Homeless forever (AU Grimdark thing, beware)

[former_wonderbolt]

You're kidding, right?

You've got to be kidding me. You drag me out of your headspace and make me an account for something I don't want to do to make fun of me, huh? Yeah, yeah, I know, "former Wonderbolt". It's not cute, you know. Even if it is true, going from Wonderbolts to Shadowbolts for our ove-... new princess.

Don't think I'm going to remain happy for any of this, you know as well as I do how deep these scars go. Just get it over with, will you? You know you'll just get bored of this and put me back into your little box until you next find it hilarious.

Comments

[harrisonfoal]

Nice mane.

[former_wonderbolt]

[... Okay, not what she expected to hear.]

Guess it kind of is, huh?

[harrisonfoal]

Totally. It gives you a peppy lively look.

I can't do a thing with my mane. Too much climate change. Just as well I never know what to do with it.

[former_wonderbolt]

Heh, if I didn't have one then I'd certainly be someone different.

Gel the hay out of it, that tends to work to give you some kind of look, at least, rain or shine.

[harrisonfoal]

Ah, I did that when I was a little one, but considering how much I sweat on the job I think it would run too much.

So what's your story pretty pony? Your words seemed awfully tense.

[pieinthesky]

Shadowbolt...? What're you talking about, Spitfire?

[former_wonderbolt]

Soarin? Exactly what I'm saying, haven't been a Wonderbolt since that wench new ruler came in.

[pieinthesky]

New ruler? Woah woah woah, you're losing me here. What about the team? And what's all this other stuff going on?

[former_wonderbolt]

It's been like this for a while, Celestia disappeared on us, meaning Nightmare Moon won and took the place over. Put up a great fight, but it didn't end well for anyone. Replaced us with a darker team, some of us managed to get back into it despite having to bend to her will.

[pieinthesky]

But that can't be right. Nopony told me about this! Princess Celestia totally had that covered...I think.

So what, we have to be part of the Shadowbolts now? What makes them so different from Wonderbolts?

[former_wonderbolt]

Covered? Psh, disappeared and we never heard anything from her ever again. Why would I lie to you about something like that?

They're... let's put it this way, the group of originals are creepy for starters and pretty dark on top of it all. The rest of us got our battle scars and do whatever the wench queen wants for us to do, whether it be demonstrations, spying, recon, or retrieval.

[pieinthesky]

No, I know you wouldn't lie. It's just...hard to believe. Why would she up and leave when everypony needed her most?

So we're all stuck as her personal spies? That's terrible. We're supposed to look after everypony; not snoop on them or whatever. That's just not right.

[former_wonderbolt]

Wouldn't know. We weren't told more than the queen had her, no details given what-so-ever.

That's the long and short of it and I sure don't like doing the job. But, you know, it's better than cowering in fear in my home or stuck in a dungeon. Luckily she let me keep my title, so that's... something.

[pieinthesky]

To just go missing like that? That's just crazy.

I dunno; still kinda sounds like a dungeon to me. But if we really don't have a choice... (He sighs.)

...alright. So what do we have to do now?

[former_wonderbolt]

Crazy things happen in this world aaaaall the time, whether you notice or not.

It pretty much is, you get used to it after a while. [No, you really don't. Even though she's trying to put on a brave face.]

About the same thing we did before, practice. Though we have a bit more to add to our lists than just being amazing and showy.

[pieinthesky]

Guess so. Equestria always finds a way to take you by surprise.

(Captain, even Soarin can tell you're lying through your teeth. He doesn't point that out though; it's just a sign that things are more grave than they should be.)

Then I guess we gotta keep working on our routines, right? If nothing else, our wings won't let us down.

[former_wonderbolt]

Equestria and everypony else.

[Figures. She's not really against it being pointed out, but it's the least she can do to try and make things not as awful as they are. The creeper ponies and the fights are things she hasn't entirely mentioned yet.]

The one thing a pony can depend on with absolute certainty. Mind you, uh, things aren't all smooth sailing with those you wouldn't know. They sort of do their own thing, surprised they even listen to a word I say.

[pieinthesky]

(That's what he likes about you, Spitfire. Even when things are this bad, you treat it with a smile and a grain of salt. He wouldn't expect any less from captain of the Wonderbolts.)

Can't be too far off if we have some semblance of a team, right? Besides, if they won't listen to you, I will; we're a team no matter what.

[former_wonderbolt]

[Heh, it's all she can do to keep her sanity intact, after all. Though she moves forward a bit, headbutting his side.]

Got someone I can count on, at least. [Smallest bit of a mutter.] Thanks, Soarin. Tell anyone about this and I will end you.

[pieinthesky]

(If it works, it works; Soarin definitely won't complain. Besides, a team works its best when the leader is still holding herself together.

He laughs a little at that.)

No problem. We can handle this...somehow.

What could make it better is if we get something to eat. I'm starving! (Aaaand we go back to Soarin being Soarin.)

[cape_and_wizard_hat]

The Great and Powerful Trixie is confounded by the term "Shadowbolt" and wonders what it is.

[former_wonderbolt]

Great and Powerful? Same thing as the Wonderbolts used to be, but for a different ruler now. Day and night, you know.

[cape_and_wizard_hat]

The Great and Powerful Trixie has beaten many a beast, such as The Dreaded Ursa Major! The Great and Powerful Trixie wonders who exactly this new ruler is.

[former_wonderbolt]

That's not even what we're worried about anymore, but you keep saying that. Nightmare Moon. You know, that sister that was supposed to be stuck in the moon. Celestia up and disappeared on us.

[cape_and_wizard_hat]

What? Trixie had heard those that wield The Element of Harmony had defeated Nightmare Moon. Trixie is in residence upon the ship that swims through space with both The Princesses of Day and Night.

[former_wonderbolt]

Elements of Harmony? Afraid that doesn't ring any bells other than some old myth, no one stepped up to stop her or if they tried they ended up getting imprisoned or killed. Not the... best of fates, have to say.

[cape_and_wizard_hat]

Hm. Perhaps Trixie may be of service. She is not only the most enticing showmare to ever grace Equestria with her presence, but also the greatest equine who hath ever lived!

[former_wonderbolt]

Uh-... huh. If you want to go and get yourself thrown into the dungeons of that castle, then by all means be my guest. I've had enough of the rebellions and fightings for a life time, myself. So don't go mentioning my name if you do it.

[cape_and_wizard_hat]

[Trixie gives a haughty laugh.]

Nopony can stand a chance against The Great and Powerful Trixie. Allow her to change into something of more adequate comfort.

[She levitates her hat and cape off and puts on some sort of red-colored amulet.]

[former_wonderbolt]

[Trixie, Trixie what are you doing? Spitfire's going to step back a bit, though still not believe a single solitary word of this.]

By all means. I'm not against anyone trying if it's something they absolutely have to do, though it's best to know that when a group of elite fliers and the majority of the former guard can't do anything to her that it's nothing to be taken lightly.

[cape_and_wizard_hat]

The Great and Powerful Trixie is most displeased with your reluctance. Allow her to prove to you just what exactly she is capable of.

[She fires off a red beam of magic at Spitfire, Trixie's eyes glowing red as she does so. There's a large, unharmful explosion of smoke around the area where Trixie targeted her spell. When the smoke clears, there's about 100 Spitfires around.]

[former_wonderbolt]

[... Woah. Woah. That's actually kind of cool, she'd admit it. Not that it completely assures her of anything.]

Fancy trick you have there. My reluctance just comes from lots of experience, unfortunately. But I guess you have just as much of a chance as anyone else, with a bit more ammo than everyone else has had. Good luck?

[cape_and_wizard_hat]

The Great and Powerful Trixie needs not any luck. All she has and will use is skill and power!