*3 Months After the Accident*
“Miss?” asked a stallion. “Miss?”
Rainbow stood empty minded behind the register. The store hadn’t had a customer all day and she was day dreaming about flying again.
“Miss!” yelled the customer.
Rainbow snapped out of her day dream. “Oh sorry sir.” said Rainbow Dash. She quickly scanned all the items the customer brought to the counter. “Your total is eighteen bits.”
The customer paid his tab and continued on his way, leaving Rainbow to her boredom.
Ever since the accident Rainbow had a few months ago, almost everything had changed about her life. Because of her inability to fly, she couldn’t continue her weather job or keep trying to get into the Wonderbolts. So with a lack of a job meant Rainbow’s funds quickly went out, causing her to default on her home payments and become homeless.
Thankfully, Twilight had acquired an apartment in Manehatten for Rainbow and the rest of the group to live together that was free. Rainbow was very appreciative of it and was also very happy that her best friends had come with her. Even Applejack surprised her by coming, since it was thought that she would have to look after the farm. But apparently Big Mac and Applebloom was all that was needed since Applebloom got bigger.
Unfortunately for Rainbow however, she had to get a job doing something that didn’t involve flying, retail. She hated every second of working at the sports shop she was at, she was even sure the buzzing sound of the fluorescent light bulbs were literally sucking out her soul.
Thankfully her shift would be over in a few minutes and her friends would come by to pick her up to go to the stadium to watch a sporting event.
Perhaps the only real perk to working at the sports shop was that Rainbow could get left over tickets to events for free. She especially was looking forward to this event since the Wonderbolts would be there. As for the sport itself, all she knew was it was some foreign sport from Neighpan.
The sound of a jingling bell meant another customer had come in, or in this case customers. Rainbow looked towards the front entrance to see her friends had come to pick her up.
“Howdy Rainbow, ya ready to go to the event?” asked Applejack.
“Yeah guys, just give me a sec.” said Rainbow Dash. After getting the go ahead from her boss, a sleazy stallion that seemed to care more about Playcolt magazines than his actual business, Rainbow went with her friends out the door to the stadium.
While her friends were busy talking about the event, all Rainbow could think about was seeing the Wonderbolts again. After the accident she desperately tried to beat her injuries and fly again to join, but after many failed attempts and a long depression Rainbow finally accepted that her dream was gone. Seeing them again however would probably bolster her spirits and remind her of flying again.
“Rainbow?” said Fluttershy.
Rainbow was so deep in thought about the Wonderbolts that she had spaced out and walked right past her friends and the front entrance to the stadium. “Hey Rainbow!” yelled Pinkie Pie, snapping Rainbow Dash out of her thoughts.
“Oh, sorry guys.” said Rainbow Dash. After having a laugh at Rainbow, the group headed inside and found their seats. Rainbow didn’t even stop to get drinks or anything to eat, eager to see the Wonderbolts again and not wanting to possibly miss a second of their show.
“Gosh Rainbow, I didn’t know ya were such a fan of Air Treks. You’re more excited than a filly going to Disneigh World.” said Applejack.
“Phh, I couldn’t give two flanks about whatever Air Treks are. I’m here mostly for the Wonderbolts.” said Rainbow Dash.
“Oh come on Rainbow, you might like Air Treks. I hear it’s all the rage right now in Neighpan.” said Rarity.
“Whatever, I-” said Rainbow Dash before being interrupted by the dimming lights and the announcer the famous Vinyl Scratch, otherwise known as DJ Pon-3.
“Alright everypony! Are you ready for a show?!?” asked Vinyl as she addressed the crowd. The audience gave a loud cheer, wanting the show to start and to see the entertainment. “I can’t hear you! I said, are you ready for a show?!?” asked Vinyl again. The crowd responded with an even louder cheer, drowning out Rainbow yelling out demanding the Wonderbolts. “Well then, before our show starts, put your hands together for our pre show, the Wonderbolts!” yelled Vinyl Scratch.
At the end of her request, the crowd erupted in cheers as the Wonderbolts flew over head with smoke trailing behind them. Rainbow was mesmerized by their performance of loops and special tricks. She would of given anything right then to fly out and join them, even if she wasn’t a member and would probably get kicked out of the stadium.
The Wonderbolts performed for a few more minutes, all accumulating at the end with them all colliding together and creating a giant firework explosion with different symbols at both sides of the field, one looked like an jackolantern face while the other looked like a Sword.
“Alright ponies, now that the pre show is over, it’s time for the main event. An Air Trek battle!” announced Vinyl Scratch.
The crowd cheered, excited to see the first official Air Trek battle in Equestria.
“Now ponies, from here in Equestira, they’re the local favorite of Fillydelphia, Team Nightmare!” announced Vinyl. At the end of her announcement, the team came out of their end of the stadium waving to the crowd and coming to the center of the field.
“And finally, all the way from Neighpan and a rising up and comer, Team DIG!” announced Viny. At the end of her second announcement, the door hiding the team started to open on the other side of the field, only to be suddenly blown off it’s rails as it rose by a force sending electrical smoke in the air. When the smoke cleared the other team came out with one of them rubbing his fist, as though he had actually punched the door off it’s rails.
Rainbow got up off her seat ready to leave to get some snacks. “Alright guys, I’ll be right back. Need anything?” asked Rainbow Dash.
“Rainbow you’re leaving right when the match is beginning?” asked Twilight.
“My show’s over, anything after the Wonderbolts is just boring in comparison. Now do you guys want anything?” asked Rainbow Dash.
“I could use more Iced Tea darling.” said Rarity.
“Chocolate milk balls for me please!” yelled Pinkie.
The rest of the gang didn’t want anything so Rainbow left to get some food and the requested items. As she left she heart Vinyl talk about rules and whatnot and announcing the start of the match. Not that Rainbow cared, she was just hungry.
After getting a cheese pretzel and the requested items, Rainbow headed back to her seat. When she exited the concession area and came back to the stands she had come just in time to hear everyone cheering at one of the teams. She didn’t know what was going on but she didn’t really care much and headed back to her seat.
As the match continued, Rainbow became intrigued at the sport. Both teams were chasing a disk back and forth across the field. While they were doing so they were doing tricks and hitting each other to try to get the disk. The pony that she saw rubbing his fist earlier even made a huge crater in the floor of the field, making her believe he actually did punch the door off it’s rails.
But as she kept watching she realized she couldn't look away. For some reason she was mesmerized more by these guys more than she was by the Wonderbolts. These guys were all either earth ponies or unicorns. And yet they were whooshing around through the air like they were flying like a pegasi.
After an hour of constant back and forth, the team Vinyl called DIG won the match with cheers, and a few boos, spreading across the stadium. As everypony piled out all Rainbow could hear was Pinkie Pie going on and on about it.
“Wowie zowie! That was amazing! I’m definitely getting a pair of those Air Track thingies!” proclaimed Pinkie Pie.
“Pinkie they’re called Air Treks. And you can’t get them here, they’re only available from order from Neighpan. And they’re really expensive.” said Twilight.
“Well shucks, I’d love to get my hands on one of em’. I’d love to see what it’s like to fly around like that.” said Applejack. Upon realizing what she just said she turned to Rainbow, knowing that she’s still sensitive to her accident. “Er, sorry Rainbow.”
“Don’t worry about it.” said Rainbow Dash. The apartment was now in sight and Rainbow was tired. After brushing her teeth and getting into bed and falling asleep, she started to dream her usual dream. Flying around in the air and hanging out with the Wonderbolts. But instead of just those things, she also dreamed of riding those Air Treks. She could feel the wind blowing through her hair and falling through the sky like before.
When she awoke in the morning, she felt a lot better than usual. She was even looking forward to working in the fluorescent tomb this morning. After her morning breakfast and walk to the store she found that the entrance was flooded with people gathering around the front, wanting to be the first inside.
“Is Sosa having an early Black Thursday sale or something?” thought Rainbow. When she went in the back entrance she saw boxes and boxes of all sizes and colors of Air Treks piled high to the ceiling. After getting her uniform shirt on she went to her boss Sosa’s office. “Hey Sosa, whats with all the Air Treks?” asked Rainbow.
After hearing the reason for the Air Treks, Rainbow went to her register and readied herself for the mob outside. Upon the time to open she got her keys ready to open the door. Even though she asked everypony outside to come in in an orderly fashion she was immediately trampled when she unlocked the door.
After the door opened the crowd immediately rushed inside to find where the Air Treks and get in line at the register.
Rainbow had recovered from her trample and got to work processing everypony’s orders. Hours had passed and the line never seemed to end. She couldn’t even go on a break because there was so many customers waiting she couldn’t stop processing all the orders. When the last customer finally left long after closing time Rainbow had went into the break room and simply collapsed into the nearest chair.
“I swear to Celestia if Sosa doesn’t pay me double for today for this crap I’m going to take a bat to everything here.” thought Rainbow Dash.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door to the break room from her boss. “Hey Rainbow, great job today with that crowd. Sorry about that by the way, I wasn’t expecting that many ponies to show up.” said Sosa.
“Yeah no problem Sosa. I know it’s bad to ask, but can I have the day off tomorrow?” asked Rainbow.
“Hey after you dealt with all of that, no problem. Also here,” Sosa pulled a box out and handed them to Rainbow. She opened the box to reveal a pair of Air Treks. They were black with orange highlights on the wheels. “Have a pair on me. You definitely deserve them.” said Sosa.
“Um, thanks.” said Rainbow, not really interested in them at the moment. All she cared about was going home and relaxing after today.
As Rainbow made her way back home, cursing her sore feet the whole way, she saw ponies riding by almost constantly with their new Air Treks. Some were learning how to ride while others were zooming by racing each other. Right before getting to the door of the apartment building she even saw one soaring through the air doing a front flip and landing and spinning on one wheel before speeding away.
Rainbow was impressed by the rider’s trick. But she quickly cared more about getting inside before her feet exploded from soreness. As she made her way upstairs to the living room she almost was hit by a pink zooming haze. When it noticed that Rainbow was in the room it quickly made its way to Rainbow stopping an inch from her until it was revealed to be Pinkie Pie.
“Hiya Rainbow. Look at what I got.” said Pinkie Pie pointing to her feet.
Rainbow looked down to see she was wearing Air Treks. But instead of the usual colors Rainbow saw, Pinkie’s was pink. “Aren’t they great? I special ordered them from Neighpan last night for pink ones. They’re really fun.” said Pinkie before she resumed zooming around the living room.
Rainbow watched Pinkie for a minute before her feet once again called for her to relax. She went straight to her room and fell face first onto her bed, reveling in the feeling of her feet being off the floor. She didn’t even realize that she had fell asleep.
When she awoke the first thing she was was her alarm clock, showing that it was two in the morning. Next to the clock was a plate of food wrapped with plastic wrap and a note. Rainbow grabbed the paper and quickly noticed it was from Twilight based on the fancy looking cursive writing on it.
Dear Rainbow,
I was going to wake you up for dinner when I heard about the mob at the store and figured you must be exhausted. I made a plate for you to reheat or eat cold if you want. It’s pizza with your favorite toppings and some cheese sticks.
Hope you feel better in the morning.
Twilight
Rainbow put down the note and immediately scarfed down the pizza and breadsticks, not even caring that they were cold. When she finished she laid back in her bed and started up her Ybox Zero and loaded up a game. But as she really got into her game she accidentally knocked down the Air Trek box off the bed, making the shoes fall out.
Normally she’d just leave them there and pick them up in the morning, but for some reason she couldn’t stop looking at the Air Treks. Giving into her curiosity she picked up her Air Treks and examined them.
All they seemed to be was just shoes with wheels stuck on them. “How was everypony zooming around on these things?” thought Rainbow Dash. After a few minutes she tossed them back on the floor. “Whatever. They’re just glorified roller skates anyway.”
Rainbow returned to her game and tried to concentrate, but she just couldn’t stop glancing over to the Air Treks lying on the floor before shaking herself. “Oh stop it, I’m not riding those things. They’re stupid.” thought Rainbow Dash.
---------------------------------
Rainbow was finishing up tying her laces on the Air Treks on the bench she was sitting on. “Why am I doing this?” thought Rainbow Dash. She then pulled the instructions out of the box and stood up. Upon standing the Air Treks started to move on their own causing Rainbow to start zooming forward at high speeds.
Rainbow yelled as she sped through the streets narrowly missing lamp posts and whatever else was on the road or side walk, trying desperately to stop herself. When she took another turn she found that she was heading for a dead end. Not knowing how to stop she crashed into a dumpster at the end, launching her over the lid inside with the door closing on top.
“Ow.” groaned Rainbow as she crawled out of the dumpster and landed on her back.
“Hahahahahaha” laughed a voice.
Rainbow looked up to see someone in the shadows laughing at her. While she knew she had embarrassed herself with her dumpster dive, she was still pissed that someone was laughing at her regardless.
“Ha ha very funny. Lets see you take a dive then if you think it’s so great.” said Rainbow Dash.
“Ha ha ha, sorry Rainbow but I don’t think I’ll be doing that.” said the voice.
When Rainbow heard the voice she instantly recognized it. She hadn’t heard it since the Wonderbolt academy way back when. She turned herself over and looked at the figure as it jumped down from the wall it was on and landed in front of Rainbow.
Upon stepping into the light Rainbow saw her old academy student and former Wing Leader/Pony. Lightning Dust.
“Long time no see.” said Lightning Dust.