Written by: Shahrazad
Edited by: Conantheimp
Sweet N’ Spicy Redux: Chapter 5
~~~~~
This is it!
Rainbow Dash trotted into the main academy hall after their first day, her hooves making little sound on the cloudy floor. They pushed through the crowd of cadets in the main hall taking in the sights. It was everything she had dreamt of and more. She had performed so well her first day, she was just sure she was going to be made a leader. She would get a golden badge. She would impress Spitfire. She would even make a new friend in the form of Lighting Dust. They had only just met and already the two were talking like old friends. They were on the same wavelength, so to speak.
They trotted through the main hall like they owned the place. Lightning Dust and Rainbow Dash wore euphoric grins and trotted like they had springs in their hooves. Nothing could stop her now, her dream was within reach. She rounded a corner.
Her stomach dropped into her hooves.
Soarin and Fleetfoot were walking down the hall. They really did own the place. The crowd of cadets parted around them as if they were predators surrounded by tasty prey. Lightning Dust and Rainbow Dash realized just where they stood in the grand scheme of the Academy. Lightning Dust whispered to Dash as they pressed against the wall to allow them to pass, “I want us to be just like those two by the end of next week. Let show these jokers that we’re the only two worthy of the Wonderbolts. The other cadets aren’t worth horsefeathers, isn’t that right Dash? Dash?”
Dash wasn’t listening. She was staring at Soarin with an unfathomable expression. Soarin himself seemed relaxed until he saw Dash. At that point Fleetfoot stopped mid-sentence while Soarin glared at her. As they passed he held his nose in the air and looked away as if she were of no consequence. The other cadets looked on whispering.
“DASH!”
“Huh?” Soarin and Fleetfoot had turned the corner and the sounds of the world returned to Dash’s ears. “Sorry I was thinking about, uh, tomorrow's exercises.” Dash’s plastic smiled stretched wide. Lightning Dust raised an eyebrow.
“Don’t get distracted Dash, we’ve got a good thing going here. Let’s not ruin it.” Lightning Dust had a fleeting second thought about Rainbow Dash but brushed it aside. Thinking twice was not something Lightning Dust did. Even if Dash was easily distracted she was far better than any other cadet. Oh yeah, this is going to work out for me. For both of us, Dust thought with a smile.
~~~~~
Twitch
Fleetfoot walked into the break room the next morning. She had retrieved two cups of coffee, one for herself and one for Spitfire. You could get the cadets to bring you a cup of coffee but odds were they would just screw it up. And Spitfire was always a bit high strung at this time of the year. Being a drill instructor put her in a particular frame of mind that was difficult to shut off until the training season was over. A morning cup of coffee and the Canterlot Times usually put Spitfire in a good mood. At least until she got out onto the training range. But Fleetfoot could have sworn-
Twitch
There it was again. The right eyebrow quivered. This was a bad sign. That sort of twitch only occurred when Spitfire was about to... well... spit fire. Fleetfoot had only seen the display a few times. Her mane would catch fire, her coat would turn white, and her eyes would turn blood red. It was something Canterlot mares were said to be able to do when truly angry. The last time it had occurred was when a cadet had abandoned her wingmare during an exercise. It was a cardinal rule that you didn’t do such a thing. But the eyebrow had to twitch three times before-
Twitch
Oh goddess NO!
FWOOSH
Fleetfoot winced and quickly backed away from Spitfire. Surprisingly, Spitfire didn’t move but continued to stare at the morning paper. Two hooves pressed the paper flat into the break room table with Spitfire towering over it. Flames were rising from her mane and heat radiated out of her. The paper wasn’t going to last long. It began to curl at the edges and greasy black smoke began to rise from the points where Spitfire’s hooves touched it. Orange cinders began to form and spread out along the newspaper. Fleetfoot took a risk to defuse the situation at great sacrifice to herself.
She poured her coffee over the paper to extinguish the flames. It also had the side benefit of obscuring Spitfire’s vision of the paper for a moment.
HISSSSssssss
The fire hissed and sputtered out. Spitfire returned to normal as well. She was still glaring at the morning paper, or at least what was left of it. Fleetfoot set the empty cup down on the table and gingerly approached Spitfire with a forced smile. “What’s the news boss?” It was better to let Spitfire vent her anger rather than bottle it up. She wasn’t on fire anymore and Fleetfoot knew that meant things could only get better. The cadets should be kissing my hooves for what I’m doing for them now, Fleetfoot thought to herself.
“I’ll tell you what the news is. LIES! ALL OF IT! I swear if I find this ‘confidential source’ I’m going to string them up by their hooves to four different Wonderbolts and tell them to fly and not stop till they hit the four corners of Equestria!”
Fleetfoot had to chuckle at the colorful mental image of dismemberment. “It can’t be that bad boss.”
Spitfire glared at her, “Read it yourself.” Spitfire stood still like a smoldering volcano. Fleetfoot carefully placed a hoof on the remains of the paper and slid it across the table. She turned it around and scanned the front page for anything that might pertain to Spitfire or the Wonderbolts. It was difficult as the paper was stained brown with coffee and singed black with fire. She found the offensive article below the fold, thank Celestia for small miracles. It was titled “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Just Show Off.” Fleetfoot’s eyes narrowed as she read through the article.
Sources close to the highest levels of government have recently reconsidered the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. This policy prevents open homosexuals from serving in Equestrian armed forces. The change in policy may already be undergoing a trial run at the Wonderbolts academy. Pictured is an academy cadet who may be the military’s poster mare for a new era of inclusion.
A small picture of Rainbow Dash and DJ-Pon3 was printed beside the article. The Wonderbolts were in the background, making the picture all the more damning. Fleetfoot’s left ear twitched as she remembered seeing the same picture last week in the Equestrian Sun. She didn’t want to admit that she read tabloids to her superior officer. Spitfire looked down on that sort of thing, she only respected real newspapers. Although perhaps now she would be canceling her subscription to the Canterlot Times. The article continued:
Spitfire, the commanding officer of the Wonderbolts, was quoted as saying: “It’s time we did away with this outdated policy. The Wonderbolts need to find talent in whatever form it takes.” A proposal to remove the restriction of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is currently slated to be brought before the Diarchs for consideration next month...
The articled continued on for several paragraphs on the back page but Fleetfoot didn’t get to finish it. Spitfire slammed a hoof down right over the picture and shouted, “See? LIES! Slanderous lies! I never said any such thing! Rainbow Dash is friends with Twilight Sparkle isn’t she? And Twilight is friends with the Princesses. I swear if this is her doing...” Spitfire continued to mumble conspiracy theories.
“Hold on there boss. If this isn’t true can’t you just write a letter to the Times and tell them it isn’t so? They’ll print a correction, they do it all the time.”
Spitfire’s face didn’t soften one bit. “Sure they will. On page E32 right next to an advertisement for stallion’s mane restoration potions.” Spitfire sighed and slumped into her chair as if she had been deflated. Oh good, it’s almost over, Fleetfoot thought with relief. “I just don’t understand it. Why would some pony lie like this? Now I’m stuck.” As Spitfire spoke that tired look came over her again.
Fleetfoot titled her head at Spitfire, “How so?”
“If I don’t accept Rainbow Dash into the Wonderbolts I’m going to look like I hate filly foolers. That’s a ball of hay I don’t want to deal with. If I do accept her everything will be fine.”
“So...accept her. Is that so hard?”
“Excuse me?” Spitfire looked up at Fleetfoot dangerously. Fleetfoot backed away not wanting to ignite Spitfire again. “Are you telling me I have to do something in order to look good? What if she’s a washout? What then?”
“Uh...Well, she is good. Isn’t she? New academy record on the Dizzitron and all. That’s a good sign right? As long as she’s a good little cadet everything is fine. Let’s wait till she screws up before we start to worry.”
Spitfire sank back down in her seat. “I guess you’re right. Thanks Fleet.” Fleetfoot smiled and nodded. “I just can’t help but wonder why some pony wants Rainbow Dash accepted into the Wonderbolts so badly. I’ll write to the Times, tell them the whole thing is a lie. In the meantime we need to keep an eye on Rainbow Dash and those around her. I want to know who’s trying to manipulate me.”
~~~~~
crunch
Soarin bit into the carrot and noisily munched away. Spitfire’s ear twitched once at the noise and Soarin took the subtle cue to eat with less gusto. The cafeteria was full, cadets and Wonderbolts were eating dinner after a difficult day of aerial maneuvers. Of course the Wonderbolts were at a table set apart from the others. Can’t be seen eating with the rookies after all. That privilege was reserved for those who had earned it. Spitfire seemed unusually relaxed at this time of day, she wore an abbreviated smile. Most of the cadets were waiting in line to be served what amounted to slop while Spitfire and the Wonderbolts were served beet steak by a small but dedicated wait staff. Rank had its privileges.
“I hear you have a really good team this year boss.” Soarin said after swallowing the last of his carrot. He tossed his white cloth napkin on the table near his empty plate and looked at Spitfire with a smile. He nodded to a mare who took his plate and returned with another brimming with steamed carrots and a slice of apple pie a la mode. He didn’t even need to say anything since he ate the same thing almost every evening.
“I do. I think they deserve a reward. I hope you can stomach a civil conversation with them Soarin.” Soarin gave Spitfire a quizzical look while Fleetfoot suppressed a laugh when she saw what was about to happen. “There they are now, LIGHTNING DUST,” she called out over the chatter of the dining room. “Over here you two.” Lighting Dust and Rainbow Dash trotted over surprised, but elated to be called to the Wonderbolts table. Several other cadets shot envious glances at them as they trotted past.
Soarin tossed his fork down on his plate after a only a single bite. The clatter echoed in Dash’s head, like the tone of a brass gong. “I think I’m full. It’s time for me to clean up for tomorrow anyway,” Soarin’s glare in Dash’s direction did little to convince the other ponies at the table of his sincerity. He left and stood in the line to dump his plate out. He didn’t even give the waitress a chance to take his plate or silverware, he took those items himself.
Spitfire sighed as Soarin walked away but turned to Lightning Dust and Rainbow Dash. “I just wanted to congratulate my best cadet team,” as Spitfire spoke Lightning Dust nodded with a massive grin. She ate up every word. “We’re going to have a serious training session tomorrow. I want you two to be at your best.” Spitfire spoke mostly to Lightning Dust since Rainbow Dash seemed to be looking over her shoulder and across the room.
“Yes ma’am. You can count on us. I promise we’ll blow you away.” Dust’s enthusiasm was over the top but Spitfire liked that about the mare. She always pushed herself to the limit. Dash was... a great flyer but she always seemed to have her head in the clouds. Like something was distracting her. Spitfire glanced at Soarin, or maybe distracted by somepony.
Lighting Dust continued to smile in Spitfire’s direction but under the table stomped on Dash’s hoof. Dash almost yelped but held it in. Dust whispered harshly out of the corner of her mouth, “Equestria to Rainbow Dash, get your flank back to reality.”
Dash nodded vigorously to make up for lost time. “Yes ma’am, don’t worry we’ll make you proud.”
Spitfire nodded but still one eyebrow was raised. “I don’t want to give away too much but tomorrow we’re going to be doing some exercises with the weather. I want the two of you in high spirits. Since you two worked hard and finished today’s exercise ahead of every other cadet I’m giving you an hour off. I suggest you use it to sleep a bit more but try to relax at the very least. You’ve earned it. Just remember it’s lights out at 10pm along with the rest of the cadets.” Lighting Dust nearly squealed and clapped her hooves together.
Dash’s eyes slid over Spitfire’s shoulder again towards the exit. Soarin was at the head of the line and placed his plate on the rack for the wait staff to wash along with the hundreds of other plates. Dash’s eyes traced his form stopping at his flank. He trotted out of the room and Dash bit her lower lip. Lighting Dust spoke up, “Isn’t this great Dash? How about we push it and try doing an extra hour of wing ups?” Spitfire smiled at the suggestion but kept silent.
“How about 30 minutes instead. I’m really sleepy and I want to be ready for tomorrow.” Dash finally turned and spoke directly to Lighting Dust.
“What? Weak. Only if you promise to push yourself to the limit tomorrow.”
“I promise. I’ll get a good night’s sleep and be ready to go tomorrow morning.” Dash smiled warmly and Lightning Dust nodded with approval.
~~~~~
Wow. What a day. I didn’t expect that to happen. Rainbow Dash slowly walked down the hall towards Spitfire’s office. It had been an incredible day. She touched the golden badge pinned to her chest once more. It was surreal but in a good way. Moonlight spilled into the hallway from the windows set at regular intervals. Her friends had gone to bed at the academy but would have to leave tomorrow morning. After the harrowing day they’d endured it was no surprise when they received special treatment. Dash still had to finish the training course. She was exhausted but so very happy. Things were going her way. Everything was going her way.
The door creaked open and she peered inside. “Don’t just stand there, get in here and take a seat.” Spitfire was seated at her desk and gestured to an empty chair across the from the oak slab. Dash trotted inside and sat down with a satisfied smirk. Spitfire leaned back and gently steepled her hooves against each other. She regarded her new head cadet with a cool gaze from behind her aviator glasses. “Quite a day we’ve had.”
“Yes ma’am,” Dash wasn’t sure where this conversation was going but she could see no reason to be nervous.
“I’d like you to prepare a training plan.”
Dash smiled and replied, “That’s easy.”
“Is it? You think you can make a training plan that all of the recruits will find challenging but gives them a fair chance to succeed?” Spitfire looked at Dash over her aviator glasses.
Dash gulped, “I can make a training plan that will be tough but fair. You can count on me.” Her smile returned but she wasn’t quite so smug.
“Do you understand I am going to be using your training plan to judge how well you lead? And if the plan isn’t good enough to incorporate into the Wonderbolts training regiment then I don’t see you having much of a future in the Wonderbolts. Quite a bit is riding on you Dash. If you don’t meet my expectations...”
“I...but...today you said I was the lead pony.” Dash was riding a high after the day’s events and Spitfire was raining on her parade.
“And you are. I didn’t say you were a Wonderbolt yet, did I?”
“No ma’am.”
“You think I’m pushing you harder than the other cadets don’t you?”
“...Yes ma’am, I do. But that’s ok! I can handle it. I won’t let you down.” Dash’s smile returned with a vengeance.
Spitfire carefully removed her aviator glasses and slipped them into her shirt pocket. Her motions were languid and her eyes were closed. When she opened them, the intensity of her gaze pinned Rainbow Dash to her seat. “You’re on thin ice Dash. Much thinner than you realize. The problem here is that you truly are a great flyer.” Dash was nearly euphoric at the compliment. “Don’t get smug. One slip up, just one, and you’re gone. Outta here. Do you understand me? I will not clean up your mess. I expect your plan in writing by the end of the day tomorrow.”
The words chilled Dash to her core, she gulped and nodded. Spitfire’s eyes burned into her with that intense, knowing gaze. Sweat began to break out on her coat yet she couldn’t move a muscle. She felt like a bow string stretched so tight even the slightest movement would snap her in two. She didn’t even breathe. Spitfire snorted and turned to her dwindling stack of paperwork, “Dismissed.”
Rainbow Dash was out of the room in the blink of an eye. She had a training plan to write. As she darted out of the office she saw Soarin standing just outside. She didn’t stop to talk to him when he gave her a look.
~~~~~
The clouds spun after she darted around them. It was the trick Fluttershy liked best. She felt it would make a good addition to the training plan but she wanted to run through each exercise before submitting it to Spitfire. The instructor’s words from last night still rang in her head. She touched the golden badge one more time on her flight uniform. I’m the lead pony. Everypony believes in me. I won’t let em’ down. No screw ups.
She was going to get everything just perfect. She couldn’t afford to mess up now, not when everything she wanted was so close. She ran the exercise one more time. She hadn’t even stopped for breakfast this morning. She was running on pure emotion at this point; if she stopped to eat something odds were she would lose it before lunch. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she pulled out of a steep dive. She rose higher and higher into the air. She looked about for a place to rest.
She landed on a small golden cloud set high above the land. It gave her a fantastic view of everything around her. The air was thin and bracing at this altitude. She settled into the cloud and tried to even out her breathing. Her hooves tensed and bunched up the cloud between them. She slowed her breathing to normal but her heart still pounded away inside her. She waited.
thud
Something heavy landed on her back. She squirmed around and found herself pinned to the cloud by Soarin. He was breathing heavily, sweat beaded on his flank. She tried to stand but he held her in place and didn’t let her move. Her eyes went wide and her heart raced even faster. “I can’t believe you almost quit after all we’ve been through,” he growled. “Don’t you know what’s at stake? Don’t you remember what we said in that hotel room?”