A Wonderbolt's Dream
A short story by UniqueSKD
(obviously, it says it on the main page!)
Spitfire lay on her side in her bed, the bed sheets that were covering her earlier pulled down to her waist. Her head was on its side, staring out of the window on her bedroom, staring out through the glass panes into the world outside on that starless night. Spitfire blinked a couple of times, and sighed sadly.
A very long time ago, when she was just a little filly, Spitfire had a dream. Not just any dream, but the greatest dream a filly her age could ever hope to dream. Spitfire, as a little filly, dreamed of one day becoming one of the Wonderbolts, and walk in the hoofsteps of her great grandfather. Hawker Hurricane, who was in her mind possibly one of the greatest Captains to ever grace the halls of the Wonderbolts in the history of Equestria. She looked up to him with so much hope and admiration, and served as the fuel for her aspirations to work hard and even harder to become half the pony her grandfather was.
Spitfire blew a lock of her mane out of her face as she reminisced about those long years she spent, training under a very harsh and strict exercise program, set up by her grandfather, when she approached him one fateful day, asking - or rather, demanding - that she be trained under his wing. She would never remember the smile on his face as he showed a rare display of joy upon seeing his grand-daughter's enthusiasm. The ache in her wings and feet from so long ago immediately was felt once more by the tired pegasus captain, as she thought back to those exhausting days and nights, pushing her little body to the limits, in the rainiest and the stormiest of weather conditions, feeling even her small feathers strain under the stress her grandfather's home-made cloud obstacle course.
The training sessions lasted for several years, and each day, Spitfire awakened to the sound of a drill, made to start her training and flight sequences before breakfast was even served to her. But her harsh schedule finally paid off when she finally graduated Flight Academy with the highest marks, her training having provided her with the skills she needed to ace the hardest tests of flight. And it was her success in graduating the Flight Academy that spiraled her into the events leading up to her inclusion into the Wonderbolts, the team she sought to join since foalhood. When her grandfather passed away, however, and she was elected to wear the mantle of the former Captain, that was like another dream come true.
At least, that's how it felt at the time.
But after being the leader of the Wonderbolts for five years straight, the dream was already lived to the fullest of her expectations. The dream was no longer that. It was reality. It was her duty, her responsibility, a reminder of her memories of the stallion, her grandfather, who had helped her to make it here today, flying at the front of the greatest pegasi group known in Equestria.
The dream was a reality. She no longer had to aspire to become what she was already.
So what dream did she have to seek now?
The lack of new ambitions outside of being the Captain of the Wonderbolts led Spitfire into a state of depression when she wasn't in public or in sight of other ponies, especially her comrades. In the eyes and presence of other ponies, Spitfire upheld an image of authority and fierceness, the appearance of a no-nonsense Captain who didn't stand for incompetence or time-wasters, who didn't tolerate ponies who were not up to their tasks and own responsibilities and duties. But when she was out of sight and left to herself, she'd sometimes let the heaviness in her heart bear its full weight, and sink into a depressed mood, moping over her lack of new wants and needs in her life. She had everything she wanted when she was young, and she did love it, no doubt, but...
Spitfire just felt...empty. She felt incomplete. She had the leadership of the best team of flyers in the whole kingdom, if not the world, and yet still she yearned for something more. Something was missing, and she hadn't any idea what it was.
At least, not until a few weeks ago.
It was the same sort of day. New recruits coming into the Wonderbolts Academy, all of them thinking they were made of the right stuff. After an incident occurred out in the field on one of the obstacle courses, which had involved several pegasi breaking out into a hoof-fight, Spitfire closed her office door and broke down into a mess of tears. Frustration and stress, coupled with her not knowing what it was she was missing in her life, had gotten to her, and she needed to let it all out in a flood of tears.
Her crying just so happened to be heard by one of her flying partners, Soarin, who knocked on her office door, curious and concerned for the well-being of his Captain and friend. Spitfire had tried to rudely push him away, unconvincingly assuring him that all was well, but Soarin persisted, demanding to know what was wrong with her. After several minutes of arguing from both sides of the wooden door, Spitfire gave in, and let the stallion into her office, where she confessed all of her troubles to her loyal companion.
It had felt good to speak her troubled mind to another pony, after keeping it inside of her for so long, and Soarin, despite his gullible nature, was actually a very considering listener. And he had a way of comforting the poor pegasus mare with a hug that seemed to make her feel as though things would be alright in the end.
And so here she was in her bed, laying on her side, looking out of the window, as a pale blue hoof threw itself around her and pulled her close, embracing her in a warm and comforting hug.
Spitfire turned her head to look at the sleeping form of her partner, Soarin, a smile on his face. Her sorrowing mood quickly uplifted, a smile appearing on her face as well, and she rolled over with her back facing the window, as she snuggled up close to her coltfriend.
She dreamed a long time ago of joining the Wonderbolts. She succeeded in making that dream.#
And right now, she was cuddling with what might well be her next new dream.
Somepony to love.