//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 A slice of history // Story: In Search of a Rainbow // by Aswad Zeev //------------------------------// The pair of pony's screeched to a halt at the half-open door of the bathroom, It was a room that Daring had overlooked when she was here before. The scene inside looked like disaster area. The room was a total mess with small spatters of mane and skin products over every surface. There was still a rain cloud hovering above the bathtub. It was a preference for pegasus's taking a bath, to have running water or use a rain cloud. Rainbow Dash had both. It was clear that a fight had taken place, while somepony (Rainbow Dash) had been taking a shower. The bath was still full of water. On the ground were a few hoof-fulls of sparking, specks of dust spread across the floor. Spitfire went to enter the room, but Daring put up a hoof to stop her. "No, got to make sure this isn't a trap first." Daring then gently pushed the door fully open, while preparing to duck out of the way. Once she was convinced the door was fully open, and there wasn't a trap, she lowered her hoof for Spitfire to enter. Spitfire, being careful where she stepped, then leaned down to smell the dust on the floor. "Yep, Dust was definitely here. When I find her, she's going to wish she was back in flight camp after what she's done to Rainbow this time!" "Not so fast," said Daring joining Spitfire in the room. "I'm not sure she's working alone, we may be looking for somepony else too." "I don't care!" Spitfire growled "No pony hurts my best flier and gets away with it!" Daring trotted over to the bathroom cabinet, which was empty with all the bottles littered around the room. sniffing it she said "this smells like a changeling. I think the two of them jumped Dash while she was having a bath. How else can you explain such a mess? It would take two ponies to hold her down." "Yes, your right. Lightning Dust could never keep up with Rainbow, I know she pushes herself hard, but she doesn't have Dash's discipline. That's why, when I realized it, I made Dash a lead Pony and gave Dust the boot." Daring followed up. "So tell me about this Lightning Dust? I want to know everything I can if I'm going to track her down." "What do you mean 'you're' going to track her down? You're just a writer and archaeologist. I'm going to find her." Daring replied. "Did I mention, all of my books are mostly true adventures, and you're in no fit state to be tracking them down on your own when all your seeing is red. But, if you still don't believe what I'm capable of, how about we agree to work together on this one to find Rainbow Dash?" "Fine!” Spitfire snapped. “But, you'd better be a half decent flier in order to keep up." "I'll see what I can do. Now as I said, tell me about this Lightning Dust." Some 20 minutes later, the two of them were back down in the living room, while Spitfire finished explaining the whole story of Rainbow Dash and Lightning Dust at the Wonderbolt Academy. "And then that pink earth pony friend of hers gave me this care package for Rainbow, while she was doing those 20 laps. After Lighting was busted and kicked out of the Wonderbolt's training program, I heard she skulked back home to Canterlot, and then went for a vacation in a place called Dodge Junction." "Yeah, I know Dodge Junction, It's halfway between here and home. I guess that makes sense, it's pretty near the south of the kingdom, if you were going to join up with a changeling, then that's where I'd most likely start. There or Apple Loosa, then all you have to do is head south a few dozen miles to the border of Changeling kingdom. But, if they headed for Dodge City, that means they're definitely heading for the Badlands. if that's their destination, that worries me. Nothing goes through the badlands without Ahuizotl knowing about it." “So where should we start? Dodge or Apple Loosa?” Spitfire asked? “Hmm, well Apple Loosa is closer, and I wouldn't want to be dragging another pony too far if I didn't have to. If we don't find any signs there, we can always move on to Dodge without wasting too much time.” "Right, that's settled then, let me just contact the academy before we leave." Daring panicked. "No, that will take too long! We don't want to let the trail get any colder, it's already pretty cold as it is." "Don't worry, it will only take a few moments" Spitfire reassured. Stepping outside, Spitfire gave a loud whistle, a few moments later another pony whistled back, before rushing in and landing just in front of Spitfire. "Report back to Soarin, tell him Rainbow Dash has been kidnapped, myself and..." Spitfire glanced back at Daring for a moment over her shoulder "a 'friend' are following the trail. Tell him, it's Dash's 'little problem' he'll know what that means. We're starting our search at Apple Loosa and finally, tell him lay off the pies until he's earned it. Got all that?" The fully suited up pegasus replied "Sir, Yes Sir. You and friend are in pursuit of Rainbow Dash's kidnappers, it's RD's 'little problem', The rendezvous will be at Apple Loosa and no pies!" Spitfire face hoofed "I guess that's close enough, now get moving Cadet!" The young pegasus took to the air and quickly flew off. Turning back to Daring properly, Daring replied "That's got to be handy. Also, thanks for not telling anyone about the real me." Spitfire shrugged "Actually, I just grabbed the fastest flier from the training course to follow me here on standby, just in case there was trouble. Well, we better get going ourselves then."