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// Chapter 5- Races and Midnight Chats 
// Story: Of The Past That Haunts Us 
// by Dusk_Writer 
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"Never let your fear stop you from giving second chances." —Dusk Writer (Me)





“…and that's Ponyville’s local Bowling Alley.” Dash pointed towards a building with a sign that showed a bowling pin and ball.

It was a normal day in Ponyville, at least, as normal as it could get. 

The sky was a clear blue with a few clouds lurking around. It was one of those days where ponies would want to stay outside and bathe in Celestia’s sunlight for as long as it lasted.

Which was why, this was the perfect time for a particular tour—or at least, the end of one.

“Ponyville has its own Bowling Alley? Geez, was does this place not have?!” Fleetfoot asked in surprise.

“An antique store. But, we’re working on it.” 

“Right,” Soarin rolled his eyes playfully. “So, what's next?” He asked.

“Hmm…” Dash mused, thinking over all the things she showed them, “…I think that's it!”

“This is a pretty neat little town you have Dash.” Spitfire complimented. “Wouldn't mind living here, seems very peaceful.” Rainbow snorted.

“Peaceful. Yeah sure, if you're not getting attacked by Ursa Minors, Cerberus, Bugbears, maniac unicorns and dragons every other week.” She rolled her eyes.

“…Nevermind.”

“Anyways, I think there's one more place to show you. It's one of my favourite spots in Ponyville.” 

“Oh?” Soarin perked up.

“Yeah. Ever heard of Ghastly Gorge?” She grinned.

“…I think we haven't heard of it for a reason, Dash.” Fleetfoot said.

Dash scoffed, “pssh, It's not that dangerous. Besides, it'll be fun!” She started to hover above the ground. “Follow me!”

“Eh, why not?” The turquoise pegasus shrugged and followed after the rest who had already taken off.

They all flew through the bustling crowds towards the western side of the town. The peaceful yet busy atmosphere of Ponyville was strangely calming.

If one listened close enough, they could hear the faint sound of drilling and machines.

The construction on the stadium had started today.

As they flew further and further, the number of buildings started to decrease and the land started to turn barren with grass and hills.

“How much farther?” Spitfire asked as they were quite far away from the town.

Dash suddenly screeched to a halt making the others stop with her and smirked sideways at Spitfire.

“We’re here.”

The Wonderbolts looked in front of them and their eyes widened. They didn't know what they were expecting but what lay before them was…breathtaking.

The gorge itself was huge with many sharp twists and turns and unsteady paths. There was a large flowing stream with clear blue water and it looked absolutely magnificent with the sunlight hitting it at just the right angle.

“Woah…” Soarin breathed.

“Yeah, it's pretty cool at this time of year but, don't let its awesomeness fool you. It can be pretty tough, especially if you're a first timer,” she glanced at them.

“Wait…what do you mean by ‘first timer’?” Spitfire rose an eyebrow.

“We're gonna race through it, duh!” 

“Wait, what?!” Fleetfoot exclaimed. “What exactly is through there?”

“Hmm let's see, there's the Windy Caves, Bramble Bushes—which you need mad agility for—and the Quarry Eels.” She finished.

“Uh, are you sure that's safe?” Soarin asked worriedly. 

Dash flashed a confident smile, “nope!” And with that she took off.

“That mare is crazy,” he shook his head and looked the two mares. “Let's go!” 

They took off at breakneck speeds after the cyan mare, making sharp twists and turns, dodging rocks and other debris until they reached the first obstacle; The Windy Caves.

The wind was much more stronger than they had anticipated as they were pushed back by the strong gusts.

“How is there such a strong wind current in a random tunnel?!” Fleetfoot grunted.

“This is Equestria! Anything can happen! Now, flap your wings faster!” Spitfire commanded.

They did as Spitfire told them and quickly pushed through. They looked at each other and silently agreed on one thing.

This was going to be hard.





Dash sighed contently from the cloud she was laying on. She had finished the course five minutes ago and was resting peacefully.

She wasn't expecting the trio to finish the course that easily as even she had trouble the first time. After years of practice, she mastered the natural course through the gorge and could finish it almost under a minute.

Oh well, she'd be here when the Wonderbolts came back…eventually.

Dash sighed once again. Today really was a great day for a nap.

As she was about to doze off, she heard the faint flapping of wings getting closer and closer. She quickly popped one eye open and saw the three pegasi flying their way towards her, panting and wheezing. 

“Just when I was about to get some shut-eye.” She grumbled under her breath.

“What. The. Hell did you just put us through? And when did you get here?!” Fleetfoot exclaimed.

“What? It's pretty easy! And about five minutes ago.” Dash stretched on the cloud. Spitfire shook her head.

“Never thought I'd see the day when a non-’Bolt gave us a run for our money.” She complimented.

“Wait…how long have you trained on this course?” Soarin asked raising an eyebrow. Rainbow chuckled, knowing he had caught her.

“Five years?” She smiled sheepishly.

Spitfire’s eye twitched.





After the little race, the four had just lounged around and flew around different areas in Ponyville. 

They had once again gotten lunch at Sugarcube Corner, hanging around Pinkie for a while and leaving afterwards even though she insisted they bake cupcakes with her. 

They relaxed in the evening sun as Dash got her daily dose of naps. After the little break, they had dinner in a small restaurant called ‘Hay Burgers’ and needless to say, they returned late after midnight.

Everyone had retreated to bed, wishing each other goodnight and probably fell asleep as their heads hit their pillow. 

All except one.

Dash twisted and turned in her soft cloud bed but no matter what she tried to do, she couldn't sleep.

There was this pit of unease in her stomach, like someone had put a massive boulder there and was trying to crush it along with her organs.

She sighed, so much for getting enough sleep tonight.

Rainbow slowly got up from her bed and looked towards her right. 

Why not?

She walked towards a large window and opened it, being almost immediately greeted by a blast of fresh air.

She looked outside and cracked a smile. 

It was beautiful out tonight. Billions of stars were twinkling out in the light of the full moon. It almost looked surreal.

She unfurled her wings and let the soft, cool breeze go through her feathers. It was nights like this she loved.

With one mighty flap, Dash flew through the window and into the sky, flying higher and higher above her home.

She continued to fly as high as she could go, letting the wind ruffle up her mane and feathers. She finally stopped and quickly found a stray cloud to land upon.

“I really need scold the weather team for not doing their job perfectly.” She muttered to herself as she sat on the cloud looking upwards once again.

Dash continued to look at the stars for quite a while. 

Minutes? 

Hours?

She didn't care. Whenever she came up here, she felt free…like she could do anything and take on the impossible by herself.

Her ears suddenly perked up as she heard the flapping of wings behind her. She quickly turned around and saw a certain navy-maned pegasus landing on the cloud right behind her.

“Soarin? What are you doing up here?” Dash asked curiously. He shrugged and sat next to her.

“I could ask you the same thing.” Soarin said. It was her turn to shrug.

“Couldn't sleep,” she said simply.

He nodded and they looked back up at the stars. Dash wanted to fly off and be alone—if her twitching wings were any indication—but, she didn't. Instead she sat there with him, neither a saying a word until she broke the silence.

“When I was young,” she began, catching Soarin’s attention. “I wanted to fly higher and higher with nothing stopping me, no limits. I wanted to keep flying and be the first non-alicorn to step on the moon. I relayed the idea to my best friend…he thought it was foolish, but he said that if anyone could do it, it'd be me.” She cracked a small smile. “After a while I thought it was a foolish idea too and that dream was overshadowed by me wanting to join the Wonderbolts, but that dream, was always in the back of my mind. I came up here everyday to look at the stars but, I guess I must've gotten too busy recently…” she had no idea why she was telling him but it was too late to take anything back.

He remained silent for a few moments.

Why did that story seem so familiar?

He brushed off the thought and said, “well I don't think it's foolish.” Dash looked at him and raised an eyebrow. “I think I agree with your friend…I think if anyone could do it, it'd be you.” He flashed a crooked smile at her. “Besides, the sky's the limit, right?” 

She stared at him not saying a word. Everypony she had said that to had just scoffed and told her nopony has or will ever step on the moon—besides Luna, but even that was still the result of a banishment. 

“Thanks Soarin,” she smiled softly. Her wings had stopped twitching.

He flashed her his crooked smile again, not saying a word and both of them resumed looking at the stars.

It really was a beautiful night.


Art by me