A Wonderbolt's Plight

In an office in Cloudsdale, a verbal war between three pegasi was ringing into the hallway, prompting some of the uniformed staff to hover near the door.

"You're grounded! No more flight time until this matter is resolved!"

Junior Warrant Officer Rainbow Dash bit back the choking sorrow and anger at Wing Commander Colonel Storming Sky for taking away her livelihood.

"Colonel, don't you think that's a bit harsh?" Rainbow's commanding officer protested.

"Harsh? I don't believe you understand the circumstances of this situation and the term 'harsh,' Captain."

"But-" She started again before being cut off.

"Enough! Dismissed, Junior Warrant."

Rainbow backed out of the room and through the door, banging it shut. A few seconds later, a thud rang back to the room: She had punched the wall.

"Wait until I tell the Flight Admiral Searing Sky about this. He'll reverse you."

"I don't believe my brother has any jurisdiction on the matter. He only deals with high offences. He doesn't have time for that groveling waste of a pair of wings' punishment."

"Colonel, please, enough on Rainbow Dash!"

"Oh, you mean the one who…" He started to flip through a folder on his desk. "…nearly destroyed Cloudsdale Stadium in the Young Fliers' Competition…" He flipped the papers in the folder. "…she and Cadet Lightning Dust almost took out an entire class of Wonderbolt Cadets…" He flipped. "…and when she headed the Ponyville rain pool operation to send the water to Cloudsdale, you said yourself in the report: 'A step from disaster.'"

"But she was the hero in the midst of the problems."

"You still believe in the notion of heroes, Captain? Pathetic. I risked my life in many operations and missions, and what do I get? Not a hero's welcome, but a few medals and a pat on the back."

"Everypony knows that you're still bitter over the war, but you live your life like everyone else."

"A life it is…" He said sarcastically, turning in his chair and looking out the window.

"Won't you reverse yourself for the good of my unit?"

"The good of your unit?!" He snapped back to the battle. "I did what was best for both the wing as well as your unit! In fact, I'm surprised that you still hold the position of CO of the 1st Wonderbolt Unit."

He closed Rainbow's file and grabbed another from his desk drawer. He slammed the thick folder on his desk. It was that of Captain Spitfire.

"Captain Gliding Spitfire, 1st Wonderbolt Unit, 1st Equestrian Aerial Wing, Commanding Officer of 1st Wonderbolt Unit." Colonel Storming Sky read aloud from the first page. "I never took an interest until now, but why did your parents name you 'Spitfire?'"

"From an old legend, Spitfires were a special breed of pegasus who could operate artillery while in aerial combat."

"Myths, all of it…just like your so-called 'heroes.'"

Spitfire sunk a little into herself to keep the anger from welling up.

"Your records show many flaws and failures. I also see that one of your subordinates outrank you…" He said calmly before he slammed the folder closed. "How in Celestia's name are you still in command?!"

Spitfire wanted to speak, but the Colonel continued.

"I believe that a certain stallion you're fond of is a major if I'm not mistaken…one that my secretary tells me that you talk about constantly with your mare friends in the mess hall. What's his name?" He opened her file again, scanning it. "Oh, yes, Major Soaring Valor. How is Soaring?"

"I'm fine, Colonel…" A cold voice said from the doorway. Soaring Valor was standing halfway in the room, listening to every one of his wing commander's remarks. "And it's pronounced Soarin'."

"Ah, Major, how good of you to join us. I want you to give a statement about your commanding officer's leadership…possibly how you should be in command instead…seeing as you outrank her."

Soarin' walked into the room next to Spitfire and she rose from her chair, looking to Soarin' for two seconds, and walked to the door.

He hovered over the Colonel's desk, stretching his neck over it to stare Storming Sky down, but their resolve was evenly matched. He spoke as a voice above the rank of Colonel, even if the body was two ranks below.

"I believe that, in my best judgment as a Major of the Equestrian Royal Air Command of the Equestrian Armed Forces and as a member of the Special Forces Division: Wonderbolts, that Captain Gliding Spitfire of the 1st Aerial Wing, 1st Wonderbolts Unit, is fit to lead and command her unit to the best of her ability." He paused to reinstate his current authority over his commander. "Write that in your files, you bitter, slimy dirt-bag."

Soarin' and Spitfire left the Wing Commander's office together. Catching glances from the Colonel's staff as they walked to the outside platform. They flew off the building's balcony and landed on a large cloud strip that held stores and restaurants.

"Soarin'…thank you." Spitfire said to him. "That was quite a statement."

"Wait! My statement isn't over yet." Spitfire was confused as he smiled. "And I believe that she is also very deserving of the medal she's receiving from the High Canterlot Council." He gave her a document that he was carrying.

She read it aloud for the both of them. "We, the High Canterlot Council, nominate Captain Gliding Spitfire for the Medal of Distinguished Service. Her duty to the Princesses, country, and to her respective branch of service has gone above and beyond expected result. And we, the High Canterlot Council also support her nomination of Cloudsdale's Great Pegasi Wings Medal."

Soarin' laughed with her as she became overwhelmed with joy.

"I can't believe I'm up for these medals!"

"Celestia knows you deserve them." He said as a group of pegasi floated past. "Oh…and another thing…" He brought out a brochure for her as well. "And that you're oh-so deserving of a paid vacation: my treat."

"Royal Range Hot Springs Resort…" She read from the brochure. "How could you afford this, Soarin'?"

"Let's just say that I'm saving up for a lot of things and that one of those things went away. So why not use it to relax instead of getting stressed over it?"

She chuckled as she hugged him. They continued walking together down the strip.

"Say, Soarin'…"

"Hmm?"

"What are you saving up for? It must be worth it to put away that much of your salary."

"Oh, you'll find out one day."

"One day, huh…?"

"And that day will be the best day of both our lives."

"Oh, now I have to know."

"You'll find out one day…and 'one day' isn't today." He laughed.

"You're such a hothead." She said, laughing along with him.