‘Hey, Shitflier. I know we’ve kinda been assholes to each other for awhile, but… Maybe we could go back to how things were, you know, before it was clear that I was better than you in every way-’ Spitfire pulled a silver pin from an almost pristine drawer, placing it on her desk and looking at it, ‘You know, maybe we can actually be friends again. I know a certain dork that would be over the moon about that idea.’
Next, she pulled out the picture of Soarin that he had signed for her, putting that on her desk and staring at it for a moment. He had on his signature dumb, charming smile, all dressed up in uniform with his goggles just barely visible, fighting his thick blue mane for the spotlight. Spitfire bit her lip staring at it. “Spitfire, never be intimidated by what’s ahead. No one’s a Reserve forever. Keep flying, love Soarin”
A lump formed in Spitfire’s throat as Nightshade’s words came back to her again. ‘Soarin would be so happy to see us get along again, and I think I’m finally ready to agree. I’m sorry that I’ve been such an ass, Shi- Spitfire.’ The tears began to flow harder as she pulled one last item from the drawer...
An engagement ring.
‘There’s no mare I’d trust Soarin with more than you, Sis. ~ Nightshade’
She stared at the ring for a long time. Her chest was pure lead at this point, but she took a moment to shove the items back into the drawer and lock it again. She stood, gathering her jacket and messenger bag before heading out into the hallway.
She knew what she had to do. It wasn’t going to be easy.
Spitfire locked her office door, considering her options. She looked upon the nameplate next to her door plated in gold. Captain Supermarine Spitfire. She’d never given it much thought before, but she noticed how it sat so precariously on the brackets. So easily replaceable.
With a sigh, she threw her bag over her back and headed toward the entrance to the base. She glanced at the now-silent barracks. No one would notice her leaving; she wouldn’t be missed by anyone on the compound. Besides, Manehattan was only about an hour flight, she could be there and back without anyone even knowing she was gone.
She spread her golden wings, taking in the wind speed and coolness of the night. She was lucky that the full moon shone brightly up above; Spitfire was a lot of things, but a night flyer wasn’t one of them. That title went to-
She took a running leap off of the plateau, bursting into the air. Casual flying was always how she dealt with a lot of problems. It gave her the space she needed to collect her thoughts. Her mind wasn’t on herself anymore. That ship had long since sailed. It was the sake of the team, now, and getting the blame mostly off of Fleet. The younger mare had only been supporting a split-second call she had made, after all. Spitfire was the captain, her job was to shoulder the heat and take responsibility.
On top of that, Soarin was her fiance. She needed to embrace the punishment that came from backstabbing him. She alone had chosen to put a stupid competition and her team above him, her best friend and love of her life. It was her fault he had left her.
The streams of wind from her flight tore the tears from her cheeks, and for a moment she closed her eyes to lose herself in the sensations around her. Her pain, sharp and internal; the battering wind, stinging like ice needles against her face; and the howling of the wind in her ears, drowning out the world around her.
You did it again, Spitfire.
Thunder boomed in the distance, and the wind battered her body harder.
When will you learn?
She squeezed her eyes shut even tighter.
Spitfire. Hold onto the pain you feel.
Spitfire. Admit you were wrong.
Spitfire. This is all your fault.
Spitfire. Spitfire.
Spitfire.
“SPIIIIIITFIIIIRE!”
Something collided with her, screaming her name. With a gasp, she opened her eyes, realizing that she was plummeting with the purple mare who was latched tightly onto her. The two landed harmlessly onto a batch of thick, low-hanging clouds.
“DIDYOUJUSTTRYTOKILLYOURSELF?!” Blueball Blitz was in Spitfire’s face at once, talking in her fast, loud way. Except this time, she was panicked.
“...h-huh?” Spitfire blinked at her, still dazed over her encompassing flight.
“DEATH SPIRAL! TOTAL NOSEDIVE! DROPPING FROM THE AIR!” Blitz looked as panicked as she sounded, shaking the golden mare’s shoulders rapidly.
“I-I didn’t even notice!” Spitfire admitted, eyes widened.
Blitz frowned down at her. The size of the frown would almost be comedic if the situation wasn’t so serious. That note was enough to really snap Spitfire to attention. ‘Serious’ and ‘Blitz’ rarely appeared together in a sentence.
“No. I wasn’t trying to kill myself. Relax.” Spitfire said, shrugging Blitz off of her, “I let my emotions take control of me for a moment. I would’ve realized I was falling before anything happened.”
Blitz didn’t seem convinced, “Where are you going, then?”
“Manehattan. Mom’s place.”
“Oh, good. You won’t be alone then.” Blitz let out a relieved sigh.
“Blitz, I told you, I’m not going to-”
“-I know.” It was clear from her expression that she still wasn’t completely sure, “I bet it’s just hard is all. I wanted to be sure there was someone there for you.”
Spitfire let out a sigh. Blitz had the right to be worried, especially after all of that. She definitely hadn’t meant for that to happen, but she was glad Blitz had been there to catch her.
She looked over at the blue mare. “It’s been a long time, Blitz.” Spitfire flashed a weak smile, “How are things on your end?”
“They’re… confusing, honestly.” Blitz kicked a tuft of cloud, pulling her eyes away from Spitfire as soon as the threat of danger had left.
Spitfire opened her mouth to respond, but Blitz continued.
“Ever since Soarin moved in, saying he’d left the Wonderbolts for good.”
Spitfire swallowed hard, taking a step back.
“He said that he nearly died. He said that you let him fall.” Her voice rose, but Blitz still didn’t look at Spitfire. “He said that you didn’t come to visit him after, and that you tried to replace him for someone you thought was better.” She sniffled, “A-And I thought, ‘Could she really have done that? My BFF? My best friend in the whole world? That’s not who Spitfire is. That isn’t what she does to someone so close.’” Blitz finally looked up, tears in her eyes now. “Is it, BFF?”
Spitfire paused. She straightened herself up, and looked Blitz in the eyes. “Yes.” She said with certainty, letting her tears flow freely. “That’s what I did.”
Blitz was about to be angry. She even let it well up in her chest. But when she looked right at Spitfire, she saw a mare that wasn’t without remorse. “...why?” Blitz managed to croak out. “Why turn on him?”
“I wasn’t thinking, Blitz.” The answer was simple. “I was worrying about my team, and Cloudsdale more than I was about anyone else. I never should’ve let it get in front of friends like that. In front of family.” She shook her head, “I bet Soarin hates me after all of this, and I deserve it.”
“...Oh Spits.” Blitz simply sighed. “You really messed up, didn’t you?”
The mare in question could only nod.
“But I think, maybe there’s something you could do to make it up to-”
“-I’m stepping down, Blitz.”
Blitz shook her head rapidly, “C-Come again?”
“I’ve already made up my mind. I’m not fit to be captain, and the bad reputation that the team gained from that incident… It’ll disappear with me. I failed to act the way a Wonderbolt should, and I’ll be pay my due for it like everyone should. Maybe then I can look for forgiveness.” She let out a sigh.
Blitz ears drooped, “I mean, yeah, that’s definitely one way to show that you’re sorry. I guess.”
“You know the ‘Bolts mean a lot to me. And, sure, they do.” Spitfire nodded weakly, “But I’m getting older and I’ve had my fun while it lasted… I think it’s time to fade into obscurity.” She lifted her wings, looking over to the other mare, “Thanks for catching me, Blitz. I think I’ll be fine from here.”
“Okay…” Blitz trailed off as she watched Spitfire take to the skies. She hoped the irony of what happened tonight wasn’t lost on the golden pegasus.
It wasn’t.
---
Champagne bottles popped loudly back at the Shadowbolt compound, and Soarin was surrounded by the celebration on all sides.
“It’s going to be great having you around, dude!” Charger elbowed him roughly. “Another teammate to join the ranks!” He took a large swig of booze, grinning abnormally wide.
“Oh, here we go.” Starry rolled her eyes with a chuckle, “But he is right. A new teammate is certainly worth celebrating. It’s just a shame that Blitz had to miss it.”
“It’s fine.” Nightshade said evenly, “Blitz deserves her rest, and we can all drink without worrying about her.” She followed Charger’s example, taking a large swig of alcohol.
“It isn’t official yet.” Stratus snorted in his usual monotone, “Training will make or break you, so don’t get too excited yet.”
“WOO!” Charger cheered loudly, getting very excited as he slammed down another can of beer.
Stratus sent him a flatter than usual look, “What did I just say?”
Starry looked over at her captain, “I don’t think Blitz is who we should be worried about.”
“Charger will be fine. He’ll be paying for it by morning if he goes overboard. Trailing will really break them if they go too far.” Nightshade waved off with her wing, chuckling.
Soarin downed a beer himself, “It’ll be fiiinnne. We’re all adults here, right?”
“Yes, and being adults means dealing with the consequences come morning, brother.” Nightshade chuckled, shaking her head at him.
“I’ve been drunk off my ass enough times to know my limit.” Soarin nodded, watching Charger tear through another can of booze.
“Oh. That’s real comforting to hear, Soar. We’ll have a detox ready for you.”
Soarin laughed, “I didn’t mean it like that! Wonderbolts have all sorts of events and stuff we used to have to show up for. Most of the time, there was free concessions waiting for us. No one can turn down free booze. Besides, as Starry implied, I’m not the one who’s downed at least three cans already.”
“And this is why we rarely have alcohol on the grounds.” Stratus muttered.
“You’re just mad because your opposite isn’t here to translate for you~” Charger slurred at him.
“Charger, if you can’t control your inner alcoholic, I’ll force feed you one of your tonics and just hope it gives the right result.” Starry eyed him.
Charger pointed a wing at her, “You stay outta my lab! Tonics are so simple for me to make; I can enjoy myself!”
“Tonic and gin?” Soarin joked.
“No! Is like a potion, dude. Alchemy n’ shit. Is what I do.”
“It's why we call him a drug dealer.” Starry sniggered, knowing the reaction she’d get.
“SHUT UP, STARTY! JUS’ BECAUSE I’M FROM DETROT DOESN’ MAKE ME A DRUG DEALER!” Charger boomed.
“He’s also a lightweight.”
“M’kay, that one I’ll give cred’t for.” He chuckled, “I’m tryin ta build up a tol’rence.”
Nightshade shook her head, “Just don’t poison yourself, Charger.”
“I’d be bad at my job if I poisoned myself…” Charger stumbled over onto the couch, “We poison other people. Usu’lly ashholes.”
“Charger, keep it to the briefing.” Nightshade rolled her eyes.
Charger didn’t respond, now onto his fourth drink. “There. Thas as far as I’ll go. I’m an adolt.”
Soarin took a sip of his own. “...Probably for the best.” He chuckled. Then, he turned toward his sister, “What time should I be reporting in tomorrow morning?” He asked.
“0300 hours.” She replied casually, “That’s usually when we all start our high intensity training for the day.”
“That’s...3?!” Soarin yelped, the realization piercing his buzzed brain.
Starry chuckled at his horrified response, “It’s intimidating at first, but you get in the routine eventually.”
Soarin replied by simply putting his drink into the trash.
“Oh look, he gets it already.” Nightshade smirked, finishing off her own drink.
“...I’m already going to be dead tired tomorrow, I don’t need to feel terrible on top of it.” Soarin shivered.
“Smart man.” Stratus agreed, “I’m not going easy on you, even if you were hungover. Tartarus, I’d kick your flank even harder if you were.” He flashed a rare grin, “And I’d enjoy doing it.”
“Sociopath…” Charger muttered.
“So enjoy this night while you can. You won’t be able to feel your wings this time tomorrow.” Stratus continued, his voice even. “Wonderbolts take anyone and make them good. We train the good to be great. If you don’t rise to our expectations, it’s kitchen duty for you for good, fly boy.”
Soarin let out a audible gulp. Stratus was promising him a hard time tomorrow, and given the stallion’s reputation, Soarin had a feeling that he was about to face a world of pain. It was a wonderful and terrifying thing.
...Mostly terrifying, though.