//------------------------------// // Chapter XX // Story: Family Matters // by TheKing2001 //------------------------------// Spitfire I stared around me and Sunburst at the lunch room. In a way, it reminded me of the Wonderbolts lunch room. Thunderlane and Cloudchaser were sitting next to each other as Thunderlane was apparently in a hoof wrestling match with a person I suspected to be Bulk Biceps. Sunset and Rarity along with Vinyl had made our lunch trays. Thankfully it was all vegetarian. “I’m gonna sit with Fluttershy, Sweet Leaves and Fuchsia,” Sunburst said and smiled at me. “Wanna join us?” “No, I don’t want to join you and your marefriends, especially after whatever you and Sweet Leaves were doing last night.” “We were up to nothing!” Sunburst said hastily as I grinned and made a sucking sound as I moved my fist up and down to my mouth with my cheek stuck out. “That is not what was happening!” “Sure sounded like it.” “Well, it wasn’t. We were watching a horror movie on her laptop with Fuchsia.” I gave him a wicked grin along with a wink. “So Fuchsia was watching Sweet Leaves go down on you? Or did the two take turns?” I asked with a mischievous grin. “Or did they each pick a side?” “You are insufferable some days. We were not doing that,” Sunburst grumbled with an eye roll. “I’m joking, you know that right?” “Yes, you’ve been spending too much time with Rainbow, Pinkie and Lyra.” I gave a chuckle as I watched him walk over to Sunsets table and sit next to Fuchsia and Sweet Leaves across from Fluttershy. I could probably sit with my sister or just hang out alone. While I did secretly enjoy company of other ponies, I did like quiet sometimes. My eyes drifted to Sunset who pointed to a table with a bright haired girl and a girl with goggles that seemed familiar. With a shrug, I walked over to the table and sat down. “Yo Spitfire!” Indigo grinned and slapped me on the back. “You really showed your human counterpart the what for!” “That was a bit uncalled for,” Sugarcoat stated and pushed her glasses up. “Though I do respect how protective you are of your sister.” “It was very admirable,” Sunny Flare offered with a smile. “What can we do for you, dear Spitfire?” “Sunset suggested I sit with you. She really wanted me to come to school with her today and I couldn’t resist those puppy dog eyes. Plus, I got to deal with my counterpart.” “Our table is always open dearie. Tell us, what was Sunset like growing up?” Sunny Flare asked and leaned forward. “Completely different from how she is now. She had a rude side that she doesn’t show much anymore. She still doesn’t take shit from anypony but didn’t have many friends. She only had two from what I remember when we were fillies.” “I heard she was a bit of a bully until senior year,” Indigo commented as Sour snatched off Lemons headphones and handed them to her. “Kinda like how Crystal Prep was. She had some similar actions to how some did back there, blackmail, threats the like.” “I know,” I gritted my teeth slightly. “Me and her had words about that back home. I was no better with Soarin, trying to replace him. In all honesty, Sunburst is the most innocent of the three of us.” “I can believe that,” Sour admitted. “Tell us more.” “Well, Sunburst got bullied once. Me and Sunset beat the colt up together. I may or may not have vowed to look after both of them that day. We were only seven or so at the time and he was about four or five. Dad spanked the Tartarus out of our plots for choosing violence but he did respect that we stood up for our brother.” “Isn’t it a bit hypocritical for him to spank you two for being violent?” Sugarcoat pointed out. “Dad was unique. He did the things he did because he wanted to teach us. He loved us a lot,” I replied hotly, a bit angry at her word choice. “He knew when to punish us and when to be kind, just like any father. Or well, any good father I should say. I never did get to thank him or mom for all they did.” “Can’t relate,” Sour Sweet said after a moment. “Are they-” “Dead? Yes they are.” “I would have used a bit more tact but I am sorry to hear that dearie. Sunset doesn’t talk about her parents much to anyone except her family and Derpy. She’s only made offhand comments about her biological mother and father being amazing.” “They were,” I admitted fondly. “You all saw me beating myself?” “Girl, the whole school saw!” Lemon Zest announced. “I’ve never seen Sunset be scary before so I can’t speak on her but you are defo intimidating dude! For real!” “Facts,” Indigo added. “Remind me to never get on your bad side. So what do you do in Equestria?” “I’m the leader of the Wonderbolts, it’s a military unit. We rarely get activated for military operations so we do air shows. We only got activated during the changeling invasions and Tirek. We were in the far side of Canterlot during the first invasion dealing with changelings and the second time we were in the Crystal Empire detaining the ones who took Shining Armors spot along with Princess Cadence and Princess Flurry Heart.” “Huh, she doesn’t have a daughter here. Maybe Sci Twi should get ready to be an aunt,” Sunny Flare mused with a smile. “So exciting!” “I suppose.” “So what rank are you then?” Indigo pressed as I examined my salad. “Captain. Sunset technically outranks me because she is a commander in the guard but she often defers to me and looks to me for advice,” I answered as I stabbed some lettuce with a fork and gave an experimental chew. Not bad for a world that primarily eats meat. “Any more good Sunset stories?” Sour Sweet asked as I swallowed my salad and gave a mischievous grin. “Well, there was this one time.....”