Rainbow Dash was walking alongside her friends on the way out of the hospital. Despite how happy she was about spilling the news of her and Spitfire’s relationship, the overwhelming sense of despair came back all too quickly at Soarin’s misfortune and the serious matter at hand. Rainbow Dash had done her research (as any borderline obsessive fan would), and she knew for a fact that even the slightest change in routine can take a month to perfect, and they were right in the middle of a tour!

“So… what happened with Spitfire today?” Twilight asked Rainbow Dash, “I keep hearing murmurs and side conversations about something bad that happened.”

“Oh… well, White Storm came into town…” Rainbow Dash started.

“White Storm?” Applejack asked. “Who in the hay…”

“She’s the lead flier of the Silver Bullets.” Rainbow Dash said. Her friends’ expressions were blank, “Wow, am I really the only one that cares about competitive flying?”

Pinkie Pie suddenly spoke up: “The Silver Bullets were formed 25 years ago and have been a ‘dark pony’ team in the International Aerial Acrobatics Competition in recent years, this past year earning third place behind the Wonderbolts and the Royal Canterlot Fliers.”

Pinkie Pie found herself once again with stares all on her. “I can’t believe you girls don’t know this!” She said.

“That’s… right.” Rainbow Dash said, “How did you…”

“Ferget it, RD, you were sayin’?” Applejack said bluntly.

“Uhh… right. Anyway, White Storm was the one that injured Soarin…”

“SHE did that?” Twilight said, appalled.

“Yea, and she was responsible for the Wonderbolts HQ getting vandalized last night too.”

“They were vandalized?” Fluttershy said.

“How awful!” Rarity said.

“That’s not very nice!” Pinkie Pie agreed.

“Well, she showed her face in town right after Applejack took Soarin to the hospital.” Rainbow Dash said, smiling at Applejack, “Thanks, by the way.”

“Don’t mention it, sugarcube.”

“And, well, Spitfire kinda lost control and beat her up… in front of everypony.”

“Oh my!” Rarity exclaimed in horror.

“She did that? Really?” Twilight asked.

“Yea, it was pretty brutal.” Rainbow Dash said with a sickening sense of awe and perhaps admiration.

“And to everypony else, I’m sure it just looked like Spitfire beating up a helpless citizen!” Twilight said, “That can’t be good…”

“Well, ah’m sure life’ll go on” Applejack said, “Folks here are fergivin’.”

“Yea, I’m glad tha-“ Rainbow Dash said, but something caught her eye. She looked to her right and glanced through the window on a door the group had just passed. She noticed that there was a familiar-looking pony in a hospital bed inside this room.

“Hang on.” Rainbow Dash said. She walked over to the door and peered through the window on it, finding the pony she recognized to be none other than White Storm, bandaged and bloody. She lay there by herself, idly watching TV. Compared to Soarin, she looked fine, but upon further examination, Rainbow Dash noticed Storm’s badly swollen lip and bruised body. Spitfire did a number on her, that’s for sure.

“Uh… you girls go ahead, I… forgot something in Soarin’s room.” Rainbow Dash said, running away from White Storm’s room. The girls watched her leave, confused.

“Why did she look in that door?” Fluttershy asked.

Pinkie Pie looked inside the door, “There’s somepony in there… but I’ve never seen her before!”

“She must have thought it was someone she recognized.” Twilight assumed.

“She’s obviously trying to get rid of us.” Rarity said, “So let’s not ruin her plans, let’s go!”

“Get rid a – why, of all the ridiculous things!” Applejack said.

“She didn’t even bring anything into Soarin’s room!” Rarity said. “What was there to forget?”

“…right.” Applejack admitted.

“Then let’s not dilly-dally! If it’s one thing that Soarin needs right now, it’s cupcakes!” Pinkie Pie said determinedly, wearing a serious expression. “C’mon, everypony! To sugarcube corner!”

“Actually, I…”

“You see, this new design I’ve been working on is…”

“I don’t think, I mean, if you want, but I don’t…”

“Ah really have a lotta work ta do ‘round the…”

“To… sugarcube… corner!” Pinkie Pie said loudly and intensely.

The ponies shut up immediately and then started laughing, wordlessly agreeing to follow Pinkie Pie to sugarcube corner.

Rainbow Dash watched her friends laugh and walk out of the hospital. She wished she could join them, but there were more pressing matters to attend to. She had a white mare to verbally abuse. Rainbow Dash quietly returned to the place that she had been seconds before and entered the room.

“What do you want?” White Storm sneered immediately. Rainbow Dash scowled. This was already going poorly.

“Ooohh it’s you.” White Storm said with amusement. She quickly pressed a button on the remote beside her, silencing the TV. She smirked and looked at Rainbow Dash with interest, “You’re Spits’s new fuck buddy, aren’t ya?”

“I’m her marefriend.” Rainbow Dash corrected angrily.

“Oh is that right?” Storm asked, then chuckled, “How cute.”

“You listen here…” Rainbow Dash said, “I don’t know what you have against Spitfire or the Wonderbolts, but you’d better cut this out, or you won’t have just Spitfire to worry about.”

“Oh please, you don’t scare me, and neither does she.” Storm said.

“Funny, your body is saying differently.” Rainbow Dash replied with a smile.

“These are paper cuts compared to what I’ve been through.” White Storm said. She quickly checked her words and added, “Inside and out.”

“What were you thinking?” Rainbow Dash asked loudly.

“What do you mean, what was I thinking?”

“You know you’re going to get in trouble for this! You can’t expect to get off scot-free after vandalizing a building and breaking Soarin’s wing.”

“Humph.” Storm grunted, “That’s none of your concern, is it?”

“I guess not.” Rainbow Dash said. Done with Storm’s crap, Rainbow Dash turned and began to leave the room.

“You really think Spits loves you?” Storm asked Rainbow before she was gone. Oooohhhh, that tweaked a nerve in Rainbow Dash’s head. She stopped and breathed deeply for a few seconds, trying to resist turning around.

“Has she ever said it?” Storm asked, “Is it real?”

Dash turned and charged at Storm, pointing a hoof at her face, “What are you trying to say, Storm?” She said threateningly.

“I’m just sayin’!” Storm said, closing her eyes and putting her hooves up, “I’ve been with Spitfire… I know when she loves somepony.”

“Are you trying to say that she doesn’t really like me?” Rainbow Dash asked angrily.

“Did you fuck?”

“You’re awful!” Rainbow Dash shouted, repulsed by the other pony’s language, “That is none of your business.”

“Did you sleep with Spitfire or not, just answer me!”

Rainbow Dash glanced around hesitantly, “Yes, I did. What does that…”

“She doesn’t love you, Rainbow Dash.” Storm said with a shake of her head. Dash’s heartbeat quickened a little.

“What are you trying to say?”

“She. Doesn’t. Love. You.” Storm said, putting strong emphasis on each word. Rainbow Dash hoped to see Storm’s sarcastic smile in her words, but she was speaking totally seriously. “She’s just using you as a quick bang on the weekends.”

“No way!” Rainbow Dash shouted, “No way! Spitfire came here herself saying that she liked me!”

Storm was smirking.

“She made the first move!” Rainbow Dash said, “And I said no at first!”

“Well of course she made the first move, stupid!” Storm said, “She wants your vag!”

“You are so crass!” Rainbow Dash shouted. Storm chuckled, “And you have no idea what we’ve been through. She and I… have something.” Rainbow Dash was beginning to sound less and less convinced of herself.

“What did she expect to happen when she went back to the Bolts, huh?” Storm asked, “Take you with? Ha!”

Rainbow Dash’s heart sank, but she was determined, “But… she would never leave me…”

“Of course not. You’re her sex! She did the same thing to me.” Storm said, then smiled. “And to nine other ponies around Equestria.”

“N-nine?” Rainbow Dash asked, “What? No, she couldn’t, what ponies?”

“How well do you even know Spitfire?” Storm asked, “She’s not like you ponies here in Ponyville. She gets around.”

“How dare you!” Rainbow Dash shouted, “How… dare you!”

“Mark my words, mare, Spitfire is not one for feelings. She is not true to you or anypony. Don’t let her hurt you like she hurt me.”

Rainbow Dash didn’t know what to say… or what to do. She was angry, so angry… at Storm, but… then again she wasn’t. Rainbow Dash couldn’t explain it, but what Storm was saying made sense. She and Spitfire hooked up on her first night in Ponyville, and then what? What would happen if Spitfire had to leave? Did she just want Rainbow Dash for her free weekends? Was Rainbow Dash being… used?

“I… I…” Rainbow Dash said, then turned and ran out before she could even finish her sentence. It made sense. It all made sense. She knew this was too good to be true! She knew that she wasn’t special enough for Spitfire, why would she be? She was just some commoner from Ponyville!

Within a minute, she was in front of Soarin’s hospital room. Ignoring everything Spitfire said about needing privace, she burst in full speed and found the pair talking quietly.

“Rainbow Dash!” Spitfire exclaimed, surprised.

“You can’t-“ Soarin started.

“Is it true?” Rainbow Dash said instantly.

Spitfire and Soarin seemed confused, “Is… what true?” Spitfire asked.

“Do you really like me or not?”

“Rainbow Dash, I…”

“ANSWER ME, SPITFIRE!” Rainbow Dash shouted, wings propelling her into the air.

“Woa, calm down, Dash.” Soarin said.

“Yea, what’s wrong?” Spitfire asked.

“What’s wrong?” Rainbow Dash asked, “What’s wrong??”

Spitfire looked worried. She hadn’t seen Rainbow Dash angry at her… she didn’t know what to do.

“You’re using me!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, jabbing a hoof in Spitfire’s direction.

“What? No I’m not! Why would you say that?” Spitfire quickly defended.

“Oh, I don’t know… maybe the fact that you were just gonna leave me to go back to the Wonderbolts without another word!”

“That’s not true, Rainbow Dash!”

“Is it?” Rainbow Dash asked, “Because I did some thinking, Spitfire, and I suggest you do the same!”

“Thinking?”

“Yea, thinking! You know what? I know what you’re up to. You just wanted me for the weekends. To you, I’m just some common mare that you can do when you’re free!”

“That’s ridiculous!” Spitfire said, “Where in the world did y-“

Then, Spitfire’s face grew pale and she looked sick, “You talked to Storm, didn’t you?”

“So what if I did?” Rainbow Dash asked, “What’s wrong? Afraid that you’re secret’s out?”

“What secret? No!” Spitfire defended, “No, no! Storm was different, she was my first marefriend ever!”

“Well, you certainly had a lot of practice with hooking up before me, didn’t you?”

“Practice?”

“I dunno, maybe with nine other ponies?” Rainbow Dash accused.

“Nine!” Spitfire shouted. She then retracted herself and turned to Soarin, “Is it really nine?”

“Uh…” Soarin replied.

“Oh my goodness!” Rainbow Dash said in exasperation. “You… you whore!”

Spitfire recoiled with hurt. “Dash, how could you!” Spitfire said, now growing into hysterics and backing up from Rainbow Dash as far as she could in the small room. “How could you!!”

“How could I?! How could you?!” Rainbow Dash shouted. She calmed down quickly and lowered her voice. She sniffed once and turned away from Spitfire, “Guess I’m just number eleven then, aren’t I?”

“No, Rainbow, I love you!”

“Goodbye, Spitfire. This was nice, but no more. We’re done.” Rainbow Dash said, then left the room.

“No!” Spitfire said, tears beginning to run down her cheeks, “No, Rainbow Dash, wait!” She ran after Rainbow Dash.

“It’s over, Spitfire!” Rainbow Dash shouted back as she ran down the hall. Spitfire felt herself go weak and she fell, unable to fully digest what had just happened. She was so happy to finally be with a pony that she might actually be able to stay with… and her damn reputation finally caught up to her!

“Damn it!” Spitfire screamed, slamming her hooves down onto the ground. Some of the hospital staff were now noticing the scene and were rushing forward to quiet Spitfire. She reentered Soarin’s room before they could confront her.

“Spitfire…” Soarin again tried to get a word in.

“She’s right.” Spitfire said loudly, tears running down her face. She wiped her cheek. “I am a whore.”

“No, you’re not! And she was wrong to say that.”

“I wasn’t using her, but… she has every right to believe otherwise.” Spitfire said, “I don’t deserve her…”

“You of all ponies deserve to be with Rainbow Dash, look at you! You’re both great fliers, you’re both spunky and energetic, and you both have wanted to be in the Wonderbolts since you were fillies.”

“What does that have anything to do with…”

“You two are perfect for each other.” Soarin said, “So maybe you don’t have the cleanest past in Equestria, who cares?”

“She cares.” Spitfire said sadly.

“Well, if she’s really that important, go get her.” Soarin said.

“No… it won't work…” Spitfire said, “But… I have to at least try to make it up to her… for making her feel this way.”

“That sounds like a good idea.” Soarin said, then shifted uncomfortably, “And while you’re out, get the nurse. I need more meds.”

“Well, that’s just awful, Dash.” Applejack comforted her crying friend. The two embraced tightly in Applejack’s kitchen. Dash’s tears poured heavily down her face and onto Applejack’s shoulder.

“I th-thought she w-was sp-special!” Rainbow Dash sobbed. Applejack rubbed Rainbow Dash’s back in a circle, then gave her a few pats. She separated and held Dash at arm’s length, looking her dead in the eyes.

“Now, Ah know this is bad, but ya gotta be strong, okay?” Applejack said. Rainbow sniffed one last time, “Okay,” she said.

“Now what we need is somethin’ ta get yer mind offa this whole thing.” Applejack said, “C’mon, let’s go play horseshoes.”

“Nah, I don’t feel like it…”

“Well, how ‘bout a race?”

“Not in the mood…”

“Ya wanna help me with mah chores?” Applejack asked with a wide smile. Rainbow Dash just gave her a funny look and the two laughed for a short while.

“That’s the sound Ah wanna hear!” Applejack said, “How ‘bout we just go into town and see what the girls are up to!”

“Actually, Applejack, I think I’m just gonna head home.”

“Suit yerself.” Applejack said, “But don’t be afraid ta come on down if ya need anythin’.”

“I won’t.” Rainbow Dash said, “Catch ya later, Applejack!”

Rainbow Dash flew away with a heavy weight on her heart, but at least it was showing signs of getting smaller. She had her friends, and that’s all that mattered at that point.

That is… until she got to her house.

Rainbow Dash opened the door and almost instantaneously noticed a bright orange envelope on the floor.

“What the?” Rainbow Dash said as she picked it up. She brought it to her living room and opened it, putting the message within in her hoof.

“Spitfire…” Rainbow Dash muttered when she saw the signature at the bottom of the letter. Rainbow Dash had a sudden urge to tear the paper to shreds and burn it. Feeling it would be appropriate to read the thing through, she proceeded.

Rainbow Dash –

You are absolutely right to hate me and call me a whore. I know that. I have not had the cleanest reputation in pony history, and I thought I had finally found the mare for me in you, but I guess I was wrong. Before you make your judgments, I want you to at least let me explain. My first years with the Wonderbolts led me around the world, and in the excitement I would fall in love with the first mare that showed me attention, then I would try my best to keep it together while travelling, but the relationships all ended the same way. The mare would accuse me of using them for sex on my off time, we would break up, and I would leave with a broken heart. This seemed to last forever until I met you. I will never forget what you did for us at the Best Young Flier Competition. From that point on, I was crushing on you like a schoolfilly. When you said yes, I finally felt happy. I felt like I had finally found a mare I could be with forever. I’m sorry that I got over excited and rushed things. I hate myself for making you feel used and unloved. I do love you, Rainbow Dash, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be. I’ll miss you.

Spitfire

Rainbow Dash had a terrible feeling creep up inside her. It was… guilt. She couldn’t believe she had called Spitfire a whore… but, what if Spitfire was lying? She could definitely be just trying to get Rainbow Dash back with her fancy words.

Then, something caught Rainbow Dash’s attention. Inside the envelope, there was a smaller envelope, this one colored blue and yellow and had the Wonderbolts logo emblazoned upon it. Seeing the emblem made Rainbow Dash’s heart flutter, but then she became slightly angry.

She’s trying to win me back with Wonderbolts tickets?

Dash couldn’t decide whether she wanted to see Spitfire again, but… hell, a Wonderbolts show is a Wonderbolts show. It may seem shallow, but she couldn’t say no to an opportunity like this. Rainbow Dash took the index-card-sized envelope and opened it. To Rainbow Dash’s surprise, there was another note inside.

Wow, she went all-out with this letter. Dash thought as he opened the additional note.

Behind the note was a single ticket to what Rainbow Dash believed to be a Wonderbolts show. However, she opened the letter first and looked at it.

P.S. You were wondering about Wonderbolts auditions. Well, they’re invitation-only. I know it’s probably not enough, but I hope this will help you forgive me.

Spitfire

Rainbow Dash felt her heart skip a beat. Could this be? Rainbow Dash slowly pulled the note out of the way and looked at the blue and yellow ticket in her hand. It was well-decorated and printed on thick, sturdy material.

Rainbow Dash couldn’t believe her eyes. This was it! This was the invitation she needed! She could finally be a member of the Wonderbolts!!!

And it was all thanks to… Spitfire…

“What have I done?” Rainbow Dash said aloud. All her aggression toward Spitfire was melting away like ice cream in August, and she couldn’t help but feel like she had made the biggest mistake in her life by hurting Spitfire’s feelings. Spitfire wasn’t using her! She was just trying to finally find the right mare, like any pony would want to do. Spitfire was completely innocent, and Rainbow Dash called her a whore!

“Storm…” Rainbow Dash growled. She whipped her head toward the door and burst through it with blinding speed.

I have a thing or two to say to you, Storm… Rainbow Dash thought as she flew away.

“STORM!” Rainbow Dash shouted, bursting through the door that led to White Storm’s hospital bed.

“Ah!” A pink pony with a flowing, lavender mane screamed as soon as Rainbow Dash entered. The pony was sitting in where White Storm was previously. Rainbow Dash was confused for a second, then a nurse came running in.

“What’s going on here?” The nurse asked.

“Where’s White Storm?” Rainbow Dash whipped around and asked. The pink pony she had startled was breathing very heavily, her arm in a cast. “Uh… sorry” Rainbow Dash quickly said to her.

“White Storm requested an urgent transfer to a different hospital.” The nurse said nervously.

“She did?! Ugh!” Rainbow Dash said, “Where?”

“I’m sorry, she made it quite clear that that information was to remain confidential.” The nurse said. Rainbow Dash groaned again and walked out of the room, leaving two very confused ponies behind.

Rainbow Dash walked down the hallway with quiet hatred for that awful White Storm. This was all her fault! If she hadn’t planted those ideas in Rainbow Dash’s head, none of this would have happened. I should have never talked to her, Rainbow Dash thought.

“Well Ah’m glad yer feelin’ better.” Rainbow Dash heard from a room up ahead. That accent was recognizable anywhere, but what was Applejack doing here in the hospital? Rainbow Dash walked forward, toward the source of the voice.

“Well, it still hurts pretty bad, but it’s bearable.” Came a male voice that Rainbow Dash also recognized.

“Ah, uh… was really worried.” Applejack said just as Rainbow Dash walked in on the two. As she thought, Applejack and Soarin were talking… alone. Applejack was right beside him (very close) and moved back a step as soon as Rainbow Dash entered. There was a half-eaten apple pie beside Soarin’s bed on the table.

“Rainbow Dash! Uh… how ya feelin’?” Applejack asked her friend, blushing madly. Rainbow Dash chuckled. She knew what was going on.

“Oh, I’m alright now. You two have fun!” Rainbow Dash said, walking away.

“Hey now, what’s that supposed ta-“ And then Rainbow Dash couldn’t hear them anymore. Her heart was aflutter from all the emotions. Anger toward Storm, Happiness for Applejack, Sadness for Spitfire, Guilt for Spitfire, and to her surprise, Love for Spitfire. She knew it. She loved Spitfire, and there was not a damn thing that any pony could do to separate them. Not anymore.

Now, where is she? Rainbow Dash asked herself once she had left the hospital. She looked around a few times and realized that she had no idea where Spitfire was.

Looks like I’m gonna have to interrupt Applejack and Soarin again. Rainbow Dash thought before turning back toward the hospital.

Spitfire flew as fast as she could away from Ponyville. The small town was now far behind her, obscured by the mountains. Spitfire flew very high, higher than she usually did. The chilly wind stung her lungs as she breathed heavily. Her mane was slightly damp from flying through the clouds, and her mind was buzzing like crazy. The chill that surrounded her helped her forget about unpleasantness and just made her focus on how cold she was.

From her altitude, she could see far into the distance. The sun was beginning to set, and the orange and purple sky helped to outline Manehatten, which rested just beyond the mountains. Spitfire flew directly over Manehatten, which took a few minutes thanks to the sheer size of the city. Spitfire blazed through the sky, trying her absolute best to focus less on her incident with Rainbow Dash and more on the task at hand: She had to tell everypony down at HQ about what had happened to Soarin.

As soon as Spitfire cleared Manehatten, she could already make out Fillydelphia in the distance. She tried her absolute best to keep her mind clear of unhappy thoughts, but as much as she wanted to keep this a tear-free journey, she couldn’t help but choke out a few sobs. Scattered villages and towns below her helped guide her way to Fillydelphia… to the Wonderbolts. Everything reminded Spitfire of her… especially the Wonderbolts.

“Rainbow Dash…” Spitfire muttered under her breath. Rainbow Dash hated her now… she hated her!

“You… you whore!”

Rainbow Dash’s harsh voice echoed inside Spitfire’s head like a gunshot in a canyon. It wasn’t the first time Spitfire had been called a whore. She was also familiar with the term ‘slut.’ The latter was more common, however. White Storm was ignorant when she told Rainbow Dash that Spitfire had slept with nine other ponies. The reason is because the mare didn’t know about all of Spitfire’s hookups.

The real number was probably around 15.

Spitfire felt dirty… Rainbow Dash didn’t deserve her, a whore like she was. Rainbow deserved somepony that was still innocent and clean, like that Twilight Sparkle mare Spitfire had seen looking at Rainbow Dash in the hospital. Rainbow Dash should hook up with her; it would spare her the emotional trauma of trying to make things work a horrible mare like Spitfire.

Spitfire’s wallowing in self-pity led her mind astray and she hardly noticed that she had already entered the airspace over Fillydelphia. Locating the Wonderbolts HQ wasn’t difficult: it was a fairly large building with a façade made of large glass panels that formed together to create a slightly bent arc facing the street. Spitfire wanted to smile, but she saw two tarps covering window panes on the front of the building: broken windows. What was worse was there was still some graffiti on the stone base of the building. It was, as expected, the logo of the Silver Bullets.

“Spitfire!” Somepony called out as the yellow pegasus approached the building. Spitfire knew that voice. She flew toward it expectantly and indeed saw her friend Star Rider on the ground in front of the building. She was a cream-colored pegasus with a sky blue mane that flowed like the wind. In light of the situation, Spitfire was happy to see her.

“Heya Star.” Spitfire greeted solemnly. She landed beside Star and looked at their poor HQ.

“It’s a real shame, isn’t it?” Star Rider said, still looking at the building.

“Well, that’s not the worst of it, either.” Spitfire said, gulping.

“Oh no, what happened?” Star Rider asked, then she looked behind Spitfire, “And where’s Soarin? He went to get you.”

“It’s about him. Where are the others?” Spitfire asked.

“Inside.” Star said, pointing with one hoof at the front door of the building. Spitfire entered the damaged building with Star Rider and looked around, happy that the entrance atrium was left undamaged. Encircling the open atrium were glass cases filled with awards, honors, recognitions, and of course trophies. Off to the right was the entrance to the Wonderbolts museum, where ponies could learn about Wonderbolts history as well as about famous fliers from the past. Straight ahead was the entrance to a massive sports dome that provided enough space for the Wonderbolts to practice their routines indoors during the off season and during inclimate weather. The polished stone floor that the two pegasi walked across depicted the winged lightning bolt logo that always filled Spitfire with pride whenever she walked over it.

Spitfire and Star Rider walked to the left and entered a special area off limits to the general public. Inside, there was a hallway that connected to several rooms made for the use of the Wonderbolts themselves. About halfway down this hallway and to the right, there was a meeting room, where the rest of the team currently was.

“Spitfire!” Came from most of the ponies in there. They were happy to see their lead flier, especially in this dismal time. Regardless of their happiness at Spitfire’s entrance, the yellow pegasus could easily tell that the morale among the team was at a definite low, which made it all the more difficult for Spitfire to have to relay the news of Soarin’s condition.

“Thanks guys.” Spitfire said before walking to the front of the meeting room. Star Rider took her seat on one side of the room that was filled with comfortable blue-and-yellow couches and chairs specially embroidered with the Wonderbolts logo.

“Where’s Soarin?” One of the colts asked.

“I’m afraid I have some… very bad news regarding Soarin.” Spitfire said. She looked down as the team fell silent, their faces turning from confusion to worry.

“Seems White Storm of the Silver Bullets got her hands on him as he was flying back to Fillydelphia without me.” Spitfire said, “Long story short: they broke his wing.”

The group gasped and looked around at each other with cringes and looks of absolute horror.

“Is he okay?”

“How long will he be out?”

“What are we gonna do?”

“How will we fix our routine?”

“Please!” Spitfire said, calming her teammates. The group fell silent again at the direction of their leader.

“Soarin will be unable to fly for about eight months. He is fine, but in a lot of pain. I will find a way to fix the routine, but we’ll have to work very hard to polish it in time for our next public appearance. I also will need to talk to our secretary, Rosemary, about rescheduling some of our upcoming tour dates.”

“Can’t we get a temporary replacement?” A stallion on one side asked. A few agreements sounded around the room. Spitfire’s mind instantly began trying to think of a way to bring Rainbow Dash in and integrate her, but the Wonderbolts had a policy.

“You know the policy as well as I do.” Spitfire admitted, “We do not take temporary replacements. We will have to alter the routine temporarily.”

“Where’s White Storm?” A colt asked angrily, “Why isn’t she in jail?” The team agreed and the room became noisy, which was fixed by Spitfire raising a hoof and raising her voice.

“Well, currently she’s in the hospital.” Spitfire said, then smiled a little, “Because unfortunately for her, she ran into me after she ran into Soarin.”

The ponies in the room clopped their hooves and released some cheers and laughs at Spitfire’s actions, “And unfortunately, I don’t know which hospital she’s in anymore. She was at the Ponyville hospital, but she transferred.”

“Ponyville?” A mare asked.

“Never heard of it?” Spitfire asked, “It’s a smaller town on the other side of Canterlot from here.” She said, and pointed a hoof in the general direction.

“Why was she there?” Star Rider asked, “Why were you there?”

“That’s… not important.” Spitfire said, a small bit of guilt and sadness stinging her heart as she thought of Rainbow Dash, “What is important is while Soarin was gone, did anypony else talk to the police?”

“Soarin was the only one.” A mare said. “We were all out for the weekend.”

Hmph. And they get curious when I go out to Ponyville. Spitfire quickly commented to herself, “Well, Soarin was able to tell me that the police were rounding up members of the Silver Bullets to be brought in for questioning, but they were all in Ponyville when I was there.” Spitfire said, “So, I don’t think the cops have caught them yet.”

“You never know, Spits.” Star Rider commented.

“No, I guess not.” Spitfire said.

A knock on the door.

Spitfire turned and walked up to the door. She opened it to reveal a rather large security colt with a yellow jacket on.

“Is something the matter?” Spitfire asked.

“Sorry to interrupt, Miss Spitfire, but there’s a pony asking for you, she says it’s important.”

“Oh? Who is it?” Spitfire asked.

“I didn’t get a name, but she appears to be nothing but a crazed fan.” The security man said with a shake of his head.

“Well, tell her that now’s not a good time.” Spitfire said.

“Yes, miss.” The security pony said, walking away.

“Amazing.” One of the colts in the room said, “Even at a time like this, those fillies just don’t know when to quit.”

“Yea, well I used to be just like them.” Spitfire said, “And look where I am now, heh.”

CRASH!

Spitfire heard the noise from the other side of the door, as if somepony had just blasted their way into the hallway at full force.

“Stop!” The security colt shouted. Spitfire, in her curiosity, walked back over to the door and opened it, only to be instantly bowled over by an extremely fast-moving blue blur.

Before she knew it, Spitfire was thrown flat on her back, a cyan pegasus mare collapsed on top of her, rainbow hair falling all over Spitfire’s body.

“Rainbow Dash!” Spitfire shouted.

“Alright, c’mere you!” The security pony said, grabbing Rainbow Dash and hauling her off of Spitfire. The team was now almost all in the hallway watching the commotion. Rainbow Dash began to struggle violently.

“No! Wait!” Spitfire shouted at the security guard, taking everypony by surprise except for Rainbow Dash, who panted and avoided Spitfire’s eyes as much as possible.

“Put her down.” Spitfire said to the guard.

“Uh… you sure, Spitfire?”

“Put her down!” Spitfire shouted angrily at the guard. The guard dropped Rainbow Dash roughly, who caught herself on her hooves and approached Spitfire slowly. Spitfire shot a nasty glare at the guard, who rolled his eyes as he walked away casually. Rainbow Dash kept her head low and her eyes on the ground.

“Rainbow Dash, I…” Spitfire started.

“You weren’t wrong, Spitfire, I was.” Rainbow Dash said. Spitfire stopped talking instantly and decided to listen, “I should never have called you… what I did, and I know now that you have been true this whole time. I just… am so sorry.”

“Rainbow Dash…” Spitfire said softly. The entire team was now looking with utmost interest, the security guard at the ready.

“I just wanna say, you know, if you didn’t hate me, maybe…”

“Try again?” Spitfire asked.

Rainbow Dash nodded.

“You don’t mind?” Spitfire asked, “You don’t mind me having to travel all the time?”

“Spitfire, I wouldn’t care if I only saw you once a year.” Rainbow Dash said, approaching Spitfire slowly, “As long as I can call you my marefriend.”

The team gasped, reminding Rainbow Dash and Spitfire of their presence behind them. Spitfire cringed and paled slightly, making Rainbow Dash slightly confused. Had she said something wrong?

“Spitfire…?” Star Rider said.

“I like mares, okay?” Spitfire called back to her team. Rainbow Dash suddenly got a horrified expression on her face, realization hitting her hard.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry, Spitfire! I didn’t know you hadn’t told…”

“It’s alright, Rainbow Dash. They had to know sometime.” Spitfire said. “Besides.” She walked up to Rainbow Dash, “I want them to see this.”

Rainbow Dash and Spitfire kissed, making the Wonderbolts’ jaws drop to near floor level, if not lower. It was a quick kiss, one that accurately said ‘I forgive you’ on both sides. Spitfire smiled as she looked into Rainbow Dash’s eyes. “Thanks.” She whispered.

Rainbow Dash replied happily, “No problem.”

Spitfire then turned around, standing beside Rainbow Dash closely. She surveyed the looks of surprise and confusion from her team. She feared for the longest time that when her secret was finally out, her teammates would react with violent names, teases, and ridicule, but to Spitfire’s great relief, the faces she looked at were nothing like those she feared, but were turning into smiles and nods.

“Hope this doesn’t bother ya.” Spitfire said to her team, “I really like Rainbow Dash here, and nothing’s gonna stop that.”

“Spitfire, we don’t care who you like!” Star Rider said, smiling, “You’re still Spitfire!”

“Yea, you’re still the best flier in Equestria!” A colt said. Spitfire’s heart beat quickly and she looked at Rainbow Dash with a smirk. She knew what Rainbow Dash was thinking: They’re wrong about that.