The Great Fairflanks Adventure

The Great Fairflanks Adventure – Chapter 1

By Windrace

“She never pays for anything,” Rarity whispered into Twilight Sparkle’s ear.

Twilight looked across the table at the laughing pegasus and wondered why she had not noticed it before. Rainbow Dash never pays for anything. Whenever the six friends go out, Dash always either “forgets her wallet” or “will be getting her paycheck soon.” What paycheck? What job? Twilight had finally had enough of the sly pegasus’s tricks.

“What do you do, Dash?” Twilight blurted out surprising the entire table.

Breaking the awkward silence, Rainbow Dash raised her eyebrow and said, “What was that, Twi?”

“What I think she means is, what do you do for a living. How do you make money?” Rarity cut in knowing what Twilight was getting at.

Rainbow Dash smartly replied, “I work at the Cloudsdale Weather Factory, you know that. You see me moving the clouds all the time.” Rainbow studied the other ponies confused faces, “What are you implying Twilight, that I don’t work!”

“Now, that you mention it, we always see you sleeping or trying new tricks,” Fluttershy said in a caring but concerned tone.

Twilight Sparkle looked at Rainbow Dash with an angry expression and half-yelled “No, we’re just tried of . . .”

“Worried!” cut in Rarity. “We are worried about you Dash, sweetie. I mean, we want to, ummm.”

“Why don’t you pay for anything?!” Twilight finally shouted causing silence in the whole restaurant. The unicorn realizing how nasty she sounded, cooled off and said in a hushed voice, “Everyone has noticed it, Dash. What’s going on?”

Rainbow looked at each of her friends worried faces, shrunk in her chair, stared at her half-finished glass and mumbled, “I don’t have one.”

“What was that?” asked Applejack leaning closer.

“I don’t have a job. At least not a real one. Sure I fly around moving the clouds and sometimes help with the weather, but I don’t get paid for it,” Rainbow Dash said sadly, shrinking further in her chair.

“Why not. Why aren’t they paying you? That sounds unfair to me.” Applejack said shocked.

Rainbow Dash looked up with a small tear in her eye, “I’m not qualified. I failed out of weather management school. I need to get my license in order to officially work.”

“Well, try again and get your license already silly!” Pinkie Pie shouted without thinking.

“I want to, but I have to go through training first and the training center is all the way in Fairflanks, in the arctic. I don’t have the money to get there,” Rainbow Dash said now with another tear peeking out.

The sight of her friend on the verge of crying was too much for Twilight, “I’m sorry Rainbow, I didn’t know. I bet if we collect some money from everyone, we can get enough to have you go.”

“Those train tickets are really expensive. Why don’t you fly there yourself? You’re the strongest flyer we know,” Applejack said with a smile.

A half smile crept on Rainbow Dash’s face, “Not even I can fly that far. It’s over 4000 miles to Fairflanks. It would take me a week or two to get there and by the time I did, I would be too tried to fly and would fail the training. Thanks for trying guys. I just have to find another way to get a job.”

The saddened pegasus got out of her chair and with her wings dragging on the ground, started walking slowly out of the restaurant. As she reached the door, she stopped said something to the headwaiter, gave him something, and walked out. The remaining five turned to each other with concerned faces.

“It must be awful, the poor thing. We must help poor Rainbow Dash,” Rarity stated. “I wonder if Princess Celestia would be able to help?”

The other four nodded their heads in agreement. As the headwaiter passed the table Twilight Sparkle asked for the bill, but to the ponies’ astonishment, he said their bill had been paid by the gloomy looking pegasus that had just left.

“That was probably all she had left.” Twilight whispered to herself.

“I’ve never seen Dashie like this before. Maybe a party will cheer her up?” Pinkie Pie shouted.

Turning to Pinkie Pie, Twilight said, “I think she’s going to need more than that, and I think I know what that is.” With that, Twilight leapt out of her chair and out the door.

****

Lying in her favorite tree, Rainbow Dash couldn’t stop the tears that were flowing down her face. She felt horrible for taking advantage of her friends, and tried to come up with a way to make money so she could pay them back. As she was contemplating leaving Ponyville to go seek a job in Manehattan, Twilight ran up to her shouting.

“Rainbow Dash! You can go!”

“What did you say?” Rainbow Dash said brushing her tears away with her hoof.

“I talked with Princess Celestia and she bought you a ticket on the Canaydian Express to Fairflanks. You can get your training!” Twilight shouted jumping up and down.

“She did.” Rainbow Dash said wide-eyed with a hint of a smile coming.

“The train leaves tonight. You better get ready,” said Twilight.

Rainbow Dash jumped off the branch she was on and gracefully glided down to Twilight. “I’m going to Fairflanks? Wait! Am I going alone?”

Twilight looked at Rainbow Dash confused, “Of course, those tickets are extremely expensive. Plus you’re such an independent pony, you don’t need somepony to go with you.”

Rainbow Dash’s smile disappeared, “Twilight I’ve never been anywhere outside Ponyville, alone.” Hesitating with an embarrassed look, Rainbow Dash murmured, “I’m kind of scared.”

“You? Dash? No, that can be true,” Twilight said with a puzzled look. “Really?”

Rainbow Dash stomped her hoof, “It doesn’t matter! I have to go. I need that license!” Breaking her composure completely, jumping up and down she said, “I don’t know how to thank you Twilight. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

Twilight smiled and said, “Well your quite welcome Rainbow, but the pony who you should be thanking is Princess Celestia. She got you the ticket. But you can thank her when you get back, you better get a move on. The train leaves in a few hours.” Rainbow Dash got the hint and took off in a flash. Twilight chuckled to herself and walked away.

****

The six friends hugged and said their goodbyes as the whistle blew in Ponyville’s train station. Rainbow Dash jumped on the train marked Canaydian Express: to Fairflanks and shot her head out the window waving to the other five standing on the platform.

“Thank you so much, you guys really are the best friends a pony can have.” Rainbow Dash yelled being drowned out by the train’s whistle. She kept waving until the train started moving and raced out of sight. Rainbow Dash closed up the window and entered the hallway. She looked at her ticket and found her booth at the end. She threw her one bag in the overhead compartment and sat down across from it. She looked up at the bag. It was her favorite, a cyan colored duffle with her cutie mark on the front. She admired it intensely until it was shoved over by a beat up brown bag. Rainbow Dash was about to protest to the pony who had rudely push her bag out of the way, when an apology beat her to it.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to push your bag like that. My legs aren’t quite use to trains. I’ll put mine over here,” said the pegasus removing his bag and placing it on the other side over Rainbow Dash. The train jolted again and sent the pegasus falling on Rainbow Dash.

“What the hay! Watch it!” Rainbow Dash shouted angrily. The other pegasus apologized again and quickly sat down across from her and stared out the window.

Rainbow Dash continued venerating her bag, but slowly turned her attention to the pegasus sitting across from her. He had a clean, white cloat with a short dark grey mane and tail. She couldn’t quite see his cutie mark from how he sat, but Rainbow Dash lost interest in that when she noticed his eyes.  Great big blue eyes! She had never seen such blue eyes. Rainbow Dash quickly shook herself out of that and thought about this clumsy pegasus was. As much as she didn’t want to admit it to herself, she was curious about her temporary boothmate. If she were to spend the next two days riding with him she might as well get to know him. “Where are you from?” Rainbow Dash asked assertively.

“I’m from Fairflanks. I can’t wait to get home. I’ve been spending some time in Manehattan, but I guess I’m just not a city pony. I miss all the mountains,” said the white pegasus. “How about you?”

Rainbow Dash was amazed at this pegasus’s openness, but just replied, “I’m from Ponyville.”

A long awkward pause settled in the booth only to be interrupted by the train’s whistle. Finally the silence was broken by Rainbow Dash’s question. “What’s your name?”

“I’m Snowblast,” he said turning to Rainbow Dash could see his outlined snowflake cutie mark. “And you are?”

“I’m Rainbow Dash,” she answered proudly.

“Well Rainbow Dash, I am sorry about what happened before. I really can’t stand trains,” Snowblast said.

“You can’t stand ON trains, is more like it. That’s why they have seats.” Rainbow Dash said smartly.

“Ha, ha, very funny,” Snowblast said sarcastically. “So, what’s bringing you to Fairflanks?”

Rainbow Dash’s smirk changed to a shy smile, “I need to get my weather management license and the training center is . . .”

“Yah, I know that center. I work there.” Snowblast interrupted.

“You do?” Rainbow Dash said sheepishly.

“Sure thing, I’m one of the trainers,” Snowblast leaned closer to Rainbow Dash, “And don’t worry, I’m much better in the sky than I am on a train. So you’re going through the training, eh?”

Rainbow Dash felt the blood drain out of her face. Shrinking into the seat, she replied, “Yes.” She realized she might have blown it and tried to make a come back, “Do you have any tips?”

“Ummm, number one, don’t make fun of the trainers,” Snowblast said with a friendly smile.

“Yah, I’m sorry about that. I’m just really nervous. I’ve never been away from home alone before,” Rainbow Dash said blushing.

Snowblast saw her worried expression and said, “First time, eh? Well, don’t you worry, we may have some nasty weather up there, but the ponies are some of the friendliest in Equestria. Plus,” Snowblast paused making sure Rainbow Dash was looking at him, “I could be your personal tour guide, if you want.”

Rainbow Dash just blushed more, “I would love that.” She couldn’t figure out why, but she was being drawn to him. There was something about this pegasus that she really liked. Maybe it was his eyes. Or something behind them. For the first time in Rainbow Dash’s life, she had no worries; everything was going to be ok. “When are they serving dinner, I’m starving,” she added.

“I believe just in a bit. I have to go and put my things in my room. See you at dinner then?” Snowblast said standing up grabbing his bag.

“Sure, see you then,” Rainbow Dash watched as he left the booth. A million thoughts rushed through her head. What are the odds she landed in the same booth with a weather trainer? Rainbow Dash felt as though her luck had finally changed. She grabbed her bag and trotted to her sleeping room. It was a nice room too, a private suite! Princess Celestia do not spare any expense on this trip.

Rainbow Dash threw her bag on the pullout bed and deliberated whether to wear something nice to dinner. She wanted to make a good impression, particularly after how rude she was to Snowblast, but she didn’t want him to think she was trying to bribe him or get other crazy ideas. Or were they? “No, I’ll just go as I am,” Rainbow Dash said out loud. She looked at the clock and saw it was time.

****

Rainbow Dash poked her head through the door into the dining car, trying to catch a glimpse of Snowblast. The long boxcar was quiet save the mummer of ponies locked in soft conversation and the occasional clanking of silverware against plates. One of the staff noticed her and asked if he could assist her. After telling the pony who was looking for, he gestured to a table on the other side of the dining car. She thanked him and walked slowly to the table, trying to keep her wings from brushing anypony since the walkway was narrow. As she drew closer, Rainbow Dash recognized the white pegasus sitting with his back to her. She walked passed and plopped down on the seat in front of him. “Hey,” she said with a grin.

Snowblast looked up at her and smiled, “I don’t think hay is on the menu tonight. But I have to recommend the horseshoe crab, I heard it’s one of their specialties.”

“I might have to try that,” Rainbow Dash said giggling. The two sat there staring at each other for a minute until the moment was shattered by the waiter arriving asking what drinks they wanted.

“I’ll have a maretini on the rocks,” said Snowblast not taking his eyes off Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash had never ordered an alcoholic drink before and had no idea what was good. She wondered if Princess Celestia would mind and remained silent until Snowblast saw her dilemma and ordered for her.

“And she’ll have a . . .” he said looking through the menu, “a manehattan cocktail.”

Rainbow Dash felt her stomach lurch with excitement and worry. She is getting to drink like an adult, but she worried what her friends might think since she was not yet of age. She wondered why Snowblast had assumed she was old enough, and feared he might ask. She caught herself and decided to put all these things behind and accepted her part as an adult.

“So do you see anything on the menu that you would like?” Snowblast interrupted her thoughts.

Rainbow Dash glanced at the menu and nearly jumped out of her seat when she noticed the prices of the dinners. Finding the cheapest thing she could, she replied, “I’ll just have a daisy sandwich.”

“Why so plain. You have the opportunity to have something you would not usually have. You might as well take advantage of it.” Snowblast said with a puzzled look. After studying her face, he realized something was bothering her and took a swing at what it was, “Look Rainbow Dash, you get whatever you want, my treat.”

Rainbow Dash head shot up. “Oh no, I can’t let you do that. I’m fine, I’m just not that hungry tonight,” she said with a dishonest look.

“That’s why you said earlier, ‘I’m starving,’ because your not hungry. Get something nice, please. It will be my pleasure,” Snowblast said putting his menu aside.

After eating her dinner of steamed carrots with clover and enjoying the molasses apple cookies Snowblast had ordered for her for dessert, Rainbow Dash asked, “What happens tomorrow, when we get to Fairflanks? Do we just go our separate ways?”

Understanding Rainbow Dash’s question, Snowblast replied, “I promised to be your personal guide didn’t I. I intend to do so. Anyways, the training goes on all week. There will be time to do some sightseeing, and I know all the best spots. How does that sound?”

“That sounds great,” Rainbow Dash said through her cookie filled mouth. After swallowing, she added, “Thank so much again for tonight. I’ve had a lot of fun, but it’s pretty late,” she said looking around at the now empty diner car, “I should be getting to bed. See you in the morning?”

“See you then,” he said, watching Rainbow Dash leave the table. “And Rainbow Dash,” he said stopping her, “Thank you, for tonight.”

Rainbow Dash had no words, but the giddy smile on her face said it all. She said goodnight one last time and trotted back to her room humming along the way.

****

What if she failed the test? What if she couldn’t find a job? What if her friends abandon her after they learn she failed? There was no sleep for Rainbow Dash that night, too many question rushed through her mind. Either that or the bed she slept in was not the comfy, plush clouds she was used to. She finally woke up and with droopy eyes, glanced over at the clock next to her bed. It was eleven o’clock and she just missed breakfast! She panicked and flew out of bed, hitting the ceiling. She gasped when she saw the dent she made with her head. She rubbed her eyes trying to wake up, but felt a sharp pain over her right eye. Rainbow Dash glided over to the mirror hoping there was nothing there, but to her horror she found a large bruise where she felt the pain. “I can’t meet Snowblast looking like this!” she screamed out loud. “What the hay am I going to do?” She thought about not going out, but Snowblast would wonder what happened to her and she wanted to make a good impression on him. Then she remembered she had brought her sunglasses! “Thank Celestia I brought these babies,” she said putting them. Then looking in the mirror she said smoothly, “Yah, radicalness.” Then a loud knock echoed through the suite.

“Hey Rainbow Dash, it’s me, Snowblast. Are you awake yet?”

It surprised Rainbow Dash so much she tripped over her bag on the floor and fell face first on the bedside table. Hearing the loud crash, Snowblast opened the door and found Rainbow Dash on the floor wearing broken sunglasses. “Are you all right,” he said rushing to Rainbow Dash’s side.

“I tripped over my bag. Ouch!” She felt even more pain now and the hint of tears were imminent. She felt so embarrassed, she didn’t want to cry in front of Snowblast, but couldn’t stop the tears as a couple rolled down her face. “I’m sorry, it’s just . . .” she said trying to come up with something, “I always tear up when my eye gets poked.”

“It looks like you did more than just poke you eye. You really shouldn’t practice flying in a train,” Snowblast said trying to make Rainbow Dash smile and he succeeded.

He helped her up and said, “I kind of missed you at breakfast. I guess you were too busy flying around yourself. There will be plenty of that when we arrive at Fairflanks. Well, you must be hungry, let’s trot over to an early lunch, shall we?”

“Great, but how am I supposed to go out in public with a black eye?” Rainbow Dash said staring in the mirror. “I broke my sunglasses.”

Snowblast just smiled at her, and walked away leaving a puzzled Rainbow Dash in the doorway. A few minutes later, he came back and gave her a pair of blue sunglasses with gold lightning bolts on the sides. “Here, you can have mine,” he said.

“Thanks, these are some pretty cool looking shades,” Rainbow Dash said glancing in the mirror.

Snowblast motioned her out and the two walked down the hallway. “They’re just glasses.”

“Wait. I know these,” she said studying the lightning bolts. “These are the sunglasses the Wonderbolts wear.”

Rainbow Dash stopped, trying to hold back the scream. “You’re a Wonderbolt!” Rainbow Dash couldn’t believe this normal looking pegasus was a member of Equestria’s greatest flyers.

“It was a while back. It doesn’t matter now,” whispered Snowblast. He could tell how excited Rainbow Dash was and tried to hush her up as ponies were poking their heads out of their rooms. “Let’s continue this during lunch, Rainbow Dash. Now please,” Snowblast whispered pushing Rainbow Dash out of her trance.

****

Snowblast started to become a little uncomfortable with Rainbow Dash’s stare. Even as they ate, her stare never left him. Snowblast just looked down at his oats and barley soup, until he could stand no more. “What?” he said with an annoyed tone.

Rainbow Dash realized what she was doing and snapped out of it. “How did you get in?”

Snowblast didn’t feel right talking about the subject, “Do we really need to talk about this.”

“YES! I need to know!” Rainbow Dash shouted.

Luckily nopony was in the dining car, so Snowblast looked at her and asked, “Why are you so obsessed with the Wonderbolts?”

“They are my heroes. Ever since I was a little filly, I’ve wanted to join them,” Rainbow Dash giggled. “Please tell me how you got to join them. Tell me your story.”

Snowblast saw there was no going around this, so he finished his soup and with a sigh he said, “The Wonderbolts were looking for a new member and they came to my school, the Pegaspeed Academy. They asked me to tryout and I did. That’s it.”

Rainbow Dash’s face dropped, wanting to hear more, “What! That’s it. That can’t be all. Please, please, please. If you tell me I won’t ask anything about ever again. Please!”

“They liked my tricks, that’s it. There really is nothing else to say,” Snowblast said turning away.

Rainbow Dash realized Snowblast was hiding something and knew this was going to be hard. “Snowblast, come on. What tricks did you do? What did they make you do? What was it like flying with them? Why did you leave?”

“ALL RIGHT!” Snowblast’s shout sent a beaming smile on Rainbow Dash’s face. “You are the most annoying filly I have ever met,” steamed Snowblast.

Rainbow Dash’s immediately felt her honor under attack and replied, “I am no filly! I am four years old just to let you know!”

“Do you want to hear the story or not?” Snowblast shot back, knowing he controlled the conversation now.

“Yes, sorry,” Rainbow Dash whimpered.

“All right now. As I said, the Wonderbolts came to school and were looking for a new member. They held tryouts and I was forced in by my teacher.”

“You didn’t want to join the Wonderbolts?” Rainbow Dash interrupted.

“Yes Rainbow Dash, not everypony wants to join the Wonderbolts.” For a second Snowblast looked down, “I wasn’t the most popular pony in school, quite the opposite really. My mother was a mare from one of the northern tribes of the Eskiponies, and the other colts and fillies didn’t understand. I didn’t play sports or participate in most of the activities. I wasn’t interested in races, weight lifting, or other things colts did my age. I was more interested in, snow.”

“Snow?” Rainbow Dash cut in sounding disappointed.

Snowblast shot her a look and continued, “Not so much snow itself, but what I could do with it. I enjoyed creating snowfalls, seeing the snow crystals dance around and sparkle when the sun reflected off them. On the day of the Wonderbolts’ tryouts, all the colts went and I followed out of curiosity. When they noticed me following them, they shoved me back and told me I was not allowed to tryout. Before I was able to tell them I had no intention of trying out, just merely wanted to watch, my teacher told them that I too was going to tryout and then she told the Wonderbolts. My fate was sealed, and after watching a few colts do some amazing tricks, it was my turn. I didn’t know what to do and just stood there. The other ponies starting laughing and . . .” Snowblast’s voice got lower, “I got mad, and . . . I started a blizzard.”

“You WHAT?” shouted Rainbow Dash.

“I got mad and started a blizzard,” Snowblast said sheepishly.

Rainbow Dash’s jaw dropped, “How did you start a blizzard?”

“I flew up into the clouds, putting holes in them. It starting snowing and I circled around the Academy as fast as I could, causing winds to pick up and there. A blizzard,” Snowblast said looking ashamed.

Rainbow Dash couldn’t believe her ears, “You must have been bookin’ it. How fast do you think you went?”

“Fast enough to catch the attention of the Wonderbolts. Unfortunately, the blizzard I caused was so bad, it damaged the Academy and grounded even the Wonderbolts themselves. No one could fly in that blizzard for hours. Except me. I think that’s why they choose me,” Snowblast said talking to himself, “I was the only pony who could fly in that blizzard. Anyway, they made me a member, which was good because I got expelled from Pegaspeed Academy, and toured Equestria with them. I stayed with them, using my signature blizzard making move, but left after a couple of years.”

“Why did you leave?” Rainbow Dash said completely entranced in what Snowblast was saying.

“My pride got the best of me,” Snowblast said.

Rainbow Dash’s stomach tanked when she heard those words. Those were the exact words her friends used to warn Rainbow Dash about her pride. She immediately didn’t want to hear any more.

“I became very arrogant and the fame was getting to my head. I lost a lot of things dear to me because it. That is why, Rainbow Dash,” he said looking straight to her, “I left the Wonderbolts. That’s why I don’t like to talk about it.”

“Well, when I join the Wonderbolts, I won’t get a big head,” Rainbow Dash said proudly.

“That’s exactly what I said,” Snowblast said under his breathe. He looked out the window and a big smile broke out. “Wow, we must have been talking for a long time. Take a look outside Rainbow Dash.”

Rainbow Dash glanced coldly out the window and blew it off like it was nothing until her head shot back after noticing what he was talking about. She took off the sunglasses and stared out. It was beautiful. The mountains, taller than anything Rainbow Dash had ever seen before, were painted gold by the setting rays of the sun. It was late summer, but the mountain summits were locked in a perpetual winter covered in snow. The vast green painting like tundra stretched as far as the eye could see until it sloped up the mountains eventually being swallowed by the snow. She had never seen anything like this. “You live, here,” Rainbow Dash choked out.

“Have been even since I was a foal. I take it from your expression that you’ll like it here,” Snowblast said with a chuckle.

“I love it already, “Rainbow Dash said flabbergasted. “When will we arrive at Fairflanks?”

“Oh, not that long, another ten minutes,” Snowblast said leaning back in the seat.

“I better get my things ready than,” Rainbow Dash said flying up and speeding off to her room. She stopped in the middle on the car and flew back putting the glasses on the table in front of Snowblast. “Here are your glasses back. Thanks for letting me use them,” she said.

Snowblast smiled looked at them and gave them back to Rainbow Dash, “They’re yours now,” he said touching Rainbow Dash’s hoof, “make sure you don’t make the same mistake I did, ok?”

Rainbow Dash grinned and said, “I won’t. Thanks.”

She put the glasses on her forehead and floated out the car to her room. Snowblast stayed there with thoughts rushing through his mind. Why had he just given his life story to this mare. He had never done that before. He never talks to anypony. There was something about this young pegasus that attracted him. She reminded him so much of himself and his . . . These thoughts continued to bombard him until they were disturbed by the conductor shouting the train had arrived at Fairflanks. “Finally,” Snowblast muttered to himself, “home.”

****

The train came to a stop and the doors flung open. Rainbow Dash followed Snowblast outside with her bag flung on her back and was suddenly hit by the cold.

“I thought it was summer,” she said confused.

“It is, but at night it can get cool,” Snowblast said gesturing to go down the station.

The station was much larger than Ponyville’s and had multiple shops and bars in the main station building. Some of them were still open and Rainbow Dash could see ponies looking at the little trinkets and seating down sipping drinks. This made Rainbow Dash miss home and here friends. Snowblast saw she lonely look and took Rainbow Dash’s bag off her and put it on his back. As they walked, Rainbow Dash noticed how easy it was the breath and she was filled with a new energy and immediately took off. She soared through the black chilly night air, but was startled by Snowblast carrying both bags. She speed off in a teasing way hoping Snowblast would follow, but he just hovered watching her. She took full advantage of the situation and the opportunity of having an audience, and flew around spinning, flipping, and gracefully gliding around Snowblast. She ended her little performance with a shot toward the moon, but was startled again when a blue-green light shot through the sky and remained floating far above her. Frightened, Rainbow Dash dropped down to Snowblast’s side and asked, “What’s that?”

“Those are the Northern Lights. Nothing the to be afraid of,” Snowblast said sensing Rainbow Dash’s fear.

“I am NOT afraid,” she said pretending to be tough, “I was just surprised.” She looked at Snowblast who was silently laughing. She sighed and asked, “What causes the lights to do that?”

“My ponies believe the Northern lights are the unborn pegasus foals who play in the night sky. Quite mesmerizing, aren’t they. I have been watching those lights for years, and they still are as beautiful as they were when I was a foal.”

Rainbow Dash looked at them with the new perspective and wondered what other beauties awaited her the next day.

****

Rainbow Dash stretched her legs and rolled over to face the middle of the bed. She suddenly felt hot breath on her face and shot her eyes open and was inches away from the face of a smiling Snowblast. She smiled back and ran her hoof through his mane. As she did he pushed her hoof aside, kissed her, then retreated to his side of the bed. She giggled and flung herself on him continuing what he had started.

“WATCH OUT!”

Rainbow Dash was ripped out of the fantasy dream by cold water falling her. She immediately shot up into the sky ready to fight anypony.

“Sorry about that dear,” said a tan pegasus hovering above trying to balance a bucket of water on her back. She flew away leaving Rainbow Dash shivering.

“It’s too cold here,” she said gliding back down to her sleeping bag, snuggling into it trying to keep warm. She looked across the vast tundra, wild and uncultivated. “That was a weird dream I had. I can’t believe I could actually see myself doing that.”

“Doing what?” Snowblast said coming out of nowhere.

“I dreamed that I had s . . . nothing!” Rainbow Dash said realizing what she was saying almost too late. “Dreams are stupid,” she yelled hoping he would change the subject.

“Alright, no need to get upset. Just asking. Do you make it a habit to sleep through breakfast? Or is Fairflanks getting to you?” he said chuckling. “You best be up, your training session starts in a little under an hour, and sorry about not having a place the sleep. The hotels are all jam-packed. That’s the life of a Fairflanks pony, you got to get used to the great outdoors.”

“Why are you being so nice to me?” Rainbow Dash said looking up at Snowblast with gleaming eyes.

“What!?” Snowblast was caught off guard.

“You heard me. Why?” Rainbow Dash really wanted to know this pegasus’s intentions.

“I . . . well ummmm . . . like you,” he stammered.

“What do you mean, like,” she said lowering her voice. Rainbow Dash could see Snowblast starting the blush, and because he was a white pony, he really turned red.

“Look. Dash. I your getting this wrong . . . you . . . you remind me so much of somepony I knew. It must be great to be young. I miss those days of carefree fun. I saw you at the Ponyville train station with you friends. You really have something special that a lot of ponies don’t have. Your friends really love you, it was obvious. Don’t let that slip from your hooves. Like I did,” he said looking down. “I made huge mistakes, Rainbow Dash, don’t you make them too. Your friends are your life source. Keep them close, don’t lose them.”

“That doesn’t answer my question,” Rainbow Dash said smartly.

“You’re going to miss you session. Pack your things, tomorrow night we can get you a hotel room,” he said with his blush quickly replaced by a stern expression.

Rainbow Dash rolled up her sleeping bag and packed up, saddened that she might have blown it with Snowblast and lost his friendship. Snowblast, seeing her down, lifted her head with his hoof, smiled, and said, “You do have beautiful eyes. We’ll finish this discussion after your training session.”

The grin on her face quickly reformed into a look of panic. The training, she was so lost in the moment, she almost forgot about it. She hurried her packing and speed off with Snowblast to the training center.