Chapter 6: No More Lies

Spitfire sat on the floor with her back against her hotel room door and her face burrowed in her hooves. She couldn't bare to believe what Rapidfire said. It seemed so ridiculous, and even impossible to be true. However, it didn't feel like she was being lied to. None of what he said could be true… could it? she asked herself.

Spitfire cried into her hooves, and after a couple minutes she puzzled herself as to why she was crying. Is it that Rapidfire lied to her about the death of Soarin' or that what Rapidfire said might be true? In her mind either would make her cry, but without knowing if Rapidfire was telling the truth, she couldn't possibly know what to cry about.

Spitfire dried her tears and raised herself on her hooves. I need to find out the truth, she thought. She knew that Sky Screamer could either confirm or disprove Rapidfire's story or at least part of it. Without a doubt in her mind, Sky Screamer is sure to be at the race to watch the Wonderbolts cross the finish line so long as there are Wonderbolts still racing.

Spitfire trotted down to where the race was being held. Taking her into the heavy rain once again. On her way down she couldn't help sympathise with how dreadful racing in these conditions must have been. At the field she could see most of the Wonderbolts off to the side of the finish line as they wait for more Wonderbolts to make it through. They looked exhausted and their sweat could be seen despite the torrential rain.

Sky Screamer stood on the other side of the finish line where the other non-racers were. Spitfire marched toward Sky Screamer. "Could I talk to you for a second?" asked Spitfire.

"Of course," said Sky Screamer.

Spitfire didn't know how to go about this next part of the conversation, and just blurted everything out. "Are you sure Soarin' died peacefully in his sleep?"

Sky Screamer hesitated. "Well, as far as I know that's how it happened."

Spitfire questioned, "Haven't you heard back from Patch or somepony else? Did they know what he died from?"

Sky Screamer appeared caught off guard. "Well, they're very busy," he said.

Spitfire sensed his hesitation. "Didn't you see the body?" she asked.

Sky Screamer snaps, "I'm not a doctor! I don't know what caused his death"

It was all out in the open and Spitfire jumped to accusation, "Rapidfire said his body was dismembered and you told him not to tell anypony!"

Sky Screamer hesitated, "The Royal Guard has been investigating the scene and until they announce the cause of death, I'm not saying anything more than what needs to be said."

Spitfire cried out, "But you lied to us! You lied to the entire team about the death of a fellow wonderbolt!"

Sky Screamer admitted, "I didn't want to cause alarm and panic amongst the other Wonderbolts before the race. All it would have done is caused unneeded stress on the team. I didn't lie. I just omitted some details. The Wonderbolts worked hard and I owe it to the team to protect them from things that will hinder their abilities to give it their all."

Spitfire's tone became softer. "It's not about some race anymore. Our team is a family and deserves to know the truth."

Sky Screamer sighed, "You're right. And for the record I was going to tell the team after the race and after I heard what the Royal Guard had to say... but I suppose I owe them a past due explanation."

Sky Screamer took a deep breath and walked at his typical slow pace toward where the other Wonderbolts were gathered. Spitfire and Fleetfoot followed behind. Sky Screamer showed worry for the first time in Spitfire's time knowing him. He addressed the team:

"Listen up everypony, I'm sure you're all tired from racing, but I have some news I need to share." Sky Screamer cleared his throat, "I messed up by telling you all that Soarin' peacefully died in his sleep. The Royal Guard has been investigating the incident and are now calling it a homicide. Truth is, under stress, I had doubts about the story I told you and I kept them from you under the false sense that I was protecting you. What I did was wrong. I know that now, and you have my word that I will keep you informed promptly with the most accurate information I have. The Royal Guard is suppose to contact me soon, and I'll let you know what they say. So far, they have gave me no reason to suspect that any of you are in any danger. However, for the time being, I recommend you stay in groups; don't go anywhere alone. We will adjust the itinerary so that we will be leaving Canterlot before nightfall. I know this has been a lot to take in."

Sky Screamer turned to Spitfire. "Is there anything you want to say?"

Once again Spitfire has been caught off guard, and wasn't prepared with anything she wanted to tell her team, but felt obliged to say something. "Umm… sure," she murmured before stepping forward.

"Uh… I know the news you all heard is quite tragic. And I know that some of you have choose to race in honor of Soarin' and I'm sure he would respect the amazing effort seen from all of you that raced..." Spitfire looked into the crowd-into her team of Wonderbolts. Each had wide eyes glued to her, with their jaws partially opened. They all had the same focused, face expression. Except for one.

Misty stared at the ground with her lips sealed tightly and nervously quivering. Her posture looked tense. Spitfire realized that the other ponies were waiting and continued the speech coming off the top of her head, "... and I know some ponies choose not to race… which is still just fine. The important thing to remember is that even though he isn't here right now… Soarin' will always be a Wonderbolt... and a part of our Wonderbolt family..."

Spitfire's eyes scrutinized every tremor in Misty's stance. She must know something, thought Spitfire. Misty's nervousness only became more visible as spitfire continued her speech. "... and regardless how he died, or how undeserved it was, it's important that we keep him in our memories."

Spitfire stared at Misty in silence. Rapidfire said she was with him last night, she thought to herself. Thoughts continued filling her head, she doesn't look sad: she looks nervous-perhaps guilty. Sky Screamer confirmed Rapidfire was telling the truth. What if he's right about Misty too.

"Spitfire... are you finished?" asked Sky Screamer.

Spitfire hesitated without breaking her gaze on Misty. "Uh… yeah. I'm finished."

Sky Screamer turned to the Wonderbolts, "I guess you're all dismissed. Shower, eat, do whatever you need to until I have more information for you."

As the Wonderbolts gradually dispersed, Misty backed away making a fast walk toward the hotels. Spitfire, never breaking her gaze off Misty followed behind her leaving a fair distance in between. Fleetfoot trotted to catch up to Spitfire.

Fleetfoot asked, "Are you okay?"

Spitfire kept her eyes locked on Misty and replied to Fleetfoot, "I need to speak to Misty."

Fleetfoot was able to sense something wasn't right with Spitfire and continued following her. Misty took off in flight to the hotel. Spitfire took off after her. Fleetfoot, despite her exhaustion, raced to keep up with Spitfire.

In pursuit of Misty Spitfire followed her into the hotel building and flew through the hallways weaving between the occasional bystanding pony. Spitfire lost her line of sight with Misty only briefly through the hallway. As she stopped at the end of the hall and debated whether to go left or right, she heard a door slam off to the right and dashed after the source of the sound. She found herself at Misty and Fleetfoot's hotel room where she had dropped off Fleetfoot's bags at the beginning of her trip.

Spitfire pounded on the door. "Open up Misty!" she yelled.

There was no reply and only the sound of Fleetfoot panting out of breath could be heard between Spitfires heavy pounding on the door. Fleetfoot flew up to Spitfire only seconds behind. "What's going on?" she asked.

Spitfire didn't answer her question, and instead demanded, "Fleetfoot, open that door!"

Fleetfoot hesitated. "What?" Fleetfoot asked in confusion.

Spitfire barked out, "You have the keycard to the door, right?" Fleetfoot nodded.

"Open it!" ordered Spitfire.

Fleetfoot was completely unsure of Spitfire's intentions, but she pulled her keycard out anyway and slid it in the key reader on the door.