//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: A Mystery to Mess With Your Feelings // Story: Storm of Emotions // by 5746584864 //------------------------------// Soarin was training with the other Wonderbolts, except Spitfire, when he spotted Rainbow Dash in the sidelines with her friend Rarity. He remembered he needed to tell her she would have to perform in Spitfire's place. He flew out of the formation and approached the two mares. “Thanks for keeping me company, Rarity,” Rainbow Dash started. “If you weren't here, well, I don't know who I'd be talking to right now.” “Eh, you'd be talking to me,” Soarin said with a smile as he landed behind them. “Rainbow Dash, Spitfire's mom sent a message that she was sick. She had to leave to take care of her,” he explained. “Oh no! I hope her mom's okay...” she said, folding her ears down. “Me too... In the meantime, we need you to fly in her place,” Soarin said, as he pointed a hoof at her. Rainbow's ears quickly perked up and she turned to Soarin, with shimmering eyes. “L-Like... in the actual show?” she asked in disbelief. Was this really happening? “Unless Spitfire comes back, yes,” Soarin confirmed. “I won't let you down, Soarin,” Rainbow saluted, before she burst in excitement, squealing and flying in a spin towards the sky. “THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER!” Rainbow Dash couldn't believe it. She had only come to stay in reserve, and now she would have the chance to fly with the Wonderbolts and Wind Rider? Was she dreaming? Rarity and Soarin simply stared at the “ohmygoshing” mare. “Uh, Rainbow Dash?” Soarin called, trying to bring her back to reality, to no avail. “Shh, let her have this, darling,” Rarity suggested to him. She knew how much Rainbow wanted to fly with her idols, and now that she finally would experience it, Rarity wouldn't expect any reaction other than that from her. Rainbow Dash finished her excited reaction to the news and realized that she was dancing like crazy in the middle of the place and the Wonderbolts were all looking at her. She scratched the back of her head in embarrassment, blushing and laughing nervously. “Sorry,” she said sheepishly. The Wonderbolts shrugged and returned to their business. Soarin waited until she landed in front of him and Rarity again. “I think I got a little over excited...” she said, still blushing. “So, are you ready to start practicing?” Soarin asked. Rainbow grinned and started hovering a little higher above the ground. “YEEEEEEeeeeess...” she trailed off when she noticed she was doing it again. She regained her composure, put her hooves back on the ground and cleared her throat. “I mean... Sure.” Soarin and Rarity chuckled, while Rainbow avoided eye contact. “Follow me,” Soarin said as he gestured for her to follow, and flew to where the other Wonderbolts were. They were going to teach her exactly what she needed to do. She listened with a little too much enthusiasm and memorized everything. Soon, she was already practicing with them. Just like Soarin expected, Rainbow Dash was doing perfectly fine. And, all along, she had an excited smile in her face. Soarin couldn't help but smile too, when he noticed his friend's happy expression. He knew how much Rainbow wanted to be in the team, and it was great to see how far she had already come. She deserved it. However, after a while, Soarin spotted a pony alongside Rarity that wasn't supposed to be there. “Stormy Flare?” The mood was tense among the Wonderbolts. Spitfire's mother wasn't sick: the captain was missing, and they weren't sure about who was the responsible for sending the fake letter. They did have a major suspect though... Rainbow Dash waited nervously as the Wonderbolts talked with each other about what they should do about her. “Rainbow Dash,” – Soarin started and she turned her attention to him – “if you can prove that somepony else is behind Spitfire's disappearance before the start of the show, then you can still fly with us,” he explained. “In the meantime, Misty Fly, Blaze, head over to Stormy Flare's house and try to find Spitfire and bring her back.” He turned back to Rainbow Dash. “I have to warn you, if you sent that letter, the bylaws are clear. I'd have no choice but to ban you from the Wonderbolts forever,” he threatened. “Understand?” Rainbow Dash sighed. “I understand...” Rarity and Rainbow Dash had left a while ago, in order to solve the mystery and find the real culprit, so they could prove Rainbow was innocent. Meanwhile, the Wonderbolts waited for the return of Misty Fly and Blaze, hoping they would bring Spitfire with them. Fleetfoot was about to enter in her room in the castle when she heard the sound of somepony closing a door, not too far from where she was. She hovered to the direction of the sound to find Soarin, walking to the opposite direction of his room. He had his head low, seeming deep in thought. “Soarin?” Fleetfoot called from behind him, but got no reply. “Soarin!” she called again, approaching his side. She hovered in front of him. “Hey Soar, what gives?” she asked. Soarin stopped, lifting his head and looking at her flatly. “What gives? I don't know. Maybe my best friend is missing, and I had to threaten to kick a friend of mine out of the Wonderbolts, who happened to save my life twice. Plus, I can't do anything about it because of this stupid position,” he said in frustration, and continued to walk. “Hey, you can give it to me at any time,” Fleetfoot told him. He glared at her. “Seriously though,” she continued as she followed him, “Didn't you go a little too hard on Rainbow Dash?” Soarin shook his head. “It was my duty. Just 'cause I'm her friend doesn't mean I don't have to follow the rules when it comes to her,” he explained. “Yeah, I know...” Fleetfoot nodded. They stayed in silence for some seconds, before Fleetfoot asked, “You really think she did that?” Soarin opened and closed his mouth a few times, like he was contemplating his answer, before sighing. “I don't know... I don't wanna believe it was her, but I don't know who else could've been. She's the only one who could have reasons to send Spitfire away.” He paused for a moment, before continuing. “I don't see her like the kind of pony who would cheat on others to get what she wants, though. She's the Element of Loyalty after all.” “Then why did you treat her like she was the culprit?” Fleetfoot asked in confusion. “Fleet, I didn't have a choice. I didn't want to do it, but I needed. And I even gave her a chance to prove her innocence. You saw it: the other 'Bolts wanted me to kick her out right now,” he pointed out. “Hopefully, Misty Fly and Blaze will find Spitfire, we'll find out the real culprit, who I hope it's not her, and everything will go back to normal,” he finished. “I just hope she doesn't get mad at me...” he thought out loud, after a moment. “Yeah, or she’ll reject you when you ask her out,” Fleetfoot smirked, nudging his side with an elbow. “Not now, Fleet, not now,” Soarin said in a serious tone. Fleetfoot sighed. “Sorry... I just feel like I need to do something to light up the mood. I'm worried too, y'know? This thing of not knowing where Spitfire is and why she didn't come back yet...” Soarin nodded in understanding. The pair walked in silence, thinking about the current situation. Spitfire went to her mother's house and her mother wasn't there. But she should have come back already. If Misty Fly and Blaze didn't find her there... where could she be? Everypony always thought of Spitfire as the strong, and sometimes, feared, captain of the Wonderbolts. Thinking of her possibly in danger was strange. They just could hope that, wherever she was, that she would be okay. That wasn't the only thought in Soarin's mind though. He felt bad for doubting Rainbow Dash. But, if it wasn't her, who else could've been? But, when he thought about Rainbow Dash in particular, he couldn't believe she would be capable of doing such a thing. If she wanted to fly with the Wonderbolts so much that she would do anything to get it, she would have accepted Spitfire and Fleetfoot's offer to be in the team and left Ponyville delegation without a second thought. However, she didn't. She decided to be loyal to her friends. Why would she send Spitfire away to take her spot dishonestly, if she hadn't even accepted his spot when it was offered to her? Soarin sighed. He hoped he was wrong in doubting her. He really didn't want to ban her. It was her dream to become one of them, and he would hate having to crush it. And he would hate never having the chance to have her flying alongside him... Uh, them. But... what if Rainbow Dash was really the culprit? He would have to ban her. She would never achieve her dream, and he would probably hardly see her again. They didn't see each other much already. Still, it could be worse. What if she wasn't the culprit but couldn't prove her innocence? Then he would have to crush her dreams without her deserving it. Just the thought of that made his head hurt. He cared about her, a lot. More than he realized before all of this. The last thing he wanted was to make her suffer. But what could he do? Hope. He could only hope. Hope everything would be fine for everypony. Especially, for Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash and Rarity were already making their investigation for a while. They were heading to Cinnamon Chai's Tea and Cake Shop. Rainbow still didn't understand exactly how Rarity was helping, but she didn't really have any better option. She was still afraid though. What if Rarity's investigation wasn't going to get anywhere? She was going to be banned from the Wonderbolts forever! She didn't blame them. She knew they had reasons to think it was her. She didn't see anypony else who seemed to have reasons to do such a thing too. Hay, even she was starting to doubt herself. But, still, she was taken aback when Soarin threatened kicking her out. She knew he was just doing his job, but maybe if it was Spitfire or somepony else in his place she wouldn't be so affected. She had never seen Soarin acting like that. He was always so calm and friendly with her... How could he do that to her? Rainbow shook her head. He had to! He himself said: “I'd have no choice but to ban you from the Wonderbolts”. It wasn't like he wanted to have to confront her like that. She was the major suspect, it was necessary. But... did he doubt her? He didn't say that, and she couldn't judge by his acts, for that was what he had to do as the second-in-command of the Wonderbolts, but that possibility existed. It was more than clear that most of the Wonderbolts thought she was the culprit. But... even Soarin? She knew that, if he did, it was totally understandable... but it hurt. She had gone through many experiences with the Wonderbolts where she proved her loyalty. She even refused Soarin's spot in the Cloudsdale delegation at the Equestria Games and saved his life. He was closer to her than any other Wonderbolt. Could it be that he wouldn't trust her after all of that? And why was she worrying so much about that? Sure, they were friends, but it wasn't like they spent a lot of time together to know each other so well. What if he did think it could be her? She would prove her innocence and show she could be trusted. No big deal. Then why did she still worry? No matter how much she tried to convince herself it would be understandable if Soarin suspected her, the thought still filled her with frustration. Why was she overreacting like this? It wasn't just like she wanted him to trust her; she felt like she needed him to trust her. But... why? ‘Because he's my friend,’ she told herself. It wasn't like there was any other feeling influencing her thoughts... Or was it? Rainbow Dash felt pretty uncomfortable thinking about the possibility, but she couldn't deny that she wished to have a close friendship with Soarin more than she usually did with any other stallion. But what did that mean? Rainbow Dash sighed as the storm of thoughts confused her mind. Rarity noticed the discouraged look in her friend's face and smiled at her sympathetically. “Don't worry, Rainbow Dash. We are going to solve this,” Rarity said, with a friendly tone. Rainbow Dash looked back to her, still with the same expression. “I hope so...”