The hotel overlooked the great gap between Cloudsdale’s outskirts and the legendary Wonderbolts Headquarters, and as such was a popular destination for flying enthusiasts and tourists passing through Cloudsdale. Few Earth ponies and unicorns would visit the flying city without either magical assistance or special horseshoes permitting them to stand on clouds, but those that did typically ended up in this very hotel, the Dashington Arms.
Rainbow had secured her and Applejack a room on the bottom floor… ironically the more coveted, as it was the bottom floor that had the best view of the landscape below. Equestria stretched out below the city, and whilst there wasn’t typically much interesting to see above the city other than lots of blue, the rolling hills and towns offered a more diverse treat for the eyes.
Strangely, the alien surroundings of Cloudsdale felt more familiar to Rainbow Dash than Ponyville; at least Cloudsdale was supposed to be a place she hadn’t lived in for years. Ponyville, the place she felt was the closest she had to a home right now, was strange and empty without the familiar faces of Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity and Twilight. It was like going into an empty concert; it gave off a different atmosphere.
Applejack threw her bags on the bed, a large king-sized bed with brilliant white sheets and cloud pillow. She gave the horseshoes she wore a little test… tapping them against the floor again. A few sparks flew as her hoof connected with the ground.
“Sure you want to stress test those?” Rainbow asked her. “You’re kinda high up right now.”
“If they stop workin’, you’ll have to catch me.”
Rainbow felt conflicted about that statement. On one hoof, it meant she’d get to fly down and rescue Applejack like some kind of dashing heroine knight… but on the other, Rainbow wasn’t as confident a flyer as she used to be, and worried about, well, her grip slipping. “That’s a lot of pressure, you know.”
Applejack tilted her head. “C’mon, you’d just jump at the chance.”
Well that, at least, was true; jumping would certainly be involved. Jumping out of her skin, down into the abyss of the sky, jumping for joy once Applejack was safe…
She remembered flying down to rescue Rarity, so very long ago. Simpler times, in many ways. Less… reality. Rainbow didn’t feel like the hero she was back then. Heroes didn’t feel confused and tired all the time.
Rainbow and Applejack both trotted to the windows… large windows that spanned an entire wall. Rainbow threw open one of them, and stepped onto a small balcony that jutted out into the open sky. In the distance, the whooshing of wind and thumping of the gale tugging at flags and windows rattled the hotel.
It was loud, yes, but relaxing and familiar. Beyond, Rainbow could see the city of Cloudsdale, magnificent flags and classical style pillars, columns, and sloped ceilings. Towers of pure white rose above little houses with cute little gardens growing plants native to the sky… Cottages and castles alike made their home in the mysterious cloud city.
Streets like bridges connected the buildings, but much of the city was restricted to those that could fly only. Near the hotel, a small balloon dock sat, waiting to take families looking for a gentle, relaxing trip without flying and Earth pony tourists alike, but mostly the former.
“Hey!” Applejack said, leaning past Rainbow, rubbing against her wings. “I can see my barn from up here!” She grinned. “Or rather, I can see where it ought’a be!”
Rainbow glanced askance at Applejack, but her ears flickered as she heard a low rumble in the distance. A sound she wasn’t familiar with… close to thunder, but constant and whining…
Even Applejack appeared to take note, and pulled back, scanning the horizon. “That some Cloudsdale factory thing?” she asked.
Rainbow looked back out at the sky. “No… that’s something else.”
Rainbow’s eyes caught sight of something, shooting out behind a cloud… a long trail, a wisp of white, cutting through the sky. The noise… the noise was like a roaring lion, invading every space and rattling Rainbow’s eardrums down to her very bones.
The cacophonous noise grew louder in intensity as the white trail got closer… It was fast. Blindingly so.
“What in the hay is that?” Applejack asked, taking a step backwards. She bumped against Rainbow Dash, who was transfixed in place.
Was that… it?”
In a flash, the strange object shot behind another cloud and disappeared. The noise… what was that noise?... began to quieten. Rainbow swallowed, hanging her head.
It had been a long time since she had been in a true contest… She glanced over at Applejack, who was scanning the horizon again, peering to see behind the obstacles in the sky. Rainbow resisted the urge to press into her; she was more scared of showing weakness in front of Applejack than she was of that dreadful noise, and the machine that made it.
“That’s the jet,” Rainbow said. She knew it to be true. It was the only thing it could possibly be…
Applejack looked back at Rainbow Dash. “I thought flyin’ machines were just… well, little toys and projects Earth ponies made in their back yards?”
“Not this one.”
Applejack looked back out at the sky. “Well… hoo boy.” She shook her head. “That was… loud.”
It had been. It had been like standing in front of a lightning strike, waiting for the crack of thunder…
Rainbow took a step away from the balcony. She felt her wings pressed against her side.
What if she did lose? Would the Wonderbolts be in serious danger? Spitfire had said they would be. They’d lose funding, sure… would Rainbow Dash be the first to go?
Rainbow felt her wings tremble, still stuck in place. With a hoof, she pressed against one of them, trying to steady them. She couldn’t bear the thought of not being a Wonderbolt… Sure, flying had been… hard. It hadn’t felt right, not seeing her friends in the crowd, cheering her on, talking about her victories and trials when she got home. Regardless, being a Wonderbolt, her dream, was in many ways all they had left…
She glanced back at Applejack. Well, other than a marefriend she couldn’t live without, but then again, how long would Applejack want a washed up ex-Wonderbolt screw-up?
Rainbow shook her head. That was just… immature thinking. Still… she had to win. For Spitfire, for the Wonderbolts, for Applejack, and for herself. The question was, could she? If her body’s reaction, almost allergic in nature, to the mere sound of the jet was of any indication… nothing felt certain.
She felt Applejack bump against the wing she hadn’t noticed she had been desperately trying to steady. Rainbow relaxed, going loose at last.
“You’re shiverin’ there,” Applejack said. “You cold? I thought pegasi didn’t get cold at high altitudes.”
Rainbow chuckled, feigning nonchalance. “I’ve been living in Ponyville too long. Guess it affects me more than I thought,” she lied. “Besides, everypony gets cold… when it's icy enough.” She breathed out. “Let’s… forget about that. We need to meet with Spitfire…”
Applejack stared at Rainbow for a second. Please don’t stare, Rainbow thought. Please don’t stare at me like there’s something wrong with me…
How hard was it to just live her life like she didn’t need to be taken care of constantly? She could only imagine how tired Applejack was of coddling her endlessly.
She doubled down, battened the hatches of her mind. She could pretend not to worry for a little whilst longer, a least.
“C’mon, let’s head to HQ,” she said, pulling Applejack away from the balcony. “There’s gotta be some kind of cloud bridge or something you can walk on… and if there isn’t, hey, I’ll just carry you or something.” She forced a smile as she trotted to the door, her marefriend towed behind her. “You’ll like HQ; it’s got grass and everything.”
“Sure thing.” Applejack smiled. “On our way we can post that letter to Twilight.”
Rainbow grinned. “Yeah, sure.”
Pretending wasn’t so hard, was it?
Dear Applejack,
I’m delighted to hear about you finally moving out of that old farmhouse to live with Rainbow! It’s positively delightful, and I naturally wish you the best. I understand that life can be hard without my sage and insightful advice, but I have complete confidence that of all the ponies in the world, you’re the one who can handle it.
Do remember to have some fun, though, darling! All this chat about worrying about this and that must be tiring on your nerves. If I were you, I’d quit this pointless fretting and just ask Rainbow about the cottage at the next possible opportunity! Preferably a party of some sort; everypony is always inclined to say yes with music in the background (and a few glasses of punch, or wine…). Besides, Rainbow Dash always had a soft spot for you even when you mostly struggled to get along. I can’t imagine her turning you down!
I am appalled by your insinuating that I would not be utterly cautious regarding the divulgence of your intimate matters. I am a pony of secrecy and discretion, as you well know. I have attached to this letter a copy of the initial draft; do not hold back on criticism, no matter how sharp and cutting it might be! I have attached annotations and diagrams regarding some of the more physical activities (I wouldn’t want you to get lost).
That said, you discussing your situation with Rainbow is already inspiration enough for me; the emotional back and forth is something I believe readers will gobble up.
I have been reading in the news about this novel flying machine, and how it’s supposed to ‘outperform even the Wonderbolts’. I don’t imagine that this is somehow linked to your pesky little Rainbow Dash problem?
In my opinion, just ignore the whole thing and focus on getting Rainbow to move in with you. Everything else is just a big distraction.
Forever sincerely,
Rarity
Spitfire was looking up at the sky after the jet had landed on the runway after an initial test flight. She had missed it, predictably… Perhaps the pilot and its mastermind, Professor Vector, were aiming to keep her in the dark as to its abilities and limitations. A smart move, if that was the case.
Spitfire wasn’t looking for the jet, however. She was instead looking at the swarm of flyers from across Equestria and beyond arriving from every direction. She could see the wide wings of dragons, the powerful, swordlike wings of griffons, and heard the droning buzz of changeling insect wings…
“Soarin,” she said. “Remind me who the main competition is.”
Soarin trotted up to her side, also staring up at the sky. “Other than Mach Maximum?”
“Other than the jet, yes.”
“Grizzle is the top griffon flyer. Pretty old, but tough,” Soarin explained. “Changelings have this flyer by the name of Mandible, but I reckon he’ll be the slowest of the bunch. Dragons have Forest. Short for Forest Fire, knowing dragons…”
“Anyone else?”
“Not really. Well, other than Rainbow Dash.”
Spitfire shook her head. “I’ve been thinking about that,” she said. “If she’s not ready to fly yet… Well… we’ll see how it goes.”
Soarin looked at Spitfire quizzically. Spitfire glared back, her eyes brooking no dissent. This was a plan she needed to sort out on her own.
Behind her loomed the menacing shape of the jet. She turned, taking it in. In other circumstances, she’d be impressed. Truly, science was impressive, and this was the cumulation of years of progress, a statement of power. They could have used the technology to make anything; civilian transport, energy production, efficient materials for wind generation… but no. They had decided to make a statement; to go larger, bigger than anypony had gone before. Challenge the unchallengeable. Take on the Wonderbolts, crush them, and supplant them as the new rulers of the skies…
A mistake, Spitfire reckoned. Any pegasus athlete would know not to challenge Spitfire… But then again, Vector was no athlete, and Mach Maximum, the chosen pilot, was no pegasus...
“You’re plotting,” Soarin said. “I don’t like it.”
“You don’t like me plotting?” Spitfire asked, smirking. “When have you known me not to have a good plan?”
“Rainbow Falls?”
“Like I said last time...”
Soarin rolled his eyes. “Sure. Whatever.”
Spitfire shrugged. “I learned,” she said. She looked over towards Cloudsdale, and at the speck of blue flying towards them. “Can’t do fairer than that.” She adjusted her uniform. “Let’s go. I need to debrief our ace before the big dinner this evening.”
“Dinner?”
“You didn’t hear? Twilight… sorry, her Majesty… wants us to ‘socialise’.” Spitfire rolled her eyes. “Never needed to be pals with the other flyers to beat them before, but whatever. Let’s find Rainbow Dash.”
Rainbow looked up at the jet. It looked, from this angle, like a cross between a panther and a shark. Its nose jutted forward, looming over her. Its skin was chrome and glinted in the noonlight. The crystal glass of its cockpit reflected the sun into her eyes, and its wings sprouted from its sides like knives, or the blades of some wicked weapon designed to cut through steel, let alone air.
Three wheels kept it stable on the ground, and at its rear a massive, barrel like shape housed its engine, which was currently silent and immobile. Rainbow swallowed, feeling in danger just being near the machine. Being hit by it would be death as certain as being hogtied to the tracks of the Friendship Express, and just being near its engine as it ran would be like standing in front of the throat of a dragon as it prepared to hurl fire forward past razor teeth…
Speaking of dragons, even Dragonlord Ember would be jealous of the hardness of this steel beast’s armour. The machine had a fierce look to it, cold and powerful and deadly.
Rainbow took a step back.
“So this is it, huh?” she asked Spitfire. “Pretty… uh, average.”
Spitfire raised her eyebrow at Rainbow Dash. “Yeah, sure. Average.” She folded her hooves. “The pilot should be in Cloudsdale, as is Professor Vector. We’ll probably be meeting them this evening.”
“That… that so?”
Applejack trotted past the pair, and out of the corner of her eye, Rainbow Dash saw her examine the jet up close. Rainbow felt almost like she needed to leap forwards to keep herself in-between Applejack and the fearsome machine, even though she knew it was immobile and static, not a threat. Not a threat...
“Looks mighty heavy to fly,” Applejack commented, and gently kicked one of the wheels with a clang.
Rainbow clenched, worried that some kind of hidden defence mechanism would blast Applejack away.
“AJ, why?!” she exclaimed, her hooves shooting to the sides of her head in horror.
Nothing happened, though. The jet didn’t even seem to notice the playful prodding. Of course not… why would it? She forced herself to relax, hanging her head slightly. In the back of her mind, the thunderous noise it had made that morning echoed…
Applejack raised her eyebrow. “It’s just like a big ol’ lump of metal.”
“Please don’t touch the millions of bits worth of… ‘lump of metal’ and… stuff,” Spitfire said. “Professor Vector will be very upset and I’ll have to read the letters complaining about it.”
Applejack walked back to Rainbow Dash’s side. “Sorry.”
Spitfire sighed. “Your marefriend is… she reminds me of you, Dash.” Spitfire turned to leave.
Rainbow tilted her head. “Wait… is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
Spitfire waved. “Just be there at the dinner, okay? Okay.”
Applejack looked askance at Rainbow. “Definitely a bad thing,” she chortled.
Rainbow shook her head. “I can’t take you anywhere,” she grumbled.
In response, Applejack only laughed. Rainbow rolled her eyes, and softened.
Cloudsdale spread before Rainbow and Applejack, huge and labyrinthian. The way it rose in not two, but three dimensions left Applejack frequently confused and muttering to herself, puzzled at terms such as ‘skyward’ and ‘earthbound’.
“What the hay’s wrong with callin’ them up and down?” she asked. “Them’s nice, sensible words.”
Rainbow Dash did not have an aswer.
The buildings had pedestrian access. Most of them. It could be confusing and convoluted, with stairs, ramps, and bridges criss-crossing between floating cloud islands, but at least it was better that Applejack hopping onto Rainbow’s back and riding her like a pack animal. Not that Rainbow was opposed, in theory, but they would attract stares.
In-between the buildings flew a small horde of pegasi, like bees surrounding a hive. Some were fast and appeared to duck beneath the main flow of traffic, whilst others flew at a leisurely pace, closer to the sidewalk.
Rainbow Dash was pointed at many times by the crowd, and despite her recent mood swings, Rainbow couldn’t help but beam at the recognition. “Heh, I guess they still like me.”
Applejack peered over the edge of the platform they were on. She whistled. “Wouldn’t mind a railin’.”
Rainbow hopped off the side of the sidewalk, hovering in the air. “Wouldn’t that just make it harder to fly off?”
Applejack nodded. “Yup.”
Rainbow shrugged. “I guess not everypony likes heights,” she said. “Y’know, Fluttershy used to hate heights. She was a very weak flyer, and…”
“She told us the story,” Applejack replied. “I imagine it would’ve been a bit of a scare to see your friend fall down…”
“Uh, it would’ve been… but I sort of didn’t notice at the time.” Rainbow chuckled. “I noticed Rarity though. And a few other times. Like when you tried to visit me at HQ and got hit by a tornado.”
“Weren’t that your fault?”
“Hey,” Rainbow countered, “I was against that from the start!” She folded her hooves. “Besides, it all worked out okay in the end.” She straightened. “Point is I’ve seen loads of my friends fall down and I’ve gotten pretty good at catching them.”
“That’s my Rainbow,” Applejack said with a smirk. “Always pullin’ through in the end, right?”
“Right.” Rainbow hesitated. “Well, so far.”
“You’ll keep it up,” Applejack replied. “I know you will.”
Rainbow landed back on the cloud next to Applejack. “Yeah, I guess it’s become a bit of a habit now.”
“Twilight would say that habit is just learning you’ve not realised you’ve done,” Applejack said.
“Pfft, that’s the kind of egghead thing she’d say, yeah,” Rainbow replied.
Applejack chuckled. “Well… anyway. How’s about you show me around where you used to live before we head ‘round to this lil’ dinner thing?”
Spitfire flew through the sky towards the city of Cloudsdale, away from the safety of Wonderbolts HQ. She grit her teeth. It sucked that Vector was playing her cards close to her chest… if Spitfire was able to at least examine how the jet flew, she could analyse some kind of weakness.
For years she had been an instructor and a captain of world-leading flyers. Examining a pony for weaknesses in technique, exploits, and strengths was what Spitfire did best. In her mind, there was no reason she couldn’t do the same to a machine. Sure, the mechanics on the inside were different, but the sky it flew in was the same. She could extrapolate, identify commonalities…
But not if she didn’t see it. If she couldn’t see it fly, how was she supposed to figure out how to beat it in advance? She’d only have one shot. She’d just have to hope for the best...
Well, not unless…
Spitfire sighed. That would be a last resort. To do so would be a pretty outrageous risk…
She landed on a small cloud overlooking both Cloudsdale and the Wonderbolts Headquarters. She sat down heavily. She needed to take her mind off of things. Perhaps she had been taking things too seriously… Clip Busy must be getting to her.
Flying was fun. She loved it; she had always enjoyed it. That, and winning. The thrill of doing something better than anypony else… that was what she lived for. But all this scheming and paperwork… listening to endless complaints, and whining, and manipulating ponies that looked up to her in order to get them to perform better… Did she enjoy that?
Spitfire wondered if this had been the sort of thing Rainbow had thought when she had begun going through her… phase. Rainbow was attached to her friends… clearly. If she wasn’t, she wouldn’t have crashed emotionally when they left. Rainbow had said she didn’t find flying that fun any more. Did Spitfire feel the same way about being captain? Divorced from the personal feeling of winning, was being captain fun any more?
It was a sad thing, to fall out of love with something integral to oneself. Spitfire leaned back, and then fell back into the cloud with a ‘flumph’. She missed feeling excited to get into her office herself. Clip and ponies like him had ruined being captain for her, truly. She spent more time worrying about paperwork and funding than she did about winning… About flying.
She imagined this must be what was going through Rainbow’s head. Spitfire was cold and calculating; she was able to power through these feelings, move them to one side in order to approach her problems sensibly and intelligently. Rainbow might not have that ability… She couldn’t push through the pain as easily.
Spitfire breathed in. Winning and pain… They were one and the same, now. That was how she had to think of it. Paperwork, bureaucracy… it was all a step towards securing funding for the Wonderbolts, which meant they’d be safe and prosperous. It meant winning. Spitfire snorted. Unlike Rainbow Dash, she didn’t discriminate between winning whilst flying and winning in the office. The bureaucracy, the scheming? She was only turning against it now because the future seemed uncertain. Spitfire would come out on top, and once she did, she’d remember how fun it was to tear up Clip Busy’s stupid mistakes and make him eat it.
Even so, sometimes Spitfire wished she had, like Rainbow Dash, a pony like Applejack to lean on to get her through the harder times. Even from afar, Spitfire could tell how much Rainbow relied on the rustic farmpony, in a variety of ways. There was the romantic aspect to it… Spitfire didn’t understand this part well, as romance was not something she was inclined to. Heck, she didn’t even bother to own a bed large enough for two. Every time she had given it a go, they kept on hogging the sheets and getting in her way. Eventually she had gotten rid of them. But there was the friendship aspect to it as well, though. They were the last two of their group to remain in Ponyville… the trust and reliance that they had placed on their other friends had been displaced solely onto one another. It was a tremendous pressure to bear. Spitfire couldn’t even imagine telling somepony everything that went on inside her mind, every little frustration she bottled up, and also expect them to just… take it.
Could Applejack bear that pressure? Spitfire didn’t know. It seemed hard for any one pony to take all that, especially from a pony like Rainbow Dash.
Spitfire sat up. It didn’t matter. All this was pointless musing anyhow. Unlike most ponies, Spitfire didn’t need to confide in others, to rely on them. Spitfire stood alone. Always had, always would; who else could keep up? She stroked her chin.
Perhaps there was a way for everypony to get what they wanted… if only she could find the appropriate path...
Rainbow Dash felt simultaneously like she was in her element whilst also being utterly uncertain of what was going on. Yes, she was surrounded by expert flyers, many of whom were showering her with praise and attention (nothing wrong with that!), and enjoying pretty nice food as she trotted from place to place. Yes, she was in Cloudsdale, which was where she had grown up. However, on the flipside, she was constantly scanning the room for any sign of those who had made the jet, Spitfire, and keeping an eye on Applejack. The praise she was given by the likes of Grizzle, an ancient griffon flyer with steely grey feathers, felt hollow knowing that she was struggling hard as a flyer and as a pony in general. Even her childhood home felt… weirdly alien, after years living on the surface of Equestria as opposed to hovering above it. She kept worrying about Applejack’s horseshoes and the massive distance between them and the ground, something that she never even considered before when she was a foal. Besides, parties rarely felt the same without Pinkie...
The event was largely social; an opportunity to talk to those Rainbow would be competing against. A lesson Twilight had likely learned from Pinkie Pie; give ponies an opportunity to socialise and they would likely do so. Spitfire, at least, looked like she was enjoying herself. She was standing consistently next to the punch, sipping the purple coloured drink at all times. She looked older than she had been when Rainbow had been desperately attempting to hang out with her at the Grand Galloping Gala, all that time ago.
Come to think of it, wasn’t Spitfire Rainbow’s age? Rainbow swallowed nervously. It kind of hurt to think that Spitfire had made it to the peak of her career whilst Rainbow had been lagging behind as a weatherpony in Ponyville… Even now, she was a captain whereas Rainbow was just sort of struggling as a flyer...
“Enjoyin’ yourself?” Applejack asked.
Rainbow felt a strong hoof wrap around her waist, and she let herself be pulled next to Applejack. At least there was something familiar to latch onto, she thought. That was nice.
The two trotted up to Spitfire, deciding to chat with Rainbow’s captain.
“Kinda,” Rainbow replied, her reaction delayed. “I guess I’m just a bit… nervous.”
A year ago it would have been effort to even admit to being afraid. Nowadays, though, things had changed. Rainbow felt the need to prove to Applejack that despite everything, she was still the greatest flyer in the world. She would always have one thing going for her.
“Hey guys,” Spitfire said, turning her head an inch to peer at the couple out the corner of her eye. “Eyeing up the competition?”
Rainbow sighed. Spitfire was always business. Sometimes it felt like she was talking to a robot whenever the matter of flying was brought up.
“Trying to,” Rainbow told her. “Your professor Velocity or whatever hasn’t come to talk to me.”
“It’s Vector. Rhymes with ‘victor’.” Spitfire cracked a vicious grin. “And she’s here. I can see her from over here.” She pointed across the crowded room. “Tall mare. Pegasus. Talking to the Earth pony.”
Rainbow and Applejack both spun around to look at where Spitfire was pointing. Rainbow tilted her head.
The pegasus mare didn’t look… terribly threatening. She had a faint lavender coat, not unlike Twilight’s, although hers had a more dusty quality to it. She wasn’t wearing a lab coat or glasses or anything else that Rainbow Dash associated with eggheads and their weird brain-stuff. She looked kind of normal.
“That’s her?” Rainbow asked.
Spitfire nodded. “Yeah. She’s the only pegasus here who doesn’t look like she works out her flying muscles.” She took a sip of punch. “Besides, the Earth pony next to her is one I’m familiar with. Mach Maximum.”
The stallion in question was short, light, and had narrow eyes that always seemed overly focussed on whatever it was they were looking at. He didn’t seem to be talking… only ever listening to whatever it was Vector was rambling about. Out of the two, he definitely looked to be the more intimidating of the two…
“Stage name is Mad Machs. Some racer from Las Pegasus; weird gadgets mostly. Go-carts, boats, trains even. Not surprising he got hired to fly the jet.”
“I expected a pegasus,” Rainbow admitted.
“Why? If you’re in a jet, you don’t need wings any more. Could have been anypony… in fact, an Earth pony or unicorn is a better choice. Easier to design a cockpit without accounting for wings.”
“He don’t look like much,” Applejack said. “I’ve seen Earth ponies twice his size fail to beat the likes of me and RD in contests. This should be a breeze.”
“You’re not listening, Applejack,” Spitfire went on. “It’s not him that’s the problem. It’s the machine; he can be a great pilot without muscle or wings, but his top speed, acceleration, and stamina is determined by the vehicle he’s in. This is not a contest between who works out the hardest. It is a contest of our muscle and training versus the combination of Vector’s mind and Mach’s reflexes.” Spitfire refilled her drink. “You like dancing?”
Applejack raised her eyebrow. “Um, sure. Where’d that come from?”
“There’s a dance later.” Spitfire shrugged. “Just giving you fair warning.” She kicked away from the punch table. “I’ve gotta head. I think I see the Director of the EIA over there…”
Rainbow raised her eyebrow. “Wait, I thought you hated politicians...”
Spitfire waved as she swanned off into the crowd. “Not true. They’re great fun, when convenient. See you round, Dash.”
Rainbow shrugged, looking over at Applejack. “Well, whatever.”
Applejack gestured over behind Rainbow Dash, jutting her chin into the crowd. “Watch it; you’ve got company.”
Rainbow raised her eyebrow, and turned… then looked down. Standing even shorter than Rainbow Dash (who was far from a tall pony), was Mach Maximum, moving diagonally towards them, all the while staring up at Rainbow with the same piercing eyes she had taken note of before.
“Hello,” he said, and extended his hoof. “I’m Mach. I hear you’re pretty fast.”
Rainbow swallowed. “I’m Rainbow,” she said, and gestured towards Applejack. “This is AJ. Must be pretty exciting, being the first Earth pony to compete.”
Applejack squinted at the short stallion. “Wait a minute, partner. I recognise you from somewhere…” Her eyes widened with realisation. “Now I remember. You did a race in Las Pegasus. Mad Machs, right?”
“It’s just a stage name.”
Applejack whistled. “It was a while back, so I didn’t realise who you were. What was your lil’ tagline? You never lose, or something?”
“Haven’t yet, at least.” Mach extended his hoof towards Rainbow. “Unless you intend to change that.”
The two shook hooves, though Rainbow was still nervous. Mach had a strong hoofshake… firm and precise. Rainbow retrieved her hoof and leaned into Applejack for support… before remembering that she didn’t want to show anxiety to Applejack. She straightened, adjusting her height in order to gain a measure of superiority over Mach.
“It is,” Mach said, his voice even and flat. “It’s very exciting to be the first to fly a machine against the Wonderbolts.”
“Wonderbolts and the other flyers from other lands,” Applejack corrected.
“What about the other flyers?” Mach asked, the corner of his mouth rising, near imperceptibly. “The Wonderbolts are the ones to beat here, aren’t they?”
Rainbow had to agree there. Griffons, dragons, and changelings all had various natural advantages, but in terms of sheer practice and all-round skill, it was the Wonderbolts who were the premier team in the world. “Yeah, heh heh… that’s what they say.”
Mach’s smile, such as it was, disappeared. “I hope to see you in fine form tomorrow, then.”
Rainbow couldn’t help but glance towards Applejack. “Yeah, sure.”
“Sure,” Applejack said, nudging Rainbow in the side.
“Good,” Mach said. “We being here is a waste of time if we don’t make a powerful statement. We’re not here to beat just any old pony… we’re here to prove ourselves better than the best of the Wonderbolts.”
Rainbow’s stomach clenched. Mach turned away for a second, as some other pony began to talk over the din of the crowd. Rainbow didn’t hear the words.
“You okay?” Applejack asked. “You look a lil’ worn out, sugarcube.”
Rainbow Dash shook her head. “I’m fine,” she said. “Just… bad punch.”
Applejack sighed. “You’ve not had any punch,” she said. She looked up at the crowd. “Looks like we’re dancin’.”
Rainbow was jolted back to reality as she felt Applejack’s hoof around hers. Dance? Now?
In an instant, she was spun around by Applejack, who leaned into her ear. “C’mon… Mach’ll see you look all nervous like that.” She extended her hoof out, and the distance between Rainbow and Applejack’s bodies increased. “He’s tryin’ to shake you. Shake ‘im back.”
The ring of guitar strings being plucked echoed through the room. Grizzle the griffon gave a throaty laugh as he fell into the routine, the grey feathers he sported on his head twinking in the darkening night.
It was not Cloudsdale music… it was a griffonian tune, fast paced and emotional. Rainbow Dash looked at Applejack. The Earth pony moved like she had danced to it before…
“How do you know this?” Rainbow asked.
“Had to have a hobby growin’ up,” Applejack replied with a smirk. “Don’t forget, I lived in Manehattan for a lil’ when I was a filly.”
Darn. Every time Rainbow thought Applejack couldn’t get more perfect…
Rainbow’s eyes traced every movement Applejack made as they spun around, many of the other ponies tripping over themselves as they struggled to replicate the griffonian steps. The flaring of the wings, Applejack couldn’t do, but everything else, she managed well…
“Better if you lead,” Rainbow said. “This isn’t my jam…”
Applejack smirked. “Ain’t no lead in griffon dancin’, RD. They used to use ‘em as a sort of game… or somethin’.” She spun aggressively, and pressed her chest into Rainbow’s own. “It’s a dominance thing.”
Well… horseapples. Rainbow immediately felt small in comparison to Applejack. Compared to her, Rainbow was clearly slower, more timid, her fake bluster and confidence stripped away.
“Eyes on me,” Applejack told Rainbow. “We’ll be switchin’ soon.”
“Switching?”
“Yup.” Applejack clicked her hooves together. “You can learn by seein’, right?”
Rainbow nodded. “Yeah.”
“Then keep watchin’. You know who you’ll be dancin’ with next.” Applejack closed the gap between them, perfectly on time to the guitar. “Show him who’s boss.”
Spitfire didn’t dance. Not in the ballroom. She danced in the sky, not on ground. She tangoed with ponies’ plans, pirouetted over their expectations, and tap-danced on their hopes and dreams. She did not to the Griffon Half-Talon in public.
What she did do was slide up towards the tall pegasus mare, Professor Vector, and extended her hoof.
“Spitfire,” she said. “You wouldn’t happen to know this one, would you?”
Vector turned towards Spitfire, and a flash of suspicion flashed behind her bright blue eyes. “Not at all,” she replied.
“Good; then we’re pretty even.”
Vector put her hoof in Spitfire’s, and the two spun around the ballroom, ducking in-between griffons, dragons, changelings and ponies alike.
“Heard a lot about you,” Vector said. “Captain.”
Spitfire ignored the dance routine, and instead made up her own game. “Likewise, professor.” She wrapped her hoof around Vector’s own, and pulled the professor menacingly close. “Excited to race tomorrow?”
“Excited to see the jet perform in a contest scenario,” Vector replied slyly. “Yes.”
Spitfire smirked. Vector was like her, then. Planning and plotting. Aiming to win. Good. It wasn’t fun otherwise.
“Pretty bold of you, to try and take my funding.”
Vector smiled innocently. “I’m not here to take your funding, captain.” She spun. “I’m just here to show off my new invention.” She glanced over to a pony on the far side of the room. “I couldn’t help but notice you talking to the director of the EIA. What was that about?”
“Nothing that concerns your laboratory,” Spitfire told Vector, as the room began to spin like a kaleidoscope, the pairs of ponies and creatures dancing in a spiral around the centre of the room. “Just a personal matter I wanted to have a chat with him about.”
Vector narrowed her eyes. “What are you thinking, Spitfire?”
“I’m thinking you shouldn’t underestimate the Wonderbolts,” Spitfire replied. “We’ve survived a long time by now. We’ve gotten pretty good at it.”
Vector chuckled. “Your flyer looks rather nervous for a survivor.”
Spitfire let herself get twirled around to look across the room. Rainbow Dash was dancing opposite Applejack, her mouth slightly agape as she struggled to keep up with the lightning fast Earth pony. She looked excited… but not confident.
“She’s just a bad dancer,” Spitfire said. “You should have seen her at the Gala. Nothing but left hooves.”
Vector snickered. “Just like us, then?”
Spitfire looked down at their admittedly shoddy hoofwork. “Yes. But we’re not here to dance, are we?”
As the guitar intensified, Spitfire looked around and saw that the other ponies were preparing to switch partners.
“We don’t need to switch, do we?” Vector asked. “I was having so much fun!”
Spitfire shrugged. “I don’t think we were dancing the same thing they were, anyway.” She tightened her grip around Vector’s hoof. “We make our own rules, right?”
Vector grinned ear to ear. “Delightful.”
The two continued their own desynchronised dance, enjoying the banter far more than the actual motions and music that the other ponies seemed to be trying to emulate.
“What happens if you lose?” Spitfire asked.
“We won’t lose the race.”
“I didn’t mean the race,” Spitfire retorted. “The race is just a little skirmish. What do you intend to do if I’ve taken… steps?”
“Don’t know,” Vector retorted, off balance. “I’d have to see the steps.”
“Let’s hope you can keep up, then.”
“Let’s hope your steps are up to scratch,” Vector snapped back.
“Oh, they are.”
Spitfire caught sight of something out of the corner of her eye. “Oh, by the way… about Rainbow Dash being a bad dancer…”
Vector frowned. “What?”
“I lied.” Spitfire smirked. “I do that sometimes.”
Vector turned her head to the left.
The awkward, timid Rainbow Dash that had been dancing with Applejack previously had seemingly been replaced by a doppelganger with far more skill in the art. Gyrating as if she had been born with this skill, Rainbow ran rings around her partner.
Mach Maximum was sweating trying to keep up. Spitfire had to stop herself from giggling. If the dance was a battle of dominance, Rainbow Dash was an indomitable castle. Far from a rookie, she must have absorbed every step and motion just by watching…
“Glad she still has that little skill,” Spitfire muttered.
“What’s that?” Vector asked.
Spitfire remained tight-lipped. Vector clicked her tongue, visibly irritated. Spitfire took steps back to the punch table.
“As fun as it is to overdramatically torment one another,” Spitfire said, “I think Rainbow has got the dancing part covered.”
Applejack, visible by the edge of the crowd, was clapping for Rainbow Dash to go faster. Vector stared at Rainbow, on edge. Spitfire could imagine what was going through her mind. Rainbow Dash could learn by watching… how much could she learn? How fast? What were the limits of her abilities? What else could she do? Spitfire nearly laughed out loud at the scene. That was the trouble with smart ponies; they overthought everything.
Still, it did always amaze Spitfire how quickly that mare could learn… Good thing, too. Spitfire’s plan hinged on it.
Vector, disappointed, slinked after Spitfire. “Get me one too, Captain.”
Spitfire held out a drink. “Already did.”
Mach Maximum huffed in frustration when it was time to switch again. If the serious stallion had wanted a chance to unnerve Rainbow Dash before the flight the next day, he would be sorely disappointed.
Rainbow Dash cantered back to Applejack, a satisfied smile on her face. Spitfire breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that Rainbow was in a safe place, mentally. She’d need it.
For all Spitfire’s bluster when talking to Vector, it was all just an attempt to shake Vector’s confidence. Make her nervous, and potentially let her make Mach Maximum nervous as well before the race tomorrow. Any advantage, no matter how slight, was worth pursuing.
“You know that all this is due to Clip Busy’s meddling,” Vector began.
“I had a hunch,” Spitfire replied, leaning into the table. “I expect he has his own pressures to deal with, and like the pony he is, he has handled them poorly.”
Vector nodded. “The engine I developed was designed years ago. It was a redesigned turbine, the kind that we use to generate wind, adapted and rendered more powerful to be used on its own.” She took a sip, her face curling in distaste. “This is revolting.”
“It’s all I have. Go on.”
“It took a lot of effort on my part to persuade ponies that the engine had a purpose, a function. I began taking steps to show it off outside of Cloudsdale. Naturally, this lit a bonfire under Clip Busy’s flank, since he didn’t want it to emerge that the EIA had let unicorns, or worse, Earth ponies, get access to means to more efficiently generate their own weather… more than they already do. He sent me funding to shut me up and keep me in Cloudsdale, which, luckily, was exactly what I wanted.”
“Your point?”
“The technology is from already existing bits and pieces, captain. Everypony already has the tools to make these jets. The only thing in its way is bureaucracy and idiocy, and eventually, ponies will get smarter.”
Spitfire refilled her punch. It made sense, she had to admit. Eventually things like that became so obvious it became harder and harder to ignore them. Rainbow had followed a similar path, getting better, more public… and no amount of trying to beat her was going to stop her rise to popularity. Spitfire had done the only sensible thing, which was recruit her. If you couldn’t beat them… make them join you. Control was better than crushing…
“Twilight being in power meant I could get access to pegasus flyer expertise, which certainly helped move things forwards, but let’s be honest with ourselves, there’s only so much advice and input I needed in the first place. All I need to do now is prove the power of my machine, and its applications, and then the bits, the spotlight, everything, will come into place.” Vector shrugged. “Clip Busy doesn’t care who wins, not really. He’s just afraid because he can’t control me. Not under Princess Twilight’s scientifically open rule.”
“Clip is an idiot. I wouldn’t imagine it’d be that hard to outmaneuver him,” Spitfire said. “Why come after the Wonderbolts if you don’t care about us?”
“The exact reason you already know, captain.”
Spitfire knew. “So, what, you’re just telling me that even if I win, I’ll lose in the end?”
“Something like that.” Vector shrugged. “I could use you in our lab, though. Perhaps being a good flyer athlete might make you a good pilot?”
“I doubt it. I’m not one for cramped spaces.”
“Pity.”
“Yeah.” Spitfire decided that it was time to check on Rainbow and Applejack… she didn’t like this conversation any more. She turned to leave. “Catch you later, professor.”
“You’re going to lose, Captain.” Vector sipped at her punch. “The march of technology, of progress, is inevitable. You cannot fight the truth.”
“I disagree,” Spitfire replied, disappearing into the crowd. “But good luck anyway.”
It was comforting, in a way, to know that in the end, Vector was just like her. A simple pony trying to make do, trying to win, in a world that sometimes seemed so hostile to success. It was a shame they were on opposite sides, but that was how things went sometimes.
Rainbow Dash was panting. She still recalled every step that Applejack had performed, and it had felt exhilarating to perform each and every one on time, perfectly.
Applejack wrapped her hooves around her, and ruffled her mane. “Lookin’ good, sugarcube.”
Rainbow felt herself turn red as Applejack pulled her outside, where the icy air of Cloudsdale engulfed the two of them. The night drenched the entire world in darkness, and it looked to Rainbow Dash like they were floating in space.
Applejack took one look at the blackness that engulfed them as they left the light of the inside of the building, and moved into Rainbow slightly. “Whoa,” she said, and peered over the edge of a balcony, down into the abyss below. “Can’t even see the ground…”
“No,” Rainbow said. “But you can see the lights, if you look hard enough.”
Applejack squinted. “I see ‘em,” she said. “They look like lil’ stars from up here.” She nuzzled Rainbow. “Pretty nice, stayin’ here on holiday. Good thing I wrapped up most of the harvest before this all came up.”
Rainbow nodded. “I’m glad you’re here too,” she said.
Applejack breathed in, and licked her lips. “RD, I’ve been meanin’ to ask you ‘bout something…”
As the two stared out into the nothingness, a green light flickered to life in front of them. Rainbow blinked, the sudden light messing with her night vision. She flinched.
Applejack’s eyes adjusted to the dark again first. “It’s a letter,” she exclaimed, reaching out over the balcony to catch it. “Grab it, quick!”
Rainbow leapt out of Applejack’s reach, into the sky. She caught the letter in-between her teeth, and then hovered in the air, slowly turning around to face Applejack.
“No need t’worry,” she said through her teeth. “I C’n fly, rememb’r?”
“Right… just a reflex.”
Rainbow flew back onto solid cloud, and passed the letter to Applejack. “Who’s it from?” she asked.
“Who else can send letters like that?” Applejack asked. “Spike obviously sent this.”
“Right… of course.” Rainbow scratched behind her neck. “Sorry, it’s just been a while.”
Applejack tore the envelope open. “It’s for you,” she said. “Twilight must’ve gotten your letter.” She whistled. “We only delivered that today. I guess pegasus mail must be fast.”
“Of course it is,” Rainbow said as she took the paper from Applejack. “What does it say?”
Rainbow’s eyes scanned the letter quickly.
“Dear Rainbow,” she read. “I’m so glad you finally got in touch; it’s been pretty exciting here at the palace. So much to learn about running the land in practice!” Rainbow sighed. “There’s lots they don’t write in the books. I’m very glad to see you sent a picture with your letter, although I’m afraid that…” Rainbow trailed off. “...afraid that I’m being kept busy in Canterlot right now and won’t be able to… make it.”
Rainbow trailed off, hanging her head slightly. Out the corner of her eye she saw Spitfire emerge from inside the party.
“Sugarcube?”
Rainbow struggled to speak. “Twilight’s busy in Canterlot, so she won’t be able to make it for tomorrow.” She cleared her throat. “It’s no big deal.”
It was a big deal. Rainbow had almost expected that of course Twilight would somehow drop everything to come and see her, watch her fly. Why wouldn’t she, other than the hundreds of reasons why she couldn’t? Meetings, distance, short notice, responsibilities… All things that mattered more than one dumb pegasus in need of attention.
Rainbow realised she had just been tricking herself into thinking she was special. What a joke.
When she thought about it, of course it made sense that she’d be racing a machine. Machines weren’t special, either. Mass produced and pieced together in a hangar. A fitting rival for her…
That was the problem with being a Wonderbolt. You were just another uniform, mass-produced. Not a pony… Was that why her friends had stopped watching her fly? They didn’t care about what she had become?
“Sugarcube?”
Rainbow handed the letter back to Applejack.
“I’m fine,” she lied. “I’m just hungry.”
Rainbow turned to leave, pushing past Spitfire as she retreated back inside. It was too noisy, now. Crowded and messy. She wanted quiet. She needed a place to think.
A firm grip on her tail prevented her from escaping. Turning, she saw Applejack’s teeth clenched around the hairs. With a thud, Rainbow Dash came to a halt, bumping against Applejack.
“You ain’t fine,” Applejack told her. “What’s really the matter?”
Rainbow whirled around, uncertain. What to say? What were the right words?
Applejack sighed. “Guess you really wanted to see your friends again, huh?”
Rainbow nodded. How pathetic, she thought. It was idiotic, unreasonable…
“Makes sense,” Applejack said, pulling Rainbow away from the crowd to avoid a scene. “We spent… years learnin’ to depend on one another, to let ourselves be a part of each others lives… and now they’re all gone.” She sat down. “I guess we’re the only two who ain’t tough enough to make it on our lonesomes, huh?”
Applejack was sat close to Rainbow Dash, a rare expression of sadness and loss etched onto her features. Rainbow couldn’t believe it; she had thought she was the only one to have been affected by the others leaving. Did Applejack miss them as much as her?
“I just wish they were still here,” Rainbow said. “Flying isn’t… hasn’t been the same without them watching.”
“It ain’t been the same at the farm neither, knowin’ they ain’t in town and going to be enjoying the harvest,” Applejack said. “I had a feelin’ you were upset too.”
Rainbow hung her head. “I’m sorry I didn’t think that you might be upset too.”
“Ain’t no bother, sugarcube.” She looked over at the party. “C’mon, I want you to show me ‘round Cloudsdale at night. I ain’t feelin’ like dancin’ any more.”
Rainbow breathed in through her nose. “Yeah, let’s.” She smiled. “You’ll like it; it’s actually quite bright and stuff.”
The pair walked through the room, and Rainbow caught sight of Spitfire, lurking as she naturally would be in the shadows. Rainbow hoped she hadn’t caught sight of her outburst.