//------------------------------// // The other side // Story: On a wing and a rainbow // by Killbles //------------------------------// Chapter 11: The other side That morning… Soarin yawned silently, he had woken up before the Cyan Pegasus he was sharing the bed with. He rolled out of the bed clumsily, careful not to disturb Rainbow Dash. Landing on the floor with a soft 'pomf', he shook himself over, clearing his fuzzy vision and making his already ruffled mane messier. He cast an eye over the still slumbering Pegasus. 'Such a pretty mare' he thought. His heart fluttered briefly as she squirmed in her sleep. 'Too cute.' He thought. The sleeping mare murmured something, a small part of her dream escaping into reality. Soarin's eye's widened and he glanced around the room awkwardly as she continued mumbling and groaning. 'Yep, nothing to do here.' He thought embarrassedly. Leaving Dash to her fantasies, he left the room with a tinge of red across his face. Heading through the house, he instinctively directed himself towards the kitchen. He made a light breakfast for himself and after a moment of consideration, one for his de facto partner. Munching cheerfully, he pondered what he would do that day. 'Wonderbolts… Off season… Training schedule for next season… Boring. Needs to be done though. Ok… Canterlot… Could get Dash something nice…. Canterlot…' He thought incoherently. Deciding that his mind was still too asleep to be making any more decisions, he cleared away his meal and wrote a quick note for Rainbow. Heading back to my place in Canterlot today, Made you breakfast Might be back tonight. He hesitated for a moment before signing it off with Love Soarin Sure that she would find the meal and his note, Soarin grabbed his saddlebags from the table, tightened up the stylised lightning bolt strap, swung the bags over his back and set off towards the royal city. After working most of the morning on a training schedule for next season (in truth most of the morning had been spent spinning in lazy circles on his office chair) Soarin had decided to take what he felt was a well-earned break. Stepping outside of the virtually empty Headquarters, Soarin shivered and tightened his blue scarf around his neck. Although winter had arrived in a blustery gale of wind weather, snow had not yet fallen in Canterlot. He considered retreating back into the comparatively warm interior but decided to brave the cold weather. He wandered aimlessly, avoiding the upper class areas centred around the royal palace which dominated the skyline. He shortly found himself in a large but friendly looking marketplace. Trotting through the crowded square, Soarin's eye was caught by a small jewellery store. In particular by one gem the curious foreign pony running the stall had on offer. Making his way through a small gaggle of ponies, Soarin approached the stall and gazed at the gem. The gem itself was mostly clear and fairly unimpressive but the stone caught the light in a way that no other gem he had seen before did. A dazzling spectrum of colours burst from the stone as the light struck it. Every hue of colour imaginable seemed to writhe and curl around inside of it as he tilted his head to look at the fascinating stone. The stone itself was set on a dark bed of jet black basalt. This in turn was set in a necklace of simple yet elegant gold. 'It's beautiful…' he thought amazed. He had never seen any sort of gem like it before. The tan Earth pony running the stall had caught onto Soarin's fascination with the piece and had sidled up behind him. "It's a beauty isn't it?" he asked in a twangy accent. "What is it?" asked Soarin in wonder. "This mate is an opal. One of the finest gems around if yer ask me. Sure other gems are all nice and sparkly, but none of them have… fire in them." The Earth pony said dreamily. "I've never seen anything like this before." Soarin said moving his head around the gem, causing the rainbow of colours to dance around inside the jewel. "Won't find many of 'em around here mate, these beauties are only found in my homeland. Land down under, Orestralia" The vendor replied, a twinge of pride entering his voice. "You're a long way from home" Soarin remarked. "I'm Soarin by the way." "Course you are, everypony knows you. We ain't so far away that we don't know of you Wonderbolts." He said with a wink. "Names Bruce mate." He offered a hoof for Soarin to shake. "Just Bruce? Bit of a funny name." "We're all Bruces buddy." "What, everypony is called Bruce in Orestralia?" Soarin asked raising an eyebrow. "Nah mate. Just us Stallions. Them Shelia's got their own names." "Doesn't that get confusing? And what's a shelia?" "Nah, no problem. And a Shelia is another term for a mare mate." "Riiight…" Soarin said disbelievingly. He wasn't sure whether the foreign pony was being serious or if he was pulling his leg. "I can see you fancy this piece buddy, I can tell you, it ain't gonna be cheap. It'll be yours for.. let's say…" he scratched his chin. "400 bits." Soarin was silently surprised. For a piece of jewellery of its quality, it was very cheap. "I'll give you 600 for it." Soarin said Bruce's eyes opened wide in surprise. "You know you normally haggle down right?" ""I'd feel like I was cheating you for any less." Soarin replied. "Cheers mate. Means a lot to hear somepony say that. You're alright mate." He carefully removed the piece from its stand and wrapped it carefully in a soft cloth. Soarin fished around in his pack for his bit bag and pulled out the required amount. Replacing the coins with the necklace, he thanked Bruce and set off in search of food for his now rumbling stomach. Entering a small but busy café bar he frequented regularly, he ordered himself a mug of steaming apple cider and a flavour of pie helpful labelled 'It's a surprise!' Settling himself in his regular spot in the corner Soarin stared out the window. Dark grey clouds had moved in over the city and a few flakes of snow had started falling in the street. Despite the cold conditions, the streets were bustling with all different types of ponies. Pulling the Opal necklace of his bag, Soarin examined it under the café lights. He was so lost staring at it he didn't notice a Pegasus approach his table and sit across from him. He was only broken out of his trance when she spoke up. "Hey Soarin." Looking up in surprise, he saw Spitfire sitting across from him. She was resting her head on one of her fore-hooves and stared at the necklace in Soarin's hoof. Noticing her gaze, he quickly wrapped it up in the cloth and stowed it out of sight. He narrowed his eyes slightly as he turned back to his new companion. "Hello spitfire." He said flatly "Don't suppose that's for me?" she said teasingly. Soarin stared back at her blankly. He shook his head slowly. "No" he replied emotionlessly. "I can always dream." She said somewhat wistfully. She was silent for a moment. "How have you been Soarin? I haven't seen you since the Gala. You haven't been avoiding me have you?" "I've been okay." He said, ignoring her question. The one sided conversation was broken by a waiter who delivered Soarin's meal. Spitfire added another drink to the order, much to Soarin's displeasure. The waiter retreated allowing Spitfire to continue talking. "You don't have to ignore me you know. What's wrong with us being friends?" she asked fiddling with a napkin. Soarin thought for a moment, he looked out the window at the light snow fall. He turned his gaze back to the yellow Pegasus in front of him, his eyes cold. "I don't trust you Spitfire." "Ow." She said in a childish tone "I'm hurt Soarin. Can't we just enjoy a drink without you making me feel bad? What ever happened to us?" Soarin relaxed his stance slightly. "You fully know what happened." He said as calmly as he could manage "Yeah I know, no need to lecture me again sweetie." "Don't call me that." Soarin scowled "Whatever you say sweetie." Spitfire teased. Soarin sank lower into his chair and took a long draught of his cider. The fragrant alcoholic beverage eased his nerves slightly. The pair lapsed into an uncomfortable silence. Spitfire again tried to get things rolling again. "So who's the necklace for? Last time I checked you weren't into wearing jewellery." She said in a manner which indicated she already knew the answer. "Rainbow Dash." He mumbled through his tankard. Spitfire let out a groan and banged her head against the table softly. "I still don't get what you see in her, she's just an over-hyped fangirl." "If you're here just to gripe about the choices I make in my personal life, just leave." Soarin snapped back with a glare. "Oh sorry almighty ruler of all. Am I not allowed to voice my opinion?" "I know you well enough Spitfire to know you have an ulterior motive. Say what you want but stay out of that. You said you were going to. Or have you already forgotten?" Spitfire let out an audible 'hmph' before lapsing into silence. She watched Soarin take a bite out his pie. Her foul mood was nearly broken when he pulled a disgusted face. "Alas, candy floss flavoured." He grumbled Spitfire smothered a grin as Soarin pushed the pie away from him with a mournful look on his face. Having ordered a much more delicious but boring slice of apple pie to replace to 'Surprise' pie, Soarin returned his attention to Spitfire. The former captain was on her third tankard of cider and didn't look like she would be stopping any time soon. 'Don't you dare get drunk on me Spitfire; Celestia knows what you'll try.' He thought. The alcohol was starting to have an effect on Spitfire. She was speaking more and more loosely. Much to Soarin's chagrin, she had also started calling him sweetie again. "Come on. You've had enough." He finally said as she sculled the last part of her fourth tankard five minutes later. "Aww no fun Soarin. I was just getting started." She whined. "You're not getting drunk out here Spitfire." He grumbled. Hauling himself up from his corner seat, he pulled a reluctant Spitfire along with him. He tossed the waiter a small tip and left the café bar. The streets were less crowded now as evening had set in. Soarin hadn't realised that he had spent so long in the bar with Spitfire. "How you doin' good lookin'" Spitfire drawled to Soarin. "You are drunk." He stated "In the morning I will sober but you'll still be sexy" she slurred back. "Celestia help me." Mumbled Soarin. "Oh loosen up Soarin. Have some fun. We should go out and have some fun. Sound like fun?" Soarin hesitated for a moment. He wasn't completely opposed to the idea. He hadn't had a night out for a while. "Alright, no funny business though, you hear?" "Yes sir" Spitfire said, throwing a mock salute. "I hope I won't regret this." Muttered Soarin as Spitfire pulled him towards a nearby bar. Soarin crashed clumsily through the front door of his cloud house, Spitfire in tow. He had drunk a bit more than he intended to. "See, door. Told you it was there." He drawled. "Oh so it is. Thought it was over *hic* other side" Spitfire mumbled drunkenly. He stumbled in, closing the door behind him. He crashed on the couch followed by Spitfire who landed slightly less gracefully. "That was funny." Soarin giggled "I should do this more often. Get Rainboat.. –Rainbow.. no.. Rainbone.. yeah Rainbone and go do this more often. I bet she'd love it." Spitfire sidled over next to him. A small amount of guile entering her drunken eyes. "Why do you need Rainbow to have fun? You've got me" she whispered seductively. "Hey... I said no funny business. Didn't I?" "I wasn't listening very well. I was distracted by the hunk next to me." Spitfire murmured rolling over next to him. "Hey no funny busin-". He was cut off by Spitfire gently kissing him. His eyes widened in surprise. In his drunken state he fell off the couch and landed on the floor. With surprising agility for a drunken Pegasus, Spitfire leapt from the couch and landed on top of him. "Kiss me wonderboy, we can make this a night to remember." She whispered. "Spi-." Soarin was cut off again by Spitfire passionately kissing him. His inner instincts took over, his common sense tossed aside by his drunken brain. He kissed her back. Guilt welled up in him for some reason he couldn't quite put a hoof on. Lost in the moment, he didn't hear the heavy landing outside the front door. For the second time that night his front door was violently thrown open and another Pegasus entered. "Soarin, I lo-." Rainbow started before she caught sight of the pair entwined on the floor. Soarin's mind came screaming back to him. He wanted to break the contact with Spitfire but she was pushing him down. He wanted to cry out but he couldn't. A wave of shock passed over the rainbow maned mare. She was left standing in the doorway, rooted to the cloud by shock. A tear rolled down her cheek. A single tear framed the look of pure horror etched on her pale face. A great sob erupted from her throat but was cut off abruptly. In a flash Rainbow was gone. Moments later a massive Sonic boom ripped through the house. A borealis of Rainbow light flashed through the window/ Unlike other rainbooms though, the colours seemed dull and muted, as if Rainbows sadness had caused the colour to fade from their usual lustre. Fuelled by some force, Soarin roughly bucked Spitfire off him and galloped outside. A faint trail of rainbows led towards the horizon. He collapsed in a heap heaving and sobbing. "What have I done?" he asked himself. "Only the best thing ever." Spitfire said from the doorway. Soarin rounded on her viciously. He tackled her violently sending both of them sprawling. He pinned her down, crushing her in a drunken rage. "Soarin… get off me. I can't breathe" she whimpered "You. You. You EVIL. Evil monster. You've done it again. Are you happy? You've ruined it. You ruin everything for me. First you take away my daughter, now you take away my love." he snarled his eyes full of fury "Soarin… Off please". She begged a genuine look of fear on her face. Soarin didn't let up. A small part of his mind told him to get off her but his drunken fury overwhelmed his sane thoughts. Spitfire had started gagging now. A blue tinge crossing her face. 'ENOUGH' the voice roared in his head, overwhelming the haze of red rage which had descended upon him. 'You are not a killer.' He snarled before releasing the pressure on Spitfire's chest. "You. Will. Leave. Now. And if I ever have the misfortune to see your face again. I will tie your wings and throw you off a cliff. I NEVER want to see you again. Get out." He growled. "Don't test me ever again. Next time I might forgot that I have rules." He got off Spitfire, picked her up by the neck and roughly hurled her outside. Slamming and locking the door behind him as he tossed his unwanted house guest out, Soarin fell to the floor and curled up in a ball. Cold and alone.