The Wonderbolts, wearing their trademark blue and yellow uniforms that glowed in the sunlight, bowed to the huge crowd of ponies and griffons that had traveled miles to see them perform and erupted in cheers, chanting their name. Like every time before, it was another wildly successful show, full of stunts that boggled the mind and techniques using the crackling thunderclouds that formed behind them as they flew much like paintbrushes. All eleven of the Wonderbolts trotted off into the passageway of the stadium that led to the locker room, all filled with smiles and positive energy. However, one of the Wonderbolts' smiles seemed off putting. The Wonderbolt in question was their beloved captain, Spitfire.
Spitfire had been feeling depressed for a while, and she knew that her melancholy all started with her misunderstanding with Soarin during the tryouts at Rainbow Falls for the Equestria Games. The despair inside of her was much like a virus, growing as she remembered the harder moments of her life, reaching its climax during the Tirek incident. Spitfire held in her depression as long as she could, hoping nobody would notice, but now she could barely hold in her sadness, as it felt like it was ready to burst out of her chest at any moment.
Leading her team to the locker room, Spitfire opened the door and they entered a cold, dimly lit room with smooth wooden benches and containers of water at the far end, which looked appealing to the eyes after an exhausting performance. All of the Wonderbolts got a drink of water and chatted before the inevitable rush of autographs and the Q&A session that came with it, but they had the opportunity to talk with each other first before that part of the day. Each Wonderbolt found someone to mingle with to pass the time, everyone except for Spitfire.
Spitfire slowly drank her water and sat alone, staring at her own reflection in the glass. She looked over and saw her teammates all having a fun time conversing about having yet another perfect show, though in hindsight it felt like every stunt show went perfect. Spitfire looked back at her reflection as thoughts crept into her mind. She wondered if she deserved the position of Captain of the Wonderbolts. Nobody was perfect, she knew that well, but every time there was a crisis with the bearers of the Elements of Harmony involved, especially if Rainbow Dash was present, she'd make some sort of miscalculation.
"Maybe I'm just weak," Spitfire muttered to herself, just quiet enough that nobody heard. "Physically, I was knocked out by Rarity and nearly killed by Discord and Tirek. Emotionally, I was exceptionally rude to Soarin, who I should have the utmost respect for. He deserves the position of captain more than I do. Perhaps I should tell him when—"
"Hey there, Spitfire," interrupted Soarin, sitting next to her. "What's on your mind? You should be celebrating with the other Wonderbolts after another successful show."
Spitfire sighed and looked over to Soarin. She wished she could tell him later, but Soarin's facial expression told her everything. "I've been thinking, how would it feel if I demoted myself and made you captain? I can't shake this feeling that you deserve it much more than I do."
Soarin gasped, completely unsure of how to respond at first. "Well, um, of course I'd love to, um, be captain, but why in the world would you demote yourself? You're a great captain. You're smart, agile, great with other ponies, um, most of the time, so why do you say this? More importantly, why do you want me to be captain? I'm the aloof member of the Wonderbolts, and everybody knows that."
"You're much more popular than I am. Also, ever since Rainbow Dash arrived on the scene, I've felt more and more worthless. I think she hates the Wonderbolts now, with you being the exception. I feel like a lot of this is my fault. I should have treated Dash with a little more respect at the academy, I should have treated you with much more respect at the Equestria Games tryouts, and I think it's odd for a weakling to be a captain of an organization like this."
Soarin frowned, feeling as though Spitfire's depression seeped into his own emotions. He never expected Spitfire would actually feel this way, and it broke his heart to see his friend so down in the dumps, Soarin looked for something, anything to ask her that might help him pull Spitfire out of despair.
"Have you told any of your other friends before about how you've been feeling?"
"I don't have any friends."
Soarin grabbed Spitfire firmly and glared at her, but his face looked far from intimidating. "That's wrong. I'm your friend. Remember all of the fun we've had together? The Grand Galloping Gala? When we first met at the academy? When you brought over one of Applejack's pies to me as a gift?"
"I remember. It felt like the right thing to do. Be helpful and considerate and all."
"What about the care you provided Blaze, Surprise, and High Winds after they were heavily wounded by that rampaging dragon in Ponyville a while ago? They were so frightened and embarrassed, and you along with the other Wonderbolts pulled them back up. Now it's my turn to pull you back up. I'm not going to stand seeing you so depressed. Additionally, I know for a fact you're not weak."
"What makes you say that?"
"Let me reply to that question with some questions of my own. Who was the pony that devised the incredibly successful plan to stop the Boulder Dragon from destroying Appleoosa? Who was the pony that led Cloudsdale to safety when the plunder vines attacked Equestria? Who was the pony that had saved countless others in their times of need? Who was the pony that found out how to and managed to, with the other Wonderbolts, help defeat Arabus, one of the most fearsome demons known to ponykind? Tell me, Spitfire. Because I know you know who that pony was." Soarin felt a force inside of him build up as he gave his speech, a force that made him feel determined, but at the same time, he knew the force wasn't that of determination.
Spitfire could feel tears filling up in her eyes, which clouded her goggles ever so slightly. She broke into quiet sobs and the other Wonderbolts, hearing her plight, were silent and all approached her gently. Another Wonderbolt named Misty Fly sat next to Spitfire and massaged her back.
"It's okay Spitfire," said Misty Fly in a comforting tone. "We'll always support you, no matter what happens. Do you want to answer Soarin's question?"
"The p-pony he was talking about, w-was m-me," sobbed Spitfire.
"That's correct," said Soarin. "We all couldn't be more proud of everything you have done. Besides, you've given inspiring words of wisdom that have influenced so many ponies. Misty Fly is right, we're all your friends, Spitfire. No mistake or negative press will ever change that. Lastly, I've already forgiven you for your actions. They were only a misunderstanding anyways, and I wish we could have figured that out before. You were concerned about the team making it to the prestigious Equestria Games and not letting my injury stand in the way of the team making it, and while you didn't relay your rationale perfectly, I understand why you did what you did, and I know for a fact that the real Spitfire, the Spitfire I spent so much time with and deeply care for, would never throw me under the bus on purpose, even if you say otherwise. The only pony you need to forgive is yourself, because we want you to be happy, and that makes us happy." Soarin could feel tears building up in his eyes. "C-Come over here, Spitfire, one of my b-best friends. Let it all g-go."
Spitfire and Soarin hugged each other and both wept loudly as they took off their goggles and an avalanche of tears roared down their cheeks. Their cries echoed in the locker room, and only the other Wonderbolts could hear their catharsis.
As Spitfire cried, she noticed that nobody was giving her grief for acting mopey. All she saw or heard were signs of compassion and understanding. The weight of her melancholy leaped off of Spitfire, replacing it with a warm feeling in her heart, one that filled her to the brim with hope, and as she quickly realized, hope was the light at the end of the tunnel that would slay despair and bring back the wonderful feelings that she hadn't felt since before the last Wonderbolts Academy.
All of the other Wonderbolts felt teary eyed and Spitfire and Soarin released each other from their hug, wiping their own tears away. It felt great to both of them to release the sadness built up inside of them, and they thought that a new chapter of the Wonderbolts was ready to begin. While they had proven themselves time and time again, this time the light of hope would help guide them in the right direction.
"I'm sorry for everything," said Spitfire. "You're right, Soarin. You are my friend. All of you are my friends, and I wouldn't be where I am if it weren't for your help, so you have my thanks."
"No need to apologize," replied Soarin. "Everyone makes mistakes and we all have times in our lives where we feel a little down, so I get where you're coming from. You're such a great pony, and we're all so glad to see your spirits lifted. Let's go everybody, time to sign some autographs and answer the same questions as before."
The Wonderbolts all conglomerated into a group hug, the rush of compassion channeling through their bodies. Once they released each other from their hug, they trotted out of the locker room, more jubilant than before, and were all prepared for the usual media rush waiting for them in the lobby. Spitfire looked at Soarin, who winked cutely at her. She smiled at her close friend and as they entered the lobby, a rush of adoring fans approached the Wonderbolts, many of them visibly overjoyed to see the heroes that they appreciate greatly, and to all of the Wonderbolts, it felt good being mobbed by fans for once.