Rainbow rushed through the skies, beating her wings rapidly. She needed to fix the mess she had caused the day before. Even if she wasn't interested in a relationship, Soarin was her friend. Or at least, she hoped he still was.
She arrived at the HQ in record timing, the sun barely rising. Dash looked around, temped to just call out his name when she spotted a certain fiery yellow captain who could help her.
"Spitfire!" she yelled out. Spitfire turned around to face her, an almost-smile forming on her lips.
"Glad to see you're early, Crash," She paused after a closer inspection of her sweaty figure. "Looks like you booked it here. Any particular reason?''
Rainbow Dash sighed. ''Yes, please. Where is Soarin?'' Spitfire's eyes widened. She looked to her left trying to make something up.
"Oh, he's...around...why do you need him?'' She replied as convincingly as possible.
''Yesterday, was he okay?'' She asked, ignoring Spitfire's question.
''Well...define 'okay','' Spitfire responded.
''Was he upset?'' Rainbow asked.
"He seemed to be. Why?" She heard the rainbow maned pegasus groan. "Something wrong?"
"It was all my fault...I-he came over to my house to confront me about the rumor that was spread around about us dating and I told him that I wasn't interested...in a more or so rude manner. I want to make things right. I need to find him." Rainbow Dash stated firmly, but anyone could hear the desperation in her voice.
Spitfire merely stared at Dash with a strict face, taking a second to think about everything Rainbow had said, and trying to find a possible solution. It didn't take long."Well, in that case...Rainbow Dash, I'm going to be as gentle as possible, but you're fired."
Rainbow looked up with wide eyes. "WHAT!? Why?" What in the world was going on these past few days?!
"Lately, you've been slacking off a lot, your flying techniques are lacking compared to the rest of the team, and now you're causing an emotional dilemma in a workplace. Consider your affiliation with The Wonderbolts over." She answered.
''But, Spitfire!'' Rainbow yelled almost whining.
''Talking back, now?'' Spitfire replied. Dash quickly shut her mouth. ''Now, I'm sorry, but this just isn't working out anymore. This isn't about you personally, it is merely a decision for the team. A team that doesn't need you, or your input, and I apologize. This doesn't mean you're not a great flyer. And I'm sure you'll get a lot more jobs elsewhere. Maybe a better position than the one you have now.''
''But I don't want another job! And you've never mentioned any of my skills being 'lacking', I could've fixed it!'' Rainbow protested.
''No, you couldn't have,'' Spitfire paused smirking. ''Because they aren't. In fact, you're one of the best flyers on the team,'' she admitted.
''What?..." Rainbow felt relief for a second, only for one. ''Wait, so, why am I fired?''
''You're not fired,'' Spitfire said with a chuckle. ''It was only an example.''
''An example? Of what?'' Rainbow asked, confused.
''Of what you're going to do to Soarin.'' Spit replied. ''Tell me, did the fact that you're getting fired hurt you any less even after I complimented your flying the second time?''
''Well, no. Not really.'' Rainbow admitted.
''Exactly. Just because you say it with kinder words the second time you reject him, doesn't mean the rejection will hurt him any less.'' Spitfire explained. ''He just needs some time to think, possibly even get over you. He has to accept that you don't like him that way and move on.''
''But, what if he doesn't remain my friend once he gets over me?'' Dash asked.
''Then he was never really your friend in the first place, he only stuck around because he liked you.''
Rainbow Dash shuddered at the thought of all her fun memories with Soarin being only because he had a crush on her. She refused to believe that was the case. It couldn't be the case. Soarin was her friend before anything.
''Can I still talk to him? I want to at least apologize for hurting his feelings,'' Rainbow suggested.
Spitfire sighed. ''He actually isn't here yet. Get your uniform on and start warming up. I have a new move that I want to show you.''
Rainbow felt her ears go down as Spitfire changed the subject. She really only wanted to fix everything with Soarin right now. Nevertheless, she smiled at her captain and raised a hoof to her forehead.
''Yes, ma'am!'' Dash confirmed with a salute as she flew off into the locker rooms.
Spitfire shook her head and went back to finishing her wing ups.
''Spitfire!'' A voice yelled.
''Blaze?'' Spit asked, looking around for the pony.
''Above you, ma'am,'' Blaze said. Sure enough, she was there when the captain looked up.
''Do you need anything?'' She asked with a dull expression.
''I slept here last night,'' Blaze commented proudly.
''I'm aware of that,'' Spitfire replied uninterested.
''And I overheard your conversation with the newbie,'' Blaze said.
''She isn't exactly new anymore. And I'm only teaching her the stunt first because she can learn it faster than a majority of you and I want her to teach it to the team while I'm gone tomorrow,'' Spitfire explained.
''Oh no, I'm not concerned for the trick. I'm talking about Soarin,'' Blaze said with a smirk. The captain looked her over curiously.
"What do you mean?" Spitfire asked. "What Rainbow Dash and Soarin are going through is none of your business, you shouldn't get involved."
Blaze rolled her eyes. "Oh, please, Spitfire. I'm not trying to get involved in any of their petty arguments, I'm just looking out for the team."
"In what way?" Spitfire asked. While she would rarely approve of ponies meddling in any situation, if it helped the team it surely couldn't harm anyone. "What do you have in mind?"
Blaze smirked. She knew that would reel her captain in. Quickly, she looked around to make sure no pony was eavesdropping. She spotted Surprise doing laps in the main outdoors arena, and Rainbow Dash opening her locker through the window outside the locker room. All in all, the coast was clear.
She took a deep breath and turned to her captain. "What if Soarin dated someone else?" Spitfire cringed and was about to oppose, but Blaze continued. "Think about it Spitfire, a mare to take his mind off Rainbow Dash. It would be good for both of them. Dash wouldn't feel guilty, and Soarin wouldn't be heart broken. They'll both be able to focus on their flying more than their emotions, and this whole dating drama, and the team will receive better results from it."
Spitfire shook her head. "I don't know, I think we should let them fix it on their own." Blaze frowned. "Soarin and Rainbow Dash work really well together, especially when we're working with aesthetic flight patterns. Their colors just blend well together, and the crowds love it. I would hate to see what would happen if they refuse to fly together now."
Blaze sighed, "Exactly! That's what I'm trying to tell you, ma'am."
Spitfire held her hoof out. "Let me finish, Blaze." The pegasus pony shut her mouth and looked at her superior. "While I'd hate to see any bad outcomes to their current problem, nothing has happened yet. At least, nothing within the team."
Blaze let out an almost-growl and looked to the ground. "So, what you're saying is...not to get involved just yet?"
"Not to get involved at all. Soarin and Rainbow Dash will figure this out, somehow. Even though they are our friends, all we have to do is give them support and advice. I'm sure nothing will cause them to disrupt the team, and if it does, I'll speak to them myself," Spitfire explained.
With that final note, the captain took off in the direction of the arena. Most likely to do some laps herself, Blaze noted. She kicked the ground with her hoof. Without Spitfire's support, her task would be a lot harder, since the captain had a lot of influence on the entire team; specifically Soarin, as they had been foalhood friends.
Still, she didn't start this whole mess to be thrown off this quickly.