Day turned to evening, the group making it back to Kilika safely and immediately boarded the next ferry to Luca on a new ship called the S.S. Winno. It seemed more passengers were on board this ship, though it was going to be a rough ride as the ship will arrive in Luca by tomorrow morning. Not only was tension running high between Rainbow Dash and Twilight, but there was more backlash on the Aurochs when all of the Luca Goers were on the same boat. It was going to be a long night, and she had no clue if she would ever get anymore sleep now.

Rainbow leaned against the wall inside the cabins, wanting to be left alone as she tried to calm herself down. If Spike liked her better, she would have asked him for the same massage he gave Twilight back in Kilika temple. Though it didn't seem like it worked for the unicorn, she did seem a little more relaxed. What she couldn't figure out was why she didn't like her, aside from lack of knowledge of how this world works, and who else Twilight was talking about. Smarty Pants was supposed to show similar emotions to how Twilight was feeling, but instead of lashing out, the doll was more depressed than mad.

Heaving out a sigh, she decided to head out on deck to get some fresh air. When she opened the door, she heard a yelp as she accidentally smacked the door into somepony's face. Peeking around the door, she accidentally hit a brown earth pony stallion with a suavely combed black mane, carrying a saddlebag filled to the brim with many different items.

"Oh gosh. Sorry." Rainbow helped the stallion up as he rubbed his sore forehead. "I didn't know anypony was behind the door."

"No worries, miss," he assured. "This boat is quite crowded. Hard to find a place to rest, especially when the  tournament in Luca is coming up. Great for business." The stallion bowed to Rainbow Dash. "Filthy Rich's the name. Selling wares from potions to weaponry, and all sorts of miscellaneous items for your everyday needs."

"Oh. You're a salespony?" she asked.

"A traveling merchant. I'm hoping my daughter will continue passing down our family's trade to her children, and so on and so forth. She's elsewhere in Spira at the moment, but she's a tough little filly. Probably around your age, maybe a few years younger." Filthy took off his bags, opening up his endless satchels of wares. "Anything you may be interested in?"

Curious, Rainbow Dash looked around at what was inside to see what he had. So far, nothing seemed to catch her eye, until she found some kind of red, fuzzy ball attached to a string of yarn, connected to something buried under the wares. She carefully lifted it up, holding a strange, white furred plush doll. It had a red nose, its eyes closed, and on its back were a pair of bat wings, which seemed odd at first, but it looked kind of cute.

"Uhh...what kind of stuffed bear is this?" the pegasus asked.

"Ahh. That's actually a Moogle doll," Filthy explained. "Moogles, as I've heard, once used to exist in Spira thousands of years ago, but it was all just a myth. They a mysterious creatures that might hold magic nopony else knows, and despite their tiny appearance, they're stronger than they seem. That, and fillies can't get enough of how cute they look. Care to buy one? They'll go fast as soon as we reach Luca."

"Hmmm..." Rainbow pondered, looking over the plush creature. "...How much is it?"

After making her purchase, Rainbow headed up to the deck, carrying a small present on her back. The moment she walked out, smelling the salty ocean air, she spotted Fluttershy speaking with some of the Luca Goers, one of them being Lightning Dust, Spike watching them from a distance.

"You actually believe that newbie player?" she overheard Lightning say to Fluttershy.

"What's going on?" Rainbow made her presence known, the Goers smirking at the pegasus.

"And here's the idiot of the century, right on cue." The rival team circled the pegasus, Lightning getting up in her face. "So, anymore words you want to say about how you'll win the cup?"

"You have no idea how good I am, Lightning. Unlike you, I actually respect the enemy team, but you're team is becoming an exception," Rainbow said.

"She's right," Fluttershy spoke up, gaining their attention. "Rainbow Dash was the star player of the Zanarkand Wonderbolts!"

"What?" The team began to snicker while Rainbow tried to tell the summoner to stay quiet.

"It's true. And Zanarkand does exist!" she kept persisting. "It's a big city with lots of lights and buildings!"

"...Hmph. Whatever you say, Lady Summoner." The Luca Goers began to head down into the cabins, Lightning shoving Rainbow Dash aside, nearly dropping her present.

As soon as they were gone, the Aurochs heading up to practice a little more, Rainbow approached Fluttershy. "They hay are you doing?"

"They were being rude to you," Fluttershy said. "But I believe Zanarkand really does exist. Your father's told me everything about it...I want to see it for myself one day, and see your home."

"...Sure." Fluttershy grinned, unaware of the sarcasm in Rainbow's voice. She walked around a bit, not only to find Twilight, but also to calm her nerves while imagining the scenario of her and Fluttershy actually heading to her home in Zanarkand. "'Here we are, Flutters. My house; nothing but rubble and debris, with a hint of water to really give it that mushy texture under your hooves.' Urgh...I hate this..."

"This is all your fault, Applejack." Rainbow's ears perked up as she heard Twilight on the upper deck. She crept up the stairs and crouched low, overhearing the conversation the two were having. "Because of Rainbow Dash, we had two very close calls to having Fluttershy's family legacy die before her journey even began."

"Ah wanted to help her, Twilight. What was Ah supposed to do?" She received an icy glare from the unicorn.

"Leave her to drown in the ocean," Twilight said coldly. "And to make matters worse, she's actually the daughter of Sir Jet Stream."

"Is she really his daughter?" Applejack asked, receiving a blank stare from the unicorn.

"...Seriously?" Seeing her partner was still confused, she groaning in annoyance, pulling out a book and flipping through the pages. She held out the illustration of Jet Stream, noting out all the similar features he and Rainbow had. "It's obvious the two are related! The only way anypony can have this kind of similar hair color is if they were genetically passed down! Clearly, they're like twins!"

"Oh..." Twilight put the book away, almost wanting to smack the mare with it.

"And the ironic thing is that she hates him. Fluttershy wants Rainbow Dash to be her guardian, yet she has no clue what the hay she's doing." The unicorn sat down, holding Smarty Pants in her hooves. "...Even if we do say no, it's up to her if she wants her to join us...She's just going to make things complicated."

"Maybe ya should just ease up on Rainbow," Applejack considered to the angry mage. "She's tryin' to remember everythin' because of Sin's toxin messin' with her head."

"And oddly enough, she shows no symptoms of the toxin's effects, yet she claims to have it. When one is afflicted by it, they act out like wild animals, even if they're told the truth about certain events that had happened to them, but she hasn't behaved that way at all!" Rainbow cringed as she heard Twilight slam her hooves into the deck. "...She just has to keep bringing back memories I want to suppress...I wish she never arrived in Besaid at all..."

Having had enough, Rainbow stepped up to reveal herself, walking up to the unicorn. "...Look, I know you don't like me. If you think it's the toxin, then fine. Just don't treat me like an idiot. I'm sorry if I keep making you miserable, but I don't mean to do any of that. I'm just doing what I think is right, asking questions to things I don't know, and helping ponies when I THINK they actually need it when nopony else does." Ignoring the hateful glare, Rainbow dropped the present down in front of her. "I've had a pretty crappy week, and a miserable life as a filly with my dad being a prick to me and my mom. I wanted to give you something to make up for my stupidity and any mistakes I made that ticked you off...Maybe start everything over and actually be friends..."

Minutes had passed as Rainbow sat before the two mares, Twilight eyeing the gift sitting before her and Applejack watching the two. After what almost felt like an eternity, the unicorn dragged the present closer, untying the bow and lifting up the lid. Her eyes widened as she pulled out the Moogle plushie, which happened to be the same size as Smarty Pants. The old doll seemed excited, either meaning Smarty Pants had a new friend or Twilight actually appreciated the gift, she just didn't show it on the outside. Rainbow thought she didn't like it, but they shifted as she saw the unicorn cast a spell on the plush, the Moogle doll now animated and began to move on its own.

It stretched its limbs as if it had just woken up from its slumber, looking around at the mares in confusion. It looked down at Smarty Pants, gently set to the ground and approached its new friend. The two shook each other's paw/hoof and began running around, playing with each other. Twilight looked up at Rainbow, though it was hard to tell if she was able to accept her apology.

"...I always wanted a Moogle doll when I was a filly," she finally said. "...Maybe I have been a bit...harsh."

"And too serious about everything," Rainbow chimed, receiving a glare from the unicorn, which faded away as quickly as it came.

"...Alright, Rainbow Dash...I'm willing to let your ignorance of Spira slide, but I'm still cross with you for disobeying the precepts." Rainbow groaned, never going to live those moments down when one of them was forced upon her. "...Thanks for the Moogle."

"No problem...So, who else did you mention back in Kilika when you blew up about Sin not bringing anypony back?" Rainbow's pressing only gave her that same glare again. "Alright, alright, I get it...Too personal. Sorry. Though, what about you and Applejack's brother? What chemistry did you two have?"

"You're pushing it, Rainbow Dash," Twilight warned, now having both Smarty Pants and the Moogle glaring at the pegasus with the same intensity that she was.

"Oh great. You even have MY gift to you staring at me like that! And it has no eyes!" Rainbow heard Applejack stifling her laughter, ignoring the earth pony. "Urgh. Whatever. We're cool now. That's all that matters to me."

As she flew off the deck, the two toys went back to playing with each other, leaving the two guardians to themselves. "That was nice of her to do that. Though Ah don't see why ya like them Moogles."

"They're mythical creatures, rumored to have existed once many years ago." Twilight dragged the Moogle closer to her, petting the fuzzy antenna on its head. "I couldn't get one as a filly, since they were really expensive back in Bevelle...That's why he...made me Smarty Pants..." She held it close to her chest, feeling tears well up in her eyes. "...Darn it...She keeps bringing back memories..."

Applejack didn't want to get Twilight upset further as much as she wanted to ask who she was talking about. Ever since the two had met years ago, she never revealed anything about her past, always being reclusive and focused on her studies. She sighed as she looked up at the stars, thinking about the fond memories she had with her brother.

While the two reminisced and what positive memories they had, Rainbow Dash trudged along the deck, pacing around the bow of the ship. The Aurochs took a break from practicing, the pegasus noticing a lone blitzball sitting by itself. She began remembering some memories too, though they were never happy when it came to blitzball.

At Rainbow Dash's boat home in Zanarkand, the filly placed a blitzball down in front of her, backing up to take a running start. She crouched low and ran toward it, but as soon as she was about to kick it, she tripped on her hooves, sliding across the deck until she stopped a few centimeters away from the ball.

"What do you think you're doing?" The filly sneered, turning her head to look at her father, Jet Stream. He smirked, having watched her trip and fail to kick the ball. "Still trying to pull off MY move?"

"Shut up," she muttered.

"You know, I charge for lessons, kid. But, since you're my daughter, you're unfortunately an exception." Rainbow growled as her father shoved her aside, going to show off again.

The stallion stood up on his hind legs and began to pull off his signature move. He kicked the ball, making it bounce off the front of the small home/vessel and back to him. As it returned, her punched it with a forehoof, then headbutting it hard as it rebounded and curved up high into the air. Jet leapt up high in the air, without using his wings, spinning around rapidly like a top, his rainbow tail making it look like a blurred ring of color around his waist. He slowed down as the ball began to descend, kicking the ball hard with perfect accuracy, the force so powerful it caused a small shockwave of prismatic light from the impact, a rainbow trail sailing off over the ocean as the ball disappeared in the distance.

Jet Stream landed back down on the ground, cracking his neck as he turned to look at his unamused daughter. "Don't bother trying. You'll just get yourself hurt." He approached the filly, giving her a hard noogie. "I'm the best blitzball player around. Nopony else can match my skill, not even my own flesh and blood."

He laughed as he went back inside, making Rainbow angry as he was going to impress her mother by bragging about his special shot. Growling, she grabbed another ball and tried to copy his technique, only to have the ball hit her face when it bounced back at her.

As that humiliating memory faded from her mind, Rainbow approached the blitzball, facing the bow of the ship as she stood on her hind legs. As she stared at the ball, she didn't notice the Aurochs, including Applejack, and Fluttershy were heading toward the bow, all of them watching the pegasus. The latter of the group gasped, remembering the way Jet Stream had stood when he once showed her his unique blitzball shot.

In her mind, Rainbow could hear her father's voice ring in her head, throwing the same insults she received when she tried to practice playing blitzball. Her ears twitched as she used his words as fuel, wanting to prove to Jet that she's better than he was. After so many years trying to perfect his technique, tonight was going to be the night she would finally pull it off.

Rainbow kicked the ball, sending it bouncing off the front of the ship and back to her. She punched it, just like Jet had, bouncing back and leapt up to headbutt it. The blitzball curved up and soared high into the air, following the momentum of the moving ship. Rainbow then leapt up into the air and spun around rapidly. She began to ignore Jet's mocking words as the ball began to fall, slowing her spiraling as it got closer. With perfect accuracy, she struck the ball hard with her hind leg, the impact creating a rainbow shockwave that lit up the night sky as the blitzball was sent flying across the sea, a rainbow trail following in its wake.

As she fell back down to the boat, the pegasus watched the ball disappear on the horizon, successful in pulling off her father's special shot. Her shock soon turned to joy, her giggling turning into uproarious laughter as she celebrated, showing her dad what for if she ever met him again.

"Who's the best now, huh!?" The pegasus began a victory dance, unaware of the audience watching her, still shocked at the incredible move. "Aww yeah! I'm awesome! I'm the bestest! I'm the mare! Who's the best!? Me, me, me-!" As soon as she had turned around in the Aurochs' and Fluttershy's direction, she stopped her dance, awkwardly sitting down as her cheeks turned pink in embarrassment. "...Uhh...how long have you guys been standing there?"

"How long have ya'll been hidin' THAT from us!?" Applejack tossed a blitzball at Rainbow, quickly catching it. "Ya gotta teach us that! What is it called?"

"...Uhhh...I don't have a name for it," Rainbow lied. "But with enough practice, anypony can pull it off."

As she was about to show off Jet's move, Rainbow noticed Fluttershy had watched her as well. After pulling it off again perfectly, the Aurochs began imitating each individual step, but as they leapt up and spun around, they all got dizzy and crashed to the deck. While the stallions kept practicing, despite so many failed attempts, the young blitzball player walked up to Fluttershy, who began giggling.

"That was a good victory dance." Rainbow blushed, wishing she didn't showboat in front of an audience she DIDN'T want to have right now. "That was the Jet Shot, wasn't it?"

"...Yeah...He showed you back then, didn't he?" Rainbow asked, to her dismay.

"Mhmm. He called it the 'Supremely Epic Jet Shot Mark III'," Fluttershy said. "I always wondered why."

"Cause he wanted to psyche you up if you want to see 'Mark I' and 'Mark II' when he plays. It's a stupid name, and everypony just ate it up...even my mom believed it..." Rainbow leaned over the railing, looking out toward the sea, Fluttershy joining her. "...Hey, Fluttershy? Do you really think my dad's still alive?"

"I'm not sure," she said. "Sir Jet Stream was my father's guardian, and everypony knows him too."

The cyan pegasus groaned, her dad being just as popular here as he was in Zanarkand. "Don't you find it a little difficult to have your dad's legacy resting on your shoulders? Everypony expected me to be just like my dad when I was a filly, and I didn't want to end up like that drunk, egotistical moron."

"...Don't you ever miss him?" Fluttershy asked.

"Of course not!" Rainbow shouted. "If I ever saw him again after a decade, I'd pop him in the nose! Hard! Even after everything he had done to me and my mom! She didn't see through his ruse, but I did: he always gets drunk when he doesn't play, he actually cheats on my mom when she's not aware of where he's been late at night, and he makes fun of me! His own daughter!

"Whatever illusion of a stallion you saw in him when he wound up here, you shouldn't have ever believed him! He's a liar! He's a drunk! And he's the worst father I ever had!" She sulked, hanging her upper body over the rail as she stared angrily at the calm ocean water.

Fluttershy rested her hoof on the mare's shoulder. "Ponies can change." Rainbow stood back up, staring at the summoner like she was crazy. "If your dad was as bad as you said he was, and he was different when he came to Spira...he might have seen the error of his ways."

"...Hmph," Rainbow grunted. "If my dad actually changed, that'll be the day I turn into a unicorn."

She was then struck by a blitzball, hitting the mare hard in the back of the head. "Hey, RD! Show us that move again!"

"How about you quit hitting me with that blitzball!?" Grabbing the ball, Rainbow threw it back at Applejack. She turned back to Fluttershy, her mind struggling to side with either her thoughts or the yellow pegasus's. Spira was far different from Zanarkand, and she doubted that Jet Stream would have changed his ways. "...I'm gonna go and get some practicing in."

"Ok. Just don't do that victory dance again if you score a goal tomorrow." Fluttershy giggled as Rainbow blushed heavily, the mare turning away and ran back to the Aurochs to continue training.

"That was so embarrassing," she uttered as she grabbed a free blitzball and continued honing her father's shot, intending on using it for the tournament tomorrow. Next Chapter: Chapter 13: The City of Blitz, Luca Estimated time remaining: 10 Hours, 41 Minutes