Applebloom had initially protested that she'd never reach Cloudsdale by herself, but a moment's explanation had made such concerns irrelevant. Instead of journeying skyward, Applebloom had only to walk a few miles out of the city limits.
Rainbow Dash's estate perched atop a steep, grassy hill. The single-story wooden home was surrounded by a shoulder-high fence, gated at the side nearest the front door. The harsh climb quickly winded Applebloom, and it was only after several stops and starts that she completed the ascent.
In between labored breaths, she called out, "Hello? Rainbow Dash, are you home?"
A muffled crash emanated from within the house. Then, somewhat louder, "So what if I am?"
Applebloom replied, "I'd like to speak to you, if I could."
The door remained shut. "Yeah, and who are you?"
"I'm Applebloom, Applejack's little sister."
Behind the doorframe, floorboards creaked to the clopping rhythm of hoofsteps. The door opened a crack, and a thin column of color peeked out from behind it. A violet eye inspected Applebloom for a moment, and the door swung open.
"Applebloom! Yeah, I remember you! Wow, you got taller. C'mon in!"
Applebloom followed the powder blue pegasus into her abode and took in the tiny environment. Past an unremarkable foyer waited a cluttered living room, dotted with empty pie tins and apple cores. A couch lined one wall, just across from a well-worn recliner. All of these things were kept a deferent distance from the focus of the room, a trophy case filled with medals, statues, and cups engraved with Rainbow Dash's name.
Rainbow Dash took a seat on the recliner and caught Applebloom regarding at the display. "Pretty snazzy, huh? Yeah, those were the days. I broke every record there was for flying, outshone even the Wonderbolts until I had my accident." At this, Rainbow Dash gestured to her right wing, glaringly asymmetric to her left upon the most cursory examination. A long scar interrupted the rows of feathers midway up the limb and permanently folded the joint. "I was the first to perform the sonic rainboom, you know. Sure, other ponies have figured it out since, but it will always be my signature."
Rainbow Dash began an exposition of the individual awards in the glass enclosure, but Applebloom's eyes still fixated on Rainbow Dash's broken wing. As she compared it to the healthy wing, she noticed that Rainbow Dash's imperfections were not contained by her feathers; below the avian appendages, the former athlete sported a greasy mane and a noticeably bulbous underside.
". . . but like I said, these wings don't fly like they used to. That's why I moved here from Cloudsdale; it just wasn't practical anymore. Sure, I can still strut my stuff on the clouds, but getting from one to the next is kind of a pain when you struggle to get airborne." Rainbow Dash tore herself from an unpleasant reverie and motioned toward Applebloom's flank. "How about that? You take a tumble, yourself?"
"Uh, no. That's my cutie mark," said Applebloom.
"Oh." Rainbow Dash sat back in the recliner, dismissively. "So, you said you wanted to talk to me?"
"Yes, please," said Applebloom. "Twilight Sparkle said you might be able to help me."
She explained about her family's situation and her current endeavor to save the Apple family. Though she kept her depiction of street life vague, Rainbow Dash's eyes forgot their own attempts at disinterest, and Applebloom was certain they had to noticed her vagrant appearance. Lesser, but still detectable concern surfaced at her narration of her time with Twilight Sparkle, but resentment tempered this emotion as Applebloom returned to the present.
". . . but before I left, she mentioned I should talk to you, because you might have enough money leftover from your glory days to help us out." Applebloom bowed her head vulnerably as she finished.
Rainbow Dash sat upright. "'Glory days!?' So I'm a washout am, I? I'll have you know I still do endorsements now and then for Canterlot Hay and Salt. I'm a respected public figure!"
Applebloom rushed to appease her host. "I'm sorry, Ms. Rainbow; I'm sure she didn't mean no disrespect!"
"Yeah, right, she didn't," said Rainbow Dash, crossing her forelegs. "Nobody ever does. Not the Best Young Flyers Competition when they misplaced my reservations, not my sponsors when they withdrew my contract, and not the insurance companies when they pinned my injury as reckless self-endangerment. No, they all do that by accident, because they 'didn't mean no disprect.'" Rainbow Dash kicked a nearby tin, which landed impotently a few feet away.
"I'm really am sorry, Ms. Rainbow. I really do think you're mighty impressive; why, I ain't never won a trophy in all my life, and here you've got this whole case full of—"
"Save it, Applebloom," barked Rainbow Dash. "I don't need your flattery, either. I'll give you a few bits; it's all I can spare on a fixed income, anyhow. You want to beg somepony for money? Go bother Fluttershy; she married rich."
Applebloom left with just enough for a bag of oats. She ate it as slowly as she could, then fell asleep behind a restaurant that wafted the sweet smells of meals only well-groomed ponies could afford.