Contrail had been mostly correct in his assessment. It would be about a month to get the factory back into working order, although it wasn't going to be quite the same as it was.
Princess Celestia had taken her 'tour' and wanted the pegasus devices cleaned up, but not moved. She had said that they would be left in place as reminders to everypony of a time we should strive never to repeat.
Contrail didn't care about all that. He knew what he was about. It had been a long time since he could say that about himself. He had absorbed himself in his work since his mind had cleared. It helped keep Pipe Wrench out of his thoughts. It was a little ironic that the pony that had killed him was now one of his bosses. Not that Corona even tried to act like a boss anyway. He didn't care. He kind of liked the kid. Actually, when the two of them would come across each other, Contrail almost felt bad for Corona. He would try to at least be friendly, but Corona would look away, mumble something about being sorry for taking Pipe Wrench from him and then run off in another direction.
Contrail had many hours to contemplate what he would have done in the same situation. He concluded that he would have done the same thing. He just wanted to tell Corona that he no longer thought bad of him. Also, if Corona ever wanted to talk that he was willing to listen.
Gauge and Gentle were inseparable from the moment Gauge came out of surgery. Gauge had opened his eyes to see his leg fixed up and Gentle staring at him beaming, but muttering, "Broken. Fixed. Broken. Fixed." He could tell that she was trying so hard to keep herself together.
Dr. Atmosphere came to visit soon after Gauge had woken up. He told them that there were changes coming. That there would be no more violence in the factory.
That seemed to relax Gentle a tiny bit.
He continued, saying that Cloud, Corona, and Scootaloo had survived and were now partners in the Company.
That sent Gentles face into twitches and a most confused look. Dr. Atmosphere noticed just how close to full insanity she was. That's when Gauge was told that the responsibility of Gentles mental state was all his. They needed her sane so that she could help get the factory up and running as efficiently as possible. And somehow she had taken a liking to him and for that reason he was chosen to make her right.
He also said that the change that was coming would NOT lead Pegasi to a fall, but rather lift them to new heights.
Gauge would only believe it when he saw it.
"Trust me, my friend. Look after Gentle. Get yourself better. Get the factory back together and we will be back on top in no time. Got it?" Dr. Atmosphere told Gauge as he left.
Gauge nodded slowly.
That first week was awful. The medical staff wouldn't release him from his room. Saying his wounds were too severe to be out and about. Also, Princess Celestia wouldn't allow them to start the cleanup, which left him trying to keep Gentle from losing it. With nothing to keep her focused she would fade into herself, start giggling, then chant, "Broken. Fix. Broken. Fix." Sometimes, Gauge could snap her out of it by getting her to talk about the inefficiencies of the factory and what they could do to make it better. Other times he would have to just sit there and listen. Thinking to himself that if they didn’t get out of here soon he was going to go crazy himself.
The medical staff finally released him with orders that he could only go back and forth from the NEW control room to his hospital bed. Better than being stuck in that room all day, he thought to himself.
Gentle seemed to be happy, because she could now 'fix' the factory. She also seemed to like the idea that she was helping to fix Gauge as well. It worked out well for both ponies. Gauge wasn't able to get around on his own yet, so Gentle acted like his own personal assistant. It seemed to give her a sense of purpose and focus.
That first day back on the console was pretty tiring for Gauge. Gentle, seeing all the damage, was nearly completely useless. It was like she was trying to start on everything at once. Frantically switching from spot to spot. Gauge spent most of his time trying to keep Gentle as close to sane as possible. The rest was spent assessing just how much damage there really was and what it was going to take to get it repaired. That didn't include the clean up either.
As the weeks passed and the clean up transitioned into repairs, Gentle started to show signs of improvement. At least as far as Gauge could tell. She started making organized decisions for the cleanup and even had a schedule for the repairs. Of course, she still had her moments of hysterical laughing fits straight into crying, which ended just as fast as they would start. Then she would have her moments of sheer brilliance. Gauge thought if Gentle Butterwing had her way with this factory, it would be so efficient that the costs to run it might be cut down as much as 75%.
When he and Gentle had directed workers to start the repairs to the pegasus devices there was some confusion. The workers reported that they couldn't work on them. Gauge started getting really angry that they wouldn't do as instructed and was yelling at them over the intercom when Rainbow Dash interrupted. She told the workers to take a break. Then she announced that there was going to be a group meeting in the control room as soon as everypony could get there.
Gauge cringed. These meetings with Rainbow Dash usually ended with somepony being tortured. He was still in no shape to take any kind of torture.
Dr. Atmosphere along with Contrail were the first to arrive.
Contrail looked Gauge over. "You look like you've been to Tartarus and back."
"You look like you've lost your sense of humor," shot back Gauge.
Gentle started cackling.
"What happened to her?" asked Contrail.
"It seems you two have switched places. Hers is almost gone and yours is back," said Gauge.
Contrail looked at Gentle curiously.
"Sanity, my friend, he’s talking about your sanity," Dr. Atmosphere said.
"Hey, Doc, is this meeting really necessary? I mean, with Ms. Dash and all? She makes me real nervous," Gauge was still cringing. "I was hoping we could get back to it soon. You know what I mean?"
Atmosphere looked them all over for a minute. "There has been some changes. Firstly, Ms. Dash is not the same pony you had come to fear. You'll see when the others arrive. She is still fierce, don't get me wrong. Secondly... well... let's wait for the others."
Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, Cloud Cover and Corona all headed toward the control room. Corona asked the question that Cloud was feeling. "Do WE have to go? These are the same ponies that were trying to kill us."
"Capture you, Corona. I was the one trying to kill you," said Dash sarcastically.
"That doesn't really help you know."
"I'm sorry. I was just trying to ease the tension."
"Speaking of tension," said Cloud, "we are outnumbered if you think about it."
"How so? There are four of us and, if you add Gauge and Gentle together... One, two, two point two-five, two point seven-five. I don't know, maybe, three?" joked Rainbow Dash.
Scootaloo finally spoke, "Dashi? Didn't you just get done saying that you were the one trying to kill them?"
"Yes, but I... I see your point. I'm sorry. I don't think you realize just how much I’ve come to really care for you guys. You brought my little sister back to me! I owe you BIG time! So, don't you worry. I've got your back no matter what!"
Cloud and Corona looked at each other, then at Scootaloo. She looked at them both, smiled and nodded assuring them that Rainbow was telling the truth.
They walked with a new confidence from that one look Scootaloo gave them.
All of a sudden they were at the door to the control room. Rainbow Dash gave them a sly look, winked an eye and...
The door slammed open, Dash stomped in with a look so fierce even Dr. Hide Atmosphere took a step back.
Contrail leaped back looking for somewhere to disappear into.
Gauge nearly passed out.
Gentle squealed, then started to giggle.
Rainbow Dash grabbed her stomach and fell to the floor with laughter, "You should've seen your faces!"
Scootaloo, Cloud, and Corona came in and stood as far away from Contrail, Gentle, and Gauge as they could.
Hide shook his head and snickered. "Ms. Dash, I think we should get this started, if you would?"
“Yes, yes you're right. My apologies. Ok. First, I think introductions are in order. Scootaloo, this is Contrail, one of the smartest ponies I know, except for Princess Twilight. This is, Gauge, he knows this facility like the back of his hoof. This is, Gentle, I believe is her name, she is the newest addition to the engineering team. She has brilliant ideas of how we can make this place way more efficient. All, this is my little sister, Scootaloo."
"I have met them, if only briefly," Scootaloo said, looking away quickly.
All three looked at her like they had never seen her before.
Then she remembered. She looked different than she does now. "I was the mare with these two," pointing a hoof at Cloud and Corona, "that you were trying to stop."
They looked at Cloud and Corona. Then, all three looked at Scootaloo, shocked.
Scootaloo smiled, not knowing what else to say.
Rainbow broke the awkwardness. "Cloud Cover, this is, Contrail, Gauge, and Gentle."
Cloud stepped forward, smiled, nodded her head and said, "Hi, all."
"How could you bring them here? They’re the ones that did all of that," shouted Gentle, pointing at the screens. She had forgotten that Dr. Atmosphere had told her that they were now partners in the Weather Factory a couple of weeks ago. She leered at them.
Gauge had forgotten also. He was fuming mad, but held his tongue.
Rainbow stepped between Gentle, not sure of her mental state, and her newly adopted family ready to defend them to the death if need be. “Actually, it wasn’t them that did that. We did that.” She pointed at each one of them in turn, “You, you, and yes, even you, Contrail. I’m just as guilty. So is Dr. Atmosphere. But we’re over all that now. Got it!”
Contrail spoke up, "I think I heard that you made them partners in the factory, right? So... does that mean we’re going to be seeing a lot more of them around here?”
"What?" Gauge and Gentle said together.
"Yep, they have been brought into the company as partners for their ability to overcome adversities that would have squashed most other ponies. For setting this company on a new path, and for bringing back my most cherished possession in this world. My little sister. Who is also a partner," said Rainbow Dash, flashing a smile at Scootaloo.
Scootaloo was floored. She didn't think that the original offer included her. She had missed that part the day of the incident.
"And technically they are your bosses, but they don't know enough about the inner workings of the factory yet to give out any orders," concluded Dash. "So, that brings me to last but not least, Corona."
Corona stepped up beside Cloud and Scootaloo and said, "Hi."
"Best thing you've said to me in days!" Contrail admitted.
Corona still couldn't look at him, "I'm sorry, ok!"
"Fine. You’re sorry," Contrail said soothingly, "but we need to talk kid." He moved to stand by Corona.
Scootaloo started to intercept him.
"It's ok, Scootaloo. I need to do this sometime. I guess now is as good a time as any," Corona said, trying to convince himself as much as the others.
"Ok. Now that the introductions are done," announced Dr. Atmosphere. "If I may, Ms. Dash, inform these two about the pegasus devices and why they cannot be repaired?"
"Be my guest Dr. Atmosphere," returned Rainbow.
"When Princess Celestia was here, she said that the pegasus devices were to be cleaned up and left in place because they will remind us of a time that we never want to repeat. She also wants them to be inoperable." He paused for a minute. "I believe that once we get the new devices that Dr. Test Tube built into the production mode we will be replacing the pegasus devices with them."
"Sir, what does this new device do?" asked Gentle.
"It actually creates spectra from donated pony blood. And here’s the best part; without harming anypony."
"No more foals getting slaughtered!" Gentle screamed. "This is like waking up from a nightmare!"
"How is this going to help us as a race?" asked Gauge. Anger showing on his face.
"I know it seems like we are letting possible failures have lives they don't deserve, Gauge, but let me tell you that this will actually help the Pegasus race in the long run. We no longer have anypony to fear. This whole land of Equestria is peaceful. We will not fall. We will fly. I guarantee it!" Hide Atmosphere stomped his hoof.
"Well, do we know what needs to get done to get this place going again?" asked Rainbow Dash.
A collective, "Yes," was said by all.
"Now that we all know the plan, I think it will get done fairly quickly," said Gentle. Gauge looked at her from the corner of his eye. "What? I think we can get back into production in as little as three weeks from now."
"Production? Dear, I just wanted the factory RUNNING in FOUR weeks," said Dr. Atmosphere, surprised that she was so sure of herself. Like she wasn't on the edge of sanity at all.
"Even with all the damage that still needs to be repaired, I think we can get extremely efficient and still get everything up and running to the production level in the four weeks that you were expecting. There will still be ongoing upgrades of course, but if we stick to my schedule I think we can do it."
"I guess I'll be having a lot of sleepless nights. I think I might need somepony to help me out," said Contrail looking right at Corona. "What d'ya say? I can teach you about the factory and we can help each other get through some of this crap we might be dealing with."
Rainbow Dash cut off Corona's answer, " I don't know about that. It might be a little soon still. What do you think, Scoots?"
"I think, Corona needs to be the one to make that decision. Not us. Sorry, Dashi."
"Well. It's up to you, buddy."
Corona finally looked at Contrail. He could tell that he was trying to be sincere in his offer. "Ok. I guess it couldn't hurt anything to try."
"Sounds like we have a plan," said Dash. "Meeting adjourned."
As they all started to disperse. "Contrail, I need to talk to you. Alone, if I could, Corona?" Dash said.
"Sure, Ms. Dash."
Dash gave him a sideways squint eyed look, thinking she needed to tell him that he shouldn't call her that, but he was already heading off to join the others. She turned back to Contrail, "Contrail, I hope you are being sincere about trying to teach Corona about the factory."
"I really am, Ms. Dash. I've had time to think about it, and, well, I think I would have done the same in their situation."
"In that case, you can't let anything happen to any of them if they are working with you. Understand?"
"Yes, Ms. Dash," he said, nodding his head.
As Corona reached Cloud and Scootaloo he asked, "What do you think they are talking about?"
"Probably, what the factory needs and how Contrail will most likely be handling most of the stuff on the floor since Gauge and Gentle will be in the control room directing," said Cloud.
Just then they all saw Rainbow Dash stomp the floor along with a crazed look at Contrail with more discussion.
"NO. I don't think you do." Stamping a hoof. "See, they have become like my own colt and filly. If something happened to them... I think that the clarity that has found you and I again might just slip away. And this place might revert back to its old ways for a while. A little torture before we get back up and running. NOW, do you understand?"
"I will treat them like the foals I never had, Ms. Dash."
"So long as we're clear. Thanks, Contrail."
And just like that Rainbow Dash was off with her new found family.
Contrail stood, thinking. What did I just get myself into? He looked around and noticed just how dangerous the factory really was. That's without it being half destroyed. He whistled out loud and headed toward his work.
"I thought I was going to go help Contrail?"
"You are," said Dash trotting up to them.
"Where is he going then?"
"He has a lot on his mind right now. Go catch him. Be CAREFUL!" Rainbow screamed after him.
"Dash, are you sure he'll be alright?" Cloud asked.
"Contrail knows what needs to be done. Corona will be fine. Besides, Contrail needs somepony right now, and Corona had to do something that nopony as young as you guys should ever have had to do. I have a feeling that this will be good for both of them. But, if Corona calls me 'Ms. Dash’ again, I think I'll clobber him."
Cloud and Scootaloo both giggled.
"So, what are we off to do, Dashi?" asked Scootaloo.
"We have some work of our own to do. Let's go." The three of them headed down the corridor.
Corona caught up to Contrail not too far down the hall. "Contrail, wait up. I thought you wanted to talk?"
"Yeah, I do. There will be plenty of time for that while we get this place whipped back into shape. Are you ready for a little hard work?"
"I'm not scared of work. This place is a little intimidating though," said Corona as he looked at all the different pipes, valves, and conduit running in all directions throughout the factory.
"If you don't know what you're doing, not only is it intimidating, it can be downright dangerous. I need you to only touch what I tell you too, ok?"
"Sure. So, where are we going to start?"
"I think we need to get down to the old section and get started on fixing the systems that took the most damage." He stopped in his tracks. "We don't have to go there yet, actually."
"That's ok. we can start there if you want to."
"I don't think that would be the best place to start after all. Too many... memories."
"Oh! You mean... THE old part of the factory. I think you make a good point. I don't think I'm ready to go back there yet myself."
They both stood there. Eyes wide. Wondering when or if they would ever be ready to go back.
"I know of a place in a totally different section that we can get started in. How does that sound?" Contrail was looking at Corona now.
"Um, yeah. I think that would work out nicely," Corona was still uncomfortable looking directly into Contrails eyes.
Contrail could tell that he was still feeling guilty. "Corona, I've been trying to tell you for a while that I know you only did what you thought you had to. I would have done the same in your situation. I'm still sad, but I'm trying to work through it. I can't say that I don't blame you. Not yet at least. I'm hoping that I can one day. But, I get why."
"You have every right to blame me. I was the one that killed him. But in my defense, it was me or him, or at least that was the way the situation looked to me."
"We were given strict orders not to kill either of you. Don't look like at me like that. You didn't know that. Neither did any of the other workers that were there fighting. After Pipe Wrench fell, I left the fight knowing that they didn't know you were to be left alive. I actually had hoped one of them would get you."
Corona started shaking. He was scared. They were alone, and Contrail just said that he wished that he had been killed. I have to work on this dangerous stuff with him!
"I'm actually glad that you made it though. You, Cloud, and Scootaloo have all saved a lot of lives. I don't know if it will turn out good or bad, but as long as we have work to do then we will have a purpose. That's all we can ask for. Well, that, and a friend. I was hoping that we could try to be friends."
"What? How could you want to be friends with me? I took your friend from you. I don't understand."
"You don't have to understand because I don't understand it either. Although, you and I are similar. Not quite the same, but similar."
"How's that?"
"I have seen a lot of death in here. More than I want to ever remember. I built the machine that caused most of it. So, in that way, their blood is on my hooves. You, my friend, have blood on your hooves as well. You killed somepony yourself. I call that pretty similar. You see where I'm coming from now?"
"I still don't get it. Are you trying to mess with my head? I don't think I can do this, Contrail."
"Look, I'm not trying to mess with you at all. Do you remember when I said, 'Good luck, make pretty rainbows, whatever your fate is I hope it works out well for everypony. And remember, no pony is better than anypony else'."
"I remember."
"I meant what I said. I'm not any better than you are. In some ways, probably worse. I wasn't trying to save my own life when I built that machine. Yet, I am responsible for a lot of lives that have been ended just so we could make rainbows. That's a lot to take, especially alone. I was thinking that we could try to get through being murderers together."
"Ok. I get it. I'm a horrible pony!"
Contrail sighed, "You still aren't getting it. I didn't mean to call you a murderer. I just meant that I need a friend and I thought that you could be that friend. If you don't want to be my friend that's fine. I'll take you back to the offices so you can hang out with Ms. Dash and Dr. Atmosphere."
"Contrail, I don't want to go back to the offices. I would like to learn how the factory works. If we become friends while doing that, well, then it's Celestia's own will. That's what I can offer. I hope that would be something you can accept?"
"I think I can accept that. It's a start in the right direction anyway. You ready to get to work then?"
"As ready as I'll ever be."
Rainbow, Scootaloo, and Cloud all walked down the hall joking and laughing. Mainly Rainbow telling the jokes and the others laughing at them. They went on this way until they were outside in front of the factory.
Finally, Cloud spoke up, "Where are we going anyway, Dash?"
"I think there is somepony that we need to go see. I'm not going to lie, I can't do this myself," Dash replied.
Scootaloo was at a loss to think who it could be. "Ok, Dash. I give up. Who is it?"
"You'll know when we get there. How do your wings feel, Scoots?"
"They’re doing better. I can fly, but not more than thirty minutes at a time. Doctors orders," Scootaloo said rolling her eyes.
Cloud broke in, "Scootaloo, you know the doctor is right. You should take it easy. If you push too hard you might not be able to fly at all."
"She's right, Scoots. I would've pushed you hard in the past, but I want you to fly as well as you once did. So, let's not push too hard, ok?" said Rainbow looking pained at the thought of Scootaloo not flying ever again.
“How far do we have to go then, Dashi? How far is it from here to see this pony?” Scootaloo asked wondering who it could be.
“I need you to help me go visit Ponyville, ok? I haven’t been back there in years. I… I thought that my friends were abandoning me, but it was me who was pushing them away. Oh, Scoots. What am I gonna do? I’m scared. Will my friends even want to see me much less talk to me?” Tears were forming in Rainbows eyes and she hung her head.
Scootaloo looked at Cloud with concern for Rainbows state of mind. She turned back to look at Rainbow, “Dashi, look at me for a second won’t you? I think if you made the attempt at an apology to them, they might forgive you. Without trying you won’t ever know. We can only go as your support group. Cloud nor I can do this for you.”
“I know. A support group would be awesome. I couldn’t do this alone. Thanks, gals,” Rainbow said wiping her tears with a foreleg. “I guess we can take the train. That would be best I think.”
“I agree. Scootaloo’s wings would definitely not make it to Ponyville from here. Sorry, Scootaloo I know how much you want to fly, but I think the train would be our safest route,” Cloud said, watching Scootaloo’s reaction to her two best friends telling her that they didn’t want her to do the only thing that she ever wanted.
Gauge and Gentle hadn’t spoken for a little while after Dr. Atmosphere excused himself from the meeting. Finally, Gentle broke the silence, “What the horsefeathers just happened? I’m fine with no more killing, but how did those three get to be partners? We’re the ones busting our flanks for this place.”
“I don’t like this one bit. All this is going to end in a big mistake. Mark my words. I think Dr. Atmosphere wants to retire and all this is so he can. I guess, if we wanted to we could go find other jobs now too. I’m not sure, but I think we are free to come and go as we please also. Still, I have too much time invested in this factory to leave it. Not that I have anywhere else to go anyway,” said Gauge.
Gentle just nodded her head. She didn’t know that they could leave. I could leave. I could leave? Could I leave? She was trying to comprehend the possibilities of that statement and forgot about the three new partners. This place is such a mess. I think I need to stay. This place could use a major overhaul. I’m staying. Gauge needs me too. Another reason to stay. It’s settled then. “I’m staying too,” she said aloud.
“I figured you would be gone as soon as you found out that we could leave,” Gauge said with a little sadness in his voice. There was a tiny piece of him that hoped she would go. Maybe find something a little less chaotic.
“I couldn’t leave you,” she said blushing. “Plus, I believe I could do some good with the factory too,” Gentle said glancing up at Gauge shyly.
“Thanks for sticking with me, Gentle. I think the factory will flourish with your improvements. I… I’m just not sure about this new plan. I think it’s too drastic of a change. If you haven’t noticed I’m not very fond of change. Especially after spending so many years doing the same thing,” Gauge said looking to the floor.
“Sometimes… change is a good thing. I think that this is going to work out for the better. I know it is. I have to believe it will or… or…,” she started trembling from the thoughts going through her mind, “I… I don’t want to think about it. Let’s get back to work. This place really needs our help,” she said, looking back at the screens.
Gauge looked at her with a raised eyebrow, “Sure, Gentle. I think that’s a good idea.”
“Contrail, where are we going? Isn’t most of the damage that way?” Corona asked looking back down the hall.
“Huh? Oh. Yeah,” Contrail said distracted. He kept walking anyway.
“What’s going on Contrail? All of a sudden you seem to be very distracted,” Corona said wrinkling his brow at Contrail. “What gives?”
Stopping in his tracks Contrail wasn’t sure where he was going. “Sorry, Corona. I’m not sure where I was heading. Just walking I suppose,” Contrail said looking around trying to find his bearings. He knew where he was, but had no idea why he had come this way. Well, maybe he did. He was under the strictest of orders to keep Corona safe and that was going to be difficult with all the mess that was left to sort out. Why did I agree to this? I wanted him to be my friend, but now… now I have to be his… his guardian. That isn’t what I wanted at all. “Corona, I…” not sure if he should say anything about Ms. Dash’s order, “I guess we need to go back the other way.”
“Really,” Corona said sarcastically. “What is going on? First we agreed to not go to the main theatre for obvious reasons, but there was plenty to do in other places. Why the distracted walk?” Corona asked a little miffed.
“I… ok. Fine. The truth. I was put under strict orders from Ms. Dash to protect you from harm. I am supposed to look after you like you were my own colt. Also, Cloud. Like she was my own filly,” Contrail said looking at Corona with an odd look on his face.
Corona knew he wasn’t supposed to know or Contrail wouldn’t have made that face. “Contrail, you really didn’t have to tell me that. She didn’t want us to know, did she?”
“No, she didn’t, but if we might be friends someday I think we need to be honest with each other. Don’t you think?” Contrail said smiling slightly.
“I think honesty is good no matter what. But how am I supposed to learn about the workings of the factory if you hide me away?”
“I don’t want to hide you away. I wanted you to help me fix this place and put it back together. It is a dangerous place though. After what Ms. Dash said, I don’t know what to do. I wanted you to be able to get your hooves dirty, but if you get hurt,” Contrail shuddered with the thought of what Rainbow Dash would do to him, “I don’t think I could handle the torture that would be inflicted on me.”
“Torture!? Is that what her talk was about? Contrail, I… I don’t want anypony getting tortured. Especially because of me. You can take me back to the offices after all. You can’t do your job and be worrying about me at the same time. One or both of us is bound to get hurt or dead that way, but I really would’ve liked to learn the inner workings of this place,” Corona said, looking around as he started off towards the elevator.
Contrail wasn’t sure what to do. He knew that this colt had just been as honest as anypony could’ve been. If he was worrying about Corona’s safety though, then he would surely miss something and get them both hurt or worse. He also didn’t want Corona to feel that he was just dumping him off. “Corona, I know you don’t like me anyway, but I think we could’ve been friends given different circumstances.”
“It’s ok, Contrail. We’ll hang out later. If you think you’re getting out of teaching me how this place works? Try again. I’ll talk to Rainbow Dash about not torturing ponies anymore and maybe we can get to work tomorrow,” Corona said, giving Contrail a small knowing grin over his shoulder.
Contrail hung his head as he started following Corona to the elevator. “I guess this is the best way. If Ms. Dash takes back her threat I’ll make sure you learn everything that I can teach you, but only if she takes it back,” he said shuddering again.
At the train station Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, and Cloud stood on the platform with tickets in hand for Ponyville. Rainbow was looking nervous.
“Are you ok, Dashi?” Scootaloo asked, furrowing her brow.
“Huh? Oh. Yeah, I’m fine. Just a little anxious is all,” Rainbow said with a small nervous giggle.
“Rainbow Dash, you know we could postpone this trip. We could wait for Scootaloo’s wings to get better and then fly to Ponyville,” Cloud said somewhat hopeful.
“This trip isn’t just for me. This is for you too. There is somepony there that I think you should meet. Actually, Princess Celestia wants you to meet this pony too,” Rainbow said giving Cloud a reassuring smile.
The train came into the station. Scootaloo and Cloud both stood and watched Rainbow Dash, waiting for her to get onto the train. She didn’t move. “What if they hate me?” Rainbow said with wide blank staring eyes.
“Dashi! The only way you will ever know is to go back. Let’s get on the train and find out. Plus, didn’t you just say that this trip wasn’t only for you?” Scootaloo said.
Snapping out of her thoughts Rainbow recovered herself just in time for the last call to board, “Yeah, you’re right. Let’s get going.”
They all boarded the train bound for Ponyville. After everypony got settled in their seats Rainbow Dash started daydreaming again. She thought about the last time she had seen any of her friends and the pain that she must have caused them. As she thought about it she came to realize that it was indeed her that pushed them away. Not the other way around. As the scenery passed by the windows in a blur Rainbow drifted off in deep thought.
First, she thought about her last conversation with Applejack. It hadn’t gone so well.
~
“Applejack! I told you that I’m fine. Will you just drop it!”
“Rainbow, ya need to talk to us. If not us, then me. Ya aren’t fine. You’ve changed. I can’t put my hoof on it, but ya aren’t yourself anymore. Sugarcube, I really want to help ya through whatever it is that’s got ya outta sorts lately.”
“Don’t you ‘Sugarcube’ me! You don’t really want to help me. Besides, there isn’t anything to help with. I told you, Applejack, I’m fine. If you don’t want to just be friends and stop trying to help me all the time. Then, fine. Bye, AJ.”
~
Rainbow Dash hung her head. All she wanted to do was help get me out of the dark place I was in. Oh, Applejack. I’m so sorry.
“We’re going to see Applejack!?” Scootaloo said excitedly. “I wonder if Apple Bloom will be there?”
Rainbow Dash sat up and looked at Scootaloo wondering how she knew they were going to see Applejack, “How did you know that’s where we were going?”
“You just said ‘Applejack. I’m so sorry’. I just thought that might be where we’re going. Am I wrong?” Scootaloo questioned.
“No. I think that’s where I want to go first. I hadn’t realized that I said that out loud. Sorry, I’ll try to keep my thoughts to myself from now on,” Dash said with a small smile for her companions before drifting off again.
~
“Twilight, why are all of you trying to help, when there is nothing wrong with me? Work has been a little stressful lately. That’s all!”
“Ever since you got that promotion to the factory you aren’t the same, Rainbow. I think you really should talk about it. Let us in on what has you so worked up and we can help you get through it.”
“That’s just it, Twilight, I don’t need any help. I’m the same amazing pony I’ve always been. How come you guys can’t see that?”
“I know you’re amazing, Dash, but even you can get over stressed. And that can change a pony. Usually not for the better. If you could just talk about it. I’m sure that would help.”
“I CAN’T!” Rainbow shut her eyes, regained her composure, “I’m working in the top secret section of the factory and I could get fired or worse just for telling you that much.”
“Worse? Ha. I don’t think they would do more than fire you, Rainbow. If they would even go that far.”
“Ha, yea. Me either. So, see. There isn’t anything you could do for me. Could you find a way to tell the others without telling them about my job? Please.”
“Why can’t you tell them yourself?” Twilight asked with one eyebrow raised.
“Work is going to be taking up most of my time. And I have to leave straight from here to go back. Can you just do this for me, Twi? Please?”
“Fine. You owe me, Rainbow Dash!” Twilight called after her as she headed out through the door.
“Thanks, Twilight!” Rainbow yelled back as she took off for Cloudsdale. Knowing that it would most likely be her last time in Ponyville.