• Published 26th Apr 2015
  • 4,555 Views, 283 Comments

Wonderbolt Trials and Tribulations - White Comet



Rainbow Dash finally gets the opportunity of a lifetime; a chance to join the Wonderbolts and fulfill her lifelong dream. She presumes that from this point on, it'll be smooth sailing. She was wrong...

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Chapter 27

Rainbow stirred as the wake-up alarm went off in their room. It only went on for a few seconds before it clicked onto the radio. She groaned as she lifted herself up, many more groans echoing hers. While she would’ve liked to have laid down with her eyes shut for a few more seconds, the radio talking about Griffon politics again might have sent her back to sleep.

That being said, as she woke herself up, she was surprisingly energised. The room was a little chilly, and she felt ready to go. Even though she definitely could’ve done with maybe a few more hours of sleep...and also a day off...

As Dash went about getting herself ready, she started thinking about the day. Today was a little bit different. Tomorrow was the final, so today was more of a rest day. What made it enjoyable was that they got to spend the day with their tutors. Since Dash’s tutor was Blaze, she was wondering what they would get up to…

After getting herself showered and pulling her dress uniform on, she made her way to the canteen to get herself some breakfast. She was used to it by now. Roll up, grab a tray, grab food, sit down. At least the smell of a cooked breakfast every morning was something to help wake her up.

“What are you expecting from today?” Bright Skies asked, taking a seat next to Dash.

“I don’t know,” Dash replied. “I’m sure Blaze has some plans.”

“Misty Fly is my tutor, I’m not sure either.” Bright Skies added, then raised an eyebrow. “Somehow I can’t shake the feeling that this is another sort of test...they just want to see how we react when we let our guard down I think.”

“Oh, don’t worry about it,” Dahlia chimed in, sitting down at the table. “I’m sure they’re not trying to trip us up on anything. But I reckon they do want to get to know us a little better.”

“I’m not sure, Dally. Haven’t they played this trick before?” Bright Skies recalled, raising an eyebrow

Dahlia chuckled and shook her head, “Stop being so suspicious Bright, next thing you know you’ll be wrapping tin foil around your head while you sleep to stop Princess Luna creepin’ on your dreams.”

Dahlia’s comment got a few chuckles out of everypony at the thought. Although Dash couldn’t help but agree with Bright in the back of her mind. The atmosphere in the canteen this morning seemed much different, everypony seemed in a much brighter mood. Dash took it as the calm before the storm. Tomorrow would be the final, where they would compete against each other for the prize. Seven ponies, but only three spots on the Wonderbolts. This was probably the friendliest they were going to be with each other for the next twenty-four hours...

Breakfast didn’t take long, and they were soon on their way. Dash stopped by one of the bathrooms on the way up and looked at herself in the mirror. She double-checked her shirt and jacket to make sure they were pristine. All nice and flat. She brushed through her mane with her hooves, making sure everything was perfect. Then she just...stood there...staring at herself. Did she really need to do this much preparation? It was meant to be casual, after all. But on the flip side, she had come so far, she didn’t want to tarnish her perfect record was something stupid like a twisted collar or a stained shirt. At the same time, she took a moment to admire herself and how far she had come. Ever since she was a little filly, she had always dreamed of being in this building, wearing this uniform. And now, she was living it.

“You look fine,” Dahlia’s voice appeared beside her. Dash had been concentrating so hard on herself that she didn’t even notice that Dahlia was there.

“Thanks,” Dash replied, “Not bad yourself.” She smiled and nodded.

“I guess it’s go time then,” Dahlia said, trotting towards the door, holding it open for Dash as she walked out. Dash took a glance behind her to see Bright Skies and Forester freshening themselves up, then followed Dahlia out.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what Soarin’s got planned for the two of us,” Dahlia said as they walked towards the offices.

“...Yeah…” Dash replied. As she thought about it, that sentence sounded like something she should be saying…

"Do you really think they're up to anything cryptic like Bright Skies reckons?" Dahlia asked with a chuckle.

Dash glanced over her shoulder to make sure Bright Skies was out of earshot then looked back at Dahlia. "Nah," Dash replied, batting a hoof in agreement and chuckling with her.

They walked along the corridor in line with everypony else. Dash slowed as she approached the entrance to Blaze's office.

"Well, enjoy," Dahlia said, waving as she continued walking towards Soarin's office door.

"You too," Dash replied, watching Dahlia approach Soarin's door. Oh how much she wanted to swap doors with Dahlia. But the sensible side of her brain told her it was better off this way. Less...distracting…

She knocked on Blaze’s door, chiming out the other knocks from the offices around her. Blazes typical “Enter” response signalled for her to push the door open.

Dash walked through, seeing Blaze relaxed back in her chair and uniform waiting for her. She let the door close behind her. “Trainee Dash reporting as ordered, Ma’am,” Dash spoke clearly.

“At ease, Rainbow Dash,” Blaze replied calmly and nodded. “Take a seat,” She waved her hoof at the available chairs in front of her desk.

Dash trotted over slowly towards one of the chairs and took a seat, gently exhaling as she sat down. She read the atmosphere in the room as being very relaxed, but she knew not to let her guard down until she got another sign that it was okay to do so.

“Well, here we are.” Blaze begun, smiling. “Think you’re ready for tomorrow?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be, ma’am,” Dash spoke clearly, nodding. Wanting to project confidence in her voice and body language.

“Good to know, I didn’t expect anything less,” Blaze replied. “And you can drop the formalities. We won’t be needing those today.”

“Right,” Dash acknowledged.

Blaze exhaled slowly and raised from her seat, looking out the window behind her over the horizon. The morning sun painted the HQ facilities in its golden light. “So, you get to spend the day with me before your big day tomorrow. How are you feeling? Nervous?”

“Nope, feeling confident,” Dash shot back quickly, a grin on her face.

Blaze chuffed, “Liar.”

“Aheh,” Dash brushed the back of her head, “Okay, maybe a little...but not enough to distract me.”

Blaze smiled, “Good to know…” her smile faded into a more serious look. “Now you’re meant to be spending the day with me...but then I noticed that Dahlia had Soarin as her tutor. Since she’s in on your secret, I thought I’d take the liberty to arrange an offer for you.”

Blaze turned to look at Dash, placing her forehooves on her desk. “I’ve spoken to Soarin, and he’s happy to swap places with me so you can spend the day together. Would you like to do it?”

Dash’s eyes widened at the offer. “Um…” She wasn’t expecting this.

“I won’t be offended if you choose to,” Blaze added. “Just let me know what you would like to do.”

Dash thought about it long and hard. She wanted nothing more than reassuring words from Soarin. Not to mention she would love to be able to catch up after not talking for weeks. She was sure spending the day with him would do wonders for her frame of mind…

...But at the same time, seeing him might cost her her focus. What if something happens between them while they’re spending the day with each other? She didn’t want anything else on her mind, especially when it came to her relationship with Soarin. She had been very well-disciplined in keeping her desires in check to the point where she was starting to draw motivation from it.

“Thanks for the offer...but I think I’ll stay with you,” Dash chose, saying her choice confidently.

“Are you sure?” Blaze asked, raising an eyebrow.

“A hundred percent,” Dash replied, nodding. “The next time I talk to him, he’ll be addressing me not as a Trainee, but as a Second Lieutenant.” She said confidently with a smile.

Blaze stared at her for several seconds until she smiled. “Well done,” she placed her hooves back on the ground and slowly trotted over from behind her desk to stand beside Dash. “That’s the answer I was looking for. You’ve shown commitments to the Wonderbolts, Dash. Precisely what I was looking for.”

Dash smiled as she got that right. But she couldn’t help but think Bright Skies was onto something with what she was saying earlier. Maybe they really were looking for something out of this day?

“Anyway, enough of that.” Blaze cut in. “Anything you wanted to do?”

Dash blinked, “You’re asking me?”

“Of course,” Blaze shrugged, “It’s your day off after all.”

Dash thought for a moment, “Well...I guess I could use some practice on--”

“No, no,” Blaze cut her off again, “That’s the last thing that should be on your mind.” She trotted around behind Dash sitting in the chair. “You need to be well-rested and refreshed to perform your best tomorrow.” She placed her hooves on Dash’s shoulders, immediately causing her to twitch. “Geez, your tense.” She ran a hoof down Dash’s back, causing her back to arch inwards to try and avoid the touch. “So stressed.”

“Well, I’ve kinda had a lot going on,” Dash joked.

“I’m sure you have,” Blaze replied, pulling her hooves away. “C’mon, I know the perfect thing.” She took a step back, beginning to unbutton her shirt. “And take your uniform off. Trust me, it only draws unwanted attention when all you want is some time with yourself.”

Dash stood up and also started taking her uniform off. She couldn’t help but smirk as she was taking hers off, folding it and placing it neatly on her desk. Meanwhile, Blaze was more or less ripping it off herself and chucking it over the back of her office chair.

With her uniform off, Blaze did a few quick stretches then sighed. She picked up a saddlebag laying down by the side of her desk and threw it on her back before turning to Dash. “Alright, follow me. We’re going into Cloudsdale.”

Dash trotted with Blaze through the HQ and out the main entrance. She saw a few of her fellow competitors on the way but didn’t stop to chat. She simply followed Blaze as they took off, also seeing some others flying away as well to whatever plans they had. Most noticeably, she saw Soarin flying below them with Dahlia. She had the opportunity to be there herself, but she did the sensible thing and put the Wonderbolts first. It wouldn’t be long until it was over anyway.

Although the sight did pop a question into her head. “Hey Blaze,” she turned her head to look at Blaze, “Can you answer something for me?”

Blaze glanced at Dash before looking back at where they were going. “That depends. What is it?”

“I probably know what you’re going to say already, but...is this some sort of test? Are you waiting for me to say or do certain things?”

Blaze chuffed, “I’m looking out for certain things...but officially, no.” She answered.

“...Right…” Dash replied. Her next question would be to ask what she was looking for, but that would be stupid of her to ask Blaze and Blaze would be equally as stupid to answer.

The Cloudsdale town was reasonably barren, as expected on a weekday with everypony at work. Dash simply followed Blaze to wherever she was taking them.

“There it is,” Blaze pointed straight ahead towards a terraced cloud building with a sign saying ‘Wingtips massage and therapy’ on it. "I'm one of their favourite regulars by now."

Blaze and Dash tapped their hooves on the ground in unison as they landed in front of the entrance. Blazed pushed through the glass door, holding it open for Dash.

Inside, it looked very clinical. The clouds that made up the building looked untouched. Not an uncommon architectural practice in Cloudsdale. They had a few posters scattered on the walls advertising various treatments and their prices.

At the end of the room were a few chairs for ponies waiting to be seen. Blaze walked over to the unattended reception desk and rang a silver bell sitting on it. Within seconds, a deep blue pegasus with a violet mane appeared from behind one of the back doors. “Ah, Blaze...I wasn’t expecting you today.” She said, tapping her hooves on the desk.

“Well, this is more of an unscheduled visit, Tailwind,” Blaze replied with a chuckle.

“But you’re always more than welcome,” Tailwind replied in a cheery tone. “What can I do for you today?”

“Well, can you do my usual plus the wings for me and my friend here?” Blaze asked, motioning her hoof between herself and Dash.

“I certainly can,” Tailwind replied, punching a few things into the till on the desk. “I take it you’re both happy to be in the same room?”

“Mmhmm,” Blaze replied, nodding. “And is Pinpoint around at all? My friend here needs to relax both mind and body, something we could use a unicorns touch on…”

Dash raised an eyebrow at their conversation. A unicorn? In Cloudsdale? She must be worth the money if the business is willing to ferry her from the ground to Cloudsdale every day. Not to mention, she must have some sort of magical talent to perform the cloudwalking spell on herself every day.

“She’s just with another customer, she shouldn’t be too much longer.” Tailwind replied, finishing what she was doing with the till. “Are you happy for me to add it on top of your existing tab?”

“That’ll do nicely,” Blaze replied, nodding.

Tailwind nodded and tapped a button on the till, it made a metallic clink as it opened then closed again. “Well, that’s all done. Come this way, and we’ll get started.”

Tailwind began walking through a set of double-doors, holding them open for Blaze and Dash.

“What was that about a unicorn?” Dash whispered to Blaze.

Blaze smiled, “Trust me, she’s good. She’ll help put your mind at ease which will help you focus.”

Blaze's words didn't leave any doubt in Dash's mind, but as somepony who had never experienced it before, it still sounded weird. She contemplated it as she was led into a room with a few tables spaced out evenly in the middle. Another pegasus was standing by the tables. Presumably there to help Tailwind.

“Hey, Blaze,”

Dash’s ears perked up as a voice mentioned Blaze’s name. She turned her head in the direction of the voice to see a yellow unicorn with a burgundy mane tied back in a ponytail.

“Good to see you, Pinpoint,” Blaze replied, motioning a hoof over to Dash. “And this is my friend Rainbow Dash. She’s the one who’s going to be needing your treatment today.”

“Hello, Ms Dash,” Pinpoint extended her hoof out to greet her, “It’s an honour to meet an Element of Harmony,”

“Hehe, nice to meet you too,” Dash replied, shaking her hoof back. She was sort of used to hearing that by now.

“When you’re ready, lay down on these tables,” Tailwind joined into the conversation, tapping her hoof on one of the tables.

Dash followed Blaze up to the tables, running her hoof across them as she approached. She felt the soft padding on her hoof, like a mattress. She climbed on in unison with Blaze, lying belly-first and resting her head on the pillow.

“Now, just relax and let your forehooves drop down by your side.” Tailwind instructed.

Dash did as she was told, letting out a long sigh and letting her forelegs dangle down by her side over the edge of the table. She felt some hooves press into her back. Her initial reaction was to tense up, but as they slowly moved...the sensation was rather soothing. Relaxing…

“You’re really tense, ms Dash,” Tailwind said, “Blaze wasn’t kidding.”

Blaze hummed through her own massage being applied by Tailwind’s assistant. “I don’t want you spoiled, Tailwind,” Blaze joked. “I need to give you a challenge sometimes.”

Tailwind chuckled, “Well, my job is to spoil you. I’ll do my best.”

As the conversation and massage progressed, Dash heard the sound of Pinpoint’s horn firing up. She glanced up to see the blue magical aura surrounding her horn.

“Now Ms Dash,” Pinpoint begun, “I’m going to perform a spell to help take your mind off things. But it only works with your cooperation.” She sat down in front of Dash. “Are you ready?”

“I guess?” Dash replied, still unsure of what exactly was going to happen.

“Good,” Pinpoint replied. “Now, close your eyes.”

Dash followed her instructions and shut her eyes.

“Take a deep breath. In…” Pinpoint copied the action she wanted Dash to do, taking a breath in unison with her. “And out…”

As Dash exhaled, she felt a hoof gently take her left hoof underneath it, pulling it up. “Just listen to my voice…”

Dash felt her ears try to instinctively twist towards the direction of the sound, but she was so comfy she didn’t want to.

“Now think about everything stressing you out...you don’t have to tell me about it, just think about it. Maybe it’s somepony, a place, an object. Whatever they may be, just allow them into your mind.”

Dash lied still as she thought about it long and hard. As good as she was at hiding it, there was plenty of things getting to her. She missed being with Soarin, but at the same time, she didn’t know how the results of tomorrow would affect their relationship. The results of tomorrow were also stressful enough themselves. And the opinions of her friends. And she didn’t want to let anypony down, like Soarin or Blaze who have all done so much to help her.

All these things, she bought them into the forefront of her mind. With her eyes closed, she could almost picture them. Like visions of ‘what if’ scenarios. She hated thinking about it. She bit down at the very thought. The feeling of the massage going along her back became a secondary feeling that she didn’t think about. All her focus was now on these thoughts.

“Now, I want you to imagine that you’re compressing all these thoughts into a tight ball,” Pinpoint instructed. “A big ball of stress.”

Dash’s brow furrowed as she imagined herself doing just that. Pushing all these thoughts into each other, merging them all together. They became so tightly wound that they became indistinguishable.

“Now I want you to imagine them fading away.”

Dash found her brow loosening and her jaw unclenching at the instructions. She pictures all these things fading away.

“That’s it, just let it go. Let them fade away...turn to steam…”

Her words made Dash imagine precisely that. All her fears, her concerns, her anxieties; they just faded away like mist. And she could feel herself beginning to...just...fade…

Pinpoint looked down at Dash, hearing deep inhales and exhales coming from her. “Ms Dash?” she lowered her head to match her eye level, only to see that she had her eyes closed.

Pinpoint lifted her head and smiled. “First time I’ve ever had somepony fall asleep on me. Am I that boring?”

Blaze chuffed, “She’s been through a lot, let her sleep.” She explained.

“Perhaps,” Tailwind added, “But how am I going to do her wings if she can’t extend them?”

“Oh, I have just the solution for that,” Pinpoint answered with a mischievous smile, her horn lighting up and wiggling her eyebrows.

Blaze chuckled, knowing what was coming. “Don’t be too harsh on her, she gets really embarrassed about one of her...secrets....” She instructed, stretching out herself and letting out a long sigh. “Although I guess now she’s going to be a while, you can do my mane and tail whilst we wait…”


Dash yawned as Blaze led her out the door, still sporting a slight tint to her cheeks that she couldn’t shift. “I can’t believe you let them do that.” She told Blaze, still catching up with the world after her nap.

“Well, it was either that or wake you up…and you look like you really needed the sleep. Besides, don’t tell me you’ve never had dreams like that,” Blaze answered, winking.

“Well...no, but…” Dash stumbled for an answer, “I didn’t really want anypony to know…”

“Relax,” Blaze batted a hoof as they stepped onto the street. “I’m no unicorn, but I’ve been told all the spell does is stimulate certain parts of your brain into making those dreams. They can’t read minds or anything like that.”

Dash looked over at Blaze and raised an eyebrow, still trying to wipe the blush off her face.

“What?” Blaze smiled in her defence. “I didn’t wanna wake you, and Tailwind needed you to extend your wings to finish the massage. All Pinpoint did was...well, stimulate certain sections of your brain."

Dash rolled her eyes. Any other scenario and she may have enjoyed those... certain dreams containing herself and Soarin...but not with other ponies in the room.

"But it was all worth it," Blaze continued, extending her wings. "Race-you-to-that-cloud." She said as rapidly as she took off.

"Hey!" Dash quickly opened her wings and followed her. But as she pumped her wings, something felt different. Her wings felt...more powerful…

She managed to catch up to Blaze just as they reached a cloud above them, tapping their hooves at the same time too difficult to tell apart.

"Whoa…" Dash looked over her shoulders at her wings, flexing them about. She couldn't recall the last time she had that much free movement in her wings.

"Ehh…" Blaze shrugged, "We'll call that a draw." She declared with a wink.

Dash ignored what she said, she was just distracted by what she had felt in her wings. “What was that?” She asked.

“What was what?” Blaze asked, raising an eyebrow.

“My wings,” Dash replied, “It was as if they suddenly became stronger. I could pump them harder and for longer strokes.”

“Pfft, don’t tell me you’ve never had a proper massage before Dash?” Blaze replied. “They do wonders for your body, which in turn helps you perform at your peak. Something you’re gonna need.”

“Yeah...I’ll have to remember that one…” Dash replied, still astonished at the difference she felt.

Blaze tipped herself off the cloud and let the wind catch her beneath her wings, “Follow me, let's go have a chat.”

“Sure,” Dash replied, not really getting any other option. She simply followed Blaze.

They flew through Cloudsdale to a street made up of cloud houses that looked like any old middle range cloud houses. That was until Blaze suddenly dropped and tapped her hooves down on the doorstep of one, causing Rainbow Dash to have to twist around to follow her.

“Home sweet home,” Blaze opened the door, leading Rainbow Dash inside.

Dash wasn’t sure what she was expecting, but...whatever it was, this wasn’t it. Blaze’s home didn’t stand out at all. Sure it was probably above average compared to most, but there was nothing about it that screamed ‘famous Wonderbolt lives here’. The furniture was all very similar to her own. But she couldn’t deny that despite the plainness, it had a very homely feel to it.

“Yeah, guess I live a bit...plain…” Blaze commented, seeing the expression on Dash’s face. She trotted through a door on the right into the kitchen. “I prefer it like this though, feels more comfortable. Plus things break over time; a lot less painful when they’re cheap.” She reached up into a cabinet and pulled out two wine glasses. “Wine?”

“Uhh, I probably shouldn’t...big day and all,” Dash respectfully declined. Blaze had treated her enough today anyway.

Blaze shrugged, “Suit yourself, but one wouldn’t affect you…” she heavily hinted, winking.

“Well...make it extra small then,” Dash reluctantly gave in.

Blaze smiled and drew a half-empty bottle she had resting on a wine rack in the corner of the kitchen. Dash noticed that there was a lot of wine in the rack for one pony. Maybe Blaze had parties all the time? She didn’t doubt it, considering her…’off-duty’ personality…

Blaze poured two glasses, one slightly less full than the other. She took one between the feathers in her wings and passed it over to Dash. Dash carefully grasped the smooth glass in her wing herself and stepped a little out of the kitchen.

“C’mon, let's go sit down,” Blaze instructed, walking through to her lounge. Blaze parked herself on one end of the cloud couch. Dash took up the opposite end. She took a sip of her glass, looking over at Blaze while the sharp liquid covered her taste buds. Blaze said nothing but did the same. The silence lasted several moments, Dash wasn’t sure what Blaze was trying to accomplish. She looked down at the purple couch. Blaze had obviously had the cloud dyed a different colour. It was very comfortable.

“So,” Blaze broke the silence, setting her glass down on a coffee table. “Tomorrow, huh? Feeling confident?”

Dash nodded, “As I’ll ever be. That massage has really done something special on me too.”

“Well, you’re welcome,” Blaze replied, chuckling. She sighed and rested her head back, closing her eyes. “Have these several weeks really flown by already?”

“I can’t believe it myself,” Dash answered. Blaze’s question caused herself to wonder where all the time had gone.

“I’m sure,” Blaze opened her eyes and leant forward, looking over at Dash. “So tell me, what’s your plan B?” She asked, a serious look on her face.

Dash picked up on the change in tone. “Plan B?” She replied, raising an eyebrow.

“Well, you know, if you fail tomorrow…” Blaze put bluntly, glancing away.

Dash took a moment to think about it. She hadn't really thought about the possibility of that. “I...I guess I’ll...keep doing what I have been doing…” She formulated, shrugging.

“And what about Soarin?” Blaze asked.

“We’ll stay together, I’m sure,” Dash replied, seeing where Blaze was trying to steer the conversation.

“I hope you do…” Blaze sighed, relaxing back into her chair. “I’m not saying you will, but please don’t take it personally if you do fail. At the end of the day, it’s just a job. Don’t let it interfere with your personal life…”

Dash could see the gaze in Blaze’s eyes, looking a million miles away. Without even shifting her vision, she reached with a wing onto a shelf under her coffee table, bringing out a small book with a dark blue cover. “Don’t make the same mistake I made, Dash…” She pushed the book across the couch towards Dash.

Dash scooped it up and flipped it open. Inside were several pictures of Blaze and another unicorn stallion. It was a photobook. And from the photos she was looking at, it looked like her and him were very...close…

Dash glanced up at Blaze. “So...I take it you’re not together?” She hesitantly asked.

“No,” Blaze replied, shaking her head. “We haven’t been for a while.”

Dash looked back down at the photos. Particularly a silly one of Blaze and the unicorn stallion in question in a photo booth. Blaze had her wing wrapped around his torso, and he had an awkward smile on his face as the photo was snapped. “What happened? If you don’t mind me asking…”

Blaze leant over towards Dash and used her wing to twist the book in her direction, in a neutral position between herself and Dash. “Nimbus...I met him at one of my first shows in Manehatten. He was kind enough to show me around, the place is kinda daunting the first time you travel there, yet alone on your own. We met up after the show and...things kinda went from there. We started seeing each other more frequently, and...well, I was becoming attached…” Blaze suddenly closed the book. “But then our lives went separate ways. He got accepted into Celestia’s own private school to study magic, and I was pretty tied down travelling with the Wonderbolts. We got further and further apart and…” Blaze shrugged, “That was that.”

Dash’s ears flopped down, “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Don’t be,” Blaze batted her hoof, “Sure, I miss him. And I hope he misses me. But all I’m trying to say is don’t let this happen to you and Soarin.”

Dash’s ears perked back up, and she raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“I mean I don’t want you to suddenly drop your relationship if you fail tomorrow,” Blaze put bluntly. “I understand you would be upset, even at Soarin. Maybe you’ll even need some time to yourself for a little while. But don’t let a job dictate your relationship.”

Dash took a moment to think about what Blaze was saying. It was true that she wanted to be in the Wonderbolts more than anything else in the world, but would the devastation of losing really cause her to give up on her relationship with Soarin? She found it hard to believe that would happen...although she had yet to experience it.

“That won’t happen.” The confident words suddenly shot out of Dash’s mouth, causing Blaze’s ears to perk up and meet her stare. “I love Soarin, no matter what. Like you say, I won’t give up on him just because of that. We’ll make it through thick and thin…” She felt the heat in her cheeks rising as she dumped all her thoughts on Blaze without even questioning herself. Or without even thinking about how it sounded... “But...don’t tell anypony I said any of that.”

Blaze giggled a little, “That’s what I was hoping.” She replied, raising her wine glass. “Cheers.”

Dash picked up her own glass and clinked it against Blaze’s. She could sense something else in Blaze voice, something Blaze wasn’t saying. But she didn’t want to sour the tone any further, so she let it go.

Blaze tipped her head back and swallowed what little was left in her glass. “Fancy something to eat?” She asked, putting her glass down.

“If you’ve got something in mind,” Dash replied, also finishing her wine. Although she had such a small amount compared to Blaze, it really didn’t take her long.

“Sure,” Blaze replied, getting up. She took hers and Dash’s glasses between feathers in her wing. “I know a place.”

Dash got up herself and followed Blaze into the kitchen. Blaze simply rinsed the glasses in the sink and followed Blaze out the door, feeling the gentle fresh breeze of Cloudsdale once again in her fur.

“It's the other side of town,” Blaze informed, spreading her wings and taking flight with a slight push forward.

“I’m with ya,” Dash replied, copying Blaze’s actions and lifting herself into the air. This was turning out to be a very productive day. She was getting her eyes opened to so much. And it was giving her plenty to think about. Maybe even too much to think about…


“You wouldn’t believe it, but it was like we actually got sucked INTO the comic book,” Dash explained her story while flying back to the HQ with Blaze.

“No way!” Blaze replied.

“You bet,” Dash nodded, “I’ve never read Power Ponies, but I became Zapp and was able to shoot lightning and make tornados appear out of thin air.” She mimicked the actions with her hooves.

Dash and Blaze both touched their hooves just outside the door at the same time. “That sounds amazing. How did Spike even trigger the spell? Dragons can’t use magic, can they?”

Dash shrugged, “No idea, either way, it turned out to be an awesome adventure.” She answered, pushing through the door, holding it with her hind hoof for Blaze.

Dash walked through into one of the main corridors, to the bottom of the stairwell where her and Blaze’s path separated. “Well, I’m expecting you to put on a superhero-worthy performance tomorrow then.”

Dash chuckled, “Did you expect anything less?” She replied rhetorically.

Blaze chuckled for a moment before it subsided, a serious look forming on her face. “But there is one thing I wanted to mention.”

Dash cocked her head, “What is it?” She asked, raising an eyebrow.

Blaze glanced over her left then right shoulder, then leaned in closer to Dash’s ear. “For the record, as long as your performance is up to scratch, I unofficially plan on voting for you tomorrow. You can choose to believe me or not, I won’t be offended. I just wanted to state that.”

“Well, how do I know you’re not lying when you say that?” Dash immediately rolled the question the other way.

Blaze shrugged casually, “Like I said, choose to believe what you want. But bottom line, good luck, do your best, and kick some ass.”

Dash smiled, “Now that I know how to do.”

“Great,” Blaze suddenly changed attitudes again, leaning further towards Rainbow Dash and embracing her in a hug. “Good luck tomorrow, Dash. Give me every reason to believe in you, because we need somepony like you to stay around here.”

Dash chuffed, “You bet I will,” She replied, returning the embrace. They held for a few seconds before releasing each other. Dash stood up straight and saluted. She had no reason to, as they were officially off-duty, but it just felt like the right thing to do.

Blaze saluted back with a wink, “Carry on, Dash.” She finished off the conversation.

“Thank you, Ma’am,” Dash replied, nodding. She turned and walked her own way down the corridor, hearing Blaze’s hoofsteps climbing the stairs.

As Dash approached the door to their room, she noticed a black tail go through the doorway before closing it. She knew who it belonged to, and also indicated that she wasn’t the first one back, meaning she’d have some talking to do. If anything, she was all talked out. And even then, she seemed to leave with more questions than answers. Or maybe it was just her mind wandering.

She pushed through the door, noticing Dahlia with a towel around her shoulders and Comet walking towards his bed. The two of them plus herself must have been the only ones back.

“Wow, talk about synchronisation,” Dahlia commented, waving at Dash. “How’s your day been?”

“It’s been great,” Dash answered, smiling. “We went to a spa, grabbed some lunch, I got to know Blaze a little better. It was really relaxing actually, and I got a lot off my mind.” She explained, although after unloading the thoughts on her mind, it immediately got reloaded with different thoughts.

Dahlia rolled her eyes, “Sounds great, I’ve been having fun too...in a different way…”

As Dash walked towards her, she noticed her purple fur had a slight glisten to it. “Have you been sweating?” She asked.

“Just a bit, can you tell?” Dahlia replied sarcastically. “Soarin pretty much took me for a full day workout. It was hard, but I’m feeling more ready than ever for tomorrow.”

Dash smirked, “That intense?” She had more to say, but she was also trying to make sure her secret stayed between her and Dahlia.

“You bet. Remember those aerial acrobatic courses we did when we first started? He had me do them again. Obviously, I found it like a walk in the park this time around, but it was just to demonstrate how far we’ve come.” She explained.

“Sounds like you had fun,” Dash replied, looking over at White Comet. “How about you?”

Comet was sorting through his things but paused to look up. “Similar to you, we went out for lunch, and I got to know Fleetfoot a little better. She gave me a few tips.”

“Yeah I bet she did,” Dahlia instantly replied, Dash knowing exactly what direction this conversation was swinging in. “Bet you got to know her pretty good too, didn’t ya?”

Comet chuffed, “Yeah, I did…buuuut not in that way you’re implying,” he answered, a smirk on his face.

Dahlia raised an eyebrow, “What do you mean?”

Comet shrugged his shoulders one after the other a couple of times, “It’s not really my secret to say, but...let's just say I’m not her type.” He explained, holding his smirk.

“Well, tough luck I guess,” Dahlia replied, shrugging herself, “But then what IS her type?”

“Well…” Comet held his hooves up, “Like I said, not my place to answer for her.”

“Geez you’re so stubborn, I’m not exactly planning to go running to the Cloudsdale Chronicle with it,” Dahlia exaggerated, rolling her eyes and looking over at Dash. “What do you think, Rainbow Dash?”

“I think she’s already got somepony, and for whatever reason needs to keep it a secret,” Dash spoke simply. She had been thinking about it the whole conversation. And it was a situation she could completely sympathise with.

Dahlia’s eyes flattened, and her face deflated. “Well, that’s not very exciting…” She commented on Dash’s theory, Dash could tell from the look in Dahlia’s eyes that she knew exactly where she got the inspiration from.

“Wait,” Dahlia’s face suddenly lit up again, a new theory brewing in her mind. “What if she…” she glanced around the room, confirming it was still only herself, Dash and Comet there. “...likes mares?”

“Fat chance,” Dash replied, batting a hoof. “There’s no way she’d be able to keep something like that under the covers. Wonderbolts are pretty much celebrities, something like that wouldn’t go unnoticed.”

“Right, the same way a secret relationship wouldn’t?” Dahlia used the same argument against Dash’s theory.

“Well…” Dash shrugged, “You’ve got me there. Still, I don’t think that’s it.”

“Well that’s the best we’ve got so far, I’m rolling with it,” Dahlia answered, set on her decision.

“Or maybe she’s seeing a griffon?” Comet suggested, only pouring fuel on the fire of the conversation. His smug face told everypony he knew precisely what he was doing.

“Pfffft,” Dahlia laughed, picking up a towel and throwing it around her neck. “Okay, that’s quite funny,” she said while turning towards the shower, which is where she was originally going before the conversation started. “Perhaps it’s that crazy homeless one that wanders around Cloudsdale.” She joked, trotting towards the bathroom door. “The end is near! Space ponies are coming to kill us all! It’s just a matter of time!” She mimicked his voice in a joking fashion before entering the bathroom through the door.

Dash chuckled at Dahlia’s interpretation. She looked over at Comet, and he’d gone back to doing his own thing, perched on the end of his bed with a book in his hooves.

Dash didn’t blame him for swotting up, perhaps she should do the same. But oddly...she felt confident. And not in the false sent she put on to display confidence; she genuinely was confident.

She laid down on her bed, belly-first, and shut her eyes. She concentrated on her breathing, and slowly moved her senses to the rest of her body...no nervousness...no shaking...all steady...and in control…

...Yeah. She really was confident.

She opened up her eyes, extending her right wing at the same time. She felt so calm she just naturally started preening her wings like she would do any other day. She didn’t feel any nerves at all. Perhaps she really was ready for this? Whatever the reason, she didn’t put too much thought into it. She felt good, and that’s all that she cared about. She planned to follow Comet’s route later and do some light studying. But for now, she just wanted to relax and savour the moment. Knowing that this time tomorrow, she probably wouldn’t be feeling the same way. She simply used the time to be alone with her thoughts…

...And her eyes slowly opened as the first thought rolled into her mind; ‘Did I leave my uniform in Blaze’s office?’

Author's Note:

A day-long pep talk with Blaze seems to have given Dash some confidence. Although it sounds like she didn't exactly need it. But will Blaze's words set in? Tomorrow could be tough on Dash if things don't go her way, hopefully she doesn't take it out on Soarin...

Well, this took longer than anticipated to get out. Sorry about that, I don't really have any excuses to offer. :twilightblush:

The only thing I will say is...I didn't expect the story to go on for this long. You may have noticed the themes, pacing and my style of writing have changed throughout the course of the story. Well simply put, I was exploring avenues to reach the end of the story faster. I will reveal why in the final chapter.

Speaking of final chapter...

I can confirm that, if all goes to plan, chapter 29 will be the final chapter of this story. After that, I will get into more depth about what I'm planning. But I don't want to reveal too much at this stage. :raritywink:




























(Dear God I've almost reach quarter of a million words :rainbowderp: )