//------------------------------// // Dash is back // Story: Earth and Sky // by Metal Pony Fan //------------------------------// That was interesting. The volumes weren't in order by book number, but rather by number of pages. Meaning the condensed hospital version was volume one. The second and third volumes were books number five and six, both on foal raising. It was a little awkward going through them because of the conversation we just had, but I can say now that I have a whole new appreciation for what the cakes are going through. Book two turned out to be volume four. There was a lot more "normal" information in that book. Things that were really good to know. Things like- "Rainbow! Watch the pan!" I ducked as another pancake burst into flames. Things like the fact that pegasi tend to have naturally shorter attention spans. "Sorry Mac." "It's okay," he dodged the flames to drop a pan lid over the flaming pancake and turned of the stove,"ya only burnt three of'em and the rest are pretty good." "I know." The pancakes came out surprisingly well, and they cooked fast enough that I didn't get too bored waiting for them. "But if you weren't here I would have burned down the farmhouse." He chuckled and started missing up my mane. "Ah doubt that, applebloom and her friends tried to get their cookin' cutie marks in this kitchen. AJ had Twilight put a flameproofin' spell on it, industrial grade one at that." I've seen the results of CMC pastry chefs. "That was good thinking." Mac nodded and smiled wistfully. "Too bad it didn't work." I started looking around the kitchen for signs of scorch marks, but I could only ones I could see were recently made. "What happened?" He shrugged. "We didn't think we had to fire-proof the microwave," "Wow, Mac, that must have-" "or the fridge." "really been something." How do you set a fridge on fire? "It was." He looked up at the clock on the wall. "Ah would tell ya 'bout it, but ya gotta head for the train station." I scarfed down a few of the pancakes and Gave Mac a kiss on the cheek. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were trying to get rid of me." "Eeyup." He smiled and returned the kiss. "The sooner ya finish yer work, the sooner we can have some fun." He dropped his voice to a whisper for the next part. "Ah've got somethin' planned and Ah think you'll like it." "I better. Oh, and tell Granny thanks for letting us use the kitchen, I'll be back soon." "See ya Rainbow," Mac said as I ran out the door. "See ya!" I yelled back. Once I reached the edge of the porch, I spread my wings pushed forward with a mighty flap. I was airborne again, wind in my face and air beneath my hooves. Oh, I've missed this feeling so much, but the temporary loss was worth it compared to everything I've gained. I found love, made a new friend, and reconnected with some friends I already had. I also got some stuff sorted out in my head about the future. I gave a few more flaps to increase my altitude and let myself glide to a nearby cloud. The familiar, cushiony surface sunk just a little as I landed. I walked over to the edge and stared out at the town below. Something about the view from up here, maybe the way everything seems so small, just gets your heart going like nothing else can. Correction, like almost nothing else can. I've found out this out first hoof. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath through my nose, filling my lungs with cold, thin, high-altitude air. I felt a smile form on my face and I felt the sudden urge to shout. So I did. I snapped my eyes open, and focused on the sleepy little town below me. Then, at the top of my lungs, I bellowed, "LOOK OUT PONYVILLE! RAINBOW DASH IS BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER! WHOO!!!" I spread my wings to take of and got hit by a sudden twinge of pain along my wing. Ok, maybe not better than ever. I decided I didn't want to put too much stress on my wing, so I flew to the train station in small bursts. This made the trip a little longer than I anticipated, and by the time I got there, the passengers were unloading. When I found Applejack, she was just getting off the train so I flagged her down. "Yo AJ!" "Howdy Rainbow!" She waved her hat in her hoof so she could be seen more easily. I walked through the crowd to meet her. "Well, yer lookin' mighty happy this morning. What's got ya in such a good mood?" I'm smiling like a foal, but I don't care. "Mac and I are trying to pick out a name for our first foal and he said we should ask you. Any ideas?" "Funny, but Ah ain't got time fer pranks, Dash. Ah've gotta go talk ta Granny, dig a hole for the new tree, and get back here before noon. All while keepin' Pinkie outta the loop. Ah got a message from Twilight that she's bringin' somethin' back from Canterlot 'round noon." "Well, I already dug the hole." You're on your own for the rest of that. "And it's not a prank. Though I can totally see why you would think that." She sighed. "Fine, Ah'll humor ya," she put a hoof to her chin for a moment," Applebreeze, Ah guess, if it's a filly. Works fer a Pegasus or an earth pony." That- That's actually pretty good. "Big Jack if it's a colt," said a voice from above," congratulations by the way." I looked up to see a pale blue Pegasus land on Applejack's back. It's funny, he looks kind of familiar. "Don't you get dragged in," she told him, "she's just pullin' one of her tricks on me." The pegasus flapped his wings to gain altitude and he hovered above Applejack. She looked at me, "if ya wanted me to fall for it, you shoulda just said ya kissed him or somethin'." "I kinda did, a lot." I've seen that stallion before, I know I have. And why are they acting so buddy-buddy. "Too late. I ain't fallin' for it." She looked up at the pegasus. "Applebloom with ya?" "Right here, sis." a yellow hoof waved from behind the Pegasus' dark blue mane. A light blue hoof waved from behind the other side of the mane. "I'm here too." "Why don't ya head off ta the farm," Applejack said to the Pegasus,"I'll follow along." If she trusts him to take care of Applebloom, it's gotta be serious. I was just wondering how serious, when the Pegasus dropped to the ground next to Applejack and kissed her. Right on the lips! Right in the middle of a crowd of ponies! What happened out there in Appleoosa?! "Blecch!" exclaimed Applebloom, "can we just go now?" Yeah, good idea, stop doing that in front of me! "Yeah," said the other pony on his back, a small blue pegasus,"let's go." My heart nearly stopped when I got a good look at the little pegasus. He looked just like Fluttershy's brother did all those years ago. "Ya sure ya wanna do that?" asked the larger Pegasus. I was actively trying to hold back tears now. If he was still alive, Heart would have looked just like this pony. "Yeah!" yelled the two in unison. He shook out his joints and took an exaggerated stance. "All right, prepare for take off. Ready in three, two,-" He was gone. A gust of wind was left in his place. I watched him recede into the distance. He wasn't as fast as I am, but then again, nopony is. But still his speed was better than average and that acceleration was impressive. Heart was never that good at flying, no matter how much I tried to teach him. While Applejack watched them go, I sunk back into the crowd. I was losing the battle against the tears and I didn't want her to see it. I almost bumped into a little unicorn filly who was walking along and holding a piece of paper in front of her with her magic. "I can't believe he signed it!" squealed the filly. I snuck a quick glance at the paper. It was a signed Wonderbolt's poster. That's where I recognize him from, I danced with him at the royal wedding. Applejack's dating Soarin'. My silly head's just dragging up bad memories. You know, in a sad, cruel way, it's sort of funny, Heart always wanted to be a wonderbolt, and he got me wanting it too. Now it turns out that one of them is his exact double and I gave up my chance at the team. I flew to the Cloudsdale weather office, still thinking about old friends and lost chances. Just you wait, Heart. The Wonderbolt's are great and all, but I'm gonna do something better. I don't know what yet, but I'll find something.