Chapter 3: Finding the Rainbow
After making his way into Ponyville, Flamebolt was greeted by the energetic and spontaneous Pinkie Pie. With her bubbly personality, over-the-top attitude and endless chatter quickly began to drive him crazy. He tried repeatedly to get away from her, but no matter where he went, she was always there, somehow one step ahead of him. Eventually, he managed to escape and stumbled upon a crystal castle on the edge of Ponyville. Venturing inside, he met Spike and Twilight Sparkle, learning that the pony he sought was none other than Rainbow Dash herself. With Pinkie Pie rejoining the group, the three volunteered to help Flamebolt find Rainbow Dash, and so their search began.
Time passed as Flamebolt followed Twilight, Pinkie, and Spike through the streets of Ponyville, searching for the elusive rainbow-maned pegasus. As they walked, they attracted the attention of the locals. Some ponies whispered to each other about the new stallion in town, commenting on his wild, rebellious appearance. Others glanced at Twilight, still finding her status as a princess a topic worth discussing, even after all this time.
Flamebolt, for his part, remained silent, his gaze drifting over the quaint town as they moved along. He wasn't inclined to make small talk or engage with anypony unless necessary. He was determined to stay focused on his mission.
"Sooo… where are you from?" Twilight asked, trying to break the silence and engage him in conversation.
Flamebolt didn't answer, his attention too focused on the scenery around him to notice she had spoken. He was curious about Ponyville and wanted to take in its sights, but his thoughts were interrupted by a purple hoof waving in front of his face, snapping him out of his reverie.
"I said, where are you from?" Twilight repeated, her tone polite but firm.
"Where else? Cloudsdale, like most pegasi," Flamebolt replied, snorting dismissively and avoiding eye contact.
"Oh, I've been to Cloudsdale a few times myself," Twilight noted cheerfully. "But I don't think I've ever seen you around."
"That's because I don't stick around too long. I've been traveling around Equestria mostly," he said, his tone indifferent. "I just came here from Griffonstone," he added, annoyed as he realized he was saying more than he intended.
"Griffonstone? How cool! I was just there with Rainbow Dash a while back, helping a griffon with a friendship problem—she was Rainbow's friend!" Pinkie Pie chimed in. "They were so grumpy and mean, but nothing a little friendship can't fix!"
"Really? That's so cool," Flamebolt replied sarcastically before his expression darkened. "Not! I don't care what you did there!" he snapped, clearly irritated.
Spike, who had been quietly observing the exchange, frowned at Flamebolt's attitude. "You know, you don't have to be a jerk about it. They're just trying to make conversation and get to know you a bit," Spike retorted, crossing his arms.
"Like I care what you think, pipsqueak," Flamebolt shot back. "I didn't agree to follow you three just so you could ask a bunch of questions I don't want to answer." He quickened his pace, putting some distance between himself and the others, hoping for a moment of peace.
"Why are we helping him again?" Spike muttered, watching the pegasus walk ahead.
"As the Princess of Friendship, it's my duty to help others, even if they don't think they need it," Twilight explained softly. "Besides, once we find Rainbow Dash, we'll know more about him and understand why he's so determined to find her. Maybe we can even help sort his attitude while we're at it," she added optimistically.
Spike sighed in reluctant agreement. "I guess."
As Twilight and Spike discussed their mission, Flamebolt remained lost in his thoughts. 'The sooner I find Rainbow Dash, the better. I don't need them prying into my business.' He kept his eyes on the buildings, scanning for any sign of the pegasus he was searching for.
Suddenly, Flamebolt nearly collided with Pinkie Pie, who had appeared directly in his path. Startled, he jumped back, his expression dropping into a scowl as he recognized her.
"Do you like parties? I love parties! I throw them all the time for my friends, and we have so much fun!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, oblivious to the tension. "Do you like sweets too? Because I make the most delicious sweets in all of Equestria! Well, maybe not all of Equestria, but they're pretty good!" she continued, hopping alongside him with boundless energy. "You should come by and try some—"
Flamebolt's ears flattened against his head as his frustration mounted. "WILL YOU STOP TALKING FOR ONCE!" he roared, his voice echoing through the streets.
The sudden outburst caused everypony nearby to stop and stare at him, their expressions a mix of surprise and concern. The air grew tense as Flamebolt's heavy breathing and tense posture made it clear that he was struggling to keep his temper in check. He didn't care that his outburst had drawn so much attention. All he wanted was to be left alone.
"I didn't ask for you to follow me, and I certainly didn't ask to be bombarded with a thousand questions I don't want to answer!" he continued, his voice laced with anger. "All I wanted to do was find Rainbow Dash and leave! But clearly, that isn't going to happen!" He glared directly at Pinkie Pie, his eyes burning with frustration.
"If I hear one more word from you, I'll just go find her myself!" he warned, his tone harsh and final.
Pinkie Pie's smile faltered, her ears drooping as her lower lip quivered. She hadn't meant to upset him; she had only wanted to make him smile and hopefully become his friend.
"B-but…" she stammered, trying to find the right words.
"THAT'S IT! I'M GONE!" Flamebolt snapped, unfurling his wings and shooting into the sky without another word, leaving a cloud of dust in his wake. The three companions stood there, coughing and waving the dust away from their faces.
"What a grouch… He didn't have to be such a meanie," Pinkie said quietly, her usual cheerfulness dampened. "All he had to do was say 'please'…" She looked as though she might cry.
Spike immediately went to comfort the pink mare, placing a reassuring claw on her shoulder. "That stallion's a bigger jerk than I thought. He didn't have any right to yell at you like that," Spike said firmly.
Twilight brushed the dust from her coat and looked around, trying to spot Flamebolt in the sky, but he had already disappeared. "We can't lose him," she said with determination. "I'm going to see if I can figure out which way he went. You two keep looking for Rainbow Dash."
Spike and Pinkie nodded, determined to find their friend. They saluted Twilight before heading off in the opposite direction, while Twilight took a deep breath, spreading her wings and took to the skies, heading after Flamebolt.
'Why is he so intent on finding Rainbow Dash?' Twilight wondered as she flew, her eyes scanning the skies.
(Edge of Everfree Forest)
Not far outside Ponyville, a small group of woodland creatures had gathered around a gentle yellow pegasus. "There you go, Mr. Squirrel. Now you can share those acorns with the others," Fluttershy said softly, watching as the squirrel scurried up a tree to distribute his acorns.
Fluttershy was a timid yellow pegasus who preferred the peace of nature over the intense flying that most pegasi enjoyed. She was known for her shy and gentle nature and also as the bearer of the Element of Kindness, always willing to help those in need, whether they were ponies or animals. Despite her shyness, she had a heart of gold and would summon all her courage to help her friends when they needed her.
A small white rabbit tugged at Fluttershy's mane, thumping his foot impatiently. "What is it, Angel Bunny?" Fluttershy asked softly. The rabbit pointed to his mouth, mimicking chewing motions.
"Oh, you're hungry?" Fluttershy guessed, pulling out a fresh carrot for him to nibble on.
Overhead, Flamebolt soared through the skies, his eyes scanning the ground for any sign of Rainbow Dash. "Where could she be?" he muttered to himself, frustration creeping into his voice.
His patience was wearing thin as the search dragged on. "Gah! This is so frustrating! If that annoying pony had just shut up, I probably would've found her by now." He rubbed his forehead, trying to soothe the headache that had begun to form. After a deep breath, he forced himself to calm down. "What's done is done. I need to get back to finding her."
As he resumed his search, his gaze fell upon Fluttershy, who was surrounded by a variety of animals. "A pegasus! She doesn't look like she flies much, but it's worth a shot to ask for directions." His wings flared as he dove toward the ground, aiming to land near her.
Fluttershy, who had just called her critters for snack time, noticed them looking up with wide eyes. Following their gaze, she spotted a pegasus hurtling toward her at high speed. Before she could react, the stallion landed with a forceful crash, sending a cloud of dust into the air. The loud impact startled the animals, causing them to scatter and flee into the safety of the Everfree Forest.
"W-wait, come back!" Fluttershy called after them, but her voice was barely a whisper as she watched her woodland friends disappear into the trees. She watched in fear as the stallion's silhouette emerged from the dust cloud, his figure growing larger and more imposing as he approached. Fluttershy began to shake, her heart pounding as her natural timidity took hold.
"Hey, you! Can you answer a question for me?" Flamebolt demanded, his tone rough and his gaze cold and emotionless.
The shy pegasus squeaked in terror, her eyes widening as she quickly turned and bolted back to her cottage, with Angel Bunny close behind.
Flamebolt sighed in exasperation, watching her retreat. "What a waste of time," he muttered under his breath as he approached the cottage and knocked on the door. "Hey! I just wanted to ask a question!" he called out, but received only silence in return.
"Figures," he grumbled, kicking a rock in frustration. "She looked too scared and weak to be of any help anyway. Guess I'll have to keep searching for Rainbow Dash somewhere else…" With a huff, he spread his wings and took off again, heading back toward Ponyville.
(With Pinkie and Spike)
Back in Ponyville, Pinkie and Spike were scouring the town, leaving no stone unturned in their search for Rainbow Dash. They peeked into every nook and cranny, but their efforts were fruitless.
"Any sign of her, Pinkie?" Spike asked, panting slightly as he turned to the pink mare.
"Nope!" Pinkie Pie replied, bouncing over to him, her usual cheeriness back in full force. "We've looked everywhere, and still no Rainbow Dash! It's like she's hiding!" She flared her hooves dramatically before flopping onto her back in exhaustion.
As she lay there, a shadow loomed over her, and a familiar voice called out, "What in tarnation are you two doin'?"
Pinkie Pie looked up and grinned as she recognized the figure. "Applejack!" she cheered, jumping to her hooves. Her gaze shifted to the pony standing beside the farm mare. "Rarity!" she called out excitedly.
Applejack was a strong, country-speaking orange earth pony with a blonde mane tied at the end. Her emerald eyes shone with warmth and determination, known for her hardworking nature and trusty cowboy hat. She was the bearer of the Element of Honesty, Applejack was known for her straightforward, no-nonsense attitude, always ready to lend a hoof to those in need and spent most of her days working on her family's famous apple farm.
Beside her stood Rarity, a stunning white unicorn with a perfectly styled purple mane and tail that curled elegantly at the ends. Her azure eyes sparkled with grace and sophistication, and she carried herself with an air of refinement. She was passionate about fashion and known for creating beautiful dresses that had gained her recognition across Equestria. As the bearer of the Element of Generosity, Rarity was always willing to go above and beyond to help others, often sacrificing her own comfort to ensure those around her felt beautiful and cared for. Despite her aversion to dirt and anything unsightly, she was fiercely loyal to her friends and never hesitated to join them on any adventure.
Spike, seeing Rarity, was immediately smitten. His eyes turned into hearts, and he began to float toward her in a lovestruck daze. "What are you two doing?" Rarity asked, gently pushing Spike back to the ground with a bemused smile.
"Spike and I are looking for Rainbow Dash. Have you seen her?" Pinkie asked, bouncing up to Applejack.
Applejack gently nudged Pinkie back to give herself some space. "Nope, can't say I have. Why're y'all lookin' for her?" she asked.
"Oh, well, we met this new pony today, and he's looking for Rainbow Dash, but he's not very friendly and he's super grumpy," Pinkie Pie explained. "But I'm sure he's going to be my friend—I can feel it!" she added with a confident nod. "We told him we'd help him find her, but so far, no luck."
"A new pony? Lookin' for Rainbow Dash?" Applejack repeated, raising an eyebrow.
Rarity, curious as well, looked down at Spike. "What does this pony look like?"
"He's a real jerk, alright," Spike huffed. "Yelled at Pinkie for no reason and then took off."
Pinkie nodded, her usual smile fading slightly at the memory, but she quickly perked up again.
"And what does he look like?" Rarity asked, keen on helping.
"He's got a blue coat, and he's bigger and more muscular than your average stallion. Oh, and he has this wild, fiery red and yellow mane!" Pinkie described, as if she had memorized every detail of Flamebolt's appearance.
Applejack and Rarity exchanged a glance, slightly surprised by the detailed description. They turned back to Pinkie, nodding in agreement. "Shouldn't Twilight be with you? Maybe she'd know where Rainbow Dash is," Rarity suggested.
"Twilight didn't know either," Spike explained. "She went after that pony to keep an eye on him."
"I reckon we should join the search then," Applejack said, her voice firm. "We can cover more ground if we split up."
The group agreed, and they set off in different directions to continue their search.
(With Twilight)
Meanwhile, back near the Everfree Forest, Twilight was flying low, scanning the ground for any sign of Flamebolt. "Where could he have gone?" she wondered aloud. As she flew over Fluttershy's cottage, she noticed a small crater in the ground and frowned in concern. Deciding to check on her friend, she descended gracefully and landed at the front door.
"Fluttershy?" Twilight called softly, knocking on the door. There was no immediate response. "It's Twilight," she added, trying again.
The door creaked open just enough for Fluttershy's eye to peek through. "Tw-Twilight? I-is that s-scary pony g-gone?" she asked, her voice trembling as she glanced around nervously.
Twilight tilted her head, concerned. "Scary pony? What do you mean?"
Fluttershy opened the door a bit more, revealing her shaky form. "H-he was tall and h-had a s-scary look in his eyes," she whispered, her gaze darting around nervously.
Twilight's eyes widened as she realized who Fluttershy was talking about. "Do you know where he went?"
"I-I ran away before h-he could say anything," Fluttershy apologized, lowering her head.
"It's alright, Fluttershy. He's gone now, probably back to searching for Rainbow Dash," Twilight reassured her, glancing up at the sky. "I need to keep looking for Rainbow Dash, too. Who knows what that stallion wants with her?"
Fluttershy's expression shifted from fear to concern. "Rainbow Dash? He's after her?"
"Yes," Twilight confirmed, nodding. "I don't know what he wants, but it seems important. Maybe you could help us find her?"
Fluttershy hesitated for a moment before nodding slowly, receiving a reassuring nod from Angel Bunny. "I-I'll do what I can."
"Thank you, Fluttershy," Twilight said warmly, placing a comforting hoof on her shoulder. "Let's go."
With that, the two pegasi took to the sky, flying off to continue their search for their friend.
(With Flamebolt)
Back on the other side of Ponyville, Flamebolt continued his relentless search, but frustration was beginning to take its toll. "Gah! This is impossible! I haven't had any luck finding her!" he growled in frustration, zipping around the town before finally stopping to catch his breath. He scanned the ground below, his eyes narrowing in determination.
"Where could she even be?!" he muttered, his voice tinged with exasperation. Deciding he needed a break, he spotted a good-sized cloud floating lazily in the sky and landed on it. The soft, fluffy surface was a welcome respite from his exhausting search.
The warmth of the sun streamed down upon the cloud, soothing Flamebolt's frayed nerves. "Now this is what I'm talking about," he murmured, shifting around to get comfortable. He folded his hooves behind his head and closed his eyes, allowing himself a moment of peace.
"You said it!" a voice rang out suddenly, shattering the calm. Flamebolt jumped to his hooves, startled by the unexpected interruption.
"Who's there?" he demanded, his eyes darting around for the source of the voice. But there was no one in sight.
"Try looking down!" the voice called out again, this time drawing his attention to a cloud just below his. There, lounging comfortably, was another pegasus with a rainbow-colored mane.
Flamebolt blinked in surprise, wondering how he had missed another pegasus resting below him. "Who are you?" he asked, his tone cautious.
The pegasus stood up on her cloud, her wings flaring as she flew up to his level. She grinned confidently as she hovered in front of him.
"The name's Rainbow Dash," she said with a smirk, her rainbow-colored mane blowing in the wind. "Fastest flier in all of Equestria. Nice to meet ya!"