Rainbow sat in the Rain for what felt like hours. The rain beat down on her and soaked her to the bone. Yet, she barely felt it. By comparison, it was nothing. By comparison, to the sting of her betrayal.

Why? Why did they do it? She didn't have the answer.

Eventually, even her numbed body began to feel the rain. It was cold, and she was drenched. With her waterlogged wings, she couldn't fly, but that didn't matter. The mouth of the cave was only a little ways away. So, getting up off of her haunches, she turned around and trudged back toward the shelter of the cave.

Once inside, she immediately felt a little bit warmer, as if the dryness of the cave was excreting warmth. Outside, the rain poured on relentlessly, the puddles outside only getting bigger. She sat back down, half-lidded eyes staring straight ahead at the wall. Not looking at anything in particular; just pointing at some random section of the cave walls, and at some random stalactite.

Then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw something. A large pair of saddlebags, a small pile of wood, and an envelop. She once again got up and walked over to the items.

First, she examined the saddlebags. Unlike the custom ones she had at home, these were a drab olive green color, with faded brass buckles and a simple, dark brown leather straps. A small slot was in between the two actual bags, one which hung a few tools. A hatchet, a small shovel, and what she thought was called an adze. She then proceeded to open up the two bags to check their contents.

Inside the one on the left, she found a few other, smaller containers. One she immediately identified as a first aid kit. Another, upon opening it, revealed a few pieces of bread. She also found a canteen, a small packet of chocolate, a sewing kit, and a set of wires. Digging deeper, she found a small bottle of tablets; the label said that they were water purifiers. She also found a small box of salt, a leather pouch with a few dozen bits, a notebook and quill, and a pair of flight goggles.

She pulled out and studied that last item. The cord was made of a black, elastic, nylon-like material, which stretched around the back of the goggles. The main bit themselves were made of polished gold, and seemed to gleam even in the darkness of the cave. They looked like Wonderbolt Goggles. All they did was remind her that, now, they were forever closed to them. Sighing, she set them down next to the bag, then opened up the one on the right.

Inside this one, she found a few more items. One was a rock she guessed was to sharpen the tools; why else would there just be a rock, unless somepony was just bucking with her? She also found some rope, a flint and tinder, some dry pieces of wood, some polish, and a folded up tarp.

She then looked over at the wood. It only about ten to eleven simple logs. Nothing too out of the ordinary, but, given her current situation, she figured what they were for. Fire.

Actually, that was sounding really appealing right now. Pushing the bags and the envelop away, she pulled out three of the logs. She didn't know how she was supposed to do this but decided to take her best guess. She simply laid out the three logs as close together as possible, then put the dry bark on top. Normally, she was supposed to put rocks around so as not to light the grass and fallen leaves around it on fire, but since she was in a cave, she figured it would be somewhat redundant; so, she just pressed on. She then began to strike the tinder and flint together.

She then began to appreciate just how hard this was. Usually, when she went camping with Applejack and the others, she let one of them light the fire. Now, as much as she hated it, she had to admit it wasn't something she could get done in ten seconds. The rock and the small piece of metal struck against each other time and time again, yet sparks refused to come forth. Even when they did, it did little good, as the dry bark didn't light.

Finally, the bark lit. Rainbow grinned widely as the fire began to spread, slowly yet surely. She then thought back to those camping trips again. Not the times with 'friends', but the fire. She remembered that she had seen Applejack blow on the kindling to get it going. Well, since she had wings, she could do one better! She stood back a little, then began to flap lightly. The fire swayed away from the beats of her wings, much like Rainbow had seen happen with AJs blowing. Her smile grew, yet in flashed away in an instant as the fire sputtered out, smoke rising out from the barely singed logs.

Her face contorted into a snarl. "Is this a joke?", she said out loud, despite her being the only living thing in the area. She picked back up the tools she had labored over for almost ten minutes, and looked back at the fire like it was a timberwolf. "I get betrayed by my best friends", she growled out as she struck the tools together. "I get exiled. I have no idea where I am or what to do." Another snarl of anger, another strike of the fire starter. "I'm alone." Another strike.

"I have no idea where I am. I have no idea what to do. I've lost everything. My home. My Dream. My friends. My family!" By now, tears once more began to fall. She furiously struck the flint and steel together, yet nothing came. "Just! Cut! Me! A! Bucking! Break!!" Finally, a spark. The slightly smoldering bark caught fire again.

Learning from last time, she made sure to only blow lightly. The fire began to spread, and Rainbow dropped the tools and slumped back against the hard, cold floor of the cave. She was breathing heavily, despite barely doing anything. She sighed, then sat back up.

By now, the three logs had started to burn as well. Heat coursed out of the burning wood, filling the cave with both glow and warmth. Her damp fur began to dry, and she got closer to warm herself faster. It worked, and it made her feel better, but the tears didn't stop. Then, she looked over at the letter, resting on one of the saddlebags.

She picked it up in her teeth and brought it over to her. She set it down in front of her, far enough away as not to let it catch fire. She then sat there staring at it for a few minutes. She didn't want to know what was inside, for fear it was a damning letter from the Princess. But, in the end, curiosity got the better of her. She tore it open, and pulled out its contents.

Two items were inside. One was a letter. The other was a photograph. She threw the now empty envelope on the fire, watching the flames grow slightly for a brief second, before dying down. She unfolded the letter, and began to read.

Dear Rainbow Dash,

This letter has been given to your closest Friends and Family for them to say goodbye. This is one of a few things that will be sent to assist you in your survival. Normally, this wouldn't be allowed, but, due to both the service you have done to myself and to Equestria as a whole, I think this is an exception she won't mind. I saw what the other Elements said to you, so they do not have a section on this letter. For what its worth, Rainbow Dash; Good luck, and may Faust shine fortune upon you.

Sincerely,
Princess Luna.

Rainbow figured what was coming, and knew it would be goodbye. She hated goodbye. But, signing in resolution, she read on.

Dear our little Dashie,

Well, you saw us at the trial. We learn of your sentence just now. Princess Luna gave us this to write our goodbye on.

We aren't disappointed. We don't hate you for what you allegedly did. We know you. We know you wouldn't do this. We know you were looking out for something or somepony. Please, Dearie, stay safe. Don't stay down; show wherever you end up just how awesome you are! Go get 'um, Our little lightning bolt.

More love then Princess Cadence can make,
Your Parents.

Her eyes began to water once again. She unfolded the next section.

Dear Rainbow Dash,

So, this is it, huh? How you go out? Well, let's just say I'm sorry. You had so much potential. I knew that at the Race, I know that now. I just wish I wasn't so slow and got you into the academy sooner. You slotted for the next semester, you know. I wish It was sooner.

Anyway, I'm not one for getting all sappy. Besides, the kid with the Rainbow colored wig is waiting for her turn. She seems like a good kid. She chose a good pony to look up too. I'll look after her, as well as your turtle.

I managed to get a set of Wonderbolt goggles into the bag they're gonna send out with ya. Consider them yours. Your a Wonderbolt in all but name (And legal protections.) Best of luck to ya.

Sincerely,
Spitfire.

No wonder the goggles looked like Wondebolt goggles; they were. She was so close to her dream, only to have that taken away too. More tears began to well up; the dam holding them in threatening to crack. Finally, she unfurled the last section. The one she had been dreading the most.

Oddly enough, this part of the letter was stained. Evidence of dried was present, the ink smeared and worn. However, she was able to make out the last few sentences.

And I'll miss you so much, Rainbow Dash. I don't want you to go, but I know you have to. Even though I know I likely won't see you again, I hope to see you again. Goodbye.

Your number one fan,
Scootaloo.

Somehow, that sent her over. Even if she could only read a little bit of it, what she could just broke her down. She broke down. Tears fell down her face and burst on the stone floor. Then she pushed the letter back, far away from the fire. She then curled up, clamping her eyes shut as if that would stem the salty tears. It didn't, and they continued to come, wracking her whole body with quivers and shakes. Soon, the strain and the exhaustion of the situation, despite her not doing much, began to take their toll. She buried her head in her forehooves, and cried herself to sleep.

Next Chapter: 8~Coming to grips Estimated time remaining: 9 Hours, 33 Minutes