The prince sighed as he stepped out of his tent and stretched before looking back into the tent at the tied and gagged mare inside. "Maybe I was a little unfair goating her into that bet." He mused. "But hopefully that spell gave her a dreamless sleep."

Adjusting his golden band, a pair of wings appeared on his back, letting him fly up and scan the area. "Looks like it's still a few days trip. Less if I can get them to cooperate with me."

Landing, he adjusted the band again, making the wings vanish. Re-entering the tent he sat next to Rainbow as she opened her eyes. Removing the gag he waited to hear what she was going to say.

Rainbow worked her jaw before smirking up at him. "Ok… I deserve that. You going to let me up now?"

"Are you going to go for my crotch?"

"Only if you want me to." She teased. "Not that I don't mind how you tied me up. But… I might have shifted in my sleep… and…" Rainbow trailed off as a shiver ran through her body.

Tapping the rope, the prince had it come undone. "There. Now you can-" He started before getting cut off with a wing across his face.

"You need to tighten your straps better." Rainbow huffed.

"I think we can agree that if I did that, the retention would smell like your juices." He replied before leaving the tent. "There's a river not too far from here. If you need. You can wash up there."

"That's not going to help." She muttered as she kicked out of the rope. Getting to her feet, she made her way out of the tent and helped pack up. "By the way… about yesterday…"

"Never happened, just between us, it was a hallucination from the drugs they used." He finished. "Take your pick."

Rainbow sat and rubbed her head. She didn't know how to explain it but… a few things were bothering her. "Maybe I'll go wash up after all." She sighed before flying off.

Looking over at Rainbow, the prince dropped some apples next to the parents before making his way to the river and sitting behind a rock. After a few moments he asked. "You ok?"

"I… I remember everything…"

The prince hung his head. "It's over… you don't need to worry about-"

"YOU DON'T GET IT!" Rainbow shouted. "My life is over. I'll never be a Wonderbolt! I'll be kicked from the weather team! I… i…"

There was a moment of silence before he heard her face plant into the water. Taking a deep breath he spoke. "That drug they used… I read that it can take between months to years to break free from." He tilted his head as if thinking about something. "Never heard of you that did it as fast as you."

"So?" Rainbow sighed. "They… broke me…"

He was silent for a moment before speaking. "I heard there was once a confident mare who didn't let something as small as a crash stop her. She got over her pain quickly, and learned to fly even faster... And outshined them all."

Rainbow looked at her reflection in the water for a moment before smiling. It was weak, but she still felt like her old self was coming back. Getting out of the water she shook herself off. "You got a point. I CAN get past this. I WILL be a Wonderbolt and I WILL be the best." She paused for a moment before turning to him nervously. "But… you know… just in case they don't take me?"

"Normally I wouldn't use my position to influence such matters." He pointed out. "But if they turn you down for something you were unable to control. Then I will personally see to it that they get rung up for it."

The two smiled as they returned to get their things together before continuing their walk. Rainbow kept a few steps behind him as she tried to put her thoughts together.

"What would Daring Doo do in a time like this?" She thought. She quickly shook her head as she realized where her eyes were drifting to. "Get a hold of yours Dash." She huffed. "He's a prince… you're…" She huffed again. "Besides… he's Twilight's stallion… I hardly know him… right?"

Groaning, she rubbed her head as she looked back at him. She couldn't help but to have the feeling whatever was done to Twilight… may not have been an isolated incident. "Who are you?"

Rainbow had to figure out what was going on, fight the feelings she had, determine if they were her own or the drug, and figure out if she still had a chance at being a Wonderbolt or if she should find a different line of work.

Diary entry:
Today I saw that mare again, she was sad. I sat behind some bushes and talked with her. It wasn't hard to learn why she was crying. Later, mother was more than willing to punish the teacher for not stepping in for her. I also learned she had another friend that had struggled. It must have been hard for her to be so strong for so long. Perhaps Mother can do an investigation on that school. Maybe our next visit can be one of the small towns I've heard about.

Applejack sat in her room looking through one of her old books. She didn't know why. But something had always bothered her about them. Some reason, she had stopped using that book. Some reason, that held her back from looking at it. She took a deep gulp. She had a bad feeling if she opened it. Not only would she discover the truth. But long forgotten and locked away memories would flood back into her.

Opening the book, her eyes widened in shock at what she saw. And she reflexively threw the book away and grabbed her head as she was assaulted with memories. Had anypony been on the farm at that moment, they would have rushed to help. However, she had to push through the pain and memories alone.

Author's Note

Rainbow Dash is learning the truth as is Applejack it seems. But what really happened back then? Bonus chapter coming up with a backflash of the prince involving somepony. How difficult should the girls be I wonder. Ideas?