//------------------------------// // 18. Showtime // Story: Breaking Barriers // by chief maximus //------------------------------// Chapter 18 - Showtime Rainbow's heart pounded in her throat as she flew. Within the next hour, she would either still be a Wonderbolt, or owe them two million bits—an eighth of which she'd already spent. Cloudsdale appeared on the horizon, sending a jolt of fear down her spine. Mac assured her they wouldn't bring the hammer down, but his flank wasn't on the line. She landed outside the Cloudesium, looking forlornly at the Wonderbolts administrative building. Spitfire's office was only a few paces away, though it might as well have been on top of a mountain. Rainbow swallowed her fear and began trotting towards the building. As she entered, the portraits of all former and current Wonderbolts seemed to follow her down the hallway. Old, faded photographs of the founding members soon became more recent additions to the prestigious group, up until she came upon the last two pictures of herself and Firefly. A vibrant smile beamed back at the pony considering her fate. Rainbow had been overjoyed when the picture was taken. She was only given a few moments to reflect on her brief time as a Wonderbolt before Spitfire's office door swung open, an unamused captain standing in the doorway. "In," Spitfire commanded. "Now." This was it. Rainbow gulped and walked in, standing before Spitfire's desk at attention. They weren't exactly a military organization trained for combat, but they had a chain of command that must be obeyed. Spitfire shut her door and strode behind her desk, taking a seat and glaring at Rainbow for what felt like hours before finally speaking. "So, did you think I wouldn't find out?" she hissed. "Or is endangering the lives of the unborn a hobby of yours?" "Permission to speak freely, Ma'am," Rainbow replied calmly. "Permission denied!" Spitfire snapped, pounding her forelegs on her desk, shaking the various pictures and mementos she kept atop it. "At what point does a mare say to herself that her job is more important than the safety of her foal?" Spitfire asked, though Rainbow knew better than to answer. "Do you even realize the shit storm your little accident could have caused? Hundreds of years of tradition, not a single death in all that time, and you almost fucked it up!" Rainbow stood silently, wondering if she would even get a chance to defend herself. "What do you propose we do about this?" she asked, reclining back in her chair, still scrutinizing Rainbow with her venomous gaze. A few moments passed before Spitfire shouted at her to answer, "This is the part where you talk!" "I... I don't deserve to be a Wonderbolt," Rainbow whimpered. "While that may be true, it doesn't answer my question," she said, leaning forward on her desk. "What would you do if you were me?" Rainbow bit her bottom lip to the point of drawing blood to keep herself composed, though it was somewhat difficult when everything you've worked for your entire life is slipping away right in front of you. "Fire me..." she whispered. "Speak up!" "Fire me!" Rainbow snapped back, unable to hold back the few tears that managed to fall. Spitfire nodded contently, resuming her reclined position. "I agree," she replied calmly. She let her words sink in for a few seconds before continuing, "But I won't be firing you." Rainbow looked through her tears to her captain in confusion. "Y-you won't?" "No. But rest assured, what you did was a safety violation, and there will be consequences." Rainbow relaxed a bit, only to have Spitfire remind her that she was not given permission to assume parade rest. "Now, you want to tell me your problem with Firefly?" Rainbow took a deep breath before she began, "Ever since tryouts she's been trying to get to me. She told me I was her biggest competition. The fights, the arguments—everything comes from her trying to get under my skin. At least, that's what she told me in the hospital." "And what about this recent accident?" Rainbow sighed. "I was tired of hearing her talk trash about me and my family, so I said something I shouldn't have. I tried to apologize, but by the time I realized what I'd said, the routine had started. That's all I remember from before the accident." "And after?" Spitfire asked, folding her forelegs. "We kinda, made up. It turns out she doesn't really have anypony to look after her, and hasn't for a long time. My friends came and saw me when they heard I'd been hurt. They gave me balloons, cards, food, you name it. But she... she didn't get anything. Nopony had come to see her, not even her parents. She had nothing, and all I did was make her feel worse." Having to repeat her actions out loud allowed them to sink in to Rainbow's already tired mind. She felt physically ill after recalling the way she'd treated Firefly, though at the time, it was not without warrant. A small belch allowed Rainbow to cast a knowing glance at Spitfire, who swiftly grabbed the trash can from beside her desk and held it out in front of her as Rainbow released a torrent of half digested hospital food into the bin. After a few seconds, the heaves stopped and Rainbow wiped her mouth with a hoof. "Sorry... that kinda just happens sometimes," she said with cheeks as red as the setting sun. Spitfire smiled, setting Dash a bit more at ease. She set the foul smelling trash can outside her office and allowed Rainbow to sit, the tension in the room seeming to break somewhat. "I know the feeling. When I was pregnant with BeeBop, I was never more than a few feet from a trash can," Spitfire recalled blissfully, to the shock of Rainbow Dash. "Wait, you mean you have a foal?" Spitfire turned a hoof-made, heart shaped picture frame around to show Dash. In the photo, Spitfire, and Soarin held a small seafoam green filly with a two-toned orange-blonde mane between them. Rainbow could hardly believe her eyes. "Is that... Soarin? You mean you two are—" "Were,” she corrected. “We were married for about eight years after she was born. We had our differences, and we tried to stay together for her, but it just didn't work out. He gets her every other weekend, though we've both managed to stay on good terms." "So, were you pregnant while you were a Wonderbolt?" "No, after she was born Soarin convinced me to try out. The Captain at the time liked what he saw, and the rest is history." Her weak grin morphed into a frown. "Now, as for your punishment..." Rainbow gulped loudly. "The doctor informs me that he wants you out of the stunt flying business until your foal is born, and he is a medical professional—" "Captain, I'm begging you, at least let me have one show before you bench me! I've worked too hard to give up because of a bump on the head!" "Did you not hear everything I just said about foal endangerment?" Spitfire growled. "Please, Captain, Firefly and I made up; it won't happen again. She didn't know I was pregnant!" Spitfire's eyes widened. "Are you telling me she hit you on purpose?" Rainbow froze. Had she just inadvertently gotten Firefly fired? "Uh... well, I mean, I said some pretty messed up things to her—" "I don't care if you said her mother sucks Discord’s tail in Tartarus! Purposeful endangerment of another team member is grounds for immediate expulsion, maybe even jail time considering your condition!" The outrage was apparent as Rainbow tried desperately to explain. "Spitfire, the Wonderbolts are all she has! Please don't take this from her, she's just a kid!" Spitfire sighed heavily. "Rules are rules, Rainbow." Rainbow stood in front of Spitfire and looked directly into her fiery orange orbs. "Please, don't cut Firefly! She didn't mean to hurt my foal, we were just being immature! Please, Captain," she pled. A week ago she'd have never thought she'd be fighting tooth and hoof for Firefly's job. Spitfire sat back in her chair with an exasperated sigh, rubbing her eyes with a hoof. "Listen, the rules were broken. There has to be punishment." Silence entered the office before Rainbow made a suggestion. "Make me train her to take my spot when I'm too pregnant to perform." Spitfire arched an eyebrow. "How is that a punishment, exactly?" "If she or I screw up for any reason, I'll quit the team myself." Spitfire pondered her suggestion before nodding. "Fine, but remember: one screw up, one cross word, if one of you even blinks the wrong way, you're gone—voiding your contract. You'll owe us about two and a half million bits. Understand?" "Yes Ma'am." Rainbow saluted. "And I suppose you'll still be wanting to perform in our upcoming Ponyville premier?" Rainbow's eyes lit up with hope. "All I want is one shot. I promise you won't regret it!" "Okay, but you'll only have one move, and it'll be the finale. I'm not taking any more chances with you and... I don't suppose you've picked a name yet?" "Actually, we have. Zap." Spitfire smiled before uncrossing her forelegs. "Okay then. You can close the show, but until then, I want you stuck to Firefly like glue every practice, understand?" "Yes Ma'am!" "Good, you're dismissed. Firefly should be outside. Send her in on your way out." Rainbow stepped outside to find Firefly gazing reverently at her own Wonderbolts photo. "Hey, she wants to see you." Firefly jumped before facing Rainbow. "Okay... she didn't fire you, did she?" "No." Rainbow smiled. "But she kinda knows what you did wasn't an accident, so you might be getting a couple extra workouts for the next few practices." Firefly frowned before facing the door to Spitfire's office as though she was about to march to the gallows. "I hope you've got your flank-kissing saddle on," Rainbow said as she strode towards the door. "Good luck in there, Fly." The pink pegasus gulped before entering the office and shutting the door. Rainbow could hear Spitfire's muffled shouts as she left the building. I hope she takes it easy on her... Darkness had fallen over the Cloudesium as Spitfire worked into the night filling out the accident report, her lone desk lamp illuminating her tired features. A gentle knock on her doorway drew her nose from her paperwork. “It’s a little late for red tape, isn’t it?” Soarin asked, their daughter sitting happily on his back. “You don’t know the half of it,” she sighed, setting her quill down and reclining in her chair while Soarin set their daughter down to play on the floor with her stuffed animals. “Play quietly, sweetie. Mommy and Daddy have to talk about work,” Soarin instructed. “Okay, Daddy,” she chimed obediently. “That’s my girl,” he said before taking the seat opposite Spitfire’s desk. “Don’t you think you were a little harsh on Rook?” “How would you know?” she asked incredulously. “My office is next to yours and the walls are paper thin,” he replied. Spitfire exhaled. “Well what was I supposed to do? She lied to me!” Soarin raised an eyebrow. “I don’t recall you ever asking if she was pregnant.” “It’s the sin of omission, Soarin!” she snapped. “Take it easy, I know she messed up,” he replied calmly. “You aren’t really gonna fire her anyway.” She glared at her ex-husband, but knew he had a point. “Yeah, so?” “Any particular reason?” he asked, picking up his daughter and setting her on his lap. “Well, I don’t want to be down a crewmember this close to the opening show, and to be honest... she reminds me of myself.” Soarin snorted. “Celestia help us.” "That was wonderful! Thank you for inviting me," Wave said, sliding the empty plate away from her as she sat with Mac and Granny at the Apple family dinner table. "It's the least we could do. Ah can't believe it took this long for us ta meet," Mac replied. "Yes, my daughter isn't exactly quick about introducing me to others in her life." Wave sighed, "However, I trust her judgement, and it seems she's made a good choice." Mac blushed as Granny Smith patted her grandson on the back. "We learn 'em right down here," she said with pride. "Yes, there is a certain charm to life in the country." Granny nodded. "Ponyville's always been a fine place ta raise a foal." "I hope so. Rainbow will be coming along soon enough. Have you decided on a name?" "Rainbow seems ta like Zap, and ta be honest it's kind of grown on me," Mac answered, settling back against his chair. "If it's a boy, that is. Ah think Ah'm gonna pick the name if it's a girl. I was thinkin' Gala, after my mother." "Sounds beautiful," Wave whispered as she sipped a cup of hot dessert cider. A knock at the door drew Mac from the table. "Ah'll get it," he said with a grunt. "It's probably Applejack back from pickin' up Apple Bloom from school." Mac opened the door to reveal a somewhat flustered Twilight. "Oh! Hello, Big Macintosh. I was just in the area with my quantum mechanics textbooks, and thought I'd stop by and... uhm..." Mac sighed. He knew why she was here. "C'mon inside. Wave is in the dinin' room." Twilight let out a fangirl-ish squeal before hugging Mac and hurrying inside. Rainbow's mother and Twilight went on for hours about all kinds of obscure theoretical particles or some such—Mac couldn't make head or tail of it. The farm’s finances was about as far into mathematics as he'd cared to venture. His workload was rather light that day, so he took this opportunity to take a well deserved nap on the couch. The sounds of Twilight and Wave's voices faded as he drifted off, only to be roused by the opening of the front door. Mac cracked his eyelids, revealing Applejack and his younger sister coming through the screen door. As he stirred, he noticed the glum expression on Apple Bloom’s face. "What's the matter, darlin'? Bad day at school?" His littlest sister walked toward him on the couch. In a swift motion, he swept her up in one of his massive hooves and set her on his broad chest. Apple Bloom hugged her brother and buried her face in his coat. "Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle are out sick, and Ah had to be Diamond Tiara's partner for a project 'cause Silver Spoon was sick too, and all she did the whole time was be mean to me and Ah hate her!" the angry filly said in one breath. "Now you know we don't say we hate sompony in this house." "But Ah do hate her! She's always mean, no matter how much we try ta ignore her or be nice to her!" Mac stroked her mane as she gently rose and fell with his breaths. "Ah don't know how Filthy's foal fell so far from th’ tree," Granny Smith said from her rocker. "Ah got half a mind ta tan her hide myself," "Have ya tried talkin' ta Ms. Cheerilee about it?" Mac asked, wrapping his little sister in a hug. "No, Ah don't want to be a tattletale..." "Tell ya what. Ah'll go see Ms. Cheerilee tomorrow and talk to her, and if that don't work, Ah'll take Granny with me ta talk to her father about the way she's been actin' towards ya." Apple Bloom raised her head from Mac's soft red coat. "Ya will?" "Eeyup." "Thanks, Macintosh!" she said, her mood improving dramatically as she gave her brother another hug before bounding off his chest. Wave witnessed the whole scene. If she had any doubts about Mac's ability to raise a foal, they were swiftly laid to rest. Confident her daughter had made the right choice, Wave turned her attention back to Twilights incessant ramblings about the formation of stars. By the time Rainbow made it home, it was already dark. She removed the note pinned to her door and collected her mail for the day. Only after she had come into her house and sat down on her couch did she realize that she had saved not just her job, but Firefly's as well. On top of that, she'd nearly lost her foal. That realization really didn't sink in until now, even as she was in the hospital. As she sat on the couch, she began to imagine if Firefly had aimed just a few inches lower. How could she face Mac? How would she have the strength to tell him the one thing that made him happier than she'd ever seen him, was gone forever? She shuddered in horror as she tried in vain to push such thoughts from her mind. She stood from the couch and retreated to her bedroom, her soft cloud bed a welcome change from the lumpy hospital mattress. As she stared at the ceiling she had studied so many times before, a hoof found its way across her belly once again. This time however, she could swear there was a little bulge. At that moment, an overwhelming sadness washed over her. The sheer terror of the idea of losing her foal shook her to her core. How could she have been so reckless? What would she tell Mac's family? That she killed their child by foolishly not telling Spitfire that she had another passenger? Even though none of these events came to pass, the very idea was causing her eyes to well up. She hadn't even been pregnant for three months and she'd already almost killed her foal! How could she even hope to raise a foal outside her body if she can barely keep one alive inside her? Cursing the mood swings of pregnancy, Rainbow's tears soaked into her pillow as she drifted off to sleep.