//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Rising from the Fall // by Darkhanos //------------------------------// It was almost dawn, and the normally busy Canterlot Train Station was practically empty as the moon slowly began its descent to make way for the sun. In the distance, a hooded stallion was making his way to the train station, taking care to not draw too much attention to himself. Then again, the station was considerably slower at this hour, and for him, that was just fine. The less ponies around the better. When he got inside, he saw a bored teal earth pony mare in the ticket booth, lazily flipping through an old issue of ‘Cosmarepolitan’ completely oblivious to her surroundings, and she didn’t see him approach her. "Excuse me," he called. The mare nearly jumped out of her skin and shrieked as she was snapped her out of her thoughts. It took her a moment to regain her senses and see that there was a customer waiting for her. "H...hello, sir, how can I help...you..?" She thought there was something very familiar about the hooded stallion. "I'd like a first class ticket for Ponyville, please." The stallion responded hurriedly and pulled his hood lower before she could get a better look at him. "First Class ticket for Ponyville? Okay!" The mare began to process the ticket while occasionally stealing a glance at the mysterious stallion. Normally, he wouldn’t mind this kind of behavior, but he didn’t have the time or patience to deal with it right now. "Is there a problem ma'am?" The stallion asked with a hint of irritation voice. It was then that the mare realized that she was staring and tried to play it off. "O...oh, um...I...was just thinking. Not a lot of ponies go to Ponyville unless they know somepony or have some business there. Any special reason why you're going?" The stallion just wanted his train ticket and leave, but this mare wanted to start a pointless conversation, and it was beginning annoy him. He wasn't a rude pony, but this mare was really pushing his patience. "It's a good spot to unwind from the city life. Celestia knows I could use a break." Actually it was the first train out of Canterlot so he planned on booking it as fast as he could. "Oh, I know what you mean!" The mare agreed, " I know that I could really use a..." "Can I just have the ticket please?!" he asked rather harshly. To say the the mare was surprised would be an understatement. She shuddered as if she was slapped across the face...hard. "Uh...s...sure. J...just one moment." The earth pony quickly processed the ticket and handed it over. "That'll be 20 bits." With that the stallion paid his fee and walked off. It left a sour taste in his mouth to be so harsh to the poor mare, she was just doing her job after all. But the sooner he got out of Canterlot, the better. Even though he was born and raised here, he couldn't stand the sight of it anymore. After walking for a few minutes, he found a nearby bench and took a seat as he placed his saddle bags next to him, double checking his ticket to make sure he was in the right spot. He glanced at the clock to see how much longer his train would take. Not much longer. At least it'll get here before it starts getting busy, he thought to himself. With all that he's been through in the last couple of months, he really didn't want to be around anypony right now. After a couple of minutes of idle sitting, he reached into his saddlebags and pulled out a crystal plaque with the Wonderbolts insignia on both sides of it with a message etched on it: This award is hereby presented to 2nd Lieutenant Jetstream for years of selfless service and dedication. May we all strive to follow your example. Jetstream didn't choose retirement, they were the ones who retired him. Can I really blame them? I mean, what good is a... he suddenly felt a searing pain on his back and fell onto the ground, writhing in agony. “No! Not now!" he said to himself as the agonizing pain was spreading throughout his body. It felt as if he was on fire and the pain intensified to the point that he couldn't move...just like that fateful night. He was starting to feel light headed from the intense pain and his eyes began to grow heavy. He mustered what strength he could and crawled to the bench. He frantically dumped the contents of his saddlebags and retrieved a prescription bottle and swallowed a large pill. After a few minutes, the bitter tasting medicine took effect and the pain was slowly subsiding. When it was completely gone, he stayed on the ground for a few moments, gasping for air. Every time he went through this, it always left him weak. When he was strong enough to stand, he slowly got on his hooves again, his steel blue fur and silver mane matted with sweat from the painful experience. "Damn phantom pains," he muttered under his breath as he began to return his belongings to his saddlebags. "Are you okay, Jetstream?!" His eyes shot wide open and his blood froze when he heard the all too familiar voice. He slowly turned around and his suspicions were confirmed when he saw his former captain, Spitfire, with a worried look in her eyes. She was the last pony he wanted to see, and he was in no mood to deal with her. "Yeah, I'm fine," he answered curtly. "Is that so? Then why are you trembling?" Spitfire shot back, clearly annoyed with the way he answered her. "How much did you see?" Jetstream asked as he picked up his plaque and put it away. "I saw everything," she answered, "how often does that happen?" "Not as much as it used to. I at least have that to be thankful for...considering. So how'd you know where to find me?" "I followed you," she answered, "I came by the hotel you were at to talk to you and saw that you were making your way here. How dare you just leave without saying anything to the team!?" "Not happy about that? Get over it! I don't have to explain myself to you anymore, Spitfire!" Jetstream shouted, making no attempt to hide his contempt for the mare. "Please just talk to me! I haven't seen or spoken to you since the accident and I'm worried sick about you! Are you leaving because you're still angry with me? Is it because we retired you from the Wonderbolts?" This was the reason why he didn't want to see anypony before he left. All of the annoying, never ending questions. Jetstream was beginning to feel anger building in the pit of his stomach, and wanted nothing more than to get as far away from her as possible. "This conversation is over." The steel blue stallion turned to the bench to retrieve his belongings but Spitfire stood in his way. "Jetstream...we're all worried about you. We can't even begin to imagine what you're going through, but you should know that the Wonderbolts still consider you part of the team..." "Well I'm not anymore and you know damn well why!" he snapped, his patience finally reaching its limit. "You, Soarin and Fleetfoot saw to that! On top of that, I can't even look at you without being reminded of what you and Soarin did that night I proposed to you, and quite frankly it's sickening! Now what the hell do you want from me?!" Jetstream snapped. The harsh tone and truth cut Spitfire deep, and it took every ounce of willpower to not break down right then and there in shame. She'll never forget that look of betrayal she saw in his eyes and the rage that followed soon after he discovered her infidelity. She knew she deserved every ounce of his anger and she only felt worse when she found out about the tragic events that followed that soon after. "Look...I know that Soarin and I betrayed you in the worst possible way, and we'll regret that mistake for the rest of our lives! There's nothing I could ever do to make it up to you and believe me when I say that nopony feels worse about your accident than we do!" "If you're finished then I have more important matters to attend to." "Please at least tell me why you're leaving or when you're coming back. At least do me that favor," she pleaded. "Why should I?!" "Please...for old times sake." Spitfire and Soarin were his closest friends before all of this mess happened. They've been through thick and thin together, and no matter how bad things seemed to get they were always there for one another. Things were even better when he and Spitfire became a couple. It was one of the best times of his life; almost as good as the day he became a Wonderbolt... almost. She was all he could ever ask for in a mare and she took good care of him and vice versa. It wasn't all perfect, no relationship was, but they were willing to sacrifice and compromise for one another, and that was more than enough for him back then. Against his better judgement, he decided to tell her. He took a long and shaky breath as the memories of the past several weeks played through his mind. "Because there's nothing left for me here. The longer I stay here, the more I'm reminded of what I lost...it hurts too much and I can't stand this place anymore. I just want to be as far away from here as possible as quick as possible. As for when I'll come back...I don't know if I will," Jetstream answered somberly. Those words shattered Spitfire's heart into a million pieces. She had hoped that he would stay and, by some miracle, earn his trust again and get back together with him. Then again...did she really expect it to play out like that? It was a fool's hope to begin with. "So that's it, huh? You're just going to abandon us? It may not seem like it right now, but there are ponies who still care and worry about you. Please, just stay here, we'll find a way to help you through this," she said as she choked back sobs. Her inner strength was fading fast and her sight started to blur with tears. After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, they could hear the train begin to pull into the station. When it stopped, the conductor hopped out, calling for the passengers to prepare for departure. "My train's here. I should get going." Jetstream said and he gathered his things and prepared to board the train. He was stopped by a shaky hoof on his shoulder before he took could take another step towards to train. He turned around with every intention to swat her hoof off of him, but stopped when he saw his former lover sobbing. Even with everything that transpired between them, the sight of her crying tore away at his soul. "Jetstream.... " Spitfire choked out. "You're the best stallion that I know. I know I screwed everything up between us and for that I'm so, so sorry. I still love you with all of my heart, and the worst part is that I know that I don't deserve a second chance with a wonderful stallion like you. I won't blame you if you can't forgive me, but I really hope you do one day. I hope...I hope you find the peace and happiness that you deserve." Spitfire then ran out of the train station with as fast as her legs could carry her. The steel blue stallion just stood there for a few moments processing what he just saw and heard. Spitfire was never one to freely show her emotions yet there she was doing just that. On top of that she was still in love with him. He'd be lying if he said he didn't feel the same way, even though he knew he shouldn't. Every fiber of his being was screaming at him to go after her and give her another chance. Maybe things could... "All aboard!" Yelled the conductor for the last time. Jetstream took a few steps towards the train, but stopped and looked at the exit of the station. He was tempted to drop everything and go after her, but in the end he decided that he should let her go so he walked on board and presented his ticket to the conductor. He looked towards the exit and mentally cursed himself for being so cold towards Spitfire. He had every right to be angry with her, but that didn't mean he should be hostile towards her. "Sir, I must ask you to take your seat please. The train will be departing in a few moments," the conductor politely advised. "Oh, sorry." "It's quite all right. Umm... if it's not too much to ask, may I have autograph, Mr. Jetstream?" the conductor asked as he pulled out a picture of him in the trademark Wonderbolts uniform, sporting a big smile and saluting. The image twisted his stomach in knots and made him sick. "Oh, sure thing!" Jetstream answered with false enthusiasm as he grabbed a nearby pen in his mouth, "who do I make it out to?" "Can you make it out to my daughter, Diamond Dust? She absolutely loves you! She keeps telling me that she hopes to be as great a flier as you one day!" "Oh, trust me she will, just tell her I said to hit the books first and practice hard every day and she'll get there before she knows it!" Jetstream signed the autograph and handed it over to the conductor. "Splendid! I'll tell her just that! Thank you very much Mr. Jetstream!" "You can call me Jet. There's no need to be so formal with me, though I do appreciate it. I was wondering if you could do me a favor?" "Absolutely! What would you have me do?" "Could you keep my presence low key? I could really use some peace and quiet." "Of course, sir...um...Jet. I can do that for you." "Thanks a lot!" With that the conductor nodded and Jet made his way to his private cabin. He opened the door and placed his saddlebags on a nearby chair. The cabin was dimly lit and was cool, just the way he liked it. He felt that it was time for a shower, since he was in too big a hurry to take one this morning. He stepped into the bathroom and removed his cloak as started to run the water until it was nice and warm. Before he stepped in, he looked himself over at the mirror. He looked the same for the most part, or that's what some would say at first glance, but his amber eyes were focused on two small, scarred nubs on his sides where his wings used to be, along with some fur beginning to sprout from the scarred flesh. Funny how even with advanced healing magic, the doctors couldn't save his wings. To a pegasus, there is no worse fate than to be grounded. They may as well have bound him with a ball and chain. Though there weren't many wingless pegasi, even the mightiest of them wept from the loss of wings, and Jetstream was no exception. He'd never get used to the sickening sight no matter how many times he saw it, yet it was always there, taunting him...mocking him. As bad as losing his wings was, it served as a constant reminder of how he failed to... He shook his head to snap himself out of his thoughts. He didn't want to think of that right now...or ever. It wasn't until the bathroom was filled with steam that he realized he was so lost in thought that he lost track of time. He stepped in the shower and just let the warm water hit him, savoring the relaxing sensation it gave him. As much as he would've loved to stay in there, his body had other plans as he let out a yawn, demanding some much needed rest. When Jetstream finished cleaning himself up, he threw on his cloak again to rid himself of the horrid sight of his amputated wings. Only the Wonderbolts and the Royal Sisters knew about his disfigurement, and he was very thankful that Princess Celestia and Princess Luna protected his identity when the media caught wind of his accident. One day, they'd all know the truth, he knew, but he could only hope that he would be ready by the time that happened. Jetstream made his way to the bed and let out a weary sigh as he laid down. As his eyes became heavy, Spitfire's parting words echoed through his mind. I still love you with all of my heart...I hope you find the peace and happiness you deserve. I hope so too, but the way I feel right now...that won't be for a very long time, he thought to himself as sleep finally came to him.