Rainbow Dash's POV

First day as a Wonderbolt? Nailed it! Well... mostly. Geez, Spitfire wasn't kidding when she said training here would be tough. I don't think I've ever pushed my wings this hard. Still, totally worth it. I mean, I'm a Wonderbolt now! How awesome is that?

The ponies here are pretty cool, though some of them feel weirdly familiar. Like, super familiar. But I'm probably just imagining things. I've met so many ponies during all those competitions and adventures—it's hard to keep track of every face.

Yawning, I stretched out my wings as I stepped into my room. It wasn't anything fancy—a bed, a bathroom, and a balcony. But hey, if it's got a place to crash after a day like this, I'm good.

I flopped onto the bed, letting out a tired sigh. "This is it," I muttered to myself. "I'm really here." My friends would be so proud. I should probably send them a letter tomorrow or something.

But for now? Sleep. My eyes shut almost instantly, and I was out like a light. Bring it on, tomorrow—I'm ready for ya.

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Soarin's POV

Whoa. That rainbow-maned mare? Rainbow Dash? She was insane out there today. Fast, fearless, totally in the zone. I mean, I've seen some impressive rookies in my time, but she's next level.

And... ugh, why does she look so familiar? There's no way I'd forget meeting somepony like her, right? Unless—nah. That's just crazy.

I was so lost in thought that I didn't even notice Fleetfoot until—bam! I walked right into her.

"Ow! Soarin, watch where you're going!" Fleetfoot groaned, rubbing her forehead as she glared up at me.

"Oops! My bad, Fleet. I wasn't paying attention," I said, helping her up. "You okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. But hey, did you see Rainbow Dash today?" she asked, her expression immediately turning smug.

"Uh... yeah." I felt my cheeks heat up. "She's... hard to miss."

"Oooh, somepony's got a crush!" Fleetfoot teased, nudging me. "It's like we're back when we were foals."

"What are you talking about?" I asked, confused.

Fleetfoot raised an eyebrow. "You seriously don't remember? That little filly you saved? The one you wouldn't shut up about for weeks?"

My jaw dropped as the memory hit me like a thundercloud. A scrappy, determined filly with the wildest rainbow mane I'd ever seen. "Wait... Rainbow Dash? That Rainbow Dash?!"

Fleetfoot grinned. "Bingo."

"No way," I muttered, my head spinning. "Do you think she remembers me?"

Fleetfoot shrugged. "Only one way to find out. Let's go ask her."

"What?! No, wait, Fleet—" But she grabbed my hoof and started dragging me down the hallway.

"Relax, Soar," she said, smirking over her shoulder. "This is gonna be hilarious."

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Rainbow Dash's POV

The sound of a knock jolted me awake. Who in Equestria could be visiting this late at night? With a groan, I dragged myself out of my super comfortable bed and stumbled to the door. My hoof touched the cold knob, and I hesitated before pulling it open. Standing there in the hallway were Commander Soarin and Commander Fleetfoot, both grinning like they knew something I didn't.

"Uhh... hi?" I asked, still half-asleep. "Is there something you need?"

Soarin stuttered a little, clearly caught off guard by the question. I raised an eyebrow, not sure if I should be amused or worried.

Fleetfoot, ever the bold one, side-kicked him and scolded, "Speak up."

"I, uh... I just wanted to know if we looked familiar to you," Soarin said, finally finding his words.

"Uh, yeah, you're the Wonderbolts," I replied sarcastically, crossing my hooves.

Fleetfoot rolled her eyes. "No, no. Other than that. Do we seem... familiar? Like we knew each other before we became Wonderbolts?"

I thought about it for a second and stepped aside. "Erm... maybe? You kinda look like the ponies who saved me when I was nine."

"Yeah..." Soarin scratched the back of his head. "Do you remember the colt's name?"

I furrowed my brow. "Uh... maybe I'd recognize it if I heard it."

Fleetfoot leaned casually against the doorframe, smirking. "Well, do you remember the last name of your 'husband'?"

Soarin's eyes widened. "Husband—"

I cut him off, "Yeah, it was Skies or something like that."

"Haha! She got it!" Fleetfoot clapped her hooves together, clearly impressed.

"Okay, okay—WAIT, WHAT?!" I exclaimed, my heart pounding.

Soarin cleared his throat, looking a little sheepish. "Uh... yeah. I guess I should introduce myself. Hi, I'm Soarin Skies, and I—"

"Don't want to talk to you," I interrupted, my voice cold.

"Huh?" Both of them looked at me in confusion.

"Look, thanks for giving me a life I never wanted," I snapped, pushing them out the door. "But I don't want to see the pony who promised me something he knew he couldn't give." Without another word, I slammed the door in their faces.

I stood there, staring at the door as tears started to well up in my eyes.

"Don't cry... You are strong," I muttered to myself, wiping at my eyes. But the tears just kept falling. Anger, sadness, betrayal, confusion, loneliness, hurt—it was all swirling inside me. Too many emotions to handle.

I told myself I couldn't cry—I was too strong for that. I was too awesome to cry. But sometimes, that's all I wanted to do.

Sighing, I walked over to the window and opened it, feeling the soft breeze ruffle my fur and mane. I took a deep breath, spread my wings, and flew outside.

The questions kept piling up in my mind. Why did they help me? If Soarin was the colt there, and Fleetfoot remembers too, then Spitfire must've been there as well, right? And why was I the only one at the orphanage who was treated like that? Why me?

I was thinking too much again.

I landed on a soft, white cloud, looking up at the starry sky. Lying on my back, I let my mind wander. Was being mad at Soarin really the best thing?

He did say he'd find somepony to take care of me... but he was the one who promised. Promises—they're nothing but lies, aren't they? He didn't even come to play with me after all that. He was the only one who fought the colt. I trusted him, I really did. And now... Now, I don't know what to feel.

I think being mad at him is the best option. Ignoring him, pretending like none of this ever happened—yeah, that's what I should do.

I yawned. Sleep. I needed sleep.

With one last glance at the stars, I flew back to the compound and headed straight to my room. I flicked off the lights and collapsed into bed, exhaustion washing over me as I drifted into a restless sleep.