Chapter 3:
“Did she talk to anypony?”
Fluttershy shook her head, one hoof nervously pawing at the cloudy floor.
“Did she do anything?”
Again, Fluttershy shook her head.
“Augh! What are we supposed to do if we can’t figure out what’s bothering her!? Fluttershy, you don’t know anything about this?”
“No,” Fluttershy squeaked, Twilight’s sudden outburst making her cringe.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes,” Fluttershy whispered, trying to hide behind her mane.
“100%!?”
Fluttershy nodded.
“Woah there sugarcube. This aint an interrogation,” Applejack placed a hoof carefully on Twilight’s shoulder. “You followed her all day Fluttershy?”
Fluttershy nodded, “All she did was visit the Flight School, then go around Cloudsdale.”
“I’m gonna go talk to her,” Twilight said, making for the staircase.
“No darling you mustn’t!” Rarity exclaimed, stepping towards Twilight, “We need to be patient. Give Rainbow Dash more than a half a day to work through this.”
Before Twilight could respond, Rainbow Dash appeared at the bottom of the staircase leading to the rooms of the inn.
“Mornin’ guys,” she said, rubbing one eye with a hoof. “Anything for breakfast?”
Pinkie Pie nodded, pushing a plate piled high with oats and muffins towards her. Dash hungrily dug in, not noticing the glances shared between her friends.
“So… Dash…” Twilight began, scratching the back of her neck nervously.
“Yesh?” Dash replied, her mouth full of muffin.
“Any uh… plans for the day?”
Dash paused, her mouth partway covering the bran muffin she was eating. Slowly, she withdrew, taking time to carefully swallow all of the food in her mouth. “I’m uh.. not sure Twilight.”
Twilight glanced at Rarity, who gave her a meaningful stare. “Alright, take as much time as you need.”
Dash nodded, then stepped back from the table, “I think in fact, I’m going to go now. I’ll probably be back later again. Oh, if I remember right, there’s a really great restaurant a few streets over. Best grilled oat sandwich I ever had.” With that, Dash stepped out of the door and into the street. Letting out a pent up sigh, she started walking towards the main avenue, unsure of what to do.
‘You know what to do.’
Dash felt a pang of guilt, but forced it down. “I’m not ready for that yet.”
‘Liar. You’ve been wanting this ever since you left, and now you aren’t ready?’
“It’s not that easy! It’s one thing to think about it…” Dash trailed off as she realized several ponies were staring at her.
Grumbling, she turned down a side street and walked off, ignoring their stares. Dash wandered through Cloudsdale, allowing her mind to wander.
I awoke with a start, my heart beating rapidly in my chest and adrenaline pouring into my veins. I tried to sit up, only to realize something was covering me and holding me down. Panicking, I began to flail, crying out for help as I tried to free myself. To my left, I heard the sound of a door opening, and through blurry eyes I could see a dark form approaching me. Fear shot through my mind like a lance, and I doubled my efforts.
“Dash! Dash it’s okay! You’re in a hospital!”
Still I struggled, the words being lost amidst the sea of fear in my mind. Managing to free one hoof, I lashed out, trying to ward off the other pony.
“Dash!” He yelled, reaching forward and grabbing my hoof, “It’s me! Cloud Chaser!”
Finally, words broke through as I recognized the name. I blinked furiously, trying to clear my vision. Slowly, the world came into focus and I realized where I was. Stark white walls covered with various images of pony anatomy and medical tools surrounded me. I realized that the thing covering me and holding me down was simply the tightly tucked in bed sheets.
“Are you okay?”
I looked over at Cloud Chaser, concern etched into his gold colored eyes. Fear shot through me again, and I pulled my hoof away, sliding over to the other side of the bed.
“Rainbow Dash, I’m not going to hurt you.”
I looked at him, part of me wanting to trust him and another part of me feeling an intense amount of fear. In the end, the fear won over and I stayed where I was. Giving a small sigh, Cloud Chaser took a few steps back and sat down on the small couch. Given his disheveled state, and the pillow and blanket on the couch, it appeared as though he stayed the night here.
“What happened?” I croaked, my voice hoarse from all of the yelling I’d done.
Cloud Chaser looked down, “After the announcements, you sorta just took off. A couple of friends and I went out to celebrate, and as I was walking home, I heard someone shouting for help. I went down the alley and well… I saw you there.”
I curled up as the memories from the night before flashed through my mind. A small whimper escaped my lips, and I fought to keep tears back.
“Can I just be alone for a while?” I asked, hating how pathetic I sounded.
“Sure, I’ll let the doctor know you’re awake.”
As if drawn by some imaginary force, Dash found herself at the entrance to the Flight Academy. Again, Dash hesitated.
‘Just go inside. I doubt he’s in there.’
Still Dash remained rooted to the spot.
‘What happened to the fearless flier? All you’re doing is looking for where he went.’
Dash gave a small wince. “Way to kick a girl in the pride while she’s down,” she muttered, slowly stepping forward.
“How can I help you?”
Dash glanced up and saw a pony sitting behind a window. Her mane was pulled back into a tight bun and a pair of sharp rimmed glasses sat atop her snout.
“Uh… yeah. I uh..” Dash faltered. The mare raised an eyebrow.
“Are you new here?”
Dash shook her head, “No no, I used to go here, a few years ago. I was actually trying to find an old friend of mine. I don’t suppose you’d have any information?”
The mare shook her head, “No, I’m sorry. We can’t give out students’ information except to relatives.”
Dash nodded, “Thank you.”
Stepping back outside, Dash stretched her wings and flapped them a few times, then gently took off. Hovering above the school, Dash started looking for a comfortable cloud to relax on.
‘Yes, because that’s the best way to keep your word to Twilight.’
“It’s not my fault I don’t know where he is. Heck he might not even be in Cloudsdale!”
Surprisingly enough, she got no response from that. With a small harrumph she floated to a nearby cloud and settled down, intending to enjoy the newfound freedom.
Dash had just started to doze off when a loud horn sounded just below her, and the sound of ponies cheering reached her ears. Peeking over the edge of the cloud, she saw the Wonderbolts practicing in the coliseum a few blocks away. Seeing this as an opportunity, Dash slowly flew over, alighting on the top row near one of the columns. The coliseum had changed since she was there for the Young Fliers competition. Gone was the open floor, which had been filled in with a thick layer of cloud. At one end of the field, a group of Wonderbolts stood, poised to take-off as another group shot up, flying an intricate series of loops and twirls around one another. Dash was able to make out Soarin and Spitfire, and noticed that a few new ponies had joined the group. A pang of guilt shot through Dash.
“I should be on that field.”
Dash’s internal turmoil was interrupted however, as two ponies collided in mid-air with a sickening crunch. The two began to fall towards the ground, picking up speed as they went. Dash crouched, preparing to take off, but just before she did, a stallion from the group on the ground took off, shooting forward and catching the pair of unconscious ponies before lowering himself to the ground.
Immediately a pair of ponies dragging gurneys behind them ran out and carefully lifted the two onto them before rushing them out of the stadium.
“And that, everyone, is why you never, ever, break formation.” Spitfire landed near the group of ponies that had gathered, “Cloud Chaser, nice catch.”
Dash felt her blood run cold. ‘Cloud Chaser!? He’s a Wonderbolt?!’
Dash stared as the stallion pulled his hood off, revealing his light green coat and light blue mane. Dash stared, unbelieving.
‘Well… at least you found him… right?’
Dash sat back on her haunches as an ache settled in her chest. “No… no way.”
“Hey slowpoke. What took so long?”
I grumbled as I stepped out of the classroom. Cloud Chaser stood next to the door, leaning casually against the frame.
“We had a test. Stupid Mechanics of Flight class! Who cares about why I can fly!? All I need to know is how to do it!”
“If that’s all you need, you might want to take that class again.”
I glared at up at Cloud. “I am so not buying your lunch today.”
Cloud’s eyes widened in mock horror. “Oh no! How ever shall I survive!?”
I rolled my eyes and walked towards the cafeteria.
“So hey, I won’t be able to meet you after class tomorrow.”
I felt a pang, but didn’t show it. I would never admit to him how comforting it was to have him around. “Why’s that?” I asked, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.
“Coach wants me to go over some new plays tomorrow. Are you gonna be okay?”
“Psh. Do I look like the kind of pony that needs an escort everywhere?”
Cloud grinned at me, “You certainly haven’t been complaining.”
“Only because you’re an easy target.”
We sat down at a table, our trays loaded with food.
‘Tell him.’
I ignored the voice in my head and started eating, stealing a glance at Cloud every now and then.
‘Tell him!’
‘No!’ I shot back, taking a determined bite of food, as if to end the conversation there.
‘You know you want to.’
‘I do not!’
“Dash, you okay?”
I looked up to see Cloud staring at me peculiarly. “They screw up your sandwich again? You look really mad.”
I shook my head, “No, sorry. I was just thinking about something.”
“Okay, well I gotta take off. Practice and all. I’ll catch ya later.” With that, Cloud excused himself and walked out of the cafeteria.
‘Tell him now or I will forever punish you!’
“H-hey Cloud!” I called after him, he stopped, turning to look at me.
“Er…”
“Yeah Dash?” He asked, walking back over to me, “What’s up?”
“um..” I could feel my face growing hot, “Er.. have fun at practice!” I finished lamely.
Cloud frowned, then gave a small grin. “Thanks Dash.”
‘I have no words.’
I focused on my food, repeatedly telling myself that I didn’t have any feelings for Cloud Chaser. Yet in spite of myself, I did steal a peek at his retreating form just before he left.
‘Oh, I think you do.’
Groaning, I let my head drop to the tabletop.
Dash felt a familiar pang of longing hit her as she watched Cloud Chaser receive a round of pats on the back from his team.
“Alright everyone, I think that’s enough for today. We’ll meet again tomorrow,” Spitfire said, heading back to the entrance.
Slowly, each pony followed suit, leaving Cloud on the field.
‘Now’s your chance! Go!’
Dash stood up, preparing to walk down as calmly as she could. As she started her descent however, a young mare walked onto the field and enveloped Cloud Chaser in a tight hug. A lump formed in Dash’s throat and she stopped dead.
“That was wonderful Cloud! Now c’mon, you promised me dinner and I’m starving!”
Dash felt tears prick at her eyes as a numb feeling settled over her body. Hanging her head, she turned and walked back up the steps before taking off and flying back to the Tipsy Coinpurse. Behind her, she thought she heard her name.
“Just my imagination,” she muttered.
---
“Who’s Rainbow Dash?” Cloud Kicker asked.
Cloud Chaser frowned, “She… I knew her from Flight Academy. I could’ve sworn I saw her…”
Cloud Kicker sighed, “C’mon! I’m hungry!”
Cloud Chaser rolled his eyes, “Alright fine, relax. God forbid my little sister go hungry.”
---
“RD? That you?” Applejack called. Poking her head out of her room she looked down the hall to see a glum looking Rainbow Dash walk down the hallway.
“What happened?”
Dash didn’t answer as she walked past, just went into her room and shut the door behind her.
---
Muahahahahahaha! I’m back!
Seriously though, I’m really sorry for my stupid absence. My life got kind of hectic last year, and this story unfortunately fell on the wayside. However, I’ve got everything straightened out, so I’m back and ready as ever!