"Then I said that she was not carrying on her promises, to which she just left!"
"Interesting."
"I know she wasn't happy with me siding with her cousin, but I wasn't really trying to talk her out of it. Nor I was taking Spitfire's side! I don't understand how could she even think I would do that! I literally left them to join her team!"
"It really is strange."
"I tried to explain it to her, but she was so upset. I couldn't get a word in, she just flew back to her house. I followed after her but she just banged the door on my face."
"Tough luck."
"Urgh! Do you have any useful input to offer at all?"
"Yeah, stop talking. I'm trying to check your teeth and your incessant tongue is getting in the way."
Thunderlane merely frowned before complying with Minuette's request/order. It has been only a few hours since Dust left him hanging at her doorstep.The stallion struggled to understand what he did wrong, and with nopony else left to talk (Cloud Chaser was off town and Star Hunter went on a trip to Las Pegasus with few friends) he found himself talking with no other than his appointed (and only available) dentist.
Sure, he could've looked for Cloud Kicker, but the mare, according to reliable sources, was spending her 'quality time' somewhere else. Thunderlane, with nopony else to look for and vent off, decided that Minuette was the only pony he would be able to share the situation without having to worry about unnecessary gossip. Yet, the consult proved the be rather one sided in terms of dialogue, to which the stallion was starting to feel a bit upset about.
Not the he could really argue much, it was hard to understand what the mare was saying while she was using a mask.
"Now, you look as good as always, keep it up. Kinda wondering why you even decided to come, doesn't seem there's anything wrong with your teeth." She pondered while using her horn to produce a magical ball of light to provide a better look into the inside of the stallion's mouth. "You came here just to have a talk, didn't you?"
Thunderlane moaned in agreement, not sure if he could speak or not. The mare merely rolled her eyes before lowering the mask off her face.
"Alright, you're clear. What do you expect me to say? I'm not really seeing anypony, I'm not exactly an expert on relationships or anything of the sort."
"I know... that." Thunderlane slowly replied, he caressed the side of his head, feeling a bit sore after having his mouth open for so long. "I just feel lost at times when it comes about the way Lightning react to things. I still don't think she's been truthful about lots of things, especially her issues with Rainbow Dash. I get that feeling she still resents Dash in some way, but I cannot really bring it up without her getting annoyed and just evading the problem. Even after the talk we had while Rainbow was at my house didn't really feel enough."
"Well, I know it's hard to let go of certain things. From what I know, I too would be upset if a pony ended up ruining my chances at doing something I wanted for so long." Minuette started, her hooves busy as she starting organizing her tools back into place. "I cannot say why Lightning avoids being honest about her feelings on the matter, but I think that's just something you won't be able to help with at all. That's between her and Rainbow Dash."
Thunderlane nodded slowly, although it wasn't a comforting idea to let Dust deal with Rainbow on her own. It could end up badly for both of them, especially Lightning.
"I guess, but I rather help her if I can, we are together, I just don't want her to make a mistake that will cost her so much again."
Minuette chuckled, looking somewhat pleased as she made her way around a table, gathering several papers on her way before looking back at the stallion.
"You know, I'm really glad you finally found somepony. All the rumors about you were starting to get irritating, especially whenever I had one of the loud mouths in my clinic just spouting nonsense about you. I known you well enough to know every little stupid thing that they said wasn't true, but it's not like I can prove it or that they would listen anyway." She said, looking exasperated at the memory of those encounters. "I swear the worst of them was Blossomforth, she wouldn't stop whinnying about you not being... pfff, straight as she expected."
Thunderlane grinned, looking somewhat pleased by the news.
"Well, I guess not everypony can get what they want. Besides, I really wasn't fond of the idea of dating anypony around here. It's just... I don't know. I've known every one of them for so long. It would've been odd. At least that's how I feel about it." Minuette snorted.
"Oh my Celestia, you're not one of those types that romanticize about love at first sight, are you?" Thunderlane's face reddened considerably.
"It wasn't first sight!" He replied quickly, feeling quite annoyed and slightly embarrassed. "I knew her since flight camp, I just didn't see her for a long time. She... didn't change much from what I remember, but..." The stallion paused, his mind suddenly racing through a chain of thoughts he hadn't crossed before.
"What?" Minuette asked, noticing the strange pause. Thunderlane shook his head slowly.
"I...back then... she was very much the competitive type as she is now. At the Academy... she looked just as those days back then, but now that I think of it... she doesn't seem to have that spark of joy as she did before. Whenever I see her fly, she just looks so serious, nowhere as excitable or happy as she used to. It's... it's like she just flies with a purpose, but there's no thrill behind the mere feeling of flying." Minuette stared at him, looking very confused.
"I'm... not really sure what that's supposed to mean." Thunderlane nodded slowly.
"Yes, because you're an unicorn, I can't really expect you to get it right away." He replied to which the mare got slightly annoyed.
"Care to explain then, Mr. Pegasus?" She retorted with a touch of mockery. Thunderlane chuckled as he realized that the mare took a bit of offense at his words.
"Alright, alright, I don't mean to offend anypony." He said gently enough. Minuette nodded. "Well, as hard as it is to describe, do you like using magic?"
"Uh, yeah, of course. What unicorn doesn't?" The mare replied, puzzled at such question.
"Well, do you enjoy using magic?"
"Yes, I do. I makes my life way easier, and it's fun to use it at times." Minuette let out a chuckle as memories came by. "Ahn, the first magic spells I did, those were truly amazing days. I don't think I would ever get tired of it."
"Hmm, how would you feel if suddenly you only used magic cause you needed? Not for just the sake of having joy of using it?"
"Errr, I think... okay? I don't really go around doing spells in my free time for fun." She replied, looking uncertain. Thunderlane raised an eyebrow.
"Why not? Don't you enjoy doing it?"
"Well, yeah, but... it's... been a while since I thought of it." She admitted, only just realizing that the stallion was onto something. "I don't remember using them aside work or cooking, and the occasional weight lifting. "I don't really remember when was the last time I tried new spells or just used ones with great visual effects. Perhaps last time was Heart's Warming a few years back..."
Minuette frowned. It never came to her that her life have gotten so dull in regards to the use of her own magic. She was always obsessing with making creative things with her spells, but she couldn't recall the last time she took time off to play around with them.
"I think I'm getting to understand what you're trying to say, but how is that affecting Lightning? I don't see how being a Washout would make her life dull in regards to flying." Thunderlane chuckled, but there wasn't much humor on it.
"Well, I remember she was always the competitive type, desperate to prove herself in all crazy possible ways, no challenge was ever too great that she wouldn't take it, even as a filly. She was very much the same at the Academy, but far more direct with how she wanted to dictate her flying style, to the point that Rainbow's hesitation went unnoticed. Yet, ever since we've been around each other, I just don't see that spark of challenge anymore. She just looks content with being a Washout, but there's barely any trace of that mare that would always compete to get ahead of everypony else. She just... don't seem to care about competing anymore. The Washouts, yeah, they are giving the Wonderbolts a really good run for their money, but Dust doesn't seem to take that as a personal challenge either, for her it's just a consequence of working with individuals that have a different approach in regards to how they face danger itself."
"Okayyyyy, and is that a bad thing because...? For me it sounds like you're just describing Rainbow Dash, but a Rainbow that doesn't crash everywhere and ruins somepony's house."
"But Rainbow didn't change." The stallion replied with a touch of frustration. "Rainbow still goes about being daring and hyper about anything that regards flying, her ego has no limits. Lightning... doesn't seem to have an ego at all, it just... vanished."
"Again, is that bad?"
"That's the thing, Minuette. I don't know. Something doesn't feel right about it."
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"Fancy seeing you here Lightning, I don't think I have any spots open for anypony on the team right now, but feel free to apply whenever you can, I will keep you posted when we get a vacant-
"Yeah, yeah, nice joke and all Kicker. Where's Thunderlane?"
"Huh, not here? Well, I shouldn't really be here either, I just came back from a rather.... eventful date."
"Was it worthy?"
"Somewhat, I'm really unsure about... well, it's the same issue you had with Thunderlane."
Lightning raised an eyebrow, looking back at the purple mare with a touch of humor. She just came back at Ponyville after a much needed cool down. Meeting Spitfire would always be taxing on her nerves, but the morning had been particularly demanding for her, especially with the unhappy meeting with her cousin. She was already on the verge of losing her head after having to deal with both Spitfire and Thunderlane getting on her case, but she felt she didn't act fairly towards the stallion, even more so when he chased her all the way back to her house, only for her to slam the door on his face. She was hopeful she would find Thunder still at work, but it clearly wasn't the case.
"Well, damn. I was hoping I could find him, I kinda went a bit overboard back at the Wonderbolt HQ. Spitfire was stressing the Tartarus out of me."
"Hmm, I hear you. Thunderlane is probably at his house, I heard he was looking for me earlier, dunno why. You should find him there quickly enough." Lightning nodded in agreement, she couldn't think of anywhere else the stallion would be at.
"Thanks, catch up wit-
"Hey, what you're doing here?"
Dust groaned in despair, of all times, this wasn't the one she wanted to be facing Rainbow Dash. She looked back at the newcomer with disdain. Rainbow was still wearing her Wonderbolt suit, something that made Dust even more annoyed.
"Asking stuff around, see ya later." Lightning quickly replied, but as soon she made her way to the door Rainbow stood on her way, blocking the exit effectively. "Hey, what gives?! Screw off Dash!"
Cloud Kicker, whose attention was slipping back to her own matters at the office desk, quickly raised her eyes towards the duo, looking rather concerned about what was happening. Rainbow stood defiantly while looking back at Lightning, her eyes betrayed no emotion.
"Why did you refuse to join back to the Wonderbolts?" She asked, sounding somewhat angry and slightly disappointed. "It was your chance! There won't be another at all, why?! It isn't what you wanted? I know you did!"
"Again, you don't know shit about me, what does it matter to you? I made it clear where I stand regarding them." Dust replied, anger rising on her voice aswell, she was not having any of this right now. "I'm a... well, we might have to change the name, but... whatever I am now, it doesn't have anything to do with the Wonderbolts."
Rainbow looked perplexed for a moment, as if she couldn't really believe Lightning's words at all.
"But... we will be working side by side from now on, why it matters so much what colors we will be wearing, you still could do the same things you do, but as a Wonderbolt! You... can't just give that up."
Lightning felt something inside of her snap all of sudden. The fact that Rainbow Dash, of all ponies, has the audacity to say something like that to her.
"YOU ARE NOPONY TO SAY WHAT I SHOULD DO OR NOT, WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO TELL ME SUCH THINGS!"
Rainbow immediately flinched back as she was shouted at indiscriminately. Cloud Kicker raised from her seat, trotting slowly towards them with extreme worry. Lighting just looked so incredibly mad at this point, it made the cyan mare fearful for a moment.
"YOU." Lightning pointed a hoof her way, nothing but venom on her voice. "YOU RUINED THE ONLY CHANCE I HAD, CAUSE YOU ARE A FUCKING LYING BACKSTABBING BITCH!"
Rainbow, despite the slightly scare, wouldn't let that one slide so easily.
"What?! I did what it was right to do! You're the one who was getting everypony in danger! How I lied to you?! You simply didn't seem to care that you put my friends in danger!"
"You mean, US!?" Lightning quipped with a sneer. "Cause last I checked I wouldn't have done half the harm that was made without your help, or should I say, my fucking wingpony."
"I knew it was wrong! But you didn't seem to care, despite me tellin y-
"When?! When did you ever, once in that FUCKING time, told me it was wrong?! When it was already too late?! When all the fucking field was a goner!? We've been a duo for two days! You had PLENTY of time to tell me what you thought of it! At the time I would've been upset or disappointed with you, yes!" Dusty admitted, taking a deep breath before continuing. "But... I would've listened anyways, because if it meant us keeping being friends.... I wanted that as much as I wanted to be a Wonderbolt."
Rainbow opened her mouth to argue, but she couldn't really think of a way to paint that argument on her favor without sounding completely selfish. Dust looked genuinely sad, despondent even. Yet, that appearance quickly faded away, replaced by renewed hatred.
"I kept telling myself for years that what happened wasn't really your fault but Spitfire's lack of competence in regards to how she dealt with that event, but YOU never fucking cared to see me gone either! All this time went by and it never went through that empty head of yours what could've been of me. I could be dead on a dark pitch somewhere and you wouldn't even care to know, because ponies like me don't get the same privileges somepony like you does."
Cloud Kicker, who was patiently observing the heated argument, immediately perked her ears as she realized where Lightning was taking this conversation.
"Lightning, don't." Kicker warned severely. Dust glanced at her with disdain.
"What?! She could use some truths, may help her realize how ungrateful she is to what she has and deserves none of it!"
"What?" Rainbow wasn't sure what was going on, but she could feel that Lightning was about to get onto something really personal, especially if it made Kicker this worried.
"Let me ask you Rainbow Dash, do you really think you would've made it this far in life if it wasn't for the likes of Princess Twilight and you Bearer status? You think you would be important enough for somepony to care for your well being and happiness? Your family surely, they are crazy but they look after you. Yet, I don't think I've heard many nice things of ponies in this town regarding you at all. Fuck, looks likes you have been setting Academy incidents on a constant basis around here. Not to mention a certain incident with a Weather Factory..."
Rainbow froze, her eyes widening in shock as Dust reminded her of that shameful incident. Even Kicker looked surprised that the mare found out about it.
"Now that wouldn't do any good for your career, isn't that right?" Lightning said with a touch of sarcasm. "Imagine that, Worderbolt newbie sets an entire factory into disarray and ends up gravely injuring several ponies. Lucky nopony died though, how terrible it would've been if that made the news that day."
A silence fell over the room at those words, Rainbow was looking terrified while Kicker anxious. Lightning eyed both of them warily. Dust scratched a hoof under her chin, looking very uninterested but sounding intrigued at the same time.
"Now how that didn't happen? I know something like an entire town being buried under a ton of snow and ponies injured would've been a hit all across Equestria. Yet, it's almost like it didn't happen. Makes you think, how is that possible? It would take some serious power and influence to keep the news quiet, isn't that right?"
"Dusty." Kicker pleaded, already aware of what was going to be said. Lightning ignored her.
"Now tell me, Dash, where would you be if not for your precious friends, friends that tend to sit on rather high places in this world, what would you do without them? Oh, right. A dungeon is most likely. Out of a job, for sure. Marked as somepony dangerous, untrustworthy, to be avoided. Yeah, that would've sucked, isn't that right? Imagine spending the rest of your life as an outcast, what a tragic tale and terrible way to end."
Dust chuckled bitterly, her eyes finding Rainbow's, who stood speechless at she looked back at the other mare with fright.
"But, hey. It's not like it would matter if I told anypony, pretty sure Twilight would make sure I kept silent on the matter, cause... well, you're a good friend of hers after all. I can only imagine how many fuck ups you had and she swept under the rug. Talk about being ruled by such a biased pony, and I thought Spitfire was just an off mark. Pfff, you're all the same, bunch of hypocrites. I knew I should've went to New Mareland, at least the folks there seem the more reasonable kind."
Rainbow couldn't really think of anything to say at that point. Is that what Lightning really thought of her? A pony that was graced cause she has privileges due her status as a Bearer and being close friends with Twilight? It hurt to admit that Dust was right in regards to Twilight covering up for her several times, even when Rainbow felt she didn't deserve it, but nopony never went on about how one sided those decisions were, except for Thunderlane perhaps.
"You always have everything a pony could dream of, at least a pegasus." Dust continued, not really caring to spare them any thought. "A great house, great friends, great jobs, and quite gifted at what you like to do best. Yet, that wasn't enough, you always wanted to be a the top of everything, even at the expense of others. I've learned a fair share of things not only from Thunderlane, but the likes of Chaser, Hunter, Helia, a few of your Wonderbolt colleagues, and Kicker over here."
Rainbow stared back at Cloud Kicker, feeling hurt and regret clouding her face. Yet, Kicker seemed unashamed at being appointed as one of the ponies to talk about it behind her back.
"Yes, I'm afraid I did. Cause... it's true. It's one of the reasons me and Rainbow are not really talking right now." The mare said, looking away from Rainbow in an effort to ignore her presence. Dash felt smaller and smaller as time went by.
"As that may be, I really don't understand what you're trying to accomplish here, when will it ever be enough for you?! Until you have no friends left but those that need you because of the Element of Loyalty? Did it ever went by your big head that NOPONY would give a shit about you if not for what you represent? Equestria would be fucked without the Elements, that much anypony can agree with. Is not like there's any belief that Celestia is worth any hope at this point in regards to keeping us safe."
"Lightning, limits." Kicker advised angrily. Dust shrugged.
"Fine, no touching your Royal Brightness. You get the point anyway. As for me not wanting to be a Wonderbolt? Why would I want to be? Thunder gave up on them to join my team. Where he goes, I go. So I really have zero reason to think about changing sides at this point. What were you expecting, that we would be tagging along and become friends again?" Dust asked, a smirk on her face due the ridiculousness of the idea.
Yet, much to her surprise and frustration, Rainbow Dash nodded meekly.
"You cannot be fucking serious, what makes you think I would EVER forgive you for what you've done to me?! Or should I say... what you didn't."
"I thought that, after that talk with Thunder..." Lightning scoffed.
"I made no promises that day, that much I made clear to Thunderlane. I could try to tolerate you, but forgive you? Fuck that. I'm done with thinking we will ever get over what happened. You clearly don't regret it, why should I?"
"You were wrong, I was just doing the ri-
"Would you please just SHUT THE FUCK UP?" Dust imploded. Rainbow again winced, her ears ringing at this point due the shouting.
Nothing was said for some time, a really heavy silence fell on them. Nopony daring to break it for minutes, at least until another pony entered the office moments later.
"Hey! Kicks, I was thinking if you want to go...
Blossomforth paused, taking in on the scene of Kicker, Dust and Rainbow all facing at each other with morbid expressions. She glanced at them briefly, unsure of what was happening before addressing the purple mare again.
"Hum... I will.... come back later... I think... see ya..." She said before flapping his wings and bolting back through the door she came.
Kicker sighed, looking at the other mares with something akin to dismay, before trotting back to her seat.
"Do me a favor, both of you... get the fuck out of my office... and don't come back."