Lightning "Rust"
The trio of Captain Spitfire, Rainbow Dash, and Lightning Dust were on final approach to the main Wonderbolt headquarters. Lightning had managed to clean up her reckless act and, with some vouching from Rainbow of all ponies, had been accepted for a second run in the academy. However, with a sudden retirement from one the their senior members, Spitfire had little options for a new call up from the reserves. Lightning had proved capable, and had gone through the academy. She was immediately picked up by the Captain. This turn of fate for the golden maned mare had her nearly in tears of joy.
She had a new problem though, she had not planned on it ever happening. She hadn't practiced formation flying ever since her departure. Lightning, against all she was known for, was nervous. Rainbow was there to back her up in case something happened, but it didn't exactly settle her feelings down.
The three ponies made it into the main building without any problems taking place. No pony crashed into them since all three knew to look both ways before crossing the runway. When Lightning asked why this was so important, Rainbow rubbed her hoof on the back of her neck and chuckled before Spitfire gave a real explanation. She then had whispered something into Rainbow's ear. Something about not spoiling the moment. Rainbow only nodded before they continued on.
They entered the locker room, Spitfire showing Lightning her locker with her jacket in it and gave her the flight suit to try on. She and Rainbow also got into their respective suits as practice for the show in Manehatten was starting soon. When Rainbow had left the changing room she was met with Lightning's new look.
"Just how I dreamed of it." Lightning complemented herself. She turned to find Rainbow staring at her, the rainbow maned mare in her outfit as well. Rainbow smirked, knowing the same feeling very well.
Spitfire ushered the two outside, not wanting the two of the freshest members to delay practice. They started with pairs, Lightning getting paired with Fleetfoot while Rainbow got Thunderlane. While Rainbow had the privileges of leading her pair Lightning was stuck as wing to Fleetfoot. She wasn't making it easy on her either, as a senior member of the group she was well practiced and Lightning struggled to keep up with her movements. When the session was over, Spitfire talked with the pair. She judged Fleetfoot well, acknowledging her quick reactions to orders. Then she turned to Lightning.
"However, looks like the new pony has something to explain about. I've known you since your first time through the academy, you had great timing and reactions. Not to mention your recovery from the dizitron was on par with the record, despite the higher setting. So, riddle me this... WHY ARE YOU MOVING SLOWER THAN A PLATE OF APPLE PIE?!"
"Did some pony say pie?" Soarin asked from a distance.
"Not now Soarin." Spitfire said, breaking her concentration for only a moment.
"I'll admit, I haven't been practicing since my initial expulsion. Just a little rust on the wings is all." Lightning answered the question. Spitfire comically raised an eyebrow before responding.
"So, Dust has some rust on her wings? Well, better work that out. Having rust on one part of this machine ruins the whole thing. I want you to stay with Dash after practice and get some more work in. Dash, can you do that?"
"Yes ma'am!"
"Good... Wonderbolts! Let's get back to practice, we need to prepare for the show."
The Wonderbolts finished practicing their routine for the show, Lightning and Rainbow staying after practice to improve their capabilities. By the time they were finished every other pony was in the mess hall at lunch. They got out of their uniforms and proceeded to get their food. At least they would have if Spitfire hadn't called Dash over to the table she was sitting at. Shrugging, Dust proceeded to sit at a table by herself. She was certain that Dash would come sit with her after she was done with Spitfire. Sure enough, Dash also retrieved her lunch and sat across from Lightning.
"So Rust, do you think the extra practice helped?"
"Maybe, I mean I do have to.... wait. What did you just call me?"
"what do you mean, I've called you that for as long as I've known you Lightning. I mean, most ponies just shorten me up to my surname anyway."
"Dash, my surname is Dust."
"I'm aware."
Lightning was completely lost, maybe she heard Dash incorrectly but she could have sworn she called her Rust. What she didn't notice was Spitfire giggling at the misfortune she knew this would become. Neither of the newest members went further into conversation and they soon finished up their meals. The group as a whole was dismissed with Spitfure staying behind as always.
As Lightning finally made her way home she still couldn't shake the conversation she had with Dash at lunch, she knew Dash had called her Rust and not Dust. Something was amiss, and she had an idea what. Spitfire had called Dash over to talk just before she sat down. Spitfire was also the pony who Lightning first explained her lack of training to.
It was a cruel joke, set up by two ponies who she had a bad past with. They were trying to force her to quit through embarrassment.
"I'm not gonna let that happen. I'll prove to those two, no to all of them I'm worthy of a spot on this team. Even if I have to break these wings to prove it." She promised herself as she made her way to her bed for the night.
Four Days Later: Manehatten Show Arena
Lightning had been the first to show up to preparation, after Spitfire of course. She would have to wait for the rest of the team to arrive before the could begin final rehearsals for the performance. Lightning had grown up near the city, so she had even more of a drive to prove herself to the others. Slowly the rest of the members began to arrive to the rehearsal, Dash was one of the last. Ponyville was some distance away and she likely slept in again, she was lucky not to be late. Lightning went to the dressing room to put her jumpsuit on, meanwhile Spitfire met up once again with Dash.
"Slept in again Crash? I know you did because you weren't the first one here."
"Ok, yes ma'am I did. Old habits biting me hard again."
"Don't let it cripple you, now that's not what I'm here about. Rust has been acting odd lately, and I'm getting flashbacks of a certain newbie who didn't like getting her name called."
Crash knew what she meant before the last word left her lips.
"It's me all over again isn't it?"
"Yep, only she's trying even harder to prove herself. None of us want a repeat of what happened with you, Celestia knows what would happen if she relapsed into her reckless nature again. So, we're giving her the treatment."
Crash raised an eyebrow, though she figured she knew what the Captain meant.
"Same one I got?"
Spitfire only nodded. No more words were said as the two ponies joined the group that was getting in uniform. They began to practice for the show. Everything was going smoothly for the most part. That was up until a fairly dangerous moment where the team split into two groups that passed each other perpendicularly.
Lightning knew this was a good chance to prove her worth, if she could nail the maneuver she would have no problem making the rest of the performance look flawless. She took up her position, third in line in her respective lane. First Spitfire passed my, then Soarin, Fleetfoot, Misty, and High Winds. Dust was next in the line to cross by, she could easily have fit through without a problem. That is if Rainbow hadn't been going faster than her.
The two collided and began to plummet, landing not too far from where they met in midair. Lightning landed relatively hard but was able to recollect herself. Rainbow however landed in a conveniently placed garbage can. She climbed out in a daze, eyes swirling around as she regained her composure. The rest of the team made their way down to check on their fellow members. Then Misty spoke up.
"Nice job Rust, you helped Rainbow Crash live up to her name!"
Then the laughter erupted from every pony except the two victims. Dash settled down and climbed free of her nasty landing zone. Lightning however, looked furious... and she was gonna show her anger to every pony there starting with the pony responsible. She turned to Spitfire, who's face was as stoic as ever.
"So, you want to play with me then. Was my expulsion from the academy not good enough for you? You had to get every pony here to make fun of me? Try to force me to leave? Is that what this is, just some sick joke?!"
"Rust, settle down before..."
"No, I don't want to hear you call me that again."
Every pony that had come down after the accident was looking at the pair who had locked eyes. Lightning with fury in hers while Spitfire had simply stared at the newbie with a blank expression. Without much as a beat she then looked at Rainbow who had finally cleaned herself of the trash she had landed in.
"Crash, was that really necessary?"
"Just living up to the name ma'am"
Spitfire could only sigh. Meanwhile Lightning was beginning to calm down. This was because she noticed that Spitfire had called Rainbow... Crash? Wait, so Rainbow was getting called names too?
"Wait, Rainbow. When did you start getting called Crash?"
"Ah, nickname I received from my flight school classmates. Absolutely hated it when I was a filly."
"And your just going to let this one slide? If you hate it so much why are you taking it so calmly?"
Rainbow and Spitfire had been waiting for this moment. As Spitfire began lining up the others, in order, behind Lightning's back, Rainbow continued.
"Because I'm not the only one. Lightning, every pony has a nickname here. Right Clipper?" She asked what seemed to be Soarin.
"Yep, we all get one our first day on duty. I clipped my wing on a flagpole on my first day.' He confessed with a nervous chuckle.
"Dizzy." Misty Fly followed.
"Slowpoke." Surprise continued.
"Hoof in mouth." High Winds gestured a wing towards her face.
"You don't want to know what they call me." Spitfire finished.
Rainbow decided to whisper something in Lightning's ear. This elicited a shock on Lightning's face.
"Whoa, that is so much worse than Rust."
"And my name is Crash, because on my first day I wasn't checking both ways on the runway and collided with some pony mid flight. I ended up in a trash can."
"Just like what happened just now?"
"Exactly like that. Lightning, I went through this same treatment just like you did today. Trust me, It's not going to go away. I think it's time to stop being a lone act..."
"And start trying to fit in?"
"Well, looks like your plan worked Crash. Now let's get back in the sky. You've already wasted ten minutes on this charade."
Rainbow's hair suddenly curled up like a certain white unicorn's.
"Why yes darling it seems I have. Let's get back to working on this MASTERPIECE!"
Every pony in the group shared a laugh at Rainbow's antics including Lightning. They soon got back to work on the routine. When the show was performed it went off without a hitch. Before the team parted ways Lightning was able to find Rainbow just before she made her way to her friends. She tapped her on her shoulder.
"Hey, before you go Rainbow. Thanks for getting me through this mess. I don't know what I would have done if I lost my cool there."
"Don't mention it, I'm sure that will be put in the past at least. Just, expect the name to stick. I've been stuck with mine my whole life. You take it easy alright."
'Yeah, see you again soon... Crash."
"No doubt... Rust."
The two shared one more chuckle before parting ways until the next Wonderbolt meeting.