Wonderbolt Academy

Spitfire hated paperwork, in fact she hated anything to do with her desk job. The worst part of being a Wonderbolt was being a Captain. While being the Captain of the Wonderbolts was the best part of the job it was also double-edged sword. Spitfire had the best team in the world, great friends, fans and admirers alike, and all the fly time she could handle. The only issue with this job was the insurmountable amount of paperwork.

While she didn't mind it much at first. As time went on she began to dislike it more and more. As the piles got bigger they eventually became one pile she never got rid of.

She sat in her office signing papers with her hoof stamp: letters, transfers, team meeting, team event planning, and so much more. Clack! The sound of a picture frame hitting the ground stopped her in her tracks, literally.

Stamping down on another transfer order she leaned back in her chair removing her aviator glasses. Setting them gently on her desk she sighed closing her eyes. She took a deep breath, held it for several seconds letting her chest expanding in her dress uniform to the point where she could feel the uniform resisting further expansion. It was almost soothing. After a ten second count she released her breath feeling relieved.

She stayed back in her chair for several minutes. She then leaned forward placing her hooves together laying her head on both for support. She glanced about her office from her right was her trophies and awards for excellent service/performance her desk, a cluttered mess with stacks of paper, and to her left was her file cabinet. Above the cabinet were several pictures from her life both professional and personal.

She stood up taking three steps and reached for the fallen picture. Picking it up she took a moment to look it over. A smile snuck up on her when she realized that this was her favorite picture of all. Well, I haven't seen this in a few years. It was a picture of the day she made her first real friend back in flight school.

She wasn't considered very popular back then many considered her to be silly and unusually masculine for a filly. This lead to her being bullied and harassed by her classmates especially other fillies. She became bitter, resentful, and after years of pent-up aggression, she let all of it loose on a one of her classmates. The filly was named Vector. She was a cruel pony, always looking down on others and berating them. She was a sky-blue pegasus with a dark blue mane and her eyes were a deep violet.

Vector had always picked on others who weren't her friends but when it came to Spitfire she was nothing but cruel and vicious. That day she began hitting Spitfire and threatened to continue if she didn't give her lunch money. Refusing to give in Vector continued her assault. Scared and hateful of Vector, Spitfire retaliated with all the force she could muster and she broke Vector's back left leg, she was put on suspension.

At the end of the day Spitfire was flying home scarred of what her parents would say when she told them of her suspension. Now that I've had time to think about it, I was lucky not to get expelled for that. Wonder why I wasn't? Knock! Knock! "Well, back to work. Again." she mumbled. Placing the picture back and reclaiming her seat she adjusted her tie before calling out, "Enter!"

As the door opened and Soarin entered the room. He had the biggest grin on his face like he'd found the secret to unlimited pie within his grasp. Looking to him Spitfire raised an eyebrow. "What can I do for you Soarin?" she ask resuming her work looking back at the papers she'd been signing. He approached her desk and stood at attention. His mane was messy from what she could tell, he must have finished with drills along with the team. Must want to go to the pie bar again. she thought.

"Hey Captain, the team and I are heading to Pett's Pie Bar in an hour after we hit the showers. You wanna come along?" he asked happily.

She stopped looking at him with her most annoyed look she could muster. Called it. Then she glanced at the papers then back to Soarin. "Really?" she ask rhetorically.

"I was just checking. You really should hire a secretary to do this for you, or at the very least help ease the work load for you." he said a hint of sadness in is voice. He then grabbed the top page with a hoof and examined it something about an upcoming event.

Grabbing the paper back from him, Spitfire glared at him which he gave an awkward smile before rubbing his head. "So I take it you don't want to come along?" She continued to stare.

"Well, I guess. I don't really have anything better to do." she said looking back at that clock it was 6:00pm. Wow I really need to get out of here. "Fine. I'll meet you guys there in half an hour." she said returning to her work. Soarin waited for a moment before realizing that she wasn't in a talking mood. He turned and was about to exit the room stopping at the door, he glanced once over his shoulder to see Spitfire hard at work before sighing to himself as he exited the room.

Forty minutes later, Spitfire had finally finished half the paperwork she'd started since the morning. Looking at her pile she beamed with pride knowing it was a good start. Her smile died leaving behind a frown as she looked back to the rest of the papers. of the ten stacks that were piled around her desk eight still remained. I guess I'll finish this later, err tomorrow.

With that she stood up and placed her flight glasses into her chest pocket, grabbed her keys and proceeded to lock everything up. As she reached for the lamp she looked at the picture of her friend and herself. Wondering where she was and what she was doing at the time Spitfire knew her friend was living her dream, somewhere out there.

Later that night Spitfire flew through the Streets of Manehatten as ponies went about their business. She was late to meet with her team at the bar by an hour. As she flew she saw a few familiar faces.

Ten minutes later Spitfire arrived at Pette's Pie Bar. She entered and the smell of many baked goods bombarded her senses. As she scanned the area she found a familiar hoof waving in the air among a group of ponies.

She waved back and approached the group sitting among the circle in an empty seat right next to Soarin and Fleetfoot.

"So, you're late as usual. Glad I planned for you to get here around seven!" Soarin laughed patting Spitfire on the shoulder.

"Wait you said be here a six! What do you mean planned for seven?!" she said smacking a hoof on the table causing it to rock a bit.

A pregnant silence followed for several seconds before everpony in the group broke into a fit of laughter. Soarin was on the floor rolling grabbing his sides laughing beyond control. Fleetfoot however was shaking her head at the antics of the others. Looking at her bewildered leader she move to sit in Soarin's seat next to Spitfire. "What SOARIN means is he expected you to be late so he counted on it and planned to meet at seven for the rest of us." she stated to Spitfire.

"I'M NOT ALWAYS LATE SOARIN!"

"Well, no offense Captain but … you kinda are."

"Oh. Says you who can't be on time for any your dates?"

It was like lightning, one moment Fleetfoot was calm trying to reason with her Captain, and in a moment it changed to pure hate. SLAP! The sound echoed briefly as the everypony halted and watched.

For her part Spitfire was handling it well. She looked to Fleetfoot with a huge smug grin. Fleetfoot hated the look she gave her. The next thing anypony knew Fleetfoot lunged at Spitfire sending both sprawling on the floor.

"YOU JERK!" she yelled, gripping Spitfire in a headlock. Struggling, Spitfire kicked off the ground flipping both her and Fleetfoot. Mid-flip Fleetfoot released Spitfire from the headlock to level with the floor. Taking the initiative Spitfire drilled her elbow into Fleetfoot's stomach leveling her on the ground knocking the wind out of her.'

It was all over in seconds.

Gasping for breath under Spitfire's body, she tried to make words but only slight gasps were audible. "You done yet hon?" she ask Fleetfoot rubbing her belly.

After a minute Fleetfoot nodded in submission. Spitfire helped her up looking slightly embarrassed by the exchange. Fleetfoot made for the exit, the shame of such a display was unbecoming of a Wonderbolt hounded her mind. Not only that, but Spitfire made her look like a total newbie. Just as she reached the door she was grabbed by two hooves.

Looking at who it was revealed Spitfire, a look of concern on her face. "Fleet? Really are you alright, hon? I meant nothing by it, honest."

"No. I'm not. That really hurt my feelings Spitfire. Sniff." she turned from her eyes tearing up. "You know how sensitive I am about that." Fleetfoot said as she reached for the doors.

"Fleet, come on you know I meant nothing of it." she said intercepting Fleetfoot's hooves. "I know you 're sensitive and I'm sorry. Really." she said rubbing Fleet's hooves.

"I know you are," she said drawing back her hooves, "but you always bring that up. I know you mean it jokingly but to hear you say it… really upsets me."

Spitfire was speechless. She knew better than to tease Fleetfoot, but an old sensation of being challenged came back to her. A feeling of survival, domination. A feeling she hadn't felt in a long time since flight school. She'd unintentionally bullied not only her teammate but one of her closest friends. Now all she felt was shame.

Fleetfoot once again reached for the door gripping the handle. "I'll see you later Captain." she whispered pulling it open. She walked out without another word and flew off into the night sky.

Looking up to the sky as the doors closed, Spitfire wanted to fly after her to tell her how sorry she really was. Her will to stay was stronger. Hanging her head low she sat back in her seat. After a minute of nothing, the bar's patrons began to converse once again. Spitfire looked up to her team their facial expression ranged from shocked to outright disgust. Soarin bore a stoic expression like a Solar Guard.

Each of the Wonderbolts decided to head home early leaving only Soarin and Spitfire at the table. The two sat there for half an hour before Soarin decided to break the silence. "So, what now? he asked nudging closer to her.

She fidgeted with a cup of tea she ordered. The black liquid swirled as she stared, her reflection became clear. And I thought I'd changed. here I am again years later and still have much to learn. Her hooves began to shake the cup rattled on the tables surface. I thought I was different from her too. Vector, she never cared about anyone she knew. Shakily she took a sip from the cup.

"Soarin I need some time to think alone. I really messed up today and… and I need to make it up to Fleetfoot. When you see her…" she paused looking around the bar it was almost nine o'clock and it was starting to really liven up. Ponies were dancing to the music, friends drank merrily, and Vinyl Scratch was at the head of her stand making a beat that rocked the entire place to its foundation. "When you see her tell her I want to speak to her. Nothing serious Soarin I mean it." she looked him dead in the eyes.

"Don't worry, I'll let her know." he looked to the clock. "Well, since nopony else is here I'll leave you to your thoughts. See you next week Captain."

He saluted before turning about-faced and marched out of the bar. The sea of ponies parted for him as he disappeared into the crowd leaving Spitfire to herself and her tea.

The bar was now a full on rave with neon lights and the bass cranked to full as glasses, plates, and tables shook. The ponies were flailing about dancing like it was the last night before the end came at dawn.

She decided to head to the bar itself instead of sitting at the large table her team was at. As she approached another pony in a tattered black cloak with the hood up was sipping a cider, and a strong one. The smell was intoxicating to Spitfire. It was hard cider and she decided then and there to have one also.

Taking a stool next to the pony, she tapped her hoof on the bar getting the owners attention. He was a tall heavy brown earth pony with a dark pink and white stripped mane. His eyes were green and his cutie mark was a foaming mug. He turned from cleaning a mug placing it on the table in front of Spitfire. "Hey Spitty what'll it be? Usual?" he had a slightly raised voice so she could hear him over the "rave" going on.

"No Pint Pette, I'll have what he's having." she nodded towards the cloaked pony beside her. Pint Pette took the mug filling it up. "One Appleoosa Hard Cider coming right up!" Placing the mug back, Spitfire grabbed hold a took a big gulp leaving half the mug full of the wonderful hard cider. She then slammed the mug hard on the wooden surface.

"Man I needed that!" she said shaking her body from the intense flavor.

"So." Pette started cleaning spots from the bars surface. "What was that business between you and Fleet huh?" Spitfire sighed shaking her head. "I messed up Pette. I messed up big time."

She took another swig of her cider. Pette looked concerned. He was a great bar keep, in fact it was his bar named after him, he was also a great listener. Spitfire would often frequent his bar to drink and vent her frustration while he'd listen. Tonight would be no different.

Before she started she glanced to her right to the cloaked pony. The stranger had paused with his/her mug engulfed in a pink aura, so this stranger was a unicorn. The mug floated down to the table before the aura dissipated.

She looked back to Pette who was waiting to hear what she had to say. He pushed a full mug of cider towards Spitfire who happily took it. "I'm telling you Pette I don't see what others see in me but if they can tolerate my crap then…" she trailed off taking a sip of her cider, so did the stranger. "I guess it's nothing really just an argument we had. Nothing big."

Pette looked into her eyes. "I know you and Fleetfoot go at it sometimes, but this isn't nothing as you put it," he crossed his arms before continuing, "the two of you are childhood friends. Friends don't hurt each other for no reason, Spitty."

"Well, I don't think I'm being a good friend. What should I do?" she asked Pette looking at him desperately. She needed an answer but she had no idea how to approach this situation. She knew Fleet would most likely be fine by morning after she vented in the night. Still, Spitfire wanted to make things not only right, but end this trail of shame she'd made along the way. I need to change for her. "Sorry ,Pette I just don't know what to do."

Pette shook his head slowly. "I'm not sure I'm the right pony to tell you that Spits." looking over to the stranger briefly, who resumed drinking, he looked back at Spitfire. "You're her friend, you should know what to do, what to say. If you are her friend, she'll accept your apology no matter what." He stood up straight preparing more mugs as several ponies sat at the far end of the bar.

"Now, if you'll excuse me I need to get going, Spitty." he said.

"Sure thing Pette, thanks anyway."

"No problem, kido."

He then proceeded to the far end of the bar to take drink orders leaving Spitfire alone. Alone again. Huh, I really seem to get that alot don't I? Sipping her drink she thought about choices she made in life wondering what it would be like if she came out different. Would she still be a Wonderbolt? In the military? Or would she have ended up as a florist? Ha as if! A florist.

"Hey, you having a bad day too?" asked a feminine voice. Looking around Spitfire saw the hooded figure looking towards her. She took off her hood to reveal a blue unicorn mare with a silver mane and magenta eyes. The unicorn was dirty and her mane was dirty and unkept. She had bags under her eyes and looked thin even for a unicorn.

Spitfire looked at the mare for a moment taking the sight of her in. I know this unicorn, i can't remember where I've seen her before though. "Yeah. Bad day, really bad day. Trouble with friends. How about you?"

"Huh?" the mare asked the mug in her mouth. "Oh yes! I was having a rough day. Well, more like week." she leaned on one hoof looking to Pette making a gesture to her mug. With a nod Pette began to fill up another mug and slid it to the blue mare. Her magic caught it halting it in front of her hooves. "I'm Trixie. It's a pleasure to meet you, Captain."

"Thaaanks. Always glad to meet a fan." She felt awkward. On one side she knew the mares name no, Trixie, although now the conversation came to a halt with nopony speaking. Trying to come up with something to say, Spitfire decided to make casual conversation with Trixie. Recalling an incident that happened recently in the paper, something about an ursa running amok in a rural town outside the Everfree she decided to use this to establish a dialogue.

Taking a gulp of her cider she turned to Trixie. "Soooo, you hear about that incident back in Ponyville a few days ago?"

Cough Trixie stopped drinking and began to choke on her drink. "Hey you alright there?" she asked alarmed patting Trixie on the back. "Trixie is cough... fine now cough. Thanks for asking." after a minute Trixie managed to stop coughing and resumed drinking. "Yes, Trixie did hear about the ursa minor attack. Sounds awful."

Spitfire looked back at Trixie then to her drink. "Yeah. I heard it was brought to the town by some wizard claiming that he could slay it... or something." Spitfire said twirling her hoof trying to remember details. "I can't remember much from the paper I read it in, but I don't really trust them either." She took another gulp of her drink as Trixie listened. "I'm sure it's over exaggerated greatly though. I'm sure the pony didn't mean for it to happen." Trixie began to shake looking worried.

"I mean who in their right mind would bring a giant beast to slay it if they knew they couldn't? Seriously, it's suicidal!" she waved her hoof in the air then brought it down on the table.

"I'm sure the pony is very sorry for what happened to the town." Trixie piped in shakily.

Spitfire noticed this, halting her train of thought she looked to Trixie who looked like she was about to cry. "Hey you OK, hon?" she asked scooting closer to her. "You want to talk about something else?" she was now shoulder to shoulder with Trixie who was shaking.

"Yeah I think a change in scenery would be nice to." Trixie left some bits on the table and jumped off her stool and began to leave. Spitfire worried that she might have had too many drinks followed her out. "Yo Pette! Put the drinks on my tab OK!?!"

She followed Trixie through the crowd pushing ponies out of the way until she caught up with her. As they made their way towards the exit Trixie collided with another pony knocking her to the ground. "Hey watch where you're going lady!" yelled a stallion brown.

"No YOU watch where you're going you insufferable buffoon!" Trixie stood up pointing at the stallion. "You ran into Trixie!" The stallion looked at her tapping his chin. "Wait." he said. "I know you. You're that magician that came to Ponyville and brought that ursa minor to town!" he said pointing an accusing hoof to Trixie. All eyes were on Trixie and the stallion. Silence ran through the building and not a sound was made. Even Vinyl Scratch stopped to see what was going to happen.

Trixie stepped up to the stallion. "Well, just who are YOU and what's it to YOU if Trixie went to Ponyville or not?" she poked him in the chest.

He looked furious. He grabbed her arm and pushed it off his chest glaring at her. "I'm Filthy Rich and it's thanks to YOU that my little girl was hurt because of the stunt you pulled!"

"What do you mean? Trixie did nothing wrong!"

"So, you didn't bring the ursa to town?"

"No, it was those two incompetent fools Snips and Snails who brought it to town not Trixie!" by now her horn was glowing and she was breathing heavily ready to strike anyone who came near her.

Spitfire stepped between the two ponies. "OK that's enough! I won't have any brawling here in MY bar! You Hear me Rich!? That goes for you too money or not!" the sound of Pette's voice echoed through the lobby.

Filthy Rich looked past Spitfire to Trixie, pausing for a moment to regain his composure he slowly approached Trixie. Both stared each other down for a moment before he made his way to the door followed by seven other ponies.

Spitfire looked to Trixie who had a stoic face. She's upset I can tell. She stood next to her waiting for her to collect herself. After a few seconds, Trixie looked to Spitfire her lips curled into a smile. "Thanks for standing between us. I was worried he'd attack me." She looked up at Spitfire. "And thank you for not judging me."

"Hey I know what it's like to be judged based on what's happened in the past." she patted Trixie on her shoulder. "Besides I'm a Wonderbolt. Protecting citizens is what I do." She struck a pose with a smug grin on her face. It took Trixie all her strength to not laugh at her, ultimately she failed in doing so. The two shared a laugh as they exited Pette's Pie Bar.

The two walked through the streets of Manehatten for most of the night heading to the edge of town where Trixie's trailer was. Along the way Trixie began telling Spitfire of how she'd grown up in Canterlot and her life at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. "Trixie always had a knack for storytelling, so one day I decided to use magic to amplify my stories. Once I did the teachers were in awe of my stories and my magical abilities." She stopped and struck a pose standing on her ind legs and pointing to the stars. "They told Trixie that she was well suited for the performing arts. So after her graduation Trixie decided to become a traveling showmare, telling stories of grandeur and adventure!"

Trixie continued to walk followed by Spitfire who stood beside her the whole time. Spitfire looked to her with a curious expression getting her attention. "What? Does Trixie have something on her face?" the unicorn asked running her face. Spitfire stifled a giggle watching Trixie. "No I was just wondering, if you don't mind telling," she looked to her cutie mark, "why did you chose to become a traveling showpony?"

The azure mare stopped dead in her tracks staring at the ground, a look of sadness in her eyes. "It was the same day Trixie graduated from Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. It was a day that will stay with her forever."

"It was a few years back after the graduation ceremony Trixie and her parents went to have dinner at one of Trixie's favorite restaurants." Trixie suddenly changed directions heading towards a playground. Spitfire followed her as Trixie made her way to the swings, sitting in the center one she began to sway slowly back and forth. "It was on a playground much like this one. Trixie was going to meet her parents at the restaurant early so she decided to stay at the park to pass the time." Spitfire sat in the swing to her left but remained still just listening to her story.

"Trixie was on the swings when she heard laughing from behind her. Normally she'd have thought nothing of it, until she heard what was going on." she stopped swinging looking behind her, almost as if she was reliving the memory. "Trixie looked to find a young gray filly being bullied for wearing glasses by other fillies and a colt. They took her glasses and they kept them from her making her beg for them and just keeping it out of her reach."

Spitfire frowned at this, She knew what it was like being bullied and singled out. She sat there listening to Trixie waiting for her to continue. Trixie noticed and continued with the story. "Trixie approached the group and that's when things got out of hoof."

Trixie looked at Spitfire a sad smile donned her features. "I saw her hit one of the fillies in retaliation to her taunting. That's when the colt flew down and started to beat her up. The rest followed suit. That's when I jumped into the group. I stood over that grey filly protecting her. Her mother came shortly after. There was a huge misunderstanding that Trixie caused harm to the grey filly and was arrested for assault and child beating." she stopped swinging.

She then jumped teleporting ontop of the bars looking down to Spitfire who simply looked up to her. "Trixie was out the next day thanks to the filly speaking on her behalf. Trixie never got her name though but I'm sure wherever she is she's thankful for what I did." As she stood there a powerful gust of wind blew as she stood there her chest puffed out and mane flowing in the wind. "Trixie decided to become a traveling showmare after that to bring smiles to the faces of others." She paused looking at Spitfire. "To help them realize they're not alone."

Spitfire couldn't help but be entranced by Trixie's confidence and her outspoken personality. Hearing her story about how she started her career made Spitfire think about her own decision to become a Wonderbolt. It was a time she told herself she'd change from being the thug she grew up to be. It was a chance to start fresh and make something of herself. To be able to help others and know that at the end of your day you changed the life of somepony for the better. It wasn't about fame or fortune, but putting a smile on someponies face after a long day. Just like she was. she thought looking to Trixie as her cloak flowed with the wind and the moon shined brightly behind her. She was beautiful.

Maybe today wasn't such a bad day after all.

Author's Notes:

First chapter is done! Yeah! Hope you enjoy the story!