Paper or Plastic?
Plastic, because you're made out of paper. On a tangental note, thanks for not pissing me off too much. My doctor says it's not good for my blood pressure.
What was the most difficult and trying moment in your life?
I'm going to have to go with losing Songbird. Losing comrades is one thing, but when you believe that your actions caused one of your soldiers to die, well... Let's just say I still wonder what things would be like had I done more for her.
Where did you train new Wonderbolt recruits?
At first, we worked directly out of Cloudsdale. As more and more recruits came in from all over Equestria, though, we realized very quickly that we were going to need more space. Luckily, Princess Celestia was kind enough to requisition an abandoned mountain just north of Galloping Gorge. After many months of construction, we had a fully-functional Wonderbolt Academy with all of the state-of-the-art facilities any trainer or trainee would need.
In fact, the Academy is still running to this very day. I often fly out to visit it whenever I have the time, just for old time's sake. Of course, then I have to contend with ponies constantly calling me General even though I'm retired. Even Admiral Fairweather calls me that, and he's the one I named as my successor! Though I think he just does that to tease me.
How would your friends describe you?
Depends on who you ask, really. In general, I have been known for my fiery temper, my impulsive nature, and my inspirational aura. But to some ponies, such a description doesn't cover everything.
For instance, Star Catcher says my name is fitting because, as she puts it: "You're pretty from afar, but most ponies become unnerved when you get up close and personal." I'll admit, my demeanor can be on the brusque side at times. But c'mon, all COs yell at their troops. It's the best was to show them who's boss.
Admiral Fairweather claims that I'm a pony who takes things too seriously for her own good. Considering what happened at Chuckle-Lot, I hesitate to say that he's wrong. But that doesn't mean I have no sense of humor. I just don't take insults very well.
Nimbus has always seen me as his inspiration to join the EUP and eventually become one of the Wonderbolts' founding members. Even now, he continues to praise me as a role model to pegasi everywhere. This might be my ego talking, but personally, I don't blame him.
If Wind Cutter ever had an opinion of me, he never really said it to my face. He respected me as his superior officer, but nothing more than that. I find that warhorses like him tend to push that kind of stuff to the side when it comes to their superiors. He still considered me a friend, though. That's the most I ever managed to get out of him.
And finally, Thistle Whistle always said that I was the best friend she ever had. She said that even though I was rough and brusque, she knew that I had a good heart. Of course, she had known me the longest out of all of the Wonderbolts, so that kind of thing doesn't surprise me.
What have you always wanted? Did you get it?
Ah, now there's an interesting question. Normally, I'd say that it should be pretty obvious by now, given how much I've told you already. But I think there's a lot more to this question that I can expand upon. As I mentioned before, I always dreamed about being a military pony. I grew up listening to my Grandpa Aquilinus's war stories. However, I didn't always quite understand what attracted me to such a life. I liked the glory; the patriotism; even the primal rush of adrenaline gotten from flying at high speeds and confronting death. But I couldn't pinpoint what really appealed to me. That is, until I got my Cutie Mark.
It happened one summer evening; just after the first day of Flight School. I was just getting ready to go home when I heard a shrill, sobbing whistle echo from behind me. Right away, I knew what was going on. With a sigh, I turned around. Sure enough, there was Thistle Whistle, sitting just outside the front gate and nursing a black eye. This happened to her a lot when she was young, and I was always the only pony who ever stepped in to defend her.
Just like every other time, I went over to her and asked her what happened. She said she messed up a bit during flight practice today, and a bunch of colts teased her for it. They said she would never be able to fly, and when she tried to stand up for herself, they beat her up. Now, even at that young age, I knew that Thistle was a good flyer. Teasing her for her whistling habit was one thing, but that right there was just baseless slander. I felt like we had to teach those bullies a lesson.
"Don't let those dock-holes get you down, Thistle," I said (yes, I did have a bit of a mouth on me as a kid. I blame Grandpa Aquilinus). "You're a terrific flyer."
"Y-you really think so?" she asked me.
"I know so," I replied. "In fact, I can show you. Here, follow me. Let's fly for a bit."
Before she could respond, I took off into the air. Thistle was hesitant at first, probably due to her nerves. I floated back down to her and held out my hoof.
"Don't be nervous," I told her. "Just follow me, and everything will be okay."
After that bit of coaxing, Thistle joined me. We then flew together all over Cloudsdale. I kept a steady pace, making sure she didn't lag too far behind. It wasn't long before I heard those same punks from before mocking Thistle again.
"Aw, look! Firefly thinks she can help poor wittle Thistle!" they jeered. "Give it up! She'll never amount to anything!"
I stopped in mid-flight and turned to face Thistle's aggressors, folding my forelegs. "You really think that, huh? Well, just watch this! C'mon, Thistle! You're my wing!"
At the time, I had no idea what that term really meant. I just remembered it being a thing that military pegasi said to each other. Looking back on it now, I don't think I said it right. After all, I was supporting her, not the other way around. Hey, I was young and foolish back then; cut me a break.
In the grand scheme of things, it didn't really matter since Thistle got the message regardless. We both took off into the sky, flying far above Cloudsdale. I started off slow at first, but gradually, my maneuvers became tighter and my pace quickened. But no matter how fast I flew or how many difficult tricks I pulled off, Thistle was right behind me. It was as though she were my own shadow. Y'know, if my shadow whistled directly into my ear.
But as we flew together, I heard those whistles change in tone. Instead of crying, she seemed to be laughing. Instead of nervous, her tone oozed with confidence. She was living up to her potential, and I was helping her. And boy, did it feel good. I'd say it felt like an adrenaline rush, but this feeling was in a whole different category. It felt like it had, weight. Meaning. As if a bunch of clouds just parted, giving way to warm sunshine. I think this is what a lot of ponies feel when they realize what their special talent is.
Suddenly, my body was engulfed in a raging inner fire. I heard Thistle whistle in amazement, and I looked back to see what got her attention. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that I was leaving a streak of brilliant pink light in my wake. I zipped and zoomed all over the place, flying circles around the bullies and screaming with delight. All the while, Thistle was behind me. I had given her the strength to power through her nervousness. Our antics could be seen from all over Cloudsdale as my magic set the evening sky ablaze. When I finally tired myself out and landed, I saw two blue lightning bolts on my flank that weren't there before. Of course, everypony my age knew what that meant.
In short, the thing I always wanted was to inspire ponies and give them the strength to face the darkness. And considering that's my special talent, yes. I do believe I ended up getting what I wanted.
Also, what do you think of when you hear the words "Elephant Bird?"
Is that anything like a bugbear? Because I've actually fought a bugbear. Those things are nasty. I can't imagine an elephant bird being that much more challenging, though.