”So what’d Pinkie call you back there? Dashie?” Thunderlane remarked jokingly.
He had come upon a lone pegasus sitting at the edge of the Wonderbolt Academy, and together they watched the pink hot air balloon be swallowed up by the clouds and disappear from view. Dash idly dangled her legs over the edge, staring longingly at the spot where the balloon had been sucked up. It was almost as if Thunderlane didn’t even exist. She was dazed, like she had been taken up by that tornado and spit out miles and miles away from home.
“Maybe I ought to start calling you that, eh Dashie?” Thunderlane said, hoping for a slight smile.
This time, Dash replied, “Naw, don’t. It’d be weird.”
“I think it’s cute.”
This time Thunderlane got the tiny smile he wanted, and Rainbow answered with a chuckle, “And that is exactly why I don’t want you calling me that.” But after she had spoken, she turned her head back to the clouds and continued to stare at that spot.
The stallion decided to sit down next to her, following Dash’s melancholy maroon eyes to that spot. “So I’m guessing this was pretty unexpected, huh?” he asked quietly.
“Yeah, they wanted to send me a care package personally. It was filled with all this awesome food and stuff…it was…really nice.”
“You don’t sound too excited about it.”
Rainbow Dash lilted her head down toward the sharp cliff below her, letting her hooves hang limp. So limp, in fact, that they seemed ready to just fall down into the abyss and disappear. Her voice barely above a whisper, Dash said, “I don’t know. Is it…is it bad that I hadn’t even thought of them once since I got here? I love ‘em to death, but I just got so swept up in all this nonsense. And the first time I think about ‘em…is when they almost die. That can’t be good, can it?”
“Oh, it’s fine, Dash. Considering the nonstop training we’ve been doing and the whole Lightning Dust fiasco, it’s hard not to get caught up in the adrenaline. They’re your friends, Dash. Of course you’re not going to forget about them after a week.”
"I just can't get that moment out of my mind, Thunder. Maybe...if I had stopped Dust, they wouldn't have been in danger. And Dust..."
"Don't do that to yourself, Rainbow!" Thunderlane exclaimed, suddenly jolting. Then, as though he had startled himself, he slowly sat back down and said quietly, "You're a real good friend, Rainbow. And that's what matters, not the mistakes you made before. I know you'd give your life for your friends. And I also know that they know that as well."
Heaving a sigh, Dash whispered, “Thanks, T. You’re probably right.” Slowly standing back up, she admitted, “But now that they paid a visit, I’m gonna start missing them again.”
Showing off a huge, upbeat grin, Thunderlane replied, “Then I guess we’ll just have to keep you company ‘til then, don’t we?
“I guess you do,” she said with a laugh.
“Don’t you worry, Dashie. I’ve got your back.”
“You know I’m not going to let you call me that around the others, right?
Placing a hoof on his friend’s shoulder, Thunderlane joked, “Then I guess I’ll just have to say it now. Dashie, Dashie, Dashie…”
xxx
“…Dash? Dashie? Helloooo Dash?”
The sing-song voice brought the lieutenant back to reality. Blinking her eyes, Dash turned to find that very same mohawked stallion peeking into her cot. “Thunderlane! Sorry, I just blanked out for a second.”
“S’okay. Happens to the best of us,” he said, shrugging it off. “Although I certainly hope that doesn’t happen to often while we’re in Veneighzuela.”
Giving a light-hearted smirk, Dash perched herself comfortably on her temporary bed and asked, “So what’s up?”
“Well, I finished up packing a long time ago, and since Cloudchaser isn’t exactly in the mood to talk, I figured I’d pay a visit our little staff sergeant.”
“Actually, it’s lieutenant now, Thunder.”
“Whatever, Lieutenant Dashie.” Thunderlane’s gaze softened and Rainbow Dash could tell that he wasn’t there just for conversation. He seemed to make a move to sit beside her, but in the end he stayed put, standing awkwardly across from the bed. Speaking softly, the stallion muttered, “I just…wanted to see how you’re holding up. I know this ain’t something you’ve ever done before. Actually, I’d wager you’re feeling a lot like us right now. When I signed up for the Academy…I thought it was just going to be shows and fireworks. Never thought they’d make us a part of the military too. But you know, I’m taking it the best I can…I suppose you are too.”
“Yeah, best I can,” Dash repeated half-mockingly. “This morning, I had to say goodbye to my friends back at Ponyville. It was pretty hard…telling them goodbye without telling them where you’re going. It’s…it’s tough.”
Trying to give a warm smile, Thunderlane stated, “Well Dashie, don’t you worry. We’ll keep you company ‘til then. And we’ll get you back safe and sound, just like we know you’ll do for us.” He paused for second, as though he were holding something back. But in the end, Thunderlane added quietly, “I—we got your back.”
Rainbow Dash felt a little comforted by her friend’s words, her maroon eyes brightening up a smidge. Giving a friendly chuckle, Dash raised her chin and replied confidently, “And I know you do.”
Outside, the two could hear a series of grunts followed by hooves stamping along the ground in rage. Peeking outside, Thunderlane stated, “Uh-oh. Looks like Cloudchaser’s coming. Better get out before the firestorm comes. Good luck Dash.”
He slipped out of the tent, and found himself face to face with the angry Wonderbolt. Dash could hear them talking outside.
“’Sup Cloud—.”
“Get out of my face.” Then a loud smack was heard, followed by the clashing of a trash can being knocked over.
Then, right on cue, Cloudchaser stormed in, huffing and puffing, her face scrunched into a scowl. “Rainbow, you cannot be serious,” she uttered, her eyes shining with hatred.
But Dash still sat coolly, replying, “Sure, I may joke around sometimes, CC, but right now it feels like I’m being too serious.”
Speaking through clenched teeth, Cloudchaser uttered, “You know how I feel about having that miserable mule on our team!”
“Well, if I didn’t know before, I certainly know now.”
“Oh ha ha, and I thought you said you weren’t joking,” Cloudchaser answered, rolling her eyes. “You can’t let her join, Dash. You know what happened back at the Academy. She ruined everything. She almost killed-.”
“And that was in the past, CC. She’s make her mistakes, as have you and I. But I see something else in her, something that would make me a fool not to have her. She’s going with us, CC. Whether you like it or not.”
Letting her words hang in the air, Dash walked over to a small table, sifting through a few papers stacked on top. But behind her, an ireful voice uttered, “Then…then I can’t do this.”
“What?” Dash asked, quickly turning her head.
“I can’t go on this mission. Not while we share the same team.”
“Come on, CC.”
“No, not while she’s around. I can’t let myself share the same team as her. We don’t get along, Dash! A few minutes ago, I was about ready to bust her skull through a window. This is a disaster waiting to happen. It’s either her…or me.”
Raising her eyebrows, Dash slowly turned around, dropping the papers she held in her hoof. She scoffed, and with a grimace she uttered, “You selfish brat.” Thrusting her snout in her subordinate’s face, Dash jabbed her in the chest and said, “We’re on the brink of war, CC. This mission is all that’s standing between that and peace. And you dare to sabotage that just because you can’t settle some petty differences you and Dust had years ago? Huh? Does that sound fair to you?”
Giving a light push, Rainbow quickly wheeled around, punching a hoof into the air. Not even looking back, she whispered, “You know what? Fine, go home. Never had a coward on my team, and I ain’t going to start now.”
Cloudchaser, however, remained fearfully still. She opened her mouth to reply, but a gritty cough was all that came out. “Well? What are you waiting for, Cloudchaser? Get out of here! Go home!” Still no response. The fire in CC’s eyes had suddenly been extinguished, leaving her standing there with a slightly opened mouth and nothing else to say.
“Then quit your whining and kiss and make up!” Dash commanded, picking up the papers she had dropped on the floor. Although part of her felt guilty for yelling at her friend, she retained her rough composure, knowing this wasn’t the time for hugs and apologies. The voice of Spitfire echoed in her head. ’All that matters is what you do now’. And if that means being the bad guy, then that’s what I’ll be.
Suddenly, a timid voice caught her attention, one that was quite different from the passionate voice that came from Cloudchaser only a few seconds ago. Training her eyes awkwardly at the floor, she muttered, “I…I don’t want to quit, Dash. You know that. You know I’m not a quitter. I-I’m sorry for even saying something like that.”
“No need to be sorry, CC. Just try and make it work, yeah?”
“But,” Cloudchaser added. “If you want me to tolerate her…then could you please do something for me? Please. Just so I can make this thing a bit more bearable.”
This time around, Cloudchaser’s words didn’t sound like a hefty demand. This time, it sounded more like a humble plea—soft, reluctant, almost sad. Dash looked back up from her papers to see that her thin lips were pursed tightly, and her eyes were pleading.
Expelling a slow breath, Rainbow Dash asked, “What is it?”
Some bad guy I’ll turn out to be…