//------------------------------// // Shattered Dreams // Story: Dreams with Wings // by Harmony_Blue //------------------------------// Chapter 2 Dreams are more than words, more than trying. Dreams are going to the absolute limits. Grabbing every moment and taking every chance. Dreams aren’t simple. It’s a climb that never ends and sometimes, we fall. The afternoon breeze played with Rainbows mane, sliding it across her face causing her to stir. The sun pushed its' way pass her eyelids. She resisted the best she could, but knowing she lost the battle she slowly opened her eyes to a bronze sky. "That was awesome." Rainbow managed to say through a yawn. She stretched, reaching out as far as her forelegs would allow. She rolled over and peeked over the edge of her cloud she could see that the cloud had drifted a little to the edge of Everfree Forest and just over her shy pegasus friends cottage. At the bottom of the hill leading to her home was the pegasus mentioned, refilling feeders in trees along the road. "Perfect. Applejack said something about Fluttershy needing to talk to me. Tank needs shell wax too." Rainbow leaped off the edge, spread her wings, and glided the short distance to her friend landing behind her. The pink-maned yellow coated mare was humming a gentle tune as she lifted the bag of seed to the feeders. Birds of all sorts were either eating, flying around her or chirping along with the gentle soul. She was so into her little world she had no idea Rainbow was behind her. "Sup Fluttershy." Said Rainbow. She had to blink a few times cause where the yellow mare once was, was now vacant aside from a few leaves and the bird seed that seem to float for a split second before falling. "Uhh Fluttershy you there?" A few leaves fell from the tree in front of her. Rainbow Dash floated over to the tree, looking up at one of the branches which seemed to be......shaking? "Ugh Fluttershy. It’s me, Rainbow Dash. You know, your friend since flight school and the most awesome pegasus you know.” A pair of soft blue eyes peeked over the branch. Scanning the area carefully, she spotted Rainbow next to the tree hovering a few feet off the ground. “Oh my.” She whispered before flapping her wings and floating down to her impatient friend. ”I’m sorry Rainbow. You scared me.” “Me and everything else.” Rainbow said playfully . “Anyway how’s it hanging?” “Um I’m fine and yourself?” Rainbow thought about the letter for a second. As much as she wanted to forget about it, it just seemed to scratching at the back of her mind. Fluttershy was one of her closest friends and although quiet, she always had time to listen to her friends. “Well, I got a reply from the Wonderbolts.” “That’s wonderful Rainbow.” “Yeah if you call being second rate wonderful” said Rainbow as she walked pass Fluttershy. She fell on her haunches by the side of the road, lifting her head to look at the sky. “I’m sorry but what do you mean? You’re a member right?” Fluttershy said tilting her head. “I was put in the Reserves Fluttershy. You know, the Wonderbolts that get no action. The Wonderbolts with just enough skill to get in, but not enough to actually be first call to preform or do rescue work. “Rainbow felt a tightness in her chest and a fire building in her heart. Fluttershy had long come to her friends side, listening faithfully. “I’ve put so much time, blood, sweat and tears into my training. The broken bones. The torn muscles. The days I woke to find I couldn’t move cause I overworked myself. I pushed myself to limits that would scare most flyers. I pulled off tricks that some of the Wonderbolts could only dream of doing.” The pain was evident in her voice as Rainbow spoke. “I know I brag and show off a lot but in this case it’d, honestly be an epic search to find anypony who put themselves through the training I do everyday.” Rainbow dug her hoof into the dirt. The fire in her was burning hotter with every word. “Joining the Wonderbolts wasn’t simply sign up, do some loop de loops, and you’re in. No there’s a long and intense process. There’s the application with an essay (who knew). You do a tryout alone and then if your awesome enough that your called back in, there’s BraveBolt a four day camp where your pushed to your absolute limits and even farther beyond. Nothing but elbow grease, steel nerves and every bit of awesome you can muster. They need ponies that can handle any situation big or small. We flew through rain, snow and hail. We flew until our wings burned and could barely stand on our own.After all that who was the only one who could walk back to her bed? Me.” Words were pouring out of her like rain from a cloud. Her anger was an endless thunderstorm. “I helped save Equestria from eternal darkness, help stop a freaking god of chaos and fought an army of changelings. I don’t know too many ponies who can say they did even one of those. I’m over qualified if anything.” Rainbow closed her eyes and hung her head. The storm had stopped and she was tired. Fluttershy was silent for a few seconds. She knew what she wanted to say but just wanted her friend to calm down a bit before speaking. “I believe everyone knows how hard you train and how much talent you have. Umm you should just go see them and ask why you were put in the reserves, that’s if you don’t mind I mean.” Fluttershy hid behind her mane and kicked the dirt a little. “And there’s always Soarin.” Rainbow Dash heart skipped a beat. Soarin….her coltfriend. Her stallion. Rainbow smirked, thinking of how they had met. After Bravebolt there’s a huge party at the castle for all who participated. Everyone ate, drank and met the Wonderbolts, all hoping to get some one on one time with the flight team. Rainbow had been lucky to run into Soarin at the punch table. They talked for hours on end about new tricks and flight techniques and drank as much to match. Getting bored with the party and getting more bold they decided to venture around the castle a bit. She doesn’t remember how but they somehow ended up making out in the hallway. They picked a random room and disappeared into it. The next morning they awoke in each other arms and in a dark room. When the door opened a very passive Celestia stood there for a few seconds before closing the door to her closet door again. After that Rainbow and Soarin kept talking and eventually began a relationship. Rainbow hated to admit it, but she didn’t care about being lovey dovey when it came to him. She was always happy around him and love to fly alongside him. Whenever she got to see him that is. Due to his work they don’t get to see each other much. He’d cancel a lot because one thing or another came up or was just too tired. but Rainbow didn’t care. All she wanted was him and the sky. “I don’t want to run to Soarin every time something doesn’t go my way. I can handle it on my own.” Rainbow said with a stomp. “You don’t have to ask him to fix it. Just maybe listen to you and give a little insight on the problem?” Rainbow didn’t say anything for a few seconds. She thought about what Fluttershy was saying and it made sense. And besides, she did want to see Soarin. It’d been about two and a half weeks since they last flew together. He seemed like he was always busy lately. “Well I do want to see him anyway. He owes me a race that I intend to win.” “That’s great. Ummm.. let him know I said hello, if you don’t mind I mean.” Fluttershy said while picking up the birdseed. “No problem.” Rainbow began flapping her wings and kicked off the ground. Stopping just above the tree line, she looked back. “By the way Applejack said you wanted to talk to me.” “Oh I’m sorry. I just wanted to ask if you wanted to come to my sleepover tonight. It’s been quite a while since we all got together.” Fluttershy finished filling the feeder and looked up at Rainbow. “So far everyone is coming.” “Count me in. I might be a little late but I’ll be there.” “Okay I’ll let the girls know”. Rainbow again looked to the sky, her mind bursting with thoughts of seeing her love Soarin. The letter and its contents forgotten under said thoughts. She flew with a smile towards Canterlot, as the sun set beside her. ------------------------------------------- The night is quiet, save a few hoots and cricket chirps. Leaves danced hand in hand with the light breeze in a dance that only the two involved could possibly understand. The only light was a few lit lamp posts placed every so-so feet apart. Ponyville is in a peaceful slumber, all bodies at rest and minds in their own worlds of happiness. Only a few residents were awake at this point, and one of them was still at the park. Spike had waited. He waited till the moon was high in the sky. He waited till the morning glories closed up for the night and the fireflies began to play. He didn’t want to believe she stood him up. “Rarity would never stand me up. She’s never missed a date when it’s set. It’d be rude and unladylike.” Spike whispered through a sob. He looked at the sky’s reflection in the lake. “But I’m here alone, looking stupid and hoping for something that’s not going to happen.” Why did she not come? Did I miss something? Was I not worth it? Spike asked himself over and over. He looked around the park and saw nothing but a lamp post or two flickering in the night. He looked back at the lake, sobbed a little and nothing more. He wanted to get up and go home, but something made him stay. Was it the tiny microscopic chance she’ll show up or just the fact that he was weak from crying. He didn’t know or care. He just knew he was alone and it hurt. To top it off his back began to ache. He just looked at the moon in the lake again, and then to the sky where the original hung. He stared at it. It was comforting. ‘The moon and the stars don’t hurt.’ he thought. They were so high in the sky that nothing could hurt them. The sky. Its vastness and freedom was unnoticed by most. But right now it was the center of Spikes attention. Everything was free up there. So much space to do what you want and go wherever you want. Getting away from anything was a possibility. After a few minutes of thought and debating with himself, he stood up and began putting things away. When he got to the Sky Diamond roses he felt something. Anger? Sorrow? He paid it no mind and simply put them back in there box, slipping the box into his bag and throwing the bag over his shoulder. “Rarity…” “You are quite the gentlemen.” Spike spun around at the sound of this familiar voice. It sounded far but he knew that voice. His heart began to beat faster as he let himself be filled to the brim with excitement. After a second of scanning he found what he was looking for and his heart broke into what could be described as more pieces then you could count. Down the path that lined the lake was a mare with the most gorgeous white coat a pony (or dragon) could lay eyes on, rivaling even Celestia's. The mares mane and tail was a matching set of purple curls that bounced ever so gently with each step. Her eyes pools of gentle blues that washed over you as you peered into them. She was wearing a light blue dress that matched the light blue diamonds on her flank. Seeing her isn’t what broke him. It was seeing the tall grey stallion with slicked back hair standing beside her that did it. He sported a bit with a dollar sign in it as a cutie mark. “But I must know. How did you get us a table in such a restaurant. The reservation list for Refined Tastes was booked for months. It's simply impossible to get reservations on such short notice." Rarity said, her words laced with curiosity. "Not when you own the business. That is but one of my many businesses, all of which I'm proud to say are thriving. Success is a beautiful thing. Much like the mare beside me.” "Oh Mister Bits flattery will get you everywhere." The white mare said fluttering her eyes. "Why don't we start with your lips" The tall stallion reached out a hoof that Rarity took with a smile. “Gladly.” Said Rarity as she let herself be pulled closer. As they locked lips Spikes tiny pieces of heart turn to dust. He couldn’t breath. He couldn’t move. His mind was everywhere and his heart felt non-existent. They parted lips and started at each other for a few seconds. “Mind if I escorted you home my dear Rarity.” “That would be divine” Rarity said as she leaned against him. They walked along the path and right pass Spike without a glance. They had no idea he was there. They exited the park without another word lost in each other’s presence. Spike stood there for seconds that felt like centuries. Words wouldn’t come and thoughts wouldn’t settle. He looked to the sky and a gasped for air. He hurt too much. He wanted to disappear. “I want to be up there. I want to be away from this. This pain and shattered heart. I want to leave it all behind and take to the sky.” Spike finally spoke aloud. He hunched over as a sharp pain struck his back. “I hate this. I just want to be away from the ground. Away from hurt. Away from Rarity.” He clutched his chest and dropped to his knees. Tears began running again. He bit down on nothing. Smoke was coming from his nostrils and a bit from between his teeth. His back felt like it was being stabbed hundreds of times. It was tight and unbearable. “I want to escape!” Spike roared. A loud sound of tearing and ripping of flesh was heard. Spike yelled and fell on all fours. He felt something wet and sticky hanging off either side of him. They were heavy whatever they were. He looked back at the sky paying them no mind. All he cared about in his broken state was escaping the cold, empty void in his chest. The things on his back seemed to hear his plea. They raised high in the air and pushed down hard. Slow at first and then speeding up a bit. After a second or two Spike knelt a little and kicked off the ground. Why? He didn’t know. Seem he didn’t know a lot of things recently. What he did know was that he didn’t feel the ground. He knew he felt wind on his face and saw the clouds get a little closer. It was overwhelming. These thing were taking him to the sky and away from his pain. “Do it” Spike yelled. The things on his back pumped harder and harder. The clouds approached and passed and all that was in front of was the glowing orb and specks of light. Stopping above the clouds, the things on his back beat at a steady pace, keeping him suspended in the air. “Rarity, why? I loved you so much. I would have climbed any mountain just to see your smile. Swam across any sea to hear your lovely voice. Fought any army no matter how vast just to hold your hoof. Heaven, Hell, anything in Equestria I’d brave it all to hold you in these arms. So why?” Spike tried to wipe the tears his eyes, but they kept coming. This was something he couldn’t understand. Not the tears but the heart break. Spike was silent for a while. He kept hearing something. Looking around he saw nothing. Listening closer he noticed it was behind him. Turning his head a fraction he saw a large object, no a wing beating up and down. “So you two got me up here. ….Thanks.” Spike felt light-headed. He eyes shut once and opened them. The sky seemed farther then before. They closed again and opened. Even farther, was he falling? He closed his eyes again. When he opened them again he was on the ground again, facing the lake. He saw the moon reflecting in it. Reaching for it he felt weak. He couldn’t resist any longer. He fell face first into the grass. Welcoming the slumber, finding peace in its arms. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Luna’s moon sat in the sky, confident and strong. It knew it wasn’t going anywhere for hours and seemed to glow brighter at this fact. It ruled the night sky and alongside its faithful shining citizens. It was a beautiful sight. Too bad Rainbow Dash paid it no mind. Rainbow had been flying for about an hour non-stop since her talk with Fluttershy. She was excited. She was on her way to see he coltfriend and to get some answers at the same time. She mostly wanted to get a chance to hang out and maybe spend the night. She liked the feeling of having a warm body next to her as she slept. The thought of it made her want to fly faster just so she could be there already. After a few minutes of quiet flight and nice daydreams she could see a sparkling in the distance. She was finally at the city. Canterlot was a bright and beautiful city, day or night. As Rainbow Dash flew over the city she couldn’t help but admire the life and energy the city had within it. It had to be well past 10 o’clock, yet ponies were out and about like it was midday. Shops were still open and music of every kind could be heard from here and there. She watched as a an earth pony chef dazzled a crowd of ponies with grace and precision at a Teppanyaki style restaurant ( note: Teppanyaki is when food is made on a hot plate right in front of you. Usually has lots of tricks and blade work). She looked to her right and watched as ponies danced at a club on top a roof. A white unicorn she recognized as DJ-PON3 was head banging as she spun tracks. It always stopped her in her tracks to see the huge and diverse city. Yea there were a lot of stuck up, snotty ponies but there was so much more if you looked in the right places. Rainbow continued to admire the sights as she flew towards her destination. When the castle was in view she landed at its front gate and walked up to the guards. “Hey guys. I know it’s late but you mind if I go see Soarin in the Wonderbolt quarters?” One of the guards pushed one of the gates doors open. “Of course miss Dash. As an Element of Harmony your permitted on castle grounds at any time for any reason. Princess orders.” The green earth pony step to the side to let her in. Rainbow Dash walked down the path and into the mighty castle. The times she did come to see Soarin before she learned the way to the barracks by heart and was there in a minute or so. She came to a door with a winged lightning bolt on it. She stopped in front of it and looked at it hard. She’d come through these doors plenty of times before with Soarin but this time she was walking through them a member. A reserve member but a member. Lifting a hoof to the handle and pushing it open. What happened next shocked her. She walked into a wall of silence. The room wasn’t empty, quite the opposite. The huge room was the lounge. It had a large couch surrounding a table. The walls were line with all forms of entertainment from radios to pinball machines to large bookshelves loaded with books. They even had an workout area. All the items were being used by one pony or another, but the moment she stepped in all eyes were in her. “Uh, hey guys. How’s it hanging?” a nervous Rainbow Dash said. Everypony either went back to what they were doing or simply avoiding looking at Rainbow. It was getting awkward to be in the same room with them. Why was everypony ignoring her? Any other time she came here with Soarin they were quick to say hi and treat her as one of team. Rainbow Dash walked over to the table, approached a dark grey Pegasus who was reading a book. “Hiya Lightning Streak. What’s up?” He looked up and quickly looked everywhere but at her. Realizing what he did, he began scratching his yellow mane and looked back down at his book. “Nothing much, just reading a book.” He said nervously. “Yeah I see that. What’s up with everypony? Is everything okay?” “Yeah great. Now if you don’t mind I need to get back to this book.” Lightning Streak said as he practically put his face through the book. Rainbow Dash was long pass nervous and well into annoyed now. She took another look around. Why were they trying so hard to snub her. From the looks on some of their faces, they felt bad, almost ashamed. Ashamed of what they were doing or ashamed for something else. Rainbow stopped caring when she tried to look another Wonderbolt in the face and they turned faster than the Wonderbolt speed record. “So any reason your all being annoying jerks!?!” Rainbow surprised herself. These were her idols, who she looked up to and admired since she was a filly. She couldn’t help but feel bad about what she just said, but she wasn’t taking it back. They were treating her like she “When you all are done being uncool, come talk to me. I’m going to see Soarin” She leaped into the air and floated over to the hallway leading to the bedrooms. Just as she was about to round the corner somepony grabbed her hoof and yanked her back. “That’s not a good idea……he’s tired. Yeah that’s right he’s exhausted from training all day. He needs the rest. Deserves it in fact.” The icy maned mare was anxious and seemed desperate. Things Rainbow noticed and paid mind to. “If he’s as tired as you say he is, he’ll be glad to see his marefriend. Now let go Fleetfoot.” Rainbow yanked away and hovered a little higher, only to bump in to a group of the famous Pegasus. Lightning Streak came out of the group and stop right in front of Rainbow Dash. He looked her straight in the face. In his eyes was something Rainbow recognized and hated. There was a pool of pity in his eyes. He lifted a hoof to her shoulder and opened his mouth like he was going to speak. He stopped and glanced over at the others, most of which nodded. Some just hung there heads. He looked back at Rainbow, took a deep breath and tighten his grip on her shoulder. “Soarin doesn’t want to see you right now.” Rainbow stared at him for a a good minute. She lifted her hoof and pushed his off of her. She floated back a couple feet and looked at everypony around her. “I have no idea how what the buck is going on, but if you don’t move the hay out of my way, I’m going through all of you.” “I know what I’m saying is out of nowhere and most likely confusing but you have to understand that were trying to help you. Going to that room now is just not a good idea right now. We can’t say why, that’s for Soarin to say, but we don’t want you to get hurt.” Lightning Streak was trying his best to get Rainbow to listen, to no avail. Rainbow’s eyes narrowed. “How in the hay does seeing my stallion hurt me in anyway?” No pony said a thing. “Where’s Spitfire? I need to let her know her team is losing it.” Spit Rainbow. Lightning Streak Looked down and away. Everypony became more anxious and started finding the hallway floors a bit more interesting. “Move.” They looked at her once more. “Move now.” “No Rainbow. We won’t let you do this to yourself.” “Last time. GET THE HELL OUT OF MY WAY!!!” She heard hooves behind her. Closing her eyes, she bent her forelegs, and launched her hind legs from under her with all her might. She connected with what she could tell was a leg. Opening her eyes again she saw a green Pegasus slid pass her with a bent-in leg. Before she could speak Lightning had flown over his injured comrade and tackled Rainbow to the floor. “Calm down.” He said in a still very calm voice. “We don’t wan—ARRRRGG!!” Lightning Streak stumbled backwards holding a bloody nose. Glancing up he saw Rainbow getting up, her forehead leaking. “Was the head-butt needed?” “Move.” Rainbow couldn’t believe it. She couldn’t get it right in her head to save her life. Was she really going to fight the Wonderbolts. Her idols, her dreams and wishes. She had already struck two of them. He she was ready to take them all. She didn’t understand that that while she admired them, she loved Soarin and that’s why she was doing this. All she knew was that they were between her and him. “You’re a fellow Wonderbolt and a friend. We just don’t want to see you hurt.” Fleetfoot said. Before she could say anything else, she felt her hooves leave from under her. She fell unharmed but stunned. Rainbow continued her rush forward. Two stallion pegasus landed in front of her. She looked at them with a dragon’s rage in her eyes. She pumped her wings and shot forward with unbelievable speed. Before he could react the one on the left had a hoof digging in his jaw. She pushed off his face and spun bringing the back of her hind leg atop his head. She was heading off down the hallway before he hit the ground. She made a hard left and bolted down the hall pass a few doors. She slowed down, and came to a complete halt 8 doors in. Looking at the door it said in blue and gold Soarin and under it was Co-captain. Her heartbeat was intense. She was breathing was hard. She was finally going to get some answers. Why the reserves, why was everyone acting weird and how in the hay was he going to hurt her. Grabbing the doorknob and giving it a twist, she gently pushed the door open. The sound of music flooded out of the room and all in her ears. She could barely hear the beating of wings behind her and the shouts of the Pegasus she left behind. She stepped inside the dark room and squinted. She could see movement in his bed. “Soa—“ “SOARIN!!!” a voice from the shadows shouted. It was shaking. Almost trembling with ecstasy. ‘Was that. No, your hearing things Rainbow. It’s cool he’d never.’ She thought. “Don’t you, uhh, finish before meehhhh!!!” came the voice again. “Spitfire?” “This isn’t a race and if it was, I’m not trying to win.” “Good, now show your Captain what you can do.” Rainbow heard enough. She reached for the light and flicked it on. In front of her was her stallion leaning over somepony. Poking out of the sheets was a fiery mane that Rainbow knew better than she wanted to at the moment. The two in their moment of passionate indulgence didn’t realize the room was light, not right away anyway. They continued their act in front of Rainbow, who couldn’t move due to an potent mix of rage, hurt and despair. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to rush full speed at Soarin’s neck or break the spectrum barrier against Spitfire’s face. Her heart was cold. It was broken. She didn’t want to put it together. It was too painful. After a few more seconds of the act Soarin opened his eyes and noticed the brighter surroundings. “Guys, I said I wanted some alone time for a reason.” He turned his head and looked at the pony standing just inside the door. It was dead silent in the room. Maybe all of the castle grounds. You could hear Celestia’s mane sway in this deep silence. Spitfire lifted her head off the bed and looked at what Soarin found more interesting then her at the moment. Upon setting eyes on the mare with the death glare, she broke the silence with a simple but understandable “Buck.” ------------------------------------------------------- Sometimes we fall. We limp, we cry, we hurt. But we get up and push on. Because we want it and will have it. But there are times when we can’t pick ourselves up. When we crash too hard. What do we do then? ------------------------------------------------------- A/N: I want to start by saying i have nothing against the Wonderbolts. I like them alot really. I also want to say that i know this one take longer then i said it would and i'm sorry. I'm in a point in my life where things are everywhere but where I want it to be. Being 21 sucks. Anyway i hope your enjoying the story so far. Remember, smile, smile smile.