After finishing their lunch the four pegasi went their separate ways. Spitfire leading Rainbow Dash towards hightown while Soarin’ and Rapidfire made their way to the stadium. Soarin’ had suggested that they fly to save time but Rapid opted to walk, at least until his hangover was a little more tolerable.
Soarin’ had to give Rapidfire credit when it was due. The former mail pegasus knew his limitations and placed safety above all else. Soarin’s respect for that usually allowed him to ignore most of Rapid’s more irritating antics. Usually.
The wide Manehattan streets were abuzz with activity, which was normal, especially for a Saturday. Carts lined the sides of the road, each with a different pony trying to sell their product to the passing crowd. Everything from food to home crafts could be purchased at a reasonable price.
Soarin’ quite liked the city life, always new ponies to meet and new things to try. Rapidfire was less enthralled, partially due to his hangover, but also because of his more pastoral tastes. When he had worked for the Royal Mail, Rapidfire’s days had been spent flying long distances over open country. From what Spitfire had told Soarin’ during their time in the guard, Rapid had always been fond of taking long flights as a way to clear his head.
Soarin’ recalled Rapid once saying he felt claustrophobic in cities—too many tall buildings and ponies between him and the open air. He could understand that sentiment from a certain perspective. It was the nature of a pegasus to fly, much like it was the nature of an earth pony to run or a unicorn to use magic.
It was hard for a pegasus to stretch his or her wings in a crowded street, and even harder to take off and land at will. Soarin’ wondered if that was why most pegasi that made homes on the ground tended to settle in more rural communities. He noticed the tense look on Rapid’s face: a mixture of pain from the hangover and a general discomfort being on the ground.
“Hey, how you holding up there, LT?” Soarin’ said.
“I’ll live,” Rapid answered with an aggravated grunt.
“Well that’s something I guess,” Soarin’ said with a chuckle.
“Whatever,” Rapidfire said, his eyes squinting from the bright sunlight.
Soarin’ fought back a sigh and silently cursed his soft heart. “Hey, we have to pass that pharmacy on the way. We can stop in and get you something for that headache if you want.”
Rapidfire stared in surprise at Soarin’ for a moment. “Uh, all right. Thanks.”
“Don’t thank me yet. I need you functional when we meet with Arcus,” Soarin’ said.
“You really know how to sweet talk a guy, Mallow,” Rapidfire said, the barest hint of a smile teasing at the corner of his lips.
“Rapid, shut up before I change my mind,” Soarin’ replied.
After making the detour into the pharmacy to get a remedy for Rapid’s headache, the two stallions resumed their walk to the stadium. They arrived nearly half an hour later and trotted into the building after a brief pause to ensure they were presentable.
Neither Soarin’ nor Rapid were surprised to find none of the other Wonderbolts lingering around the locker room and weight room. With no press events planned and no shows in the immediate future, most of the team was essentially on leave. In all likelihood everypony was out enjoying their weekend.
Arcus was a different pony entirely. The aging pegasus didn’t seem to understand the concept of a vacation. If he wasn’t working, he wasn’t happy. Soarin’ couldn’t argue with the results, though; he did a good job keeping everything running smoothly.
Soarin’ led Rapidfire to exactly where Arcus had instructed to meet: the team lounge. True to his word, Arcus was there waiting for them. The old stallion had made himself comfortable on one of the couches where he was reading through a stack of letters. A thin framed pair of reading glasses balanced on his snout.
What they didn’t expect to see was Fleetfoot. The cyan mare was reclined on the couch opposite Arcus. In her hooves was a paperback book she was reading, though neither Soarin’ nor Rapid could see what it was. After a moment she noticed them out of the corner of her eye. Sitting up, she saluted before brushing her pale mane from her eyes.
“Hiya, Cap,” she waved to Soarin’ before shifting her gaze to Rapidfire, “LT.”
“Sergeant,” Soarin’ acknowledged her. “What are you doing here?”
“She is here for the same reason I asked the two of you to be here,” Arcus answered as he set the letters down.
“What’s up, boss?” Rapid asked.
“I’ve been thinking more about this rainboom situation,” Arcus said as he slipped off the couch and onto his hooves. “Fleetfoot and I talked it over yesterday, and she made some compelling points.”
“I’m curious why the Sergeant didn’t feel compelled to bring this to my attention first, sir,” Soarin’ said, aiming an annoyed glare in Fleetfoot’s direction.
“You and the Lieutenant weren’t around yesterday, Captain,” Fleetfoot answered.
“Be that as it may, Fleetfoot did bring up a few good points, and before I make a final decision I wanted to get your input as team captain,” Arcus explained.
“Like what?” Rapidfire asked.
“Training,” Fleetfoot answered. “The Wonderbolts are supposed to be the best flyers alive, and for the most part we are. But none of us has ever gotten close to successfully pulling off a rainboom. Everypony who tries just gets sent tumbling off when the barrier snaps back on us.
“Whatever Rainbow Dash figured out in her training regime is probably revolutionary in terms of flight instruction. If we can harness that training, then we can learn the rainboom, and after that, what else can we achieve?” Feetfoot explained with an ambitious grin.
“What do you mean ‘what else we can achieve’? Just what are you getting at, Fleet?” Rapid asked.
“Think about it, Rapid,” Fleetfoot said, “the rainboom was just an old mare’s tale for centuries. Nopony thought it was possible until it happened. So, what’s beyond the rainboom? If we can do that, what’s the next plateau we can reach?”
“Ooookay,” Rapid said as he shot an uncomfortable look to Soarin.
Soarin’ struggled to keep a neutral look on his face as he processed his situation. He had underestimated Fleetfoot’s tenacity on the matter. He had assumed that she would leave well enough alone until Arcus had made a decision. It was a mistake he intended never to make again.
More importantly, it left him and Rapid in a very precarious position. They were the only two that knew Spitfire and Rainbow were dating. Soarin’ could see quite well just how badly the next few minutes could blow up in his face, should he handle the situation wrong. Not for the first time, he wished Spitfire had never injured her wing.
“May I speak with you in private, sir?” Soarin’ asked.
Arcus regarded Soarin’ thoughtfully for a moment before he nodded. “Alright Captain. Fleetfoot, Rapidfire, please wait in the hall.”
Rapidfire and Fleetfoot gave Arcus a crisp salute before they left the room. Soarin’ waited until the door clicked shut before he allowed himself to breathe again. Arcus circled around the couch, his eyes focused on Soarin’ the whole time. The Wonderbolt felt a nervous sweat start to form on his brow. He found his respect for Spitfire increasing; Arcus could be a very intimidating pony when he wanted to be.
“Speak your mind, Captain,” Arcus quietly stated.
Soarin’ cleared his throat and took a deep breath before he spoke. “Sir, I-I um…I think there’s something you should know.”
“I assume this ‘something’ pertains to the question of the rainboom?” Arcus asked.
“Yes sir.” Soarin’ replied.
“All right, Captain, I’m listening.”
“Sir, I um…I’ve known Rainbow Dash has been in town since Wednesday.”
Arcus’ eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly from the information. “And how did you come across her?”
“Spitfire ran into her, sir,” Soarin’ said.
“And how did Spitfire find her?” Arcus asked.
“I don’t know, sir,” Soarin’ answered.
“Well then what do you…” Arcus’ words died as his eyes widened. “Oh no. Soarin’, please tell me Spitfire isn’t trying to date Rainbow Dash!”
“W-what? N-no, sir. What would give you that idea?” Soarin’ asked, a fit of panic welling up in his chest.
“I know she’s been thinking about dating again,” Arcus said, doing his best keep his voice down, “and with any other mare that would be fine! We can keep that on the down low. But this isn’t any other pony; Rainbow Dash is one of the Elements of Harmony. All six of them are national heroes as well as high-level defense assets. If the media finds out the scandal will bury Spitfire’s career, not to mention the collateral damage to the Wonderbolts and to Rainbow Dash!”
“I—” Soarin’ started, only to be cut off by Arcus.
“Celestia forbid if Red Top gets wind of this. I can see the scandal now, ‘Wonderbolt seduces Element of Harmony!’ In big red letters!” Arcus’ shoulders slumped and his posture slackened. “I can’t protect her from that; I can’t protect any of you from that!”
Arcus took a moment to catch his breath, reaching up with a lightly trembling hoof to remove his glasses, which he then set on the couch. Soarin’ couldn’t recall ever the older pegasus looking so hopeless. It was extremely disconcerting.
“So please, Soarin’,” Arcus began, suddenly feeling his age, “please tell me Spitfire isn’t trying to date Rainbow Dash.”
“N-no, ” Soarin’ lied, “if anything they’re becoming friends.”
Arcus took a moment to process the information, his gaze studying Soarin’s expression. There were far too many unknowns for his liking. Without more information he couldn’t make a judgement call. Without more information he was helpless. Arcus hated being helpless. He needed a plan, and he needed that plan quickly.
“All right,” Arcus began, “Soarin’, I need you to do me a favor.”
“Yes sir?” Soarin’ said, his posture stiffening.
“Keep a close eye on Spitfire when you can. Watch her back. I don’t want to lose the best Wonderbolt I’ve ever seen to a damned tabloid witch hunt.”
“Yes sir, but what about Rainbow Dash?” Soarin’ asked.
Arcus took a deep breath that he slowly breathed out through his mouth. His jaw hung slightly open for several long moments as he chose his words. “The rainboom is a very useful asset that the Wonderbolts would do well to have access to.”
“…But?” Soarin’ asked.
“But I’m concerned about media perception. If it looks like we are taking advantage of Rainbow Dash then the blowback would be catastrophic. Worst-case scenario: Princess Celestia takes direct action. If that happens, we’re all out of a job,” Arcus explained as he rubbed his temple with a hoof.
“So what are we doing with Fleetfoot’s proposal?” Soarin’ asked.
“Fleetfoot has been discussing it with everypony on the team. Last I checked only you, Rapidfire, Misty, and Surprise are still against approaching Rainbow Dash. Everypony else is in favor of looking for her,” Arcus said.
“What about you sir?” Soarin’ asked.
“That depends,” Arcus said with a sigh.
“On what?” Soarin’ wondered, his head tilting curiously.
“On how involved Spitfire has become in the situation,” Arcus answered.
“Sound’s like you’ve got some things in mind.” Soarin’ noted.
Arcus scoffed, “You could say that.”
“Care to enlighten me?” Soarin’ asked.
“You said Spitfire seems to be making friends with Rainbow Dash, correct?” Arcus asked, turning his head to face Soarin’.
“I think so, yes.” Soarin’ answered.
“All right, we might be able to use that,” Arcus said as he rubbed his chin with his foreleg.
“What do you mean?” Soarin’ asked.
“If Spitfire and Rainbow Dash become friends, then it is within reason for her to ask about the rainboom,” Arcus reasoned.
“What if she says ‘no’?” Soarin’ countered.
Arcus hesitated as he thought of an answer. “We’ll cross that bridge if or when we get there. For now at least, I think it may be prudent to test the waters.”
“So you’re on Fleetfoot’s side,” Soarin’ said, the hint of disapproval in his tone did not go unnoticed by Arcus.
“Is there a problem here that I need to be aware of, Captain?” Arcus asked.
“No sir,” Soarin’ answered.
“Soarin’, tell me what the issue is or I will find out the hard way,” Arcus stated.
The implication sent a cold shiver down Soarin’s spine. Still, he maintained the neutral visage perfected from years in the Royal Guard.
“The sergeant is a bit of a hothead, sir, and I don’t like ponies going behind my back with an issue,” Soarin’ explained.
Arcus nodded. “I agree. Fleetfoot is headstrong and tenacious, but you’re the captain now, Soarin’. If there’s an issue it’s your job to resolve it.”
“Yes sir, I understand,” Soarin’ replied.
“Good.” Arcus sighed and rubbed his eyes wearily. “Do you know if you’ll see Spitfire again today?”
“I’m not sure. Rapid might, though,” Soarin’ answered.
“All right. One of you please tell Spitfire that first thing Monday morning she is to report here to meet with the team physician. He wants to take a look at her wing.”
“I’ll make sure she get’s the message,” Soarin’ answered. “Can I make a request though, sir?”
“You may,” Arcus said.
“Could you not mention the Rainbow Dash situation to the rest of the team? I’d like the chance to talk to Spitfire about it in private first,” Soarin’ said.
Arcus thought the request over for a moment before he nodded in agreement. “All right, Soarin’. All right.”