Chapter 13
Rainbow Dash waited with Firewing until they were summoned for their interviews. One pony guided Firewing to one room. Another led Rainbow Dash to an office where Immelmane and a stenographer were the only ponies present. Immelmane had her tell her version concerning the events of the morning. She told her story uninterrupted and then Immelmane began questioning her.
“Your version of what happened matches what the other ponies have been saying not to mention what I witnessed myself,” said Immelmane. “I have just a few questions. First, do you have anything to add that might shed some light on Twister's behavior?”
“Well, maybe,” said Rainbow Dash. “At breakfast yesterday she insulted me and said some things about other ponies that weren't very nice. She struck me as kind of, well, just... mean. So when we got in the race I admit I tried to get her to fly too fast and burn out so the other ponies could catch her. Frost and Windy could probably have beaten her anyway but I wanted to help some of the others too. A pony like her shouldn't be a Wonderbolt. I didn't mind seeing her lose.”
“It wasn't out of pride and revenge?” asked Immelmane.
“The race?” said Dash in a surprised tone. “No, I knew I could beat her and she should have known too. The other ponies told her. I meant to win and I meant to send her a message not to mess with me. I really didn't think it would work like it did. Like Frost told her after the race, she did it to herself.”
“She spoke with Frost after the race?” asked Immelmane.
“Yes,” replied Dash. “Frost, Windy, Firewing and I were talking when she came up and accused me of making her lose. Then she accused the other ponies of not warning her, which was nonsense. Windy kind of told her off and Frost backed her up. We warned the ponies in the second group to watch out.”
“You thought she might try something?” said Immelmane.
“She was acting a little crazy,” replied Rainbow Dash.
“Did you say anything to Twister after the race?” asked Immelmane.
“Not a word,” said Dash.
“Why did you interfere with the second group's exercise?” asked Immelmane.
“Frost and I went down there because we were afraid that something was going to happen and it did,” explained Rainbow Dash. “We never got close enough to interfere.”
“You were the first to reach Sunrise Cloud,” said Immelmane, “but then you left her to aid Spitfire in keeping Frost away from Twister. Why did you do that?”
“Sunrise wasn't too badly injured and didn't need me,” said Rainbow Dash. “Frost is a friend of mine, I didn't want to see her get tossed out because of Twister. I thought maybe I could help calm her down.”
“You stick by your friends no matter what?” said Immelmane. “Even though Frost was wrong in trying to attack Twister?”
Rainbow Dash couldn't help but smile. “Yeah, I take loyalty pretty seriously. That's what this stands for,” she said pointing to the symbol on her chest. “It's the only thing I asked my friend Rarity to put on my flight suit. I hope that if it had been my friend instead of hers, Frost would have stopped me.”
“Are you saying that if it had been your friend, you would have attacked Twister like Frost did?” asked Immelmane.
“I want to say no, but yeah, I probably would have,” admitted Rainbow Dash sadly. “It might have been worse too because I'd have caught her.”
“I see,” said Immelmane with a frown. “Do you think you're responsible in any way for what happened today?”
“Maybe, I don't know,” said Rainbow Dash. She looked away from Immelmane for a moment. “But I don't know what I could have done differently except to throw the race. Twister tried to intimidate me the first time she saw me. You know me, Mr. Immelmane, was that going to work? No matter how I flew that race, there was no way I wanted her anywhere close to me. I didn't trust her and neither did the rest of the ponies.”
“I think I've heard enough from you, Rainbow Dash,” said Immelmane. “You're very different from the filly I used to know. You are not to blame for what happened to the second group nor can I see any wrong doing in the way you flew your race. Your first thought was to attend to the injured flier and then you aided the team leader in stopping things from getting worse.”
Immelmane rose and walked around the table. He placed his good wing on Rainbow Dash's shoulder. “You did well today. Go back to your room. The interviews are almost over. We'll go to lunch as a group and then we'll head out to practice for a while.”
Rainbow Dash went to her room and found Firewing already there.
“How did it go?” she asked.
“Good, I think, “said Rainbow Dash. “I wish I hadn't said a few things but Immelmane seemed pleased. Wow! Hee hee, I never thought I'd hear him say he was pleased with me!”
“I told my story to Spitfire,” said Firewing grimly. “She still seems angry. I hope Frost didn't have to talk to her.”
“I know what you mean,” said Dash. “I hope they don't cut her from the try outs.”
“I don't think they will, “said Firewing hopefully, “but it can't help her chances of winning. I hope the training this afternoon isn't too strenuous. I'm tired.”
“Me too,” said Rainbow Dash as she flopped down on her bed.
“You? Ha!” said Firewing with a grin, “I thought you never get tired.”
“I think my head is more tired than my body,” said Dash sleepily. “Wake me for lunch.”
“Dash?” said Firewing. “Do you want to do a little practicing this evening? Dash?”
But Rainbow Dash was already asleep.