Rainbow has been at the Academy getting her part of the routine good for about 3 months. Their next show would be in a few days and she had a pretty good grasp on her part. She made sure to try to get a letter to her friends every day or every other day. Unfortunately, she has been lacking on the letter delivery and only sent one every week.
Rainbow was walking down the hallway a day before they had to fly to their first destination when she heard a fight between spitfire and somepony else she couldn’t quite place who it was. She could’ve sworn she knew who it was though.
“I know you said you wanted her for her flare, but we can’t keep treating her like she is an item behind her back. I am going to tell her everything.” Spitfire complained to the other pony.
“But, you mustn’t. I will pull all my funding if you do.” This other pony said. It was just then that Rainbow knew who it was. Vice.
“Why can’t I tell her? This is wrong and it hurts me inside to have to do this. She is one of the talented ponies I have EVER met.” Spitfire kept explaining.
“Well for as long as she is here. She is an item of profit. Nothing more, nothing less.” Vice said annoyed he was even having this conversation.
“She is nothing less, BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING LESS THAN THAT!!!” Spitfire bellowed at vice.
Vice gave a sigh.”You will not tell Rainbow Dash of anything or all the funding will be pulled and you will be left at the curb… again.” Vice ended the conversation and started to head for the door Rainbow was behind. Rainbow bolted down the hall back to her room.
If she said she was fine, she’d be lying. She laid out on her bed on the verge of tears. That’s why they wanted her. Just for her tricks and not her so they could be funded.
NO! This would not be what Rainbow does. She will work harder a better than ever.
****
It’s been another month and Rainbow hasn’t actually sent out a letter. Her friends must be so worried as to why. Rainbow felt a little guilty about it as well. After all she is the element of Loyalty.
The smog in the air has gotten worst since she got here. It gets worse as more factories are built. Rainbow sometimes curses Industrialization. She doesn’t want her vibrant blue sky to be completely covered by the smog.
She felt it was time to write to her friends again.
Hello everypony,
I am so, so, sorry for not writing sooner. Things are a little hectic here. I have been to busy with all of the training and shows to write. I just wanted to make sure that you know I haven’t died in a horrible accident. Hopefully see you soon.
Your Loyal friend,
Rainbow Dash
P.S. I love you Twi.
She put her letter in the post office hoping it gets there soon. She went back to where the wonderbolts. She wanted to talk to spitfire.
“Hey, spitfire.” Rainbow yelled over as soon as she found her.
“What do you want, Dash.” Her brash self as always.
“I was wondering if I could see my friends one of these days? Because I kind of miss them.” Rainbow was hopping with all her might the answer is...
“No.” Spitfire said blunt and with not a hint of emotion.
“W-what, B-B-B…” Rainbow kept stuttering.
“Rainbow we need you here. I’m sorry but if you go and see your friends we might be shut down.” Spitfire was walking away from Rainbow to go to who knows where.
Rainbow with her eyes threatening to tear up, flew back to her bed in her room, and just cried for a good five minutes.
When she was done she thought of why she wanted to join the wonderbolt. She always thought they were amazing. They would fly around and do these amazing tricks. As a young filly she would admire them. She could watch them for hours. There not just stunt performers either. They actually save lives as well. This is why she admired them. Now that she is on the wonderbolt team, she feels as secluded as ever. Not just from her friends but the wonderbolt team as well.The want her just for her abilities not her talent. They won’t let her see her friends. She is being forced to be the opposite of her true nature. She is supposed to be loyal yet her friends probably think she doesn’t want to come back. Just then she came up with a plan.
****
Rainbow woke up when everyone was asleep. She got out of her room and tried to sneak out of the academy. She is the fastest flier there is. She could probably make it bake before sun rise.
She got out of the academy as quietly as possible. She made it outside and stopped. She had been caught by nopony else than spitfire.
“Where do you think your going Rainbow Dash?” Spitfire said in such a way that it sounded like this was going to happen.
“Just a late night fly.” Rainbow had thought of a excuse incase she was caught.
“Mind if I fly with you, then?” Spitfire pulled her shades down and cocked an eyebrow.
“If you can keep up with me.” Rainbow bolted across the sky.
Spitfire caught up with ease. Rainbow did loops and twirls that spitfire mimicked well. Rainbow thought that she could shake her. She had one last thing up her sleeve. She fly straight up above the clouds and higher. Spitfire mimicked it again. They stared at each other for a little bit. Then Rainbow dove straight down. She picked up speed, so fast she looked like a blur. She was about to break the sound barrier.
A scream could be heard through the sky. It scared all the birds out of the trees. Rainbow felt a searing pain in her wings. It felt it lasted so long. When it finally stopped Rainbow could barely fly. She was breathing hard, still in pain.
“I am very sorry Rainbow, but I can’t let you do that. You have to stay here.” Spitfire flew calmly to Rainbow with a weird gizmo in her hand.
“What… have… you… done?!” Rainbow exclaimed through her ragged breaths.
“I had to put this device on you wings so you wouldn’t fly to your friends and ruin this for the rest of us.” Spitfire
“But… I thought you guys were better than this!!! I thought you were amazing.” Rainbow was on the verge of tears.”I thought you cared about me” She whispered under her breath. Rainbow started to fly back to the academy, as slowly as she could.
****
Rainbow was lying in bed, upset all night. She got not a wink of sleep. She was crying.
Spitfire came into her room to wake her up. “Rainbow its time to go. We need more practice.” Rainbow just waved her off. Spitfire sighed and pressed her red button on her belt. That got Rainbow out of bed. “This was supposed to be a last resort.” Spitfire then walked out of her room. And Rainbow followed slowly.