How can a pony move on after they lose everything?
How can they come to terms when faced with the reality that they may no longer be able to return to their old life?
Spitfire finds herself critically injured and hospitalized. How can the captain of the Wonderbolts — a pegasus proud to soar across the wide blue sky — deal with finding herself unquestionably grounded?
Expanded from my entry to the Quills & Sofas Spitfire contest, tied for first place.
Also an entry into the 2024 Wonderbolts Site Contest.
Special thanks to Drider for pre-reading!
Cover art by 1662222 on pixabay, edited.
Chapters (1)
The feels. The feels.
That was beautiful. All of it. Into Heartstrings this goes!
11892913
Thank you for reading, glad you liked it!
Nicely evocative phrasing!
This story also had an interesting and appropriate outcome.
Hello bee buddy, I come bearing you a Q&S-style comment. :D
This was a great read. I really enjoyed the quiet relationship between Spitfire and Rainbow here, as well as the very real depiction of the toll that injury/illness takes. The procession of visitors dwindling from a river to a trickle was particularly well done.
Overall, I found the tone to be a bit overwraught and maudlin, but I really don't think that's a bad thing here. Spitfire's feeling very down on herself, quite rightly--as they say, ain't no party like a (self)pity party. But again, it makes sense and it warranted here. This could very well be career-ending for her, much like so many athletes before and after her. The specter of time looms over the people & ponies stamped with best-in-their-field, and, whether it be to age or injury or illness, it always collects its due.
Overall, I was impressed by the depth of emotion you managed in so few words. If I had a criticism, it would actually probably be to drag out Spitfire's agony a little longer. 😂 Have her stew on it after they pick her up a bit longer, with her team dancing around the subject, before her moderate implosion. But then, I can be a bit of a mean lady to the horses. I come by the moniker 'Lost in Sadhorse' honestly.👀
Overall, this was a nice, self-contained hurt/comfort one-shot. Good job, homie. 💪