Celestia's sun shone brightly through the window, bathing everything in the room in a soft orange light. It was a beautiful sight, that is, if Rainbow Dash were awake to see it. "Yes... Thanks Spitfire... I am awesome," she muttered out loud. Suddenly a high pitched whining hit her ears and almost subconsciously, she reached for her alarm clock.
Her eyes slowly blinked open upon her hooves touching her cloud stand and not the evil device. She looked over at the rest of the room, her eyes adjusting to the light. She frowned at the floor noticing that that was where the clock was. And it was her favorite dream too. The one where see became the captain of the Wonderbolts and was idolized by thousands of cheering fans. Wow, it's pretty bright outsi- her eyes suddenly shot wide open.
"Ohno-ohno-ohno-ohno-ohno," if I'm late again my boss will kill me!
Ten minutes later, and an incident that included accidentally grabbing shampoo instead of toothpaste, she was ready to go. As she stretched her wings and rocketed into the sky her mind replayed yesterday’s conversation she had with her boss.
"I'm sorry but at least I finished my work on tim-"
"No," Cloudkicker said. "I'm tired of that same excuse day after day!" He was really getting angry now "I need someone here that I can depend on, so if your late again you're FIRED!!"
His words hung heavily in Rainbow Dash’s ears. Even though I'm always late, I do get my work done... and do a good job. But he had sounded very serious. She saw the Cloudsdale Weather Facility, flapped her wings hard, and nosedived straight for the door.
As she came in, her boss was waiting and said "you’re late... again."
"I'm sorry Cloudkicker, but-"
Cloudkicker just sighed and said "we have a lot of work to do, so I'll talk to you about this later." Rainbow sighed and hurried to where she needed to be.
Wow that was a tough day she thought, Cloudkicker was right. Rainbow dash had not been given a break. She had to place clouds for a storm and break clouds all over Ponyville. But it had been a good day and she could finally go home. Maybe I’ll go see go practice some new tricks or see one of my friends. She was shaken out of her daydreams by a voice.
"Rainbow Dash, see me in my office. Immediately."
Rainbow gulped and remembered the conversation she had earlier. Well this can’t be good she thought with worry... nah she thought. They won’t fire me, I do too good of a job! She opened the door to his office and saw him with an unhappy face. Her nervousness returned.
"Rainbow Dash, I'm sorry, but you’re fired." Suddenly, everything was crashing around her.
"Bu-but I finished all my work and I was only a little late," she yelled a little louder than she probably should've.
"I needed your help today... that's why I waited until now. I'm sorry, but I need a more dependable weather captain."
"But what about bits!" Her eyes went wide, for the first time she worried about her house. A nice cloud home like that just didn't pop out of nowhere.
"I'm sorry Rainbow, it’s nothing personal but I just have to let you go." His features softened, "I really am sorry."
Opening a drawer somewhere behind his desk he brought out a small pouch. "Here's your days’ worth of bits."
She trotted slowly up to it with a blank look on her face. This is a dream right? Grabbing it in her mouth, she left the room and walked down the hallway and outside. A few people waved to her but she just started flapping her wings and flew away. Some of the pegasi were giving her weird looks. No doubt they were confused at her somber attitude, which was very strange for the usually cocky Rainbow Dash. Flying across the sky she just stared ahead.
Why am I not waking up? Rainbow glided to her front door and walked inside. "This is so not awesome," she groaned. How will I pay for food or my house? She felt herself tear up a little. Blinking fast, she said aloud "no, I'm not gonna cry."
Okay, now I need to think about what I'm going to do. Usually going flying clears my head but I need advice. Hmm... well, Applejack might be able to help me. Yeah! The corners of her mouth twitched upwards. She and Big Mac have to pay for the farm so they could help me find out how long I can live without getting another job. With a look of determination on her face she quickly flew out of her door and started heading towards Sweet Apple Acres. Everything’s going to be okay she told herself, but she knew things were not okay and probably wouldn't be. Seeing the big red barn and a certain orange mare pushing a cart inside it, Rainbow allowed a small smile to form on her face. As she began her descent she felt that things would end up well.
Applejack looked up at the sky and smiled, noticing a rainbow maned pegasus flying towards her.
"Howdy, Rainbow!" Something’s wrong here. Rainbow just gently floated to the ground and was slowly walking towards her, and she had a somber look on her face opposed to her usual confident grin.
"Hiya AJ..." she said with a small frown.
"Ah can tell that something’s bothering ya, sugarcube. What’s wrong?" Trotting over to Rainbow Dash she gave her friend a sympathetic look.
"Actually Applejack, there is something wrong. Something totally bad happened earlier today." She then proceeded to recount her days events to Applejack whose eyes were wide open in shock after hearing the bad news.
"Oh Rainbow Ah'm terribly sorry," she said, enveloping Rainbow in a big hug.
Applejack felt warm and nice. Rainbow returned the hug tears welling in her eyes. "Thanks AJ you’re the best."
"Do you want to come inside for some apple juice?" she asked leading Rainbow towards her home.
"Yeah, that sounds great."
Walking inside, Rainbow felt comfortable in the cozy house. Sure, it wasn't that big but it had a nice atmosphere. Applejack poured them some apple juice and they sat at the table just drinking in the silence. Rainbow Dash was the first to break the silence.
"I actually need some help from you."
Applejack grinned and promised, "Ah'll do anything Ah can to help a friend in need."
Grabbing a small envelope from her mane, she put it on the table and said "here’s my bills and the amount of money that I have in the bank. Could you help me figure out much longer I'll be able to pay for my house?"
"Sure thing, sugarcube! Ah take care of the financial problems here on the farm. I'll just need a minute or two." Rainbow sat and fidgeted in her seat after five minutes becoming a little bored, when suddenly Applejack looked up from the paperwork with a worried expression. Rainbow suddenly felt very nervous.
"How bad is it?!"
Applejack gulped and said "W-well you have just enough for another..." she stopped and looked away from Rainbow.
"What, AJ? How much time do I have left before I have to get another job?!"
Applejack cleared her throat and avoided Rainbows eyes, and murmured "two weeks."
And that was the last thing Rainbow heard before she blacked out.