//------------------------------// // Chapter 31: Where Did You Go? // Story: Happiness and Tears // by flaminkomage //------------------------------// Happiness and Tears Ink Mage Chapter 31: Where Did You Go? Speedy walked into Rainbow Dash's old pharmacy with a smile. It had been a while since had gotten the opportunity to go inside, and the place was still has messy as it had ever been. Speedy knew that one of the old worker pairs here, Strawberry Scarlet and her husband Blueberry Fernandes, would know where Rainbow Dash and Soarin had disappeared to years ago. He cautiously approached the counter, where a young mare was working. "Hello, I'm here on official business regarding Strawberry Scarlet and Blueberry Fernandes? Would you have any idea where they might be?" he asked. The mare looked at him, her eyes widening every second. "You're... you're... you're Speedy Skies!!" she exclaimed, "world famous champion hoofball player!" Speedy forced a smile. "Uh... yeah, that's me... but I really need to see Straw-" "Could you please sign this for me?" the mare interrupted. Speedy sighed, but took a pen from the countertop and wrote his name on the paper she was offering. "Ahh thank you so much!! My friends are going to be so jealous!" "... Right, well, could you please direct me in the way of Strawberry and Blueberry?" Speedy asked for the third time. The mare nodded happily, gesturing to the staircase in the corner of the room. "Right up the stairs, second door to your right!" she exclaimed, returning to her fangirl state over the piece of paper Speedy had signed for her. Speedy chuckled, rolling his eyes. He quickly thanked the mare and proceeded up the stairs. "Uh... hello?" he called out after opening the second door. He quickly stepped inside and closed it shut behind him. Speedy looked ahead, staring straight into the eyes of a pale-coated mare with a burning crimson mane and friendly brown eyes. Besides her, was a stallion with an identical coat color and a blazing blue mane. He had a single red scar going down the right side of his face, but his brown eyes provided warmth to whomever stared into them. "Yes?" Strawberry Scarlet asked, smiling slightly at the newcomer. "What can we do for you?" Blueberry Fernandes asked with a deep voice. "Uh... sorry if I interrupted something, I was just wondering if you could answer some questions for me?" Speedy said, more of a question than a statement. Strawberry smiled. "Well, if we know the answer, then I doubt we would betray you," she said maturely. Speedy coughed nervously. Something about their presence made his entire body tingle. "Does the name... Rainbow Dash ring a bell?" he asked slowly. Both of them bit their lips and looked away. "Yes, actually. Rainbow Dash was a great friend of ours. Daughter of Firefly. We truly felt sorry for her when Firefly left," Blueberry said. Speedy sighed. "I did too... and my brother, Soarin, did the most," he said, "I was wondering if you had any idea where they went after my father foolishly kicked them out." Strawberry nodded. "Yes, actually. We do know where they went," she said. Speedy's eyes lit up. "You do? Could you tell me please?" he asked eagerly. "Tell you what?" Blueberry asked. Strawberry shook her head, turning to Speedy. "Sorry about him... he's suffering from short term memory loss. But yes, I will gladly tell you," she said. "Thanks," Speedy breathed. Strawberry Scarlet nodded. "They went to Manehattan." "Manehattan? Why in Equestria would you want to go there to finish your studies?" Spectrum asked. Speedy could only smile. "Tradition, Dad. Tradition. You went there to finish college. Grandpa went there... Soarin went there... I guess it's my turn now," he said. Speedy knew that by saying things about the Skies' family legacy and traditions, Spectrum was sure to approve of the idea. Spectrum sighed. "But you only just came back! I wouldn't want you to leave us so soon already..." he said. "Don't worry, Dad... I'll be back in six months time. You'll see me again really soon!" Speedy said. Spectrum nodded. "Alright. I know how much college meant to you, and I know how much it hurt you when you had to leave to join the hoofball team... but I'm proud of you, Son. You've done good things throughout your life. You've become somepony," he said. Speedy grinned. "Thank you, Dad. You won't regret this. I'll be back before you know it!" he exclaimed. "I sure hope so, Speedy," Spectrum said. "What's this I hear about going to Manehattan?" Cloudy said, entering the room. Speedy smiled over to her, before Spectrum spoke up from his place. "Speedy's going to Manehattan to finish college," Spectrum said. Cloudy gasped, turning to her son. "Really, Speedy? I'm so proud of you! I always knew you'd go back and finish your studies," she said, embracing the light gray-coated stallion into a hug. "Thanks, Mom," Speedy said. Everything was going according to plan right now... all he needed now was to get to the airport on time and get to Manehattan. "We'll see you in a bit, I suppose?" Cloudy asked, leading them to the front of the building. Speedy nodded. "Yes, six months. Though I might have to stay a bit longer if necessary. You don't mind, do you?" he asked. Cloudy and Spectrum both shook their heads. "Take your time, Son," he said. "Goodbye, Speedy," Cloudy said, hugging him once again. "Bye Mom, Dad... I love you both," Speedy said, grabbing his saddlebag and heading out the door. Once he was fully outside, Cloudy turned to Spectrum, who had tears in his eyes. She glared at him. "Hurts, doesn't it? Watching your loved ones leave." And with that, she retreated back into the house. Manehattan was a beautiful city. Speedy always knew that, but he had yet to see it up close. The tall buildings, the ponies running to and fro. Speedy was mesmerized by the hustle and bustle of the city. Now all he needed to do was find his brother. His sister in-law. Scootaloo. Speedy's eyes widened as his old friend's name rang through his head. Scootaloo.