//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Ice of the Mind // by Dracoliat //------------------------------// Fluttershy's breaths came in quick and labored gasps as she was laid down softly on the bloody soiled blankets. Rainbow Dash frowned at her and wondered, 'how did she get like this?' But she couldn't think of anything that she had done weird recently. 'Maybe it was just a bad stomach bug?' "Don't worry Fluttershy, you just rest for now. Don't worry about anything at all other then getting better. I will leave the room for a few seconds to find some ice, OK." Dash told her friend. Fluttershy nodded slightly. "Go ahead," Fluttershy said, her voice was heavy and sounded gargled. Rainbow Dash shut the door behind her. Her eyebrows furrowed as she flew down the hallway. A unicorn stepped around the corner and Rainbow Dash ran flew straight into him. They both tumbled to the ground and the unicorn remained silent as Dash got up, quickly apologizing and flying down the hall again towards the ice room. The unicorn stood up steadily and smiled, his eyes were red and his mane was green. His coat was a plain light blue and on his flank he had an eye. ======= After another minute of searching Rainbow Dash finally found the Ice room and grabbed a bucket next to it. The bucket was filled with grey water. The smell it gave off was absolutely repulsive, yet there were no other buckets around in the small room. She dumped the water into the rusted iron sink across the room and quickly proceeded to filling the bucket to the rim with ice. Rainbow Dash's wings beat the air furiously as she attempted to get back to the room with the heavy bucket of ice. But she couldn't seem to move her wings fast enough. Instead she relied on her legs. The bucket swung back and forth as she held the metal handle in between her teeth, leaving a disgusting metal taste. Rainbow Dash ran head first into the door, she looked up at the bed as she said, "I'm back Fluttershy." But Fluttershy wasn't there. Dash's heart skipped a beat as she saw this fact. Her head flew from side to side in an attempt to try and find Fluttershy but she was nowhere to be seen. Rainbow Dash walked up to the bed and put the bucket down. Her head drooped as she sat heavily on the bed. Her own heartbeat was all that could be heard for a full minute before A creaking came. A pegasus in a blue and yellow uniform walked out of the restroom. It was Fluttershy in her wonderbolt outift. She saw Rainbow Dash staring and blushed brightly running up to Dash she smiled. "I'm sorry I didn't hear you enter, thanks for the ice, but why?" Fluttershy asked curiously as if she was fine. "Because a few minutes ago you were puking up blood, you shouldn't even be walking!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. Fluttershy simply smiled slightly before turning back to the bed. "I am fine really you silly filly, now go get into your uniform or else we'll be late to bill's remember? The bar, the Wonderbolts?" Fluttershy said kindly, before tossing Rainbow Dash her own uniform. "Oh right, I almost forgot," Dash exclaimed as she gave a quick kiss to Fluttershy on the cheek. "Thanks for reminding me." Her head lowered as one by one she focused on getting her hooves through the tight outfit. After a few minutes of struggling with the fabric she smiled as it finally slipped on like a glove made just for her. 'I guess it really was just a bad stomach bug, she seems so much better now.' Dash thought. ======= Soon they were walking down the hallway towards the main entrance. However around the same corner came the unicorn from earlier. He smiled at Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy before saying, "hey you two are wonderbolts aren't you?" They both nodded eager to continue moving. The unicorn said, "Well my name is Postim, and I heard there is a storm coming, I suggest you stay here for the night." "Sorry we have to meet the wonderbolts at a bar in a few minutes so bye." Dash said as she dragged Fluttershy past the old, yet strangely friendly unicorn. They walked out of the main doors and with one powerful kick took of into the sky. They followed the directions they had gotten a month ago from the mail exactly and landed. In front of them was a ordinary grey building. Above the door hung a low-lit red neon sign that said, Bill's. So as not to delay the inevitable any longer they opened the door. ======= They entered a warm bar that smelled strongly of drinks. So much that it was almost overpowering. Inside many plain wooden tables were filled with ponies. each table pursuing their own thing, but as soon as they opened the door everypony stopped and looked at them. A loud bang came from a table near the door as one pony's hoof was brought down violently to the table. After a moment of interest the patrons all went back to their own pursuits. Some were playing cards, while others were arm wrestling or just drinking. At the back of the bar were seated four pegasus ponies. One was Soarin and another was Spitfire. The two familiar Wonderbolts smiled at Dash and Fluttershy before waving them over. "Hey Shy, hey Dash," Soarin said casually before downing a shot. He clucked his tongue twice before continuing, "I'm glad you gals made it, sit down and have a drink. Waitress, another round over here, plus two more please!" Soon a skinny waitress approached levitating a small tray with an assortment of bottles and glasses on them. After magically pouring all of the drinks she left the group to talk among themselves. Dash picked up the shot eagerly, hoping to impress her new comrades, she downed it and shook her head strongly. Fluttershy smiled at the drink and sipped it up quickly. Everypony's head turned towards her as they raised their eyebrows at her lack of reaction to the strong drink. "I may not look like it, but I used to drink a lot, sometimes to drown my feelings, and sometimes for celebrations." Fluttershy explained. "I never took you as a drinker, Shy," Dash said as she shook silently in her seat with laughter. ======= The rest of the night was spent drinking and talking. The seconds faded into minutes, and the minutes into hours. "We do this every night, then we practice in the morning, stop for lunch, practice some more, and then repeat." Spitfire explained, "Oh ya by the way, these two colts are named Swoop, and Zap. The two colts smiled and raised their hooves when they're names were called. Zap was a kind looking bright blue pegasus with a yellow mane and two black lightning bolts crossing as a cutie mark. Swoop on the other hand looked much more serious. Even though he was thoroughly drunk his mane was still neat and orderly. His dark green coat barely had a hair out of place and his bright green mane seemed to shine. His flank was covered by his uniform. "Anyways, you guys will meet us here at 10 in the morning tomorrow OK?" Spitfire continued. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash nodded as they both downed yet another drink. "Cool, but I think we've had enough to drink for tonight, let's go to my apartment to celebrate with cake and stuff!" Spitfire shouted to the group as they each pushed away their chairs. ======= Soarin began to walk of but he accidentally tripped over himself and fell onto Spitfire. Before he knew what had happened they were on top of each other with their lips touching. A loud crack echoed through the bar as Spitfire blushed. Zap had just punched Soarin in the side of the face leaving a large red mark. Soarin laughed at the unexpected blow and wheeled around kicking Zap so hard he flew back a foot and landed on his flank. Before anypony could intervene they walked up to each other and asked simultaneously, "Same deal as usual?" They both nodded in unison and walked out of the bar. Once outside of the bar they walked up to a attractive unicorn pony holding two suits. They put them on and it turned out the suits were actually leather jackets. They walked up to a chalk line on the street and crouched down. The same unicorn walked a few hoofsteps in front of them and faced them. A crowd was gathering and the two pegasi were getting ready to race. The unicorn shot a few loud sparks out of ehr horn and the two pegasi were of with lightning speed. Only then did Rainbow Dash notice how close Spitfire was. Spitfire leaned in slowly but Dash pushed her away. "You know me and Fluttershy are together!" She shouted at the intoxicated pegasus, who simply pointed at Fluttershy smiling at Dash. Fluttershy said, "go ahead, I will have some fun too." as she started kissing Swoop passionately. Dash turned back to Spitfire and their lips touched softly at first but then became harder. It almost felt as if Spitfire's lips themselves were hardening. ======= She woke up with a flash on a wooden table. The smell of alcohol was still strong in the air. Somepony was shaking her saying, "Hey Dash wake up," It was Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash's head spun as she looked up. All of the Wonderbolts were looking at her. As soon as she recovered they started to laugh. "You drank to much I guess then!" Spitfire laughed as she got up. "I guess we really should call it a night huh? See you tomorrow." Without saying a word more the Wonderbolts smiled and got up and walked out of the door. ======= Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy struggled to get back to the hotel often falling straight out of the sky. Finally they decided to walk. Their walk was cheerful enough, since the streets were mostly abandoned they finally were able to put their wings around each other. Luna's moonlight showered them, and the stars above them made them smile. It was cool but not cold, it was a perfect night. ======= Rainbow Dash smiled at the temperature but found herself lost. "Hey could you stay here for a second while I go on ahead and look for directions?" she asked to Fluttershy who sighed loudly and nodded. Dash walked forwards and rounded a corner stumbling slgihtly from having drank to much. She looked around but the street was abandoned. From behind her a rough and desperate sounding voice came, "do what I tell you to or I will kill you. Wow, I got a real nice one this time boys." Three colts walked out of an alleyway nearby and the pony behind her put a blade up to her neck before pushing her forward. "She is a nice pick, good job, she will be fun..." one of the colts said. Another colt nodded staying silent. Only then did it dawn on Dash what they truly wanted from her, her heart froze and she tried to scream before one of them put a hoof to her mouth. In response she bit down hard. The hoof shot away but in return the blade on her neck cut in slightly before releasing the pressure so as not to kill her. One of them lifted up her tail before he stopped and her tail dropped back down. ======= Rainbow Dash's eyes were shut tight now. Behind her she heard a loud bang as something impacted metal. Her eyes shot open as she felt the blade disappear from her throat. Dash fell down panting heavily as she looked around her. All four of the colts were in various painful positions, knocked completely unconscious. She stood there not knowing what had happened as Fluttershy ran around the corner to the alleyway. "Are you OK?" Fluttershy yelled loudly in the rainbow pegasus' ear. "Ya, did you do that?" Dash asked curiously as her hoof gestured towards the ponies. "No, now let's leave before we find out who did," Fluttershy said pulling her along.