After the meeting ended, the Wonderbolts left the room with renewed energy. As they walked through the halls, Aster, Moonflower and Shining stayed behind to arrange and discuss details.

Surprise fluttered back and forth, filled with intense and contagious excitement - "This is going to be the most epic competition ever! I can't wait to start training!" - her yellow eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she expressed her excitement.

Thunderlane was tapping the ground with his helmet, eyes sparkling with excitement - "Finally a chance to prove that we're the best flying team in all of Equestria!"- he exclaimed with fervor, joining his partner's enthusiasm. Her voice ringing with confidence.

• "We're going to make fools of those presumptuous teams" - said Fire Streak, who was walking next to Thunderlane, snorted smugly at those words.

• "Don't forget that we'll have to fly in unfamiliar environments."- mentioned High Wings more calmly. - "Your tests are probably not what we're used to or have done before."

-"Relax Wings" - proclaimed Misty Fly confidently. - "I doubt that will stop us from excelling in every test"- she swaggered arrogantly-"Those teams have nothing to match our talent."

Spitfire, who had remained cautiously silent, rolled her eyes at her teammates' outburst, but even so, a faint smile curved her lips. The captain knew how to remain calm in the face of the wave of emotion that normally embarked her team.

• "All right, team" - she quieted them with her typical firmness - "I know we're all anxious about this tour, but there will be time for outbursts later. For now, stay focused, we need to calmly review all the evidence and start mapping out a proper training plan."

• "Yes, plus there are some of those tests will test skills we haven't practiced before." - Soarin took the floor next with a thoughtful countenance.

-"Exactly" - Fleetfoot agreed with a nod - "We must analyze each strategy very carefully if we are not to be taken advantage of."

• "That's why the next few weeks of hard training will be crucial. I want you all on the same line, understood?"-her voice was serene but commanding.

• "Yes, Mrs.!" -they replied in unison firmly, each maintaining straight posture and determined looks.

They continued walking towards the area of their rooms, they planned to spend the day by the Canterlot square, taking the opportunity to relax a bit before leaving for Cloudsdale, enjoying the city atmosphere outside the castle.

During the ride, Fleetfoot couldn't help but notice Rainbow Dash's strange bodily behavior. The pegasus walked upright, with her chin up and a much more refined demeanor than usual. She frowned, watching her from the corner of her eye; she knew her friend too well not to notice these subtle changes.

Fleetfoot took the opportunity to approach Rainbow - "Dash, are you okay? Why are you walking like a duck? - she commented with a mocking tone, emphasizing her peculiar walk.

Rainbow was startled at her friend's teasing comment, a grimace of surprise appearing on her face. - "What, no, of course I don't walk like a duck!"-she complained, frowning.

• "Uh-huh, so what are you doing?" - Fleetfoot inquired, raising an eyebrow skeptically as she observed Rainbow's unusual behavior.

• "I'm doing my usual" - improvised Blooming, unsure of how to properly mimic Dash, confused by the situation.

• "Since when do you walk like that?" - Fleetfoot insisted. Blooming hesitated for a moment, not knowing exactly what to answer.

It was clear that she was failing to emulate Rainbow Dash's natural behavior, and she felt lost in her attempts to do so. Dash was right, she obviously didn't know.

• "Since I've always done it, pay more attention to detail, will you?" - Blooming replied casually, shrugging at the end to feign naturalness.

Fleetfoot narrowed her eyes, clearly unconvinced by that answer. She glanced sideways at the other Wonderbolts who stood back, unaware of the conversation.

-"Are you serious, Dash? Because I've known you for years and I've never seen you walk so..." - she paused, searching for the appropriate word - "... rigid and robotic."

Blooming felt offended at the pegasus' comments, a discomfort and indignation began to grow within her, however, she kept her composure - "rigid and robotic? Please! I'm just walking normal" - she defended herself with a frown - "We don't all have to walk staggering back and forth barely avoiding falling, if I were you, I'd fly more often!"

Fleetfoot blinked in surprise at this uncharacteristic reaction from her friend. Rainbow tended to take jokes more lightly and not be so curt with her friends.

-"Hey, relax, I was just kidding" - she tried to calm her down, giving her a friendly nudge. Blooming bit her lip inside, realizing that she had overreacted.

-"Though I see the time alone with Soarin this morning didn't take away your irritation" - Fleetfoot commented in a vengeful tone, smiling mischievously. The chuckles were not long in coming from the other Wonderbolts who overheard the comments, some with raised eyebrows.

Blooming swallowed, feeling lost, not knowing how to react or what to say. It was clear that she was misinterpreting the group's codes and inside jokes. In addition, she lacked information about the morning's events and who Dash had been with, leaving her in a quandary about how to respond.

• "What do you mean?" - was all she could manage to answer, with a tone of confusion, frowning for clarity.

-Well, that's for you to tell me, isn't it? Or should I remind you that I wasn't there?" - said Fleetfoot, prompting her to give details of her brief outing.

However, Blooming had no reaction to the innuendo with Soarin, as Rainbow Dash normally would when it was mentioned. Instead, she showed tension, deep thought and confusion, as if she was in an alternate reality.

"Damn" - Blooming Rose thought to herself, failing to extract information from something only Dash and the aforementioned steed knew.

Fleetfoot frowned at the lack of response and Rainbow's puzzled expression. This was highly unusual for her friend. Fortunately for Blooming, someone stepped up to save her from this embarrassing situation.

• "Come on Fleetfoot stop being so pushy" - Soarin interjected, trying to divert attention and relieve Dash's obvious tension.

• "Aaw how tender, so coming to her rescue" - Fleetfoot continued, without the slightest intention of dropping the subject - "You'll evade details too?"

• "Like you with Fire Streak" - countered Soarin with a sly grin. Fleetfoot tensed at the mention, while Fire Streak shot him a mocking glance and adjusted his helmet on his face with a restrained chuckle.

Further laughter spread among the group of pegasus after that comment. The tense atmosphere had been broken by the friendly attacks between the two Bolts.

• "Good answer, Soarin. But don't think I'm not going to charge you" - Fleetfoot challenged with a defiant grin, receiving the same look from the steed. The other Wonderbolts continued to laugh.

Blooming let out a sigh of relief at seeing herself out of the spotlight, but she was still distraught as the Wonderbolts continued to joke at her expense. She felt like she was failing miserably in her attempt to play Rainbow Dash.

• "Help me!" - She mentally insisted, hoping Shinning and Rainbow Dash would hear her over the link.

While Blooming was dealing with the Wonderbolts, Moonflower, Shinning and Aster were in one of the palace meeting rooms, discussing the details of the tour still.

• "So, if the first event would be in Cloudsdale in a week's time, we should leave in four days for there no?" -asked Aster, checking the schedule- "since then the wonderbolts would have enough time to train and prepare."

Moonflower nodded boredly as Aster constructed the schedule - "I remind you that the Bolts are from Cloudsdale, so adapting and training for the first competition will be no big deal for them" - analyzed Dash, who had control of Moonflower for the moment while Shinning relaxed next to her, laying her head on her helmet on the table.

• "So you're suggesting arriving in Cloudsdale at a date closer to the competition?" -questioned Shinning, paying barely any attention.

Dash thought about it before answering her. Arriving a few days before the opening of the tour in Cloudsdale meant more days at the castle, but arriving earlier meant being in her hometown under Moonflower's control and not with her friends and family. At that moment, Aster rested his gaze on Moonflower, unable to help but gawk a little as he watched her concentrating, studying the details.

• "I think it's better..." - Moonflower looked up to voice her opinion, though in the process her eyes briefly met Aster's for an instant. A faint smile formed on her lips as she caught the prince's rapt gaze.

Shining noticed the sudden silence and opened her fatigued eyes to assess the situation, a sly smile appearing on her face.

• "Ehh, I think it's best to get to Cloudsdale as soon as possible" - she finished her sentence- "This way the Bolts will have more time in their homeland to prepare for the other scenarios."

• "Yes, you're right Moonflower, whatever you say" - Aster told him with the enthusiasm he managed whenever Moonflower said something.

"So whatever I say, huh? Well, in that case it'll be easier than I thought", Dash said to herself as she watched Aster write down the details agreed upon so far. She felt Shining lean slightly on her back, probably due to the magical exhaustion she was sharing with Blooming.

• "Help me!" - Blooming's desperate voice echoed in their minds.

Shinning sat up coming out of her lethargy as she sensed the distressed request, some joints rattling at the sudden movement, She exchanged a glance with Moonflower.

• "Ouch, are you okay Shinning?" - Aster asked, with concern latent in his voice as he noticed the sudden movement in his sister

• "Yes, Aster, it was just a momentary memory" - excused Shinning, keeping the appearance of calm as her thoughts focused on the urgency of the situation with Blooming. Dash noticed.

• "Speaking of memories, do either of you know where Blooming is? I haven't seen her all day" - Moonflower asked with apparent genuine concern, feigning ignorance and looking at Shinning with eyes full of smugness.

A muscle tensed in Shining's jaw as she returned the defiant look - "Blooming has a migraine, that's why she didn't show up this morning Moonflower" - replied Shinning calmly.

Moonflower arched an eyebrow in mock surprise. - "Oh, I didn't know, is there anything we can do for her?" - she asked, offering her fake support and solidarity - "maybe going to see her will make her feel better, what do you think Aster?"

Aster, who was always eager to please Moonflower, nodded enthusiastically - "Yes, I think that would be a good idea. We could bring her something to make her feel better."

Moonflower smiled mischievously. - "Yes, what a good idea, what do you think, Shinning, will you come with us?" - She said in a distinctly suggestive tone, knowing it would annoy Shinning.

Shining frowned more at the provocation. - "No Moonflower, thank you, I think you'd better not go see Blooming today. I'm sure she'll appreciate the gesture, but she needs her rest" - she said kindly, but seriously to Moonflower. - "I'll make sure he's okay."

• "Aren't you listening, I need your help!" - Blooming insisted urgently.

• "Yes, we are listening to you, Blooming. Sorry, Dash distracted me a bit" - she said to her sister in an apologetic tone while in front of her, Moonflower laughed derisively, irritating Shinning and leaving Blooming stranded in her plea for help.

-"Come on, don't you think it's funny?, controlling a body that isn't yours and no one listening to you" - Dash replied to the sisters in a bitter tone - "or at least if you thought it was funny before when you weren't the ones who needed help" - Every word was loaded with vengeance and accumulated resentment, causing even more tension in the atmosphere.

Frustration and anger began to boil up in Shining. She couldn't allow the situation to get out of control and Blooming to be left unattended in her time of need. - "That's enough Rainbow Dash! This has gone far enough!" - Shining expressed in a firm voice.

Blooming took a deep breath, trying to cling to what little serenity was left. - "Rainbow, please, we get the point, stop taking revenge this way on us and help me" - she implored, feeling defeated and exhausted by the bickering between them and Dash. - "Remember that I'm the one who is playing you in front of the others. If you don't want me to inadvertently screw something up, tell me what I should do."

Dash sighed, letting out the tension that had built up - "What do you need?" - she said finally, showing a willingness to help Blooming.

Blooming visibly relaxed as she saw Rainbow Dash finally agreeing to help her. She took a breath before continuing - "You see, I was with the Wonderbolts walking the halls..."

-"Well, then, what are we going to do?" - asked Surprise enthusiastically as they walked through the castle's corridors.

• "What do you say we go hang out in the central square?" -proposed Fleetfoot jovially, his turquoise eyes sparkling with excitement.

-"Sounds good" - exclaimed Soarin. -"We could stop by the usual coffee shop while we're at it. I can't wait to taste those delicious apple pies one more time" - Soarin seconded with a broad smile.

-"Well, that's settled then" - declared Rapidfire competitively - "Let's race to the square. Last one there will pay the bill."

Without further ado, the pegasus made their way to one of the castle's lookouts, ready to take flight. Nimbly, they climbed up the small marble wall and moved into a racing position, Blooming was trying to climb the wall with obvious difficulty. Her hoofs seemed to be slipping off the marble wall.

• "Hurry up Dash" - Misty Fly urged her, observing her gesture strangely and with a touch of impatience.

• "Help me, I can't climb" - she replied in a frustrated voice. Without further delay, Misty Fly quickly grabbed her by the helmet and, in one fluid motion, pulled her up the wall, placing her next to the others.

Blooming gazed apprehensively at the abyss that lay at his feet. From that elevated position, she could glimpse the imposing city of Canterlot and the vast landscape that stretched beyond. A slight vertigo took hold of her, and she instinctively clung to the flank of Misty Fly, who looked at her with a mixture of doubt and concern.

-" Dash, what are you doing?" - Misty questioned her with a look laden with uncertainty at her strange behavior.

• "C-couldn't we better go...walking?" - The words came tremulously from her throat, her eyes showing the fear she felt, betraying her facade.

Laughter immediately erupted among the Wonderbolts at their companion's apparent joke. Blooming cringed in embarrassment, unsure how to react.

• "Walking? Really, Rainbow Dash?" - Thunderlane scoffed incredulously, shaking his head - "How funny you are."

• "Enough talk!" - silenced them Spitfire - "In position everyone. On your marks...ready..." - they all prepared to take off. - "Go!"

Without warning, the pegasus took off flying at full speed through the skies in the direction of the small square. Their bodies became multicolored blurs, leaving a trail of wind in their wake.

The sudden rush of her companions' wings hit Blooming hard, causing her to lose her balance and fall from the narrow lookout. She tried desperately to flap her wings, but they simply did not respond. A choked scream escaped her throat as she fell at full speed, until the bushes in Celestia's garden partially slowed her descent before her body crashed painfully to the hard marble floor.

The impact left her sprawled out, breathing shakily and covered in sweat, some twigs and leaves tangled in her mane while small scratches peeked through her skin.

She sat up with difficulty and a little dizzy, she looked around frantically, but the Wonderbolts were already out of sight on the horizon.

-"Agh, I'll have to pay the bill at the coffee" - Dash lamented resignedly through the mental link that bound them together.

Shinning Marigold frowned at such a trivial comment given the circumstances. - "Really? That's the least of it now."

• "Oh, well yes, too bad that happened to you, Blooming" - Dash rectified - "Though I don't know how to direct you where to go from here, I don't see what you see."

Shinning heaved a heavy sigh, thoughtfully - "There is a way, with the magic horn we gave you you can use a spell for it. But you don't know how yet and we don't have time to teach you now."

The elegant unicorn then turned her contemplative gaze to her brother, who was immersed in writing what seemed to be a letter to his father informing him about everything that had happened and been decided so far

• "Hey Aster" - Shinning called out to him in a jovial tone, snapping him out of his trance and breaking his concentration.

Aster looked up from the letter, putting aside the pen to pay full attention to his sister. - "What's wrong, Shinning?" - he asked, with a serene expression.

• "What do you say we go for a walk around Canterlot Square for a while? It's been years since we've walked there." - Shinning suggested, with enthusiasm in her voice.

Aster blinked a couple of times, as if the words weren't quite processing in his mind. -"I don't know, Shinning" - he replied hesitantly - "We have a lot of planning to do yet. If you want, you go." - Aster replied, picking up the pen again to continue writing the letter.

• "Come on, don't be boring" - Moonflower interjected, getting up from her seat energetically - "I want to get to know this place a little more and get out of the castle for a while. If you don't want to go, I guess we'll be alone and..."

• "No wait" - Aster's interruption was almost hurried, putting down the pen with a determined gesture. Dash, with a subtle smile on her lips, knew her strategy was paying off. - "I'll go, as long as you go with me, Moonflower."

Shinning was a little surprised by Dash's cunning in gaining Aster's acceptance, but at the same time she was pleased by her cooperation.

• "We'll be right there Blooming, hang in there" - Shining promised her sister, and with that they set off for the garden.

Of course Shinning and Dash would direct their step towards the garden where Blooming was, who, as they passed through the garden, they could see sitting on the ground, removing branches from her hair. Aster was the first to react.

• "Rainbow Dash! But what happened to you?" - He rushed over to her to help her. Blooming looked up as she heard the hurried footsteps approaching. A wave of relief washed over her at the sight of Shinning and Moonflower.

• "I had a little mishap" - she mentioned, trying to keep her composure.

Moonflower approached and crouched down next to her and with her hoof, she started to remove some twigs still attached to her impostor's rainbow mane - "You should be more careful"

• "Thank you for the help" - Rainbow replied. Blooming looked with deep gratitude at Rainbow Dash as she finished attending to her with utmost gentleness. Her eyes reflected the relief she had longed for in the midst of the confusion.

For his part, Aster watched the scene with a mixture of mixed emotions. The two mares were practically identical, but at the same time, opposite sides of the same coin. Identical in appearance, but with drastically contrasting attitudes that made him a little dizzy as he went into detail.

Shining Marigold also struggled to understand Dash's regretful change of attitude. Only moments ago they seemed possessed by bitterness and resentment, with clear intentions of revenge. And now, with the same fierceness, she was rushing to Blooming's rescue without hesitation.

Moonflower began to carefully select some fresh, soft leaves near her and, with dexterity and skill, began to gently clean the scratches and dirt from Rainbow Dash's skin. Each movement was meticulous and precise.

• "I recommend you apply cold compresses to the affected areas to reduce swelling and pain. It's also important that you avoid overexertion and allow your body to recover, and don't worry, you've probably had more serious falls" - Moonflower said, her voice reflecting an unexpected calmness.

When Rainbow finished tending to Blooming, she stood up and held out her helmet to Blooming to help her up as well. The princess grimaced slightly as she strained, as if the little accident had left her joints sore.

• "Let's go" - she shooed sequentially, and without waiting for an answer Moonflower turned around and started walking towards the castle's exit. Aster followed her at once, like a faithful puppy after its mistress.

Shining Marigold and Blooming, still holding Rainbow's body, froze for a moment, processing what had just happened in front of their eyes. Rainbow Dash's volatile and almost bipolar attitude had them confused.

• "She's a bit flighty, don't you think?" - Blooming said to Shinning, her voice almost in a whisper sharing her thoughts - "one moment she was brimming with bitterness and spite, and the next she shows an unwavering devotion to help."

• "No doubt, even though she's been a real headache, she hasn't stopped being indifferent to us" - Shinning sighed, her gaze fixed on the figures of Moonflower and Aster who were slowly walking away.

They began to walk to catch up with the other pair, keeping a safe distance.

• "Maybe, underneath all that pride and resentment, there's still a part of her that wants to do the right thing, that wants to be a part of this...with us." - Blooming said with a hint of hope in deciphering the contradictory mare.

Shining squinted, considering her sister's words. - "Be that as it may" - Shinning continued - "she's hard to understand, and while we can't deny the hurt and confusion we've caused her, sometimes she just doesn't seem to know what she wants, and I worry that her momentary outbursts will end up hurting our purpose in having found her."

-" True. But if there's a chance to help her" - Blooming mentioned - "to get to that part of her that wants to do good and put aside her grudges against us, I think it's worth a try."

• "I guess you're right" - Shinning looked at her - "But we have to be careful. We have a lot to lose. Rainbow Dash can be a powerful ally in saving our kingdom, but she has also shown us that she can be a Trojan horse, with nuances that can be an unpredictable source if we don't handle this carefully."

The conversation hung in the air as they continued walking, their thoughts submerged in a tangle of uncertainty and worry. They watched the figure of Moonflower and Aster ahead of them, their footsteps echoing in the serene silence of the garden.

The seed of uncertainty was beginning to grow little by little in them, questioning if it had really been worth it to place so much trust in Rainbow Dash in such a short time. It was a somewhat impulsive decision, really appearances can be deceiving and it's not wrong, it's happened to all of us, that doesn't necessarily mean they are regretful, however, observing such abrupt changes in the mare's behavior, a nagging doubt nestled in their thoughts:

Were they dealing with the right pony? Could they really trust her, or was there something else beneath her mortality that they had yet to discover? Would they be able to keep her under control if ever her resentment erupted with untamed fury?

Rainbow Dash not only knew too many compromising details, but she had accepted the deal to save the unicorn kingdom despite not getting much in return, Shining Marigold pressed her lips into a thin line as her mind ran through the darkest scenarios, Dash could betray or manipulate them at any moment out of spite or revenge. They had to do something about it to avoid it at all costs.

They had to find a way to make sure.... they had to strengthen ties with Rainbow Dash, getting to know her better was crucial to understand her motivations and reactions, especially in situations that pushed her to the emotional limit. They had to create a friendly relationship strong enough to make her think twice before betraying them at some point.

And to achieve that, they needed to be certain they had the right mare on their side, they needed a bond that would ensure their loyalty forever, they would soon know if Rainbow Dash was truly up to the task of carrying that weight on her shoulders.

Author's Note