Chapter Text
The women were chatting animatedly at the door of the training post.
As soon as they heard the news from one of the Majors in the group, everyone was excited.
Another member would arrive for the group.
After...
It was a bit unsettling, but it seemed like a promising change.
- I hope she likes cake. - Pinkie wished, holding the cupcake carefully between her hands.
- It's hard to find someone who doesn't like your sweets, Pinkie. - Rarity commented, smiling sideways.
- It will be her first test. - The curly-haired girl says, shrugging her shoulders.
- Hey, shut up. She's coming. - Twilight whispers, loud enough for everyone in the group to hear, that is, the newbie herself must have heard it from the short distance.
Yes, she clearly heard, because her smile grew on her face, which was stared at by everyone there with curiosity.
The woman came prepared in her riding gear, although one arm was bandaged, and her hair was tied back in a tight ponytail that swayed her blonde strands as she walked confidently towards them.
- Good morning. I imagine you must be my teammates. - She says, as soon as she gets close enough. She gives everyone a quick, polite look. - I'm Applejack. It's a pleasure to meet you all.
- It's a pleasure! I'm Pinkie Pie! - She extended a hand, but when she realized that it was the blonde's right arm that was disabled, she approached, giving a quick hug, which surprised the blonde. - Do you like cake? - She asked, with a mysterious voice, as she walked away.
- I love it. Is it for me? - She asked, pointing to the cupcake and Pinkie nodded happily. She already liked Applejack.
- It looks like it'll be great to meet you. I'm Twilight. - The one with glasses greeted, with a nod.
- I'm Sunset. Did you come because you were anxious? You didn't need to come still hurt. - She joked, pointing to her arm, the blonde laughing at her words.
- I can't let such an important mission be left aside because of this. - She said, sounding amused, but with a clearly serious tone.
The others didn't understand if she was making fun or not, but they let it go.
- You're right. A show can't be ruined by that. People need hope to keep them going. - Another of the women spoke, seriously and the blonde newbie looked at her, making the other open a small smile. - I'm Rarity.
- Everyone has introduced themselves, let me conclude. I am Major Fluttershy. I heard from my superiors about your arrival yesterday afternoon. - The woman spoke, her arms crossed behind her back, giving a polite wave and Applejack stood at attention, out of respect for her.
- I'll do a good job, Major. - She assured soberly.
- What's your rank? - Pinkie asked, curious, only now remembering this.
- I'm captain. - She said, without giving it much relevance, shrugging her shoulders.
Most of the others widened their eyes, after all in the air force, as well as in any other military post, your rank is very relevant and requires respect.
- I'm sorry for my clumsiness, captain! I'm the team's 1st lieutenant, you can order me to make cakes if you want. - Pinkie says, suddenly nervous.
She had already been punished for her recklessness to her superiors before and it wasn't as if she wanted that to happen again.
- You don't need to worry. I'm new here, you know more than I do. You don't need to worry about that. Just call me Applejack. - She reassured the other.
Still, they all showed up, now with their proper positions.
Rarity and Twilight were also captains, with Sunset and Pinkie being the two 1st lieutenants of the group.
And there were two Majors.
One was Fluttershy, the other...
- We're so forgetful, which fighter are you going to drive? - Twilight asked, starting a conversation with the blonde.
- I'm an F-22 pilot. - She commented, distracted, when she realized that Major Fluttershy was no longer there.
She could be quite stealthy when she wanted to, apparently.
A deafening silence filled the room, causing Applejack to turn her gaze to the others.
Their reactions were diverse, but with the same feeling: tension and distress.
For example, the shock on Pinkie's face, along with her look of disbelief.
Everyone there seemed to be in disbelief at what she had said, because it didn't seem real, it couldn't be that...
- F-22 pilot? - Rarity repeated, completely surprised.
- Yes. I can drive an F-15 or F-16, but my specialty is the F-22. For our work, it might be ideal, right? - She joked, laughing, but no one joined her this time. She swallowed hard, licking her lips. - Do any of you also drive an F-22?
Everyone avoided the answer, now realizing that Fluttershy wasn't there.
It would be better if the major explained this.
Fluttershy walked quickly but silently to her office, thinking about how to warn her colleague about the new woman.
They had warned Fluttershy for a reason.
They didn't want to face Rainbow and her reaction to the arrival of another pilot.
Yet another F-22 pilot.
Fluttershy didn't knock on the door as she entered, walking right up to Major Rainbow Dash's desk.
- We had a new pilot arrive today. - She reported, but the other remained indifferent, writing in her notebook. - She flies F-22s.
As soon as the last number left Fluttershy's mouth, the pen froze in the other's hand.
The thud of the pen falling on the wooden table sounded thunderous in Rainbow's ears, a storm suddenly arising in her head, but which had always been there, when she looked up, in disbelief at what she had heard.
- F-22? - She repeated seriously, her voice coming out hoarse, having not spoken since she woke up. A bitter and venomous smile appeared on her face, as she glared indignantly at the other major. - Have they already made a replacement? How much they value their soldiers. - She mocked, feeling her heart race with nervousness at the revolting feeling that infiltrated her veins.
She stood up aggressively, taking long strides to the door.
Fluttershy closed her eyes, sighing in exasperation, before turning to follow the other.
- Rainbow, she didn't do anything wrong, remember that. She's here under orders. - She tried to warn, so that the other wouldn't end up taking out her frustrations on the other who had nothing to do with it.
- I'm also here under orders. That doesn't stop me from receiving shitty complaints about how useless I'm being. - She replied immediately, turning a corner and heading down the hallway to the door.
Fluttershy swallowed the frustration she felt.
Apparently, Rainbow was just waiting for the first opportunity to take out on the first person who "deserved" everything she had saved up over the last six months.
Rainbow was uncontrollable.
A mere piece of information left her in pure revolt.
A pilot? For an F-22 fighter jet?
Colonel Spitfire of the Ponyville City Battalion knew what she was doing when she brought this newbie here.
She had tried many ways to bring Rainbow back into action in the past six months, but nothing had worked.
Now she wanted to try to get the newbie to make her act?
Bringing in a female F-22 pilot had just that purpose.
It was the only vacancy left in the group.
The only one that has remained vacant in recent months.
6 months. It was painful to know that the validity of respect for someone lasted 6 months before you could be replaced by someone else.
They wanted Rainbow to swallow all that shit and move on, but how??
How do they expect her to move on if they don't give her time to process what happened?
She took a deep breath, feeling poisoned and suffocated by that pure air, as she got closer and saw her teammates laughing at something they were talking about and this worsened her disgust.
How could everyone be so vain to forget?
She arrived with deep steps, so that her presence would be noticed, the women quickly noticing and making way, tense due to her sudden presence.
Pinkie and Applejack were still giggling, their backs to her, when Rainbow stopped in front of them.
The 1st Lieutenant's laughter disappeared from her throat, as she noticed the silence of the others and turned around, seeing the major's expression.
- Hey, you. - Rainbow called out harshly. Applejack looked back at her, assuming she was talking to her, since she was the only new person there.
The blonde couldn't identify what position she had by her clothes, since she wasn't in uniform, but her posture, the girls' reactions and the fact that she had met Rainbow before, made her realize that she was the other major.
She was about to greet her, but the other walked between her and Pinkie, looking serious.
- Follow me. - She ordered and Applejack gave a quick glance at the others, who remained silent, before turning to try to keep up with the other's quick steps.
- Major Dash? - The blonde guessed, from what she heard the other pilots talking. - It's an honor to meet you. I've heard a lot about your actions towards Equestria, you are-
- Stop with the flattery. - Rainbow demanded, stopping walking when she was far enough away, now they were close to the runway. She turned to the blonde, analyzing her with visible criticism in her eyes. - What are you doing here?
Applejack blinked, unsure if she understood the question.
She was nervous that she couldn't give a straight answer, but she hadn't understood what the major wanted as an answer.
- I don't know if I understand, major. - She said, embarrassed, letting out a small laugh, which wasn't followed.
- What did they send you to do here? Why did you come? - She asked, without hesitation, crossing her arms over her chest. - It's not transfer period and you're visibly hurt, so what the hell is your purpose here? - She asked, aggressively and Applejack tensed her feet on the ground, swallowing hard.
- There is a vacancy for an F-22 pilot. - The blonde answered, without giving much relevance. Her indifference made Rainbow take a deep breath, feeling her arteries burn. - You are alone, although it is better to act in pairs. That is why I was asked.
- I didn't ask for an escort, I knew how to handle the situation on my own with excellence. Go to your superiors who sent you here and return to your home base. - She demanded, not asked, so Applejack blinked slowly, trying to see how she could get out of that situation without major problems.
She didn't want to offend any superiors.
She licked her lips, letting her thoughts run wild.
- One of my jobs is to help you when you need it. I know how competent you are, I'm here as a reserve, major. - She explained, deliberately avoiding the other's demand.
- I don't need you. - She mocked, with a forced laugh of derision.
Applejack smiled, happy that she had at least distracted her from what she said earlier.
Her eyes sparkled as she straightened her posture, her smile becoming confident.
Rainbow looked at her suspiciously. That woman's personality had already displeased her.
She looked a lot like...
- I will show you what I am capable of. And believe me, Major, you will never want to take me away from your side again. - She assured, proudly.
She was sure of it. She would give it her all until she was able to see Rainbow approve of her capabilities and see how she was the perfect choice to have by her side.
Whether in war or there, she would be ideal for the major.