~ V ~

Pointless Ponderings

The top room of the gym was empty. It remained isolated except for those who rented it on an hourly basis. Its glass was frosted and overlooked the other lifters. Rainbow faced the glass while dipping on the tips of her wings. Fire flared through her barrel. Her chest tapped the spongy mat as she fought to rise.

"Ngnnhm… h-ha!" Rainbow winced. The motion flexed the cuts on her rump. They stung, the marks covered by loose-fitting shorts. Band-aids covered her cheeks. Her center lingered in his warmth. That last ooze of love flooding throughout her senses. "W-Where's your mind at? Focus!"

She pushed up. Her hooves scrambled beneath to carry her weight. Rainbow stumbled in place, breathing the relief of victory. Once again, she'd proven her will to herself. Canceled doubt about her ability. She leaned against the glass and watched those exercising below. The ponies chatting as they lifted weights, or a mare coaching a stallion through a tough rep.

Everyone spotted each other.

Remember when you used to be more social? When it was your goal to help everyone burn through their workout? What happened to that mare? Did she get lost while you were too focused on working?

All that work.

And for what?

Rainbow pulled the hood of her hoodie and sunk into its shadow. She checked her rump. It hurt. Stinging from the exercise. Her mind dreamt of when it'd been squeezed completely. The dragon could consume her. There was never enough of her flesh to sate his lust. It'd always been the reverse for Rainbow. Where there was too much of her for others to handle.

Was it the challenge of tackling a scaly mountain that interested Rainbow? She lived for a challenge.

It was a game of finding the next one. That which would push Rainbow to the next level. Was becoming close to the dragon a good challenge to take? Rainbow remembered his grip. Talons sank into her glutes, meshing softness into firmness, able to squeeze to the bones of her hips.

Spike held back. He held her back-cushioning in a near pinch. His hold was more than she could handle. Even when he squeezed her tight, when the pressure was unbearable, Rainbow could feel the restraint in his claws. All it took was one misjudge for him to tear a pony apart.

Will I ever be enough for him?

Rainbow's worry was reflected in the glass. Mane covered her shadowed face. She'd become shy over the years. Others took the look for Rainbow trying to be sexy or attractive. Yet she feared that she, and all that she had, wouldn't be enough for the dragon.

You're into him more than a friend, aren't you?

Rainbow looked aside. A smile claimed her. Her smallness held the dragon back from absolute pleasure. When it came to presence, she was barely his equal. None could match Spike. Not even the princess should he ever let go of his restraints.

This is Spike. The one little twerp. How the heck did he wind up like this?

Rainbow had to keep up with him. He teased and dominated her. His words and body language controlled her. He stepped faster and rose higher. His tongue was dangerous. The sharpness of his face could slice one's eyes. His smirk had been gifted by the devil.

Rainbow's thighs rubbed. What if the beast was behind her now? Claiming her whole back with a claw, forcing her up, slamming her against the window. Her chest mushed against the glass. The edge of his muzzle would appear out of the side of her vision. That snarl with wisps of smoke escaping it.

He'd take her then. Shove himself inside, and thrust her into the window, cracks forming across the glass. All would look up, confused. Unknowing the source of power that rocked through the walls and floors.

What happens when the dragon in him wins?

The fantasy shattered. Rainbow wasn't sure if Spike was still inside whatever had become him. It was a different dragon she'd met at the bar. It was only in their talks that something of the twerp lingered. Spike had said it himself. He wondered if Spikey-Wikey still existed.

But in the tender moments, when the glow of his eyes was bright, she could see through to the old friend, the cheerful boy, the guy who only ever wanted to help. Sweet and kind. Sometimes unsure of himself. A dragon wrapped around all of that. Resulting in the beast that had come back to town.

You don't have to worry about him. Spike always makes the right call when it counts. But… he nearly didn't last night. What happened if he didn't stop? Would I be in the hospital right now? Would I be missing flesh?

Distance was needed. Spike wouldn't be the One, as Rarity put it. He was a friend. One helping her during a troublesome time. Someone to fool around with until Rainbow found a mate more her size. Spike had wished for her to find someone different. A stallion to make her feel loved.

This strange relationship wasn't meant to last. Something short-lived... but still enjoyable. How would a future look between them, anyway? Rainbow in a dress, Spike in a suit, walking down a white aisle? That image wasn't right.

This romance—if it could be called that—wouldbe short-lived. Enjoyed the second before someone was hurt. Rainbow envisioned their future. Married. Usual couples' things. No such images appeared. No fancy restaurants and talks about the weather.

Their romance was too odd to be possible.

You don't want normal, anyway.

Enjoy it for what it is.

Just don't burn up in getting too close.

Hunger and thirst sought the darkly kind dragon.

A scene appeared through the glass. A teenaged filly laid on a mat far below, lowering onto the tips of her wings. Drenched in sweat and awash in anguish. Her hoodie, a Wonderbolt design, was based on Rainbow's outfit. Her eyes narrowed on the filly's necklace. Thunderbolt with clouds. The word 'DARE' beneath.

Rainbow scoffed in her privacy. Outside this room, she wore a covering hoodie, appearing approachable. Selling that cheap junk to kids. It isn't right to set them up.

Why the disdain for her merchandise? Important ideals converted to crappy merchandise meant to sell instead inspire. It'd sat crooked inside her. Rainbow stopped watching… until a discovery.

The teenager fell. Sprawled on the grown, sweaty and panting, a chuckle to the passing ponies. Rainbow protectively glared at them—they felt the intensity, unable to find it. The filly hadn't cared. Her trembling hooves twitched toward the necklace.

She stared at the logo. Mouth the word like a mantra. Strength jolted through her, a coming of renewed will. The filly rose with hooves to hold some of her body weight. Wingtips slapping the ground, she returned to pushing upward.

Rainbow blinked.

Me. You're still inspired by… me?

Feelings surged. Spike's words flashed. "Your dream will never end. Just changes shape is all. You'll find something new. And you'll inspire others with it."

Was this Rainbow's desired life? Hating everything relating to her image? Rainbow's own feelings of cheapness didn't matter to the filly. Rainbow was an image, an idol, and a distant fire that charged the youth.

Hiding away in a room and judging everything. Her thoughts had been more than idle musings. It examined how Rainbow ended up so different from her ideal. You want the filly to look up to this? Someone not out there rising the heat of the room? Not warding off bullies or inspiring the strugglers? What happened to the girl that charged without thinking twice? That was more focused on being out there instead of being inside herself?

Rainbow checked her reflection. Her shadowed face was obscured by mane. Raising her wings to the edge of her hood, she pulled it back, mane clearing her muzzle, revealing a nearly unfamiliar face.

Rainbow looked bashfully at herself, seeing and accepting what she saw and, naturally, a smirk and daring charisma flooded. She posed before the glass in a lean, showing teeth, the air around her burning cyan.

Spike's right. You’re not the kind to burn out. Just needed something to chase after. Don't worry about that big dork. Everything will work itself out.

She turned.

Let's get back out there.

The filly groaned into a near scream. She wanted to reach that next number. Despite the burning limbs and fogging mind, that one goal phased through it all. Her wings felt weak. Nothing remained in her soul. Her chest started to dip.

"I know that moment," a voice spoke above, confident and infectious, a fire flared across the words. "Can you reach it? Or is it better to drop? Think too long, and you're done for." The filly's heart ticked the passing seconds. "What's it going to be?"

The filly looked to the side to see the shuffle of blue hooves. Her gaze ascended to the idol looming before her. Tall. Air infused with energy. A tingle buzzed beneath the skin. The sight of Rainbow shot the filly into a rise—which, a second ago, was impossible. "I-I…"

Rainbow's grinned. "That's nine! Give me one more."

The filly choked.

"You can do it," Rainbow nodded. "Trust me."

"U-Uh… yes!" The filly looked at the ground and charged it. "N-No problem!"

"Thatta girl." Rainbow circled the filly with a wing and hovered over the filly's lower back. "Straighten your chest. Bad form does nothing for you. Let your forelegs take more weight to compensate. Don't be so hard on yourself in training. Extra weight does nothing for your wings. They're still developing—so listen to 'em."

Rainbow went to the filly's front and, lowering onto her wingtips, came snout to snout. "C'mon. I'll guide you down. We got this."

"Y-Yes!" The filly tried to salute but stumbled. Rainbow caught her chest with a hoof and, after the filly chuckled, returned to form.

The two finished the rep.

Others rounded the scene. Rainbow checked the scene with a smirk. Attention returned. Something chased after for most of her life. Not the flashing camera or being interviewed for her greatness. Those desires decayed. No. It was the attention of being something special for others.

"What? Am I burning the place too hot?" Her eyes glossed over the onlookers. "Get your butts into a workout!"

Ponies smiled. Nodded at being called out by greatness. Charged to their machines and weights with new gusto. Pumping harder and faster as the mare rose to supervise the scene. Rainbow smiled, becoming someone again. Someone that ponies approached for advice. Or needing inspiration to continue.

It wasn't before long that a group amassed to hear her speak.

"Burn after something," Rainbow rambled after a question from a colt. He asked what it took to be like her. "It's that fire that counts. Not that you actually get the thing, but chasing it makes you feel alive. Like you're constantly buzzing to get it. Always find something new to go after. You'll know you've found it once you feel that spark again."

Another colt emerged from the crowded pack. Small, and waving a frail foreleg. Dash stepped next to him, lowering an ear to better hear. "D-Do you think I-I have what it takes to join the Wonderbolts?"

Rainbow smiled and pulled up. "That's for you to decide, squirt." Her head shook. "Don't set them as your dream. The Wonderbolts are just a group. There's better things to gun for. If you chase after the bolts and didn't make the cut—that doesn't make you a failure. What you've learned and earned will help you in whatever you go after next. So long as you find something worth running after—that's all that matters."

Rainbow addressed the crowd. "Believe yourself, especially when you don't feel like you deserve it. That's when you need it the most. You might not think it, but that belief carries you out from your funk." She stepped back from the group. "Your path is going to change in life. Be willing to follow it no matter where it goes. Regardless of whatever you go after, exercise will help. I frequent this gym—and I expect to see all of you doing the same."

Doors opened, and hooves clopped in sync. Recognizable, for Rainbow drilled it into the recruits. Rainbow turned to the entrance to see the approaching Wonderbolts. Screams and cries of joy erupted. Everyone scrambled to do their workouts. Not wanting to be seen as lazy before the best of the best.

Rainbow's heart raced, but her calm demeanor kept. "Yo."

A mare led ahead with two novices behind. They split and turned and saluted. Rainbow fired one lazily in return. The leader stepped before her. "Miss Rainbow Dash?"

Rainbow's muzzle scrunched. "Not much of a miss."

The leader blinked. It'd been a while since Rainbow fired a line like that. She'd become nearly duty only. The mare recovered quickly. "M'am. You are absent from the office."

"Duh."

"You are supposed to be there."

"I used a day off."

"Absence from your duties isn't the issue."

"So spit the trouble already."

"Your presence is required by Princess Celestia and Captain Spitfire. They await you in Canterlot Castle." The mare cleared to the side with a foreleg to the forehead. "We're instructed to take you there."

Rainbow dropped her gaze.

Fuck.

Then Rainbow looked around. Ponies working out with their eyes set on her. How did Rainbow wish to appear to them? The burnout dreading the news of her final dream? Or the mare who would charge the sun given the chance?

Rainbow shrugged. "Eh. Who needs a personal day, anyway."

There was a little cheer in the gym.

Author's Note

Weak chapter!

But finding the way.
~ Yr. Pal, B