Chapter XXI: The Sonic Rainboom

I steady my breathing and concentrate on the flow of energy flowing through my weapons. Then I fling the weight at the end of my whip outwards like a bullet at a tree. The whip impacts the trunk with both a spark of electricity as well as a heavy crack from the actual impact of metal on wood. I flick my wrist and catch the segments of the whip in a bundle again. Then I slowly walk over to the tree to check it.

I run my claw over the spot my whip hit on the tree’s trunk. It’s hot to the touch, and has a very clear indent with several cracks spider-webbing outwards from the contact point. I frown at this, and then sigh in disappointment with myself.

‘Too fast, too strong of a current.’ I note down in my mind. After looking at the new mark on the wood, I scan over the seven other marks of various levels of damage on its trunk. Three of the indents are singed, and four are several inches deep. I turn my gaze to several other trees around me, or what’s left of them. Fun fact, the sap within living trees expands with heat, so if a tree suddenly turns really hot, like say, from getting struck by lightning, it explodes and falls over. Like with at least ten of the jagged, and charred stumps scattered around me in the forest.

All the fallen trees themselves I’ve just kind of piled together off to the side of where I’m training. No need to leave Whitetail Woods in a complete mess wherever I go.

I sigh again, my frustration contained within me rather than shown outwardly. Each of those fallen trees represents different moments when I lost control of how much power I was putting into my strikes. I shake my head.

This isn’t acceptable. I need to train more to regain some level of self-restraint and control. Using lethal levels of power has become too second nature to me, and I need to change that.

I walk back to my previous position and turn to face the tree again. I roll my shoulders. The last hit might have hit a little bit harder than I intended, but I think I’m ready to try consecutive strikes again. Both my whips drop and start spinning ever faster until they’re blurs of steel. I take another steadying breath before I step… and then back-step while turning around.

*thud-a-thud, thud-a-thud.* The first three hit barrage from my right whip is mirrored by the immediate three hit follow-up from my left one when I step and turn. I keep my breathing level, whips still in motion, and I take a step back and then a turning step back.

*thud-a-thud, thud-a-thud.*

A small sense of satisfaction infects me when I see that none of the twelve strikes managed to leave any new burn marks on the bark of the tree. I step forward and step while turning.

*thud-a-thud, thud-a-thud.*

I calm my breathing, but I’m starting to feel very elated at the apparent progress of my training, and so I take another step back, flowing into the motion.

*thud-a-thud, thu-CRU–CRUNCH!*

I stop and pull back my whips, grimacing at the sight of the two black gouges in the tree caused by the last two strikes that were too powerful. It didn’t cause it to explode this time, but it still caused too much damage.

I suck in a sharp breath through my nostrils and let it out through my teeth in frustration, the air streaming through with a hiss of air.

Two weeks. Two weeks of diligent training and I’m nowhere near the level of restraint I want to be at. I can’t afford to keep slipping up in my focus like this. It might cost someone their life.

I walk over to the tree and inspect the wounds to its flesh. They’re deep. With a shake of my head I move to the opposite side of the tree and lean my weight on it. I feel the tree move slightly under my weight, then creak, and then groan as the full weight of the mass of wood tilts to it’s weakened side and cracks. I pull my weight off it, and it falls the rest of the way on its own. I sigh again, if it can’t support my weight leaning against it, then it’s better it fall now rather than later when somepony might be near it. Another tree to add to the pile.

I walk back to my whips lying on the ground and pick them up, wrapping them back around my wrists. I look to the open air for a bit before taking flight, deciding to take a break from training for now.

Off to the edge of my vision I see a streak of multicolored hues, and I look to see Rainbow Dash flying around a set of three clouds. I decide to fly closer to see what’s going on.

Upon reaching the area, I notice Fluttershy looking on at Rainbow from a clearing of grass on the ground. I glide down to her, idly noticing Rainbow swerving in between the gaps of trees lined up. Fluttershy notices my approach with a jump of surprise, but calms down when she notices it’s me. I nod at her with a small smile, and then look back up at Rainbow.

She’s climbing up through the sky at a rapid pace now. It’s at this point that I realize that she’s probably climbing to try a very specific trick, and so my eyes widen with surprise and expectation when she dives back downward and a cone of air starts to form around her outstretched, front hooves. ‘Is she… going to do a Rainboom?’

But… wait, shouldn’t she be unable to do that until after the-

Rainbow Dash comes to a dead halt, mid-air, before being flung backwards by the air cone she was just about to break.

‘Ah. So that’s what’s going on now.’ I think in belated realization.

Rainbow falls from the sky and skids across the ground, burrowing a furrow in the grass and dirt with a grunt of aggravation.

“Go Rainbow Dash! Woo Hoo!” A soft voice next to me whispers/shouts. I chuckle.

“Ugh, that was pathetic.” Rainbow Dash groans out into the ground.

“In all honesty, not really. Any wipe-out that leaves a crater is bound to be greater than “fantastic.” I say to her.

“Bael?” Rainbow says in surprise, her head popping out of the groove in the ground.

“Yep.” I answer simply with a slightly wider grin.

“Oh thank Celestia. I was worried there for a bit.” She says in relief.

“About what?” I ask her.

“That I’d have to go to Cloudsdale with nopony but Fluttershy to cheer me on. I mean, come on Fluttershy, is that really the loudest cheer you can do?” Rainbow questions the yellow mare.

Fluttershy blushes in embarrassment. “I’m sorry. I honestly thought it was pretty loud.” She answers quietly.

Rainbow sighs, then looks back at me with a grin. “But at least I know you won’t fail to give out a wild cheer when I compete in the Best Young Fliers Competition.” She says in excitement. Then frowns in thought, “But just to be sure, why don’t’cha give me your best cheer for when I do something amazing.” She suggests.

I quirk a brow at this. A wild cheer? “… Alright then. Here goes.” I reply with a grin.

I take a deep breath and stand on my hind legs with my front legs pulled back, ready to shoot into the air in excitement. Fluttershy “eeps” and ducks down with her hooves over her ears.

“Howdy Lyra! Ya here to buy a bushel?” Applejack asks the mint green unicorn walking up.

“Yep, same as always.” Lyra responds with a peppy smile.

“Alright then, that’ll be twelve bi-“

“WOOOOOOOOOOO-Eughch-ah!” A crazed cry in the distance shrieks out, only to cut off suddenly.

“What the hay was that?” Lyra asks with wide eyes, looking around for a clue to the strange noise.

“Mmf… Sounded a bit like some critter just got caught by a predator of some type. It proll’y happened out in the Everfree. It happens a lot near the orchard so ah’m a little bit familiar with it.” Applejack answers.

“Awwwwww. The poor thing…” Lyra says with sad eyes and drooped ears.

Applejack nods sagely in agreement.

“*cough-cough-cough-cough* *cough-cough-cough* *cough-cough-cough-cough*” I hack out on the ground as my body attempts to expel my lungs, heart, and other various internal organs from my body through my throat.

“There there, just let it run its course.” Fluttershy consoles me while patting me on the back.

“*cough-cough-cough-cough* *cough-cough-cough*” Oh god, it feels like someone shoved a spinning blender blade attached to a toilet plunger down my throat and started plunging it.

“I take it back, I’m doomed. That was just sad.” Rainbow deadpans next to me.

“*cough-cough-cough* *cough-cough-cough-cough*” Oh sweet, merciful, stars above! Why won’t it end?!

“So you have a great cheer… but you’re too wimpy to use it without going into a coughing fit… how does that make sense?” Rainbow asks me, completely unmoved by my suffering.

“*cough-cough* I- *cough* I haven’t had to scream like that in a long time. *cough-cough* I guess my throat just couldn’t take it.” I say, finally getting my breath back.

Rainbow sighs before shrugging. “Alright, well, at least you’ll be able to be there, since, you know, you have wings. You are going to come watch me compete, right?” She asks me with a slightly pleading expression.

“Yeah, wouldn’t miss it for the world.” I hoarsely answer, standing back up.

“Awesome. Then that means all that’s left for me to do is… actually manage to do the Sonic Rainboom.” She says with slumped wings. She takes to the air to begin practicing again.

“Are you having trouble training?” I ask her before she can start.

“She hasn’t been able to manage to do a single Rainboom. And she’s been practicing for weeks.” Fluttershy supplies with a slightly worried tone.

“It’s not like I’ve never done a Rainboom before! I did one when I was just a filly!” Rainbow Dash tells me hurriedly. “But I just can’t seem to do it now!” She adds in frustration.

I tilt my head in thought for a moment. “Well, you are bigger now than you were as a foal. Wind resistance is probably a bigger factor now than it was before.” I point out.

“I know. But still! You’d think I’d be able to get it once or twice every now and again as I got stronger at flying. But I’m still no closer to doing it than I was two months ago!” Rainbow snorts with her front hooves crossed in front of her chest as she hovers.

I stare up at Rainbow, contemplating her words and situation, and I feel like I understand it, considering I’m having problems training as well. “You might need a break.” I tell her.

“Bael… The competition is tomorrow. I can’t afford to laze around and rest right now.” Rainbow says in annoyance.

“Nah, I’m not talking about that kind of break. You’re focusing too hard right now on doing something specific. So let’s have a race to take your mind off it.” I suggest to her, sitting on my hind legs to pull one arm across my chest to stretch.

One of Rainbow’s brow arch upwards. “A race? Right now? Bael, how is flying fast going to take my mind off the fact that I can’t fly fast enough to do a Sonic Rainboom?” She asks me.

I point a wing talon at her. “You see! Right there! You’re thinking too hard about it. If I’d suggested that at any other time, you would have jumped at the chance to race me, or, anyone really. But you’re too focused on this one thing you can’t seem to get a handle on, and suddenly flying, the thing you live for, isn’t enjoyable any more.” I point out to her. “You and I both know that flying is something that requires passion to perform. You have to feel it as you do it instead of just thinking about every little thing that could happen or go wrong! And right now, you’re not feeling it, so therefore, you can’t do the Rainboom.” I state.

Rainbow opens her mouth to argue, but then blinks in surprise. “That… makes sense, I guess. But I still don’t think racing against a slowpoke like you will do much of anything.” She points out with a frown. She turns back around to go try to practice again.

Oh, so that’s how you want to play it. “Chicken.” I say.

She halts and whips around. “What’d you say?!” She asks in disbelief.

“You heard me! Come on! One race won’t hurt your odds any more than anything else you can manage to think to do. Race me Rainbow!” I goad with a smirk.

“Alright then FINE! You asked for this!” Rainbow spits angrily, flying back down to us. “What’s the route?” She asks, coming to land next to me.

“Let’s say… three times around Ponyville, and then finish back here after a vertical climb and dive.” I suggest.

“Alright fine. Fluttershy, you mind calling it for us?” Rainbow asks the yellow mare.

“Oh, um, okay.” Fluttershy says quietly. She trots up to stand in front of and in between Rainbow and I, and after a moment of uncertainty, extends her wings upwards behind her back. “Um, on your marks…” She says.

Rainbow crouches down at the point she’s going to start at. I lower myself down to match her.

“Get set…” Fluttershy says the next phrase after a short pause.

Rainbow’s extends her wings out from her sides, ready to push herself forward the second Fluttershy says. I extend my own wings out as well, but not quite in the same position as hers. ‘This time, full out from the start.’ I resolve in myself. My core beats in tune with my heart under my chest.

Yellow wings drop. “…go.” Fluttershy says in the quietest and least enthusiastic voice to start a race, ever.

Rainbow shoots off ahead, taking an early lead. But my wings only take a moment to surge with wind before I rocket off after her.

Flying ahead of me, Rainbow beats her wings rapidly, but not showing much emotion on her face. She’s clearly not straining herself. I smirk to myself; neither am I.

I pump more energy out from my wings and I steadily catch up to the prismatic pegasus pony without flapping my wings once. She looks at me in surprise as I pass her. “I’m not making it easy this time!” I shout behind myself to her, banking to the left to turn around the edge of town.

I hear wing beats behind me and Rainbow pulls up on my left side. “What do you mean this time?” She asks.

I smirk. “I didn’t channel magic through my wings in our last race. Try to keep up!” I answer, and push more out to rocket past her again.

“Oh no you don’t!” She calls out. I hear her speeding up to catch up to me. We pass over the spot Fluttershy is waiting at, so that means our first lap is done. Two more to go.

Right as Rainbow starts to pull up next to me again, I do something within my core to give myself a boost: I switch from air to electricity, and I shoot ahead again with lightning roaring off my wings, a very noticeable change that manages to startle Rainbow in her pursuit of me, allowing me to gain a very sizable lead.

A yellow dot passes beneath me. One more lap.

Rainbow’s catching up again, and I pour everything I can at once into my wings, and I manage to start putting more distance between us again. Eventually, I see Fluttershy on the ground ahead of us again, and I realize it’s time to start climbing. I pull my wings up, and I go into a straight vertical climb, Rainbow coming up rapidly behind me. I reach the crest of my ascent in moments, tilt my body back, and begin diving back down again, Rainbow passing me in the opposite direction.

The wind hammers my face, and my eyes squint to block the force of air. The sheer speed of my flight filling me with a specific feeling of joy I haven’t taken the time to enjoy in a while. In my peripheral, a cyan form starts to pull ahead from my left side. Rainbow’s pulling ahead of me, pushing past me in the last leg of the race.

‘Damn, even going all out, she’s still faster than I am.’ I think in resignation, unable to push more energy out of my wings to overtake her this time. She pulls ahead, and a cone of wind begins to form in front of her. My eyes light up at this, and I silently root for her to finally push past the barrier.

The cone narrows, and then colors start to shine and ripple across the tip. And finally…

Rainbow suddenly halts and I rocket past her. My gaze, having been on her at the time, follows her and I’m looking behind me.

She didn’t do it… Le sigh.

Wait, wasn’t I in the middle of-.

I slam headfirst into the ground, hard.

...Ow.

My body tips over and I land on my stomach… in pain. I close my eyes to cut off the light from making my developing concussion worse.

“aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAHHHHHH-!” *Thud*

I’m just going to assume Rainbow Dash slammed into the ground a little ways away from me.

“… Um yay?” Fluttershy cheers hesitantly from where she is.

“Well that was fun.” I sarcastically mumble.

Rainbow groans in response.

“Oh dear…” Fluttershy says.

Celestia looks at Luna with a bit of concern. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like to come with me to the Best Young Flyer’s Competition?” She asks her younger sister. “You’ve been working very hard lately to get caught up with how modern Equestria works. Don’t you think you could use a break?”

Luna rolls her eyes at Celestia’s remark. “No, Tia, I am fine. And I have been taking breaks every now and again. But with more of my power returning to me every day, I need to start adjusting my sleep schedule to be able to patrol the dreams of our subjects again, since I believe I will be capable of doing so again soon.” She politely declines.

Celestia sighs in disappointment. “Alright, I suppose that’s fine. But the invitation still stands if you change your mind.” Celestia tells her.

“Yes sister, I will be sure to remember that.” Luna says with a nod. Then she lets out a long exaggerated yawn. “Now if you will excuse me, I believe I shall attempt to retire now. Enjoy the competition.” She says to Celestia with a tired smile.

“Alright, sweet dreams Luna.” Celestia replies. She turns to step into the sky chariot, and gives one last parting wave to Luna, who returns it. Then the chariot pulls away and is lifted into the air by the pegasus guards pulling it. Luna waits a few moments, watching the chariot fade into the distance before she turns to walk back to the castle and eventually her room. Instead of getting into bed though, she instead morphs into smoke and then splits in half, forming a clone.

“Please pretend to be asleep until I return.” Luna instructs the clone, which nods and trots over to the bed to do just that. Luna transforms into her guise of Starflight and kicks off in flight out her balcony window. With an extra burst of pegasus magic, she’s soaring rapidly through the air in the direction that Celestia’s chariot was heading in.

While it pains Luna to have shunned her sister’s invitation to join her, she already promised to go to the competition to cheer on Ditzy as she performs. She can’t show up as anypony other than Starflight for that, and she hasn’t quite gotten around to telling Celestia about her excursions to spend time with her new friend. So she must keep her deceptions up for now.

‘Besides,’ Luna takes a deep breath of fresh air as she rapidly closes in on the pegasus cloud city of Cloudsdale, ‘it is rather nice to be treated as just another pony instead of royalty, every now and then.’ She admits to herself with a smile, remembering the conversations she’s shared with her odd new friend.

This thought though, inevitably reminds her of her other friend that treated her as someone other than a royal… and everything else involving him.

Luna sighs, slowing down in her flight right as she approaches Cloudsdale.

Ever since the last time Baelor and her spoke, she’s been conflicted on her thoughts of him. Is she afraid of him, or angry? Resentful, or remorseful? All of her feelings seem to be in direct conflict with each other whenever her thoughts turn to him, especially since his thoughts of her apparently reflect hers, if where their last conversation went is any indication.

She doesn’t know what to do. When he gave his apology, she could feel his sincerity, and she wanted to be able to forgive him. But at the same time, she couldn’t, because some small part of her was suspicious, disbelieving. It’s the same part of her that thinks he has nothing to apologize for, that the one that needs to give the apology is her, and only her. She was the one who transformed into Nightmare Moon, and she’s the one that put Baelor through the torment of being trapped for a thousand years, and she’s the one that tortured him for a small part of it.

And then there’s the time where that torture was reversed.

She’s still afraid… afraid of going back to that time of anguish. To that time of death without dying. Of her body failing without her soul being released. The Elements of Harmony may have kept them both alive while on the moon, but they did little else past that. Being put into a state of dying without being able to actually die is one of the worst agonies Luna has ever experienced, or likely will ever experience in her ageless life.

In the first few decades of their banishment, Luna injured, inflicted pain upon, and killed Baelor many, many times. At the time, she thought that the injuries and pain were the worst things she put him through. But once he managed to kill her for the first time, she realized just how horrifically wrong she was.

In those first few decades, Luna had her turn to inflict her ideas of sadistic perversions upon Baelor. But when he managed to turn it around on her, he did not “play” with his victim. The majority of the next decade for Luna was spent in a state of undying limbo between life and death, because Baelor did everything in his power to make sure she stayed there for as long as possible, likely to prevent Luna the chance to return him into that state.

But Luna did manage to break free from him, and when she did, the true battles began. The only good thing about the times of torture they both suffered from is that it convinced the both of them that they never, ever, want to fall to the mercy of the other ever again. And that was the main driving force behind their conflicts on the surface of the moon. To avoid being dominated by the other.

Luna shakes her head. It honestly surprises her at how clearly she can see the order of events in the past, now that she is looking back at it from the present. Luna turned into the Nightmare, and then Baelor restrained her so the Elements could be used. Baelor defended himself against the Nightmare, but was overwhelmed. He suffered, he broke, and then turned into a greater monster to avoid more suffering. This in turn increased the Nightmare’s desperation, and when they were finally equal, they clashed… for centuries. It follows such a logical and easy to read order that Luna can find no fault with anypony but herself for the entire course of events.

And yet despite this, her emotions still prevent her from doing exactly what she knows must be done and just move past her issues.

Luna is shaken out of her thoughts when she sees the familiar gray form of Ditzy Doo below her. And so she shoves all of her darker thoughts to the back of her mind before banking downward towards her friend. They can wait until another day, because today Luna is resolved to support her friend.

“Well well well. Wha’ do we have here?”

“It’s our old friend Rainbow Crash.”

I tap my one of my claws on the cloud under me in irritation. My memory of how some things happened in the show may be spotty, but I definitely remember these three chucklefucks.

“Get kicked out of any flight schools lately?” The brown pegasus mocks before him and the other two start laughing derisively at Rainbow.

While it aggravates me that they’re mocking my friend right in front of me, I also know that attempting to defend her will just draw more taunts towards her. And that’s not even counting the fact that Rainbow wouldn’t appreciate the act either.

So I sit back in silence to allow them to get their laughs in before leaving.

“-You don’t have the skills to do something like that!”

I clench my jaw and glower darkly at the colt’s back at that comment though. I will never be okay with anyone dismissing anyone else’s level of training or dedication. To spit on all of the time and sweat another’s poured into improving themselves is one of the greatest offenses someone can commit in my mind. But I hold my tongue, and soon after, Fluttershy stands up to them (somewhat) and they leave.

Fluttershy looks to Rainbow and I with no small amount of giddy joy. “Did you see that? I was so assertive!” She says with a grin.

I let out a small chuff of laughter and shake my head in amusement at her. But Rainbow lets out a despondent sigh. “Those guys are right, I’ll never be able to do it.” Rainbow says.

So I promptly flick the back of her head. “If you start listening to what a couple guys that have nothing better to do than try to tear others down to their level say, then no, you won’t.” I tell her.

“Ow, Bael, that hurt!” Rainbow exclaims, rubbing the back of her head.

“Over a hundred failed Rainboom crashes and that’s what finally manages to get you to say ‘ouch’? You really are slipping.” I say with a quirked brow.

“Gee, thanks for reminding me.” Rainbow says sarcastically, her eyes betray her worry though. “How am I going to do a Rainboom in front of a crowd? If I completely wipeout in front of the Wonderbolts, I’ll never get in. My life will be over. I’m going to completely-“

“Rainbow, stop.” I command sternly, interrupting her. “If you don’t manage to do it, you don’t’ manage to do it. Your life won’t be over. Do you want to know why?” I ask her.

She’s looking at me nervously. I draw her in close with one arm, and point at her chest with a wing talon. “Because even though you failed hundreds of times, you’ve also gotten back up hundreds of times. And if you crash again, you’ll get back up again, and keep trying. That’s how you do things. And as far as I know, there’s no reason you won’t keep doing it that way in the near future.” I tell her while looking directly into her eyes.

I pull away from her, and she blinks at me, calmer… at first at least. Then she clutches her head in panic. “AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!! EVERYONE’S GOING TO SEE ME FAIL OVER AND OVER AND I’LL JUST KEEP GETTING BACK UP TO SHOW THEM AGAIN!!!” She cries, freaking out hard.

I develop a deadpan expression. That wasn’t even close to the message I was trying to tell her.

Why do I try to go against the flow of the show again?

“R-Rare…” Fluttershy says in wondrous disbelief.

“Rare? The Sonic Rainboom is way more than rare!” Rainbow tells Fluttershy.

“Rarity?” Fluttershy continues, pointing a hoof up behind us.

And sure enough, there’s Rarity, flying on her butterfly wings created by Twilight.

I’m not as surprised by this as Fluttershy and Rainbow are, but I still take the time to admire the wings in person. I have to say, not bad. I still don’t get why everypony was (and is still likely to be) so enamored with them in the show.

“Rarity, are you flying?!” Rainbow asks in astonishment.

“I most certainly a-am!” Rarity sings in response.

“Let me guess… a spell from Twilight?” I feign a guess.

“Why yes! Aren’t they beautiful? I absolutely adore them.” Rarity responds, flying down to us.

“They’re definitely something.” I agree, Fluttershy and Rainbow still getting over their shock, “so are Twilight and the others going to be along soon? Since I highly doubt you came alone.” I ask, and sure enough, the balloon carrying the other three floats up through the cloud layer.

“My my, you’re certainly hitting the nail on the head often today, aren’t you Baelor.” Rarity notes aloud with a smile.

I shrug. “After Rainbow crashed into the library, I figured Twi would work something out once she learned about the competition. It was just a matter of how long you girls would take to get up here.” I respond nonchalantly.

“This... this is so cool! You guys made it!” Rainbow speaks up, recovering from her shock. A grin forms on her face at seeing the rest of her friends being here.

“Sure did!” Pinkie chirps, before hopping out of the balloon.

“WAIT!” Rainbow calls, reaching out a hoof.

Pinkie lands on the cloud with a small bounce. Twilight and Applejack do the same.

“How’d you do that?” Rainbow asks in confusion at them not falling through he clouds.

“Magic.” I respond for them.

Twilight shoots me a disapproving look. “I managed to find a spell that grants a non-pegasus pony wings. But it’s too difficult to cast more than once, so I found another spell that lets ponies walk on clouds.” Twilight explains more fully.

“Yep! Magic.” I say with a grin.

“Bael, you can’t just say “magic” and expect that to explain things. Ponies won’t-“

“Was it a type of magic spell that lets you stand on clouds?” I interrupt.

“Well, yes, but it’s a very specific spell that-“

“Then I’d say “magic” works just fine for an explanation.” I interrupt again with slightly trollish grin.

“No, it does not!” Twilight argues.

“Sure it does! It’s short, it’s simple, it’s true, and it saves so much time!” I argue back happily.

“He’s not wrong.” Applejack agrees with a chuckle.

“You know, if you think about it, you could actually use that to explain a whole bunch of things that happen! Like how ponies can grip things with our hooves, or the moon still works while in a bazillion pieces, or how Twilight’s magic always makes Bael roll around and around and around and around-.” Pinkie rambles in her regular giddy way.

“Heh, Bael even pointed out to me once that magic is the whole reason why pegasi can fly in the first place.” Rainbow adds.

“BUT IT’S STILL WRO-wait, really?” Twilight asks with a surprised expression.

“Yeah, I think he said something about our wingspan not being big enough to support our weight in flight without magic.” Rainbow tells Twilight.

Twilight blinks, and then looks at me strangely.

“…What’s with that weird look, Twilight?” I ask her.

“H-oh, sorry. It’s just that… I didn’t think you would know about something like that.” Twilight admits.

“I’m not entirely blockheaded.” I tell her with amusement.

She puffs out her cheeks in indignation. “I wasn’t saying you are!” She protests.

“Suuuuuuure…” I drone with a knowing smirk, turning and walking away.

Only to be picked up in a magenta magical glow. “Where are you going Bael?” Twilight asks me.

“I-eyyyyyyyyyyyy, don’t know actually.” I admit in puzzlement, drifting sideways with a confused look on my face. Why was I walking away again?

“Maybe we should show you all around Cloudsdale before the competition starts. You know, so nopony else wanders off in a random direction and gets lost.” Rainbow suggests with a chuckle.

“That seems like a good idea!” I say cheerfully while I happen to be facing her. This thing wastes no time in getting my momentum going, doesn’t it.

The others nod in agreement and follow Dash and Flutters across the cloudscape.

Wait, Twilight’s still holding on to me with her magic. I should get her to put me down before-

I land on my back with a *poomph* from the cloud under me, not that it registers too clearly through the dizziness I’m still experiencing. What the heck happened?

Wait… is that screaming I can hea-

From the upper corner of my peripheral I see a white and purple, flailing, screaming blur rush past and behind me. Which basically equates to the direction of down if my rapidly returning sense of equilibrium is right.

Somepony is falling!

This quick realization gets my sluggish limbs into gear, but my limbs feel as if they’re made of Jell-O, and I can’t seem to get them to work properly. I roll myself off the edge of the cloud, not wishing to waste any time with working past any lingering dizziness to stand up.

Thankfully, the wind resistance from falling gets my body to arc down head-first, so I’m already diving after the falling pony by the time my head is fully cleared of the last of the fog within it.

With my returned cognitive functions I’m able to realize a few things. A) There is more than just one falling pony down ahead of me. B) They are still very much farther down than me. And C) one of the ponies is Rarity and the other three are the Wonderbolts.

There is a thought at the back of my mind that realizes that I might be stealing away Rainbow’s one chance to perform the Sonic Rainboom with saving these ponies. But at this point there’s no more room for analysis. I’m running on pure desire, and that desire states that I need to speed up. NOW!

My wings part from my sides slightly and ignite with electrical energy before I rocket downward at the falling equines.

One second passes. Two, and though I’m drawing nearer to them, the ground is approaching much faster.

My heart sinks for a moment. I’m not going fast enough. Then I clench my teeth together in defiance of the distance. I need to go faster!

I take my eyes off of Rarity and the other ponies. They’re my objective, but they’re also distracting me from reaching them. I turn my attention to a spot between, and past the four, towards the ground. I accelerate farther, electricity surging off of my wings and climbing up to my neck as well.

Then. Everything slows down to a crawl just barely above halted. There’s ten meters between the ponies and myself, but for some reason my thoughts turn more inwards. I feel as if I can feel my mind making the subconscious effort to blink my eyes. I feel as if the signal from my brain to the nerves in my eyelids has already been sent. It’s a strange feeling, and there shouldn’t be a way for me to be able to feel it, but somehow, I do. Regardless of the feeling though, there should technically be no way to stop my eyes from blinking.

And yet, I still try. I feel like I can try. It just seems like something difficult to do, but not impossible. Like catching a fly in a pair of chopsticks.

Why am I trying to stop myself from blinking? Will it stop me from moving faster? Will it cause me to fail? Maybe. Or maybe not. But can I take that risk?

I search for the signal. The current within me. I find where I think it is. And I pinch it.

And my world becomes white.

As Rainbow Dash climbs straight upwards into the sky, she idly notes in her mind that she has been having an absolutely horrible day.

No, scratch that, she’s been having a horrible month. But today is just the climax at the end. The worst part of it after it’s gotten progressively worse over time.

First she fails to manage the Rainboom on her last practice session for the day before heading to Cloudsdale. Then she runs into those three jerks from flight school that proceed to remind her that she can’t do the Rainboom. And after that she learns that the competition is going to be even more difficult with Rarity participating with her “fabulous” new wings that she just got that day! And finally, now, she, Rainbow Dash, has managed to flump every single stage of her performance that she’s managed to actually get right in the past. So now, if she wants to have even the slimmest chance of not getting dead last in the competition, she has to miraculously succeed in performing the Sonic Rainboom. The one thing she hasn’t managed to do since she was a filly.

Can things get any worse?!

Her self-loathing thoughts are interrupted by the loudest crash of thunder she’s ever heard, with the flash of the preceding lighting filling her peripheral vision from behind her.

Rainbow looks behind her in bewilderment, wondering what in the name of Celestia Rarity just did to cause that kind of effect.

“RARITY?!” Rainbow exclaims in shock. She was not expecting to see her unicorn friend and what looks like the Wonderbolts plummeting to their deaths far below her.

Rainbow halts her ascent. “DON’T WORRY! I’M COMING!” She declares with determination, before rocketing downward to save her friend and her idols.

“Oh Celestia, that was nerve-wracking.” Ditzy exclaims, sitting down on a cloud bench in the waiting area with wide, surprisingly aligned, eyes.

“You did fantastically my friend. You held yourself in check and kept your reservations inside until you were finished with your performance.” Luna compliments with a smile. Ditzy was a little bit nervous to perform in front of everypony in Cloudsdale, but she managed to muster up enough courage to perform without any incident from what Luna could see.

“Heh… heheheheheh… Oh boy was that a close call at those rapid aileron rolls though. My eyes decided to split off for just long enough for my heart to jump before they went back to normal. I didn’t have enough time to actually mess up my flight from that but phwoooooo was that a hard moment of internal panic. Of all the days for me to have a good day with my eyes, I guess this is the best one I could have hoped for, huh?” Ditzy notes aloud, “I did it though. I competed in the Best Young Flyers Competition.” A wide smile of pride starting to form on her face.

A large flash followed by a crack and roll of thunder from outside startles them from their conversation: Ditzy because it was a loud noise, and Luna because of bad memories associated with said loud noise.

“Whoa, do you think that was one of the other competitors doing their performance?” Ditzy asks Luna.

“I-I am not sure.” Luna answers, shaken up a bit.

“Let’s go look.” Ditzy suggests.

Luna silently follows her to a viewing area in the room to see what’s going on outside in the stadium. But when they look outside, Luna can’t see anypony in the performing area.

“… Did they finish the last of the competitors or did-no wait, everpony’s looking down. I wonder what-.” Ditzy doesn’t get to finish her sentence because the area below the Cloudstadium suddenly explodes with sound and color.

A rapidly expanding ring of polychromatic magical energy travels across the sky below them in a spectacle that Luna has never seen before. Though, she has heard of such a technique being performed far in the past by unnamed pegasi of legend. An Aurorial Breach. When a pegasus uses an absurd amount of their magic to break through the wind’s own natural web of magical energy and allow themselves the ability to fly without any natural restraints.

A way to allow themselves to truly soar to heights unattainable with normal flight.

“Whoa! A Sonic Rainboom!” Ditzy exclaims in utter amazement.

Luna turns her head to look at her friend. ‘Is that… truly what ponies call it nowadays?’ She wonders with no small amount of disappointment in modern day vernacular patterns.

Luna shakes her head slowly and puts it out of her mind before turning her attention back to admiring the effect caused by the ‘Sonic Rainboom.’ She sees an arcing contrail of rainbow light streak upwards from the initial blast far below and realizes that it was the Bearer of Loyalty, Rainbow Dash, that must have created the Rainboom. While carrying four other ponies in her grasp no less.

With a flicker of regret, Luna remembers a time while she was under the influence of the Nightmare, from when she offered to teach Rainbow Dash the secrets of the ancient pegasus arts of magic. Though she was not herself at the time, this Aurorial Breach proves that Rainbow would have most assuredly made an exceptional student with incredible potential.

But… though the mystery of who caused the Rainboom is clearly solved, Luna still wonders what caused the clap of lighting just before it.

Luna looks downward again to where the Rainboom occurred. If it was directed downwards, then it’s possible that it struck the ground.

“Hey, Star? You alright?” Ditzy asks Luna, concerned about how quiet she’s being.

“Hm? Oh, my apologies Ditzy. I was… thinking about something.” Luna says, looking back to her friend.

“It’s fine. I think I might have lost the competition though. Heh, considering what Rainbow Dash managed to do.” Ditzy says with a good-natured giggle.

Luna offers an apologetic smile in return. “Yes, I do believe that is very likely. I’m sorry Ditzy.” Luna says.

“Eh, don’t worry about it. I didn’t have much hope of getting the gold anyway. Cause’, you know, eyes.” Ditzy says with a dismissive shrug.

“Oh, none of that now my friend. You performed spectacularly out there. If it weren’t for Rainbow Dash performing that technique, I believe you would have stood a good chance of winning yourself.” Luna argues, hoping to inspire some more confidence within her friend.

“Eh, maybe. I guess we’ll see when they distribute awards.” Ditzy replies.

“Yes, I suppose we will.” Luna says with a nod.

“Iiiin the mean time… I kinda need to use the little filly’s room, so, uh, I’ll be back soon.” Ditzy says shifting her weight back and forth, obviously feeling the call of nature very suddenly.

Luna nods. “Go ahead. I will wait here.” Luna answers.

“Okay! Let me know if I win anything!” Ditzy calls behind her while trotting swiftly away.

“Alright…” Luna replies. Then she turns to stare out the window of the waiting area to see the Element of Loyalty just now banking in towards the stadium. However, there seems to be a commotion going on in the stands from where Luna is looking.

Following many of the gazes of the worried ponies, Luna sees her sister flying downwards very hurriedly with her guards close behind. Two other ponies adorned with red crosses on their saddlebags follow them close behind while carrying a medical stretcher.

‘What… happened?’ Luna wonders in concern. She noticed a large amount of worry in Celestia’s gaze as she flew past. Even at the distance she was at from Luna, she can still tell that whatever happened, it is serious.

Author's Notes:

Chapter's done!

"Falx! You lied! You said Bael wouldn't learn how to explode last chapter!"

Wh-bu- Pinkie, he didn't explode.

"Big flash followed by a big boom? Sounds like an explosion to me."

"That was lightning Ictus. Not an explosion."

"Oh... well still, what happened to Bael anyway? Where'd he go?"

Down.

"Down?"

Down.

"Are you going to elaborate on that at all?"

Nah. I'm pretty sure everyone has already figured out what Bael did by now. But I just don't feel like confirming it until next chapter, to keep everyone in suspense.

"Oh yeah! That reminds me. WHAT THE HELL MAN?!?!?!"

OW! My ears!

"What's with this cliffhanger!"

Cause I felt like it? There's not really a lot to say. Stories need cliffhangers between chapters to keep the ones reading them interested until they're done with the whole thing. They need to happen at least a few times to be able to hold interest.

"Mmmm... that's fair."

Thank you for understanding Pinkie.

"No problemo Falxy! So what's next?"

Plot!

"I find it very hard to believe Baelor will be able to get some pony in bed with him next chapter."

That's not what I meant by... wait, why is that hard for you to believe?

"Because he's a character based off you."

"OOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"

"GEEEEEEEEEEEEET BUCKIN' DUNKED ONNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!"

"Heh-heh. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh that was a great burn! Also, hi Letum!"

"Hi Pinkie!"

...

"What's wrong? Oh come on man, you gotta admit that was perfect."

...

"Falx? You alright there?"

...You know... you're not the only one here that can put others on ice, Aevum.

"Oh SHI-"

*snap* *Shink*

"Whoa, damn. That was pretty cold ma-"

*snap* *Shink*

"FALXY! WHYYYYY!!!!"

*snap* *Shink*

"N-no! P-please father. D-don't do this."

... Father? The heck?

"Technically speaking, you created me. I was thinking of appealing to your parental side to be spared."

... You know what? I accept that logic.

"Really?"

Yep. And as your father, I reserve the right to put you into a time out when you misbehave.

"Well, bu-"

*snap* *Shink*

Whelp. I feel a little bit better. Now I'll just let them sit here for until, let's say... the next chapter is up. Might be a long wait. Might not be. I don't really know. See you guys later!