//------------------------------// // Part One: Confrontation // Story: Eyes on the Road // by Art Inspired //------------------------------// Hoof steps just beyond the preparation lockers entryway… The sudden whip of a washcloth, a sigh, some grumbling… and then silence. Soon after that, Lightning Dust heard brisk wipes smearing across the glass of what could've been goggles. There was some scrubbing being done around the metal rims, too. She was all too hesitant, but this was her final chance. Rainbow Dash heard a creaking noise from beyond the hallway, the darkness hiding whoever occupied it. “Who’s there?” she asked, placing her headgear on the table in front. “I’m kinda busy in here, getting ready for the race. I’m sorry, but I don’t have enough time for fans wanting autographs at the moment. Maybe after…” Lightning Dust walked out of the shadows, head slightly lowered, and trying hard not to break eye contact. However, it wouldn't be her to do so. After Rainbow dropped her jaw slightly, she huffed with an annoyed shift of the head, getting back to work. Ignoring the intruding mare wasn't going to work, though. “Rainbow, we need to talk.” No reply; just more streaking noises from the rag. “Please, I’m coming to you as a friend.” Rainbow stood and walked in the opposite direction along the locker doors. “Don’t call me that.” “Then what am I supposed to call you? This is ridiculous!” She quickly turned back, glaring at Lightning Dust, and then silence. It was the kind that becomes so awkward, one wishes nothing more but to break it with anything. A joke, or a compliment, but doesn't, knowing that if they say anything, things would hit the fan in a matter of moments. However, that’s exactly what Rainbow wanted all along. “You know what’s ridiculous, Dust?” She took a step back, gulping. “Uh, no… Wh-what?” “My friends being thrown into danger the way they were.” Rainbow froze Lightning with those words alone. After all these years of avoidance, waiting, hoping, and wondering, Lightning was pretty much informed of her mistake still being fresh within Rainbow’s mind. Two long years went right out the window with almost every day of her life, Lightning Dust wanting desperately to apologize, but never could work up the courage to do so. She looked down, and asked, “You’re still mad about that, huh?” Rainbow approached, brought her enemy’s stare back up, and said, “Furious…” Her hoof lowered back down to the floor, and she just stared menacingly. “I've tried to tell myself it’s wrong to hold a grudge, but what you did all those years ago almost costed me nearly everypony I love and care about.” Becoming that much more animated, Lightning nodded, looking away again. “I’m sorry about that… If you’d let me, I’d like to-” “What?!” Rainbow asked threateningly. “Say sorry? You've had two years to do just that! Why now? Not just the day before the big race, but right when I’m getting ready.” “Because,” Dust said quickly. “I won’t have another chance! You know how many times I've wanted to do this, but couldn't? Too many to count! If you or I win, we’ll never see each other again, not as equals. If you win, you’ll be too busy with new assignments, stage performances, autograph signings, and so much more. I won’t even get the time of day from you!” Rainbow sighed, glancing at her goggles. “And vice versa for you if I lose… Still, why take so long?” She looked back, a remaining hint of anger still showing. “Why now? Was I really that unapproachable?” Lightning looked Rainbow in the eyes. “You've seen me try… I’d come right up to you after Spitfire gave us our daily agenda, but you’d fly away, or give me this glare! How could I even think straight with you doing that? Just let me talk, and maybe, you’ll see I’m not a bad guy. I want to be your friend, not somepony who’s always in your way!” Rainbow scoffed, and turned back around, facing her open locker. A picture was quickly snatched out from within and presented to Lightning Dust. The image showed her a spectrum maned filly and a brown coated, white feathered gryphon looking over at the camera smugly while the pegasus smiled, showing a bit of an attitude. Lightning looked at Rainbow, and asked, “What’s this?” Rainbow looked down. “It’s my ex-best friend. Her name was Gilda. The pony you see next to her is me. It was taken about eleven years ago when we’d parted ways. I had just graduated flight school, but a few months before that, she did what you’re doing right now.” Lightning returned the picture to its rightful place, and sat with Rainbow for the first time in what seemed like forever. “What happened?” Reluctantly settling her nerves, Rainbow gave Lightning a dark expression as she said, “Gilda appealed to me with forgiveness, and made me lose one of the most important races of my life.” She caught her companion off guard. “Is that what you think I’m doing?” Dust asked, almost offended. “Trying to make you lose this race?” “That’s exactly what I think you’re doing!” Her word echoed in the partially empty room. “Gilda came to my school and took command of the cool kids by storm! How? She bullied me for a good couple of weeks before this really big race, and then, guess what she did.” The mare was speechless, mumbling over her words. “She came to me, and… and she told me everything she’d been doing was a simple, harmless joke.” Rainbow shivered a little. “I was lead on to believe she wanted to be my friend! Do you have any idea what the reward was for winning that race?” “I’m g-guessing… Uh…” Interrupting, knowing Lightning wouldn’t be able fathom the correct answer, Rainbow said, “Enough bits for a house, furniture, and much more! Not to mention a day with Spitfire herself; that's what I truly wanted. The prize was won by Gilda instead of me. Why’d she win? Because I let her! Right at the final moment, it could’ve gone either way. If I kept pushing myself, I would've beaten her by a few inches. Instead…” She huffed, and jerked her head away. Lightning could just barely see what looked like a tear being wiped away. “You slowed down, and let her win. Didn't you?” Taking a deep breath, Rainbow nodded. “I can’t let that happen again. I might be paranoid, or I could end up being right, about you coming to me like this is all just a ruse. So, I’m sorry, but unless you've got something you need from your locker, leave.” After her spiteful words left Rainbow’s lips, she came back around the small, wooden table, and got back to work on her equipment. Having been rejected like this was something Lightning Dust could barely handle. She’d come to Rainbow with honestly sincere intentions, but was seen the same way Rainbow views Gila: like somepony who’s unworthy of her friendship. Just before leaving Rainbow be, Lightning offered, “After the race, whoever wins or loses, I’d be grateful if you’d consider being my friend anyway.” She started walking to the exit when Rainbow called her back. “Hey…” Lightning stopped momentarily, tilting her head and pointing her ear at Rainbow’s direction to listen. “I’m not gonna hold back. Until this race is over, I’m still gonna see you as a rival rather than a friend. But, if I see you racing respectfully, and making an actual effort without cheating or taking shortcuts, then I’ll think about it…” The mare gave a small huff, and said, “Thank you, Rainbow Dash.” However, just for good measure, Rainbow instructed her possible future friend, “Don’t get your hopes up, though.” And then, she left. Lightning Dust and Rainbow Dash wouldn't see each other until the line up, when Soarin' would announce this year’s competitors. They’d be standing side by side, and this time, both mares would understand there mustn't be any holding back. Though, just before that, Lightning Dust had some problems with her emotions, tempted to simply allow Rainbow Dash her victory. Were it not for Spitfire, the Wonderbolt’s leader, and a friend who’d finally started trusting Lightning Dust more often, Dust might’ve done just that. She was startled by the leader when she came around the corner, slouching onto her shoulder with a hoof, and asking, “So, how’d it go? Did Dash lighten up or what?” Her head lowered at the question. “Not exactly,” Lightning said. “I was accused of trying to make her soft so I could win the race. You were right when you said I should’ve gone to her a long time ago. Now, I’ll be lucky if she ever even speaks to me again.” Spitfire chuckled. “That’s Rainbow for you. I never really would've expected her to be the type to hold what happened all those years ago over your head, but after hearing about what she’s gone through all her life… Y’know? I can’t really blame her.” As they trotted to the left, rounding a corner, Lightning asked, “What happens now?” “You race,” Spitfire said rather bluntly. "Rainbow Dash has the right idea. Letting your emotions stand in the way isn't what the Wonderbolts are about. Sure, ethics count for more questionable situations, but this competition’s not about that. It’s to test your speed, skills, and will; to see if you've got what it takes to become this year’s newest member.” “But,” Lightning countered, ”I might want Dash to win. If I let her, maybe I’ll be forgiven.” Spitfire shook her head in disagreement. “Or, you’ll just show her you’re weak, and that you were no match for her in the first place. That’s not what I've been training everypony to do, especially not you! I've gone weeks, struggling with you, Rainbow Dash, Thunderlane, and all the others special! I did that so you’d all be ready. Don’t disappoint me by letting yourself be defeated without a fight..” With an improved posture, Lightning Dust turned around to salute her mentor, and say, “Yes ma’am!” Once they parted ways, Lightning quickened her pace, allowing Spitfire’s words to run circles in her head. Everything she told Lightning Dust was true, that in order to prove to Rainbow she was genuinely sorry, she’d either win, or give Dash the most difficult time of her life without causing any mischief. She let everything that would’ve held her back be released from her thoughts, and walked hastily towards her door. In only five to ten minutes, give or take, the curtain would open up. Number Four, right next to Rainbow Dash. She was already getting pre-performance jitters along with second thoughts, but Dust shook all that away, blowing a breath of air down her chest to cool herself off. It’s what she always did when nervous, or anxious about something. Just being on that stage would be a treat for anypony, standing where so many other new Wonderbolts once did, only a few hours before they took off flying with each other. And then, Soarin’s voice boomed through the walls, vibrating Lightning Dust’s ears. “Fillies and gentlecolts! Welcome to the sixtieth annual racing of recruits! This year’s line up consists of only five pegasi, all of which has trained day in and day out for much longer than anypony before. They've completed a wide variety of tedious tasks, competed in all sorts of challenging competitions, and proved themselves ready for this very day!” Lightning Dust said it with him, “Chosen contestant number one.” The first to enter the stage was Thunderlane, the hardest worker of his bunch. The stallion's accomplishments involved clearing out one of the densest overcasts Manehatten had ever witnessed, among other deeds that went renown throughout many rural areas. He was recommended by Soarin’ himself, who watched him from a distance, admiring his performance. The next two were a pair of friendly rivals, formally known as Cloudchaser and Raindrop. Though acting friendly when off duty, whenever they’d be doing a job, One out of the two would persevere more and more, trying to prove herself better than the other. Time and time again, Spitfire observed this and eventually came to the decision that this year’s race just wouldn't be enough without the two. That, and the other possible candidates just weren't ready for such events. “And finally,” Soarin’ said after announcing everypony but the remaining two, “We have a pair of very familiar faces! The first is a pegasus some might not enjoy hearing about, especially after what happened two years ago. But, those events have crafted her into one of the greatest recruits I've ever seen! Please, put your hooves together for the one, the only, Lightning Dust!”