Rainbow tried to take off immediately after being uncovered by the remains of her escape plan. "Don't do that," Fencin said. "You might have-"
He was cut off by a shout of pain as Rainbow hit the ground a few seconds later. "-Hurt your wings," he finished.
He walked over to her and started examining her wings. After some probing and a few expletives, he gave her a sympathetic smile. "You sprained your right wing," he said. "Nothing major, but you'll have to keep from flying for a few days."
Rainbow opened her mouth to argue, but quickly shut it. She could go a few days. She had before. "Where did you say this town was again?"
"30 kilometers south of here, if I remember correctly," he replied. He turned and began to walk.
Rainbow trotted up beside him and glanced at him. "Try to keep up," she said, moving in front of him.
*******************************
By the time the two had finally made it to the town, night had fallen. "I thought you said 30 kilometers!" Rainbow said.
"I thought it was," Fencin said, taking a step back from the angry mare. "I guess I was off by a few kilometers."
"A few?!" Rainbow yelled. "That was at least twice as far as you said it would be!"
"Shouldn't we be drinking and celebrating?" Fencin said, changing the subject. "We just escaped one of the most powerful griffon militias."
"You should've pointed out how long it would take to reach any form of civilization," Rainbow said, no willing to let it go.
"Oh come on!" Fencin said. "I saved your life and you repay me by complaining about my distance perception?"
"I repaid you by taking you with me," Rainbow retorted. "This is just because I haven't had anything decent to eat in much too long and I'm exhausted from the walk."
Let's just find a phone so we can get you home," Fencin said.
The two wandered the town some before finally coming across a local bar. Fencin walked off to find the phone while Rainbow caught some of the late-night news.
"Sources re still uncertain about who it was that launched explosives earlier today," the reporter said, switching to a birds-eye view of the new crater. "As you can see, there was massive damage done by an unknown weapon. Reports are saying it was an attempt to re-create one of Sparkle Industries' newest weapons designed by the late Ms. Rainbow Dash."
Rainbow took a double take at that statement. They think I'm dead? she thought. Then again, if somepony I knew went missing for months, I would too.
Fencin came back with a smile on his face. "An aircraft will be here to take us back within the hour."
*******************************
Rainbow watched the plane as it landed. The rear compartment opened up and Spitfire was there, looking straight at Dash. She jumped out of the plane, flew over to her, and punched her in the jaw. "Don't you ever go missing like that again," she said. "You had everypony thinking you were dead. Panic almost overtook the country! Do you know how many riots I had to intervene with?!"
"It's good to see you too, Spitfire," Rainbow said. "Now can we get on with the flight home?"
"Just get in the plane," Spitfire said, a small grin tugging at her face.
*******************************
Rainbow watched as the back of the plane opened up. Her wing had been bandaged and she was standing up to get off when she saw a few familiar faces. "You guys are a sight for sore eyes," she said once she had gotten to her friends.
"I told you to try and keep it down, but you just had to set up the demonstration," Soarin said, walking up to her. "It's good to have you back."
"Is that what you say to me after having a rough trip?" Rainbow looked at him and smirked. "Your eyes are red," she pointed out. "You can't think it would be that easy to get rid of me."
"I'm just glad I don't have to go looking for another job," he replied. "Who's that?"
Fencin walked up from behind. "So this is where the famous Rainbow Dash lives," he said. "Not what I had expected."
"Soarin," Rainbow said. "Meet my friend, Fencin. Fencin, Soarin."
"A pleasure to meet the famous Wonderbolt," Fencin said.
"He's the doctor who saved my life," Rainbow said.
"If he remembers me as a Wonderbolt," Soarin said, "Then he can't be all that bad."
Rainbow trotted off while the two of them talked about Soarin's glory days to find somepony else. She had to be around here somewhere. "Haven't I told you not to take a vacation without letting me know?" said that pony from behind her.
"Very funny, Twi," Rainbow said. "I was actually going to talk to you about something important."
"I have something to tell you first," Twilight said. "I had a lot of time to think about this company. I started thinking about how far it's come and I just think it's time for me to move on."
"Are you quitting?" Rainbow asked.
"Not really," Twilight replied. "I'm just passing on the responsibility to somepony who is just as capable as I am. I need some time to think about where I want it to go, so I thought I'd give you a shot at CEO."
Rainbow's jaw dropped. "You're appointing me CEO?"
"I don't see who could be better," Twilight said. "You practically already run the company. You're brilliant, even if you don't think so. You have the qualifications, so I thought it would be a nice 'welcome home' gift."
"I don't know what to say," Rainbow said, still trying to wrap her mind around it.
"Well I guess it's a good thing we have some time before the press conference, then," Twilight said.
"Wait, press conference?"
"Yeah," Twilight said. "Our most important asset just returned after five months in captivity and I have to announce my decision."
"I guess that makes sense," Rainbow said. "But first, I want some hayfries."
*******************************
The car arrived at the press building a few minutes late after making a quick stop for Rainbow's food. The two of them walked into the building without too much trouble, only because all of the reporters were already inside. Before Dash could walk behind the podium, though, Shining Armor pulled her aside.
"I was wondering if you had tried that design I gave you," he said.
"Thanks for the welcome," Rainbow said. "I haven't had the time to try it out yet, but I'll try to get to it soon. I have a few other things on my plate to handle first."
"Attention everypony!" Twilight said, causing the room to quiet down. "You're probably curious as to why I've called this meeting. Part of it is to welcome back one of our most valuable assets, Ms. Rainbow Dash."
The room was filled with thundering hooves as Rainbow made her way up to the podium. She gave a weak smile and waved back at them before stepping back down so Twilight could finish.
"There is another reason I've called this today," she said. "In these past months, I've seen some of the things that this company does and I'm very proud. It has come such a long way from when it started and I like where it is. However, I believe it is time for me to step down and give my position to somepony who deserves the position as much as I do. She has been a huge part of this company since the beginning and is already practically running it already. It may be a little rushed, but I have already spoken to her about it and have made my final decision.
"Please welcome the new CEO of Sparkle Industries, Ms. Rainbow Dash."
The entire press room fell silent for a second or two before the pounding of hooves echoed again in congratulations.
Rainbow walked up to the podium and cleared her throat. "Thank you, Ms. Sparkle," she said. "It's been a while since I've been up here, but it's not going to be the last time. In my time away, I have seen some things that have changed me. I have seen the very weapons I designed to protect used to attack our own soldiers. I have seen the outcome of this and have decided that as my first act as CEO, I am shutting down all weapons manufacturing until I can decide what is best for this company."