Skyfire

My eyes blinked open slowly. They didn’t get far before shutting completely again. ’Someone needs to turn off the sun.’ I thought to myself, practically prying my eyes open again. For awhile I couldn’t see anything, it was all blurry. I could see a yellow-colored shape huddled next to me. ’Spitfire!’ I said to myself, recognizing her almost as soon as I had seen her huddled form. Then I noticed another shape moving towards me. I could almost make out the features of his face.

“Ah, you’re finally awake. The tomboy awakes before the Wonderbolt.” I would have given him a nasty comeback if I could’ve found a way to speak around the strip of cloth in my mouth. “You do know that I was aware of your eavesdropping presence the entire time and was waiting for you to make a move, right?”

I finally found a way and whipped my head back, sliding the gag off at the same time with my tongue. “Blood Tail,” I whispered under my breath, too low for him to hear me. The gag dropped to the floor soundlessly.

“What was that? I want to know every word you say so that it can be put in the history books. Yes, I can see the title now. ‘Blood Tail: A Biography on the Only Pony who Tamed the Great Rainbow Dash’.” He spoke with laughter hidden beneath his words. ’Tame me? How does he think he’s going to tame me?’ I thought to myself, knowing exactly how he could “tame” me, as he put it.

“If you think you can control me, you got a whole lot to learn.” I spoke in the most threatening tone possible. Sadly, it didn’t turn out as planned. My voice cracked as the words came out when I looked at what my heroine had been reduced to. Just the thought makes me get all emotional. ’Looks like I’ll just have to pony up and support both of us for now. I can’t let him break me! I have to stay strong for Spitfire, for my friends, and for the other Wonderbolts!’ I thought to myself, gathering what little hope and courage was left in my soul.

“Oh, I’m the one who’s got a lot to learn? Boy, you’re one to talk.” He was mocking me, I could feel it. He was mocking Spitfire, too. That was the part that finally unleashed my temper that had been threatening to go out of control when he first started talking. I’ve got this innate sorta sixth-sense that tells me when either one of my friends or myself are being bullied or teased. It can come in useful some times.

I felt my rage consume me like a wildfire. I felt my muscles straining against my bindings. Then I felt no restraint. ’I just snapped chains.’ I thought to myself in awe. Then the rage took over again.

“You may want to run, Blood Tail. If you don’t, your tail really will be covered in blood after I tear it off. Now, get out!” I yelled at him at the top of my lungs. He spread his wings and sprinted towards the windows on the opposite side of the room.

“I’ll do one step better than that. I’ll fly!” He called back as he soared through the windows. I sank to my knees as soon as he was gone. Being angry was really exhausting. Then I remembered about Spitfire. I turned around and saw that she was still unconscious. ’She’s so cute when she sleeps.’ I thought in admiration of her strong muscles, sleek body, and full wings. Yeah, I’ll admit it. I had a crush on Spitfire. It’s not like she’d find out anyway so I might as well say it.

I walked over and used the last remaining bit of my anger-strength to snap her chains as well. She was still asleep, so I lifted her onto my back and flew her up to a cloud. After setting her down, I pulled other clouds over to hide her. I quickly flew back to the Wonderbolts’ building and grabbed a piece of paper and a quill. I dipped the quill in some ink and wrote a quick message telling Spitfire that I was still in the building looking for the other Wonderbolts. I flew back up to Spitfire and laid the note on her chest before taking off again towards the building.

•                •               •

I awoke with a start. I wasn’t in the building anymore. In fact, I was on a cloud. I sat up and felt something fall off of my chest. I picked it up and looked at it. It was a note. I read it aloud.

Spitfire,

I just wrote this quickly to tell you that I am searching the Wonderbolts building for the others. I scared Blood Tail away and brought you to that cloud. You were unconscious the whole time. Please don’t go anywhere, I’ll be back shortly.

~ Rainbow Dash

•               •               •

The interior of the Wonderbolts building was empty. I didn't find anypony inside at all. The only other pony I saw was the corpse of one of the new, unknown Wonderbolts. The fact that there was only one casualty actually surprised me. 'Hey, this means the Wonderbolts have an opening! Yes!' I thought to myself, forgetting momentarily about the cost at which the biggest chance of my lifetime came with. Another pony's life is a horrible thing to take away, and a pony's life is also the hardest thing to give up.

Not wanting to think about it anymore, I flew out of the front doors only to be immediately tackled into a nearby cloud by an incoming yellow blur. 'Spitfire.' I thought as I felt her hooves wrap around me. 'Does this mean... Spitfire... what?' My thoughts and wonders were cut off abruptly by Spitfire, who was staring into my eyes with hers. Her eyes were deep, piercing orange pools of fire. They were beautiful. She was beautiful.

"Spitfire, I..." I began before I was cut off by Spitfire's hoof on my mouth. The feel of her light, velvety yellow coat was amazing.

"I know." She responded before leaning in towards me. Our faces got closer, our noses bumped. Then we closed our eyes, and kissed for the first time.

•               •               •

Later that day, both Spitfire and I were off around Ponyville minding our own business. We had agreed not to tell anyone about us being together yet, although it was strange that Spitfire was hanging around Ponyville when she lived all the way over in Cloudsdale. I assumed she just didn't want to be too far away to help me if I got into trouble. I could handle myself in most situations but I think it was her way of repaying me for saving her life. Twice. Then I saw Rapidfire and Soarin dive out of the clouds. They touched down lightly in front of me and Spitfire walked over from the market stall she had been at.

"Hey Soarin, Rapid." Spitfire spoke calmly, as if nothing had happened. But, in fact, the opposite was true. The biggest thing in her life, and mine, had just happened a few hours ago. She gave Rapidfire and Soarin both a quick glare before walking over to my side once again.

"Hey Spitfire. Where have you been?" Rapidfire was getting suspicious, I could tell. "I haven't seen either of you all day. Well, I saw you, Spitfire, but not since what happened at the Wonderbolt's Arena."

"Still at the Arena. I was rescued. No thanks to you two. Why? Why did you abandon me and that one new guy, what was his name?" Spitfire was almost visibly fuming.

"Thunderhead, Spitfire, his name was Thunderhead." Soarin spoke in a deeper and more serious tone than usual.

"Yeah, him. Well, you could have at least rescued me for pony's sake! I'm-" Spitfire got no further. She was cut off by Soarin's voice; deep and threatening.

"Spitfire," Soarin spoke with menace, and I could tell that Spitfire had crossed the line. "Thunderhead was my brother." The shock alone caused Spitfire to sit down, her jaw agape. I wasn't as shocked, they did look a lot alike, but my jaw did drop. Even Rapidfire, who was Soarin's closest friend, obviously had not known that Thunderhead was Soarin's brother. Soarin immediately flew off. Spitfire quickly regained her senses and took off after him. I followed Spitfire, leaving a very dumbstruck Rapidfire standing in the middle of Ponyville Market.

"Soarin, wait! I-I'm sorry about Thunderhead, okay?" Spitfire attempted to make peace with her co-captain, but only managed to make it worse.

"No. No, it's not okay. My little brother is dead! And all you think about is yourself! I don't understand why anyone would want to be anywhere near your selfish, lame-excuse for a pegasus! I know that I sure as buck don't want to fly anywhere near you!" Soarin's rage seemed to all be released at once. I saw that he looked short of breath and saw what he was saying.

"Soarin, does this mean-?" I began before he cut me off.

"Yes, Rainbow Dash! I'm quitting the Wonderbolts!" His shouted words made my jaw drop once again. For a brief second I felt a flash of sympathy towards Soarin. Then it was replaced by a mixture of anger and pride.

"Don't ever yell at me like that, Soarin." I spoke in a threatening tone. My rage wasn't quite as deeply felt as before but still took hold of my entire body. Unfortunately, Soarin obviously couldn't take a hint.

"Oh yeah? Let me tell you something. I can speak however I want!" Once again he shouted the last part at me. His yelling just managed to fan the flames of my anger. I spun around in midair and bucked as hard as I could towards his face. He wasn't expecting me to attack him and he was caught off guard as both my back hooves connected with his forehead, sending him tumbling backwards through the air. As he regained his balance, I motioned for Spitfire to fly off with me, if nothing else then just to get away from Soarin and his bad attitude.

"Change your mind yet?" I called over my shoulder as Spitfire and I took off farther into the sky. "I seriously hope you didn't. I think I'd enjoy bucking you in the face again." The last glimpse I got of him was his face; contorted with anger as well as pain. I just turned around and kept flying.

•               •               •

I can't remember how far we flew or how long we flew but I finally slowed down long enough to see where I was. 'Funny, this looks a lot like... my... bedroom...' The realization dawned upon me as I saw Spitfire's shadow approaching my doorway. 'Oh, buck! Where can I put all these Daring Do books so that Spitfire doesn't see them!' But it was already too late.

"Dash? Is something wrong?" Spitfire asked, a concerned look on her face as she walked over and sat next to me. "What's that behind your back?"

"N-Nothing!" I stammered quickly, my sweat trying unsuccessfully to quench the fire burning in my cheeks. "I don't have anything! What are you talking about?!" Spitfire's brow furrowed and I could tell that lying wasn't going to get me anywhere. With a reluctant sigh, I brought forth the Daring Do books I had been holding behind my back.

"Are those Daring Do books?" Spitfire asked. "I didn't know you read!" She was almost squealing with excitement at being able to learn something new about me. 'At least she's not upset about me kicking Soarin in the face.' I thought to myself as Spitfire fought to regain her composure and self control.

"Yes, I read. It's not something I want getting out anymore than it already has, though!" I spoke sternly, which seemed to quiet her down a bit. "What? Is there something wrong with reading?" I asked suspiciously.

"No. Nothing at all. What gave you that idea?" Spitfire replied in a similar manner.

"Nothing, just curious." I answered as I pulled Spitfire into a hug. She gave me an all-knowing smile before returning the embrace.