Prelude

The day we reached Winsome Falls, we announced to everyone that Scootaloo would be joining the family. The boys were overjoyed to be getting an older sister, while Bloom was happy to have Scoots as her niece. When we got back to Ponyville, all our friends and family were overjoyed that Scootaloo would be a part of my family. We went over to townhall and made it official, now Scootaloo is Scootaloo Emily Huffstutler, Princess of Equestria and Herot. She asked if it was alright to use my mother's name as her middle name and I quickly agreed.

About two weeks after our trip and bringing Scootaloo into the family, my wives, children and I were having a picnic with our friends next to Rainbows mailbox. Which is where we go to now.

I was serving up some sandwiches for my kids while trying not to get irritated by Pinkie bouncing around the mailbox. " Pinkie, the mail usually arrives at one o'clock, so could you stop pacing?"

She stopped in mid-air before plopping back to earth. " I'm sorry, but I just wish the mail pony would come already, I can't wait another minute to find out if Rainbow dash got in or not." She then started shaking slightly while keeping her eye's on the mailbox.

" Pinkie, you're more nervous than Dash is." Really Twi, 'cause she doesn't look nervous to me.

" I'm not nervous at all. When I get into the Wonderbolt Academy," She didn't even finish her sentence before Pinkie came to shake her.

" If, you get in, if. Don't jinx it."

" I'm telling you guys it's in the bag."

" Don't jinx it!"

"To be honest, I don't think they would refuse her application, what with her being an element bearer and the only one who can perform a sonic boom without the need for jet engines."

" Aye, you're no steed of the Valkyries, but you do have an incredible amount of speed on ya." Mimir was being generous with a compliment as he kept trying to keep his drink from going all over the place.

" Don't worry about it Dash, if anyone was born to be a Wonderbolt, it's you." Scootaloo was giving her idol some encouragement earning her a noogie from me.

After a couple of minutes encouraging our friend, one of the pony's from the post office came over with a couple of letters in his hoof. " Excuse me, I have a letter for one Rainbow Dash and another one for a Joseph Huffstutler." Dash went and snatched her letter from him while I grabbed my letter and handed the guy a couple of bits.

" Thanks, Cliff." I walked back over to the others just as Rainbow finished looking over her letter. " So, what's the word Dash?"

She looked up from her letter and she looked heartbroken. " I...didnt get in." We all looked shocked that Dash wasn't accepted into the academy, that is until she grinned and turned the letter around showing that she was indeed accepted. " Gotcha hehe hehe. Man, you guys are so easy to fool." Dash was then tackled by Pinkie.

Luna came over to me while watching Pinkie using Dash as a stress ball. " So dear, what does your letter say?"

I looked at the letter and saw that it came from the Wonderbolts Academy, from the office of Captain Spitfire. " This is interesting, it's from Captain Spitfire." I opened the envelope and read the letter inside.

Dear King Joseph.

This is an inquiry to see if you are willing to oversee the recruit training for this year at the Wonderbolts Academy. Seeing as your military is the envy of all the other militaries in Equestria, we were hoping that you could give the next generation of Wonderbolts, a better start than what we were given when we went through basics. It would be only for a week and you would have free range on how to train them. Please consider my offer and report to my office for further details if you're interested.

Sincerely, Spitfire, Captain of the Wonderbolts.

I Folded up the letter and put it in my pocket just as Orion landed on my back. " What did the letter say, daddy?"

" Well, it seems that the captain of the Wonderbolts, wants me to help whip the new recruits into shape. But I'm not sure I should."

" Are you kidding! this is the chance of a lifetime!" Scootaloo buzzed over to me after Dash already left for the Academy. " Think about it, you get to train the Wonderbolts and make them like your Ghost Warriors." Now that part actually intrigues me.

" Well, I have been meaning to introduce my military training to the guards of Equestria, and I believe that the Wonderbolts might just be the foundation stone." I brought all three of my children in a hug and kissed their foreheads. " I better go pack. Scootaloo, make sure your brothers don't get into trouble. And boys, don't let your sister burn the house down with her attempts at getting her Cutiemark."

" Gotcha dad!" They started grappling each other after I teased them to keep an eye on each other.

I walked over to my wives as they helped put away the picnic, and placed a kiss on each of their cheeks. " You two think you can manage without me for a week?"

Luna nuzzled against me. " I believe Applejack and I can manage for a few days." She then rubbed her wing along my crotch, " But just so you know, once you get back from your little vacation from us. We are going to make our last sex marathon look like foreplay, compared to what we have planned once you get back." She then licked the tip of my nose, then went back to helping the others.

I stared dumbly ahead while trying to form an intelligent come back. Instead, I just babbled mindlessly. " Oh gah shaka, oh gah shaka. Alright, I'm gonna pack a few things and head over to the academy." I teleported myself to the house and started packing.

Back at Dash's mailbox, Jackie was chuckling at my reaction and departure. " Sweetheart, you really know how to leave our hubby flustered."

" One of my many hidden talents."

" Don't forget to write!" Pinkie yelled into a large megaphone, makeing the very mountains bend with her voice. " Do you think they heard me?"

Outside Spitfire's office.

I had just arrived at the Wonderbolts Academy dressed in my old Marine Corps uniform and a clean shave. When I was first spotted by these aerial dogs they all gawked at my very presence. After a short walk through the barracks, I was outside the captain's office. I gave a quick knock and was asked to come in. When I entered, the room was decorated with posters, medals and any other small knick-knacks depicting the Wonderbolts, and sitting at her desk was Spitfire herself, looking over documents. When she looked up from her papers and saw me, her serious demeanor vanished and was replaced with an excited smile. " Your Highness, I'm glad you could make it."

" Glad to hear that captain, though in the future if you want me to do something like this, may I suggest you send the request at least a week before-hand."

" Duly noted." She looked me up and down, admiring my uniform. " Nice suit. Something you wore back on your world?"

" Correct. Standard issue Marine Corps uniform. Best military branch in America."

" I'll take your word for it. Now, considering that you're here and in uniform, I'm guessing you want the job I offered you in the letter?"

" You guessed correct, though I have some questions about the job description."

" I thought you might." She sat back at her desk and offered me the seat across from her. " What is it you want to ask me?"

I sat down in the offered chair and went about my questions. " In your letter, you said I have free range on how to train the new recruits. Now you probably don't know this, but the way I was trained as well as the way I trained my Ghost warriors is far different from any and all military training that Equestria has known. It requires yelling, insulting, and pretty much weeding out those who don't have what it takes to be part of the corp. So my question is," I leaned forward so we were meeting eye to eye. " are you okay with that?"

She considered my question for a moment before answering. " As long as it's nothing illegal, you'll have free-range on how to train them. Like I wrote in my letter, I want the newbies to be tougher than the previous generations."

" That's good to hear because I've been dying to see some of my technique's on those that rely on being on all fours. Now, one more question before I head out there. What kind of weapons do you train your troops with?" Spitfire gained a questioning look, saying they don't train with weapons. " Well, that's about to change today."

" Alright. Any other questions?"

" Just one. What's my rank?"

" Well, since you are the king of Herot and Prince of Equestria, I guess co-captain."

I gave her a wide grin. " Excellent, let me go get a few things from Herot's barracks then we can get started."

An hour later, Wonderbolts runway

I was walking down the runway with the captain and two other Wonderbolt members that looked like they should star in a pony version of Top Gun. They followed behind me while I observed the fresh meat up ahead and let me tell you, they looked like the typical hot shots that were big in their home town and thought they have what it takes. While admittedly some will be accepted, the slackers need to be put through the grinder and molded into elite killing machines.

But right now they were talking to each other and being very unprofessional. Time to show them who's in charge. " Straighten up! Eyes front maggots!" At the sound of my voice, they all straightened up and kept their eyes forward. I walked in front of them, inspecting each and every one of them. " I am co-captain Huffstutler your senior drill instructor! From now on you will speak only when spoken to, and the first and last words out of your filthy sewers will be sir! Do you maggots understand that!?"

In unison, they answered. " Sir yes, sir."

" Bullshit I can't hear you, sound off like you got a pair!"

" Sir yes, sir!"

" That's more like it! Now listen up maggots! I don't care who you are, I don't care what connections you've got, I don't care how fast you are, how slow you are, how smart you are, how dumb you are, or where you're from! Here you are all equally worthless, and my goal here is to teach you all how to walk, talk, fly, sleep, eat, shit, piss, and fight like how a Wonderbolt should! Do you maggots understand that!?"

" Sir yes, sir!"

" If you disgusting wastes of space leave this academy if you survive recruit training, you will be a weapon, you will be a minister of death praying for war! But until that day you are pukes, you are the lowest form of life on this or any other realm, you are not even fit to have wings on your back! Because I am hard you will not like me, but the more you hate me the more you will learn! I am hard but I am fair, there is no bigotry here! I do not look down on mares, stallions, idiots, dumbasses, pot-heads, chronic masturbaters, or anything in between, here you are all equally worthless! And I aim to weed out all nonhackers who do not pack the gear to serve as Wonderbolts! Do you maggots understand that!"

" Sir yes, sir"

" Bullshit I can't I hear you!"

" Sir yes, sir"

I stopped in front of the largest stallion in the group to start off the individual pep talk. " What's your name scumbag!?"

" Sir, private Bulk Biceps, sir"

" Bullshit from now on you're private Snowflake! Do you like that name!?"

" Sir yes, sir"

" Well, there's one thing that you won't like private Snowflake, they don't serve muscle shakes and protein bars on a daily basis in my mess hall!"

" Sir yes, sir"

Off to the side, one of the recruits whispered a little joke under their breath. " And here I thought he was just here for a publicity stunt." Unfortunately for him, I heard it.

" Who said that? Who the fuck said that!" I started searching through the recruits, putting the fear of the gods in them. " Who's the slimy little common of shit, twinkle-hoofed cocksucker, who just signed their own death warrant!?" None of them spoke up to confess. " Nobody huh!? The Fairy-fucking godmother said it! Out-fucking-standing, I will P.T. you all until you fucking die! I will make you all regret the day you came out your mother's fuck-hole!" I went and grabbed a stallion with a white coat and black mane, and got in his grill. " Was it you, you scrawny little fuck, huh!?"

" Sir no, sir!"

" You little piece of shit, you look like a fucking worm I bet it was you!"

" Sir no, sir!"

" Sir I said it, sir!" I turned to who said they did it, and I found that it was Thunderlane, one of the guys I meet when helping create that tornado over the reservoir.

I let the pile of shit slip from my hands and went for Thunderlane. " Well, no shit. Looks like we got a fucking comedian, private Joker. I admire your honesty. Hell, I like you, you can come over to my place and fuck my sister." I then gave him a quick punch to his side, making him wince in pain and lay on his side. " You little scumbag, I've got your name, I've got your ass! You will not laugh, you will not cry, you will learn by my hand, I will teach you! Now get up, get on your hooves!" He got back up and stared ahead. " You had best unfuck yourself or I will tear off your wings, and use them to wipe my ass!"

" Sir yes, sir!"

" Private Joker, why did you join this outfit!?"

" Sir, to be a great flyer and the best of the best, sir!"

" So, you want to be the best huh!?"

" Sir yes, sir!"

" Let me see your war face!"

" Sir!?"

" You got a war face!? Aaaaahhhh! That's a war face, now let me see your war face!"

" Aaaaahhh!"

" Bullshit you didn't convince me, let me see your real war face!"

" Aaaaaaaahhhhhh!"

" You don't scare me, work on it!"

" Sir yes, sir!" I let him off the hook and went for the one I accused of talking during my speech.

" What's your excuse?"

" Sir excuse for what, sir!?"

" I'm asking the fucking questions here private, do you understand!?"

" Sir yes, sir!"

" Well, thank you very much, can I be in charge for once!?"

" Sir yes, sir!"

" Are you shook up, are you nervous!?"

" Sir yes, sir!"

" Do I make you nervous!?"

" Sir!?"

" Sir what!? Were you about to call me an asshole!?"

" Sir no, sir!"

" How tall are you private!?"

" Sir four foot seven, sir!"

" Four foot seven, I didn't know they stacked shit that high! You trying to squeeze an inch in on me somewhere, huh!?"

" Sir no, sir!"

" Bullshit it looks like the best part of you ran down the crack of your mama's ass and ended up as a brown stain on the mattress! I think you've been cheated! Where in the Hell are you from anyway private!?"

" Sir Manehatten, sir!"

" Holy dog-shit, Manehatten, only gators, and queers come from Manehatten private Yuppy! And you don't look much like a gator to me, so that narrows it down! Do you suck dicks!?"

" Sir no, sir!"

" Are you a peter puffer!?"

" Sir no, sir!"

" I bet you're the kind of guy that would fuck a person in the ass and not even have the goddamn common courtesy to give him a reach around, I'll be watching you!" I continued my walk and headed for the mare at the end of the line, standing beside Dash and was checking her hoof for dirt. " Did your parents have any children that lived!?"

She gave me a cocky grin before answering. " Sir yes, sir." She didn't even sound off. Ooh, this is gonna be fun.

" I bet they regret that! You're so ugly you could be a modern art masterpiece! What's your name Dipshit!"

" Sir Lightning Dust, sir!"

" I don't like that name, reminds me too much of talking cars and speed-freaks! From now on you're private Pyle!"

" Sir yes, sir."

" Do you think I'm cute private Pyle, do you think I'm funny!?"

" Sir no, sir."

" Then wipe off that stupid looking grin off your face!"

" Sir yes, sir." Despite her confirmation to quit grinning, she just went ahead and kept grinning while staring in my face.

" Well, any fucking time sweetheart!"

" I can't help it, you're just making it soo hard not to burst out laughing from your yelling." Oh, she is crossing every major line. Time to pull out all the stops.

" Private Pyle, I'm gonna give you three seconds, exactly three seconds, to wipe that stupid grin off your face or I will gouge out your eyeballs and skull fuck you! One! Two! Three!"

" Dude, you just don't give up. Do you?"

" That's it, get on your haunches Scumbag!" Lightning rolled her eyes, but none the less, she went on her haunches. I then held my hand by my side in a strangling position. " Now choke yourself!" She looked questioningly at me before going to choke herself with her hooves. " Not with your hooves shit-for-brains with my hand!" She then went and tried to pull my hand towards her throat. " Don't pull my fucking hand over there, I said choke yourself! Now lean forward and choke yourself!" With some hesitation, she leaned forward and leaned her throat onto my hand, the weight of her body making it difficult for her to breathe. " Are you through grinning!?"

With some struggling, she answered in a strained voice. " Sir yes, sir."

" Bullshit I can't hear you!"

" Sir yes, sir!" Her voice got a little louder, but the lack of air was making it difficult for her to talk.

" Bullshit I still can't hear you, sound off like your life depends on it!"

With a will to live and to get out of my grasp, she let out the appropriate response when addressing her drill instructor. " Sir yes, sir!"

With a proper sound off, I let her go. " That's enough, get on your hooves!" Dust, now known as Pyle, got back on her hooves while regaining her breath. " Private Pyle, you best square your ass away and start shitting me diamonds or I will definitely fuck you up!"

" Sir yes, sir!"

I walked away from her and went towards the middle of the runway to address all the recruits. " Thanks to private Pyle and her insubordination, I want five-hundred laps from all of you!" At the mention of exercise, all but Dash and Pyle groaned. " Move your asses before I kick 'em!" Immediately, all the recruits zipped off the ground and started their laps.

With the recruits in the air, I went over to Spitfire, who was staring blankly in front of her with her jaw hanging. " A bit more than you bargained for there captain?"

She shook off her stupor and regained her composure. " Impressive work your highness. I doubt even I have what it takes to make a speech like that."

" It's all about the proper motivation Spits. Now, did your boys set up the barracks, as I asked?"

" They should be finished by the time these newbies finish their laps."

" That's good to hear. By the end of this week, these guys will be lean, mean, fighting machines, those that can hack it anyway." We shared a brief laugh while we continued to watch the recruits do their laps with Spitfire timing them. As I was watching them, my thoughts kept wandering towards my family, and how they were doing. I hope they're doing alright without me.

Wonderbolts barracks.

It was almost time to call lights out for the day and I was about to give my last order for the day. I walked down in the middle of the recruits standing next to their bunks, each of them holding a six-foot spear. After reaching the end of the room, I turned around and gave my order while walking back to the other end of the room. " Tonight, you pukes will sleep with your spears! You will give your spear a name because this will be the only pussy or dick, you people are going to get! Your days of clopping to images of celebrities on the front of magazines in the supermarket are over! You're married to your spear now, this weapon of steel and wood, and you will be faithful!" After I reached the other end of the room, I turned to address them again. " Prepare to mount!" The recruits got ready to mount their bunks and waited for my order. " Mount!" With near-flawless execution, the maggots had mounted their bunks and held their spears close to their chest. " Pray!"

In unison, they spoke a revised version of the rifleman's creed. " This is my Spear, there are many like it but this one is mine. My spear is my best friend, it is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. Without me, my spear is useless, without my spear, I am useless. I must use my spear true, I must thrust faster than my enemy who is trying to kill me. I must kill my enemy before they kill me. I will. Before the Gods, I swear this creed. My spear and I are defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy, we are the saviors of our lives. So be it, until there is no enemy, but peace. Amen." With that last word they put their spears to their side and got ready for sleep.

" Good night, maggots!"

" Good night, sir."

With my work being done for the night, I turned out the light and headed for the room that was given to me. " This is going to be a long week."

The next morning. Five o'clock.

https://youtu.be/DhAzQzm4m9Q

" Reveille! Reveille!" I came into the recruit barracks while banging the butt of Frostbite inside a trashcan. " I want everyone in uniform and out the door in five minutes!"

" Sir yes, sir!"

I put the can back over by the door and headed out the barracks where Spitfire was trying to stay awake with a cup of coffee. " What's the matter, captain? Been a while since you've been up this early?"

" Yaaawwnn. I don't think I've ever been up this early even when I was going through basics."

" By Odin's beard, how can you even call yourself a soldier if you've never even risen before the sun?" I had no idea the situation was this bad, even the superior officers are lacking in grit. " How 'bout you join me and the recruits for our morning exercise?"

" That sounds good to me." She chugged the rest of her coffee and woke up fully just as the recruits started filling out of the barracks.

" Alright, listen up! Today, we're going to fly as far as we can before Celestia raises the sun! Once the sun rises, we're going to land and march back here, do you get me!"

" Sir we get you, sir!"

With their confirmation, I spread out my wings and flew towards the western horizon, prolonging our flight. I flew at a moderate pace over fields, swamps, and deserts just to make the march back a real challenge. Following beside me was Spitfire, who kept looking over the terrain we were going over with a grimace, guess she's regretting her decision to tag along.

After about an hour of flying later, the sun had risen and our flight time was over. " Land you miserable maggots!" We all landed in a field close to the griffon empire's border. When I looked back at the recruits, many of them were panting and massaging their wing joints. " Alright, that was the easy part, now it's time for the real work out!" I jogged ahead of the squadron while they tried to keep up with me.

About an hour into our march I decided to make things interesting with a little marching song. " Repeat after me Maggots!"

" Momma and Papa were laying in bed!"

" Momma and Papa were laying in bed!"

" Momma rolled over, this is what she said!"

" Momma rolled over, this is what she said!"

" Gimme some!"

" Gimme some!"

" PT!"

" PT!"

" Good for you!"

" Good for you!"

" Good for me!"

" Good for me!"

" Mmh good!"

" Mmh good!"

" I've been devoted to the sun and moon!"

" I've been devoted to the sun and moon!"

" Gonna run and fly till I drop dead!"

" Gonna run and fly till I drop dead!"

" Chrysallis is an evil bitch!"

" Chrysallis is an evil bitch!"

" Gonna stomp her in the ground like the bug she is!"

" Gonna stomp her in the ground like the bug she is!"

Our march ended around noon and when we had gotten back, nobody looked like they were up for any more physical activity. Knowing that these guys were at their limit, I decided to be nice. " Alright, you miserable sacks of shit listen up! Since it looks like our routine was a little more than you could handle! I've decided to give you over to captain Spitfire for the rest of the day!" This received a lot of cheers and caused them to jump around in celebration. I left Spits in charge of them while I headed for my temporary office.

Two days later.

I was sitting in the office that was provided for me looking over some papers that needed my signature. Most of them were just progress reports on the recruits and a few requests from the other military branches to see if they could use my training methods as well. Seems word about my technique got around quick. As I was going through them, I got a knock on the door. " Come in." When the door opened, my favorite daredevil came in to see me. " Private Dash, well ain't this a pleasant surprise."

" Hey Joe, got a minute?" She looked heart-broken about something, wonder what it is?

" Sure, pull up a chair, I need a break from paperwork anyway. I don't know how Tia does this every day without punching a hole in someone's head?"

" Heh, good one...listen. Did you hear about my partner?"

" No. Who is it?" This ought to be good.

" It's Lightning Dust!" I raised an eyebrow at her, saying she forgot one important thing. " Uhh, I mean private Pyle."

" And what's wrong with that? From what I hear, you two had the fastest recovery time on the Dizzytron. It makes sense that Spits put you two together."

" Yeah, but she made her Lead Pony and me Wing Pony! I was the fastest one to recover from that thing! I should be Lead Pony! Can't you do something about it?"

" First off, it's not my call to make, Spits is in charge of the teams, I just make you all go through Hell. Second, from what I heard, Pyle went through the Dizzytron at max speed. Now Pyle may be a self-absorbed, competitive show-off that needs an ass-kicking from time to time but she's got guts and guts is enough. Anyway, just because she's Lead Pony, doesn't mean your input will be shot down. Now, is there anything else you would like to address?"

" Sigh. Sir no, sir."

" Alright then, carry on Private." Dash left out the door while I went through my papers. " Hmm, maybe I should train the guards up in Canterlot next?"

The next day.

" You two did what!?" Dash had just delivered the news to both Spits and me about the tornado they made to quicken their cloudbusting. At first, I was a bit miffed that they did that because of collateral damage and possible endangerment to life. However, when she got to the point where the tornado caught a balloon coming up to the academy, I was angry. Then she told us who was in the balloon. " Tell Pyle, I want to see her in my office! Now!" Rainbow zipped out of the room to go get Pyle. " Spits. Whatever happens...let it happen." After that, I walked out of her office and headed for mine.

While Spits watched me go out the door, she had this thought. " Why do I have the feeling we'll be losing a recruit?"

I was in my office with my back turned to the door, waiting for a certain private to show up. When I heard a knock come from the door, I spoke in a calm and neutral voice. " Enter."

The door opened to reveal one very nervous looking private Pyle. " Dash said you wanted to see me, sir."

" Take a seat, Pyle." I heard her take a seat on the other side of my desk and waited for me to say more. " Do you know why I asked you in here today?"

" To compliment Dash and me on our cloudbusting and the record we set?" I turned around so she could see how pissed off I was. " Or....something else entirely?"

" Actually, I do want to talk to you about your technique, and how you put the lives of several civilians and five members of the royal family in serious danger!" She started shrinking in her chair with every word I said. "The tornado itself was a really dumb move. First off, you not only put yourself and your partner in danger, but you also put the other recruits in danger. That alone would put you in the stockade for a few days." She started shaking at the news of possible stockade time.

" But...but what about Dash!? I mean she created that tornado with me."

" True and I will be having words with her as well. But since you're the Lead Pony and it was your idea, this is all! On! You!" I poked her in the chest with those last three words, driving my point home. " Now, I have an order from Spits that will determine your fate at the Wonderbolts Academy."

" What...what is it?" She stammered out, hoping the worst isn't as bad as she was imagining.

" Let's just say, it's a lot more mellow than what I would have done." I withdrew some papers from my pocket and read what it said to her. " By the order of captain Spitfire. Recruit Lightning Dust, will be placed in the stockade for the remainder of her training. Once the recruit training period is over, she will be kicked out of the Wonderbolts permanently." I handed the letter to her to show that I wasn't bluffing.

Once she looked over the paper, she became outraged and turned it on me. " This can't be real! I showed that I had more guts out there than anybody! Hell, you guys should have made me a Wonderbolt the minute I landed here! I-" I had enough of her back-talk and slammed her against the wall while baring my teeth.

" You're lucky I decided to let Spitfire decide your fate, instead of what I had in mind!" I removed her Lead Pony badge from her uniform and tossed her out the door where the Top Gun look-alikes were waiting. " Take this piece of shit to the stockade before I decide to rip her wings off, and toss her over the side!" They gave me a shakey salute and ran off with Pyle in between them.

With her out of sight, my rage disappeared and my thoughts became clear. Looking at the badge in my hand, I went outside where my friends and family were waiting for me. When I got out there, the kids were being held by Jackie and Lulu, no doubt comforting them over the ordeal they went through. I Came up from behind and brought them into a hug. " Are you all alright?"

Both Jackie and Luna nuzzled me while the kids hugged me around my waist. " We're a bit shook up from that twister, but it's not like it's the worst thing that happened to us."

" Our situation would have been a lot laxer, but a piece of debris knocked me out for a time." She parted her mane to reveal the growing bump on her head.

" Oh, you poor baby. Come here, let me make it all better." I leaned her head towards me and gave her bump a quick peck. " Better?"

" Much better."

" You should have seen it, Dad. We were on our way to give you and Rainbow dash a care package, then a random twister caught our balloon. We kept spinning around for what seemed like forever. Momma Luna was about to stop us from falling, but then this went and smacked her right in the head." Scootaloo then showed me what appeared to be a piece from a blackboard. " Not long after that, the ropes holding the balloon snapped and we started to fall. We all would've been paste if Rainbow Dash hadn't saved us."

" I know, she told me the whole thing." I directed my attention over to Dash who was looking a little ashamed, no doubt about her part in creating the tornado in the first place. I went over to her and loomed over her. From her expression, she most likely expected me to either yell, strike or choke her. Instead of any of those things, I brought her in for a hug. " Thank you, for saving them Dash."

At first, she was shocked that I went and hugged her, but then it melted and she returned the hug. " Like I would ever let anything happen to our friends." After that, we ended our embrace. " What happened to Lightning Dust?"

" Private Pyle has been sent over to the stockade for the remainder of her training period. After that, she'll be kicked out of the Wonderbolts Academy." Dash nodded her head in understanding, knowing that I would have done something worse if it was up to me. " And since she's in the stockade, it seems that her Wing Pony has been promoted to Lead Pony to the rest of her class." I went ahead and pinned the golden badge on her uniform. " Now go. Be the leader I know you to be."

" Oh my gosh this is so cool. It's always been my dream to-"

" I didn't say talk, I said get up there and give me fifty!"

" Sir yes, sir!" With that, she zipped on over to the other recruits and started to do their fifty laps.

" Wait! You didn't get to open your care package!" Pinkie yelled over to Dash while holding a crushed box. " Oh well, the cookies are probably crumbs anyway." She then tossed it aside and we all went about our day.

Author's Notes:

First, I have been very eager to do a chapter about this episode. So much so, that I contemplated skipping a few chapters, but you know what they say about delayed gratification.

Second, this chapter was heavily inspired by, as the title suggests, Full Metal Jacket.

Third, in all honesty, I kinda wanted Dust to be a better character in the whole story. I just had no idea how to go about it.

The next chapter will have to wait due to the holidays and I want to finish my second story before I go further.

Now, I bring forth the clips.

https://youtu.be/LGkYaL9oUtQ

https://youtu.be/3MBZTU6-2Is

https://youtu.be/B4diugMg5kQ