A rainbow coloured trail

by Elyn

Rating: everyone
Tags: Romance, Fleetfoot, Random, Slice of Life, Wonderbolts, Spitfire, Sad, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Soarin, Alternate Universe, Rainbow Dash
Length: 24280

Dash gets the chance to be a Wonderbolt and goest to the Wonderbolt Academy, but discovers weird things and gets in trouble. What happend a hundred years ago? And does she wat to be a Wonderbolt after all?

When Rainbow Dash gets the chance to be a Wonderbolt, she goes to the Wonderbolts Academy and stays there to train. The others are ignoring her and making friends is quite hard. She discovers weird things and searching for anwers is getting her in trouble. There's something fishy going on with the academy record and her family is hiding things. Who is Aviane? What happend a hundred years ago that made the world as it is now? And she can't be in love with Soarin, he has something with Spitfire. Or not? Does she want to quit? At the Wonderbolts Gala she has to answer.

Published 2014-05-16 18:20:05 UTC
Last updated 2014-07-05 14:41:03 UTC

1: Making friends is always a difficult case

It wasboring there. The only thing I did was training and missing my friends.
But I had to go on, I wanted to be a Wonderbolt and this was my chance.
I always wanted to be a Wonderbolt, scince I was little I deamt of flying with them.
I got a Wonderbolts costume for my sixth or seventh birthday and I wanted to wear it all time.
That stupid thing still lies in my basement somewhere under a pile of stuff.
My mom and dad said it was the best job for me. And it is. I'm going to be a Wonderbolt no matter what.

Then I decided to try talking to one of the other Wonderbolts in Training.
I walked to a mare whose name I suppose was Louise.
"Hi, you name is Louise right?"
"Yes. And you're the one with the sonic rainboom?"
"Thats me, the one and only Rainbow Dash!" I was so glad she answered I didn't notice the weird grin on her face.
"I saw you have training at noon and so do I, maybe we can go together?" I said, being very tired of training alone everyday.
"Well if you want to be a Wonderbolt you don't need to train. Just walk into one of those guys from team A. You kow, Fleetfoot, Soarin and Spitfire." She said the last scentence a bit harsh, like she was mad at me.
"But if you don't have to train, why are you not a Wonderbolt?" If that was true, even Fluttershy and Twi could be wonderbolts.
"Because I" she pointed at herself "can't do a somnic rainboom."
She flipped her long mane like Rarity always does.
What has that to do with anything?
"No one of us can be a Wonderbolt, except you. Well, go to one of them or something. You will be a Wonderbolt right away."
She sounded really angry now.
"Don't act like you don't know." She turned around and walked away.

The next day all the Wonderbolts in Training ignored me. Probably because of Louise.
After our chat I found out she was the most popular one here and that everypony does whatever she says.
I heard her talking about me and she did'nt sounded very friendly. Should I write a letter to my friends telling them how much I miss them?
No. They would die from worrying. Especially Pinkie. The last time I was here she freaked out. Applejack told me all about it.
Maybe Louise was right and I should try talking to Fleetfoot or Soarin. I've already met them at Rainbow Falls.
I went to the training field and searched for anypony I knew. In the left corner was Fleetfoot doing wing-ups.
"Hello Fleetfoot."
"Hey Rainbow Dash. Are you training too?" she said.
"Uhm... Yes!" Not that I was, but how would she know?
"Nice, do you like it here?"
What should I say? Should I tell her the truth?
"Well its very different from Ponyville." That was'nt even a lie.
"Sure. Did you make any friends?" Did she had to ask that?
What would my friends do? Twilight would'nt even start talking, Fluttershy would say nothing.
I realized Fleetfoot was waiting for an answer.
"Not really." I said then.
"Well, You can hang with Soarin and me if you want. I'm sure Spitfire would like that."
"Thanks" I meant it.
"We like to have soneone like you around. You could possibly become a wonderbolt at the next Wonderbolts Gala."
But I just arrived? Am I that Awesome?
"And when is that gala?" I wanted to know.
"It's every year on another date so I'm not sure." Fleetfoot said, still doing wing-ups.
"But it's somewhere in march, just before you guys have that winter wrap up stuff."

That night was the first one I slept well again untill around three AM I heard voices waking me up.
"Did you hear? Sonic Rainboom gets to be a Wonderbolt at the next Wonderbolts Gala."
Were they talking about me? I could imagine Louise nicknaming me Sonic Rainboom.
"Really? We attended three gala's and still are no Wonderbolts."
Yup. Who else can do a sonic rainboom?
"It must be because of her family."
"Duh!"
What is wrong with my family? I should teach her a lesson as soon as I get the chance!
"You know, we should get her kicked out."
Wait, no! Then I give them what they want.
"And I know how."
After that they started whispering and how hard I tried, I couldn't hear them.

"You look bad. Everything all right?" Fleetfoot asked the next day.
"Just slept bad. It was nothing." I shrugged.
Not like I was going to tel Fleetfoot about Louise setting up a conspiracy against me.
Fleetfoot and I walked to the training field.
"Scince when did you want to be a Wonderbolt?"
Honest answer Dash, that helped you last lime.
"My whole life. And you?"
Fleetfoot was silent for a while like she didn;t expect me to ask her.
"Actually I did'nt really." she said.
Did'nt? How could you not want to be part of the Wonderbolts? They're awesome.
"Why?" I asked.
"I was Soarins best friend when we were filly's. He attended the Wonderbolts academy and became Spitfire's wing pony.
When Spitfire became captain Soarin got me in too." Fleetfoot stared at the ground.
"Did you just became a Wonderbolt? Without training and all?" That seemed so unlogical to me.
"Oh, that was just because... Well you know.
Hey, there are Soarin and Spitfire. Lets go!" Fleetfoot started running towards them and I wondered what she wanted to say.

Maybe Louise was right after all. You can get in if you know the right ponies.

"Fleetfoot, can we have something to drink now? We have been training for hours." I asked.
And we only flew around the academy.
"Uhhh, not that I'm tired. Of course not." I laughed nervous, but she did'nt notice.
"Sure" she said. We landed.
On the way to the locker room I saw Silver Lining combing his mane and Spitfire taking off ther aviators.
No Louise, luckily. If she saw me being friends with fleetfoot she would kill me.
In the last weeks I tried to avoid her as much as possible.
"Soarin!" Fleetfoot cried. "Over here!"
"He is always late." she explained. "One of his bad habits."
"Do you want to hang out this weekend?" Fleetfoot asked both of us.
I really wanted them to say yes. Being stuck at the academy with the others is very boring. I experienced last weeks.
"Fine with me. What about you Soarin?" I said.
"Actually, Spitfire asked me to go to see a movie." he answered.
I saw Fleetfoots expression change.
"But we can go tonight."
Fleetfoot smiled again.
I just nodded.

"Wich movie do you want to see?" Fleetfoot looked at the posters.
"I want to see the one with Rarity in it. You know, that one about Fleur dis Lee."
"She's your friend right?" Soarin said.
"Yes. She was so proud to be part of the movie."
She was almost crying. We all went with her to the set.
Altough she didn't had a major role, she was invited to the premiere.
Actually the only thing she needed to do is walking trough Canterlot with Fancypants and appearing as a guest on high society stuff.
Pretty lame if you ask me.
"Lets get popcorn." Soarin walked in and got some bits.
"Should we share a large one?"
Fleetfoot nodded. "And I want some cola."
The film started after ten minutes of reclame with Fleur dis Lee and Fancypants at a boring gala.
And that about covered the first half of the movie.
Fleur and Fancypants went to party's, diners and more. No Rarirty.

At the time the commercial break started we ate all the popcorn and Fleetfoot was going to get us some more when Soarin asked me if I liked hanging out.
I did'nt knew what to say.
"With you?" With him?
"Uhh... yes. And Fleetfoot of course." he said.
"Sure..." Why not? It was better then the other Wonderbolts in training.
Almost everything was better then them.
"I heard you were best friends as filly and colt." I said.
"Oh yes! There was nopony else, so we did'nt had much choice." Soarin smiled.
We laughed.
"Have you learned well for the test tomorrow?" He asked.
"What? Tomorrow?" That could'nt be! How come I have'nt heard of that?
"So that's a no?"
"Yes! No! I did'nt learn. I mean..." I tried to say I didn't knew without implying I was sleeping during one of the lessons.
"Then you should study real hard tonight."
"Actually, I can't learn at night." I said.
"Why?"
Stupid Dash. You knew he was going to ask that.
"Uhm... I have a weird way of learning."
"And that won't work at night?" he raised an eyebrow.
"No. Actually not. I learn by flying."
Soarin did'nt answer. Stupid, really stupid.
"I remember everything while I fly."
"Then you need the book with the removable pages. You can dropt them on the ground and fly circles. It's in Spitfires office, but I need to go there anyway. You can come with me." He said.
"Thanks. Hey look, Fleetfoot is back with more popcorn." I really wanted to draw the attention to something else.
The other half of the movie was about a weird girl trying do destroy Fleurs career.
I saw Rarity only once, with a lady with an ugly hat and a guy serving some fancy cake.
How did Rarity stay at the set for three days without being on screen for more than a minute?
Film is something I probably will never unsterstand.

"You know," Fleetfoot said after the movie "that was quite boring."
We all laughed. It was true.
"I'm going home. Bye!" Fleetfoot flew away.
Someway It felt uncomfortable being close to Soarin. I did'nt knew him very well.
The whole flight we were silent, both not knowing what to say.
At the academy he opend the door of the office.
"Is the door always open?" I asked.
I could'nt imagine Spitfire leaving her office open.
"No, she gave me a key."
That explained it.
"Can you open the second drawer and get the file saying choreography 23? I'm going to search that book."
Somehow I feel guitly looking in Spitfire's papers. But it's so intresting!
I opened the second drawer.
A, Aerial, Base of flying B, C... Where is that stupid file?
Case, Aha got it. Choreography.
Wait, what case? I'm sorry Spitfire, but searching trough your stuff is too intresting.
"I got the book" Soarin said.
"I almost got yours." I answered.
I opened the file saying 'Case' and quickly looked trough it.
I gasped.

Spitfire once won a case against my father.

2: The key to trouble is curiosity

I kept thinking about that case.
Dad never told anything about it, even tough I was older then Scootaloo when Spitfire won.
What could it be about? I had to know.

Two days later I went into the locker room and opened Soarin's one.
Where did he have those stupid keys?
In his bag, I remembered. While searching I put his stuff back exactly as I found it.
He wouldn't notice the keys were gone.
Got it! I closed the locker and left the room.
There was nopony in the hallway.
That's good. I peeked into the office. Nobody there. This was too good to be true.
I opend the door and closed it as soon as I was in. Now where was that file?
I heard hoves in the hallway.
"Oh Soarin..." I knew that voice.
The door opened.
I'm lucky I'm fast because I closed the drawer opened the window and hid around the corner before the door was open.
It was kinda cold outside. From where I was I could see the drawer.
"You sure about this?" That was Soarin.
Then I realized I should have flewn to the other side of the window, then I could see who was with him.
Then something felt from the desk, probably the little statue.
I heard papers crumbling and I really wished I could see.
"Yes, absolutely." The one with him had a little raspy voice. It was the voice of a female pony.
I was stuck here. As long as Female Pony and Soarin were in the office I couldn't put the file back so I'd better read it now.
Date: 27 februari. Just some day's before the Wonderbolts Gala 5 years ago.
I should have noticed something strange about my dad.
I started reading.
Something about the lawyer and about my dad. Heir of Aviane's most valuable property.
Who in Equestria was Aviane? What property?
Female Pony giggled.
It became more annoying every minute not knowing who she was.
'This certificate states that the property of the Wonderbolts Academy...'
Wait, WHAT?
'now belongs to miss Spitfire.'
I stared in awe at the paper.
Dad OWNED the Wonderbolts academy? And now Spitfire does? Somehow it does make sense, she's the captain.
But how?
Somewhere I heard Soarin and Female Pony leave.
Phew, I could move again.
I flew back in and put the file back.
Female Pony and Soarin really made a mess. Papers were spread all around the floor and the lamp felt.
"Wait, we forgot to close the window."
I gasped and ducked under the desk.
They came back in.
I, again wished I've chosen another hiding place because I could'nt see anything. Not even hooves.
Female Pony bumped into Soarin.
"Sorry..." They both laughed.
She flew up and closed the window.
"'Why do you always tend to push your tail in my face?" Soarin said.
They both laughed again.

The next day Soarin and Fleetfoot were arguing in the locker room.
Just when I wanted to ask what was wrong Fleetfoot pushed me aside and ran into the girls toilets.
"What's wrong with her?" I asked. Without waiting for an answer I went after her.
"Fleetfoot?"
"Just go away."
"But..." I could'nt leave her.
"Just go. I don't want to talk."
"You don't want to talk to me?" I asked again.
"NO!"
"Should I get somepony else? Spitfire?" I asked.
I turned around. Maybe I just had to leave her alone.
"Wait, Rainbow I..." She opened the door.
"Somebody stole Soarin's keys. The ones from Spitfire's office. All his stuff was laying on the floor.
And now he blames me." She looked like she cried.
I put the keys back exactly where I found them so it wasn't me!
"But you don't have them?" A weird feeling got into me.
"No! I never had the keys, he said he saw me in the locker room but I was'nt there."
"I will talk to him." I said. Now I got Fleetfoot in trouble.

"Soarin?" He was putting his stuff back in the bag.
"Yes, is there something?" he asked.
"What's with your bag?" I could'nt tell him I was here for Fleetfoot. Just imagine what he would think of me.
Even tough I shouldn't care about that, somehow I did.
"Fleetfoot took the keys of Spitfire's office."
"Huh? How do you know it was her?"
"I saw blue wings in the room about an hour before lunchtime."
That was me! He saw me there! I was speechless.
"A-are you sure the wings were... Fleetfoot's?"
"No, but everypony was outside."
Not everypony was, I was'nt.
"How do you know Fleetfoot was inside?"
I really needed to find a way to convince him Fleetfoot did'nt took the keys without giving hints it was me.
"Because I really saw blue wings and the only blue pony's are Wave chill and Silver lining who had a day off and lightning streak who was on patrouille with Surprise."
"And you and me." I added.
"Yes, but you were flying a pacours with Spitfire, so the only one left is.."
What? Did Spitfire say that?
"Not Fleetfoot. Some of the Wonderbolts in training are blue."
There are only two Wonderbolts in training who are blue. The overly quiet April and Strato, the most annoying guy in this whole place.
Seriously, you don't want to know.
"But what would they want to do with the keys?" he asked.
"What would Fleetfoot do with them?" Now I got him.
"I got an idea" he said.
"I'll take a look in the office if somethings missing and you take a look if one of the Wonderbolts in training is acting weird."
They're ALWAYS acting weird.
"Okay." I shrugged and acted like I did'nt really care.
"Fine, bye."
Now I needed to prove one of them stole the key.

That evening I was having dinner in a little restaurant with Soarin and I did'nt knew how I ended up there. Not that I cared, it was fun.
We ordered something and talked about flying stunts.
"At least now you have the keys." I said out of nowhere.
He laughed.
"I check every half hour."
We laughed.
"Then you should check now. We've been here for around an hour."
He looked in his bag.
Then he gasped. The keys were gone again.

We rushed back to the academy and started searching. I started in the hallway and he on the field.
I walked trough the hallway very quiet.
I heard something in the office.
The raspy voice of Female Pony.
Gotcha! Now I know who you are! I rushed in but she was gone.
I could search her, but what if I would find her? That would be awkward.
I got an even better idea!
I grabbed the file on the floor when I noticed something moved outside the window.
Fast I flew out, but she was already gone. I followed her but she was too far in the front.
"Come back you!" I screamed. I angrily waved the file.
I growled a little. Now all those papers that were inside the file felt down on the ground.
Wait! Idea! What if I dropped everything here and put one paper in one of the other Wonderbolts in Trainings bag?
I would prove Fleetfoot was innocent, altough that would be quite mean...
But they are mean too and Fleetfoot is my friend. And they won't get punished that much.
I would be fast enough to be back in time before Soarin would seek me.

"Woah, this is weird."
Soarin looked at the papers on the grass outside.
"Somepony dropped them while I was chasing them." It was'nt even a lie. I was the pony who dropped them, but still.
He picked the papers up and put them back.
"I'm going to get Spitfire. You go inside, it's cold." He flew away.
When he came back Spitfire took the file and looked in it.
"Is there something missing?" I asked. Inside I almost laughed at the frown on her face..
"Yes," she said. "One paper."

When I walked into the dorm when Kaila (one of the mean girls) immediatly pushed me to the center of the room where the rest was sitting. I sat down.
"We're playing a game. Somebody asks a question and all of us need to answer. Honestly."
Why do they actually want me to play this game. They don't like me and I don't like them?
Well, it's fine with me. If I play this game they won't search for things like little mirrors in their bags. Plus, I may hear something really funny about somepony.
"April's turn." Louise yelled.
Nopony answered. April was'nt in the room.
"Well, then it is Kaila's turn."
Kaila was thinking.
"What kind of job do you have and what kind of job do you want?" That's a good one.
"I was selling famous Las Pegasus food and I want to join the weather ponies."
"I had my own shop and I want to be in the weather patrol"
"I already am part of the weather patrol and I want to be a Wonderbolt." Preferably the captain.
They stared at me and I actually kinda liked it.
Next question.
"Did you ever dye your mane?"
All of them said they did. Fluff (probably named after her cloud coloured poofy mane and tail) once dyed it dark grey and put thunder shaped clips in it on Nightmare Night.
"And you Dashie?" Don't call me Dashie. Only my friends can call me that.
"I never did. I was born with all these colours."
They looked in awe at my tail.
"Ohhh!" "Cool!" "Got it from your dad?"
"Yeah! Pretty awesome right?" I grinned.
"Next!" Louise yelled. Yealous your dad does'nt have Rainbow coloured hair?
"What was the job where you earned the most bits?" Actually I have no idea.
"Oo, I won the lotery!" Okay fine, were out now.
"And how much?" Louise asked.
"Only 25 bits." Louise laughed really hard at the girl who blushed now.
"Now I" she almst yelled I "have done voices for a famous serie. I could live from that reaaaaly long."
Sure. I knew she would brag. She always does.
"Fluff, you are." Louise said.
"What is your biggest moment of fame?"
I immediatly started. That question is for me!
"Oh, I saved all of Equestria at least five times."
They gasped.
"From Nightmare moon, Discord, Crysalis, Sombra, plunderseeds and Tirek. What did I tell ya? Six times!"
The rest of the night I answered questions about my adventures.
Around midnight we went to bed and nopony searched their bags for a comb or something.

I set an alarm at three o clock to put the paper in one of their bags.
I searched Fluffs one when I heard somepony crying very soft.
"It's not right. It's not right Louise. Just not right." A little voice.
"Shut up. You know why as much as I do. And we needed to do so. She does'nt know."
Where are you talking about Louise. Tell it.
"I know, I know but..." The little voice stopped.
"Shut up and go to sleep." I waited for a while but I did'nt hear anything anymore.
I put the paper in Louises bag and started to think. There's something fishy going on around this place.
I can't figure this out on my own! Where are my friends? I should probably just do what they would do.
Applejack? No, I'm lying really hard now. Fluttershy would'nt have the courage to do something. Twilight would make a list, maybe that's an option.
I concluded in the hospital I'm an egghead anyway.

Dad got the Wonderbolts Academy from Aviane, whoever that might be. Then he lost it to Spitfire in a case I did'nt know of.
The only thing he did was helping me.

Female pony has a little raspy voice and knows Soarin. She later stole the keys after I put them back. Then we found them on the field without any clues. Before Soarin and I went to that restaurant she stole them again and left when I came in.
She was very fast and blue.
Then what am I missing?
Spitfire!
She or is blind without her aviators, or she did'nt care about Soarin and Female Pony ruining her office. I tought again.
Wait, Female Pony must have had a key to the office. Because I had Soarins, she had another one. And she must have searched something. After I left she did'nt found it so she came back when I was at the restaurant with Soarin.
She searched the file that was on the floor. The one Spitfire has now and the one she closed as soon as Soarin looked in.
I'm seeing ghost now. That was just a coincidence.
Tomorrow I have a day off.
I needed to prove Fleetfoots innocence. Then I would write my dad about Aviane and check everypony's voices. And ask Soarin about Female Pony. I yawned and closed my eyes.
Tomorrow it would be all different.

3: Coming out of the closet

Dear dad,

First I'd like to say I am fine. I know mom would like to hear that, altough, I miss my friends and you sometimes.
I'm at the Wonderbolts Academy and I might become a Wonderbolt at the next gala.
But I need to...
I stopped. If I asked him about that case, who knew what he would do?
Maybe he did'nt wanted to talk about it.
give a presentation about a Pegasus I don't know. Her name is Aviane and I'd like to ask if you might know something about her or where I can find things about her.
The other pegasi are nice. I've made some friends already. Maybe you heard of them. Soarin and Fleetfoot, the two blue pony's who often fly with Spitfire. I am really excited that my dream will come true.
I hope you write me back soon and thanks for all the support when I was a filly.
Dashie

When I came back from the post office I decided to search Fleetfoot. I needed to talk to her scince I left her yesterday in the toilets.
And I needed to tell Soarin that Louise and April might hide something in their bags. In the evening he and somepony else could look.
"Uhm Rainbow? Why are you staring into the hallway?" Fleetfoot asked.
I shook my head.
"Fleetfoot! I've been searching for you." I said. I really didn't notice her.
She smiled.
"I think I can prove you did'nt stole the key."
Better tell something else before she asked stuff about me.
"Really?" She hugged me. "Soarin is such a good friend. We never had a fight."
"Then we better go search him." I looked around for a blue stallion.
She let go of me.
We turned around to the mess hall were a lot of Wonderbolt cadets were looking at the wall that says who was the lead pony.
I standed there once, when I was the wing pony of Lightning Dust. Sometimes I wonder where she went after she got kicked out.
Outside Fleetfoot froze. Soarin was on the other side of the little field used for breaks.
"You go tell him." she said and looked at the grass.
I nodded and walked to him.
"Soarin, I found something suspicious. I think Louise and April are hiding something." I said.
'Really?"
Spitfire came stand next to Soarin.
"What's up? Still about that key?" She looked at Soarin. I'm sure she tried to tell him something.
"Yes. Rainbow thinks Louise or April has something to do with it." he explained.
"April?" Spitfire put down her aviators a bit. "You sure about that?"
I nodded and tought of Spitfires ruined office.
"Oh, before you go, did you notice something weird in your office when you came there after lunch?"
"Not that I remember, why?" She took ther glasses off.
"Nothing, maybe they left something." I shrugged.
Spitfire closed her eyes half. "All right, I'm going to the Dizzitron."
She flew away but I felt she did'nt believe me, but the proof she did'nt care about Female Pony was worth Spitfires suspicion.
"Where have you been the whole day? Maybe you have seen something?" I asked.
"Well I went to the field after breakfast with Spitfire and Wave Chill. Then I went inside to drink something with Spitfire and when we were outside again I did'nt see Fleetfoot.
In the afternoon I found all my stuff on the floor of the locker room. When I told Fleetfoot we had a little fight.
Then I went to my room and studied some choreography's.
In the evening I went to the restaurant. You know the rest." He said.
That meant he didn't tell me everything. He was there in Spitfires office when DFemale Pony trashed that place.
"I'm having patrouille now. Bye!" He flew away.
I turned around walking back to Fleetfoot.
"What did he say?" she asked.
"That it was nice to hear it was'nt you." I answered.
Fleetfoot smiled and went to her room.

What did I need to do more? Check voices.
There were 6 mares, me included, and 4 stallions.
Well. April is too shy to have Female Pony's voice. Louise's voice is too high, more like Rarity's, but with a mean accent.
Kaila could be possible, but why would she have another key? She usually goes everywhere Louise goes.
Fluff is a morning person and goes to bed at 9PM or earlier and the other girl was on holiday.
Strato, the blue guy has a raspy voice, but is the worst flyer out here. Then there are two brothers who are not fast enough either.
The other one, who is light green could be possible too, but I'm sure Female Pony is a she.
But it still sounds wrong. Nopony of the Wonderbolts in Training knows Soarin ór Spitfire very well.
This is just getting more complicated every minute.

I spend the rest of the day at the library reading Daring Do. It was better then going with Louises group and look at weird dresses.
If they want real nice dresses, they should call Rarity.
'And then Daring Do turned around. The sunlight shined in her face and showed her how to get back.'
I closed the book. ~~Daring Do~~ A.K. Yearling was really good at writing a suggestive end.
Who knew where she would go next? You had to get the next book if you wanted to know.
I put the book back in the shelf. What should I read next?
I browsed trough the books when I saw 'The History of Cloudsdale: Every important Pegasus' life in detail' maybe there was something about Aviane?
Probably not, but it was worth a shot. If she owned the academy she had to be a little famous.
I pulled the book out and searched for a table. Why does this book has to be so heavy? I looked in the index.
Maybe Aviane was'nt famous enough but looking at the size of the book half Cloudsdale had to be famous.
Half of the book was about Pegasi I've never heard of. I was in it too.
Aviane, page 1246. Gotcha!
I turned the pages.
Famous Pegasus: Aviane
Real name: Unknown
Nickname: The proud one, The bragger, Rainbow
There was a whole list of facts and a short description.
The famous Aviane, wich real name is unknown is the fastest Pegasus known in history. There's nothing known about her family and friends. According to an unknow source her name comes from the latin word avis meaning bird. After breaking the academy record she claimed to be the fastest ever and became over self-confident. Her signatures were her rainbow coloured mane and red eyes.
She was found dead at the age of 21 near the Wonderbolts Academy. Just sfter she visited her villa in Cloudsdale. She assumably comitted suicide.
I stared at the picture. A black mare with a long, wavy mane looked at the camera. She... Looked like my dad. Somehow.
A voice told me that the library was closing. On the way back I bumped onto at least 5 others.
I did'nt care. I just tought of Aviane.
What if dad is family from her? He has a rainbow coloured mane like Aviane. But how did Aviane get to own the academy?
I learned that the academy was started by a guy who was a member of the Wondebolts who tought the new Wonderbolts were untrained.
I'm really going to sound like an egghead.
I was laying on my bed when Louise & co came back with a lot of noise. I wondered what Soarin and Fleetfoot were doing.
I should tell them. They would know what to do.

The next day on the field we lined up while Spitfire shouted at us about the key and that she thought one of us had something.
Then we all needed to empty our bags, wich was pretty annoying because the field was a little wet and Louise took too much space to lay down her hat collection. Fleetfoot, Soarin and another wonderbolt checked the stuff starting with Fluff and ending with the brothers slow and slower. I really question sometimes what they and Strato are even doing here.
"I found a document." Soarin pulled the paper out of one of Louises hats and Spitfire immediately grabbed it.
"This is the missing one. You!" She pointed at Louise "are coming to my office in 15 minutes. The others pack your stuff."
She paused and then shouted "and give me 500 laps." I rolled my eyes and put my things back in the bag.

"Aaand..... 500 for Rainbw Dash!" said Fleetfoot while waving her hoof. I landed.
"I knew it was'nt you." I said. Because it was me, but I did'nt tell her that.
"Thank you. Soarin apologised for blaming me." Fleetfoot said.
"Where is he now?" I asked. "Before the 500 laps he was here."
"With Spitfire." I could see she did'nt liked it. She never did and somehow I did'nt either.
"Fleetfoot, I want to tell you something." This was the moment to tell her about the Aviane stuff.
"My dad owned the Wonderbolts Academy once before Spitfire got it. He got it from Aviane, but I don't know why."
Fleetfoot was silent for a while. Behind me Louise landed to go to Spitfire. Somewhere I feel bad about having her punished.
"Then I think we need to go to the archive of the Academy. Everything is there." Fleetfoot then said.
I nodded. "Then lets go!" I prepared to fly but Fleetfoot said something that made me do a facehoof.
"We need to steal a key."

The moment I really regretted ever looking at the file saying 'case' was when Fleetfoot and I got stuck in the unused stuff closet at night while the nightguard decided to have a break in the hallway.
"Is he going away?" Fleetfoot whispered.
"No, is there something wrong?" She sounded nervous. She nodded.
"Why?" I tilted my head and looked at her face. She looked so scared.
She was silent and stared at the ground.
"B-because... Spitfire and Soarin are always here."
Did I miss something? I'm probably blind or something.
"Together. I mean...." she blushed "you know."
I nodded slowly. I felt I blushed too and tried not to laugh.
It was too funny! Spitfire the hothead and Soarin, who is always so calm. That could'nt be true, but if it was, then it was crazy.
Fleetfoot stared at me with her big sad eyes and I could'nt imagine anything funny about it anymore.
The way she looked. Like a filly who lost somepony they loved. Loved. The word got stuck in my head.
The guard decided that his break was finally over and left. Without speaking or looking at eachother we stole the key out of the Wonderbolts only room and went to the door to the basement.
Fleetfoot unlocked the door.
Loved loved loved. An inner Dash kept repeating it. Be quiet. There are bigger problems then digging into Soarins love life.
We flought down very silently
"It is in the fifth shelf." Fleetfoot pointed to the left to a shelf with a bad painted 5 on it.
Loved loved loved.
She pulled out a box with paper in it, probably very old.
"Everything you need is in here." She was still sad.
I searched trough the box but I did'nt notice what was on the papers.
Loved loved loved.
My inner Dash really could'nt stop saying that. If she said something useful for once.
I browesed trough some more papers.
Loved loved loved. I gasped.
"What did you found?"
I looked at the paper right in front of me. It was from a newspaper. 'Bragging-queen and flying wonder fastest forever?'
It had a picture of Aviane with it.
"Uhh... This." I got the paper out of the box. I read the rest of the article.

Aviane the proud one (aka better then everypony else) yesterday signed a document saying that the one to break her record owned her most valuable property wich was (surprisingly) NOT her giant collection medals, but none other then the Wonderbolts Academy, which she got from her grandfather. Hey aviane, do you think you can give away your grandfathers inheritance like that? Besides that, she has been spotted having a fight with style icon Amélie in front of Amélie's villa. Is Aviane losing her mind? We wonder how long she can keep going on like this. Stay tuned for the all expected downfall of one of Cloudsdales famous celebrities.

"What record?" Before I noticed I said it out loud. Fleetfoot tilted her head.
"You don't know?" she sounded surprised.
Uhm no. I really missed something.
"The academy record." She started whispering "On the dizzitron."
I did'nt get it. And what has that to do with all these weird things?
"You dont get it?" she raised an eyebrow.
No. You can see I don't get it!
"I will explain, but tell nopony you got it from me. We're not supposed to talk about it."
Loved loved loved. Oh, please inner Dash, this is just getting intresting.
"Aviane set the record and said whoever broke it would get to own the whole academy."
Then dad broke her record. Somehow I felt proud that Aviane, who apparently was'nt a very nice Pegasus, was beaten by my dad.
"My dad broke that record then. But he never was capatain." I wondered why.
"He probably just inheirted it because nopony broke Avianes record and he is family of Aviane, but that doesn't have to mean he was captain. It's possible that a pegasus owns the academy officlially while another is in charge." Fleetfoot explained.
That's why I never knew anything of this. Dad wasn;t needed here because this place could care for itself. He only owned it on the papers.
"When Spitfire became captain, we were told never to talk about this. And when we did, a painful silence felt having Spitfire leave the room." Fleetfoot continued.
And I really tought this would give answers. All I have now is more questions.
Loved loved loved.
Just ignore it.
We put the box back and walked back to the stairs.
"Sorry about laughing. I just tought it was too weird to be true," I stared at the ceiling which was painted poorly white.
Fleetfoot said nothing.
"About Spitfire and Soarin I mean. They're opposites." I started to feel guilty about talking about Soarin this much.
"I know. And I should be happy for him but somehow I can't."
She now even sounded sad. I felt bad about her being sad. She was my friend since I came here.
Loved loved loved. Shut up inner Dash.
I hugged her and she cried.
Loved loved loved.
Fleetfoot loved Soarin.

4: We just love to sneak around

"How dares she!" Louise shouted.
"I DID'NT STEAL THAT KEY!"
I covered my ears with my pillow.
The last two nights Louise kept on screaming about how unfair it was that she was'nt allowed to become a wonderbolt at the next gala.
"L-Louise..." April tried to calm her down.
"NO! I did'nt steal that key! How dares Soarin, blaming me for doing that." she kept screaming.
"But what about that paper?" Fluff tried to comb her mane.
"I did'nt steal that paper! Somepony put it in there. I'm not even blue!"
Please Louise just go to sleep. I turned around.
"Then who is?" Kaila was sitting on her bed.
"Are you dumb?!" Louise threw her pillow at Kaila. "That Fleetfoot pony."
What? Fleetfoot? I pricked my ears.
"She obviously has something against Spitfire. I bet she and Sonic Rainboom planned it. By the way, Sonic Rainboom is blue too."
She was talking about me.
Kaila did'nt get it causing Louise to be even more angry.
"Don't you get it? That fake Wonderbolt Fleetfoot stole that key because she knows it. And because we know it too."
I really needed to talk to Fleetfoot. She had to explain this stuff.
"She tries to get us kicked out." Louise continued her shouting.
Strato came in and told them to be quiet. Everypony screamed.
Not that I cared. I was actually happy he told Louise to shut up.

The next day I met Fleetfoot, Soarin and Spitfire in the hallway.
"Fleetfoot, can I talk you for a moment?" I asked.
She turned around. "Sure."
I took her to the house for the female Wonderbolts in training.
"And what do you need to tell me?" she put down her glasses.
"It's about some days ago in the basement. You seemed upset."
"Rainbow, we're not suppused to talk about Aviane, the record or.."
I interrupted her.
"Fleetfoot listen."
Oh how should I bring this?
"Do you love Soarin?"
Phew. I just said it.
Fleetfoot blinked.
"Yes." she said then.
"But if Soarin does'nt like you, you can't make him like you." Rarity went crazy when Trenderhoof was in Ponyville.
"You, you..." Fleetfoot walked frustrated trough the room and paced in circles like Twilight sometimes does.
"You don't understand!" she screamed.
"All ponies think the same. Do you love Soarin?"
The question made me blush.
"No..." I said then.
"Is there anypony you love?" she shouted. There were tears in her eyes.
I really did'nt know.
"You love your friends from ponyville right? Loving somepony does'nt mean beig IN love with somepony!" She cried softly.
I felt ashamed. That was another way of loving a pony but I did'nt think of it.
"I, I understand." I've never been good at this stuff. Fleetfoot was quiet for a while and sat down on Kaila's bed.
I sat down next to her. She sighed.
"I need to tell you something. About what's really happening behind the Wonderbolts' shows."
That'd be first. Like, no one told me what went on over here.
She looked at the floor where Louise dropped ther stuff.
"You know Soarin is my best friend scince I was a filly." she started telling.
Yes I knew that.
"He was my only friend. My dad died when I was really young and my mom was at work whole days, if she didn't she couldn't pay the house and the tax anymore."
We both knew what happend to Cloudsdalians who couldn't pay their taxes.
"Most of my time I spent at Soarins house. Then he went to the Wonderbolts Academy. Everyday I missed him.
When Spitfire got the academy my mom died too. I did'nt knew what to do. I didn't have money enough to study and have two left hooves or something, so I couldn't find a job. Then Soarin got Spitfire to make me a Wondebolt.
I had a house, job and my friend back. I did'nt care about the other Wonderbolts. They disliked me for becoming a Wonderbolt without training. I'm lucky I'm fast, but actually I am too small, not agile enough and too weak. They dislike me. Still.
But now Soarin is mostly with Spitfire. I have nowhere to go when I leave. I have to stay here, even if everypony wants me to leave."
I felt the sadness in her voice while she cried very silently.
Now this is awkward. What do I need to say to her?

We walked back to the hallway.
"Where were you?" Soarin dragged us to the end of the hallway.
"Fleetfoot, I'm so sorry. I should know you did'nt steal the key." he said.
Well, at leat this problem was solved.
"Do you want to go to cloudsdale now? There's is a weather festival." Soarin asked.
"Yes!" I saw Fleetfoot lighten up and I smiled when I saw them flying outside.
Maybe this is what Fluttershy feels when she mends some critters heart.
"Rainbow Dash! Do you have a minute?" I knew that voice. A little raspy and defenitly Spitfires.
Yes I had a minute. But I did'nt wanted to talk to Spitfire that minute. Because of the case, Fleetfoot and mostly becuase she was suspicious.
Somehow that was really scary. Knowing you know things you're not supposed to about a pony and that pony being suspicious of you.
"Uh, sure." Be confident Dash, then she won't notice. Just do it like any other thing when others expect you to be tough. But how hard I tried, my hooves were still shaking when I walked into her office.
"So Rainbow Dash, do you like it here?" she asked.
"Yes..." I said.
Spitfire frowned. Sitting behind the desk she seemed quite creepy.
"Who are your best friends here?" she asked.
If I said Fleetfoot, would she be mad at me?
"Soarin." She'll never be mad at him.
She closed her eyes a bit and inspected me from my hooves to my wings. Her stare made me shiver,
"That's nice to hear. The reason you're here is because I wanted to thank you for your help finding that lost paper back."
I knew that was a lie.
"Then can I go now?" I asked.
Please say yes. Please say yes.
"Sure." her smile scared me "but know what you're doing. I warn you."

The next day I avoided my friends and hung around Louise and co. They were flying in circles while I was doing wing-ups.
Did Spitfire warn me not to search for more?
"Dashie!" Louise landed and jumped on top of me.
"Ouch! Look out." I pushed her away.
"But Dashie..." Louise put on a very childish voice.
"NO!" I flew away and Louise felt down. I didn't want to talk to Fleetfoot and Soarin and defenitely not with Louise.
"But your rainbow maned dad sent you a letter!"
What? I landed.
Louise pushed the letter in my face.
"And how do you know this" I grabbed the letter to make sure she did'nt read it "is from my dad? For that matter, how do you know my dad has a Rainbow coloured mane?"
"You could thank me. At least." she filpped her hair.
"I know it's from your dad because it has his name on the other side. Rainbow Blaze isn't it? And that makes his hair quite obvious right? And, was it him who tought you to act this way?"
"Yes." He did. And he and mom are awesome so shut up about them Louise.
"Did he also tought you to think you're better then everypony else?" She fliped her hair again and it really started to annoy me.
"And what if I am? Should you care?" I did';t even know why I answered that, but Louise really needed to shut up, plus, she was the jealous one here. And she shouldn't be looking trough my mail.
"Yes I should! Or maybe not. The other rainbow maned mare did'nt end up very well either." she flipped her mane for the third time.
"And what is that supposed to mean?!" I shouted without thinking.
This was the worst time ever to get into a fight, there were a lot of ponies watching us and I would probably be sent to Spitfire and then get some sort of punishment-job but I tought of Aviane and that she comitted suicide. Did Louise really meant Aviane when she said that?
"That you're going in the right direction." Louise said.
I gulped. Did... Did she just implied I would end up like Aviane?
"Oh yeah?" I shouted back, but a little more hesitating.
That wasn't serious right? I'm nothing like her, I don't insult others or fighting them randomly. I don't fly around screaming in the middle of the night just hit the newspapers again next morning.
"Are you saying you're gonna fight me?" she said, almost laughing.
Come on Dash, don't let her get the best of you. She's just a stupid arrongant mare who somehow got enrolled here.
"You said that yourself!" I shouted. She almost asked me to get her and pull her long mane she was now shaking back and forth like she was posing in one of Rarity's fashion shows.
Or do you want to keep your precious mane like this?" I tried to do her accent.
She told me I was going to end like Aviane! Aviane. The arrogant bragging rainbow haired mare from 100 years ago.
How dared she compare me to her?
"No, come on then!" she grinned.
It did get the best of me.
I jumped right on top of her and grabbed her hair.
I'd teach that snob a lesson...
The other pegasi just stood there when Fleetfoot pushed them aside.
"Rainbow stop, you're not going to fight her." she pulled my wing.
"And how do you know?" I shouted.
"You don't know what you're doing. You're even being mean to me. Now come with me, Spitfire will handle Louise."
I looked angry at Louise wo just stood there grinning while Fleetfoot dragged me inside to the locker room.
"Rainbow, calm down."
"But I need to teach that Louise a lesson! And she... she said! My hair and Avianes. Avianes mane! She... that snob said..." I couldn't find the words to say Louise insulted I was going to die like Aviane. Like I was going to throw myself off high with my wings tied together.
"You're not going anywhere until you're anger is over. Do you want to drink some water?" she asked.
I nodded and tought about how much fun it would be to throw water in Louises face. But of course I wasn;t going to tell Fleetfoot that.
Fleetfoot gave me a bottle.
I sighed. and drunk some water.
"You're right. Fighting Louise would'nt help." It would get me kicked out instead "But sometimes I really want to fight her."
"I want to fight the other Wonderbolts too sometimes." she said.
Fleetfoot wanting to fight somepony was a really crazy idea. She was always the calmer one.
Without noticing I emptied the bottle almost.
"I need to borrow Soarins glasses. I think I lost mine, help remember me I need to ask Spitfire if they got found." She said while she opened Soarins locker.
"Do you have his key?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Yes" she laughed "he loses it at least one or twice a month."
"Then he must be really chaotic, or has a real bad short term memory." I said and stood next to her.
"What is this?" next to the bag was a little paper.
"You know it's not nice to search his stuff." Fleetfoot looked at the paper "But I'm too curious, unfold it."
I unfolded it and read what was on there.
I miss you. Please come to the office at midnight. XXX
"A secret love message!" I whispered. O my gosh. Never knew Soarin had a secret love.
"What do you think? Follow-em?" Fleetfoot had a devious smile on her face. I smiled back and nodded.
I never tought Fleetfoot would suggest such thing, but I was too curious to decline.
I folded the paper and put it back where I found it. Fleetfoot closed the locker and we left.

Dear Dashie,

Your mom and I are very happy to know you're becoming a Wonderbolt. We Always hoped that you once live your dream.
Do you ave a Wonderbolts suit already?
I am really happy to know you have some friends who are Wonderblts too. Do you have fun?
As for Aviane, I don't know. Maybe you can look in a library. But I recommend you focussing on your Wonderbolts carreer.
I know I asked a lot of questions. Maybe you can come for a visit in the next holiday. You can bring your friends too.

Your dad
I crumbled the paper. He knows about Aviane but won't tell. It seems like the only thing he cares about is me becoming a Wonderbolt.
It's really nice that they support me, but this feels like they're pushing me. I threw the paper in a trash can.
I will talk to you about that later dad. And you're going to tell me what really happend.

I lunched with Fleetfoot in a little restaurant.
We both did'nt speak about tonight because we both knew Spitfire was suspicious and this would defenitly result into more trouble then we could afford ourselves. We might both get kicked out.
I tought about something else to talk about.
"But what about the Academy record?" I asked out of nowhere.
Fleetfoot stopped eating.
"Aviane said that the one who broke it would own the academy. Spitfire broke it. And you did."
She pointed at me. That explained why Louise was mad at me the first few days. I could become a Wonderbolt right away.
"So I can become the captain?" The Idea made me feel amazing. Being the captain of the Wonderbolts? Awesome!
Fleetfoot nodded. "But," she continued "then we never get the answers about Aviane that we want. I think Spitfire is going to take all the newspaper pieces about her with her as she leaves and the others sure aren't going to tell you anything."
Thanks for throwing away the idea.
"But Rainbow. I heard Louise say something about your dad." she changed the subject.
"And?" I said. It's no secret I have a dad. Everyone has one, but I didn;t wanted to say that to her.
Fleetfoot looked serious. "She said he had your hair colour. Did you tell her? If you did'nt, that means she knows your dad. And I don't know if that's good."
Did I? The night when Louise was nice we played the tell-the-truth game.
Somepony asked if we dyed our manes or tails. I told I did'nt. Then Louise said something about my dad.
"I, I don't know." I frowned. I didn;t remembered it all that well. Probably because I had a little too much cider at that restaurant, heck, how else could Louse have gotten me to play that game? Yup. It was probably the cider.
"It's okay. Most important now is to figure out what Aviane has to do with your dad and why Louise stole the key."
"Speaking about my dad, do you like to visit him and my mom in the easter holiday with me? He asked us to come over." I said, before she said more about Louise and a key.
"Really? That would be so nice." she said.
Now I did'nt have to go there on my own. That's a relief.
"I hate it to be stuck here while the others go away. Except one. She always stays." Fleetfoot looked down.
"Who?" I'm hearing more and more weird things going on here.
"Misty Fly does'nt go home either. And let her be the one that hates me the most. She would be in Team A with Soarin and Spitfire if I did'nt become a Wonderbolt. Now she's stuck with Lightning Streak, who's kinda weird." Fleetfoot explained. "And Spitfire of course, but she has to work."
"I think I should talk to Misty then." I answered.
"Maybe I can get her to stop being mean."
Fleetfoot gave me a sarcastic look and snickered. "Like that's ever going to happen."

The conversation with Misty went really bad. First she told me to keep out of her business and then she shouted that Fleetfoot was an annoying dumb pony and that she should quit. Just like Fleetfoot said.
Well, If you don't try you'll never know right?
That night Fleetfoot and I hid in the classroom opposite Spitfires office in the hallway.
"It's almost midnight. They are late." I whispered.
"Soarin is always late." she whispered back.
Five minutes later we heard somepony opening the office. Just when we wanted to open the door to look who it was another pony walked trough the hallway.
"That's not Soarin. I know if it's him from the sound of his hooves." Fleetfoot kept the door closed.
A little later we heard Soarin going into the office.
Then I heard the other voice and it sounded painfully familiar. Female Pony was here.

"Do you know her?" Fleetfoot said. She noticed my reaction.
"Uhm, no. She sounds like..." who had a raspy voice? "Misty."
Fleetfoot raised an eyebrow. "Misty? And Soarin?"
I realised how stupid that sounded.
We followed the shadows of the two ponies. They landed on a cloud not far from the academy and entered the house on it, and it was quite big, so Female Pony was rich or something.
I noticed it was really cold and raining like crazy.
They giggled. One of them turned on a light. I saw the shadows of a mare with slightly Louises haircut.
"She looks like me when I just showered." Fleetfoot pointed at Female Pony "Actually, all mares with a short cut mane get that look."
Thanks for destroying the clue that might have told me who she was. She could or have brushed short hair or long hair. It is not Fluff, that's for sure. And not Pinkie either. Oh wait, she can't walk on clouds.
Altough, you never know with Pinkie.
They had a drink and we both realized we were thirsty.
"Is there going to happen something worth freezing for? I'm really cold." I was staring at the window in the house for at least half an hour. "I tought they were going to the city and have a date or something, not a tea pary at house."
"I don't know." she replied.
That's a really nice answer Fleetfoot. I sighed.
"Look!" She pointed at the window. They walked upastairs and switched the light off.
"Argh! We should go back. This was a terrible idea." I shouted. It was getting really annoying and it was around 2AM.
"Shhh! We can't let them know we're here. And no, we can't go back. The nightguard is outside at this time of the night." Fleetfoot said.
Could'nt she say that a little earlier? When we could still cancel this stuff? Now we were stuck here. And it was even worse then a closet. I'm regretting this.
We waited when Fleetfoot laid her head down on the cloud. I tought about leaving a few times but it was a bad idea to leave a sleeping friend outside at night and I didn't even noticed I closed my eyes.
It was around four o clock in the morning when we woke up from a sound in the house. Fleetfoot yawned.
"Did we really sleep in somepony's garden? We're crazy. I'm crazy." I said. "And we almost froze." I stretched my wings. It was SO cold.
"I guess so. But we need to get away. They're awake." Fleetfoot pointed at the house.
Soarin walked out of the house and flew away. Female Pony waved and closed the door.
"This" I spread my front legs "Is a total fail! We slept really bad, we're cold and it's all for nothing.
"No." Fleetfoot stared at an unknown point.
"What do you mean no? I'm hungry. We stayed up late and slept for only two hours." I really felt like screaming.
"No." She pointed at something behind me and stared "This house..."
"What's with this house? Please Fleetfoot, I want to go back to the Academy. It's cold and Celestia is raising the sun soon."
"Belongs to Spitfire."

I decided to go outside for a walk and look at the sunset. Fluttershy once said that the sunset calms ponies down.
Even tough I slept the whole day long I'm still tired. I can't belive it's evening already.
Soarin came walk next to me.
"Hi Rainbow. Were were you today?" he asked.
"I slept bad." Not that the knew what I really meant.
He didn't have a chance to spot me or Fleetfoot.
"I wanted to ask you something. Misty said she knows who stole the key." he continued.
I really wasn't in the mood to talk about that.
"I tought that was solved. Louise stole it right?" I said.
"But Louise is'nt blue."
"No." I agreed. I was too tired to think about this Soarin.
"Well, it's not April. I know for sure, she needed to do a test." Soarin was still going on about it.
I just wanted to sleep.
"Thank you." his words hardly reched my mind.
Huh? What did I do?
"Then Fleetfoot did'nt steal the paper, but she did steal the key. She did and then blamed Louise, I'm done with it."
"What are you going to do?" I heard myself say.
"I'm going to tell her that I don't want to see her anymore." He flew away.
Then Fleetfoot did steal that key. I should tell her... Wait! I did. I stole the key. And now he's going to tell Fleetfoot he does'nt want to see her anymore.
I tought of what Fleetfoot told me about her and Soarin. What Misty said about Fleetfoot. And what Louise said about Aviane.
Before I knew it I was flying next to him.
"Soarin! Soarin wait!" I panted "I... stole the key."

5: Unexpected things are most intresting

It was the first time I felt like crying. I hid in the closet in the hallway.

"YOU?!" he shouted in awe.
I remembered I nodded. Then he flew away.
He was'nt fast and I could catched up with him easily but I felt hopeless and all the speed in me was gone.
I flew back inside and hid in the closet. I stayed there for at least two hours. Luna raised the moon and everpony went back to sleep. I just sat there ant tought of Soarin and Spitfire who always were in this room. What if they find me here?
But they're together. I did'nt know if it was the fact I was alone or that I loved Soarin, Fleetfoot's way, and he did'nt loved me anymore. If he ever did.
I wondered.

The next morning I woke up at six o clock. I decided to go outside, even tough it was raining. Nopony was going to search for me there.
I flew to the floating pieces of rock that were flat on top. Some ponies built their houses on top. Mainly pegasi, becuse falling down would cause death. Around the houses of non-pegasi stood high walls to prevent falling.
How did it became so messed up?
I should'nt stole that key, but still. Then I would kept wondering why Louise was so mad at me. Thinking about Louise, sometimes she follows me with her weird voices and sometimes she gissips behind my back. I just don't get that pony.
Should I go home? If I become a Wonderbolt, then I'm stuck here. With Soarin, who prbably does'nt want to see me, and Spitfire, who watches everything I do. But it would make my dad happy. And it's my dream. Is it? Hmm. I'm doubting it, even tough I loved flying when I was a filly. I was the fastest, my cutie mark says so and if flying was'nt my destiny, I would be cutie merk-less. Scootaloo would probably find that very funny.
But I miss my friends, and there is nothing here. My mom once said that the thunderbolt in my cutie mark standed for strength. The strength to change something big. In one of the houses was a filly eating breakfast. I should go back, or they will question where I was.
Becoming the captain of the Wonderbolts would be a big change. Somehow I don't want to.

"Rainbow, Hey! Rainbow!" Fleetfoot waved from the entrance of the hallway.
"What are you doing outside so early? It's raining like somepony turned around a bucket of water. Come in!" she said.
Fine. Now I had to spend time with Fleetfoot and Soarin, who were better friends scince ever.
"I'd better go to the house of the Wonderbolts in training." I tried to find a reason to avoid her.
"Come on! We're having patrouille today and I wanted to say I was stupid following him and having you come with me." she apologised.
Fleetfoot was outside now too. Her mane looked just like Female Pony's when we followed her and Soarin.
Before I could answer she pulled me inside and said she had to dry her mane.
Soarin trotted at the end of the hallway next to the closet.
"Rainbow Dash. I need to talk to you." he said.
I don't need to talk to you Soarin so just go away.
"It won't take long. But I need to tell you." Soarin just stood there and I did'nt know why or when I decided to go there but suddenly Soarin pushed me in the closet and closed the door.
"Rainbow, I know you probably don't want to talk to me but just answer this question."
I somehow tought of him and Spitfire who came here often.
"Did you searched for something in the office?" he asked.
How hard I tried to avoid looking at him, she still looked right into my eyes.
I was silent for a while. Then I slowly nodded.
"Listen. I'm not mad at you, but I don't want you to get in trouble." he explained.
I wanted to say something I didn't knew when Fleetfoot opened the door.
"Soarin? You in here?" she said.
Now that was awkward.
Being caught with a stallion who already has a girlfriend in the place he usually sees her by a friend. And seeing the look on Fleetfoots face she tought the same. Soarin immediatly flew away.
"You're lucky I'm not Spitfire." Fleetfoot grinned.
"Yeah..." I felt I blushed "for him too. She's his girlfriend after all."
"Girlfriend? Oh no." Fleetfoot shook her head "Spitfire makes everypony think that."
I did'nt know why that relieved me. I just tought they were too different.

Because of the weather everypony stayed inside wich meant that I laid on my bed while Louise and co played a stupid game about fashion that probably only Rarity would understand.
Every mare with a short mane looks the same if she flew in the rain. That means Louise is'nt Female Pony. You can recognize her long mane everywhere. What if Female Pony is Spitfire? She could have had the key the first day I heard her. But Female Pony had a little higher voice. That would explain why they were at Spitfires house. But still.
Louise started screaming at something. Just ignore it.
And Spitfire would'nt steal her own papers and then fly away. Somehow I felt like telling Soarin. He knew I stole the key but it's just too awkward to tell I heard him and Female Pony. Even Twilight could know that. Altough, she IS a giant egghead.
Louise screamed again. Could she please be quiet? I'm thinking.
"Ieeeeeee! A spider! A spider! April, Kaila anypony, GET IT AWAY!"
I turned around and picked the spider up and let it out of the window.
She hugged me and screamed that I saved her or something and that she could never thank me enough.
I didn't wanted to save you Louise. I just wanted you to shut up.
I turned around and waited until Soarin and Fleetfoot came back from patrouille.

When they came back Fleetfoot was going t take a shower and I took the oppertunity to talk to Soarin.
I felt more comfortable because he said he was'nt mad a me.
"What did you wanted to tell me?" I asked.
If he was going to talk about Female Pony, I would know who she is.
"If you want to search for information, you should tell me." He said.
Tell him? "And why should I do that? I can search for myself."
"I can help you." he said.
Why would he help me? He's with Spitfire. Oh. No, he's not.
"I know it sounds stupid, but I know where to look." He continued.
It sounds nice. I can spend time with him instead of Louise, I may find something about Female Pony and (if he doesnt lie, why would he?) I get the information I need.
"Alright." I agreed. What could go wrong?

A lot. When we decided to search in Spitfire's office (she should have left ten minutes ago) we found her in the locker room and had to explain what we were doing.
"What are you two doing here together? Should'nt you be training" pointing at me "and you being watching the cadets?" pointing at Soarin. I did'nt knew what to say.
"I wanted to drink some water and I saw Rainbow Dash in the hallway." Phew. Soarin saved us. I nodded.
Spitfire raised an eyebrow and looked from me to Saorin and back.
"All right. I'm going to a flyers conference." She left and as soon as she was gone we went into the office.
"What are we looking for actually?" I asked. I had no idea.
"I don't know." he said too.
And if you don't know, why are we actually here?! I wondered.
I searched trough some drawers. Only papers about the scores of the cadets and Wonderbolts in training.
Soarin started on the other side of the room.
It got really annoying not knowing what you're actually searching for. When I wanted to tell him I noticed the file saying 'case' was missing.
"Soarin, the file I searched for is gone." I said.
"That might be true" he said "Spitfire brought some files to the basement."
Fine. Now what do we do?
I opened the drawer underneath Spitfires desk.
"Soarin, these are photo albums." I picked one up and opened it. Spitfire was so cute as filly, altough it was almost unimaginable now.
Spitfire and her dad in the snow, Spitfire in school. How did she changed into the cold, mature pony she is now?
"They look like such a happy family." Before I knew I said it out loud.
Soarin was standing next to me and looked in the album. I turned some pages.
"They are. Spitfire loves her parents." Soarin said.
"Are they visiting her often?" I closed the album and picked the other one up.
"Uh, yes. Thy used to come every week." Soarin said.
I'd really like to give my fiends a tour around this place. When I become a Wonderbolt, that's the first thing to do. If I want to be a Wonderbolt.
The other album was twice as big as the other and filled with picures of teenage Spitfire. It looked like every second of her life is photoraphed. She attended party's, went swimming and won flying races. Then there were pages of her and Soarin at the academy. Spitfire in a cadet suit. After seeing her in her Wonderbolts suit so often I've almost forgot the once was a cadet too.
"She carried her camera everywhere she went." Soarin pointed at a picure of him and Spitfire. "She photographed everything."
I turned some pages. Even more Spitfire and Soarin. They looked like a couple.
Suddenly the photos stopped, halfway the album. The last one was her in her dress for the Wonderbolts Gala at 2 march.
"Why did she stopped?" I asked.
Soarin did'nt knew.
We put the albums back and decided to leave. Spitfire would return in less then 20 minutes.

That night I decided to go to Spitfires house. The kitchen window was left open. She was'nt home.
Her house was obviously empty. There was nothing on the tables, no dishes and not even food in the fridge. How could Spitfire be so organized? There was also a lot of dust on the furniture. Like she did'nt even live here.
I walked trough the living room. What was I even doing here?
The first floor looked the same. I searched in the closet, which was filled with clothes Scootaloo's size.
Underneatch a pile of scarves was a box with old enveloppes in it. Adressed to her family, which she got back, plus the letters they wrote. The response was in the same enveloppe.
I opened one and read. I just couldn't let it.
It was a description of her life at the Wonderbolts academy with Soarin. Date: 2 february. Her mom responded with a long letter about what they were doing and how much they loved her.
Aw, it was so sweet.
I opened another random one.
Please write me.
That's all? I shook the enveloppe but there was nothing in it. No response.
I read some more. The letters changed from descriptions of her life to desperate messages for a response.
I searched for the last letter.
I'm sorry. it said. Nothing more.
I checked the date. 1 march. I put the letters back and grabbed the little book on the bottom of the box.
The little book had a tiny padlock. If this was her dairy, I got the jackpot today.
When I forced it open the pages were mostly empty and some were torn out, except the last one. In blood red she wrote:
5 june. The day it all ended.
Then what went wrong at 5 june?
I pulled the letters back out and sorted them on date. The last letter her parents responded was send at 3 june.
After 5 june, her parents just stopped writing her back. The parents she loved just... ignored her.
The day it all ended. 5 june. The day she started the case.

Author's Note

When writing this I did'nt noticed today (the day I publish this) is 5 june. The date being the same as in the story is just a coincidence :D

6: The house where you stayed

"Omygosh Rainbow. So you just..." Fleetfoot stared shocked at me.
I nodded slowly.
"You just sneaked into Spitfires house? And it looked like she never lives there?" Fleetfoot gasped. "And then you found out that after she started the case her parents did'nt responded to her letters."
I nodded again.
"And you and Soarin found out that she photographed her whole life. And she loved her parents very much." she continued.
"They used to visit her every week." I said.
Fleetfoot looked at me with a comfused face. "Visited? Her parents never visited scince I came here."
I tried to remember her photo albums. Just pictures of her everyday life. But they stopped suddenly.
"Just like the letters!" I then said.
"What?" Fleetfoot said "I don't understand."
"Halfway the album she stopped photographing ther life. Just like the letters stopped." I explained.
"Ooh. I get it. Maybe the dates are the same. Just saying something." Fleetfoot shrugged.
"No, the last picture was from 2 march at the Wonderbolts Gala. But it does mean something happend at that gala, just like something happend at 5 june." I answered. I wondered what went wrong then.
"When the Gala was on 2 march she became the captain of the Wonderbolts. It was 3 years ago. Two weeks later I got in. And if you like to know, this year the Gala is on 2 march too." Fleetfoot put her bag in her locker. "I'm going to train."
She walked back into the hallway and flew outside.
Somewhere, I felt really bad about digging up Spitfires life, but I pushed it away. If I wanted to know, I had to go trough it. And Spitfire wouldn't notice anything.

The next few days I avoided everypony except Fleetfoot and Soarin.
It was almost easter holiday and I was going to visit my parents with them.
First I doubted about asking Soarin but Fleetfoot convinced me that it would be more fun with the three of us and we all are in this Aviane-case/investigation so we could talk about it without looking around if anypony heared us. I agreed.
Louise was going to Manehattan to some fancy festival and Fluff was going back to Las Pegasus with Strato who appearantly lived there too.

"Finally!" Fleetfoot spreadded her wings and did a looping "The first time I ever leave this place. Woohoo!" She did another one.
"How far is it actually to Cloudsdale?" Soarin asked.
"Not so far, but my parents live in some sort of fancy looking suburb some kilometres from Cloudsdale." I is'nt even fancy, but because of the large houses which have only one floor it looks like it.
I could'nt believe I was going to see my mom and dad again.
"Look! There's the fancy looking suburb." Soarin pointed at some clouds with houses on them. Finally.
When we stood in front of my partents house I got a little nervous. My dad said I could bring my friends, but what if he does'nt like Fleetfoot or gets the wrong idea about Soarin? That won't happen, I kept telling myself.
My mom opened the door.
"Hi Rainbow. It's so nice you decided to visit. Oh, and you brought your friends. Come in."
"Thanks. This is Soarin and this is Fleetfoot." They both greeted my mom and dad, who came to the hall.
My parents home had a living room with a kitchen isle and two small hallway's. The first had the front door and my parents room connected to it. The second had two rooms and the bathroom connected to it. We drooped our bags in the two rooms. the house barely changed scince I visited for the last time. That has been almost a year ago.
"Do you want something to drink?" my mom asked "It must've been a long flight."
"Yes please." I said.
After having a drink we dropped our bags in the two rooms.
"Your parents home is quite nice. Do you want to sleep on top of the bunk bed?" Fleetfoot put her bag on the bed below.
"Okay." I answered and flew up.
"But do you think your parents will talk about the case?" Fleetfoot said while unpacking her stuff.
I shrugged. "They want me to become a Wonderbolt real badly."
"And do you want to be a Wonderbolt?" she asked.
I did'nt know what to answer. I did'nt even know the answer for myself.
I had to live in Cloudsdale instead of my house above Ponyville. And I was going to be a member of team B with Misty Fly and Lightning Streak who did'nt like me. Cloudsdale is'nt that far from Ponyville and besides the choreography's I could still be with Soarin and Fleetfoot. But Spitfire is suspicious of everything I do and Louise wants to get me kicked out.
I have to prove Louise wrong and Spitfire can do whatever she wants. She won't get the best of me and Fleetfoot.
Like Fleetfoot read my toughts she said "If you don't want to be a Wonderbolt you don't have to. I'll be fine."
I had no idea what to say.

The next day we ate breakfast and visited the music festival in Cloudsdale.
There was a giant statue of a microphone on wheels riding trough the streets of Cloudsdale and a pony in a costume giving candy to filly's and colts. We wondered which pony walked around in that costume.
We had lunch at a restaurant where we could see one of the platforms where somepony was singing.
"How long do we actually have this holiday?" Fleetfoot said while eating her sandwich.
"5 days I guess. I don't know exactly actually." Soarin looked at me.
"Well, we're staying three day's here." I said. I wondered if Spitfire was home now and found her old dairy's padlock broken.
Maybe she's mad I did'nt invited her or because I invited Soarin. I bet she wanted to spend the holiday with him.
"Look! There goes the costume pony." Soain pointed at the street. We laughed and ate the rest of our lunch.

"My hooves hurt!" Fleetfoot sighed and opened the door.
"Then you should'nt have walked that much. And be a little quiet. The neighbours have two colts who probably are asleep." I answered.
Soarin closed the door behind us.
"Hello. Did you have fun?" My mom was reading a book.
"Sure. We've already eaten, so you don't have to cook for us." I said.
"That's nice to hear. Your dad is still at work. Why don't you sit down, it's quite late."
We sat down on the couch next to the bookcase.
"Do you have a dress for the Wonderbolts Gala?" Fleetfoot asked.
"No, do you have to wear a dress?" When saying that I already knew the answer.
"Sure. I have to wear a smoking." Soarin said "And I look weird in one."
We all laughed.
"Then we should get one tomorrow." Fleetfoot said excited.
I raised an eyebrow.
"The Wonderbolts gala is very soon and then every shop makes the prices at least ten bits higher. I have mine already." Fleetfoot turned her head to Soarin who was sitting on the other side of her. "What do you think?"
Shopping. Something I absolutely disliked. What could be more boring than searching a dress?
Searching a dress with Louise, who stays at least one hour at each shop. That would be worse then just searching a dress.
"Fine with me. The festival is still in Cloudsdale tomorrow." I sighed and made sure nopony heard it.
"Then it won't be so crowded near the shops." Fleetfoot was getting even more excited.
Well, maybe it would be fun with them.
"Your friend is a Fashion designer right?" Soarin asked.
"Yeah. Rarity is awesome." I was happy I did'nt had to talk about dresses anymore.
"Tell something about your friends." Fleetfoot asked.
That's easy. "Well, Rarity is a fashion designer. She made my gala dress at the Grand Galloping Gala."
"When you saved my pie." Soarin remembered.
"Yes! And Applejack was the one you bought the pie from. She works at her farm near ponyville. Pinkie Pie is crazy." I described my friends and realised how much I missed them.
"Let me guess, she's pink." Fleetfoot said sarcastic.
"How do you know?" I said overly surprised.
"Just saying something."
We laughed.

The next day Fleetfoot dragged me into the first shop she saw and let me put on all sorts of dresses.
"Fleetfoot, Rainbow tried so many dresses on already." Soarin said after what felt like forever to me.
"And this is why you guys don't like shopping." Fleetfoot said while she gave me another dress.
The appearantly I'm a guy too.
"Fleetfoot, I like this one." I grabbed a dress with a dark grey back and a silver lint and a train from black fabric you can see trough.
"Oh yes! That one is amazing. You should totally try that one on." She pushed me into a changing room.
"But I just did." I said. Actually I did'nt know because I stopped counting after the first one.
"You did'nt!" Fleetfoot smiled and she closed the curtain. The dress was'nt itchy and I could still fly fast in it, as far as flying fast in a dress was possible. I'd better buy that one or else Fleetfoot kept me trying dresses on.
"I'm done." I opened the curtain and walked out.
"It's so beautiful!" Fleetfoot pushed me towards a mirror.
"I like this one and it's not too expensive so I think I'm going to buy this one." I turned around in front of the mirror to give Fleetfoot the idea I was really looking at the train of the dress.
"Are you sure you don't want to try on this one?" She holded a light purple dress with a lot of lace.
I hated lace.
"No. I want this one." I turned around again.
"Fine. Then I'll put these back." She grabbed the pile of dresses I tried on and hung them back in the racks.
"That took so long." I sighed.
Soarin nodded. "Try not to be annoyed. It's the first time in three yeaqrs she has been in this kind of shop."
He walked to Fleetfoot and helped her put back all the dresses while I changed back.
After paying the dress I looked at the clock in the shop window opposite the street.
"By Celestia, is it already five o clock?" I said. Did we spend two hours inside that shop?
"Appearently. We better go back to your parents house. Then we will be there before dinner." Soarin said.

"You bought a dress for the Wonderbolts Gala? How nice." My mom put a saucepan on th table.
We all got some food.
"When is the Gala actually?" my dad asked.
"Two march." Soarin said "Just like three years ago. It's always on two, eight or nine march."
"That's very soon. And then Spitfire will announce the new Wonderbolts right?" My mom sat down too.
"Yes. I probably will join team B." I said. If I decide to become a Wonderbolt after all, I added in my head.
After that my dad started talking about something else.

I slept bad. I wanted to be a Wonderbolt, but I wanted to be with my friends too.
According to Fleetfoot it's not nice to be in a team with Misty. And when I tried to speak to her she acted very strange.
But you're the element of loyalty. Something said.
I was and I always be loyal to my friends. Even if I have to give up on my dream?
I turned around.
Maybe.
What if Spitfire makes me a Wonderbolt at the gala?
Then there's no way to go back. And what if I ever regret becoming a Wonderbolt?
No, I won't be a Wonderbolt. I won't leave my friends.
I woke up.
"I won't be a Wonderbolt..." I whispered.
Even tough I already knew I never got myself to go to that gala anyway I felt sad.
I just realized that my dream was gone. The thing I wanted scince I was a filly, which half Ponyville helped me by teaching the history of the Wonderbolts. Just... gone.
I got up and flew into the kictchen. I'd better get something to drink. I opened the fridge when my dad walked into the living room.
"Hey, are you awake too?" I poured some orange juice in a glass.
"Yes. I wanted to drink something too." he said.
I got another glass and filled it with orange juice.
"I slept bad." I gave him the other glass.
"Why? A nightmare?" he asked.
I better tell him now I'm quitting. "No. I decided to quit the Wonderbolts training."
"What do you say?" He gasped and almost dropped the glass. "But you can't quit."
"And why not?" I almost quitted the academy once.
"You can't give up on your dream." he said.
"But it is'nt my dream anymore. I'd rather stay with my friends in Ponyville." I explained. Fleetfoot and Soarin would understand.
"But you have to become a Wonderbolt."
"And why?" I asked. That was something I really wanted to know. "Do you want me to be a Wonderbolt because you believe I want it or because of something else?"
He raised an eyebrow.
"Maybe something that happen three years ago? On 5 june?" I continued a little angry. "Did I needed to become a Wonderbolt because of something you wanted?"
I got him. He had to answer my questions now, but instead my inner Dash answered them.
Proving his daughter is better then the pony who took his inheirtance. She said.
No. My dad is'nt like that. He won't...
But as soon as she said it I knew it was true.
It felt like something inside me broke and stared at the ground.
The anger was gone and replaced by a hollow feeling.
My dad knew it too. "Rainbow, I will explain." He wanted to hug me but I turned around,
"No, you don't have to." I flew back to the room where Fleetfoot was snoring a little and felt asleep crying.

That morning I woke up late. Fleetfoot and Soarin were already up.
It was such a weird night. Did I dream that my dad wants me to be a Wonderbolt?
I sighed and went to the living room.
"Hi guys." I said not that happy.
"You're awake. Finally." Fleetfoot said. "We did'nt wanted to wake you up."
I forced myself to smile.
"We better pack our stuff if we want to be back at the Academy tonight." Soarin stood up. "Are you sure you're alright?" He tried to look into my eyes but I stared at the ground.
"Yeah, I'm okay. You're right." I went back to the room and put my stuff back in my bag.
The whole trip back to the Academy I was quiet.

To not make my friends suspicious I went to the library and searched for books about Aviane.
She was the only thing I could think about that was not making me feel sad.
Everything I belived was shattered. What now?
I browsed trough some shelves. History of Clousdale. The Wonderbolts. Famous pegasi.
I opened the book about the Wonderbolts.
"General Firefly, Commander Easyglider. The Academy record." I read out loud.
Wait. The Academy record! I broke it. I could be the captain of the Wonderbolts if I wanted to.
There would be no Spitfire to watch me and I could make sure Misty was'nt being mean to Fleetfoot.
I could stay in my house above Ponyville. There was nopony telling me that I had to live in Cloudsdale.
That moment I felt like the happiest Pegasus in Equestria.
There was a solution. I could be with my friends and live my/my parents dream.
Was it my dream?
Yes. But my friends are more important.
I opened all the books I could find and opened the pages about Aviane.
The rainbow maned pegasus stared right into the camera. I noticed she had three little thunderbolts on her front right hoof.
"I'm going to be the captain just like you Aviane." I whispered.
"Ahum." Somepony couched. "You want information about Aviane?"
An old stallion wanted to talk to me.
"Yes. I broke the Academy record." I said.
"Please." he said. "Let me tell you something."
We sat down behind a big shelf of books for eggheads where nopony ever came.
"Did you know Aviane?" I asked.
"No. But my brother did. Just listen." he said.
I nodded.

"I have 5 brothers and sisters. My older brother was 12 and I was 9 when he realised he was the oldest and that nopony was around his age. My family counted 8 ponies. My father and mother, my brother and I, a filly from 5, two twin brothers from 4 and a foal from 2 years.
I was the only one noticing he was feeling really bad about it.
Untill he stormed into my little room saying he met the girl of his dreams. She was the one and he was so in love.
The fact that she was already 19 did'nt matter. In love age does'nt matter."
I thought of Rarity and Spike.
"I've never seen him so happy. When he started to describe her I could only imagine the most beautiful pegasus in Equestria. A black coat, red eyes and a wavy rainbow coloured mane."
Aviane.
"Aviane" He repeated my toughts.
"He lived on a pink cloud and did'nt came down. When Aviane broke the Academy record he was so happy for her.
Just a few weeks after her twentieth birthday she left to go to the academy. She became captain and stayed there. The fame got the best of her. She did'nt write and did'nt visit. He had to read all her scandals in the newspaper and saw how much she has changed."
"And then?" I asked.
"And then? What do you think happend then?" He laughed a little melancholic.
"His heart was broken. Avaine left him and changed into an arrogant, over self-confident pony that hit the newspapers with tons of fights. Aviane was unrecognizable.
Untill that little letter. A tiny sheet of paper with: Please visit and a little heart.
He did want to go but he felt confused and did'nt knew what to do and he was too afraid Aviane was going to tell him she did'nt love him.
Ten days later she was dead."
Did she kill herself? It was like he read my toughts.
"She comitted suicide. She was found with her wings tied to her back under the floating rocks near the academy.
My brother felt it was his fault. If he visited her...
He left and never returned."
"Oh my. That's... terrible." I stared at the old pony "And have you ever heard of him?"
"No. He might be in Canterlot or in Manehattan. Fillydelphia or Las Pegasus. Or he might be dead. I'm over hundred now and I have'nt seen him scince I was 11.
Now listen.
Everypony says not knowing is sometimes better then the truth. Not knowing the negative news is worse then questioning.
But sometimes it's just opposite. If I get the negative news he is dead, I will be so sad.
If I don't, I will question my whole life where he is and if he's actually alive.
Sometimes not knowing is worse then the truth." He wishpered the last words.
"That's so sad. But one more quetion before the library closes." I looked around.
"Why did'nt Aviane visited him?"
"Don't you know?" he asked.
I shook my head.
"Once you become the captain you're not allowed to leave. Ever."

7: Stuck in a situation

I quit.
I decided now and nothing is going to change my mind.

I left the library confused and did'nt know how I got back at the Academy.
I just found myself walking trough the hallway before dinner.
The old stallion told me that only once a year the capatain is allowed to leave the Academy, not for work purposes.
That explains why Spitfire was'nt home. She has to live at the academy, just like Aviane. Is that what drove her insane? I could'nt imagine thet the pegasus the old stallion described would do such things.
Somehow I felt compassion for Spitfire, being here while her parents ignore her. But she has friends. Soarin. And Fleetfoot.
Altough I'm not sure anymore Fleetfoot is still such good friends with Spitfire.
"Oops, sorry." I bumped into a Wonderbolt whose name I forgot.
I decided to go to the mess hall and get some food. With some luck I did'nt have to talk to Fleetfoot, who would probably ask why I did'nt say anything this morning.

Appearently I'm not lucky. As soon as I walked in Soarin saw me and asked me to come sit next to him.
I immediately asked where Fleetfoot was and was happy to hear that she replaced Surprise on patrouille this evening.
After dinner he said we should go to the basement where we could find some papers about Aviane.
"And what actually do you think we will disover if we find those papers?" I asked.
"What actually happened when she lived here and what happened at the gala when she bacame the captain." he answered.
"Okay." I said.
We walked to the door of the basement when Misty stood in front of us.
"So, where is the blue couple going? You're together right?" the tone in her voice was deceitful.
"NO!" we said at the same time. We both blushed. We are'nt...
"No? Well, I just tought you loved eachother." Misty smiled. She really seemed to like the idea of us feeling uncomfortable.
"That's true, but we love eachother as friends. Loving somepony is something else as being in love with somepony." I said.
Misty looked at me with wide open eyes. Ha! Surprise Misty! "Right Soarin?" I looked to the right where he stood.
"Uhu." He nodded.
"Hmph." She was clearly irritated by what I said, but then she got the amused look on her face back "But remember Dash, that Soarin and Spitfire are really close. You know.." Before she could end her scentence Lightning Streak asked her to come to the Wonderbolts only room.
"She is SO annoying!" I said while Soarin opened the door to the basement.
"She has always been like that. When you become a Wonderbolt you will be her teammate." he said.
We walked down the stairs. Should I tell him about my plan? Somehow he will know.
"Soarin, I need to tell you. I'm going to quit."
He was quiet for a while.
"Because I don't want to be in a team with Misty, but more importantly I have to move to Cloudsdale and I have to leave my friends. I hope you understand." I really did.
He was quiet for a moment.
"I do. But I think Fleetfoot and I would miss you." he then said.
That's the worst thing about quitting. Leaving Fleetfoot and Soarin.
We walked to the most left shelf when we heard the door closed.
"That must be the nightguard. It's nine o clock." I said while browsing trough the files in the shelf.
"But what is that sound? Keys?" Soarin said while pulling out a box.
I gasped. "They're locking the door!" I flew as fast as I could to the door. It was closed.
I heard the sound of hooves and looked trough the keyhole. A pony in a Wonderbolts uniform flew away.
"Hey! Help!" I slammed on the door. "Let us out!"
Then I realised that pony was the one that locked us up and that he or she went to the Wonderbolts only room.and probably was there already. I walked back to Soarin.
"We're locked up. I saw the pony who did it. He or she is now in the Wonderbolts only room." I sighed. "Can this go worse?"
"It can." Soarin pointed at the ceiling where big fans started to blow cold air. "In the Wonderbolts only room are the controls for these things."
"Is that pony trying to freeze us?" I said.
Soarin nodded while the heater in the basement shut off.
"I'm not going to stay here. I will force that stupid door open." I flew to the door and pushed.
"That won't work. The door is built to resist five stallions." Soarin said.
I stopped slamming.
I thought of a sonic rainboom. That could blast out the door. I would probably get kicked out for almost destroying the Academy, just like Lightning Dust, which was not a negative thing, but there was not enough room.
"Now what do we do?" I sat down.
"We have to sleep here and hope we don't catch a cold." Soarin said.
"No! Is'nt there a emergency exit or a ventilation shaft? We have to get out!" I paniced. I don't want to sleep here! I grabbed Soarins shoulders.
"Why? Are you claustrofobic?" He put his hoof on my back.
"No!" I stepped back. "I'm not afraid."
"Am I scary?" he joked.
"No." I said. I'm not afraid of small spaces and I'm absolutely not afraid of Soarin.
"Then what is it?" he asked.
Good question. I don't even know myself actually.

We decided to search for things about Aviane, but we both did'nt really noticed what was on the papers.
There was'nt something really intresting anyway, so that did'nt matter.
When we thought it was a little past ten o clock we decided to go to sleep.
"Good night." I laid down in the corner of the basement and closed my eyes.
As everything went wrong this day, we both found out that it was too cold to sleep.
"How late do you think it is?" I asked. "How long did we have to stay in this stupid basement? I'm freezing."
"I don't know. There's no window here and the lights in the hallway are closed." Soarin walked up the stairs and looked trough the keyhole.
"Hey, come on up here. I think the fan does'nt reach this far." He said.
I walked up the stairs.
Soarin was right. It was'nt cold in front of the door.
"We'd better sleep up here." Soarin turned around. "There's room enough for two ponies."
"Right..." I laid down in front of the door, wich had a weird texture on it. Soarin laid town next to me, wich made me quite nervous.
Well, at least we won't freeze.

Who would lock us up here, turn off the heater and let the fan blow this fast?
Someone who disliked us? No, someone who dislikes me because there's nopony around here who dislikes Soarin.
Someone who knows that the contols are in the Wonderbolts only room.
Someone who wants to freeze us? No, if we froze, that pony would be in big trouble.
Someone who knows that the only place the fan does'nt reach is in front of the door.
Someone who wants us to sleep here. Together.

I opened my eyes and tried to fly, but Soarin was laying on my tail. Did I sleep? I so hoped this was just a dream.
I calmed myself down and sat down in front of the door.
But why would that pony want us to sleep in the basement? To make fun of us? Well, we could count on that.
Was it Spitfire? But why would she do that?
Does she want to make sure Soarin likes her? Then this is a weird way of doing so. The idea made me laugh inside.
Spitfire won't get Soarin to love her, no being in love with her this way. I yawned.
Altough, why am I so sure about that? Fleetfoot might say that they are'nt a couple, but who says that's true? I never heard Spitfire or Soarin about it and I'm really stupid if I'm going to ask.
I laid down and noticed I was sleepy.
That they are complete opposites does'nt mean that they could'nt be together. Opposites attract eachother after all.
I tought of what the old stallion said. Not knowing something might be worse than the negative message.
But what would be negative about the fact Spitfire and Soarin love, the word hurt my head, eachother.
Actually, why am I thinking so much about this?

We both woke up when the door opened and somepony gasped.
"Soarin? Rainbow?" The pony stared in awe at us sleeping in front of the door of the basement.
I got up quick, not minding Soarin still laying on my tail. The pony was Fleetfoot.
"Fleetfoot?!"
Soarin got up too.
"What in the name of Celestia are you two doing here?" She asked very slowly, still staring at us.
"Well, actually... We can explain." Soarin stammerd.
"It's not what you think." I added quickly.
"Right now I don't know what to think." She finally stopped staring.
"Somepony locked us up yesterday and we almost froze, so we felt asleep here." Soarin explained.
I could do nothing else then nod.
She dragged us out and took us to the locker room.
"Well, you're happy it's me. If it was somepony else..." She gave us something to drink.
"I know. Then everypony would know before we could say a word." I said.
That would be awkward. But this whole situation is awkward already.

As if it could'nt be more awkward Spitfire walked in.
"What happen to you three?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, nothing. They tripped and felt down the stairs of the basement. Soarin hurt his hoof." Fleetfoot smiled and we all hoped Spitfire would believe her.
"I'm happy you're all right. Do you think you can go on patrouille today with me Soarin, or do I have to find a replacement?" Spitfire asked.
"No, I'm fine." Soarin said.
Spitfire got her bag and left.
"Do you think she believed us?" I asked.
"I hope so." Fleetfoot said.
Soarin left too leaving me with Fleetfoot in the locker room.
"That..." she said "was quite awkward."
"Yeah." I really did'nt feel like talking about this. "But who do you think locked us up?"
"Misty. She was late yesterday and she comes in the basement often." Fleetfoot said. "She does'nt like you."
Yeah. I knew that already.
"And she knows Louise, who dislikes you too." she added.
"Do you think those two set something up?" I asked and tought of what Louise said in the fist days something about getting me kicked out.
"If Spitfire found out, would she kick me out?" I asked. It was quite a nice idea.
"Maybe." Fleetfoot said. "But I need to go now. See you later."
Fleetfoot ran out the locker room.

That day I stayed at the field watching the cadets.
I really did'nt feel like training.
Before dinner Soarin and Spitfire returned, and from the looks of it, Spitfire wasn't very happy.
Was it because she knows about Soarin and me? If she did, would she kick me out?
Somehow I wanted her to. This is getting worse and worse and I want to quit anyway. Maybe I should just tell her.
One of the cadets dared the others to do more then three loopings.
Just walk into her office and tell her that I quit. That would be easy.
No Soarin and Spitfire love stuff and no weird things about Aviane and that case.
I could go back to Ponyville.
Because all this stuff I forgot how much I miss my friends.
All the cadets walked around dizzy and then they walked straight again.
I could do that too.
First do too much loopings and search for things that get me in trouble.
Then I'd be dizzy and confused, not knowing what to do.
And to walk straight again, I just have to quit.

I walked trough the hallway.
A day ago I decided to quit and now I will.
When I was almost at the door of the office Misty stood in front of me.
"Where are you going?" She asked.
"I'm going to quit, because I don't want to be a team with you." I said angrily. She gave me enough trouble already.
"You think? Well I don't think so." she said with her deceitful tone.
"And why not?" What was she going to do to stop me? I'm faster then she is.
"Because I can always go to Spitfire saying you broke the academy record. And then you will be our captain."
Misty smiled scornful while I felt like the ground under my feet disappeared.

8: Confused feelings

I just ran around searching for a place to be alone.
Louise was back from Manehattan and made a lot of noise in the female Wonderbolts in training house.
Soarin and Fleetfoot could find me in that closet and I did'nt wanted to go back to the basement.

Did...
Did that just happen?
Did Misty just told me, that if I won't become a Wonderbolt she will force me to be the captain instead?
Thats just crazy.
Just wrong.
Could Misty really do that? Or was she bluffing?
I sat down on one of the floating rocks that was too small to build anything on and stayed there untill it was dark.

When I walked trough the mess hall, which was quiet the first time I was there, I decided to go to the Wondeerbolts only room. What could happen? If I got caught then I would have to explain Spitire why, but she does'nt scare me anymore after everything I know about her. And if she kicks me out it's fine with me.
In the Wonderbolts only room were the controls of the lights, heaters and fans, the mailboxes of the Wonderbolts, a big table and a fridge with drinks that are always sold out in the mess hall.
Wait, was my name on the letter in Misty's mailbox?
I grabbed the letter and opened it. It was for me. Misty stole it.

Dear Dashie,

If you don't want to talk to me anymore I understand, but I really need to tell you the truth.
It was from my dad.
We are family from Aviane and the only pegasi besides her to have natural Rainbow coloured hair.
We are?
When Spitfire said she broke the Academy record and wanted to be the captain I said no because the captain is not allowed to leave the Academy. Then she started that case on 5 june. On 2 march she became the captain of the Wonderbolts.
Her family ignored her because somehow they have something against the Wonderbolts.
I wanted you to be a Wonderbolt because as family member of Aviane you could undo her rules.
The hope I got was shattered immediately by the next scentence.
But the paper stating that still lays at the academy and was stolen.
But who would steal that paper?
I did'nt tell you anything because you wanted to be a Wonderbolt so badly.
I really hope you're going to read my letter and I know I ask something big if I ask you to forgive me but I really hope you will.

Your dad
I felt confused. If this was true, then I had to find that paper.
But it could be all fake too.
Anyway, what did Misty wanted to do with this?
Making sure I would'nt hear the truth? But that means she knows the truth already.
There's no way that I could ask her.
Who could know the truth anymore?
I tought for a while and walked back to the female Wonderbolts in training house.
Louise.

"Louise?" I asked in the mess hall during breakfast.
"Yes? Come sit next to us." Louise moved a little so I could sit down.
"Well..." I could'nt ask her with everypony around.
I had to come up with something else.
"What are you wearing at the Wonderbolts gala?" I realy did'nt care what she was going to wear, but that was the first thing I could think of.
"Oh, my dress is amazing. It goes so well with my dark grey coat. I actually wanted another dress but it was already gone when I wanted to buy it. It's from that designer from Cloudsdale you know. So beautiful." she said.
I nodded. What was she talking about?
"You know, I'm a fashion designer and I'm going to style everypony for the gala. I'm so excited. I already know what kind of mane style I'm going to give Fluff, which is a hard job. Fluffs mane is like a cloud. Very poofy and all. But I'm going to.."
I stopped listening. If Louise really was a fashion designer she would be out of business now.
"Dashie!" she cried "I have such an amazing idea!"
Don't call me that.
"I'm going to style you for the gala. With rainbow hair you can do so much beautiful things!" she shouted then.
No! I hate getting dressed up! With Rarity it's bad, but it would be even worse with Louise.
"Louise, I think.."
Wait. If she's going to style me, how stupid I might look, I could ask her.
"That's a good idea."
"That's amazing. I have some idea's of what I'm going to do with your make-up. You want to know?" she said.
That was'nt even a question. She just kept on talking.
"I'm going to match your dress and get some glitter and dark blue stuff." she summed up some things I didn't knew they existed.
Please, no glitter. That stuff is itchy.
I stopped listening and remembered the tell the truth game.
I never told her I got my hair from my dad. She said Fleetfoot wanted her to get kicked out because she knows.
Louise has to know everything, and because of that she and Misty planned this.

I spent the next weeks at the library reading Daring Do trying not to think about my future.
I had to stay on the clouds. Altough it was better then living forever at the Academy I still felt like my life was over.
One day the old stallion walked in and I remembered what he told about his brother and Aviane.
Did Aviane felt this way? Like her life was over while missing the ponies she loved.
Did she actually love the old stallions brother?
He loved her so much that he just disappeared.
Could he be still alive? Yes, but he must be far over hundred, so it was not likely.
This year is the ninetyninth year after Aviane's gala. Sometimes numbers can be so ironical.
I wrote a letter to my friends saying I couldnt return to Ponyville.
Pinkie would go crazy. They would all miss me.
I posted it at the post office on one of the floating rocks to make sure Misty would'nt get this one too.

Louise put some more eyeshadow with weird glitter on my eyelids saying it would look nice with my dress, even tough she has never seen the dress.
"Who is your date for the gala?" she asked.
"I don't have one yet." I answered.
"Well, you can go with Strato. He is the only one without a date." She said while using something Rarity would call blusher.
"Soarin too?" Why do I actually want to know that?
"Duh. He is going with Spitfire. Is'nt that obvious?" she said.
No. Appearently not.
"Louise, do you know that Aviane had Rainbow coloured hair?" I asked.
"Yes." she said "Aviane was amazing. I know everything about her. But do you mean YOU are family from Aviane?"
"Uhu." I nodded.
"That's so amazing! Your dad is too right? And don't move your head like that, I'm not done with your hair." she said.
Now the conversation is going in the right direction.
"Yes. How do you actually know?" If I get the right answer now I can leave this makeover.
"You said so." She answered while spraying perfume or something.
"But I never said that!" I stepped back. Louise was lying.
"If you're going to act like you're the police then leave. And stand still now, I need to get fake eyelashes." With that she ended the convesation and trotted away.
I could have just flewn away, I HATE fake eyelashes, but then it would be too clear that I only wanted to ask about my dad.

I flew to Fleetfoots room because she had my dress.
"Rainbow, you look so..." She stared at me.
"I know. Louise put this stuff on my face." I walked to the bathroom and washed the glitter off.
"Let me help you. You look like a clown." she said.
This day was bad already and tonight would be worse.
I sat down and let Fleetfoot dress me up. I was too tired to do anything against it.
Fleetfoot gave me some silver eyeshadow and put little braids in my hair while I told her about that Louise knows about the case.
I did'nt say anything about Misty, just because I did'nt wanted to talk about it.
"Well. It's done." Fleetfoot let me stand in front of a mirror.
I could'nt imagine anything more fitting into this situation.
My black with silver dress and straight hair looked quite sad and the silver eyeshadow around my eyes made it look like I was crying.
I actually looked pretty beautiful for the gala that would mark the rest of my life.

9: At the Gala, At the Gala

The Wonderbolts gala was held in an old Majestic house on one of the floating rocks. It had a gant garden in front of it and the kind of door which looks too heavy for one pony to push.
Behind the door was a hallway with a high ceiling and giant chandeliers. Rarity would love this place.
The ball room was round with giant windows and a lot of food on tables close to the walls. There were a lot of ponies inside, most of them fancy ponies and family of the cadets, Wonderbolts in training and Wonderbolts.
On the left there were giant stairs where the Wonderbolts would make their entrance and where Spitfire would announce the new Wonderbolts. Thinking of myself standing on the stairs while Spitfire made me feel sick.
This was my last night as free pony. I wondered if I was going to see Ponyville ever again. I could move my house to here, it was a cloud after all. But maybe I'm forced to live at the Academy like Fleetfoot. Who knows what Misty would come up with?
I walked trough the ballroom and got myself something to drink. I'd better have fun while I can.
I looked out for anypony I knew. In the middle of the ballroom was Louise dancing with somepony I did'nt knew and Thunderlane and Blossomfoth were eating something at the banquet. There is only fancy food here, which I don't like.
Fleetfoot was still upsairs with the other Wonderbolts.
With Misty, who probably laughs at me. And Spitfire and Soarin.
Thinking of them hurts. They are happy.
Misty won, Fleetfoot is still best friends with Soarin and Spitfire...
Well, I guess she's happy too.

Somepony with a mic asked for silence.
He announced the Wonderbolts from team E to team B.
I saw Misty smiling arrogant when walking down the stairs.
"And now, from team A. Give some applause, Fleetfoot!"
Fleetfoot walked down the stairs in a white dress with fake Pearls. As soon as she was downstairs she walked to me.
"Hey." she whispered.
"I've waited for you. It's quite boring." I whispered back.
"And Soarin!"
We applauded.
"At last, our captain Spitfire!"
When Spitfire walked down I could see she was sad. She spent her last free night in this room too.
"She's dressed like a Phoenix." Fleetfoot said.
"She is?" I really don't care about what everypony is wearing.
"Yes. I love her dress. The train looks like fire. You can see a little trough it, just like yours." Fleetfoot pointed at her.
That kind of fits her name. Spitfire.
"I did'nt knew you know so much about dresses." I said. Fleetfoot and fashion? I've never tought of that.
"I wanted to be a designer before Soarin got me into the Wonderbolts." she explained.
Appearentely Wonderbolts can be into fashion too.
I looked at what everypony was wearing. Soarin had a pin with his cutie mark on his tuxedo. Unlike what he said he did'nt look weird.
"Well everypony, Spitfire will announce the new Wonderbolts just before midnight." The pony with the microphone left.
I spent the rest of the evening listening to Fleetfoot while she was talking about dresses trying to forget what was going to happen at twelve o clock.
"Am I annoying you?" she asked.
"Uh, no. Go on." I said. It was quite calming to listen to.
"What do you want to talk about?" she then said.
About Misty, Louise and the fact that I have to live here. But of course I could'nt say that, not with all these ponies around us.
"What do you think is the ugliest dress?" I asked then. Somehow I really hoped it was Louises.
"Lets see..." She looked around. "I think is is Surprises. The ultramarine looks really bad with her yellow hair."
I looked at surprise and Fleetfoot was right.
"And the most uncomfortable one?" I asked.
Fleetfoot looked around.
"Spitfires. That necklace is too heavy to fly with. It's massive gold."
Spitfires necklace was indeed big. Not being able to fly is really the worst thing that can happen to pegasi.
I tought of Scootaloo.
There's only one positive thing. You will never have to be a Wonderbolt.
While Fleetfoot was talking about something else I noticed Misty looking at us.
"Wait a minute Fleetfoot." I said while walking away.
"Happy now Misty?" I said angrily.
"Yes. Very happy." she smiled.
It made me angry that she liked ruining my life.
"And say what? I already got Spitfire so far that you're going to live here and I made sure you friends won't visit." she said.
"What?" I gasped.
"I mean, your friend probably got a letter saying you met better friends at the academy where you're going to live." she smiled devious.
Before I could say something she continued. "I also made sure your parents stay in Cloudsdale. You're alone now."
I was speechless. Did she just ruined everything I love?
"No, Fleetfoot and Soarin are still my friends." I defended myself.
Luckily they are.
"You sure about that?" She leaned forward and looked in my eyes.
"Listen Dash, I was going to be in team A when Fleetfoot came in. When I got Spitfire doubting about changing me and Fleetfoot to improve team B, you were there ruining all my chances."
And because of that she wants to ruin all mine.
Her scornful smile scared me. The worst part was still coming.
"Soarin doesn't want you either. He has two good friends already. And Fleetfoot? If you want her to stay, you better leave her alone."

I ran away just like when she told me I had to stay, or else she was going to tell everypony I broke the Academy record.
Opposite the hallway was another small hallway. At the end it looked like the the end, but it was a wall as high as a stallion with the stairs to the basement behind it.
I sat down on the stairs and cried causing the silver under my eyes to leave light stripes on my face.
Now I had to leave Fleetfoot alone, or else Misty would get her out.
I did'nt know if she could do that, but if she can steal mail and lock somepony up in the basement without being caught, she might can get somepony kicked out.
It got worse and worse.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" a voice said.
Soarin came sit next to me.
"What are you doing here?" I dried my tears quickly.
"I searched for you the whole time."
"Me?" The idea of Soarin searching just me cheered me up a little.
"Yes. I, eh... wanted to ask if you wanted to be my dat for the gala but I did'nt spoke to you the last weeks and tought you quitted."
He wanted to ask me?
"But you're already with Spitfire?"
"Who told you that?" he wanted to know.
"Louise. And Misty."
"Then they are lying." he said.
Somehow that relieved me.
"I could'nt quit, or else Misty would tell everypony I broke the Academy record and had to be the captain and the captain is not allowed to leave ever." I said it. I told somepony. Finally.
"And now she said that she send letters to my friends and family saying it is me who does'nt want to see them anymore and that I have to leave Fleetfoot alone or else she will get her out and Fleetfoot does'nt have any friends or family besides us. And that you don't want to be friends anymore."
Soarin was silent.
"Misty... I knew she was very ambitious and got really mad when Fleetfoot got in team A, but doing such things..." He looked at the stairs.
"So you still want to be friends?" I asked.
Say yes. Say yes.
"I..." he started.
And then we kissed. I did'nt know who started, but I did'nt care.
I knew why the whole Soarin and Spitfire thing bothered me so much. Why I did'nt wanted to be in the basement with him.
Because I loved him. No, I was in love.
That moment I did'nt cared about Misty, Aviane and the case. I just loved Soarin.
I laid my head on his shoulder.
"I don't want to be a Wonderbolt." I whispered a little hoarse.
"I know." he replied.
We just stood there while somewhere we heard the sound of dancing ponies, somepony trotting and a lot of ponies talking.
"Do you want to dance?" I asked. We'd better go back or Fleetfoot would question where I was.
"Sure. But It's almost twelve o clock." he pointed at an old victorian styled clock.
Twelve o clock. It was really going to happen.
We walked back and just before Spitfire said my name Soarin wished me luck.
I was going to need it.

"And now Rainbow Dash." the pony with the microphone said.
I walked up the stairs a little and stood next to spitfire.
"The only mare who can do a sonic rainboom. She is going to join team B. Applause." he said.
Please hurry. I don't want to stay here any longer.
"Here is your Wonderbolts suit. It's officially yours now." Spitfire handed me the blue fabric with the goggles.
I got them and looked at the little yellow details on them. Some months ago I wanted this suit so badly, and now I hate it.
"You are now..." she said.
Before she could end the scentence something shattered the big windows.
I blacked out.

When I woke up I was laying on small whitle tiles, still holding the suit. One of the glasses was broken.
"What..." I tried to say.
"Shhh!" Somepony put her hoof on my mouth. It was Fleetfoot.
"Be quiet, or else they will hear." she whispered so soft that I almost could'nt hear it.
"Who?"
"I don't know. A group of pegasi are shooting fire arrows. When the windows shattered I immediately dragged you in here." she said.
We were in the toilets.
"Thanks." I stood up.
Something was smashed trough the wall. We both tried not to scream.
Trough the broken wall we could see the ballroom which was on fire.
"Look!" Fleetfoot pointed at the pegasi with the bows.
"Shadowbolts."

We took every living pony we could find and got them all to the basement.
The basement had one large room where everypony stayed, one bathroom and one small room where Fleetfoot and I asked questions to everyone downstairs. We found an half burned checklist of all the guests and asked everypony to talk to us.
"Soarin." Fleetfoot said.
Nopony stood up.
"Soarin? Soarin, are you sleeping?" she said again.
Some sleeping pegasi woke up and started to ask eachother.
"Soarin is'nt here." Louise said.
"What?!" I flew out the small room and grabbed Louises mane.
"Soarin is'nt here?"
"Let go of me! You..." She pushed me away.
Then where is he? Still out there? With... the Shadowbolts?
"Louise." Fleetfoot said trying not to show her emotions "We want to ask you some questions."
Louise sat down on the chair in the small room.
"When did you see Soarin the last time." Fleetfoot asked.
"I have nothing to say to you two. Ask whatever you want, I'm not answering. Especially not sonic rainboom here." she said pointing at me.
I slammed the table.
"Stop this Louise. How much you might hate me, it's about lives now. There are still ponies out there and we need to save them and we can't do anything if you don't tell us."
She was definitely surprised.
After being silent for a while she started.

"When you came in and you were going to be a Wonderbolt at this gala all the girls wanted to get you kicked out.
So I got April to steal Soarins key when he was having dinner with you. How could I know that that key was stolen that morning?
Then I met Misty in the hallway. But instead of betraying me she told me everything about Aviane and the Academy record and we decided to search for the paper saying you could undo that rule and then tell everypony about you breaking the record."
"You... You are Female Pony?" I gasped.
"Female Pony? Who is that?" she frowned.
"No never mind." I said "Continue."
"When you came in I could'nt find the paper so I tried to copy Spitfire's voice. It was pretty good. I sounded like her when she has a cold. But you came in and I flew away.
Misty told me a day later that the paper was stolen and that Spitfire really had a cold then."
Then Female Pony was not even one pony. She was Spitfire and Louise and April.
"Who stole the paper then?" Fleetfoot asked.
"I don't know."
"Don't lie!" I almost slammed the table again.
"I'm not lying! Misty was sure Fleetfoot knew we stole the key and tried to get us kicked out. And Fleetfoot was in love with Soarin. That's why she disliked Spitfire."
Both Fleetfoot and me blushed.
"Fine..." I said "continue."
"Then Misty came up with the plan of locking you and Soarin up in the basement and then let Spitfire snap you together. She would get the wrong conclusions. I declined because I really did'nt understand what that had to do with making sure you would become the capatin.
Then I realised she just wanted Spitfire to switch her and Fleetfoot. She never needed me of anypony."
But she did force me after her plan of letting Spitfire spot us failed.
"She just wanted me to do the dirty work. I told you Soarin had something with Spitfire because she wanted it."
"That's quite a lot Louise." Fleetfoot said.
She nodded and left.
"Then what do we need to do now?" Fleetfoot closed the door behind Louise.
"I'm going to end this madness." I said and put on the blue suit.

It was made for flying fast and fitted perfectly. I soared trough the sky and flames.
There were several Shadowbolts but I wanted their capatain. The one who could tell the others to stop.
Then I spotted her. She flew around with a black wing pin on her suit commanding the others.
In a flash I was nearby. She flew away and I followed her to the small floating rocks.
Come on Rainbow. Catch her. You're the fastest.
But how hard I tried she was just as fast as me.
When we were both tired she landed on a small floating rock.
We walked to the center at the same time.
Slowly, while looking at eachother.
Then we stood in front of eachother. The wind was howling and it was cold. She grinned.
"At long last we finally meet again."

Author's Note

We will have the best night ever!
Remember how that turned out?

10: A heart burns

Then she said with an all too familiar voice:
"Remember me?"
We both put our goggles off.
"Lightning Dust." I said.
I did'nt recognize her with her mane dyed dark blue.
"You do. How nice." She stepped a little aside.
"And what brings you here?" I steped aside too.
"Revenge. On you." We both stepped aside again.
"And for our father."
"Your dad?" I asked.
"No. Not mine. The father of the Shadowbolts. The one who trained us every day and prepared us for this one moment. The revenge on the Wonderbolts. The group that's destroying lives." she said.
We walked around in circles still looking at eachother.
"The one who cares for us. No matter our age, our family or name. The one who raised some of us. The did so much for us."
The bitter tone in her voice frightened me.
"And now you're going to do something for him." I finished her scentence.
"Of course. This was the perfect time. After 99 years of waiting. Revenge. Finallly. I am their captain because you declined."
I remembered the mare who asked me when My friends and I searched the elements of harmony.
"Remember her?" Lightning Dust grinned like she could read my toughts "She's Spitfire's niece."
Spitfire's family knows the Shadowbolts? Thats why they ignored her?
I saw Lightning dust preparing to attack me. I needed more time. And just admit it, I wanted her to explain more. Maybe I can finaly solve the mystery of the case.
"I did'nt expected this. How did you get so far?" I asked.
"You want to know?" She looked pleased.
"Well, after you got me kicked out I met our father. I was the fastest he has ever seen. The only thing I had to do to prove myself was stealing one paper from Spitfire's office and destroy it." she grinned.
The paper stating I could change the rules. That also explained why Louise could'nt find it.
"We've walked in circles too long Rainbow." Then she suddenly flew forward and pushed me off the floating rock.
I groaned and kicked her.
"Ouch!" She screamed.
We flew towards eachother and I hit her on her shoulder.
She pushed me and pulled my tail.
"That hurts!" I pushed her back.
"It was supposed to!" she threw her glasses at my head.
I had to think of something. I've always been faster but that was'nt going to help me. She was sronger which meant I had to be smarter.
What tactics have I learned?
A lot of flying courses, but nothing that could help me here. Doing tricks can't save your life.
Aim for her wings.
If she can't fly, she can't do anything. I tried to hit her wings but she flew away.
"Come back!" I shoted. I chased her around when I tought of the exercise the cadets did.
Looping, dizzy and walk straight.
I grabbed her and turned around fast. Maybe learning how to do pirouettes without getting dizzy does have a function.
When I let go she spinned around and while spinning I folded her wings down.
"Aaaaah!" She screamed and felt around ten metres down and landed on a piece of floating rock.
I sighed.
"I will get you!" she shouted and tried to fly up but from the looks of it, she broke a wing.
"Order them to stop. I know too the Wonderbolts are not as good as they say they are, but you don't have to attack them this way." I said.
I landed on the small piece of rock and made sure she could'nt reach me. Then she would probably attack me again.
"They are. They drove her insane with their rules. And we are going to make sure they never do it again. Join us. Before they ruin your life." Lightning dust said while streching her wing.
Somehow she is right. They did almost ruin my life.
"Order them to stop and hide with us in the basement until the firefighters are here. We can tell the press everything about their scandals. Then we're both happy." Why did I actually offered such thing? I sounded like Flutteshy.
"Everypony stop and come here!" she ordered.
In no time I was surrounded by Shadowbolts. If they would attck me I could'nt defend myself. I was too tired.
Lightning Dust stood up.
"They're in the basement." She looked at the burning building. "Burn it down."
I gasped.
The Shadowbolts flew away.
"You're crazy..." I stared at her "How can you order them to..."
She grinned. There was a weird insanity in her orange eyes, which somehow scared me.
"Are you going to kill me now? You can. There will be nopony to punish you."
Lightning Dust had a manical smile on her face.
"But if you don't, you might be in time to warn the others. But then we will be gone. We will cange our manes and coats. We will change our names and live somewhere else where nopony will recognize us. Are you just going to let us escape?"
She laughed. An evil laugh of an evil pony.
"No..." I turned around and flew as fast as I could to the basement and ran down the stairs.
"Fleetfoot!" I screamed and slammed the door.
"Are you in there? Say something!" Then I smelled something burning and forced the door open.
Inside the big room there were burning chairs.
"Hello? Anypony?" I said.
Oh please, don't let them be dead.
"Over here!" There was a voice coming out of the bathroom.
I forced the door open too and Fleetfoot, April and a fancy stallion walked out.
"The others..." Fleetfoot coughed "they breathed in too much smoke."
I gasped.
"They locked some of us up in the bathroom and took the others away." she continued.
I was too late. They died. The Shadowbolt were too fast.
"W- what? " I stared at her with my mouth open.
It was my fault. If I've never said anything about the basement...
I tried not to cry.
"They just felt unconsicious." April said hysteric.
I took April and guided her upstairs.
"We got as much water as we could from the sink. We almost died. We almost died." April kept saying.
"She is in shock." The stallion explained.
We all sat down at the top of the stairs while trying to calm April down.
Trough the window in the small hallway we saw Lightning Dust on the back of a Shadowbolt.
"Enough. We're leaving. Our father will be proud. She has been avenged." she ordered.
They all flew away.
"Shhh. It's over." I said to April just before she felt unconscicious too.
I looked at Fleetfoot and we both feared it was'nt over.

"So. You, Fleetfoot, that girl named April and Goldcrown are the only survivors. Spitfire and Soarin are missing, presumably dead and all the other guests died. Is that correct?" the police pony asked.
I nodded.
It was three o clock at night and I was tired, sad and just wanted to go home.
"Any idea where Spitfire and Soarin could be?"
I shook my head.
Soarin. He was gone. What if they would never find him?
I tought of the old stallions brother.
Not knowing about that case was better, but not knowing where soarin is is worse.
"Could you please describe the ponies that put the bouilding on fire again?"
I sighed. I already told that five times.
"They were the Shadowbolts."
"Could you please decribe them more specific?" he asked.
No! You know what a Shadowbolt looks like! Why do you want me to tell it again?
I sighed and counted to ten.
"They wore dark purple and black costumes with yellow thunderbolts on it and yellow pointy glasses. They have blue coats and dark blue manes and tails."
That is'nt even true anymore. They are probably gone already.
"Did you recognize them?"
"Only one. She's named Lightning Dust and she spoke about a guy who trained them."
I did'nt tell about Spitfires niece. What if Spitfire returned and found out? She already has problems enough.
"Was'nt there anypony else who survived this attack?"
You already asked that.
Just when I wanted to answer another police pony flew in and said something about an emergency at the Wonderbolts Academy.
"Sir? The Wonderbolts Academy is on fire. There's nopony inside, but the building is completely destroyed."

We sat down on the training field of the academy and watched the sky.
We both knew we were lucky, but it only did'nt feel like that.
"They are'nt going to rebuild the Academy. This morning everything will be in the newspapers." Fleetfoot said.
"I'm happy about that." I said and I meant it.
Somehow Lightning Dust and the Shadowbolt father had a good point. But they were going about it in the wrong way.
"The police says that they're going to do everything to find them because they're crazy." Fleetfoot said.
"No they are'nt." I said "They wanted revenge and they got it. They are'nt going to do anything more. They succeeded."
"By burning everypony alive? Just to avenge a pony?" Fleetfoot raised an eyebrow.
"Not just any pony."

Then we heard hooves and we turned around.
We both gasped.
"SOARIN!" In a flash we stood next to him and hugged him.
"You're alive." Fleetfoot cried.
I was just speechless.
"I guess I am."
"But how? We hought you were dead!" Fleetfoot finally stopped hugging him.
"I hurt my wing and could'nt fly. When I felt down there was a tiny cloud which made me fall slower. I felt in the river and had to wait until my wings were dry and did'nt hurt anymore."
"I don't care what happend. I'm just so happy you survived." I said.
"And... What about Spitfire?" Fleetfoot asked.
Soarin looked at the ground.
"She's dead."
Spitfire. Just when she could be free, she died.
"Did, did she fall down too?" Fleetfoot stared at the floating rocks far away.
Soarin shaked his head.
"I dont know. But I just know she is dead."
We stared at the ground.
At least we were together.
I kissed him and hugged him too.
I did'nt care what Fleetfoot would think.
"You two are..." she tried.
We both nodded.
I hugged him again and wasn't planning to ever let go.

"So what do we do now?" Fleetfoot asked "We don't have a home anymore."
"I know a village nearby cloudsdale for any type of pony. There is a house big enough for us three there. It's called Ponyville."

Author's Note

And so does the Academy.

Not just anypony...

Epilogue

We kept watching the sky and the clouds slowly passing by.
Spitfire is dead.
After her nice childhood she went to the Academy and never saw her freedom again.
Before I could find the paper and undo that rule she died.
Life can be so... mean.
Did she fall down a floating rock or did a Shadowbolt catch her? No. she was too fast to be caught.
Soarin did'nt tell why he thinks she's dead. He said he could feel it and Fleetfoot and I did'nt ask.
She loved Soarin. I wondered if she ever told him. And if she did, what he said.

April is going back to her family in Fillydelphia and the stallion named Goldcrown needs to stay in the hospital for a while.
The others died. Louise, Fluff, Kaila, Strato, the slow brothers, Surprise, Misty, Blaze, a lot of their family members...
It surprised me how many of them I knew by name.
Doesn't Lightning Dust have a conscience? She killed around twohundred ponies and ordered to kill another fifty in the basement.
And the Shadowbolts? Behind their masks were just normal ponies like me, Fleetfoot or Soarin.
Are they thinking of what they did tonight right now? Does Spitfires niece realize that Spitfire is dead because of her?
And the most ironic thing is, behind all the evil, lies and murders they were actually right.

Celestia started raising the sun making the floating rocks look like they glow.
The Wonderbolts were gone and they would never return.
They were supposed to be good, like the wonder they're named after.
But the goodness faded with time and their ideals are so messed up.
I wondered if Aviane could oversee what her behaviour would result in. That it influences the world still, after a hundred years.
We flew away, following the horizon.
And with the beginning of the new day, the rise of the sun, our new lives began.

The End

Author's Note

Not just somepony...

For the guys that did'nt get it after chapter 10, Aviane's uncle is the great-grandfather of Rainbow's dad. That's why she and her dad have the Rainbow coloured mane and tail. The stallion that married Spitfire's aunt and is the father of Nightingale and a family member of the Shadowbolt father and because of that the whole family had something against the Wonderbolts, which Spitfire did'nt know of when she started the case.

Yay, I finally finished the story!
Sorry, it took so long.
My computer crashed and after that I could'nt think of the right way to end the story.
And they live happily ever after. (that sounds so cheesy :P)
Imagine yourself what their new lives look like, I'm not goining to write a sequel.

N.B.
The old stallions brother found out about the rule after Aviane died and swore to avenge her by creating a new group as the opposites of the Wonderbolts.
The Shadowbolts.

Prologue

When I heard the news I immediately flought to my friends.
"Awwww yeah!" I waved the letter in front of Rarity's face.
"Darling, excuse me." She said "Could you please not storm into my shop like that."
"Relax Rarity. Nothings broken right?" I looked around the shop to make sure. I broke things before.
"Now back to the important part. You know I'm part of the temporary Wonderbolts? Well, I get to be a permanent member!"
"Amazing!" she said. "I am so happy for you dear."
That night we had a party, planned by Pinkie of course, at Twilights place.

It seems so long , altough it is was just three days after that I had nopony to party with anymore.
The day I arrived Spitfire gave me a tour trough the academy. From now on I lived at the other side of the adacemy with the other Wonderbolts. There were three houses. One for the mares, one for the stallions and one for Wonderbolts in training like me.
In the main building there was a library, cantine and some offfices. I did'nt knew how much trouble I would get.

I sometimes wonder what I would have done if I knew it would go that way.
Would I not go at all? Or would I try to do as much as possible? As much as a mare like me could.
There were so many things I could have done, but I had no idea what was really going on.
It was so much more then one pony could take.
It was a like curse from a century ago that nopony could see coming and nopony could prevent.
I sometimes wake up at night screaming from the nightmares. But he's always there next to me to comfort me and take away the memories of fire, at least for a short while.
And sometimes cry because of what I could have done and what I should have.
And how many ponies would be happy now if I did.