I got a letter for Sunset from her friends in Ponyville. Might as well give it to her,” Derpy shrugged and looked around. “I’ll be right back.”

Sunset sat against Silverspeed as she idly held her hoof and ran her hoof across her soft fur as the pegasus sighed contently.

“Wanna get out of here?” Sunset said casually and Silverspeed was thankful she lowered her tone this time. “High Winds and Blaze are watching Silver Spoon at Blaze’s house so we have my apartment and your house free.”

“You’re awfully cuddly tonight,” Silverspeed teased and nuzzled the top of her head.

“Blame the wine. And the hot pegasus next to me.”

Silverspeed’s cheeks turned bright red as Sunset laughed loudly, attracting a few ponies attention as Sunset kissed Silverspeed on the cheek.

“Keep talking like that and I won’t let you out of my room,” Silverspeed shot back and Sunset turned a faint red this time.

“Not a bad tradeoff in my book,” Sunset mused aloud and Silverspeed resisted the urge to smack her with a wing. “I do wanna leave though. I’m getting sleepy snd we’ve been here the thirty minutes we agreed to. Long enough to be respectful and make an appearance, but not too long we seem like we have no lives. I personally look forward to sleeping tonight.”

“Strange,” Silverspeed tapped a hoof thoughtfully against her chin as her other one continued holding Sunset’s. “And I thought you had something else in mind once we got home.”

“Okay, that too,” Sunset amended after a moment of thought.

Silverspeed burst out laughing, a beautiful sound Sunset personally never could get tired of.

Nervous as hell

Raindrops stood anxiously on a train station platform with her suitcase next to her as she idly listened to her fellow pegasi talking that she came with from Ponyville. She had applied for the Academy months in advance and had already taken her exam. Raindrops was more than surprised when she received her acceptance letter in the mail with orders to report to the Wonderbolt Academy. The jasmine pegasus brushed her teal mane out of her eyes, briefly glancing at her cutie mark of three raindrops on her toned flanks.

“Nervous?” Sprinkle Medley asked as she and White Lightning stood on either side of Raindrops with their own suitcase. “We are too. Surprised there’s only us, Sassaflash, Merry May, Dizzy Twister, Parasol and Cloudkicker.”

“Probably more up there,” White Lightning gestured up at the large cloud in the distance. “I’m a bit nervous myself. I’m a decent flyer but certainly not the best in the group. That’s definitely going to be Cloudkicker.”

“I’m nervous as hell,” Parasol chimed in and the pale yellow male shifted on her hooves. She was the most skittish of the Ponyville pegasi other than Fluttershy, but she would have never thought of trying out for this.

Cloudkicker blushed and crossed her forelegs. She didn’t necessarily like bragging about her abilities in general, unlike a certain rainbow maned pony she knew.

“Come on,” Cloudkicker answered and bit her suitcase handle. “They won’t wait forever for us. And we got five minutes to get up there. I’d rather not get chewed out on my first day.”

Raindrops personally agreed with that. She had heard the rumors just like everypony else about how hard Spitfire was on her trainees and Raindrops didn’t want to test the mare in any circumstance.

She joined her fellow pegasi in the sky as she hugged her suitcase to her chest to calm her nerves, breathing out softly. She was a bit nervous but would never say that in public like this.

Raindrops and the others faintly made out a few other pegasi standing next to a runway in a row as she and the other Ponyville pegasi landed, trotting over to them.

Raindrops set down her suitcase next to her and stood by a green stallion with a light teal mane and a pen for a cutie mark.

“Hello,” he said and glanced at her without moving his head to look at her.

“Hi,” Raindrops said and folded her wings against her body. “What’s up?”

“Nothing much. You?”

“Nothing.”

Raindrops opened her mouth to reply before hastily closing it as a stern faced Spitfire in a military uniform with some medals hanging on it and purple sunglasses started trotting to them with two identical looking white pegasus on either side of her.

“Look at what we have here,” Spitfire glared at them all as she trotted down the line before stopping at a stallion. “Your mane is out of regulation, cadet.”

“Sorry ma’am. I uhm forgot to get a haircut and-” he fell silent as Spitfire stepped closer and glared at him.

“Did I ask for an excuse? I didn’t hear me ask for one. Did you?” Spitfire asked as she continued glaring at him.

“N-no ma’am. I’ll get on it immediately ma’am.”

“Good. See to it that you do or I’ll have one of the others cut it for you,” Spitfire continued to glare at him for a second before stepping back and continued her walk, stopping to examine Raindrops as she froze nervously. “You. Name.”

“Raindrops. Ma’am,” Raindrops hastily added when Spitfire’s eyes narrowed slightly at her.

“Hmph. Your suitcase is leaking shampoo, cadet. Be sure to wash any belongings in the washing room or a cloud,” Spitfire pointed a hoof at the yellow suitcase as Raindrops gave it a startled look.

“Yes ma’am,” Raindrops saluted her and Spitfire stepped away.

“You all will be bunking with each other. The pony you are assigned as a wing pony will be the pony you will be staying with. You will sleep together, you will eat together. Hell, you will shower together, damn it. If you don’t like your partner, too fucking bad. Figure it out between your selves. If I have to get involved, I will make you two do laps around the campus while the others watch till you get along,” Spitfire explained as the others looked at each other. “You may not like one another, but you will respect each other. And if you do anything to fuck your partners chances of being a Wonderbolt or endanger others, I will personally escort you from the premise. Am I clear?”

“Yes ma’am!” Raindrops joined in the others and saluted as Spitfire gave a subtle nod.

“Now get up there and give me one hundred laps!” Spitfire shouted and pointed at Raindrops. “Not you, Shampoo. Get that mess cleaned up with a rag from over there and then join your team.”

Raindrops nodded as Spitfire glared at the other pegasi with a flat look.

“Did I say sit around and look at me like a bunch of lost puppies? No, I didn’t. Now get your sorry flanks in the sky and get those laps down. Five seconds to go before I increase the number to two hundred laps!” Spitfire threatened and the others hastily took off as she watched in satisfaction.

Spitfire sat in her office, watching the others do laps with a scowl. Spitfire folded her sunglasses and set them on her desk as Dizzy Twister flew by her window again with Parasol and Cloudkicker close behind her.

“How are they doing?” Soarin asked from his spot he had claimed in front of Spitfire’s desk with Fleetfoot in the other chair.

“Okay. Sassaflash needs to work on her form, especially on the turns. Merry May is lagging behind but we can always fix that. Sweet Dreams is probably the worst out of the group. I’ll most likely assign him to Starburst. Won’t see many shows or action but he’ll be in the Bolts. Might even pick up some talent in there.”

The other two winced slightly. Ponies only got assigned to Starbursts team if they either fucked up badly or were poor flyers. Starburst himself was a good flyer so he often got given the pegasi that weren’t so he could either get them in shape or have them do various field jobs for the other Wonderbolts at shows. Most didn’t stay long for the obvious reasons.

“Sprinkle Medley is okay. So is White Lightning. Thinking of partnering White Lightning as a lead pony with Lucky Charm. I can’t partner her with Sprinkle because they’re married or whatever.”

“What about Whiplash?” Fleetfoot suggested as she flipped through a file. “Age thirty. His dad is a commander for the Royal Guards along with his two brothers. Nothing in here about a mother.”

“Don’t we already have a Whiplash?” Soarin asked and leaned back in his chair. Spitfire nodded briefly as the mentioned green stallion went by.

“We have two now.”

“That was him,” Fleetfoot answered and adjusted her posture slightly. “Decent pace. Saw him and Raindrops talking before you had em doing laps. I like Raindrops, she seemed to get with the program. And she remembered to salute.”

“Hmph. We will see how she does. We’ve had ponies make a decent impression on the first day only to wipe out in the next week,” Spitfire scoffed as she turned to face the other two. “Midnight Strike is good too. Might make her a wing pony with Starry Eyes.”

“I support it,” Fleetfoot conceded and Soarin cracked his neck. “I’m interested in seeing how they handle getting woke up earlier in the morning and kept up late.”

The three chuckled to themselves and continued the pegasi flying around outside.

Raindrops and the others stood inside an air conditioned room as she stretched out wings. She personally felt pretty gross with her mane being stuck down on her head from sweat.

“These are going to be your permanent bunk assignments. Once again, if you don’t like your bunk mate too bad. Sort it out between yourselves. Being able to problem solve is an important skill to have as a Wonderbolt,” Soarin announced as the others watched and stapled a piece of paper onto a board. “You will get up at oh six hundred everyday. You should be in the shower and out by oh six thirty. Thirty minute shower tops. You’re expected to be getting breakfast by seven where you will sit with your fellow cadets.”

Raindrops stepped to the board and her blue eyes scanned the paper for her name, idly tracing against the paper. She gave a sigh as she stepped back to allow somepony else to find their names. She really wanted to be partnered with someone she knew. Just because she and Dizzy Twister came from the same town doesn’t mean she really knew her.

“Uh Dizzy Twister, right?” Raindrops asked as she stopped at a orange mare with two tornado cutie marks.

“That’s me. Guess we’re bunkmates,” Dizzy Twister held out a hoof and Raindrops shook it. “Hope you don’t snore.”

“Nah. You?”

“Nope,” Dizzy answered cheerfully with a smile. “I don’t know about you, but I feel filthy. We should probably go hit the showers after putting our suitcases in our rooms.”

“Same. I should have brought more shampoo. Stupid bottle broke open on the runway,” Raindrops grumbled and started pushing her own suitcase. “Might go down to that town and buy another bottle.”

“I got a spare you can use,” Dizzy offered and Raindrops looked at her with a small smile.

“Really?”

“Really,” Dizzy nodded with a grin. “We Ponyville pegasi gotta stick together. And you can do me a favor in return.”

Oh boy, Raindrops thought to herself and gave her a wary look as Dizzy laughed.

“Relax, nothing bad. If you hear any good gossip, let me know. I’m pretty chill. Watch my back, I’ll watch yours?” Dizzy suggested and Raindrops nodded after a moment. “Crazy how we never met before. Weren’t you a weatherpony on Dashs team?”

“Yeah, just dropped to part time. I’ve seen you around a few times. Just got too busy to say hey. Who do you think Cloudkicker and the others get?”

“I know Parasol got some stallion from Manehatten as a bunkmate. She’s a bit skittish around stallions so that’s probably why she got partnered with him. Heard a rumor Spitfire has files on all us in her office. Our likes, dislikes, hobbies, allergies. Normal stuff,” Dizzy commented as they both stopped at a dorm room with a number six on it. Raindrops didn’t necessarily approve of Parasol being partnered with a stallion and mentally made a note to keep an eye on her. “Well, this is it.”

Raindrops turned a key and felt the other mare behind her and Dizzy shut the door as the two examined their room. The room was fairly spartan in design. White walls with the Wonderbolt logo on it, a clock in the entry way and black curtains that were pulled back.

There was two beds a few feet away from each other with two pieces of papers on them that said their individual names. The beds were simple looking with white sheets and a pillow with a blue blanket.

“So I guess we get assigned beds too, huh? Guess that solves that problem of figuring out who sleeps were,” Raindrops said with a shrug as she slid her suitcase next to the bed closest to the window. “You like the dark or nah?”

“Not really. I’m uh a bit afraid of the dark,” Dizzy blushed and set down a nightlight on her bed. “I’m twenty seven and still afraid of the dark. Some Wonderbolt I’m gonna be, huh?”

“Between the two of us, I’m afraid of tornadoes. They’re scary and I’m a pegasus. They’re unpredictable. We can’t control the larger ones. I can keep the blinds open if you want.”

“I got my nightlight and plush. I’ll be fine. Thanks though,” Dizzy said with her back turned as she fished a turtle plush out of her suitcase that she lovingly called Shelly. She had that thing as long as she could remember and did her best to keep it in good condition. “If I need it, I’ll let you know. I’m ready to hit the showers. Here’s my shampoo bottle, by the way.”

Dizzy tossed it on Raindrops bed as the other mare gave her a grateful smile before reading the label. She didn’t necessarily like smelling like apples but she could tolerate it. Especially when she got offered it out of the blue. She could have had a way worse roommate.

“Showers are down the way we came I believe,” Raindrops said and closed the blinds. “I’m ready to feel like a pony again.”

“Same here.”

The two shared a brief laugh before leaving to go clean themselves up.

Wing pony or lead pony?

Raindrops yawned and rolled over in her bed, tugging the blankets around her as she listened to the sounds of Dizzy’s quiet breathing. She felt more like she was at home instead of a foreign bed. The silence was naturally disrupted by pounding on the door.

“Wake up!” Fleetfoot shouted and Dizzy shot up in bed, rubbing her eyes. “Get to showers. If I have to come back to anyponys rooms, you’re doing laps till I’m satisfied.”

“Oh sweet Celestia,” Dizzy muttered as she rolled out of her bed. “Hey Raindrops.”

“Morning Dizzy,” Raindrops licked her lips and groaned. “We should probably get going. I don’t want to test the Lieutenant.”

Dizzy nodded her agreement as she and Raindrops both started making their beds, tucking the blankets and sheets into the bed and placed the pillow on the bed.

“Looks good,” Dizzy commented and opened the door of their room with Raindrops behind her. “Got a feeling they’ll still find a problem with it.”

The two looked around the hallway as some other ponies stumbled out of their room as Raindrops continued to the showers. She personally took showers only before bed, but she suppose she could get used to it.

“What do you we’re gonna do today?” Dizzy asked and Raindrosp frowned thoughtfully.

“Probably more flying. Makes sense that’s what we do here. The few shows I’ve been and times I’ve talked to some Wonderbolts said they have a written class portion too. I just hope it’s easy class work,” Raindrops sighed as she and Dizzy trotted into the bathroom as Misty and Feather Twirl trotted past laughing about something.

“Fair,” Dizzy agreed and Raindrops stepped into a shower, yanking the curtain closed as she turned the water on.

She gave a content sigh and pressed her head against the wall as warm water poured over her, accepting the shampoo bottle an orange hoof tossed gently in the shower.

“Thanks Dizz.”

“Anytime.”

Raindrops had always loved taking a shower or getting wet in general. Her cutie mark was three drops of rain for a reason, after all. She was the best pony in Ponyville for making thunderstorms. She always did have an appreciation and love for thunderstorms that would shake her parents entire house and make the entire sky a dark grey.

Raindrops poured some shampoo onto her hoof, rubbing it into her mane and closed her eyes as she felt the soapy liquid running onto her coat.

She flicked an ear as she made out a stallion singing a few stalls down, stifling a laugh as Soarin continued singing.

“Cause trying not to love you, only goes so far. Trying not to need you, is tearing me apart. Can’t see the silver lining, from down here on the floor and I just keep on trying, but I don’t know what for. Cause trying not to love you only makes me love you more,” Soarin continued and rubbed the bar of soap on his chest fur as a couple others laughed, Raindrops included albeit much quieter. “Hey! Don’t judge me!”

“HAHA!” Fleetfoots laugh echoed around the corner and Soarin rolled his eyes.

Soarin was grateful the curtain hid his blush. He did have a reputation to maintain, of course.

“Oh man,” Dizzy wiped a tear from her eye. “That was priceless. Ow! Some soap got in my eye, frick!”

“Wash cloth,” Raindrops called back as she started working on washing her tail. “I got one folded up. I bet you do too.”

“Thanks.”

Fleetfoot briefly listened before she left to go get her own shower. She normally didn’t listen in on ponies taking showers because weird, but it’s a decent way of getting information, especially about ponies you’re training.

Fleetfoot continued searching for an empty shower stall, yanking the curtain back and stepping inside. She had found it kinda weird to shower feet away from stallions at first, but had grown out of that.

Fleetfoot turned the water on as hot as it went and started washing her wings.

Raindrops stared down at her lunch tray, poking at the thing that sat on it with a fork.

“Okay, what the fuck is this?” Cloudkicker asked finally as she too stared at her own tray with her roommate next to her, a stallion named Berry Cinnamon.

“I believe is supposed to be waffles,” Banana said and all the other pegasus at the table held their breath collectively as he stabbed his own with a fork and tentatively took a bite.

“Well?” Berry Cinnamon asked and picked up his own fork. “What’s it like?”

“It’s something,” Banana Split answered and eyed his cup of coffee. “I swear, if they manage to screw up coffee, I’ll die inside.”

“This should be good,” Sprinkle grinned and leaned forward as Merry May watched silently. Banana wrapped a hoof around his cup and hesitated before drinking it.

“I’m worried,” Merry May said finally as she held her own coffee. “He hasn’t said anything or swallowed it.”

“It’s okay,” Banana said finally and he set down the cup. “It could be better. Way better.”

“I shouldn’t be surprised. Royal Guard food was bad too,” Cloudkicker frowned down at the black liquid in her cup. “Or well, it is for the trainees. The others get better food and coffee.”

“That’s annoyin,” White Lightning grumbled and speared her own breakfast. “At least it’s food. Could be worse.”

“Don’t even jinx us dear,” Sprinkle scowled as Sassaflash laughed. “What are you laughing at, Sassy?”

“You two. I’m in a good mood this morning. My bunkmate, on the other hoof, is not.”

“I hate mornings,” Tropical Flutter grumbled and propped his head up with his hoof. “I can’t sleep in a foreign bed. It’ll take me a few days to yet used to it.”

“Felt that brother,” Blue Comet chuckled and the light blue pony continued eating as he received shocked looks. “What?”

“The fact you’ve practically ate all of that is mind blowing,” Parasol said softly.

“We got a limited time to eat. I’m not gonna waste it after all,” Blue Comet shrugged.

The others eyes widened and they all looked at each other before they started eating quickly.

“So Soarin,” Fleetfoot grinned as she slid next the stallion at his table. “Who were you singing about in the shower?”

Soarin cursed internally and blushed as he tried to ignore Fleetfoots thigh pressing against his. He had hoped the mare wouldn’t have mentioned it but he forgot this was Fleetfoot he was talking about.

“Nopony,” Soarin lied and glanced at her out of corner of his eye. He had always been interested in the mare but had figured she was into somepony else. She did always talk about another stallion so naturally he opted to stay silent. “Nopony in particular.”

“Oh sureee,”Lightning Streak drawled and gave the two smirks. “Most of us heard you. Surprised glass didn’t break when you sang.”

“Oh shut up,” Surprise chimed in with a glare. “He’s a good singer. No wonder a pony has her eye on him.”

“What?” Soarin asked as he glanced at her and Fleetfoot hastily made a cutting motion across her throat and Surprise gave a subtle nod her way.

“Nothing.”

“Sure didn’t sound like nothin,” Soarin focused on Surprise intently who suddenly found her food much more interesting than the others at the table. “Hm. I guess I won’t pry though.”

Fleetfoot and Surprise both gave quiet sighs of relief as Rapidfire watched silently before glancing at the new ponies a few tables away.

“I remember eating that disgusting stuff. Seems they have a stronger stomachs than most,” Rapidfire noted and pushed a pancake around his plate. The cadets and other trainees always got the standard Royal Guard food. They would get better food that was cooked daily by a Wonderbolt who got assigned kitchen duty daily.

Star Hunter was the most well liked cook of the Wonderbolts so far according to the others. Rapidfire personally preferred High Winds cooking but if he remembered correctly, her turn wasn’t till a few days from now. He was on Saturday he believed so two days after her.

“That group is a mixed bag so far,” Soarin admitted and set down his coffee. “Got good ponies and okay ponies. None are truly bad surprisingly. Not like the last batch we trained. I like Sassaflash a lot. She has potential.”

“All of them do,” Fleetfoot added and Soarin nodded his agreement. “I still think Raindrops is gonna be a damn good Wonderbolt. She and Dizzy already seem to have hit it off. She and half of them came from the same town. I bet Raindrops will be a lead pony.”

“I think Spitfire already made the sheet for who’s what. It’s getting posted before lights out,” Lightning Streak said with a yawn. “But we will see. Got more stallions this time around. Always cool to see more guys trying out.”

“Felt that,” Silver Zoom added and cracked his neck. “Maybe we can stop bugging the others about sports and other stuff now.”

“I enjoy bugging Spitfire with sports. She gets annoyed,” Soarin chuckled and the others laughed.

“Same with me. I just use anime instead of sports,” Fleetfoot snickered and took a sip of her orange juice. “She absolutely hates anime. She calls it the hentai shit.”

“The what? What in Equestria is hentai?” Soarin asked and Fleetfoot blushed a bright red.

“You don’t wanna know.”

Raindrops and the others stood in front a piece of paper as they all collectively started reading the list of names.

“I’m a lead pony?” Raindrops muttered with a stunned expression. She had more so figured that Dizzy would have gotten it. She had been wondering is she was going to be a wing pony or a lead pony. Dizzy did seem to be a better flier to her.

“Hey congrats,” Dizzy flung a foreleg around Raindrops neck.

“Thanks,” Raindrops examined her hooves. “No hard feelings? I think you deserve it more.”

“No hard feelings,” Dizzy confirmed with a small smile. “Sure, I may have wanted it but no changing it now. I’m happy for you. If our roles were swapped, I know you’d be saying the exact same.”

“Damn right,” Raindrops agreed and the bumped flanks with a laugh. “I couldn’t have asked for a better bunkmate.”

“Same here. I’m surprised Sassaflash is a wing pony. Same with Midnight and Blue Comet. The three were really fast, especially Sassy.”

“Yeah for real,” Raindrops agreed and Dizzy spun her around. “Woah, what are you doing?”

“This,” Dizzy said and pinned the golden wings on Raindrops uniform. “Now you’re a real lead pony.”

“Thanks Dizz. I can call you that, right?”

“Mhm. As long as I can call you Dropsy,” Dizzy winked and Raindrops shrugged.

“I’ve been called worse. Usually only Derpy or Dinky called me Dropsy. I got it after dropping some stuff at the moving company were worked for briefly.”

“I heard about that,” Dizzy snorted and Raindrops blushed as she looked away. “That old guy was pretty mad. The donkey I think he is? That just moved to Ponyville. Apparently that was his great grand donkeys piano.”

Now Raindrops felt worse. At the time, it wasn’t her job to know the ponies backgrounds. Her job was just to move stuff from one place to another. If she remembered correctly, Merry May had briefly been there too.

“I was there also with Merry. The boss was so mad. We both quit shortly after you and Derpy got fired,” Dizzy continued and snickered as she got a wide eyed look. “What?”

“I didn’t know you were there. I feel like an idiot now,” Raindrops admitted as she slammed a hoof into her face.

“Nah you’re not. I just never said hi either because I was too tired that day. Plus, I hated our work so I was pretty much staying to myself so I didn’t accidentally say something mean,” Dizzy said and placed a hoof on Raindrops shoulder. “Can you put the wing pony symbol on my uniform, please?”

Raindrops nodded as she accepted the silver wings, clipping them onto the orange mares uniform and stepped back with a slight frown before adjusting it slightly and smiling.

“There. Perfectly straight,” Raindrops said and yawned. “I’m gonna go head to our room.”

Dizzy stifled a yawn of her and started following her, sidestepping an annoyed Midnight Strike as the black pegasus snorted hard enough for steam to come out her nose.

Oh boy, Dizzy Twister thought to herself as she watched the mare for a brief second before continuing after Raindrops as the mare opened the door to their room.

“Room inspection time!” Fleetfoot shouted as she and Soarin trotted down the hallway with each carrying some bags. “Line up outside the doors of your rooms now.”

They all stood nervously as the two walked into a room as they all listened to stuff being moved around before Soarin and Fleetfoot trotted out.

“Your bunkmates bed is unmade. Have him fix it or you’ll both be doing laps,” Soarin glanced at a blue stallion. “I suggest you two get in there and get to work.”

The two hastily looked at each other and nodded, quickly leaving the hallway as Soarin and Fleetfoot split up.

“Oh no,” Dizzy whispered as Fleetfoot beelined to them.

“You look nervous, Cadet. Any reason?” Fleetfoot stopped and looked between the two.

“N-no ma’am,” Raindrops muttered and Fleetfoot gave her a flat look.

“Louder, damn it!” Fleetfoot barked and Raindrops jumped slightly as Dizzy went pale.

“I said no ma’am. We aren’t nervous,” Raindrops answered and hoped to Celestia she wasn’t visibly sweating.

“I’ll be the judge of that,” Fleetfoot scowled slightly as she entered the room. She was a bit more surprised at how clean it was as she approached the beds and ran a hoof along them. “Decently made. Could be a bit straighter.”

Fleetfoot stepped away from Dizzy’s bed to examine Raindrops’, adjusting the pillow slightly before setting down a bag on each bed.

“Nice work you two,” Fleetfoot stopped at the doorway and nodded at them. “Dizzy’s bedsheets could be straighter. Your dress uniforms have been left on your beds along with another uniform. I expect them to be ironed and properly hung up by tomorrow’s inspection.”

“Yes ma’am,” the two saluted and watched Fleetfoot step away to yell at another mare.

“We got this in the bag,” Dizzy nudged Raindrops with a wide smile. “Wish I knew how to iron.”

“It’s easy. I’ll show you tomorrow morning,” Raindrops promised and peered into her bag. “Wow. Shiny.”

“For real,” Dizzy agreed and held a hat in her hoof. “I’ve always wondered what I’d look like in a uniform.”

“Same.”

“I get left side of the closet, you get the right?” Dizzy suggested and Raindrops nodded.

“Fine by me.”

The two jumped as they made out Fleetfoot yelling in the hallway, glancing at the doorway warily before looking at each other nervously.

“You’re late and left your partner. Where were you?” Fleetfoot snapped as Midnight Strike cowered slightly back from the mare as Fleetfoot violated her personal space being inches away.

“Visiting Spit-”

“Captain Spitfire to you,” Fleetfoot corrected with a scowl. “So you having friendly chats with the captain is more important than our time?”

“N-no Lieutenant,” Midnight paled and shook her head as Fleetfoot looked to Soarin.

“That’s what I heard. Isn’t that right?” Fleetfoot asked and Soarin nodded.

“Sounds like it to me. What did you need with Spitfire?” Soarin asked and Midnight cleared her throat. “Today, preferably.”

“I was asking why she made me a wingpony and not a lead pony. I’m a good flyer and all. Sir,” Midnight added as Soarin gave her a look.

“What did she say?”

“That she made me a wingpony to learn from my partner. That a good leader learns from those under her sir,” Midnight answered nervously as her eyes flicked around.

“I see. Get back to your partner. Or everypony in here will be doing wing ups because of you,” Soarin threatened and Midnight received a few angry looks. “Now.”

Fleetfoot stepped back and Midnight trotted away quickly with her tail between her legs before sliding to a stop next to Wildfire.

Midnight had heard Fleetfoot was loud when she wanted to be but she had always thought of Soarin as the nice one.

She didn’t entirely expect him to be as loud as Fleetfoot or Spitfire.

Author's Note

Name: Merry May.

Age: 31.

Nicknames: Merry, May, Flowers, Green.

Bio: Merry May is a quiet pegasus who prefers to watch silently from the background. Merry May has three sunflowers for a cutie mark and is an avid gardener. She is the wingpony for Glimmer Grape and is part of the Wonderbolts. She later serves under Rainbow Dash alongside Cloudchaser and Thunderlane. Merry May briefly took part in the Battle of Canterlot and was the first Wonderbolt to fall. She does best when following others orders. Merry May isn't entirely fond of Rainbow Dashs leadership and is currently attempted to switch squadrons to serve under Banana Walnut. Merry May is often serving as a mediator between her friends and takes her role as team medic seriously. Merry May helped evacuate Amethyst Harbor during Tireks rampage alongside a few other Wonderbolts. She is a close friend of all the pegasi from Ponyville and currently lives in both Ponyville and Amethyst Harbor. She briefly worked as a weather pony in Ponyville and in the Cloudsdale Weather Factory. She took part in tornado duty in Ponyville alongside her friends and Thunderlane. Briefly went to college for medical studies.

Status: Alive.

Motto: Proud to be of service.

Abilities: Merry May is highly intelligent. She is a skilled emt pony and can often be found studying medical books. She is a decent flyer.

Allies: Wonderbolts, Raindrops, Twilight Sparkle, Sunset, Watermelody, Spitfire, Spitfire, High Winds, Wallflower, Pinkie Pie, Caramel, Bulk Biceps, Thunderlane, Spike, First Aid, Ratchet, Derpy, Dinky, Time Turner, Amethyst Star, Prowl, Tropical Flutter, Banana Walnut, Cherry Berry, Smokescreen, Whiplash.

Enemies: Tirek, Chrysalis, Sludge, Changelings.

Weaknesses: No known weaknesses.

Notable quotes:

"I'm here to save your life, not fight you."

"Just put the weapon down please. We can go get married right now and get on the next train out of here."

"Follow me everypony and in a orderly manner. "

"Argh!"

"Behind you!"

"I'm a medic, I don't know how to fight!"

"Get me the wounded. We need more help down here."

"I got a body over here."

"Set up triage away from the wreck."

More than flying

Raindrops stifled a yawn as she shifted around on her chair at a desk that had clearly been used for years as she toyed with a quill on the desk, watching Soarin and Blaze standing at a chalk board that had various words on it up front talking.

“We may be some of the fastest flyers in all of Equestria, but we do more than flying. We spent most of our time in a classroom learning about the history of Equestria and the Wonderbolts along with different flight patterns and maneuvers,” Soarin continued and pointed at the chalk board. “You each have books that I expect to be studied. There will be tests. I asked Corporal Blaze to assist me today.”

Raindrops examined the mare briefly as Blaze sat down on a desk and crossed her hindlegs as she stared back.

“I have a question,” the green stallion raised a hoof.

“Yes?” Soarin glanced at him. “Ask away. This is a learning environment.”

“Do you guys help with our studies? I’m kinda dyslexic so reading is hard,” he admitted and some ponies snickered.

“Quiet,” Soarin and Blaze both gave them flat looks. “As for your question, yes I will Whiplash. At least he had the courage to ask his question unlike you all. See me after.”

“Thank you,” Whiplash gave a nod and Soarin gave a subtle nod back.

“Who can tell me who was the first leader of the Wonderbolts?” Blaze asked as she glanced at her own book.

“Uh Firefly, right?” Blueberry Fluff called out and she nodded.

“Yes, nice work,” Blaze turned to Soarin and the two had a conversation purely based on facial expressions as the others watched curiously.

“You all study the books while Blaze and I talk in private for a moment,” Soarin announced and the two stepped into the hallway, shutting the door gently.

“What do you think that’s about?” Whiplash whispered and Raindrops shrugged as she started to read. Half of this she didn’t even know happened. She always did like history in general. “Hey.”

“I have no idea. Not my business. Probably some Wonderbolt drama,” Raindrops answered as she licked her hoof and turned a page.

“Maybe. Names Whiplash. What’s yours?” Whiplash glanced back at her as he examined her head to hooves.

“Raindrops. Technically my full name is Sunshower Raindrops but everypony calls me Raindrops. It’s what I like.”

“Gotcha. You don’t sound like your from Cloudsdale. What accent is that?”

“Ponyville accent. Most of us have a countryish sound to our voice. Except a certain few that moved there, of course like Shoeshine and a couple others. Thunderlane is one of em.”

“I see.”

Raindrops shifted back to continue reading and propped her head up with a hoof as Dizzy gave her a few glances at her between reading with a raised eyebrow.

“Huh, strange,” Dizzy muttered to herself. “Very strange.”

Dizzy winced slightly as she continued doing push-ups alongside Raindrops and a few other ponies as Spitfire trotted back and forth, occasionally shouting at a pony.

“Fix your form,” Spitfire nudged Parasol. “Stretch your hindlegs out more and it’ll be not as difficult.”

“Yes ma’am,” Parasol breathed out as Spitfire patted the red faced mare on the back.

“Keep an eye on them. Twilight wants to speak to me,” Spitfire gestured to Blaze who was standing nearby with Fleetfoot watching. Blaze didn’t necessarily know why Spitfire was making her take part in general in the trainings but she did know Spitfire had a lot on her shoulders so she supposed she might as well help out when she can. Spitfire did help her a lot, as a sister and boss.

“I got you,” Blaze nodded as Spitfire trotted over to a purple unicorn Raindrops didn’t recognize but she did recognize the green mare she was with.

“Wallflower?” Raindrops muttered with a confused expression as she watched Spitfire greet the two and a short dragon as the four all laughed about something and Spitfire folded her sunglasses up, placing them in her front pocket. “A dragon?”

“What is Wallflower doing here?” Cloudkicker asked as she and other pegasi from Ponyville gave the green earth pony stunned looks.

“What is a unicorn doing here is the more important question. This is for pegasi and there’s a dragon,” a stallion grumbled and Fleetfoot gave him a dirty look.

“Wanna say that again? It’ll be the last thing you ever do,” Fleetfoot warned quietly as she knelt down in front of him and pointed a hoof in Spitfire’s direction. “I’ll have you know those are my friends. And three of the four helped save Equestria when Nightmare Moon returned so show respect. And Spike is a harmless dragon. Am I understood?”

“Yes.”

“Good. As punishment for your outburst, your fellow recruits will have to do fifty more push-ups. Next time don’t open your mouth,” Fleetfoot announced and the others groaned as they each glared at him.

While Raindrops and the others were equally angry, they were more confused about how Wallflower of all ponies helped save Equestria.

“What’s up Twilight? Hey Spike and Wallflower,” Spitfire nodded at the three and gave Spike a hoof bump. “How’s it going?”

“Just checking on how you’re doing over here. We haven’t seen much of you this week,” Twilight answered and glanced at Fleetfoot and Blaze overlooking a group of ponies in matching blue and yellow uniforms doing push-ups. “You’re having Blaze help?”

“Mhm. I’m grooming her for a potential leadership position in the future so I’m giving her more responsibilities,” Spitfire explained. “Soarin said she did well in the classroom.”

“Oh boy,” Spike groaned as Twilight grinned widely. “You said classroom.”

“You should totally let me help teach in the classroom. I have notes and I can read on all the Wonderbolt history and whatever else you teach,” Twilight grabbed Spitfire’s face with her hooves and Spitfire reminded the other two watching of a fish more than a pony.

“I suppose I could use some more help,” Spitfire mused and brushed Twilight’s hooves off her face. “Especially from somepony who focuses a lot on studying herself.”

“Just show me the source material and I’ll get all of them in shape,” Twilight promised and Spitfire chuckled dryly.

“I’ll take your word for it. I’ve had outside help before from Sunset and a few royal guards. Let’s go to my office you three,” Spitfire paused to look at Wallflower sheepishly hiding a plant behind her with an innocent smile. “Fine, the plant can come too.”

“Yay,” Wallflower danced around on her hooves and froze as she looked back at the ponies doing push-ups staring at her.

“What’s wrong?” Spike asked and the other three followed her gaze.

“Nothing,” Wallflower mumbled and Spitfire narrowed her eyes slightly as Wallflower lifted a foreleg slightly. “Can we go now to her office? Please.”

Spitfire nodded and unfurled her wings to block Wallflower from the other ponies view as she ushered the earth pony inside with Twilight and Spike following at a slower pace.

“I know you lied back,” Spitfire whispered in Wallflowers ear as the earth pony jumped. “I expect the truth later.”

“Okay,” Wallflower sighed and Spitfire lowered her wings to fold them at her side. “Uhm why aren’t you guys down there? Why do you have two buildings?”

Wallflower gestured out the cloud window to the small grey dot below the cloud miles away.

“This one is for training. Can’t really do flight trainings on the ground after all,” Spitfire chuckled and lead the ponies and dragon to her office. “We used pegasi magic to keep it in this one spot. Use it for Cloudsdale and Las Pegasus too. But don’t worry, I got over half the Bolts down there doing their normal duties. Surprise, Wave Chill etc. Only a couple are up here to assist if necessary.”

“Oh,” Wallflower scratched her head with her hoof before setting down her plant in the corner, tall cactus next to a dark locked cupboard with bottles of various different liquids of all colors. “What’s that?”

“Alcohol,” Spitfire answered without turning from her spot as she stared out the window. “Some of the higher ups I meet like the colonel and a few royal guard captains like to drink during our meetings. Wind Rider is one such pony. He may not be a member anymore but he still likes to visit occasionally.”

“You’re friends with Wind Rider?” Twilight raised an eyebrow as Spitfire shrugged. Even Twilight knew who the stallion was. Wind Rider was one of the most well know Wonderbolts for setting many records. Spitfire herself had broken a lot of them.

“Friend is too strong of a word to be honest. I’d say acquaintance is more accurate and mentor. He taught me a lot. He was the Captain before me,” Spitfire explained and turned around to sit in her chair. “I kept it professional as I always do. It’s difficult being in charge.”

“Why? You seem to do it well,” Spike commented and Spitfire smiled slightly at him as she rubbed his head spikes with a hoof.

“Thanks buddy. It’s more complicated than you think. I have to be in charge of an entire team of fliers and occasionally have to pass out punishments. That usually includes yelling loudly to get the point across. I have to be strict with all of my teammates, no matter who they are to me. I’m harder on Blaze because she’s my sister.”

“So you just yell all day?” Spike asked curiously and Spitfire shook her head with a chuckle.

“No she doesn’t. Sunset has told me a few stories. A good leader knows when to raise her voice and when to be there for the ponies around her as a friend and moral support,” Twilight answered and Spitfire nodded in agreement.

“She’s right. Knowing when to be a boss and when to be a friend is a good skill to have. Someponies react to kinder words better than loud yelling. A good leader knows how to recognize that, analyze the situation and react accordingly. It’s what a lead pony does,” Spitfire explained to the dragon as she smiled again.

“And I take you were a lead pony?” Wallflower asked as she adjusted the cactus slightly as Spitfire laughed.

“Me? Oh hay no. I was a wing pony for Storm Clash,” Spitfire answered with a smirk. “He was a good pony. Miss him every day.”

The other three looked at each other as Spitfire sighed wistfully and stared at a picture on her desk of a stallion.

“There was a slight miscalculation in a stunt back when I was still a sergeant and he lost control, plummeted to the ground and well, you can figure out the rest. I originally tried to convince Blaze to not because that’s when she was talking about taking the exam. I really didn’t want the same to happen to her. Put a lot of things in perspective for me. I went overboard with being protective of her and Sunset for a few months after,” Spitfire picked up the picture and sighed again.

“You were really close I take it?” Wallflower asked and Spitfire nodded.

“Yeah you could say that. He was a good pony. Definitely didn’t deserve to go out that way but most ponies never do deserve to die how they do. At least he went out doing what he loved to do. I wasn’t there that day. I sprained my wing and was forced to sit it out. Who knows, maybe if I hadn’t been injured I coulda saved him. We will never know,” Spitfire put the picture back and stretched her forelegs out with a a yawn.

“I don’t think you should beat yourself up over it if it wasn’t your fault,” Spike commented and climbed into the chair next to her.

“I’m not. Just something I think about every now and again. Intrusive thoughts and all,” Spitfire answered and patted his head. “Thanks though little guy.”

“Anytime.”

The four sat in silence as Spitfire continued searching through her desk, the other three watching as she set down a few books and Twilight’s eyes lit up again.

“This is the complete history of the Wonderbolts. This is my personal copy so please be careful with it,” Spitfire warned and Spike laughed.

“This is Twilight we’re talking about. If she could marry books, she would,” Spike chimed in with a grin and Twilight shot him a look.

“I would not!”

“Would too.”

Spitfire and Wallflower both watched with bored expressions as the other two went back and forth before Wallflower coughed into a hoof.

“Are you two done yet?” Wallflower asked flatly.

“Yes,” Twilight answered with a blush. “Sorry. You were saying?”

“Nothing. We really need more plants in here,” Wallflower mused as she trotted slowly around the room.

“Why?” Spitfire asked with a sigh before pointing at the cactus. “And why in Equestria a cactus?”

“Because it’s like you.”

“I’m sorry?” Spitfire raised an eyebrow as Wallflower snorted.

“It’s like you,” Wallflower repeated and stood on her hind legs shakily to gesture at both Spitfire and the cactus. “Outside, it’s prickly like you can be. But cacti are surprisingly resilient and grow in harsh conditions. They can also live up to one hundred and seventy five years. Cactus’ also don’t grow their first arms until they are between seventy five and one hundred years old. So it suits you. Because you’re stern and scary on the outside while strong on the inside.”

“Huh,” Twilight mused as she stared at Spitfire thoughtfully. “She’s right.”

“It’s part of my special talent. I can automatically know what plant best suits a pony just by spending ten minutes with them. Like for example, a bonsai tree best suits Twilight. It represents peace, balance, harmony, and luck. They can also symbolize friendship, loyalty, love, and respect, and are often given as gifts to friends and family. It suits all six of us in a way,” Wallflower explained and crossed her forelegs with a shy smile. “And for High Winds, I’d give her a Strelitzia. It represents freedom and as a pegasus who can fly anytime she wants, it suits her well.”

“That’s actually cool,” Spike commented and Twilight rolled her eyes at the wide smile he gave Wallflower as Spitfire snickered behind a hoof. “What would you give me?”

“Hmm,” Wallflower tapped a hoof against her chin briefly. “Freesia. They are often considered a flower of trust and can be given to somepony to show that you trust them completely. But I’d probably give them to all my friends.”

“Oh.”

Twilight patted him on the head as Wallflower turned around and sighed as Spitfire raised an eyebrow.

“So you’re gonna finally be honest and tell us how you know those ponies down there?” Spitfire asked as Twilight’s eyes flicked between the two.

“What is she talking about?” Twilight asked and Wallflower rolled her eyes.

“I never really had many friends as a filly. Or well, any really. I had my sisters but that’s about it. Anywayyyy, I recognize those ponies from Ponyville. They used to be on Rainbow Dash’s weather team clearly. Raindrops, Cloudkicker, Merry May, Sprinkle Medley and White Lightning are really good at making it rain. Especially Raindrops,” Wallflower nervously tapped her hooves against Spitfire’s desk. “They are okay, I guess. I never really socialized in Ponyville. In all honesty, I usually just was invisible and stayed to myself. My sisters did everything for me really, like ordering at restaurants and such.”

“That sounds awful,” Twilight wrapped a hoof around Wallflower as Spitfire tapped a hoof on the desk before grinning widely that made Wallflower shudder internally. She didn’t necessarily want to know why she was smiling at her like that.

“I have a feeling you’re gonna be a great help. Tell me everything about them please.”

Wallflower eyed Spitfire before glancing at the clock and shrugging.

Wouldn’t hurt, Wallflower decided with a smile.

Author's Note

I decided to give each character links to songs that I feel suit them.

Spitfire: https://youtu.be/fgmpWkUcpjo?si=CfU66TvyQFnfKMt8

Sunset (and Silverspeed): https://youtu.be/Rs38lKxmtI4?si=YprfdxhxS7fVeAur

Wallflower: https://youtu.be/kXYiU_JCYtU?si=myK2b7wk9H9n4AQV

Watermelody: https://youtu.be/qbZ6aaaYTbE?si=8nnIn0Rfr5cs-Ou7

High Winds: https://youtu.be/_FbV-Rdc6cY?si=BcDYwyX89GzwbOie

Twilight: https://youtu.be/JREouTHpyJE?si=ca3hn-n_ZNRT_suX

Spike: https://youtu.be/TfIdYyM4bXo?si=3st35iqwpDhgtISl

Blaze: https://youtu.be/oouFE51HcqM?si=4HQA23qgjzBzrOiT

Soarins bar

Soarin trotted into a room where the other Wonderbolts excluding Spitfire and a few others were sitting around at. The room had a kitchen in the back half for whenever they had to cook for everypony, a table and a small tv with a couch.

“Alright everypony,” Soarin dropped onto the couch in between Silver Zoom and Lightning Streak watching a hoofball match on the small tv they had. “I got an idea.”

“No, we’re not getting an endless apple pie machine,” Misty Fly sighed as she turned the page of her newspaper with Surprise peering over her shoulder. “Did you guys know Princess Cel- Surprise, what are you doing?”

“I’m trying to see the comics!” Surprise shouted and flung her forelegs up as Misty sighed in defeat, rolled up the newspaper and hoofed it to the mare as Surprise squealed and bounced away.

“It’s not that,” Soarin shot a glare at Misty that she ignored. “And I’m not all that obsessed with apple pie.” He received a bunch of snorts and snickers as he blushed.

“There’s an apple pie flying by your head,” Misty said flatly as Soarin jumped and looked behind him as Silver Zoom and Lightning groaned.

“We’re trying to watch the game, dude!” Lightning snapped and flung his hooves up. “How the fuck did they mess up that pass, man?”

“I don’t know. It’s bull though.”

“Anyway, no it’s not that. This is gonna sound stupid but I’ve always wanted to own a bar,” Soarin tapped a hoof against his thigh as he received intrigued looks as Rapidfire rolled a hoof in a go on gesture. “You all know how I like talking to ponies and whatnot. We can be like a Wonderbolt bar. Hang out and stuff.”

“What’s the difference of us doing that at another bar like the one Wallflowers sister works at?” Lightning asked with his eyes still locked on the TV.

“Because I will own this one. And I was thinking of just co running it with two more of you,” Soarin answered and got some more curious looks. “Probably hire Fuchsia. Maybe Sunset too if she’s still looking.”

“She got a job at a sushi place after that whole kidnapping thing. Apparently Fuchsia put in a good word for her with one of her friends,” Fleetfoot answered as she set down a coffee cup. “As for the bar thing, I’m totally down to chip some bits into it.”

“Why don’t you jump on him already?” Wave Chill muttered and received a sharp elbow from a glaring Fleetfoot. “Ow.”

“Anypony else?” Soarin asked and looked around as Star Hunter looked away.

“Don’t look at me like that, Wave,” Misty grumbled as Wave Chill sighed. “I’m not into running a bar. I’ll drink there though.”

“Damn. I was hoping she’d let me chip in. Misty is usually good like that. Especially at-” Wave Chill started and was cut off by Misty’s harsh glare.

“If you like sleeping in a bed, you won’t finish that sentence,” Misty threatened him with narrowed eyes.

“I was going to say at helping her teammates, but go off.”

“You know what,” Blaze stood up and all eyes fell on her. “I’m in.”

“Blaze to the rescue,” Soarin commented with a smirk and Blaze blushed. “I already found a couples place down town we can use.”

“Just one question,” Sunchaser raised a hoof and Soarin gestured for her to continue. “Who’s gonna run it while we’re away?”

“Oh. Buck, I didn’t think of that.”

“Let me get this straight,” Fuchsia started with a bored expression as the earth pony laid down lazily on a blue couch with a foreleg flung over it and her hind legs crossed. “You want me to quit my paying bartender job, to come work at a
bar you and two other Wonderbolts are opening on the off chance it’ll be successful. And you also want me to run said bar in your absences if necessary.”

Soarin, Fleetfoot and Blaze all three looked at each as they sat in the other pony’s living room. Fuchsia had a scarily good poker face, so none of them could tell how she truly felt about the proposal.

“Well yeah,” Soarin answered and fidgeted in his chair. “It’s always been a dream of mine. You’ll get manager pay for running it while we’re-”

“I’m game,” Fuchsia cut him off quickly and he raised an eyebrow. “My job is kinda shitty recently anyway.”

“That was fast,” Fleetfoot noted. “Was it the offer of more money or-?”

Blaze whapped her upside the head with a wing as Soarin frowned at Fleetfoot and shook his head.

“Partially,” Fuchsia answered flatly and narrowed her eyes. “Okay, mostly. I don’t know how it is for you rich airheads who never really have to worry about money issues or wondering when your next meal is or worrying if you or your baby sister are gonna be kicked out because your check was shit and couldn’t make rent, but I do. Most of us in this town and around Equestria do. Must be nice to never have to truly worry about anything in your perfect little life, you entitled, rich, stuck up little sh-”

“She’s sorry,” Blaze cut her off as the three Wonderbolts grew increasingly nervous of the angry mare in front of them. “She’s an idiot sometimes.”

Fuchsia silently stared Fleetfoot down as the pegasus stared back, Soarin and Blaze both nervously clearing their throats.

“First off, my mom was a prostitute to make money to get me school supplies. Dad was a gang member and drug dealer to help make ends meet. My life was and is far from perfect,” Fleetfoot sneered and stood up. “I’m leaving. I’m still on board for this bar thing. I’ll leave you three to decide.”

Fleetfoot trotted out of the small house that had a leak in the ceiling that Fuchsia had tried (and failed) to fix herself. There were various stains on the walls that Soarin suspected to be water damage. The door slammed shut as the three sat in silence.

“I may have pushed her a bit far,” Fuchsia broke the silence and stood up.

“A bit,” Soarin admitted as the two watched Fuchsia come back with three glasses of water balanced on a tray on her back. “Do you want-”

“I don’t want help. I’m independent and you’re my guests. So you will sit there,” Fuchsia pointed a hoof at the couch before kneeling in front of the two.

“I should go find Fleetfoot. We both know how destructive she gets when she gets mad,” Blaze said nervously and glanced at the door. “She’s reckless at times like this. I’ll be back and if not, I’ll catch up later on in the week.”

“Yeahhhh,” Soarin trailed off worriedly and rubbed his head with a hoof. “I’ll do this and catch up.”

Blaze gave Fuchsia a nod of acknowledgement before taking off after the turquoise mare, shutting the door gently behind her.

“So uh,” Soarin started and looked around the cramped room. “This is a nice place.”

“Thanks. I try,” Fuchsia sighed and looked down with an uncomfortable expression. “I’d like it to be better but-”

“Money issues. I don’t believe in judging ponies for anything. Fleetfoot doesn’t either but she uh isn’t fond of ponies assuming stuff about her,” Soarin watched Fuchsia curiously. “And nor are you clearly. But you’re a decent bartender. We will look after you, I promise.”

Fuchsia looked away as she bit her lip. The last time she had heard that was back in Ponyville before she left.

“I don’t know about that. I’ve heard that line before Soarin,” Fuchsia growled slightly as she moved slightly on her old couch and the stallion sat unphased.

“Whoever said it to you isn’t me. I keep my promises, no matter what. Just give this a chance. Sure, you both were out of line but things happen. You game still?” Soarin hopefully held out a hoof and Fuchsia eyed it warily. “Wallflower spoke fondly of you. Says you’re a damn good sister and pony, just prickly and a bit rough around the edges. And the few times I’ve ordered drinks from you, you’ve proven you know your way around a bar.”

Fuchsia inhaled before giving a small, grateful smile and bumped her hoof against his.

“I’m game.”

What have I got myself into?

Blaze tore through the sky after Fleetfoot as the turquoise mare slammed her hind legs into a cloud, watching in slight satisfaction as it dissipated from sight.

“Fleetfoot!” Blaze panted and dropped down onto another cloud the other pony was preparing to buck into oblivion.

“Blaze? What are you doing here?” Fleetfoot gave her a confused look as she hovered with a raised eyebrow.

“Well, I was chasing you. You can get pretty damn destructive when mad after all. Especially when you’re alone so,” Blaze answered and pointed a hoof to some nearby weather ponies glaring at the two. “And you also kinda pissed off the weather team.”

“Oops,” Fleetfoot shrugged though she didn’t necessarily sound very sorry. “That fucking bitch.”

“Careful,” Blaze warned as Fleetfoot sat down on the cloud next to her. “That’s Wallflowers sister. You could hurt Wallflowers feelings and then Captain Spitfire would be on your flank faster than you can say onomatopoeia.” Fleetfoot gave her a confused look and Blaze sighed.

“Onomawhat?” Fleetfoot asked and Blaze dragged a hoof down her face in frustration.

“That’s irrelevant right now. I’ll give you a dictionary for your birthday or something.”

“That was last month. You got me a new hat.”

“Oh right,” Blaze blushed and rubbed her thigh with a hoof. “Well, there’s always Hearths Warming.” Fleetfoot hummed in response and glanced down at a river that some ponies were fishing at.

“I hate when ponies assume shit about me. Especially when they start to assume stuff about how I had an easy life or whatever. Soarin can verify, I spent most time as a filly at his house when mom had her uh, customers over at home. You’re a bit too young probably to remember how often I was at your house as a kid,” Fleetfoot flopped on her back and lazily started playing with some of the cloud as she started molding it into random shapes.

“I remember bits and pieces. Nothing too crazy. I mainly remember Lyra being over to play with Sunset.”

Blaze vividly remembered all the times Sunset and Lyra ran around Canterlot, raising all sorts of hell whenever and wherever they could. If she was being honest, it got worse once the two were adults and could go to bars. The two always seemed to egg each other on to do more crazier things than the last.

“I’m calmish now I think,” Fleetfoot interrupted Blaze’s internal musings. “Ish.”

“Hm,” Blaze muttered, clearly unconvinced as she watched her like a hawk. “Are you sure? I still remember the Manehatten incident like it was yesterday. You’re still banned from the Crystaller building for what you did.”

“Yeahhhhh,” Fleetfoot rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. Apparently having a spitting competition with Surprise from the top floor of said building was generally frowned upon. She still claims she won that competition to this day. “So what do you think of her?”

“Who, Fuchsia? She’s certainly unique and has a personality, that’s for sure. But she does know her way around a bar. And Soarin clearly likes her,” Blaze answered and started preening her wings absentmindedly as Fleetfoots face fell.

“O-oh. I see,” Fleetfoot turned away and sighed, kicking her cloud sculpture aside. “I’m done talking. Can we please just go somewhere else? Preferably to get absolutely shit faced.”

“Not tonight. You have to get the recruits up early for a early morning flight, remember?” Blaze reminded her and a Fleetfoot groaned before grinning wickedly. “Oh boy, you’re thinking of something.”

“Eeyup!”

Raindrops slept quietly in her bed, Dizzy’s quiet breathing the only sound in the dark room as they each slept soundly with a foreleg draped over each other. They hadn’t necessarily cared what bed they fell asleep in, opting for the first bed they saw.

Spitfire had been particularly hard on the recruits the previous day and the two pegasus both were exhausted from the exertion.

“Everypony up!” Fleetfoot pounded on the door and the two shot up before blushing as they realized how bad this would look of any of the others walked in. “And on the training grounds in uniform.”

“What time is it?” Dizzy rubbed her eyes as she and Raindrops hastily untangled themselves, the jasmine mare looking at the clock.

“Three forty five am,” Raindrops answered with a yawn and quickly flew to her own bed, messing up her bed and tilting the pillow to the side as Dizzy gave her a confused look. “So it looks like we slept separately. I’m straight, by the way.”

“Same. I sleep with my friends all the time. It’s cool,” Dizzy said dismissively and her eyes widened and she blushed as Raindrops started snickering. “N-not like that! That came out poorly!”

“I’d say so,” Raindrops chuckled as she and Dizzy started pulling their uniforms on as Dizzy hung her goggles around her neck.

“Dropsy. Your goggles,” Dizzy pointed and Raindrops paused before grabbing them.

“Thanks Dizz.”Raindrops slept quietly in her bed, Dizzy’s quiet breathing the only sound in the dark room as they each slept soundly with a foreleg draped over each other. They hadn’t necessarily cared what bed they fell asleep in, opting for the first bed they saw.

Spitfire had been particularly hard on the recruits the previous day and the two pegasus both were exhausted from the exertion.

“Everypony up!” Fleetfoot pounded on the door and the two shot up before blushing as they realized how bad this would look if any of the others walked in. “And on the training grounds in uniform.”

“What time is it?” Dizzy rubbed her eyes as she and Raindrops hastily untangled themselves, the jasmine mare looking at the clock.

“Three forty five am,” Raindrops answered with a yawn and quickly flew to her own bed, messing up her bed and tilting the pillow to the side as Dizzy gave her a confused look. “So it looks like we slept separately. I’m straight, by the way.”

“Same. I sleep with my friends all the time. It’s cool,” Dizzy said dismissively and her eyes widened and she blushed as Raindrops started snickering. “N-not like that! That came out poorly!”

“I’d say so,” Raindrops chuckled as she and Dizzy started pulling their uniforms on as Dizzy hung her goggles around her neck.

“Dropsy. Your goggles,” Dizzy pointed at a nightstand and Raindrops paused before grabbing them.

“Thanks Dizz.”

The two stumbled to the door after verifying both had their uniforms on straight and Dizzy flung the door open before the two galloped around some other recruits.

Fleetfoot seemed to have been in a poor mood all day and none of them really wanted to test her.

“Look who’s here early,” Fleetfoot gave them dirty looks as Raindrops and Dizzy both stood outside as Fleetfoot approached them with a bored expression. “What are you, a couple of over achievers?”

“No ma’am,” Raindrops answered and forced her legs to stay still as Fleetfoot stood a few feet away from her muzzle glaring at her. “Ma’am?”

“I hope you two know I’m really rooting for you. You two are easily a powerhouse together. Don’t expect me to be easy on either of you just because I like you two. I’m gonna be harder on you because of it,” Fleetfoot stepped back slightly as she watched the two give each other stunned looks.

“I guess we will see if we can handle it,” Dizzy declared and Fleetfoot gave a dry chuckle.

“I guess we, Cadet. I’m gonna ride you two hard as fuck so don’t expect any favoritism,” Fleetfoot warned with a emotionless expression. “And no fucking each other in my dorms. I know you two slept in the same bed because I saw through your window. I don’t care if you two date, just don’t get caught.”

“We weren’t doing that,” Dizzy mumbled with a red face as she kicked at the ground. “We’re just friends. Ma’am.”

“Sureeee,” Fleetfoot drawled with a grin as they both blushed harder. “And I’m Starswirl the bearded.”

“I swear, we weren’t!”

Fleetfoot opened her mouth to fire back a witty retort mixed with her usual attitude and dirty humor as the sounds of other ponies trotting over made her gulp.

“I don’t give a flying fuck, Cadets!” Fleetfoot shouted and the two jumped back. “You two will be doing laps if you give me that shit again, clear?”

“Yes ma’am!” Raindrops and Dizzy shouted in unison as a few other recruits snickered and Fleetfoot shot them dirty looks before winking at Dizzy and Raindrops.

“Did I give you all permission to laugh? I don’t recall saying so. You’re all lucky you’re gonna be flying with me for a evening flight or else you’d all be doing laps for that outburst, Cadet Sunny Storm,” Fleetfoot glared harshly at the stallion. “Where I go, you go. I dive, you dive. Time to impress me. If you can even keep up.”

“That was a bit weird,” Raindrops commented as she took off after Fleetfoot and glanced at Dizzy. “Right?”

“Right,” Dizzy confirmed with a nod. “Really weird. Why would she even tell us that?”

“Probably her weird way of encouraging us to keep going? These Wonderbolts are a bit weird in their own way,” Raindrops suggested as she and the others went into a dive to follow Fleetfoot. Raindrops hadn’t entirely expected the mare to be as fast as she was. “But now I’m worried. She’s pretty much gonna be actively singling us out now.”

Dizzy’s eyes widened as she gulped. She hadn’t even thought of that. If she wasn’t as tired as she was, maybe she would have. But not at almost four am.

“What have I gotten myself into? I heard after this, we’re being assigned to groups based on where we came from to go on patrol around that town. Maybe you’ll run into Wallflower,” Dizzy suggested and Raindrops shrugged.

“I hope so. Derpy did give me a letter to the mare. She and Wallflower are best friends. I don’t know why Wallflower up and left so fast. All of Ponyville liked her, especially Roseluck and the flower sisters. It’s just all so confusing to me.”

“Same. But I bet we can get some answers if we find her.”

Raindrops did a barrel roll as she copied Fleetfoot, internally hoping Dizzy was right.

Facing the past

Wallflower started her morning how she always did: Wake up, use bathroom, feed Rufus, water plants, do her normal yoga workout in the garden as she listened to her loud rock music her neighbors hated with a passion.

“Easy boy,” Wallflower giggled as Rufus stood on his hind to lick her cheek. “I love you too. Good puppo.”

Rufus was a brown Germane shepherd with white spots and brown eyes. He was pretty close to Wallflowers height and the only she suspected the only reason she didn’t fall over when he jumped up on her was her earth pony strength keeping her in place.

“The back door is open. I gotta go to work,” Wallflower continued rubbing his head with a hoof and stifled a laugh as his tongue hung out and he started kicking his hindleg. “And remember, don’t hurt anypony who breaks in too bad. If they chose to at least. If they go after our plants, show no mercy.”

“Woof!”

“That’s right, woof!” Wallflower giggled and kissed his forehead again. “Stay out of trouble.”

“Woof!”

“Woof woof,” Wallflower muttered under her breath and trotted outside as the door shut behind her. “Oh boy.”

She ducked as Surprise flew over head, crashing into a tree as Wallflower uncovered her head to stare at the mare currently trying to untangle herself from the branches.

“Surprise!” Surprise snickered and Wallflower continued to stare. “You’ve really gotten good at this game of knowing when I’m coming. I’m gonna have to change things up.”

“I heard your screaming first. How are you?”

“Good except I’m stuck in a tree, you?” Surprise answered as Wallflower trotted to the back of her house. “Hey, where are you going? Don’t leave me here!”

Wallflower ignored the protesting mare as she lifted up the ladder she held on the side of her house and carried it back to Surprise.

“Oh. I see.”

Wallflower hummed as she leaned the ladder against the tree trunk, inhaling nervously as she laid a hoof on the first step before she started pulling herself up it.

“How did you even get this stuck?” Wallflower grumbled as she started tugging on one of Surprise’s hindlegs. “It wasn’t this bad when I left. It was only like, five seconds.”

“Stop! You’re gonna break my wing!” Surprise yelped and Wallflower froze. “Can you get Twilight or something? Sunset, Watermelody?”

“It’ll take too long. Try breaking some of the branches- woah!” Wallflower screamed as she fell off the ladder.

“Wallflower? You okay?” Surprise asked and tried to look back down at her.

“She’s good.” Wallflower stared up with wide eyes at the pegasi as Raindrops and Sassaflash caught her before she hit the ground. “I’m not even gonna bother asking how she got in the tree. Uh, hey Wallflower.”

“Raindrops,” Wallflower muttered and spun part of her mane around her hoof as she looked behind Raindrops and Sassaflash to see Cloudkicker, White Lightning, Sprinkle Medley, Parasol, Merry May and Dizzy Twister in blue and yellow uniforms with a few stallions. “H-hi?”

“Aren’t you all supposed to be on patrol?” Surprise gave them flat looks as Sprinkle Medley and Merry May started untangling her wings. “And not harassing an element of harmony?”

“Element of what?” Parasol asked and jumped as Rufus jumped against Wallflowers door as the dog snarled at them. “Waaah!”

“Cute dog,” White Lightning grinned at the angry dog and Rufus growled at her. “I love me some Germane shepherds. Who’s a good boy?”

Wallflower watched with a surprised expression as her dog quit barking. The only ponies her dog responded to were the elements, Fuchsia, her sisters and the Wonderbolts. He didn’t necessarily like strangers.

“Can I uhm help you?” Wallflower asked finally as Raindrops and the others all looked at each other.

“We uh we were looking for you actually,” Dizzy Twister answered with a small smile. “We all remember you from Ponyville and uh we wanted to invite you out to dinner with us. Catch up and all.”

Wallflower looked surprised again as she glanced at Surprise. The white pegasus gave her an encouraging nod with a grin. Wallflower hadn’t really expected this conversation when she woke up today.

“You can bring a friend too if you want. I know you’re not the most outgoing pony,” Merry May added as the green mare brushed her mane with a hoof.

“Sure,” Wallflower answered finally and shifted her weight as Surprise gave her a proud smile. “Uhm where and when?”

“I’ll put in a word with Captain Spitfire. She likes me well enough,” Surprise added as she spit out a leaf. “Thanks for getting me out rookies.”

“Anytime ma’am,” Cloudkicker saluted her before turning to Wallflower. “You know this place better than us. You can pick. Is Fuchsia around still?”

“Mhm. She’s with Fleetfoot, Soarin and Blaze hammering out details about the bar they’re opening,” Wallflower answered dismissively and waved a hoof. “Uhm, we can meet at the Fish Shack. I’m not entirely fond of fish but you’re all pegasi so.”

“Nah, go to Pizza Slut,” Surprise chimed in and received a bunch of confused looks. “What?”

“Never thought I’d hear my superior officer say slut,” Parasol mumbled with a blush. “And I’m fairly certain they changed the name to Pizza King because of the name.”

“Oh. Anyway, go there. They have fish pizza,” Surprise wiped some drool off her mouth.

“Can you come with me?” Wallflower asked as she faced the white mare. “I don’t really want to be alone. I was gonna ask Watermelody too.”

“Yeah sure,” Surprise shrugged and fluttered her wings for a few moments. “You all should probably get back to work. Believe me when I say Spitfire will not be happy with you all if you don’t.”

The other pegasi paled and took off down the street excluding Raindrops and Dizzy as the jasmine pegasus pulled a letter out of her pocket and held it out to Wallflower.

“It’s from Derpy. She asked me to give it to you if I ever saw you here. I didn’t read it but she does miss you a lot,” Raindrops smiled slightly as Wallflower took it and she gave a nod before flying away with Dizzy.

Wallflower bit it and ripped the envelope open as she pulled the letter out, unfolding it as she scanned the paper.

Dear Wallflower,

Hopefully Dropsy managed to get you this. I would have mailed it directly to you, but I don’t have your address. Mine is on the front of the envelope and at the bottom of the letter so we can write each other. I miss you a lot. Dinky and Amethyst do too. Dinky was asking about when Aunt Wallflower would be coming for a visit. You should come over soon.

I hope your doing well. Lyra told me she got a letter from one of her classmates talking about you. Something about how you helped save the world? We definitely gotta talk about that at some point. I heard you’re something called an element of harmony? I think that’s what Lyra said her friend called them.

Work is fairly well. Oh! Roseluck was asking about you last week. We gotta talk about them too. Cheerilee is doing well as is Berry, Cherry and Ruby. They said they missed you and Fuchsia a lot. Time Turner is going crazy trying new inventions in his lab. I’m writing this at work so I gotta quit this one fairly short. I hope to see you soon.

Love, Derpy. (And Dinky because she wanted to say bye.)

Wallflower finished reading and smiled slightly as she hugged the letter to her chest. She secretly felt like an idiot for completely forgetting to give Derpy her address. Some friend I am, Wallflower thought to herself as she internally cursed herself out.

She internally made a reminder to write a letter when she got home after she seached for Watermelody.

“Are you asking me out on a date or what is this?” Watermelody asked as she shoved some bits into her bag as she flipped her sign to closed. “I’m flattered, but I don’t swing that way Wallie.”

Wallflower spit out her water she had brought and Watermelody burst out laughing as Wallflower turned a bright red.

“It’s not like that. I mean, you’re attractive and all but I’m straight so,” Wallflower crossed her legs and Watermelody grinned again.

“Oh believe me, I know all about that. With your looks, I bet you got all the ponies lining up at your door,” Watermelody nudged her fellow earth pony and winked. “Been there, done that. And them, of course.”

“Oh my Celestia,” Wallflower hid her face and Watermelody laughed before flinging a foreleg around Wallflower.

“So what’s up?” Watermelody asked and Wallflower shifted to look up at the sky. “Let’s go sit down. Feel like we might need it.”

Watermelody continued nudging Wallflower towards a bench before she flung herself onto it, pausing to adjust her beret.

“So what’s going on? You’re normally a bit more talkative around me,” Watermelody pointed out as Wallflower wrapped her tail around herself.

“So some ponies from Ponyville are here. They’re becoming Wonderbolts.”

“Right,” Watermelody nodded as she glanced up at the clouds. “I’ve been seeing a lot more of them around recently.”

“Right. And uh, they asked me to go to dinner with them because they know me.”

“I see,” Watermelody said as she rested her hooves in her lap. “You gonna go?”

“I don’t know. My history in Ponyville was complicated to say the least. Felt like I was always invisible so to speak. Most ponies never saw me other than my sisters and Derpy. But now that I have actual friends, more ponies have been seeing me. It’s awkward to be honest,” Wallflower and tilted her head to look at Watermelody. “I was going to ask you to come with me. Fuchsia and Surprise will be there but I kinda wanted you to be with me.”

“Really?”

Wallflower nodded as Watermelody stared at her. Wallflower was probably the pony Watermelody had spent the least amount of time with. Watermelody was more outgoing and dramatic whereas Wallflower was much more reserved than Watermelody ever would be.

“Yeah sure. Just tell me when and where. If you start to feel uncomfortable, we can always leave I suppose. I thought you didn’t like me much because of how different we are,” Watermelody admitted and Wallflower gave her a confused look.

“No. You’re my friend. I just don’t really know how to go about talking to you to be honest. You have a lot of varied hobbies,” Wallflower answered and Watermelody nodded. Watermelody probably had the most varied interests outside of all the Elements. From theater to painting to napping. “I’m sorry.”

“What for?”

“Uh for making you think we weren’t friends. Isn’t apologizing what good friends do?” Wallflower asked and Watermelody burst out laughing before nodding.

“Yeah it is. You got nothing to apologize for. I’ll probably be utterly smashed by the end of the night so if you could take me home, that’d be greatly appreciated.”

Wallflower gave a subtle smile her way. She had heard all about how Watermelody liked to get drunk. She was there when Twilight had mentioned how Watermelody had kissed her, after all. She’d be lying if she still didn’t find it funny.

“Anyway it’s gonna be at Pizza King. I can come get you so you don’t gotta walk alone.”

Watermelody gave a nod. She was originally planning on saying she could walk herself but she decided not to. She assumed it was just Wallflower stalling. She liked walking with other ponies so she had no problem with that idea.

Wallflower sat quietly with Watermelody, Fuchsia and Surprise crammed next to her in a small booth as the ponies she had meet in the day sat in front of her. Watermelody and Surprise had done the most talking for her, which she was immensely grateful for.

“So Wallflower straight up started beating her with a whole stick just for destroying her garden. And she’s the Element of Kindness!” Watermelody laughed and flung a foreleg around her. “That right there told me to never fuck with Wallflower. Especially not her garden.”

Wallflower blushed as she received a bunch of stunned looks.

“So we have you both to thank for saving the world really. I remember that day. Hell, I spent half of the time searching for a royal guard to report to,” Cloudkicker chuckled and dangled a piece of pizza above her open mouth. “I always did wonder what happened after. I didn’t entirely expect a whole new princess to come out of that.”

“None of us did,” Fuchsia commented and eyed them suspiciously. “How’s Berry, Cherry, Cheerilee and Ruby doing?”

“They are all doing good. They miss both of you obviously. They’re always talking about you. News about the elements haven’t really reached all of Equestria. The only reason they said they were proud of you is because Derpy told them about what happened apparently,” Sassaflash swallowed her pizza and smiled slightly. “You are all they talked about after it. Roseluck and her sisters are too.”

“Why would Roseluck care?” Fuchsia cut in with a confused frown. “She doesn’t even really know us.”

“Talk to Derpy. She and Time Turner want to tell you themselves,” Raindrops answered after a moment of silence. “It wouldn’t be right for us to tell you.”

Fuchsia examined the jasmine mare with an unreadable expression long enough to make the mare to start sweating nervously. Fuchsia always made Raindrops slightly uncomfortable, as if she knew everything about you even if you didn’t know she knew.

“Okay,” Fuchsia relented her stare and relaxed slightly. “We have been planning on a trip back recently.”

“Can I come?” Watermelody asked hopefully as she set down her seventh beer. Or eighth. She had long since last track of how many she’s had.

“Up to Fuchsia,” Wallflower looked at her older sister who gave a brief nod.

“I wanted to invite all of my sisters friends but I’m not well liked. I was going to let her bring up the topic,” Fuchsia explained and Watermelody yawned before leaning against Wallflower.

“Oh this is cool. I get to see Pinkie Pie! Yippie!” Surprise cheered and the table jumped slightly. “Best cousin reunion ever!”

“Oh boy. Now we have a flying version of Pinkie Pie,” Dizzy mumbled under her breath as the others all laughed. Truly a terrifying thought if she was being honest.

“Eeyup!” Surprise giggled as she popped up from under the table and booped her on the nose, causing her eyes to cross.

“You okay?” Watermelody asked quietly in Wallflowers ear. “Let us know if they get annoying and I’ll put them in their place.”

“Thanks Water. You’re a pretty good element of loyalty,” Wallflower smiled at her and Watermelody blushed as she rubbed the back of her head.

“You’re making me blush,” Watermelody muttered and Wallflower gave a quiet laugh behind a hoof. “I try to be.”

Wallflower playfully nuzzled the mare as Watermelody continued to blush a pink color, ignoring the others watching.

Maybe High Winds made a mistake the other day teaching Wallflower how to flirt, Watermelody thought to herself.

Watermelody took another sip of her beet before slamming face first into the table and passed out.

Author's Note

Name: Sassaflash.

Age: 29.

Nickname: Sassy, Sass, Flash, Gem, Bolts.

Motto: Never abuse power for personal gain.

Bio: Sassaflash is a pegasus pony who often spends most of her time with her best friend and partner, Sea Swirl. She is the former marefriend of Caramel and the two ended things on good terms, remaining friends to this day as Sassaflash moved from Ponyville to continue being a Wonderbolt. She is from Las Pegasus and knows the city like the back of her hoof. She's an avid bowler and is always up for a friendly game. She often takes part in bowling competitions around Equestria. Sassaflash took part in defending Canterlot with her squad of Wonderbolts. She is one of the few Wonderbolts who fought against one of the higher ranking Changelings. She was against Tirek and was unconscious for the rest of his rampage. She joined the rest of the Wonderbolts in grieving after the loss of one of their own.

Allies: Spitfire, Caramel, Big Mac, Sea Swirl, Lyra, Bon Bon, Sunset, Blaze, Wonderbolts, Watermelody, Wallflower, High Winds, Twilight, Spike, Fuchsia, Berry Punch, Cheerilee, White Lightning, Sprinkle Medley, Parasol, Merry May, Dizzy Twister, Raindrops, Noteworthy, Soarin, Wave Chill, Time Turner, Derpy, Dinky, Amethyst Star.

Enemies: Chrysalis, Tirek, Sludge, Changelings, Stormy Flare, Wind Rider.

Abilities: Sassaflash is physically very strong. She is good at math and problem solving in general. She is good at flying and often can be found breaking the sound barrier miles above her chosen town.

Weakness: None.

Notable quotes:

"Why do we have a pinball machine in the briefing room?"

"Ooh a seven ten split. Hardest spare in bowling."

"Woah, a three ring. He bowled a perfect game. We should go and bowl a game for him."

"What is with you all?"

"Oh boy."

"Ow."

Temporary Replacement

Watermelody groaned quietly and smacked her dry lips together as a wet tongue started to lick her cheek as she forced her eyes open, wincing at the sunlight coming through the pale green curtains.

She stared at a large Germane Shepherds brown eyes staring back at her curiously before licking her again.

“What in Celestia’s name?” Watermelody mumbled and pushed herself back. She slowly realized the blankets above her followed by a soft pillow under her head. “Where am I?”

“My house,” Wallflower answered with a small smile from a chair across from her. “Good morning.”

“Good morning. Now how did I end up here exactly?” Watermelody asked and pushed down vomit as she locked eyes with the dog. “I woke up with him licking my face. I didn’t fu-”

“No, not at all!” Wallflower waved her forelegs around in front of her a bright red face. “Nothing like that. Rufus is fixed so even if you did nothing would happen except me being really, really mad at you. I don’t even know why you’d do that with a dog in the first place.”

“I never would!” Watermelody shot back and turned green at the mere thought. “Can we please change the topic? To literally anything else.”

“Gladly. Well, you got really drunk and drank Surprise under the table. Honestly, you could probably rival my sister in a drinking competition though I don’t it. Berry Punch has a strong liver and stomach. Anyway, you passed out on the table and I carried you home with White Lightning and Raindrops. Sassaflash and Dizzy took Surprise to her place,” Wallflower explained and Watermelody grimaced.

That explains my pounding head.

“Do you want some water?” Wallflower asked as Watermelody sat up with a groan. “I take that as a yes. Be right back.”

Wallflower exited the room as Watermelody stared at the ceiling before closing her eyes, the pounding in her head making her internally regret challenging Surprise to a drinking competition.

“Hey,” Wallflower nudged her after setting down the glass and some pills. “It’s been ten minutes. Wake wakey.”

“Urghhh,” Watermelody groaned and sat up again. “Thanks Wallie.”

“Anytime. So uh,” Wallflower laid on the cool hardwood floors on her stomach and stretched out. “Other than go to plays and paint, what do you like to do?”

“I usually just hit up the clubs,” Watermelody tapped a hoof against her chin before she downed the water and pills. “Being an artist isn’t glamorous as many think. It doesn’t make a lot of bits. I very briefly danced in a club to help make some money to get along in my art career.”

“Really?” Wallflower gave her a skeptical look. She didn’t really pay attention to papers or well, anything really outside her friends and her plants but she did know Watermelody’s parents names. They were quite well known in the Manehatten stock markets, after all. Most ponies didn’t get far in Manehatten without having interacted with them at least once. “I’ve heard of your parents. Couldn’t you have just borrowed bits from them?”

“My Ma and Pa are unique ponies. They never really approved of my art career,” Watermelody admitted and looked away with a sad smile before holding up a hoof to stall Wallflower from speaking. “Don’t get me wrong, they love me and I love them. They gave me everything as a filly I’d need to succeed as an adult. Good education and stuff. They still send me letters all the time and I send them letters back. They wanted me to follow in their hoofsteps and well, being a stock broker wasn’t me. Hell, you see my cutie mark. It’s a music note. That’s not related to being a stock broker.”

“Well, yeah. My mom wasn’t really a good pony herself,” Wallflower commented and closed her eyes briefly. “She was annoying to say the least. She pretty much was always out with different stallions or mares often leaving us at home to fend for ourselves. Cherry and Cheerilee looked out for me and Berry a lot.”

“I wish I could relate. At least you had them, right?” Watermelody offered weakly as she flattened her ears against her head.

“I guess.”

“So uh do you like to sing? I love singing,” Watermelody smiled weakly. She didn’t necessarily want to make the other mare feel awkward, especially considering the family topic was tense.

“Sometimes when I’m alone. Singing is okay. I don’t think I’m too good at it in all honesty,” Wallflower admitted as Watermelody gave her a doubtful look.

“Well, sing me a song. I’ll be the judge. It’ll be like one of those shows we always hear about, ya know?”

“Sorry but no. Maybe another time when I’m not super worried about ponies outside hearing. Some came knocking on my door before and tried to hire me for some school as a teacher. Obviously, I ran away.”

“From your own house?” Watermelody pointed out with a raised eyebrow as Wallflower blushed before nodding. “Why didn’t you just run inside instead of away?”

“Ya know, I don’t know.”

“Mind if I stay for a bit?”

Wallflower paused for a moment and smiled finally.

“I’d like that.”

“This,” Spitfire proclaimed and waved a hoof at the machine in front of the assembled pegasi. “Is called the Dizzatron. It’s goal is to get you very, very dizzy. After fifteen seconds, you’ll be released from the safety belt inside and sent twirling through out the sky. Your job is to regain control and land back here. If you don’t regain, we have two ponies with clouds to catch you.”

Parasol looked at it nervously and gulped as Spitfire walked down the row of ponies, eyeing them each before pausing and staring at her.

“You. Get in the Dizzatron,” Spitfire ordered and pointed a hoof as Parasol looked past her nervously. “Now!”

Parasol gulped again and fluttered over to it as Fleetfoot helped her in.

“You’ll be fine. If you don’t regain control, Lightning and Fire Streak will catch you, okay?” Fleetfoot said casually and adjusted the other mare briefly. “Now just sit there. It’s enchanted to release when the lever is pulled, okay?”

“Did you do this?” Parasol asked and looked down at the ground.

“Yeah we all did. Sunchaser currently holds the academy record for it. Now good luck,” Fleetfoot winked and flew back to join Spitfire. “She’s good.”

Spitfire nodded and gave Twilight a nod as the unicorn pulled a lever. She had spent hours reading the instruction manuel. It was pretty straight forward. Parasol spun around in a circle as she resisted the urge to vomit.

“Release!”

Twilight’s magic pulled the lever at Spitfire’s orders as Parasol launched out and went spinning as Spitfire watched intently as the pale yellow mare recovered and landed in front of her stumbling.

“Nice work. Twenty five seconds,” Spitfire glanced at her stop watch. “Go stand next to Fleetfoot.”

Parasol hid her grin as she joined the turquoise mare as Spitfire pointed at Merry May.

“Next!”

Raindrops and Dizzy watched as each pegasus got chosen before them as they each either came to a stop on their hooves and slammed onto the ground, a few occasionally landing in the safety net.

“Raindrops, you’re up!” Spitfire called out and the jasmine mare bumped hooves with Dizzy before flying with Fleetfoot to the machine and getting pushed inside.

“Oh sweet Celestia,” Raindrops whispered and held on as she started spinning around.

“Release!”

Raindrops went flying head over hooves and stopped after a few turns, flying back down and sliding around as she tried to stop in front of Spitfire.

“Landing was shit but you did well. Work on your landing more,” Spitfire glanced at her. “Fifteen seconds. Not bad. Dizzy, get up there. You’re the last one.”

Raindrops turned to watch with her friend with a smile. If anypony could do well at this, it was her. Dizzy held onto the metal bar and started spinning around as the group watched.

Raindrops was starting to get Dizzy just watching as Spitfire ordered her to be released and Dizzy went flying.

“Oh shit,” Spitfire whispered as Dizzy hastily spread her wings as the mare screamed and started to plummet. “Dizzy! Hang on!”

Spitfire took off and jumped slightly at the yellow blur past her as she and Fleetfoot both stared with wide eyes.

“Was that Raindrops?” Fleetfoot asked as the mare caught Dizzy with the two behind her followed by some other Ponyville ponies.

“Looked like it. She’s never been that fast before.”

Raindrops stared at Dizzy as the two landed and Fleetfoot gave the orange mare a worried look.

“Broken wing it looks like,” Merry May noted as she examined the wing hanging limply. “Probably from when she smacked it on the machine. Her trying to fly is what did it in.”

“Shut that stupid thing down,” Spitfire snapped at Fleetfoot and Twilight. “Nopony has ever been hurt like this by it. I don’t want it used till we figure out why it happened now.”

“Yes ma’am!” Fleetfoot saluted hastily.

“Have Twilight look at it. She’s smart. And somepony take Dizzy to medical please,” Spitfire jerked her head to the looming white building.

“Am I getting out?” Dizzy asked worriedly as Raindrops shifted to place her on her back.

“No you’re not,” Spitfire answered and hung her sunglasses around her neck. “Once you’re cleared in medical, you’ll be helping me do paperwork and cooking if they let you. Nice save Raindrops.”

“Thanks. She’d have done it for me,” Raindrops blushed slightly and nuzzled her friend. “You’re way strong than me Dizz.”

“Is Raindrops getting kicked out? She has no wing pony. I don’t want her screwed over because my injury,” Dizzy scoffed and Spitfire frowned with Twilight.

“I’ll give you a temporary replacement. You’ll be with Whiplash till Dizzy here recovers. Everything you do to help me will be counted as training,” Spitfire patted Dizzy with a hoof. “Focus on healing. Use this as a lesson. Even Wonderbolts get hurt.”

“Yes ma’am!” Dizzy nodded and tried to salute as Spitfire shook her head and pointed at her wing sternly. “Oh. Right.”

Spitfire watched Raindrops and Merry May walk away with Dizzy wincing as Spitfire glanced at Twilight with a worried expression.

“We gotta figure out why that happened. Only a few ponies have been hurt on the Dizzatron and it’s not something I like to have happen. Especially on my watch.”

“Agreed,” Twilight shifted her weight nervously and glanced back at Fleetfoot and another Wonderbolt covering the Dizzatron with a tarp and a red x mark on it. “Glad she wasn’t killed.”

“Me too,” Spitfire exhaled. “Me too.”

Stupid wings

Dizzy experimentally lifted her wing with a scowl and wince before she folded them at her side. Or well, folded one of them. The other was still in it’s cast. She idly spun around in her chair for a few moments before picking up another stack of papers. Stupid wings, Dizzy thought bitterly with a sigh.

“You know, messing with it only will make it take longer to heal right?” Spitfire commented dryly as she pressed a hoof into an pot of ink before placing her hoof on a letter.

“Sorry Captain.”

“Don’t apologize to me. Just don’t do it again,” Spitfire wiped her hoof off on a towel and sighed. “If you like this better, you can do this full time. I need an assistant.”

“No offense ma’am but this is boring. I’d rather be out there flying,” Dizzy gestured outside and Spitfire smirked at her.

“Good answer. This is boring as shit but necessary. Like this letter,” Spitfire held up one. “Is from a kid in Rainbow Falls that has a fatal disease that I’ll be meeting next week. It’s one of the few times I like opening letters.” Dizzy stared for a moment before her eyes glanced away.

“You like being sad?” Dizzy tilted her head in confusion and Spitfire shrugged.

“Reminds me I have more emotions than just anger. Anger issues runs in the family,” Spitfire answered and started writing down on a piece of paper. “Some ponies say my sister and I are on the same level of anger. Only difference is mane color, eye color and cutie mark. And the horn.”

“Uh no offense, but I can confirm you are terrifying. Lieutenant Fleetfoot and Commander Soarin scare me too. And I thought he was the quiet one.”

“Who, Soar?” Spitfire snickered and slid her sunglasses onto her desk. “He’s one of them. The Streak twins are pretty quiet.”

“Hm. Commander Soarin can be loud when he wants to be. He scared me and Raindrops senseless,” Dizzy admitted as she slid a folder into a filing cabinet. “Hey, what’s in the cupboard?”

“Whiskey. Some opened, some unopened. And you can’t have any. It’s for special occasions,” Spitfire shot her a smirk. “Sorry Cadet.”

“I don’t drink anyway so,” Dizzy turned away and yawned. “Not anymore at least.”

“We have some Wonderbolts like that. I think Rapidfire hates alcohol. He’s super religious and all, church every Sunday.”

“And you guys don’t care?” Dizzy asked with a surprised expression. “Huh.”

“We’re ponies just like you. Why would we care if he is into drinking water and eating bread during some weird sacrament thing? We all went one year because it was his father’s funeral right after. It was a bit uncomfortable but I have to admit, he looked nice in a suit and tie,” Spitfire looked outside and sighed.

“Something on your mind, ma’am?”

“No.”

Dizzy nodded and retreated to the spare desk Spitfire had allowed her to use till she was fully healed. It was a bit crammed but Dizzy was fairly certain it wouldn’t be once she was able to fly again and Spitfire had the other desk out.

“Dizzy, why did you want to become a Wonderbolt?”

“Uh well I guess why not? I’ve always been a good flyer and well, it pays more bits than any other job. I’ve always liked helping ponies and you guys do that a lot.”

“I see,” Spitfire hummed and raised an eyebrow with an unreadable expression. “Really. What’s the reason?”

“I don’t know fully. I knew what the Wonderbolts represented and I guess I wanted to be apart of that. A lot of ponies look up to you all and not just pegasi. Earth ponies and unicorns too. There’s this kid in Ponyville who does crazy tricks with her scooter. She has a wing deformity but she doesn’t give a damn. She’s going places,” Dizzy grinned slightly before looking away. “I’m super proud of her.”

“Why be proud of a random kid?” Spitfire asked in confusion and looked up again. “Why exactly are you looking like you’re gonna be crying or some shit?”

“Well,” Dizzy scuffed a hoof and shrugged. “She’s my kid but Scoots has no idea.” Spitfire sat up straighter with wide eyes before rolling a hoof in the air.

“Carry on. This sounds like a story I’m interested in,” Spitfire commented and glanced at the files in her desk. Naturally, she had files on every Wonderbolt and recruit. But Dizzy’s said absolutely nothing about a kid. “If she’s there, who’s watching her?”

“Whoever is at work at the orphanage. I don’t really like talking about this. Only my closest friends know so I shouldn’t be even talking about it,” Dizzy sighed and Spitfire shook her head. “I can’t tell her. Not yet till I’ve proven to myself I can be what Scoots needs.”

“Spit it out. I’m your Captain, it’s my job to worry about you even if you don’t want me to. I worry about all my cadets and teammates. So speak.”

“Well, her dad kinda you know,” Dizzy made a cutting motion across her neck and Spitfire nodded slowly.

“So dead,” Spitfire mused and Dizzy nodded. “You have my sympathies.”

“Thanks. Anyway, I got super you know, depressed afterwards. I didn’t really know how well of a parent I’d be on my own. Especially with trying to provide for me and her, keep a job and pay rent was stressful. So I opted to give her up so she could have somewhat of a better life than I could give her. She has friends and is super optimistic. She’s turned out well,” Dizzy admitted and looked outside. “Some days I regret my decision. I regret it a lot, believe me.”

“Sometimes, it takes a lot of love to admit you can’t take care of a kid. I know some of my Bolts who had family like that,” Spitfire answered and Dizzy shrugged. “You can always adopt her and tell her the truth after. I can’t guarantee you’ll always see her once you become a Wonderbolt. I only get a few days off, after all.”

“Maybe. My friends will be so pissed at me. I never told them. Only two or three ponies in town know.”

“They’re your friends. I’m not the best at friendship but I’m fairly certain they’d understand. You all seemed tightly knit when you got here. You and Shampoo have gotten along well too,” Spitfire pointed out dryly. “Twilight is pretty decent at being the friendship expert. I’d go to her when you can.”

Dizzy gave her a confused look and Spitfire bit back a remark. She should have known not many ponies from outside town would know who Twilight was.

“Purple unicorn. One of Princess Celestia’s students and element of harmony. Nice mare,” Spitfire clarified and Dizzy gulped.

“One of her students? Who’s the other?”

“My sister,” Spitfire answered proudly and glanced at a picture of her, Sunset and Blaze on the wall. “And by the way, you’re gonna make a damn fine Wonderbolt. If you survive Hell Week of course.”

“Hell Week?” Dizzy looked worriedly at her and Spitfire grinned widely.

“Oh yeah. We’ve all been through it. I forgot you can’t attend it this time because you can’t fly but you’ll be getting up with the others early. You can watch. Now I want you to go find your friends and tell them what you told me. That’s an order, Cadet.”

“Yes ma’am,” Dizzy started to salute and Spitfire held up a hoof, pointing at her wing. “Oh. Right. Injured stupid wing.”

“Mhm.”

Dizzy flung herself down on her bed as Raindrops finished listening to the orange mare, idly tapping a hoof against her chin.

“That explains a lot,” Raindrops said finally and looked at her. “You and Scootaloo are both orange. Both pegasi. Both have purplish eyes. Yours are more rose colored though. I’m not surprised.”

“Yeah I suppose. She’s a good kid,” Dizzy agreed and Raindrops nodded. Raindrops was pretty wary of Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. Those three caused chaos wherever they went. There’s a reason Ponyville has insurance for whatever damage they cause. “Sorry.”

“S’all good. You just meet me at the beginning of the month anyway. How’s your wing?” Raindrops eyed the bandaged wing. “I broke my wing once in a tornado from the Everfree trying to break it apart. Got stuck in a tree with Cloudkicker.”

“I remember that,” Dizzy snickered and Raindrops rolled her eyes before stifling a yawn. “Photo Shoot took a picture of it. I was there that night. That was a wild shift.”

Raindrops simply snorted in response. Wild in her eyes was an understatement. Half of Ponyville had left the town when they heard about said tornado. Hell, Raindrops herself was worried about her own house if they didn’t break it apart. She hated the Everfree with a burning passion. Place wasn’t normal.

“You know, I bet she’d be bouncing off the walls if she found out where you were,” Raindrops commented and pulled her blanket over her. “Scootaloo is obsessed with the Wonderbolts. I blame Rainbow Dash for that one. You can always use that for your benefit, Dizz.”

“Maybe,” Dizzy mumbled and looked down in thought as Raindrops shut off her lamp on her nightstand. “Night Dropsy.”

“Night Dizz.”

Dizzy watched the other pegasus shift in her bed before breathing quietly as Dizzy quietly pulled out a quill and piece of paper from her saddlebags.

Dizzy glanced at Raindrops sleeping form and inhaled, beginning to write.

Cheaters never prosper

Raindrops sat in on a bench as she idly listened to Dizzy telling they’re mutual friends about the secret daughter thing. Parasol and Cloudkicker seemed the most mad out of the group. Raindrops personally opted to stay quiet unless Dizzy asked her to speak.

“I thought you trusted me,” Parasol said finally and shifted in her seat. “We’ve known each other for years yet you tell her-” Parasol jabbed a hoof at Raindrops who continued eating. “Before you even told me?”

Raindrops pushed down her anger and kept eating. Raindrops was fairly well known for her explosive anger that rarely came out. She didn’t get angry often but when she did, most ponies tended to listen or stay away. Dizzy shot her an apologetic look and spoke before she could.

“She’s my lead pony and she was there at the time. She needed to know first. And I do trust you Parry,” Dizzy answered and rested a hoof on the light yellow mares back. “And Raindrops deserved to know. I trust her just as much as I trust you all. She’s a good mare and a good friend.”

Raindrops and Dizzy smiled at each other as they both gave subtle nods to each other.

“Obviously not enough to tell us about your daughter,” Cloudkicker scoffed and looked away. “You’re only thirty three so you were-”

“Twenty six when I had Scootaloo. Fluffy Wings uh passed a few months before then,” Dizzy idly pushed her breakfast around her tray. “It was a difficult time. I didn’t really go out during the entire time I was with her. Of course, Rainbow Dash knew what was up so I got to keep my job.”

“Does she know?” Sassaflash asked with a raised eyebrow and Dizzy nodded slowly. “What?”

“She looks after Scootaloo for me. I tag along often. When I can’t go with, she always tells me how she’s doing. Cheerilee talks to me about her school work,” Dizzy explained and White Lightning nodded along. “You and Sprinkle understand. Scootaloo is pretty close with your kid.”

“Cotton Cloudy does like her a lot,” White Lightning admitted after a moment. “You do know we would have helped look after her, right? Hell, I attended your husbands funeral.”

“You’re right. I’m stupid as Tartarus,” Dizzy buried her face in her hooves as the group collectively glared at Parasol and Cloudkicker.

“Nice going,” Banana grumbled quietly and rolled his eyes. While the desert tan stallion didn’t really know Dizzy that well, he did admire her fairly well. She was nice to him the few times they talked. “Now she’s gonna in a piss poor mood for days.”

Cloudkicker and Parasol gave each other sheepish logs before they both sighed, Parasol jerking her head towards Dizzy.

“You can always make it right,” Cloudkicker suggested and Dizzy eyed her behind a hoof. “After this, adopt her. Then you can either tell her the truth or not, up to you. I’d personally tell her though.”

Dizzy hummed in response and Cloudkicker shot Parasol a look that screamed help me.

“Whitey had a point. I would have personally helped with Scootaloo if needed. She’s pretty impressive actually,” Parasol smiled and nuzzled Dizzy. “Those scooter tricks are nuts. I’m still offering to help look after her. You’re my friend, after all.”

“After this, I might see about it. If they let me. I was stupid,” Dizzy slammed a hoof against her face and Sprinkle Medley scowled at her.

“I hate when my friends say that about each other. You were in a difficult situation and had lost your husband then had a kid. I don’t think any of us judge you too badly for that decision. Sometimes, the hardest thing to do is give up. But it takes a certain amount of love to admit you can’t take care of a life. You can’t take care of somepony else until you get yourself right,” Sprinkle lectured and fluttered her wings as the Wonderbolts eavesdropped from their own table.

“She has a point,” Wave Chill said after a moment. “Can she even have a kid and be a Bolt?”

“Well yeah. More than a few have kids in our ranks. Most have families or had families. Hell, Silver Zoom has a kid,” Sun Chaser answered with a yawn. “It’s too early.”

“Agreed. I haven’t seen Captain Spitfire all morning. That’s not like her,” Lightning Streak shook his head.

“She’s helping Watermelody and Twilight with something. She’ll be out all day,” Soarin answered. “I have a class to teach. Big test apparently that Twilight came up with.”

“Oh boy. They’re in trouble,” Misty commented with a laugh as she noted High Winds absence. “Where’s High Winds? Helping Twilight?”

“Yep. Apparently all of the Elements are. Don’t know about what but it’s apparently important. Probably that weekly letter deal,” Blaze waved a spork around with a wing. “Good luck Soarin. You’ll need it.”

Soarin had a feeling she was right. He’d much rather be flying or setting up details about his bar. But they only had three more weeks till the academy trainings were done and he trusted Fuchsia to set up the layout. After all, she was the one who actively worked in a bar at the moment, not him.

“Everypony has their quills, you’ve all studied for this. I’ll be at the desk uo front. You have two hours to finish this and no notes allowed!” Soarin explained and pointed at the chalk board. “I have faith you all will do fairly well. Time starts now.”

Raindrops and her friends each picked up a quill in their wing as they started writing. Dizzy had been allowed another Wonderbolt to write her answers in for her that she pointed out.

Dizzy whispered her chosen answer into Lightning Streaks ear and he colored in the circle with an unreadable expression. One of the things he agreed on was not helping her in the slightest, no matter how attractive the mare seemed.

Soarin had been wary of allowing him to help her. Everypony knew Lightning was the more flirtatious member of the group. He was nicknamed Hasty Fling for a reason. The only ponies he didn’t hit on were his teammates specifically the stallions. Males were pretty much a strong no go for him.

Whiplash eyes scanned his sheet with a sigh. He personally hated tests. But he knew he had to at least do well on this to get in. Most Wonderbolts weren’t stallions and he intended on changing that. Mares were simply lighter than most stallions so they usually got accepted more.

He glanced down at a sheet hidden inside his wings and wrote down the answer on his test. Raindrops’ eyes widened slightly as she watched and they quickly narrowed.

She and him made eye contact briefly for a moment as her eyes locked onto his wing and he paled, watching Raindrops hesitantly raise a hoof and he quickly shook his head.

Raindrops pauses and sighs as she lowers her hood back down.

“What’s up Raindrops?” Soarin called out from his desk as he set down a book he was reading. He personally didn’t care for romance but apparently somepony who last used the desk had left it on the worn surface. He figured he might as well take advantage of the source of entertainment, no matter how much he might hate the content inside.

Raindrops and Whiplash both made eye contact. Raindrops personally hated cheaters and was a firm believer cheaters never prospered. But she also didn’t want to crush his dreams. Or well, not without him explaining himself to her first.

“Nothing sir,” Raindrops lied as she forced a smile upon her lips. “Nothing at all.”

Raindrops trotted out of the classroom with Dizzy as they both headed back to their quarters. The two felt equally good about their scores.

“Raindrops. Wait up!” Whiplash called out and the two paused as Raindrops eyes hardened.

“What do you want, Whiplash?” Raindrops flared her wings out and Dizzy watched awkwardly.

“I’ll uh be right over here while you two talk,” Dizzy’s eyes flicked between the two before hastily excusing herself.

“Out with it,” Raindrops gestured impatiently with a hoof.

“Thanks for not ratting me out in there. You could have, but didn’t so thanks.”

“Hmph. I don’t know what your end game is but you could get kicked out if caught. And if I get dragged down with you because of it, I’ll be your worst nightmare,” Raindrops threatened as she pressed a hoof against his chest. “And that’s a promise. I keep them too.”

Whiplash shuddered slightly at her touch as she continued glaring at him. Her hoof was surprisingly soft as she pushed him a few feet back with a scoff.

“What’s going on here, cadets?” Soarin asked as he stood in the doorway watching intently.

“Nothing sir,” Dizzy cut in quickly as she rejoined the two. She didn’t know what was said but she presumed it was something he did to make Raindrops made to have her shove him. “They were just arguing about whether the Cloudsdale Cumulus would beat the Las Pegasus Stratoms this week at the hoofball game. You know how hoofball makes ponies act.”

“Fair enough. And Cloudsdale will win. Obviously,” Soarin added with an eyeroll and turned away.

“I don’t know what is going on between you two but figure it out,” Dizzy placed herself between the two. “It’s hard to lie to the Wonderbolts. I won’t always be here to break this up. So sort it out.”

“Fine,” Raindrops tossed Whiplash a glare. “We will. He can explain to me later. I’m going to go sleep. Let’s go Dizzy unless you wanna hit the showers.”

“Bed sounds good.”

Dizzy shot Whiplash an apologetic look before galloping after Raindrops.

What have I gotten myself into?

Fuchsia and Watermelody set down a circular table in the corner of the bar, both wiping sweat off their eyebrows as they both examined the interior of the room as Soarin continued cleaning up a back room.

“Last one,” Fuchsia leaned against the shiny oak table. “Thank Celestia and the maker.”

“Yeah. I gotta bring over some paintings Soarin asked for. Something about livening up the place,” Watermelody started looking around at the bare walls. “Sheesh. It could use it.”

“Wish Wallflower didn’t work today. She’s scarily strong,” Fuchsia muttered and took a sip from her water bottle with her cutie mark on it. “Like, probably throw a manticore strong.”

“Seriously?” Watermelody gave a tired laugh as she leaned against the table. “You’re joking.”

“Nope,” Fuchsia deadpanned and Watermelody sat up straighter at her serious expression. “I’m not one to make jokes often.”

“Damn. So she could easily do this by herself without even needing us,” Watermelody mused as they both made out Soarin singing and the two snickered, Fuchsia nodding.

“Easily.”

Watermelody didn’t necessarily know what to say to that. Wallflower never lift anything super heavy around her, only the occasional plant or basket of apples.

“She doesn’t broadcast it often. She got made fun of for it in the past so don’t confront her about not telling you. She will tell you, or more accurately show you all when’s she ready,” Fuchsia warned and flicked an ear. “Why did Soarin stop singing?”

“I don’t know. Soarin!”

The two mares shot each other wary looks and trotted into a back room that had a small kitchen, the two staring at a trembling Soarin ontop of a counter.

“What in Equestria is going on in here?” Fuchsia demanded finally and Soarin pointed a shaky hoof at a spider on the wall. “It’s a spider, what about it?”

“I hate spiders!” Soarin answered and Watermelody bit back a laugh.

“You’re a literal Wonderbolt who does dangerous life threatening stunts, perform in front of millions of ponies and a member of the literal Equestrian military and you’re scared of a teeny spider?” Watermelody asked with a grin.

“Shut up,” Soarin snapped and glared at the two as Fuchsia and Watermelody grinned at each other wickedly.

“Oh don’t worry Soarin. I’ll protect the Wonderbolt from the big bad scary spider,” Fuchsia mocked with a grin and Watermelody burst out laughing.

“Oh yeah. That spider is terrifying!” Watermelody added and Fuchsia giggled before laughing loudly. It was a surprisingly sweet sound considering Fuchsia was an abrasive sounding mare normally.

“I swear, you two are insufferable,” Soarin grumbled and hid the small smile on his muzzle as the two mares kept laughing. “You girls are worse than Surprise and Lucky Charm.”

“We’re not laughing at you, we are laughing with you,” Watermelody clarified as she and Fuchsia supported each other.

“I’m laughing at me,” Soarin grumbled and watched as Fuchsia slammed a boot against the spider. “Thank you.”

Soarin jumped off the counter as Watermelody nuzzled him with a wide grin as he blushed.

“Was that so bad?” Watermelody teased with a grin and winked at him. “You can always get us to kill the big bad spiders for you.”

Watermelody flicked her tail under his nose and trotted out towards the bar, leaving a stunned Soarin and Fuchsia behind to watch her leave.

“What just happened?” Soarin asked finally as Fuchsia snickered and bumped her flank against his with a large grin.

“What do you think, Soarin?”

“What’s with him?” Spitfire asked as she pointed a fork at Soarin. “He’s not even eating his apple pie. That’s not like him at all.”

Soarin sat a few tables away, idly pushing his apple pie around as Spitfire and Blaze both locked eyes as the two had a silent discussion.

Blaze gave a subtle nod and abandoned what remained of her dinner as she approached Soarin, nudging him with a smirk.

“Come on, let’s go for a flight,” Blaze suggested and Soarin nodded slowly.

The two were watched leaving by the others as Lightning Streak raised an eyebrow.

“Captain, why have Blaze talk to him? Why not one of us?” Lightning asked curiously and Spitfire pointed at his flank causing him to look at his lightning bolt cutie mark. “My flank?”

“Blaze has a burning heart for a cutie mark. It’s her greatest asset and her biggest weakness. She wears her heart on her sleeve and it’s what I love about my sister most. Her talent is understanding ponies emotions and helping them under stand them. Blaze is the best pony to help Soarin sort out whatever is bothering him.”

Blaze dropped down on a cloud next to Soarin as the two stared at a reflection of the moon over the water.

“So you know Watermelody, right?” Soarin asked and Blaze nodded.

“Of course. Element of Loyalty. Closest ally to Princess Celestia and both my sisters. Good mare though a bit dramatic at times for my liking. What about her?”

“There was a weird moment at the bar with Fuchsia. She nuzzled me Blaze. Just out of nowhere. I’ve never seen her act so-”

“Flirty?” Blaze suggested and Soarin nodded. “I have an idea of where this is going.”

“Yeah. I mean, of course Watermelody is attractive. She’s creative and quick on her hooves. She’s the Element of Loyalty for crying out loud so I know she’d be obviously by my side no matter what.”

“I’m sensing a but coming,” Blaze commented and shifted on her cloud as Soarin nodded again. “And it’s related to Fleetfoot, isn’t it?”

“You know about that?” Soarin gave her an incredulous look and Blaze rolled her eyes in exasperation.

“Soarin everypony knows about that,” Blaze scoffed and paused before amending her statement. “Well, everypony but Fleetfoot that is. She’s oblivious somehow.”

Soarin sighed and shifted his weight on the cloud and Blaze rested a wing on his back.

“Soarin, I love you like a brother. Brother I never had. You’re gonna have to make a choice, keep chasing after Fleetfoot or go after Watermelody. You and Fleetfoot have always been here for me along with my sisters. You personally took care of a bully when I was in middle school. Only you can make that choice and you’re obviously gonna have to hurt one of them in the process,” Blaze leaned against him and Soarin wrapped a wing around her before nuzzling her forehead. “Naturally, my own love life is admittedly poor so I’m just following my flank and my mark so.”

Soarin snorted and stretched his forelegs out.

“I hate romance. It’s so complicated,” Soarin grumbled and Blaze snickered before brushing her mane down. “I can’t even imagine what it would be like being your horseshoes. Sunset and Spitfire are fiercely protective of you. I’ve seen them scare your boyfriends off countless times.”

“I love them with all my heart but they can be annoying. It’s like they only see their baby sister and not an adult mare. They make me mad,” Blaze admitted and shook her head. “But this isn’t about me, we’re here about you.”

“So what do I do? Oh, what have I gotten myself into?” Soarin groaned and removed his wing, flopping onto his back on the cloud.

“Talk to her,” Blaze answered bluntly and finished brushing her orange mane. “Whichever one you like the most, go to her. It’ll hurt the other but would you rather hurt watching both mares go away to other stallions?”

“You know what I’m starting to realize? Children of Stormy Flare don’t hold back at all. And here I thought it was just Spitfire and Sunset who were as blunt as you just were. I guess you have a point. Thanks Blaze.”

“Anytime Soarin,” Blaze winked and the smaller mare hugged him. “And no matter what decision you make, I’ll be here to listen about it.”

“Thanks. And Blaze?” Soarin nuzzled her with a smirk. “I love you too. You’re like a sister to me.”

Blaze nuzzled him as the two hugged on their cloud.

“Now go get your mare Soarin,” Blaze pushed him forward with a grin.

“Thanks Blazey. And you’ll find a pony, mare or stallion or whatever you’re into,” Soarin winked and prepared to fly as Blaze laughed loudly.

“I’m into stallions. I don’t judge my mares are Sunset’s thing. I much prefer my stallions,” Blaze grinned and Soarin gagged.

“I’ve heard enough. Time to go before I hear something I don’t wanna know,” Soarin plummeted off the cloud and Blaze watched him soar back up into the sky with a chuckle.

Blaze glanced around and snuck quietly down the hall of the Wonderbolts cadets rooms, pausing at a room and knocking quietly as she shifted on her hooves.

“Oh hey,” Banana yawned into his hoof as he looked around. “What’s up Blazey?”

Blaze blushed and nuzzled him with a grin.

“Nothing. Just wanted to see you,” Blaze admitted and leaned up to kiss his cheek. “I’ve missed you a lot. It’s been hard keeping it a secret from my sister.”

“Yeah, my commanding officer dating me behind the Captains back. It’s pretty difficult,” Banana agreed and kissed her forehead. “You look nice.”

“What, don’t I always look nice?” Blaze teased and leaned into his hug. “You’re doing great. I’ve heard nothing but good things about you from my sister.”

“You do. One day we’ll be up there together. Stupid rules forbidding my superior officer from dating a cadet,” Banana grumbled and wrapped his wings around Blaze. “This is a huge risk, you know? I thought we agreed to only see each other during training.”

“I’m feeling romantic tonight after giving Soarin some advice. Sue me.”

“The Commander finally going after the Lieutenant?” Banana asked with a smirk and Blaze shrugged.

“Who knows. Whoever he goes after, I’ll support him. Just like I’ve been supporting you dear,” Blaze nuzzled him again and smiled fondly at him. “I’m just glad to finally have a boyfriend without Spitfire or Sunset finding out. They ruin all my relationships.”

Banana chuckled quietly and the two hugged quietly in the shadows, missing Fleetfoot watching in stunned silence from around the corner.

Sister vs Sister

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?

Family meeting

Blaze laid on a couch across from Twilight and Spike as the unicorn held a notepad and quill in her magic. Blaze didn't necessarily know how to feel being used as a test subject for Twilight's therapy practice.

"So how did it feel to let your anger out?" Twilight asked and Blaze rolled her head to look at her.

"I wasn't angry per se, but I was mad. I would have looked the other way if me and Spitfire swapped positions yet she can't do that for me?" Blaze flung her forelegs up and Twilight tapped a hoof against her chin.

"Well, rules are there for a reason. I personally like rules very much. I've followed rules all my life," Twilight commented as a pony knocked on the library door. "Come on in, it's unlocked!"

Twilight's aura opened the door and Sunset trotted in with a confused expression.

"Hey Twilight and Spike. Hey sis. Why exactly did High Winds practically break down my door worried and asking me to come here?" Sunset asked and flung herself on to a chair as she levitated a daisy sandwich from the kitchen and took a bite. "I highly doubt it was to mooch off Spikes cooking, though I'm always down for that."

Twilight rolled her eyes and Sunset glanced to the door as another pony knocked.

"Sheesh, this place is a revolving door today, isn't it?" Sunset smirked and her smile faded slightly as she looked at the other three. "What's going on? You two look super serious and Blaze looks mad."

"Talk about an understatement," Spike muttered under his breath. High Winds trotted inside and paused to give Sunset a brief hello before nuzzling Blaze.

"I have somepony here to see you," High Winds commented and Blaze frowned.

"I don't want to see Spitfire right now. We just had a fight, High Winds," Blaze pointed out flatly and Sunset raised a hoof.

"Can somepony tell me what the hell is going on already?" Sunset growled and shifted to lay down fully.

"Too bad," High Winds shot Blaze a look before opening the front door and brown stallion trotted in and hugged Blaze followed by a green mare.

"Who the hell is this?" Sunset raised a hoof again and simply raised an eyebrow as Blaze nuzzled the stallion.

"My boyfriend," Blaze answered and nuzzled him, idly glaring at Spitfire flying in. "Spitfire."

"Blaze," Spitfire nodded and shifted a silver badge around her hoof before sitting down. "Sunset."

"I'm gonna ask again before I get annoyed. What is going on?" Sunset laid a foreleg over the couch lazily. "I'm gonna count to five and if I don't get somepony explaining by five, I'll raise hell."

"So I'm here to be a mediator. So Blaze and Spitfire had a fight earlier," Twilight started explaining and Sunset nodded along slowly. "And Blaze quit the Wonderbolts because of said argument."

"What?" Sunset repeated with a stunned expression and faced Blaze. "What possessed you to do that? All you've talked about is being a Wonderbolt!"

"It was I guess. It was also Spitfire's dream. All my life, you two have treated my like a baby. I'm an adult. I make my own decisions. I don't need you two looking over my shoulder every day and night!" Blaze snapped and Sunset looked at Spitfire.

"Okay, maybe we baby you a bit," Spitfire admitted and sat down next to Sunset. "You're our baby sister. We're never going to stop worrying about you."

"She's right," Sunset chimed in. "No matter how old you get, we will always look out for you."

"She doesn't do that for you. This all started because she tried telling me who to date. You two always ruin my relationships yet you never see me crossing a line when I interrogated Silverspeed when it was Silver Spoons birthday and you invited us to meet her. No, I was respectful the whole time. If our spots were swapped, I'd have looked the other way for Spitfire in a heartbeat!" Blaze grumbled and Banana whispered something in her ear and she inhaled.

"I would have looked the other way if you had been honest with me from the start!" Spitfire shouted and flung her forelegs up. "You lied to me, Blaze. And then you stormed out of my office. You lied to Fleetfoot too."

"Let's maybe calm down," Twilight suggested and Merry May nodded as Spitfire inhaled and Sunset watched intently. It wasn't normally like them to fight. It was normally Sunset and Spitfire fighting often. That tends to happen when you have two ponies with similar attitudes in one room.

"Because I knew you'd scare the heck out of Banana Cream and he'd leave me because of it," Blaze shot back and Spitfire looked at her lap.

"I did scare him. And he stood up to me. Every past partner of yours has only been dating you for money or getting media attention. I didn't want to tell you because it would hurt you," Spitfire admitted as High Winds winced. She had some relationships like that. Being a Wonderbolt and dating wasn't easy. Twilight, Spike and Merry's heads swiveled between Spitfire and Blaze.

Blaze stared at her and Merry May leaned against her before nuzzling her mane.

"I'm sorry," Blaze muttered and untangled herself before approaching her sisters, hugging them both. "I was out of line."

"Not really," Spitfire shrugged and wrapped a wing around Blaze. "You could have used some more tact but this is all of ours fault for not addressing anything sooner."

"So are you going to introduce us?" Sunset jerked her head to Banana. "Obviously, he's a Wonderbolt."

"Mhm!" Blaze hummed and glanced at him. "It was his second week and he tripped over a cloud. Merry May and I helped him up. She's not in trouble for keeping our relationship a secret, is she?"

"No. She was straight forward. She even demanded I punish her with him for covering it up. I admire her sticking by her teammate like that," Spitfire commented and High Winds gave Merry an impressed look as Merry hid behind Banana with a blush.

"I see. So uhm I presume I'm not allowed back in the Wonderbolts since I said I quit," Blaze peeked at Spitfire nervously and Spitfire gave her an innocent look.

"I may have misplaced your discharge papers," Spitfire whistled innocently snd looked away. "Misplaced in a fire place. Tends to happen when flammable items get left accidentally next to a fire place."

Blaze chuckled as she felt Spitfire and Sunset tighten their hug around her. Spitfire would never say this out loud, but she secretly loved hugs. Only from her siblings though naturally. She wasn't too fond of being randomly grabbed and hugged by strangers but no pony was.

Spitfire pressed Blaze's wing pony badge onto her uniform and Blaze admired it briefly. She had admittedly hated being a wing pony at first, especially when cadets in her class compared her to Spitfire but it grew on her. She didn't really think she was good at being a leader, contrary to Spitfire's beliefs.

"I was thinking so we don't have more family misunderstandings, we have family meetings every Sunday," Sunset said casually and kissed Blaze's forehead. "We can go to the movies or just hang out. Get dinner. We used to do stuff like this all the time, after all before our lives got hectic. We can go skiing again up north."

"As long as you aren't cooking," Spitfire snarked and the room laughed as Sunset shoved her sister. "You'd set the house on fire!"

"Oh shut up Spits. Don't see you doing much cooking," Sunset shot back and Spitfire raised an eyebrow.

"I cooked last Monday for the Wonderbolts. I cook all the time unless I'm feeling lazy."

"Uh huh," Sunset mused and brushed her mane down with her magic. "Because I remember you setting a pan on fire once."

"I was seven!"

The room looked between the two as Spitfire and Sunset continued glaring at each other before they both burst out laughing.

"Are they always like this?" Banana muttered and Blaze nodded with a smirk.

"Oh, you have no idea."