Art by Me
"Where there is anger, there is always pain underneath." —Eckhart Tolle
Dash flew as fast she could.
She didn't know where she was going. She didn't care. The only thing that was occupying her mind was going as far as she could from Soarin.
Soarin.
She did it. She said what needed to be said.
“Fancy also said that after yelling at him, he felt a huge weight lift off his shoulders. He needed that.”
Dash growled. Weight lifting off her shoulders? More like a whole brick house placed on her shoulders!
She released a deep breath and looked towards the ground and stopped, hovering in place. She was currently above Ponyville Park. It was isolated and no pony was in sight.
Deciding she needed a break from flying halfway across Ponyville at near rainboom speeds, Dash swooped down towards the ground, landing shakily.
She sat down on a bench next to an oak tree and held her head in her hooves.
She just wanted to scream at that bloody, fucking, son of a—
“Aghh!!!” Rainbow growled loudly, scaring most of the birds on the tree near her away.
Hearing the screams of the small, winged creatures, she turned towards her right, and eyed the tree.
She did need to let some steam off…
Without a second thought, Dash walked over the tree and stretched her hooves.
This was going to be great for her mental health.
“What just happened?” Fleetfoot cocked an eyebrow as Soarin flew to his room at an extremely fast pace, locking the door behind him.
“I have no idea.” Spitfire blinked. “And where's Dash?”
“I don't know…I don't see her…” Fleetfoot looked around then walked to the door of Soarin’s room and started to bang it repeatedly. “Soarin! What happened? Where’s Dash?”
“Leave me!!” His muffled voice yelled from the other side.
“We just want to help! Let us in!” Spitfire yelled this time hoping to drive some sense into him.
“I. Said. Leave!” Soarin yelled once again. Spitfire furrowed her brow in annoyance and opened her mouth once again but was cut off by Fleetfoot.
“Spits, you know that's not going to work. He's too stubborn. We can either stay here and scream at the top of our lungs or, get to the bottom of this with some help.” The fiery maned pegasus frowned.
“Fine. I'll ask Twilight for help. I don't want to break open the door so we can use her magic to unlock it.” Fleetfoot nodded.
“You do that. I'll try to get answers from another source. I'm going to try and find Rainbow to see what happened. But, before that, I'm going to pop over to Rarity’s to see if she knows anything. She was the last pony who saw Dash other than us. Maybe she'll know something.”
“Hm,” Spitfire agreed. “Goodluck.”
“You too.”
Throughout her flight, Fleetfoot thought about her best friend's behaviour. He didn't seem too keen on talking to them. What had happened between Rainbow and him?
It definitely had to do with something with his mother…he hadn't ever told anypony…anypony except for those close to him…
Did they know each other before?
Nah. Fleetfoot striked off that possibility as soon as it came into her mind. Knowing his personality, Soarin would definitely remember a friend. Especially one whom had known something quite personal to him…right?
She had no more time to dwell on that idea as she came in for a smooth landing right outside Carousel Boutique. The lights were on inside, she noticed.
Walking to the door, Fleetfoot knocked and stepped back, patiently waiting for the pony she knew could help.
The door opened to reveal Rarity, “I'm sorry, but the shop is closed right n—” she finally got a proper look at her visitor and stopped. “Fleetfoot? Darling, what are you doing here?”
“I need your help.”
“I'd be happy to help! Whatever for?” Rarity then paused. “Oh! Mind my manners dear, please come inside.” She beckoned but Fleetfoot shook her head.
“Thanks but, I'm in a hurry. Do you know where Dash might be?” She asked quickly.
“Rainbow? No. Wasn't she going back to her home?” Rarity asked, puzzled.
“She did come back but…she said something quite secret to Soarin and he had asked her how in the world she had known. She wanted to talk in private and they flew out. Soarin returned and locked himself in his room…Dash didn't come back.” Fleetfoot explained, sighing.
“Well…that does explain her reluctance in talking about Soarin…and the story with Fancy. Quite ironic.” Rarity mused. “I don't know anything, darling…but I might know where she may be. I did very faintly see a rainbow trail headed towards Ponyville Park. That's our best bet to find her. Oh and I'm coming with you!”
“Really? Thanks!” Fleetfoot smiled as Rarity closed the door behind her.
“Of course, darling! Rainbow is one of my best friends.” She smiled back and looked towards the east. “No wonder she's at the park. There's rarely anyone at this time of day.”
“Well, we better get trotting!” Fleetfoot started walking towards the direction Rarity was pointing and the latter soon followed.
There were quite a few ponies outside basking in the cool wind that was starting to pick up. The open skies of Ponyville made it even better. Most of the bustle was in restaurants where couples and families were eating joyfully. The ponies that chose to remain inside were relaxing in the warmth of their home and adults were returning after a long day of work
This village was a special place, Fleetfoot had decided.
As much as they were enjoying the long walk, they had a much more important matter on their hooves.
Standing right outside Ponyville park, they glanced around and indeed it was deserted.
“Let's see if she's in there.” Rarity said as Fleetfoot simply nodded.
They went inside and looked around calling for Dash as loudly as they could.
A few minutes passed and they still had no luck. There was absolutely no sign of her.
Sighing, they met back up in the heart of the park.
“I think she's not he—” Fleetfoot began but suddenly paused as her ears twitched. “Wait.” She said and looked behind her. “There's a noise coming from over there. It's extremely faint but I can hear it.” She pointed towards an area behind the bushes.
They silently tread towards the back through the bushes and gasped at the scene before them, once they emerged.
A tree lay completely and utterly broken as if a beast had unleashed its wrath on it. Next to the broken tree was a bench. Everything around it was completely deserted. Almost everything.
On the bench sat a lone figure, breathing heavily with her head low and her colorful mane covering her face.
Art by Me
The two mares away stared at the ‘beast’, wide-eyed, their jaws hanging open. They glanced at each other worriedly.
“Rainbow…darling? Are…are you alright?” Rarity asked hesitantly.
“Fine. Completely fine.” Dash chuckled dryly. The white unicorn winced at the response.
“Dash.” Fleetfoot daringly stepped forward and put a hoof on the said mare’s shoulder, who flinched at the touch. “We're just trying to help. Please…what happened?”
“I’M FINE!!” She suddenly yelled causing Fleetfoot to step back in surprise. “I don't need help! I'm fine…I'm…” she trailed off as she saw the flat stares of her friends. “You wanna know that bad? I'll tell you what. It was that fucking son of a bitch. That's what.” She spit out.
“Um…” Rarity glanced at a shocked Fleetfoot. “Rainbow dear, I'm sorry if anything upset you but please, we're trying to genuinely help. So, could you, maybe…elaborate?” She cringed hoping, her friend wouldn't yell again.
“You're not going to give up…are you?” Dash sighed, stopping the argument before it began. They shook their heads as she grumbled. “Fine. I'll tell you what happened after I left the house with Soarin.” And she recounted all the events that had transpired since then. The revelation, the shouting and how the tree next to her…broke.
“I'm so glad Soarin wasn't with her longer.” Fleetfoot muttered to Rarity as Rainbow finished explaining.
“So…that's what happened.” She sighed.
“I see…” Rarity mused. “That's why you had the sudden interest in Fancy’s story, hmm?”
“That's part of it.” Dash rolled her eyes.
“Come on Dash, you can't let your weakness overpower yo—” Fleetfoot was cut off by a snort.
“My weakness? Tell me, do you know what Soarin’s weakness is?” She glanced at both of them.
“Um…no.”
“The throat.” Dash said darkly, staring at the broken branches of the tree. Rarity’s and Fleetfoot’s eyes widened as they arched their necks back.
“Woah, woah, woah.” The turquoise pegasus got in front of Rainbow’s face. “I know you really hate him right now but, that's no reason to kill him! Geez!”
“Hmph.”
“Rainbow, darling.” Rarity spoke up as she walked next to Fleetfoot. “I have to agree with our friend here. You need to calm down. I know words absolutely cannot fix what happened but, a pony does not just do something without a reason. Have you asked him why he did what he did?” She asked.
“Well…no.” Dash admitted.
“Then go and ask him. Nothing good will happen if you sit here and mope.” Rarity smiled softly.
“Yeah.” Fleetfoot nodded. “I know Soarin, and that's not like him. I know that idiot messes up a lot but I'm sure he has an explanation for this.”
“I…” Rainbow hesitated.
“Who are you?” Rarity suddenly asked.
“Uh…Rainbow Dash?” She tilted her head in confusion.
“Was that a question? Who. Are. You?”
“Rainbow Dash!” She said more confidently.
“And is Rainbow Dash a coward?”
“No!”
“Is the Rainbow Dash going to leave somepony hanging?!”
“No!”
“Is she going to go after that pony and confront them?!”
“Yes!!”
“Then go.” Rarity’s voice calmed down and the sudden shift cause Dash to blink.
“Ok.” She said and paused for a moment. “What just happened?” Fleetfoot opened her mouth but Rainbow quickly shook her head. “You know what? Nevermind. I need to go.” She got up from the bench and spread her wings. “Thanks guys.” She smiled softly and took off.
Rarity and Fleetfoot smiled from the ground and looked at each other. Rarity opened her mouth to speak but was cut off.
“Oi! You two! What the hell happened happened to my tree?!” They both flinched and looked behind to see the owner of the park trotting towards them.
“Well…uh, who's gonna pay for the tree?” Fleetfoot muttered, faking a smile for the owner.
The day was far from over.