Also, Watch these birds expertly use their magic powers to disarm this bomb:
When did you first realize that you were becoming unable to physically handle the strain of being a Wonderbolt? What were your thoughts then? Were you willing to accept it mentally?
Well, the thing is that I didn't actually come to this realization on my own. I mentioned before that I focus so much on being an inspiration to others that I don't know when to back down. That being said, I wouldn't say I was forced into retirement, either. My son managed to stop me before I got to that point.
It started about seven years back or so. Snapdragon was out on his own, and he had just met his special somepony in the form of Sundance. He brought her to one of our shows as a first date. Of course, we managed to put on a spectacular show. At least, that's how I perceived it. Snapdragon saw something different.
During that show, I did notice that my wings felt a bit stiffer than they should. I also had trouble keeping up, to the point where I was lagging behind everypony else when I was supposed to be out in front. But I didn't acknowledge any of that on a conscious level. I was too focused on doing what I did best, and to be honest, it still wasn't half bad.
When I went to see Snapdragon after the show, I was panting like a dog. This only made him more concerned, as he told me that he feared for my life. I found this rather puzzling. Like I said, danger is my life. This shouldn't have been anything new to him. When he explained that I didn't seem to be up to snuff, I just dismissed it. After all, age is just a number, right? I still felt like I could fly with the best of them. Eventually, Snapdragon relented and dropped the subject entirely.
But as the days went on, it became more and more apparent that my age was catching up to me. I ignored it the best I could, trying to be the inspiring leader I always was. However, that didn't stop Snapdragon from confronting me after every show telling me I should pack it in. Thankfully, our debates on the subject were never that heated. I don't know if it was because I was too tired to argue properly or that Snapdragon managed to have the patience to put up with my stubbornness. Whatever the case may be, I'm glad this wasn't one of the times I shot my mouth off and said something that I would regret later.
Then, at one particular show, I simply couldn't ignore it anymore. I was struggling to pull off even the most basic of maneuvers. I still pulled them off, but it felt a lot more difficult than it needed to be. As I pushed my waning strength to its limits so that I wouldn't let my team down, I had an epiphany.
At the show before this one, Snapdragon had mentioned Thistle Whistle. He asked me what she would say if she saw me doing this to myself. It was a fair question, but I still didn't want to admit that he had a point. That conversation was playing on repeat in my brain all throughout this performance, and it shifted over to how Thistle died hiding her weakness from us. That wasn't what Snapdragon was trying to say, of course. He respects my a lot more than to reopen my old wounds like that. But I think this is one wound that needed to be reopened.
Once the show was over, I told Snapdragon that I finally understood why he was so worried about me. At this point, he and Sundance were engaged, so I said I would retire as part of my wedding present. And you know what? I was true to my word. The very next morning, I announced my retirement and relinquished my command to Admiral Fairweather. It was a very, bittersweet moment. The fact that I was too old to do what I did best, what I was meant to do, well... It stung. I won't deny that it stung a lot. But at the same time, I knew this had to be done. Thistle's death was tragic, and I didn't want my son to go through the same pain I did when I lost her. As I've said before, doing the right thing isn't always easy.
Have you ever heard of the Smooze? Can you stop it?
Yes, I have heard of the Smooze. While I've never actually seen it, I've heard that it is truly a creature to be feared. To be honest, I'm not sure if I could stop it. But if it ever became a threat to Equestria, I would damn well try, retired or not.
Have you ever seen the Kraken?
I can't say that I have. I know it's supposedly somewhere off the coast of Norneigh, but it's never come out to bother us ponies despite what some myths would have you believe. For example, I don't care what the ponies over in Norneigh say; there's no chance that it was an ally to Nightmare Moon.
Do you hear the people sing
Lost in the valley of the night?
Um, no. I do not. What valley are you talking about here, anyway?
Also, Watch these birds expertly use their magic powers to disarm this bomb:
...
Okay, Mr. Book? Could you do me a big favor and never do that again? It was creepy enough the first time, thank you.