//------------------------------// // Best Laid Plans // Story: Feathers of Blue and Gold // by Ruirik //------------------------------// “I…” Rainbow swallowed hard, dropping the letter onto the table. “... I’ve been fired…” Spitfire’s eyes went wide with the revelation; a hoof covered her mouth as she gasped. Bifrost took the letter in his hooves and read it over. His eyes carefully analyzing every word, nuance, and detail on the page. It brought his blood to boil and pulled his lips into a heavy scowl. Only after he had read and re-read the letter several times did he put it down on the table, his attention returning to his daughter. “Hey,” he began with a gentle voice, wrapping his forelegs around her shoulders. “We’re gonna fix this, Dash. I promise.” “Can...can I take a look?” Spitfire asked, pointing a hoof at the offending parchment. Rainbow gave a simple nod, the sense of heartbreak all but radiating off of her. Her eyes glistened with tears she stubbornly refused to shed, her lips twisted into an agonized scowl, and her breaths came in heavy, trembling pants. Even with Bifrost’s wings and forelegs holding her in a protective embrace, Rainbow felt nothing more than isolation. To Rainbow Dash Manager, Ponyville district. Ms. Dash, we hope this letter finds you well. Indeed it was cause for a great deal of concern when the Weather Commission learned of your accident in regards to the Manehattan Storm. An internal review has been conducted over the preceding weeks, and we have taken steps to ensure accidents such as this are not repeated in the future. As such, the Manehattan team has been audited, and there will be significant changes to the management structure pending further disciplinary actions. Manager Headwind’s resignation has been accepted, and his weather licence has been revoked. Likewise Manager Flash Cloud and Manager Dewdrop will be removed from active duty pending the completion of a yet to be decided probationary period. Senior Manager Downburst will resume command of the Manehattan team until further notice. Finally, it is with no small amount of consternation that we must also address your place in the situation. The chain of critical errors, personal safety violations, and lassitude in your management style have left us with little choice. Effective immediately, you will be relieved as manager of the Ponyville Weather Team, and your lightning certification will be revoked. The Weather Commission thanks you for all your service, and wishes you a speedy recovery. Spitfire set the note down, her temper flaring in her eyes. It was enough to give Rapidfire cause to worry, and he reached out to her with a cautious hoof. “Spits?” he asked with a quiet concern. She took deep, measured breaths in an attempt to quell the righteous indignation that burned in her breast. They did little to help, and Spitfire found her head shaking in disgust. “Weather Commission,” she spat. “They weren’t here, what do they know.” “They’ve probably got the mayor of Manehattan and every pony that got injured or had property damage breathing down their necks,” Bifrost answered. “We’re gonna fix this, Dash, don’t you worry.” “How?” Rainbow asked, her voice betraying the crushing despair she felt inside. Bifrost hesitated, biting at his lip as his mind stalled for time. He was used to being able to fix problems when they arose, especially when they concerned his baby girl. This was a situation that was out of his hooves, and he didn’t see a clear way to resolve it. Bifrost felt helpless, and there was no feeling that he hated more. He hugged Rainbow tighter. “I don’t know yet, Rainbow. But I swear I’m gonna raise hell until I find out.” “Can’t you appeal?” Rapidfire asked, eying the note and his sister with equal concern. “I mean, it wasn’t your fault, right?” Bifrost’s eyes lit up and he gave a hopeful smile. “Actually… you could, Rainbow. It’d be a messy process, but you’ve definitely got a case.” “You were there, dad.” Rainbow sighed, looking down into the cup of hot chocolate before her. “I told the princesses it was my fault...and I...I did screw up.” “The violation of a personal safety rule, such as sitting on a live thunderhead, isn’t grounds for termination,” Bifrost countered, releasing his daughter from the hug. “Similarly the presence of an untrained civilian wandering on site is not your fault. You can’t be expected to account for those factors.” He shifted his attention to Spitfire, who was fidgeting uncomfortably. “Any blame for what happened lies with Fleetfoot.” Spitfire flinched at the off-hoof comment. Rainbow listened, but didn’t speak; her mind a jumbled mess of concerns. She wasn’t normally the kind of mare prone to indecision. Still, there was more to consider than she was used to, and the Weather Commission was a very powerful group of ponies. Beside her, Spitfire braced her hooves on the table. Her eyes staring down at her neglected coffee as she forced herself to take deep, steady breaths. With each one the screams in her mind grow louder, the pain in her wing burned hotter, and darkness encroached on the edges of her mind. All the while the voices around her grew more and more distant, until they were like echoes from a cave. Spitfire gritted her teeth and closed her eyes, lowering her head until it was resting on the table. “Spits, you okay?” she heard Rapid ask, his hoof touching her shoulder. Rainbow’s concern was a bit more apparent in her nervous tone. “Spitfire?” “I’m alright,” Spitfire said, holding up a hoof in the apparent hope it might placate them. “Just...just a bad twitch in my wing.” “I can go inside and get some ice,” Rainbow suggested, one of her hooves resting on Spitfire’s. Spitfire shook her head, lips pulling into a tight line. She sucked in a deep breath and forced herself upright. With a little extra effort she even managed a passable smile. “I’m good, just needed a second.” Rainbow didn’t look terribly convinced. “You sure?” Spitfire nodded. “Positive.” After a moment, Rainbow seemed to give up on the issue, returning her attention to Bifrost’s questions. Spitfire waited for a few minutes, finishing the last of her coffee before excusing herself into the Eighth Note under the pretense of wanting a second cup. Instead, she made for the restroom and locked herself in one of the stalls. There, she let out a trembling breath, her hoof fumbling around in her saddlebag for the bottle of painkillers. Pulling it out, she stared at the translucent bottle for a moment, regarding the little white pills inside with a sneer. One pill, it seemed, wasn’t enough anymore. With a sigh and the shake of her head, Spitfire unscrewed the bottlecap and tapped out a second pill into her hoof. Swallowing it dry, she carefully packed the bottle back into her bag and left the restroom. After buying a second coffee, if for no reason than to keep up appearances, she went back outside where her friends, and marefriend, were waiting. “Welcome back,” Rainbow greeted her with a smile. Spitfire leaned over, kissing Rainbow’s supple cheek. “Miss me already?” “Maaaybe,” Rainbow drawled. Soarin made a gagging noise. “Get a room!” “Oh, no. Nuh-uh, no way, no how. ” Bifrost shouted, shooting Soarin a death glare. “Don’t you be giving my daughter ideas!” “I think she’s got em already,” Rapidfire chimed in. “You’re not helping!” Rainbow cried out, her cheeks burning for what was unlikely to be the last time that day. “Oh, hey, Spits,” Rapid turned to his sister, eager to change the subject before Bifrost’s glare turned him into a puddle on the ground. “ I’ve been learning Germane from Mallow.” A concerned look crossed Spitfire’s face. “Really? What’d he teach you?” “Ich bin eine kleine hübsche Prinzessin,” Rapid said with a proud grin. Spitfire raised her eyebrow. “And what’s that mean.” She couldn’t help but notice the way Soarin was conspicuously grinning, or the odd way that Bifrost had choked on his drink. “Hi, it’s really good to meet you,” Rapid said, oblivious. “Really,” Spitfire drawled, watching Soarin with a wary eye. “Anything else?” “Ich lutsche nachts an meinem Huf,” Rapid said with a confident nod. Bifrost quickly excused himself from the table, making a beeline into The Eighth Note. “That’s great, Rapid, really” Spitfire said, patting him on the shoulder. “Would you excuse me for just one sec?” Soarin bit on his tongue as hard as he could without drawing blood. Ironically, when Spitfire’s hoof grabbed him by the ear and dragged him off, it only helped him. She hauled his flank behind the diner before she released him. “The hell, Soarin?” she demanded, stomping a hoof against the pavement. The poor stallion couldn’t hold in his laughter any longer. “Y-yeah, boss?” “Are you picking on my baby brother?” “You’re twins,” Soarin noted, still giggling like a foal. Spitfire seemed unimpressed by the fact. “I’m older.” “Can’t prove that.” Spitfire scoffed. “Yes I can!” “Were you there?” Soarin asked. Spitfire stared at Soarin with a flat look. “...Okay,” Soarin said after a minute to think. “Bad question.” “Ya think?” “Shut up.” Spitfire patted Soarin’s head and flashed him a grin. “Maybe someday, if you ask real nice” The larger pegasus rolled his eyes and couldn’t help a rueful smile. “Hey, I was meaning to talk to you anyway. Got a minute?” “Sure,” Spitfire answered, sitting down and leaning against the wall. “What’s on your mind, Soarin?” The large stallion didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he chewed on his lip until he began to anxiously pace for several long moments. Concerned, Spitfire reached out with her good wing to block him. The gesture made Soarin halt his motions and sigh. He rubbed his cheek with his left wing. “Sorry.” “It’s fine, Soarin.” Spitfire offered him a sincere smile. “Just…tell me what’s eating you.” “I…” He sighed again, running his hoof through his unkempt mane. “I don’t know if I can do this, Boss. Run the team, I mean.” “You were my lieutenant for years, Soarin. You know how to do all the work, and Arcus will be there to help with anything that comes up.” “That was different,” he responded, his head and wings sagging. “You were always there to make the calls and keep me on track.” Soarin looked at her with sad eyes. “I just...I don’t know if I can do this, Spitfire. The planning, running the practice session, handling the meetings, coordinating scheduling agreements with Arcus and the local sponsors. I don’t think…” He sighed, his posture deflating even further. “I can’t do this.” Placing her hooves on his shoulders, Spitfire lifted his chin with her wing. She smiled at her best friend; a warm smile brimming with trust and supreme confidence. “Soarin, you can do this. Not only can you do this, but there’s nopony I trust with it more. Everypony on the team looks up to you. And they all trust and respect you. Arcus will be there to help too, so you’ll never be flying alone.” “But leading the shows—” “It’s just like when you flew lead on the shows I was out sick for, the only difference is you get top billing now.” Spitfire patted his shoulder before pulling away. “You’ll be fantastic, and Rapid will be there to help you too.” Soarin was quiet for a time, his mind processing her words. “You think so?” Spitfire nodded, giving him a light hug. “I know so, buddy.” Returning the friendly embrace, Soarin sighed. “I’m gonna miss flying with you.” With a sad laugh, Spitfire pushed away from him. “You’re gonna do great.” Rapidfire trotted over after a few minutes. He glanced back over his shoulder from time to time with an omnipresent look of consternation on his face. Spitfire followed his gaze, but only saw Rainbow and Bifrost in quiet conversation. “What’s up, Rapid?” she asked, “you look like you just got your feathers pulled.” Rapid shuddered a little. “Rainbow’s dad is scary.” “Oh he’s harmless,” Soarin said with a flippant wave of his hoof. “...probably.” “Well you go test that theory.” Rapid shooed Soarin back towards the table. “When he sticks a pointy stick up your ass and roasts you over an open fire, then you can tell me how harmless he is.” Soarin shot Rapid with his best bedroom eyes. “Sharing your fantasies again, babe?” Spitfire groaned and gave Soarin a gentle push. “You two can flirt later, scram.” Giggling from his perceived victory, Soarin saluted the twins with a wing and made his way back to the table. Once he was firmly ensconced and chatting with Rainbow and Bifrost, Spitfire turned her attention to Rapid. “What’s on your mind?” she asked. Rapid pawed at the ground for a moment. Spitfire felt a bit of concern when she noticed he wouldn’t look her in the eye. “I’m, um...I’m thinking of retiring. Hanging up the uniform and trying my hoof at other work. Spitfire was surprised, but bit back most of her questions for the moment. “Any reason?” “It’s just, well,” he sighed, shaking his head and finally looking at his sister. “I joined up cause you asked me to, and we had a lot of fun over the last few years.” He offered her a genuine, but melancholic smile. “But, now that you’re not gonna be around, and Mallow’s got his hooves full. I just…” Sighing again, Rapid scratched his temple with a wing. “I just don’t think it’s—” “Rapid, you need to stay,” Spitfire said with no amount uncertainty. “But, I—” “No, Rapid,” Spitfire placed her hooves on his shoulders, her lips pulling into a frown. “Look, this mess is my fault. I bucked it up from the get go, and I’m sorry for all the trouble it’s put everypony though. I’d be right there with you if I could, but since I can’t, Mallow is gonna be in charge. He’s gonna need your help now, Rapid.” “I don’t have command experience,” Rapidfire noted. “I’m a marathon flyer, planning and logistics is—” “Is what Arcus does. You’re the El-Tee now,” Spitfire smiled and patted his shoulder. “You’re there to back Soarin up, and be the intermediary between him and the rest of the team. And you know what Rapid?” “What?” “You’ll be fantastic at it. Wanna know why? Because you’re already popular with everypony in the team. They like you, they trust you, and they all listen when you talk.” She paused for a moment, sitting next to her brother and draping a foreleg across his shoulders. “I know, it’s not what you expected, hay, I know it’s not what you wanted, but you’re a natural leader, Rapid. Soarin’s gonna need your help in the months to come, and I need you to stick it out and see this through.” Rapidfire’s ears splayed out as he shook his head a little. Spitfire’s foreleg gave him a gentle squeeze. “Please?” “Alright, Spits, alright. I’ll try, okay?” he consented, looking her in the eye as he did. A smile blossomed over Spitfire’s face and she pulled him into a tight hug, which her twin reciprocated. “That’s all anypony can ask.” “So,” Rapid asked after pulling away from the embrace. “What’s next for you? You’re not exactly the stay home and rest kinda pony.” Spitfire looked back to the table where Bifrost and Rainbow were quietly talking while Soarin glanced through a notebook with a dutiful look on his face. She smiled again, her eyes settling on Rainbow’s form. Rapidfire might have described her expression as swooning, but he knew that couldn’t be right. Spitfire swooned for nopony. Well, except for that one time, but that was entirely Princess Cadence’s fault. “Rainbow invited me to stay with her in Ponyville until my wing is better,” Spitfire answered after the not insignificant pause. Rapid balked a little. “Ponyville? Didn’t you once call that place the most boring town in Equestria?” “In fairness, that was before we visited Appleoosa.” “Fair enough, but still, Ponyville?” Rapid shook his head. “You’ll go out of your mind within a week there.” “Oh, I think I’ll have an outlet to entertain me.” “Wouldn’t that be an input?” Rapid asked. It took Spitfire a minute before she realized the implication. She smacked Rapid’s foreleg, her cheeks flushing. “Pervert.” “Takes one to know one,” he laughed. Spitfire really hated when Rapid was right.