Chapter 29
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Where Everypony Was
Just before the first race began…
“Whoa dog, this is lookin’ to be a crazy competition alright!” Applejack shouted so that she could be heard amidst the noise of Saddlebred Citadel. Since arriving earlier, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, and the CMCs had been joined by thousands of other ponies in the stands. The field had opened up into the Jungle Gym, drawing an awe-inspired “wow” from Fluttershy.
“That looks… scary. I hope everypony is okay at the end.”
Rarity shook her head.
“I wouldn’t think so, darling.” She screwed her face into one of worry. Fluttershy watched with innocence. “VeeVee told me how long the waiver for this event was. It’s going to be a ghastly affair, for some. But that’s what they all signed up for.”
Fluttershy’s mouth became dry. She scanned the field and found Rainbow. She stared at her with worry. Next her eyes drifted over to another part of the field, where Bushwhacker had been previously, but he had already left to his section of the relay. Fluttershy swallowed hard and covered one eye with a hoof.
“Oh my… I don’t know if I can watch after all…”
The CMCs, meanwhile, were all smiles. Their tails practically wagged.
“This is going to be radical!” Scootaloo roared above the crowd.
“Yeah!” yelled Sweetie Belle, “It’s gonna be sensational!”
Apple Bloom cried, “Well it’ll just be, uhh – well it’ll be really cool! Yea’!
The voice of Tele-P started to fill the stands and the mares and fillies’ eyes were glued to the VBI screens and the images of Tele-P and Kissie. Before anypony could prepare for it, a loud cannon shot off at one end of the stadium and sounded the start of the race. The mass of flyers on the field poured into the Jungle Gym, pushing and shoving wildly to secure a spot.
“Rather brutish if you ask me,” Rarity said, pulling back in disgusting. She adjusted her hat. Applejack, sitting on the other side of Fluttershy, who sat between the competitive duo, felt her ears flick about as they registered an interesting exchange.
“Bah! This cider right here is disgusting!” Applejack’s head turned around to see what was amuck and saw somepony spitting out his drink, glaring at the EFL volunteer who had sold it to him. The stallion continued, “What kind of slop is this? This is nothing like the Sweet Apple Acres cider I had in the courtyard yesterday! What gives?”
The EFL volunteer shook her head and frowned. “Well sorry sir, this is what the EFL has available. If you’d like a refund—” The stallion cut her off, and then another EFL volunteer came to back his comrade up. Several other customers, unhappy with their cider, came forward, and soon a crowd was forming on the stadium stairs between the rows of benches.
Applejack looked back at the race and bit at her hoof. Making a decision, she turned back to the cider altercation and jumped off the bench. Rarity noticed this immediately.
“Hey! Applejack!” she cried. But Applejack was off. She threw herself into the middle of the argument about cider.
“Now hold on there, ponies,” she said, clearly and calmly. The stallion who bought the cider turned his angry glare towards Applejack, and the two EFL volunteers just looked confused. Ponies sitting nearby were also taking notice. “Y’all got an issue that Ah think Ah could solve.” Applejack turned to speak to the stallion directly. He recognized her and his face lit up, as did other unhappy customers.
“You’re the mare who sells that cider!” the stallion cheered. Applejack beamed.
“Sure am! An’ Ah think we can all work out a deal; you EFL folks, you know who decides what cider to sell? Maybe we ought to have a talk…”
“Oh no you don’t!” It was Rarity. Applejack jumped before sheepishly looking behind her. Rarity was not happy. “Well, I never thought I’d see the day, Applejack, but here you are, talking about cider and business when our friend Rainbow Dash has got the—”
“What is THAT outfit?!”
It was Rarity’s turn to be cut off. Applejack, Rarity, and the crowd of angry cider enthusiasts all turned to a new pony, a finely-dressed mare speaking with an upper crust accent.
“I say, my dear, that’s the most splendid dress I have seen in my life! I spotted you from across the way and had to come see if my eyes weren’t playing tricks on me! Wherever did you get it?”
Rarity’s eyes gleamed and she smiled.
“Well as it just so happens, madam, this is my own creation…”
It didn’t take long before both Rarity and Applejack got wrapped up in their affairs so heavily that they completely forgot about the Storm’s Challenge. Rarity began to take off to a quieter part of the Citadel to speak with her new potential client, before stopping to grab her little sister.
“Come, Sweetie,” she said, tapping her filly sister on the shoulder, “I need your help taking a VERY large order. It’s too loud in here!”
Sweetie moaned. “Awww, but I thought we weren’t going to be doing any competition stuff today!”
Rarity insisted, “Sweetie, it won’t take long, I promise! Now, come along, please, you’re making a scene…”
“Hold yer horses there, pardner!” Applejack protested, coming from behind. “If’n you get yer little sister again then Ah get mine! Apple Bloom! C’mere!” The farmer pony grabbed her sister with a hoof and pulled her off the bench. “We’ll only be gone a moment! Ah need another set of ears to help me with negotiations. Can’t trust city folk all that much.”
Apple Bloom struggled but eventually gave up with a whine. She looked over to Sweetie who frowned and shrugged.
“Umm, girls…” Fluttershy spoke loudly, for her anyway, but not loud enough for her friends to hear. Both Applejack and Rarity went in opposite directions, sisters in tow. Scootaloo yelled in Fluttershy’s ear.
“I GUESS IT’S JUST US! THIS IS SUPER COOL!”
Fluttershy cringed and rubbed her hoof against her ear. She looked at Scootaloo sternly.
“You don’t have to yell in my ear like that, Scootaloo.” The little orange filly beamed childishly and hopped in place.
“S-sorry, Fluttershy. BUT I’M JUST SO EXCITED!”
The two turned back to the field, specifically towards the VBI screens. Spitfire and Zephyr were duking it out for first place. Scootaloo nearly died from the excitement. Fluttershy reserved her loudest cheering for Rainbow’s race but felt compelled to offer a few screams of encouragement. Scootaloo’s throat was hoarse by the time it was clear Spitfire would finish second to Zephyr.
“He’s way too fast! That’s no fair!” Scootaloo complained. Fluttershy watched the VBI screen and frowned.
I don’t even know if Rainbow could keep up with him…
As the third and final leg of the relay began, Fluttershy turned around and looked for her friends.
“Where are those girls? I thought they were only going for a minute...”
Suddenly a harsh, terrified gasp arose from all around the stadium. Fluttershy looked around to see what the matter was. Tele-P announced something and Fluttershy heard him mention Bushwhacker. She locked eyes on the VBI screen and saw what the fuss was about. Her heart dropped.
“Bushwhacker…” she mumbled. Bushwhacker’s limp body was tumbling within a whirling chamber of clouds, until the cameraponies lost sight of him and the VBI switched back to the race.
Fluttershy panicked. Was he okay? How far did he fall? She felt her chest heave up and down with a shaky hoof. Scootaloo looked back at her.
“Fluttershy areeee you okay?”
“NOIMNOTOKAY!” Fluttershy snapped, hyperventilating. She hopped off the bench and started to wander in a random direction. Scootaloo followed after.
“Wait, Fluttershy! Where are you going?!”
Present time…
“Ah mean, that’s about the long an’ short of it, Rainbow…” Applejack finished recounting the story about where everypony was during Rainbow’s race. Rarity shifted uncomfortably, and Fluttershy hid behind her mane. Rainbow didn’t show any emotions.
“I… see…” Rainbow turned to Fluttershy. “Is he okay? Bushwhacker?”
Fluttershy cleared her throat awkwardly. “Well, umm, as it turns out, umm, he landed on a cloud, s-so he’s actually pretty much fine, aside from, umm, some scrapes, and he was a bit, umm, delirious when I saw him.”
Rainbow looked at the ground. The other mares looked among one another uneasily as the silence became thick.
“Just so you girls know, I lost the race.” Rainbow bit her bottom lip as her eyes vibrated with moisture. She switched to gritting her teeth instead. “S-so it’s pretty hard for me to hear you all talk about what you were doing instead of giving me support, especially when it was a bunch of…” Rainbow shook her head and sniffled.
“N-never mind.”
Applejack stepped forward and Rarity opened her mouth to speak, but Rainbow took to the sky before anypony could stop her.
“Don’t worry about it, guys!” Rainbow called out without looking back. “I’m gonna go be by myself for awhile!” Rainbow zipped away into the clouds.
Fluttershy cried out, “Wait! R-Rainbow!” She took to the skies as well, but Applejack’s words stopped her.
“Hold on, missy. Just let her go.” Fluttershy turned back around, mid air.
“B-But we can’t just let her go! Ohhh, I feel so terrible!”
Rarity stepped forward.
“No use right now, Fluttershy. It wouldn’t matter what we say… Rainbow needs to be alone. The damage is already done. We’ll go see Rainbow tomorrow and straighten this whole incident out. Still…” Rarity looked crestfallen towards the VBI screen, displaying the rankings of the teams. She caught Rainbow’s name. “…I feel so bad for her… after all that hard work.”
Applejack sighed and then spoke.
“Well, standin’ around here an’ moping isn’t helpin’ Rainbow none, nor us. Might as well get back to solid ground.”
* * *
Tears streamed down Rainbow’s cheeks. She fought desperately against the dispair. Flying as fast as she could, in whatever random direction the wind took her, Rainbow was broken. She rarely lost races, but at least when she did, her friends were usually there to back her up. They gave her all their attention and support. It was a given.
That time had been different. A stupid competition and a stupid crush… those were evidently more important.
I mean, Rainbow thought, Fluttershy had a right to be worried about that guy, but he wasn’t even hurt in the end! Why didn’t see come back and watch the race?
Rainbow stopped flying aimlessly and looked around. Clouds as far as the eye could see. She fluttered softly and cut her sobs.
Maybe I’m overreacting. This whole thing is pretty crazy, can’t be too upset if the girls got wrapped up in it too, in their own way.
The sun was still erect in the sky, but it was clear that dusk was approaching, flecks of gold just appearing on the horizon. A cry in the distance made Rainbow turn her head towards the source of the noise.
“Rainbow! Wait!”
Rainbow recognized the voice of Zephyr, and soon enough he flew threw a fluffy, white cloud and was hovering in front of her.
“Rainbow! Thank goodness I caught you! Why’d you just take off like that? Nevermind! Listen, come with me! We’ll straighten this whole thing out! The ref told me about Slapshot!”
Rainbow cocked her head.
“He did? Wait – that’s right! That cheater, Slapshot! And he almost hurt somepony real bad!”
Rainbow’s brow furrowed. She continued her tirade.
“I don’t even care about the race, Zephyr! That guy’s got to be disqualified!”
Zephyr nodded.
“Well hurry up and follow me! We need to catch Maelstrom before he leaves!”
* * *
Zephyr and Rainbow flew back to the Citadel at top speed. Rainbow hadn’t even realized how far away she had gotten until the seconds turned to minutes and eventually her and her friend crested a huge cloud and were looking down at the immense Citadel, hovering just above Canterlot Castle.
“We may already be too late,” Zephyr lamented, “Let’s go!” Rainbow nodded.
The two slowed their approach as they neared the VIP section of the Citadel stands. They were nearly empty save a few stragglers, clearly elites of Equestrian society, talking amongst themselves on the plush VIP chairs. Zephyr looked around frantically.
“Hey!” he shouted, spotting one of Maelstrom’s guards. The guard took notice immediately and rushed up to salute Zephyr.
“Yes, Mr. Zephyr, sir! What is it?”
“Where is Maelstrom? Has he left already?”
The guard shook his head.
“Should still be in the meeting room, just down here, sir.” The guard pointed at a passageway leading inside the Citadel. Zephyr nodded gratefully. He and Rainbow shot down the passageway until they passed a half-ajar door. They doubled back and Zephyr shoved inside.
“Maelstrom?” he called out before even checking who was inside.
Maelstrom and a few other ponies, dressed in a purple, gem armor, were inside. Rainbow couldn’t remember what the name of the gem was, but she had definitely seen gems like it among Rarity’s dress supplies. Maelstrom’s expression quickly turned from stern to a beam when he saw Zephyr. Maelstrom strode up to meet the pair. His presence alone made Rainbow unconsciously back up behind Zephyr. Then it hit her.
Her face lit up.
“Ohmigosh, it’s Maelstrom, right in front of me!”
Rainbow contained her fangirl as much as possible as Maelstrom’s imposing form stopped in front of Zephyr. Maelstrom patted Zephyr on the shoulder with his wing.
“Great performance out there, number one! And—well!” He turned to Rainbow. The cyan mare couldn’t meet the emerald gaze. “This has to be Rainbow Dash! It’s an honor!” Rainbow’s mouth muscles quivered. She looked up to see Maelstrom’s extended hoof, encrusted with ruby-red armor, and then saw his light-hearted expression. Her heart became slow once more and she returned the hoofshake.
“T-The honor’s all mine, s-sir!” Rainbow could die right then. Maelstrom’s shake was so monstrous and firm she believed he could have picked her up and shook her whole body if he wanted to. Rainbow’s wings were fluttering on her side, her tail was wild and swashing to and fro, and her ears were straight up and perky.
Maelstrom frowned and shook his head.
“So sorry to see that you didn’t make it past the first race, but the competition is stiff, for sure. You have nothing to be ashamed of, and you nearly beat Slapshot, one of my best flyers!”
Zephyr chimed up worriedly.
“That’s why we’re here, sir. We have something to report!”
Maelstrom cocked his head.
“Oh?”
Zephyr took the lead in explaining what had happened, with Rainbow filling in the details from her perspective. At one point, Maelstrom commanded one of his guards to find the mare who had been rescued by Rainbow, based on Rainbow’s recollection of her appearance. Rainbow thought it was a lost cause, as the races had ended hours ago. Soon enough, however, the same mare from before appeared in the doorway.
“It’s true! All of it!” she cried, both wings casted up on her sides. She entered the room properly, performing an awkward curtsy to Maelstrom. Rainbow saw the undeniable look of “star-struck” in her eyes, but to the mare’s credit she powered through her testimony. Afterwards, Rainbow thanked her and the mare left, all smiles. Zephyr pleaded to Maelstrom.
“See! This changes the results!” Zephyr’s words registered in Rainbow’s ears and she perked up. He continued. “If you find that Slapshot broke the rules and deliberately injured another flyer, he and his team are disqualified! That means Team 117 finished in 25th place and goes onto the second race!”
Rainbow’s mouth opened. She hadn’t even thought of that! Her gaze quickly snapped to Maelstrom, who was deep in thought.
“I don’t like the idea of making a decision affecting a party who isn’t here.” Maelstrom’s muscular neck flexed and writhed as he stretched it. He exhaled.
“But,” Maelstrom looked at Rainbow and smiled, “The evidence seems pretty clear, no? And you’re one of the Elements of Harmony, is that correct?” Rainbow nodded, averting her gaze once more, cheeks red hot. “Right. I can’t ignore the testimony of one of Celestia’s hoof-chosen champions, can I?”
Maelstrom turned to Zephyr.
“Plus, we both know what he’s like. You find Slapshot and tell him what’s what. Rainbow and her team will move onto the second race; Slapshot and his team will not. He’s disqualified.”
Zephyr bowed.
“T-thank you, sir. Umm, Maelstrom.” Zephyr got back up and cleared his throat. He didn’t look Maelstrom in the eyes, and Rainbow noticed a flicker of something in Maelstrom’s eye as he looked at Zephyr. An emotion hiding beneath the surface. The ends of Maelstrom’s smile twitched as if an extraordinary force held them drawn up.
Rainbow admired Maelstrom’s armor. His helmet had a mohawk crest that added a whole other foot to his height, which was already much taller than Rainbow. Gold trim surrounded every piece of armor, and underneath Maelstrom wore a forest-green EFL outfit. It was even more amazing than the purple gem armor his guards wore. Rainbow looked over to them. They glared back at her. Something was definitely off about the whole situation.
Nevertheless, Rainbow shook her head and returned to reality. She nearly pounced on top of Maelstrom as thanks, but at the last second she forced herself to simply bow.
“Thank you so much, sir! You have no idea what this means to me! My teammate and friend, Jerri the griffon, she got really injur—” Rainbow gasped. “Jerri! I totally forgot! Oh crud! I gotta go guys—I mean, sirs! Thank you thank you than…” Rainbow flew out of the room as fast as her wings could take her.
Maelstrom’s expression changed. Zephyr turned to leave the room.
“I hold you accountable for Slapshot’s performance today. That behavior is not to be tolerated, but surely you know that already, little Zephyr.”
Zephyr sighed.
“Oh, I know, Maelstrom. Everything is my fault. I understand. It won’t happen again.” Zephyr left the room.
Maelstrom bellowed after his star flyer.
“IT HAD BETTER NOT!”
Maelstrom turned to his guards, who were pretending not to have heard the exchange.
“Let’s be off. I need to return to my tent for a status report.”