Pegasi by Aileen Rose

Betrayal

  Every racer's nightmare is scaling the Crystal Mountains. Something that had been said many times throughout racing history. There were many reasons only the best of the best were allowed to be in the Wings Around Equestria Rally. This was the biggest of them all.

If you couldn't handle scaling these mountains, you might as well quit altogether. Dusty had been unsure of this part of the race since he heard about it. He found it daunting to have to scale such tall mountains and his fear of heights it just made it worse.

It's a VERY bad idea to fly through them. The wind in those mountains could send you right on your way to crashing into one of the mountain sides. You gotta try flying higher. I know you can.

Dusty shook his head at the conversation he had with Skipper prior to speaking with Ishani. He decided to follow her advice instead and was following the railroad tracks. It was still freezing but his jumpsuit was keeping him warm. The winds were still harsh but he was still able to make his way through the area without having to be high up like everypony else.

He wasn't sure what place he was in, but all that mattered right now was getting to the Crystal Empire.

So far so good... Hopefully it won't be too much long-

Dusty gasped when he saw the tracks lead into a tunnel in the mountain. He knew flying through that tunnel would not be the wisest choice at the cost of a train possibly coming in while he was in it.

He knew he was left with only one choice. He looked upward at the mountains before him, taking a deep breath as he began his climb into the air.

He only got so far up before he looked down below him. Despite being near ground the fear kicked in again. His heart started racing, the world began spinning. He immediately flew back down, frustrated with himself. He made a landing in the snow, trying to catch his breath.

He was trembling from both being cold and scared. He knew that the only option left was to turn around... and give up. He looked up at the mountains, shaking his head at the thought of trying to scale them again. His eyes then landed on the tunnel.

... No... I can't give up... not after coming this far.

Dusty got up, taking to the sky again. He built up speed before diving into the tunnel. He was glad for the amount of room he had, it was just a bit of a tight for keeping his wings fully extended.

He felt his heart stop for a moment when he heard the sound of a train whistle in the distance. He tried seeing further down the tunnel. Sure enough, on the other side he could make out the shape of train coming his way. He couldn't turn around since there wasn't room and either way he wouldn't be able to get away from the train in time.

He kept pushing forward, trying to go faster so he could get out of the tunnel before the train entered.

The conductor on the train could see Dusty coming. He gasped, quickly pulling the lever for the brakes. Both ponies were wide eyed as they got closer and closer to each other despite their efforts to avoid collision.

Just as Dusty was nearing the tunnel and the train right in view, he closed his eyes, bracing himself for impact... but nothing came.

It just went completely quiet. When he opened his eyes he found himself blinded by light that was shining off the clouds around him. He looked around, not seeing anything for a moment till what looked like a city made of crystal came into view.

Is... that the Crystal Empire...?

Dusty wasn't sure since he had never seen the place in his life. He looked around for the landing spot, relieved when he saw the runway come into view. He landed, looking around the rest area.

"Hello...?" he called out, hearing an echo of his voice.

Okay... this is eerie...

There was a few Crystal Ponies meditating nearby.

"Is this... where I'm supposed to be?" He asked them, feeling some fear. Is this purgatory? I-I hope not. Or the afterlife?

"That... is one of life's great questions." One of them said, opening their eyes.

Dusty's eyes grew wide as he gave a loud gasp jumping back. "I'm DEAD!" I'm dead, oh my gosh I'm dead, I'M DEAD. Parts spread all over the mountain I'M DEAD!

"Mr. Crophopper?" A very quiet voice asked. He turned around to see a pale yellow Pegasus with a long pink mane standing behind him. Her head was low looking at him shyly.

"Huh?"

"W-W-Welcome to the Crystal Empire." She practically whispered.

Dusty blinked. "I don't understand... Have the other racers left already?" He asked her, coming closer. She gave a squeak.

"N-No-No. The other racers haven't arrived yet... Y-You're..." She took a deep breath as if she was trying to work up the nerve. "You're in first place." She smiled, holding her head up, feeling a little more confident.

Dusty blinked in surprise before grinning. "Really!?"

"Really." She smiled. "You're ahead of everyone."

"AWESOME!" He cheered running around a bit. First place, he had FIRST PLACE he was ahead of everyone. Even Ripslinger.

YEAH! FIRST PLACE! I'M IN FIRST PLACE! OH MY CELESTIA! I'M AHEAD OF EVERYONE!

THANK YOU TINY TUNNEL!

The Pegasus giggled a bit watching him. "I can take you to the rest area if you want."

"Yeah that'd be great miss...?"
She took another deep breath. "F-Fluttershy.... I-I'm wi-with Princess Twilight."

"Awesome." He smiled. "Nice name."

Fluttershy smiled a little. "T-thank you... Congrats."

"Heh... Thanks."

------

"HE FLEW THROUGH A WHAT!?" Ripslinger screamed.

"A TUNNEL!?" Bulldog exclaimed stunned. The cropduster pony who kept near the ground? Going through a tunnel?

"That is crazy!" Rochelle scoffed.

"Si!" El Chu quickly got next to her, as she rolled her eyes with a small groan. "Crazy like a firefox!"

Ugh... Here we go... Rochelle thought, giving him a warning look.

Dusty was surrounded by reporters, filming him, taking his picture and asking questions.

"Did working on the farm make you stronger?"

"Well I wouldn't say that..."

"You were born to farm, but you have artificial wings, how did you get them?" another asked.

"I had an operation when I was a foal, nothing major, and it was worth it." Dusty flapped his wings a little to emphasize it. "Doesn't hurt either."

"You're in first place now, how do you feel about that?"

"It feels great... Though to be honest..." He paused laughing, shaking his head. "I'm just happy I fit through that tunnel hehe. Lemme tell ya, if you're ever in a tight squeeze just-" Dusty went quiet as he saw Ishani trotting to her hangar, something green and black on her wings catching the light. "... Excuse me guys."

He trotted after her.

"Crazy day today huh?"

Ishani stopped dead in her tracks gasping. "Oh, yeah... " She looked to him, trying to smile. "Amazing win for you today, quite a risk you took."

Dusty was frowning at her. "Ahuh... Say, aren't those feathers Sky Slycer model fives?" He asked, looking at them closely.

Ishani swallowed hard, feeling a pang of guilt. "Y-yeah, I suppose they are." She stammered nervously.

"Aren't those made exclusively for Ripslinger's team?" Dusty asked, raising an eyebrow trying to fight the anger that was growing. Give her a chance to speak... Control it....

"A-Are they?"

"Yeah, they are." He said coolly.

Ishani frowned lowering her head. "Dusty... I-"

"Is this what your goal was!?"

"No! Of course not-"

"You could've gotten me killed out there today!" He stomped his hoof hard, snorting a little.

"I wouldn't ever want to hurt you!" She cried.

"Why!?"

Ishani bit her lip feeling horrible now. She wished she could tell him, she really did. "... It's complicated okay... I really thought you'd just turn around..."

Dusty snorted turning his back to her. "Well you were wrong about me..." He started to walk away as he glanced back, giving her a cold look. "And I was wrong about you..."

Ishani lowered her head walking to her hangar, trying to hide the tears that now were in her eyes. I shouldn't have ever listened to Ripslinger...

Dusty trotted past Ripslinger and smirked a little. "Oh hey, Rip. Thanks for the win!" He called as he passed.

Ripslinger snarled. "That little...!"

"That little, what?"

Ripslinger bit his tongue seeing Prince Shining Armor in view. "... Nothing, your highness."

Shining Armor nodded. "Good, now go get rested like everypony else."

Shining Armor trotted after the crowds following Dusty, his wife, Princess Cadence, joining him midway.

Ripslinger snorted.

Stupid farmer...