In the Field of Striped Fire

A Black Lotus Blossom to Yellow Copper Sheen

The First Official Shipping

of

Spitfire and Zecora

November 14th 2012

7:47 AM

(Songs used during production: This Day Aria (Victor Frost Male Vocals)

For The Solar Empire (Dr. Dissonance)

“This isn't working.” Spitfire thought with a groan. Tried as she might, the famous “Yellow Flare” in the sky couldn't get to sleep. Her latest attempts that involved counting sheep only served to bore her, Spitfire feeling too restless for that to work. But nopony could blame her, considering how aggravated she had been the past few months in terms of juggling between managing her stress level to a somewhat safe level and keeping the Wonderbolts in tip top shape for performance. Lately however, their airshows have been somewhat... Lacking.

Sure, they had been performing exceptionally as usual, or they wouldn't have been in the position they occupied in the first place. But there was a certain something that didn't flow like that it naturally should.

“And what's worse, I don't even know what the damn bucking problem is exactly!” Spitfire shouted out, tossing herself off the cloud bed. Though this fact was overlooked, considering that the fliers were on break after the upcoming season had been canceled due to some foal bucking up in the higher end of the management department for their team. However, this graciously allowed the overworked team a reprieve that they wouldn't otherwise usually have access to, considering their rigorous stunts done in these performances.

A month long break from doing airshows daily wasn't something that the average Wonderbolt had the luxury of getting in a year. After all, why else would they be held in such high esteem from the general public? That isn't to say they didn't practice, far from it. Skills are as perishable as the much as the user allowed them to, and Spitfire would be damned if her squad went soft because of even easing up slightly on their day to day practice. Though despite being hard pushed by the devoted captain, Spitfire's efforts shined in the fact that they rarely, if ever bucked up a major performance.

But lately however, something just didn't feel right. Oh sure, their performances were stunningly flawless as usual, but they were lacking the usual ooomph and flair that they were usually known for, (At least, for the Squad Captain.) which irritated Spitfire to no end. Though nopony seemed to notice this, it bugged Spitfire for days on end, much more than usual. Normally these gut feelings occurred periodically throughout the year, though they usually passed over in a couple hours, then it was immediately back to the jubilant flying as like normal. But Spitfire's current mood dip has been lasting for up to a week now.

“I just don't get it. We have been near perfect in our stunts like normal, but why does it feel like something is missing? Nopony seems to notice but me! Ugh!” Spitfire knocked over a cloud protected lamp in frustration, though only a soft “POMF!” was heard as it hit the ground. At least clouds make for good absorbers for acoustics. This went right over Spitfire's head as she made her way to the study room, scowling in frustration as she stomped with every hoofstep.

Finally, she came upon the room that laid claimed to it's title. The area itself was surprisingly small, with only a desk set up front of a window, a filing cabinet set to the left of it. On the right closest to the magically enchanted furniture was both a side table and a lamp that illuminated itself automatically upon a pony entering. Further still were shelves of various books that were stacked neatly into rows according to what genre they belonged to, be it adventurous Daring Do comics and novels, skill books listing how to be an effective manager, topping skills their skill, archived newspapers and what have you. None of the books were taken as Spitfire pulled up a chair and rested her hooves on the hickory desk, gazing up at the moon as its rays of light flowed into the room that it overlooked. A sigh escaped the captain's lips as she dug a circle absentmindedly into the flat surface, not caring if it she left hole on the writing surface.

“I just don't get it. We're doing everything by the book, yet I still feel there is something missing... All of it just feels mundane now, like I have lost the spark for igniting an inferno. I mean, my name IS Spitfire after all! Doesn't that imply that I am a pony who is both decisive and efficient in her work? Yet here I am, sitting on my flank doing absolutely nothing!” Spitfire slumped on the fine woven leather chair  as she brought her hooves to her temples, rubbing them to relieve some unseen headache.

“C'mon Spitfire, get a grip! It's probably the stress getting to you, that's it. All you have to do is relax a little more. Your squad isn't going to fall apart the minute you take your eyes of them. They are perfectly capable ponies who can take care of their duties without help! And it isn't like bucking up the next show is going to lead to a massive hit to our reputation....” Spitfire's grin lasted up for about fifteen seconds before it drooped into a frown.

“Oh who am I kidding? The year is going to buck up, I can feel... No, RELAX! You can't lead the team if you stress yourself out Spitfire, just gotta take it down a notch.” She then scanned the shelves for anything that she hasn't yet read completely. Not many ponies knew this, but Spitfire was actually an avid reader, even if she didn't show it during her middle-high school years. She just didn't like being bombarded with books that she couldn't get behind. If asked why, she'll respond “I despise books that both bore me and I am force to write an entire essay on! Nopony should be forced to read what they don't want!” Then promptly threaten anypony who dared to insult Spitfire's intelligence. She was an egghead and proud of it damn it!

“Let's see... Daring Gambit? Nah, I've already read that twice over.... How to Bake an Amazing Pie in Ten Minutes..... Nope! Soarin ain't getting his booty after dumping that blue stuff that dyed my mane into some light blue color.... Swimming with the Mocking Bird... Why do I even have that book again? I remember hating it with a passion back in middle school.... Huscarl no, Dancing With Angels no, Fighter Lance VS Street Fighter no, Twilight Moon...” Spitfire blinked, then she scrunched her eyes in anger as she promptly ripped out the book and slammed it on the floor. With a few well placed stomps, the book was thoroughly smashed, leaving an indent in the floor.

“How the hell did that piece of crap get into my collection!? I swear I am going to thrash Gentle Breeze for bringing this 'book' into my own household! I'm not just going to throw it away.” She then picked up the "book" and aimed. “I'm gonna HURL it out!” She said, words muffled by the object she held.

About thirty seconds later

“Get out of my way, you worthless peddler! I don't have time for this!” Blueblood then proceeded to bash a poor earth pony mare to the ground as the Prince waltzed up to the restaurant called “Fluer's Cakes and Surprise's Candy Emporium”. He was about to storm inside when a white face popped up right in front of him.

“Hiya! Whatchha doing here Mister? We're close for now, but if you want sweets and candy, then come back at eleven sharp to-”

“SILENCE!”

Surprise remained unfazed, even as Blueblood's Royal Canterlot Voice shook the building's foundation.

Still smiling, she looked on as Angry Blueblood stood there fuming.

“I demand a full refund from your restaurant’s manager! Where is he!?”

“Right behind you.” A low feminine voice growled.

Turning to face the source of the voice, Blueblood saw an even angrier Fluer De Lise supporting the earth pony mare that he knocked down earlier.

“Good to see that you are on the spot, now I demand that you return me my bits, you thieving rats! I am appalled at the worm infested filth that you dare to call proper cuisine for nobility. Why, I should have  you shut down for this trecha-"

"There will be no such thing, you ill felt colt! I will NOT have you threatening MY employees while you stomp around with a louche!" Fluer seethed, an edge cutting into the thick night air like a knife through butter.

"H-how dare you! I will have you imprisoned within the dun-:"

A book slammed into Blueblood's thick skull at a reasonably high velocity, rendering him unconscious. Blueblood would find out later in hospital that, much to his horror, have a giant wart sticking out the side of his head for the next few months.

Both unicorn and pegasus pony looked on in bewilderment.

“... Well, that takes care of him I suppose Sunrise. I'm sorry that he had to make you victim of his tirade.”

“Not a problem at all ma'am, but shouldn't we try um, try to wake him up?” The timid earth mare replied, pointing at the KO'd prince.  Fluer's lips curled up in a wicked smile.

“Oh I have a better idea. Now help me get this oaf up Surprise. We need to properly “repay” His Highness for our mistake.”

Swooping in, the pegasus picked up Blueblood with no problem and saluted.

“Right away, mon captain!”