All You Need is Some Confidence

High Score awoke the next morning with slight blurriness in one eye. Instead of rubbing that one eye, High Score rubbed both eyes with his hooves, as well as his entire face. High Score stared up at his white ceiling that contained no designs on it whatsoever. High Score heard soft breathing to the side of him. Rainbow Dash was still sleeping. Her mane was a mess, with parts of her rainbow colored mane crossing over into other sections of her mane. High Score rolled back over to check his clock.

7:30 AM.

No surprise. Rainbow Dash wouldn't be up early even if Princess Celestia needed her at 8:00 AM. With the way Rainbow Dash was, it made a valid point to High Score's assumptions. High Score threw the sheets off of himself, making sure Rainbow Dash was still covered. She was. High Score swung his legs over the side of the bed, and let them hang loosely. High Score stretched his legs, allowing blood to flow and "wake" his legs up. High Score slid off the bed and walked over to his window. The early morning sun was just cresting over the horizon, giving the sky and orange-blue color. High Score loved seeing the sun rise. It reminded that another day has passed and another was about to begin, that he was still breathing. High Score made his way over to the door that was at the opposite end of the room. High Score walked over and opened the door. He looked over his shoulder to take a look at Rainbow Dash.

She's so cute when she sleeps. High Score thought to himself, causing him to smile. He went through the doorway, lightly closing the door behind him so Rainbow Dash wouldn't be woken.

The house was still the way it was after last night. Everything was where it was. Nothing missing from shelves or anywhere. High Score walked through the living room part of the house into the kitchen, almost running into the couch on the way there. High Score wasn't the most coordinated pony first thing in the morning. He often found himself running into chairs, table, couches, counter tops, just about anything somepony could run into in the morning. High Score reached the kitchen, waltzed over to the refrigerator, and opened the door. A small puff of cool air hit High Score, sending a chill down his body.

"All right. Let's see what we've got." High Score said to himself. "Food. Food. Food. Drink. Drink. Other stuff." High Score couldn't find anything that seemed edible this morning.

An apple glistened, which caught High Score attention from his peripheral vision, almost begging to be eaten. High Score stomach started to rumble at the sight of the apple. High Score shrugged his shoulders and picked up the apple, closing the refrigerator door when he turned around. The apple had tiny droplets of water all over its skin, which was probably what lead High Score to choose the apple for eating. High Score brought the apple up to his mouth and took a bite. The apple's cool juices washed over High Score's tongue, which tasted delicious. High Score took another bite of the apple, causing the same delicious taste to spread over his tongue. High Score went for another bite, but was met with his teeth clamping down on each other. High Score looked down at the apple to noticed that all that remained, was the apple core. He opened the top of the trash and threw the core in. It landed at the bottom - seeing that High Score had only just arrived - with a THUNK. A small amount of the apple's juices squirted out, creating a small puddle at the point of impact.

High Score looked out the window, to where a thermostat stood. It read 48 degrees. Another cold day in Ponyville. High Score walked back to his room and quietly opened the door, not wanting to wake up Rainbow Dash. The dresser was to the far left of the door. High Score quietly walked over to the dresser, making sure that his hooves didn't clop against the ground. High Score reached the dresser that stood against the wall on its four legs. The wood that was used in the dresser's structure was mahogany, which gave off a red-brown color. High Score ran his hoof the length of the dresser. Smooth to the touch. The handles were also made of mahogany, making the whole dresser look like a giant block of wood at first glance. High Score grabbed one of the handles and pulled. The door swung smoothly on it's hinges, no squeaking was heard.

Blue sweatshirts lined the inside of the closet, along with the golden wingbands High Score had received as a gift from his parents at his flight school graduation, and a tuxedo. It had a clear, plastic cover over it, to keep it crisp and clean. It looked like it was the perfect size for High Score.

Why the hell did I pack this?

The only other item in the dresser that wasn't a form of clothing, was a cardboard box that sat alone at the bottom left hand corner of the dresser. High Score was curious about was in the small box. He didn't remember packing it. Maybe it was Rainbow Dash's? No. Not possible. Rainbow Dash came directly to High Score's house after last night's outing. High Score decided that the only way to see what was inside the box was to open it. He lifted the two halves of the lid and was greeted by a suit, causing High Score's heart to stop. It was his buddy's uniform when he was in the Equestrian Military, back in Las Pegasus.

Now why did I pack this?

That's when it hit High Score. Well, more like it slammed into High Score, like a brick wall. His buddy, Hope Helper or HH for short, was killed during a war with the Changelings. Memories from the that dreadful day four months ago came flooding back to him. High Score was in the middle hanging out at his house with some friends, when there was a knock at the door. High Score was the one who opened the door. A military looking stallion was standing there with a folded up military uniform and a framed picture of HH.

"Are you High Score?" the stallion had asked.

"Yes." High Score got a pit in his stomach, a knot in his throat, and tears welling up in his eyes.

"I'm Sargent Dark. I afraid to inform that your friend, Hope Helper, was killed in action 36 hours ago. He wanted you to have his uniform." The stallion floated the uniform over to High Score. He grabbed hold of it. "And he wanted you to have this," a note was pulled out of the Sergent's pocket. "He wanted to give you a little message before he departed."

"Thank you, Sargent." High Score closed the door and let a tear fall down his face. High Score couldn't believe it. His best friend that he knew since elementary school, was dead. At a young age, only 19. His friends stopped what they were doing when High Score hadn't gotten back to the gaming after the door closed. High Score dropped to the floor, his body feeling like it was made of lead.

"Hey, HS. Who was that?" one of High Score's friends had asked. His face suddenly drew a concerned look, "You okay?"

"He's dead." High Score had whispered.

"Who's dead?"

"Helper."

High Score's friends fell silent. They couldn't believe what High Score had just said. Was it some prank? It couldn't have been. The way High Score reacted was too natural for that kind of news. High Score did something that he promised that he wouldn't do in front of his friends.

Cry.

High Score buried his face in his hooves, letting the tears slide down his face like a salty waterfall. The uniform, picture, and the note had fallen to the floor, landing with a soft ffump. High Score's friends crowded around him, patting his back, comforting him anyway they could. At this point, High Score was wailing, not caring if his friends thought differently of him.

"It's okay, man. He fought for a good cause." another one of his friend's told him.

"Yeah. He's in a better place now." High Score was reassured.

"HE'S GONE! AND HE'S NOT COMING BACK! MY BEST FRIEND IS DEAD!" High Score was screaming as loud as he could.

"HS, calm down." a friend said in a stern, yet comforting, voice.

"FUCK YOU! DON'T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN! THOSE DAMN CHANGERS SHOULD BURN IN HELL FOR THIS!" High Score's friends were afraid that the neighbors might hear him, only because one neighbor next door had a filly.

High Score had spent the next 3 hours crying on the couch, his friends still comforting him. High Score and his friends had attended the funeral that was the following week. Many tears were shed from High Score and Helper's parents. High Score took a month to recover from the whole ordeal.

High Score got back to reality and checked his clock. Surely, he must've stood there for a good 20 minutes. Nope. Only a few minutes. High Score had a tear resting quietly on his cheek. High Score brushed it away and checked the left shirt pocket of the uniform. Sure enough, the note was still there. He pulled it out an opened it up, revealing what was written. High Score hadn't opened up until now. He was too afraid to open it and had put it back. Now the note was open, and it had to be read.

Dear High Score,

If you are reading this, you know what happened. I what you to know that I'm in a better place now, and you will have to accept that. I know that you don't want to believe it, but you have to. I'll always be with you and the guys in spirit. I'll be watching over you until we meet again. And on another note, I heard you still don't have a "special somepony". Looks like the bet is lost on your end. You don't need to forward the money to me. I'll be waiting for you.

Your best friend,

Hope Helper

High Score placed the note on top on the uniform and closed the box up, as well as his eyes. He couldn't bear to look at that uniform any longer. High Score took one of the sweatshirts off of it's hanger, and slid it on. It was warm, which would make the day easier in the freezing cold of the morning. High Score silently closed the closet door and started back towards the bedroom door. When he was about to open the door, a whooshing noise came from the bed. High Score stopped dead in his tracks.

Dammit. I woke up Rainbow Dash.

High Score let out a sigh of relief when the whooshing noise was only Rainbow Dash changing her position in the bed. High Score slowly opened the door and slipped out of the room. High Score stood outside the room, thinking about what he just read. Accepting that someone you held very close is gone is not an easy task. High Score decided that thinking about it wouldn't help much.

"I'll just go for a walk." High Score told himself, "I should probably leave Rainbow Dash a note so she knows."

High Score walked over to the the kitchen counter where three drawers were located. He opened one to find it was filled with silverware. The next one contained pens and pencils, a notepad, and other junk. High Score pulled out a pen and a pad of paper and scribbled a quick message down.

Went for a walk. Left at 7:45. Don't know when I'll be back.

-HS

High Score put the pen back in the drawer and placed the notepad on the counter. He turned around and walked towards the door. Turning the knob and opening the door sent a blast of cold air into the house. This sent shivers down High Score's body. He closed the door behind him to ensure that no more cold air entered the house. High Score now had to adjust to the chill of the early morning air. He stood there for a minute or two to let his body do it's job. There was also a breeze flowing the morning air, which made it seem colder than it really was. After the few minutes, High Score set off in order to clear his mind from this morning and the go over what happened last night. As High Score was walking, he studied his environment around him. The trees leaves were still blooming upon the trees that were lined up along the sides of the path. A few birds could be heard chirping, but no other animal noises. The dirt path that High Score was walking on felt cold under his hooves. Not the nicest thing your hooves could wake up to. As High Score was walking along, Ponyville seemed so different during the morning, almost like it was some new place in Equestria that High Score hadn't been to. Sugarcube Corner had no movement coming from it, suggesting that business had not yet started. The library had no ponies coming into it or going out of it. That made sense. Twilight didn't open the library until 9:00 AM. High Score glanced over at the Carousel Boutique, seeing it was closed. All the closed stores and quiet houses made Ponyville feel more like a ghost town than a colorful, friendly town. Hopefully High Score's head would be cleared soon enough.

The house was quiet when High Score had left. Rainbow Dash was back in the bedroom sleeping soundly, under the warming hug of the bed sheets. Her breathing was kept at a soft, steady pace. After High Score had left, Rainbow Dash had sprawled out on the bed, spread eagle, taking up at least 60% of the surface of the bed. This was the way Rainbow Dash had liked to sleep. The whole bed to herself with no one to compete with for the sheets. A small, moist spot on the pillow had indicated that Rainbow Dash had drooled during the night and into the morning.

Rainbow Dash slowly opened her eyes to see that she only remained in the room. She could see light coming through the only window in the room that her back was facing. She rolled over to check the time, only being blinded by the morning sun. It was at the perfect angle so it silently stood in the middle of the oval window. Rainbow Dash shielded her eyes with her hoof so she could see the clock that sat on the nightstand, ticking away.

10:15 AM

Rainbow Dash was surprised with herself. She usually didn't wake up until some time after 11 AM. She noticed that High Score was not sleeping in the bed next to her. Maybe she kicked him out of bed because of her rolling around. If that was the case, Rainbow Dash felt terrible. She didn't have to roll around. Hopefully she rolled around after High Score had gotten out of bed. Rainbow Dash threw the covers off of her and sat up. Sitting up caused her back to creak in multiple places, indicating that she was in a sleeping position for an extended period of time. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stretched her legs, letting the blood flow. She slid off the bed and walked sleepily, over the the closed door. She turned the knob, causing a clicking noise to be heard. The door swung open, allowing Rainbow Dash to exit the bedroom. She closed the door behind her, and examined the room. Everything was the way it was, and to Rainbow Dash's assumption of kicking High Score out of bed, saw that no blankets or pillows were laid out on the couch, indicating that High Score wasn't kicked out of bed. Rainbow Dash walked past the living room into the kitchen part of the house. The TV and console had caught Rainbow Dash's eye as well as the shelves that surround the two. The smooth, brown surface indicated that the wood was mahogany. She walked into the kitchen and noticed a notepad was resting silently on the counter top. The note told Rainbow Dash that High Score left the house a quarter to 8. She let out a sigh of relief.

"So I didn't kick him out. Now why did he go for a walk?" Rainbow Dash asked aloud. She had no idea why. "Probably went out to get something."

Rainbow Dash went over to the refrigerator and opened up the metal door and was greeted by a whiff of cold air, chilling her face. She looked around the fridge to find that nothing interested her. Not the apples, not the milk, not the bread, not the six-pack of beer that sat in the back of the fridge. Nothing. Rainbow Dash closed the door with disgust. Almost on cue, High Score walked through the front door, sending a blast of cold air into the house, while High Score was blasted with warm air. This caused Rainbow Dash to shiver.

"HS! Could ya close the door, please?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Yeah," High Score said, closing the door at the same time. "Sorry about that. You cold?"

"Thanks. And no, I'm not cold anymore now the door is closed."

"Good. When did you get up?" High Score asked glancing at the clock.

"A few minutes ago. Why?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Just wondering. I thought you would still be sleeping."

"Same here." Rainbow Dash said jokingly. "Oh, hey! Why did you go for a walk?"

"Oh," High Score sighed, "it was nothing."

Rainbow Dash felt that High Score didn't want to tell her something. "What's 'it'?"

High Score looked down at the ground in depression, eyes closed. He could feel a lump in his throat start to form and his eyes started to burn. "The 'it' is something a friend gave to me a few months back."

Rainbow Dash began to feel concerned. "Care to tell me?" She asked in a sympathetic tone.

High Score didn't want to, but decided that telling Rainbow Dash would be a better idea than to have her mind gnaw at her, wondering what it would be. The lump in High Score's throat felt so massive it, choking on it would be possible.

"When I was living in Las Pegasus, a military stallion gave me my friends uniform, a photograph of him when he was fresh out of boot camp, and a note."

"Best friend?"

"Yes," High Score whispered, choking back tears, "He was killed in the war with the Changelings. I couldn't live in Las Pegasus anymore. I had to leave." High Score told Rainbow Dash everything. How he felt, what his friends did to comfort him, what he said, and the funeral. Everything except the note. High Score felt that if Rainbow Dash found out what the note was about, it would be all over. She would take it the wrong way and then leave him. That would be the last thing High Score would need.

"Well, I'm sorry for your loss, but you didn't explain why you went for a walk." Rainbow Dash seemed to be playing detective at this point.

"I just wanted to clear my mind and try to forget about it." High Score answered.

"Alright, cool. Well I was gunna go out and about, but now that you're back..." Rainbow Dash's voice trailed off.

"What? Am I the reason you weren't gunna go? Because I'm back?" High Score accused.

"No. I was going to go out and look for you. But, again, now that you're here, we could..." Rainbow Dash's voice trailed off once more. High Score thought that she wanted something from him.

"We could... what?" High Score was trying to guide Rainbow Dash to the end of her sentence.

"Well, umm..." Rainbow Dash started to blush at this point.

"Alright, I get your hint. Come here." High Score said, as he started towards Rainbow Dash. Time seemed to slow down as High Score approached Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash just stood and stared at High Score as he approached her. She didn't know what to do. Stop him? Let him do what he wanted? Do the sam-

Rainbow Dash's thoughts were interrupted by the feeling of High Score's lips wrapping around her own. The warmth, moistness, and softness of High Score's lips making contact with her's. This was a sensation that Rainbow Dash loved to feel since their make-out session yesterday. Rainbow Dash had no choice but to wrap her lips around High Score's and closed her eyes, as High Score did. The transfer of a very miniscule amount of saliva was all Rainbow Dash needed. As soon as it started, it was over. High Score pulled his lips away and opened his eyes. Rainbow Dash wanted more, but she had to control her urge to grab High Score's face and bring it to her's. Eye contact was established and Rainbow Dash didn't know what to say. Luckily, High Score did the talking.

"One 'Good morning' kiss. Anything else that is needed?" High Score said passionately, while still have eye contact remain.

Rainbow Dash's lips slowly curved into a smile. "Nothing else will be needed, thank you."

This caused High Score's lips to smile. "Well, if nothing else is needed, I'm gunna go head over Carousel Boutique. Rarity needs my help with moving things around."

"Alright. I'll be here or out flying or something." Rainbow Dash wanted to sound like she was going to be doing something today that wasn't sleep related.

"I'll see you around," High Score started as he opened the door and set out, "Darling."

Rainbow Dash gasped. Did High Score really say what she thought he said? Darling? She must be imagining things. That kiss did something to her.

"See ya, Babe." Rainbow Dash shot back.

High Score blushed when the door was closed. He knew that the dating sequence had started. Now they needed to slow things down, so they didn't do something too early and ruin the relationship. High Score waited until his blushing had gone down to start off towards the Carousel Boutique. Everything that High Score hoped for was all falling into place. It now seemed like he could actually start a relationship and keep hold of one. Unlike the other relationships he had been, which ended in a dumping of the other. One cheated on him, one relationship didn't work out, and another was going swell until High Score had to leave Las Pegasus. It really did seem that High Score could settle in Ponyville for his life. As High Score kept walking and thinking, he was interrupted by a cry.

"This is him, girls!" The voice sounded like Sweetiebelle.

"The new pony? Did ya say he was ah pegsus?" This voice sounded like Applejack's, a country accent. High Score thought this filly may be a sister or relative of Applejack's.

"No. Sweetiebelle said he was a unicorn." Another voice argued.

High Score saw three fillies running towards him. One was Sweetiebelle, another had a yellow coat and a red mane and tail, with a red-pink bow tied into it. The third High Score didn't recognize either. The filly had an orange coat, a purple mane and tail, as well as being a pegasus. High Score also noticed that none of the three had their cutiemarks. The three came to a screeching halt a couple of feet in front of High Score.

"Hi, High Score!" Sweetiebelle greeted sweetly.

"Why, hello Sweetiebelle. How are you?" High Score politely asked.

"I'm fine."

"Are those two your friends?" High Score asked looking to the sides of Sweetiebelle.

"Yep. This Applebloom," Sweetiebelle answered, nodding her head to the left. "She's Applejack's sister."

"Hello, Applebloom." High Score nodded.

"Howdy!" Applebloom replied back in a cheery tone.

"And this Scootaloo." Sweetiebelle said nodding to the right.

"How's it going, Scootaloo?" High Score asked.

"Great. So are you a pegasus or a unicorn?" Scootaloo questioned. "You do look like a unicorn though."

"Well, girls. I AM a unicorn," High Score then proceeded to open his wings, "AND a peagsus."

Sweetiebelle, Applebloom, and Scootaloo all stood in disbelief. The only way a pony could have both a unicorn horn and pegasus wings would be if that pony was a princess. A mare. The girls looked at each other, afraid to ask if High Score had been a mare at one point. If they asked, an awkward silence would have created, and the conversation would end. Applebloom decided to ask High Score a simple question.

"How are ya both ah pegasus AND ah unicorn?" Applebloom questioned.

"Well, I'll give you the shortened version. Basically, my mother was a unicorn and my father was a pegasus. And when they wanted to have a baby, something called genetics kicked in and couldn't decide if I should be a pegasus or a unicorn, so it just combined the two." High Score explained, while the girls were staring intently.

Scootaloo raised a hoof, as if she was being taught a lesson in school, "What's genetics?"

"Basically, it's a code that make you, you." High Score answered. "Well if you excuse me, I have to help Rarity move some stuff around at the Boutique. I'll see you three around."

"Bye!" Sweetiebelle, Applebloom, and Scootaloo called out in unison. "WAIT! WHAT'S YOUR NAME?!" Applebloom called out.

"I"M HIGH SCORE!" High Score yelled over his shoulder. Now he had to get to Carousel Boutique to help Rarity. High Score hoped that Applebloom, Sweetiebelle, and Scootaloo didn't go around town and ask about babies and all that fuzz. He didn't want to held accountable if those types of questions were asked. High Score continued along, taking in breaths of the chilled air of the day. The way the air slid down High Score's esophagus chilled it like an ice cube. High Score's hooves had gotten used to the cold ground, only because they had become slightly numb. His nose also was a bit red, showing that his body needed more blood in the heart so he could continue living.

Soon, the Carousel Boutique came into view. High Score could already imagine how warm it must be in the Boutique. High Score reached the door of the Boutique and pushed it open. The bell above the door rung, indicating that a customer had arrived. He was immediately greeted by waves upon waves of warmth, which confirmed his thoughts. High Score could see mares and colts looking at every dress, scarf, and accessories. They didn't seemed fazed when the door was opened, allowing the cold air to rush in and engulf everything, only to be consumed by the warm air. High Score suddenly saw Rarity come out of the back to greet the customer, with a smile on her face. Her eyes closed in a joyful manner when she greeted someone.

"Welcome to the Carousel Boutique!" Rarity greeted gleefully, "How may I help you?"

"You needed my help Rarity? Moving stuff?" High Score wanted to know, making sure that he was on track with what she needed.

"Oh, High Score!" Rarity said joyously, opening her eyes at his voice. "Yes. I do need your help moving things. Come with me." Rarity motioned towards the door leading to the back. High Score obediently followed Rarity. The two entered the back room to find that boxes and racks were scattered throughout the room. Piles of boxes and numerous racks all sat silently in the room. The only light in the room was a lone light bulb that hung by a single cord with a another string that turned the bulb on and off. The light that was thrown out was very dim. A candle could more light than the bulb. The back room also had a musty smell coming from it.

"High Score, if you could be a deary and take three of those racks and bring them into the sewing room, that would be great." Rarity requested.

"Sure thing." High Score put a hoof on top of one of the racks, another hoof on the other, and his head on the last one. He gave a push and the racks started to roll forwards. High Score walked at a nice, steady pace to keep control over the racks. Turning was a bit of a challenge. Maneuvering three racks around corners isn't the easiest thing to do. After a short struggle with getting the racks through the doorway, High Score set off to the backroom once more. When he arrived, Rarity was already stacking and organizing boxes. The task seemed simple enough to High Score. Stack and organize boxes that were (hopefully) labelled.

"You want me to help you stack these boxes?" High Score offered.

"Yes. Take those boxes filled with cashmere and put them next to the boxes filled with silk." Rarity answered, without looking over her shoulder.

High Score suddenly grew extremely confused. Fabrics weren't High Score's strong suit. He could tell cotton from wool at first glance. The boxes containing the two fabrics were tightly taped up, so opening up the boxes to see what was inside was pointless. High Score looked over at Rarity, who had no problem telling two fabrics apart, without opening the boxes.

"Um, Rarity? Which is which?" High Score asked, requesting help.

"Oh. You need help?" Rarity generously offered.

"That would be nice."

"Telling apart fabrics is really easy." Rarity reassured High Score.

"Easy for you to say, you work with fabrics all the time. You should know your fabrics apart." High Score responded.

"Have you worked with fabrics before?"

"Not a day in my life."

"There's your problem. Let me show you." High Score felt like he was back in school, being taught how to add and Rarity was his teacher. "First, you need to take hold of the two boxes, like so," Rarity proceeded to lift the box up with her magic. High Score did the same. "Feel the weight of them?"

High Score tried to feel the weight differential, but didn't find it. "I'm not feeling it, Rarity."

A look of confusion crossed Rarity face. "Oh. Well then." Rarity didn't know what else to say. "If you can't tell them apart, you can go up front and man the front desk."

High Score felt like he wasn't much use when it came to fabric sorting. He didn't like it when he couldn't help somepony more than he would have wanted to. High Score didn't want to leave Rarity to sort for herself, but at the same time, he wanted to do what he was told.

"You sure you don't need me here?" High Score asked, dishearteningly.

"Yes. Plus, if no one is at the front desk, we will lose business." Rarity said.

High Score found it funny that Rarity was more concern about business than clothes at this point. But, High Score did as he was told and made his way to the front to "help" customers if need be. The front of the store was moderately full. A few mares were looking at wedding dresses, a couple was looking at formal wear, and 7 other mares and stallions were browsing some accessories, such as mane pins, bow ties, extensions, and other products. This task seemed a lot easier than sorting unlabeled boxes of fabrics. Occasionally, another custom would stroll on in either the browsing or ask High Score if he had their dress, bow tie, or whatever and hand him a slip of paper. High Score would look over the slip of paper, rush into the back, and return with that pony's order. A transaction would created and completed, and the customer would go on their way. Luckily, nopony asked High Score about any fabric of sorts. After some time, Rarity came out of the back room, and was slightly squinting her eyes. The very dim room had caused her eyes to adjust to help her see a bit more. After a few moments, Rarity slowly opened eyes fully, indicating that her eyes had got used to the new light of the Carousel Boutique. Rarity went over to High Score to help him out if he needed it. Seeing that no customers needed any help, Rarity thought striking up a conversation would be a good idea.

"So," Rarity began, "How's everything between you and Rainbow Dash?"

"Pretty good, thanks." High Score responded. "How's the Boutique business?"

"Just swimmingly. Oh, did you happen to see Sweetiebelle anywhere? I haven't seen her since last night." Rarity's voice turned from cheery to worried.

"Yeah, I saw her on my way here." High Score reassured, "She was with Applebloom and Scootaloo."

Rarity let a sigh of relief, "Oh, thank goodness. Do you know where they were going by any chance?"

"Nope." High Score recalled, "They didn't tell me. Sorry."

"Oh, don't worry about it. As long as I know that their together, they'll be fine." Rarity said in a comforting voice. "They're always running around, trying to get their cutiemarks. They call themselves the Cutiemark Crusaders." Rarity ended with a giggle.

High Score snickered at that statement. He found it cute that Sweetiebelle, Applebloom, and Scootaloo would go everywhere to try and get their cutiemarks. High Score had never heard about three fillies running around in order to get their cutiemarks. This was completely new to him, as all the young ponies back in Las Pegasus got their cutiemark after discovering what their special talent was, instead of running it down. This humored High Score.

"Hopefully, they get their cutiemarks soon. Makes you wonder what they will be." High Score remarked.

"Indeed." Rarity agreed." So, you ask Rainbow Dash to be your marefriend?" She asked.

"No. But, we're both pretty sure that we are dating. If not, I'll ask."

"Well, good luck in your relationship."

High Score's expression turned from neutral to a raised brow. "What do you mean 'Good luck'?" He felt like Rarity meant something.

Rarity drew in a breath, "Well, Rainbow Dash can be a lump sometimes. She likes to sleep until noon at times, she can be a bit too competitive as well, and she doesn't work as much as the average mare." Rarity felt that giving High Score a head's up about Dash would be a good idea, so he didn't find out at a bad time.

"Well, thanks for the heads up. I really appreciate it." High Score answered. He scanned the Carousel Boutique once more. This time, half of the ponies that were there before had left, not buying a single item at all. High Score could almost feel the disappointment radiating off of Rarity at the sight. High Score felt that he understood, when he really didn't. High Score never really had a business. The only recent "business" he had done was working at a bar back in Las Pegasus, but he never felt the disappointment of now selling goods.

High Score and Rarity continued to stand at the front and help customers out until closing at 6 PM. More dresses, scarves, accessories, and other items were sold, bringing in enough Bits to terminate Rarity's disappointment and turned it into a happiness. Soon, the store became quiet after all the customers had left. Only High Score and Rarity remained, so she started to lock the place up. Starting from the back and working her way to the front. High Score pushed the racks to the sides, giving the main room the illusion of having more space than there actually was. Lights inside were being turned off and the streetlamps outside were turning themselves on. Finally, both stepped outside and were blasted with the night's cold air. They shivered under Luna's brightly lit moon.

"It's quite chilly tonight." Rarity complained, "I should have brought a coat or something."

"Do you want to borrow my sweatshirt." High Score offered. "You can give it back to me tomorrow." That's when High Score started to take his sweatshirt off. He then stretched his hoof out to Rarity, sweatshirt at the end of the hoof.

"No thank you." Rarity kindly rejected. "I live here. Just upstairs." High Score, upon hearing this, put his sweatshirt back on, being enveloped in it's warmth, as well as being a tad embarrassed that he didn't know that Rarity lived above the Carousel Boutique.

"Alright. Fair enough. Rainbow's probably extremely worried about my absence since this morning." High Score chuckled.

"Yes. Probably. Well, you should probably get going. I'll see you around." Rarity turned around and started to walk up the stairs.

"Yeah, I'll see you later." High Score said, and then set off in the other direction, wondering about Rainbow Dash and her worries. High Score could imagine Rainbow Dash watching the door or flying around to find him. But there was no way that was possible, it was the way High Score thought. As he continued down the road, a wind started to pick up, causing High Score to be chilled to the bone. The leaves rustled and the grass shivered in the wind. The street lights threw off a yellow-white glow, being separated by a a few feet where the light stopped. High Score continued on, letting the artificial light wash over him every 10 feet.

Soon enough, he arrived at home. Lights were on inside the building, indicating that Rainbow Dash was inside. High Score walked around to the side and peered through the window, and saw that Rainbow Dash was laying on the couch, looking up at the ceiling with a bored expression on her face. High Score walked back to the front, and stared at the door. He wanted to make it seem like he hadn't peered through the window. High Score started walking, pushing the door at the same time.

"Rainbow Dash? I'm home. You here?" High Score called out.

Rainbow Dash jolted up off the couch and strolled around the couch. "Where were you? How long does it take to organize boxes of whatever?" Rainbow Dash questioned.

"I did help Rarity out, but then she asked me to help her with the business, you know, helping customers, getting orders in, all that." High Score answered. "Why do you ask?"

Rainbow Dash said straight-faced, "Just wondering. I was getting a little worried that you wouldn't come back or that you would get lost."

"Well, I'm here." High Score shrugged. He walked over to the refrigerator to see if there was anything to eat. Apples, hay, salad, an assortment of other fruits and veges, some milk, and the 6 (now 5) pack of beer that sat in the back. "Did you have a beer?" High Score called from the refrigerator.

"Oh, yeah, I did. I was kinda thirsty and I had one." The volume of Rainbow Dash's voice surprised High Score. She sounded closer, and he turned around to see that she was indeed closer. A little... too close. High Score didn't mind. He had a personal bubble, but it wasn't that large. "I found a trash can that didn't have food in it and placed it there." Rainbow added.

"Alright, good. As long as it isn't mix with the food, I okay with that." High Score replied. "Sometimes when bottles like those are mixed with food, the trash OCD kicks in. I can't stand having the trash like that."

"Okay. Thanks for the torture ti- I mean the trash tip." Rainbow Dash said jokingly. "I would want to see what would happen if I mixed the bottles and trash together." Rainbow Dash was chuckling at this point.

High Score gave a sarcastic laugh. "Hahaha. Very funny. I'd probably have to go to a mental institution if that happened. I'd be there for the rest of my life." High Score closed the fridge door to keep any items inside cool. The last thing he wanted was to have to garbage can full in one day and be low on food. High Score didn't have a job yet. I should probably do that. High Score thought to himself. He started over to the couch, Rainbow Dash in close pursuit. The house was quiet and warm, the rug beneath High Score's hooves felt very soft after walking on dirt, cobblestone, as well as he hooves had been frozen on the way back. Rainbow Dash had sat on the couch, hoping High Score would sit down next to her. High Score went over to the TV and turned it on as well as the console. He opened the disk tray and surveyed the games that were neatly stacked next to it, having the names of the games visible.

"Do you really mind what I play, Rainbow Dash?" High Score asked, looking over his shoulder. "I don't want you to be disgusted with what I play."

Rainbow Dash shook her. "Play what you want. I don't mind at all." Rainbow Dash was interested in what High Score played besides the sports game he told her about.

"Alright." High Score picked up a Shooter game. His favorite genre of gaming. Nothing like hunting down your enemy and sending them to an early grave. High Score took the disc out of the case and carefully placed it in the disc tray. He was always gentle with his belongings, seeing as that was how he was brought up when he was younger. High Score walked over to the couch and plopped down, falling like a lead weight in water. He picked up his controller and turned it on. The game started up and soon enough, the title screen appeared. High Score jumped right into a multiplayer match.

"Hey, High Score?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Yeah. What's up?"

"Can I lay my head across your lap." This was a strange request to High Score. Strange and new in this case. High Score thought it over.

"Sure, why not, Dash." Rainbow Dash then proceeded to lay down on the couch, rested her head on High Score's lap, and turned to face the screen.

For the 30 minutes, Rainbow Dash watched High Score play. She was surprised that anypony could actually do this. Whenever Rainbow Dash looked up at High Score, his eyes never looked at the controller, only her after the third peek. Rainbow Dash's face carved a smile onto her, knowing that even though High Score was focused on the game, she was still a desire. At the end of the last match, High Score looked down at Rainbow Dash.

"Hey, Rainbow, I kinda need you to get up." High Score spoke.

"But, I'm comfortable." Rainbow Dash whined playfully, stretching her fore hooves.

"I know you're comfortable, but I have to turn the system off and the TV." High Score started to pick Rainbow Dash up by the back and head, lifting her slowly. He got up and gently placed her back down on the couch. High Score walked over to the system and turned it off, along with the TV. He took the disc out and placed it back in it's case, and back onto the shelf. High Score looked back at Rainbow Dash, who lay on the couch peacefully. Her body was stiff as a board, with her front hooves crossed over her chest. High Score thought about going over there and tickle her, as a way to get some energy into her system if none was there to begin with. He decided to let her sleep peacefully, and walked into to the kitchen.

"I'm going to make dinner. What do you want me to make?" High Score asked Rainbow Dash, peering into the refrigerator.

Rainbow Dash sat up, having only her head peeking over the top off the couch. "I don't care. You choose."

"You want some salad or some sandwiches, or some ha-"

"High Score. I said you could choose." Rainbow Dash interrupted.

"Okay. Salad it is. I throwing apples and tomatoes in it."

"You do that." Rainbow Dash replied, laying back down. "Wake me when you're done." She turned over onto her side, resting her head on her right foreleg.

High Score pulled out the bag of lettuce, along with the apples and a tomato. He pulled out a cutting board from under the utensil drawer, as well as a razor sharp, gleaming knife out of the wooden knife holder. High Score turned on the sink and picked up the tomato. It glistened in the light that was coming from the light above the sink. High Score ran the tomato under the running water to clean it off. The water flowed out in it's cylindrical form, over the tomato. When the water impacted the tomato, it fanned out into a thin, umbrella pattern. High Score then pulled the tomato out of the faucet's rain, turned the faucet off to conserve water, and placed the tomato on the cutting board. He took the knife and swung down on the tomato, hitting the cutting board with a satisfying THUNK. One slice down. Nine more to go. The rest of the cutting wasn't too challenging. With ten even slices, High Score set them aside and took the apple from where it lay and brought it over to the sink. He turned the faucet on and stuck the apple under it. The cold water slapped the apple and threw water at High Score's face. It felt refreshing after today's events. With the apple cleaned off, High Score brought it over the cutting. Instead of using his knife, High Score took a circular, metallic cutter out from the drawer. It had a circle in the center, which was held in place by eight separate cutting blade. There were handles on opposite sides of the cutter, which was used for pressing down on. High Score placed the cutter on top of the apple, and pressed down on the handles. Juices exploded from the apple, showering the counter in an apple mist. When the cutter reached the cutting board, all that remained was a cylindrical core and eight evenly sliced apples. High Score took the core of the apple and threw it into the trash, as there was no need for the core. High Score took four of the slices and set them to one side, as well as the other four to the other side. All that remained with putting the salad into bowls. High Score went leaned over to the cupboard and pulled out two medium sized bowls, and rested them next to the apples and tomatoes. He went over to where the lettuce bag lay, and took out a fair amount of lettuce for each bowl. After the two seemed even, High Score took five tomato slices and spread them on one salad, and did the same for the other. Finally, he took the apple slices and bombed each salad with four. All that remained were forks. High Score turned to the utensil drawer and pulled out two forks, and stuck them into the salads.

"Your salad is ready!" High Score called over his shoulder. He waited a moment and didn't hear any moment. High Score walked over to the couch to find Rainbow Dash had fallen asleep. High Score wanted to pick her up and bring her to the table, but he just nudged her a couple times. Rainbow Dash awoke with sleepy eyes.

"Your salad is ready." High Score spoke in a hushed tone.

"Yeah, I'll be there in a sec." Rainbow Dash responded, in a yawn. She rubbed her eyes to clear up her vision. Rainbow Dash sat up on the couch, causing her back to creak in multiple places. I love that feeling. she thought. Rainbow Dash threw her legs over the couch and started towards the table. She wanted to eat something, as her stomach growled.

"Oh hey, Rainbow. Before I forget, there was something I needed to ask you." High Score asked from the kitchen.

"Yeah, what's up?" Rainbow Dash said, stretching. She was curious to know what High Score wanted to ask her.

"Um, actually Rarity pointed this out, with this quote, relationship, would you say you're my marefriend?" High Score asked nervously.

"Come here and let me tell you." Rainbow Dash said in a hushed tone. High Score did as he was told and walked over to Rainbow Dash. The second he got to Rainbow Dash, she threw her hoof around High Score's head, bringing him in. Everything seemed to go into slow motion. The mane of High Score flew behind him, his sweatshirt strings flew into his neck. Before High Score knew it, his lips made contact with Rainbow Dash's. Her moist, sweet lips met with High Score's somewhat moist lips. High Score closed his eyes, savoring the moment as if it was his last. High Score wrapped his hooves around Rainbow Dash, pulling her in closer. Soon, they were body to body, feeling each others body heat and heartbeat. Their hearts were beating faster than either had ever felt before. Soon, as it had started, it had ended. Rainbow Dash pulled her head away, having her lips detach from High Score's, and noticed that he was blushing. Rainbow Dash smiled sweetly at High Score.

High Score just stood still, wanting more. He just stared blankly into Rainbow Dash's beautiful magenta eyes. He could see the fireworks exploding crazily within her soul. High Score could feel his face becoming hot, as if it wasn't already. He knew this was Rainbow Dash felt when he gave her the 'Good morning' kiss. If he could only get some more...

"I think the answer is pretty clear, dontcha think?" Rainbow Dash said, stating the obvious.

"Yep." High Score replied. "We should probably eat now, or the salad will get cold." High Score let him bad humor show through.

Rainbow Dash giggle, "It's already cold. And please tell me you're not serious." The last thing Rainbow Dash needed was to be in a relationship with a stallion who was dumb as a stump.

"I'm not serious." High Score gave Rainbow Dash a nudge. "If I was, it would be off to elementary school for me." High Score laughed at his own statement.

As High Score calmed down, he motioned towards the table, indicating that eating the salad would be better than having as a place holder. The two walked towards the table. As they dd, thoughts were flying through High Score's head.

This is great. I got a marefriend. Hopefully, she doesn't go for some other pony. This is fantastic. Now, I can't let her see that note. That last thought stopped High Score in his tracks. The note. High Score wanted to get rid of it somehow, but it was his best friend's last note that High Score had received. He couldn't throw it away. It was one of the only few things he had to remember his friend by.

*4 months later*

The weather in Ponyville had started to warm-up, allowing High Score to ditch his sweatshirt for the time being. More birds were flying about, the squirrels were perched in trees, and the trees were in full bloom. The grass was a vibrant green and dirt paths were nice and warm.

High Score had been out and about with Rainbow Dash, who showed him more of the town. During that time, High Score met the Apple family, getting to know Applejack and Applebloom a little more. He almost met Big Macintosh, a red-coated stallion who rarely spoke, usually responding with, 'Eeyup' and 'Nope'. High Score also met Granny Smith, the grandmother of the Apples.

Rainbow Dash also had High Score met the Cakes, whom Pinkie Pie worked for, in town at Sugarcube Corner. They were a nice couple, with two foals of their own, Pound Cake and Carrot Cake. High Score loved foals and always thought about having one of his own someday.

He also met Miss Cheerilee, Ponyville's elementary school teacher. She was a nice character. She was always happy and bright, no matter the situation. High Score wished Miss Cheerilee was his teacher back in elementary school, only because Applebloom, Sweetiebelle, and Scootaloo forced him to meet her during the school year. When High Score arrived at the schoolhouse with the girls, all the students rushed over to meet him. They were shocked that he was an alicorn, rather than a unicorn or a pegasus. Applebloom, Sweetiebelle, and Scootaloo begged Miss Cheerilee to let High Score stay, but she overruled them, having to let High Score depart from the school.

"Hey, thanks for showing me around, Dashie. Really appreciate." High Score said while a smile was covering his face.

"Anytime, HS. It's the least I could do." Rainbow Dash replied. "Hey, are you doing anything later tonight?"

High Score brought his hoof to chin, thinking. "Nope. Why do you ask?" High Score asked.

Rainbow Dash rubbed the back of her neck with a look of nervousness pasted on her face. "Well, I wanted to bring you somewhere. It's a really cool spot." She reassured. "And before you ask. No. It isn't a club." Rainbow Dash learned that High Score's definition of 'Cool' was different from her's. She learned that the hard way. High Score had brought her to a club of the outskirts of town once. Well, let's just say, High Score couldn't walk or fly straight for the remainder of the night.

"Where is this spot?" High Score questioned.

"It's in, um..." Rainbow Dash suddenly remembered when High Score brought her to dinner a while back, "It's a surprise! Yeah, a SURPRISE." Rainbow Dash emphasized. "Sound familiar?" She elbowed High Score in the shoulder.

High Score raised an eyebrow, confused. It didn't seem to ring a bell to him at all, not the slightest. Whatever Rainbow Dash was poking at wasn't hitting anything to High Score. "Not taking the hint." High Score continued to think about it.

"Remember? Four months ago? DINNER?" Rainbow Dash wanted to give enough hints without giving the complete picture away. As High Score continued to think about it, it annoyed Rainbow Dash that High Score didn't remember. "Oh for the love of... When you brought me to the Mile Higher."

High Score's eyes suddenly lit up. "Oh. Now I remember."

Rainbow Dash brought a hoof to her face. Her eyes shut, shaking her head side to side. "Please tell me you're joking." She pleaded.

"I-I didn't remember." High Score blushed, looking for an excuse. "Heh, maybe that night at the club knocked some brain cells loose."

"I think you knocked some brain cells loose when you were born." Rainbow Dash said under her breath.

High Score laughed. "What was that, Hun? You need to speak up." He put a hoof to his ear, leaning towards Rainbow Dash.

"Nothin'." She lied.

"No, please."

"It's nothing." Rainbow Dash replied, turning her head away. She loved to humor they threw at each other on a weekly, if not daily, basis. She suddenly felt heat near her head. She turned to see High Score's face inches away from her's.

"What'd ya say?" High Score asked childishly.

Rainbow Dash giggled, pushing him back playfully. She found it cute when High Score acted like this. It wasn't something she had seen before. "It was nothing. And please don't be that close unless it's necessary." She requested.

"It was necessary." High Score stated.

"How?"

"It just was."

Rainbow Dash just shook her head. As much of a nice guy High Score was, he acted like a young colt at times during the day. It humored her that a mature stallion could act like that.

They continued to walk down the path, listening to the soft clop of their hooves against the ground and enjoying the sounds of Spring. Rainbow Dash spotted a few pairs of birds and squirrels sitting together in trees, happily reminding her of High Score and herself. She smiled. High Score was studying the sky for some reason. The sky was clear and a light blue. The sun hung overhead, casting a wave of warmth over Ponyville. Not a single cloud was spotted in the sky, so no threat of the rays of warmth being temporarily cut off, sending cold across the land. They couldn't have asked for a more perfect day to be out together. The only thing that could ruin this would be a sudden weather change. High Score had come to know that the every pegasus in Ponyville had a tendency to change the weather at the worst possible times. One time, High Score was carrying some books over to Twilight's place a month or two back, and the weather that day had been sunny, with a cloud or two in the sky. The books happened to be some important books that were directed towards magic. As High Score approached Twilight's front door, a white-coated pegasus came out of nowhere with a storm cloud, causing it to rain on High Score, and more importantly, ruined the books. When Twilight saw what happened to her books, she was absolutely furious. She didn't let High Score anywhere near her books for at least three weeks.

Eventually, Rainbow Dash and High Score arrived at the lake where High Score had admitted his early love for Rainbow Dash. High Score scanned the area. The lake was clear, with no hint of any algae. The grass that surrounded the lake was a very vibrant shade of green, and was at an even cut. The sun's rays were reflecting off of the surface of the water at different angles, blinding the couple. High Score then spotted a red and white checkered picnic blanket laid out, close to the water's edge. It looked like it was deliberately placed there, as if someone was to lay there. High Score guessed that this was the work of Rainbow Dash.

"I wonder why that blanket is laid out over there?" High Score sarcastically inquired, pointing to the blanket.

Rainbow Dash caught the sarcasm right there. She followed High Score's lead. "Yeah it's a real mystery. Maybe we should go over there." Rainbow Dash started towards the picnic blanket, having High Score pursue her.

The two reached the picnic blanket, giving High Score a quick look at it. The red that sat on the blanket was a shade that closely resembled that of an apple. The white that took up the open spots were snow white. It was seven feet by seven feet, which was more than enough High Score and Rainbow Dash. When High Score came back from studying the blanket, Rainbow Dash was already laying down on it, rubbing a spot that was where she wanted High Score to lay down. High Score obeyed the silent request and walked over and laid down next to Rainbow Dash, so their head were level with one another. They stared up into the sky, admiring what was the endless blue sky. This made High Score feel so small in this world. He wanted to tell Rainbow Dash how he felt about the small size of him in the universe, but it didn't seem appropriate for the situation. Maybe later. High Score suddenly felt a hoof wrap around his. He looked down to find that Rainbow Dash wrapped her hoof around his. High Score laid his head back down and wrapped his hoof around Rainbow Dash. He let out a sigh of satisfaction, knowing that this relationship was heading a good direction. High Score thought he could have felt Rainbow Dash's heartbeat pound it's way into his hoof and into his heart. High Score heard a soft scraping, and saw that Rainbow Dash tilted her head closer to High Score's. High Score tilted his head towards Rainbow Dash's, unless their skulls met. Both of their lips curled up into smiles, happy to be together and happy to be here. They continued to stare into the sky, allowing their minds to roam wherever they pleased.

"I'm really happy to be with you, Rainbow Dash." High Score said softly, letting his voice flow out.

"I am too. I don't think I've ever been this happy before. Thank you for being with me." Rainbow Dash responded. She gripped High Score's hoof a little harder, letting her love take control of her hoof. She wanted High Score to know she really was happy. "Do you ever have any second thoughts about dating me?" She asked in a low tone.

This was a surprising question that Rainbow Dash had asked High Score. Out of all the dates they had been out on, this question had never turned it head towards them. "I've never doubted it. When I met you, you were what I was looking for. Competitive, serious, but I also saw something behind those eyes of yours. I saw a sweet, loving, caring mare. Something nopony else saw. I knew you were the one. I don't think I'll ever doubt that." High Score ended by pulling Rainbow Dash closer to him. He wanted her to be close to him, to feel his warmth, his heartbeat, his love. Rainbow Dash responded by snuggling herself right next to High Score, letting her warm breath wash over High Score's neck. Rainbow Dash's head was curled down, so she was looking directly at High Score's chest. High Score put his head on top of her's and wrapped his hoof around Rainbow Dash, keeping her securely next to him. High Score gave Rainbow Dash a kiss on the head, and then moving his head back on top of Rainbow Dash's.

"Promise me that you'll never leave me. That you'll never forget me. That you will always love me." Rainbow Dash whispered. "I don't know what I would do without you."

"I won't forget you, Dash. My love is always your's. I won't leave you. I'll always be at your side. I promise." High Score said. He wanted to go farther with Rainbow Dash than his last marefriend. He wanted to marry Rainbow Dash, and start a family with her. Settle down to raise that family and live together eternally. High Score suddenly felt his eyelids grow heavy, indicating that a nap would over take him. He couldn't. But, as High Score thought about it, the sun's ray of warmth seemed nice. A nap would be good. As sleep overtook him, High Score felt Rainbow Dash move closer to him. Body to body.

High Score awoke to what seemed to be noon. He couldn't be sure though. He didn't have his watch on him, and he couldn't tell whether the sun was directly overhead, or if his eyes were playing tricks on him. High Score looked down to find Rainbow Dash asleep as well. There was another thing that they had in common. Rainbow Dash's breathing was soft as a cloud and steady as a heartbeat. High Score looked around at the world. The lake was still clear as a window and still reflecting the sun's ray's off of it's surface. High Score put his head back down on top of Rainbow Dash's, causing her to wake up. She let out a small yawn, stretched, and looked up at High Score. His eyes seemed to twinkle in the light.

"Good afternoon, Dashie" High Score said, looking Rainbow Dash directly in the eyes. A smile stretched across his face.

"Afternoon." Rainbow Dash responded, sleepiness still clinging to her voice. She rubbed her eyes and looked around. It was still the same she had left it. "How'd you sleep?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Fine," High Score responded. "How about yourself?"

"Like a rock. Had a dream."

"What was it about?"

"I dreamt about us having a family, with a beautiful filly. She was a pegasus. She a beautiful white mane, with blue streaks in them. Her coat was a somewhat light blue." Rainbow Dash's lips turned up into a smile. "She had your beautiful blue eyes. She was snuggling with me by a fire, sleeping." Rainbow Dash started to tear up with tears of happiness.

"That sounds absolutely beautiful, dear. Maybe we can have a foal someday." High Score replied. "Maybe we'll be in that same setting when the time comes."

"Well," Rainbow Dash stretched her wording, "We could start now."

High Score chuckled. "Not yet. When the time is right."

"Alright. I can wait." Rainbow Dash turned around, grabbed the blanket, and rolled on top of High Score, bringing the blanket over them. They were enshrouded in a white and red shadow. Their muzzles touched one another, and looked into each other eyes. "If I have to wait, I might as well have some fun while I do so." Rainbow Dash wrapped her lips around High Score's, signifying that she wanted some love. High Score responded by wrapping his lips around her's. The sensation that came from each other's lips flooded their bodies. Warmth, love, affection pounded at one another's hearts.

Something's missing High Score silently thought. Then the idea knocked it's way into his head. High Score rolled over so that Rainbow Dash was the one laying on the ground. It was his turn to be the top pony, and now seemed like a better time than any. Rainbow Dash followed along, spreading her hind legs out so High Score had a place to put his lower body. When High Score was in position, Rainbow Dash wrapped her hind legs around him, pulling him in closer. A small sliver light suddenly entered the blanket. High Score looked back to find his wings in the opened position. He didn't care. He wanted Rainbow Dash to know how he felt. Rainbow Dash noticed too, causing her to smirk and chuckle a bit. High Score squinted slightly and when back to Rainbow Dash. She was more important than some silly wings.

Rainbow Dash took it up a notch. She waited for the right moment when High Score's mouth was open enough, and stuck her tongue in. Her tongue jabbed at his, having both of their minds bombarded with the memory of that afternoon some time back. High Score took up Rainbow Dash's offer and started to wrap his tongue around her's. They wanted this moment to be different from the first one. High Score took control by running his tongue around Rainbow Dash's lips. His lips remained on Rainbow Dash's for a few more seconds before removing his lips and giving quick kisses to Rainbow Dash's neck. Rainbow Dash turned her head up, a smile stretched across her face, and let out a low moan. She was enjoying what High Score was doing. It was like nothing she had ever experienced. Rainbow Dash let out more moans as High Score kissed his way down her body. His kisses went from her neck, down her chest, all the way to her midsection. At this point, Rainbow Dash's hing legs released High Score, allowing him to move.

High Score wanted to go lower. Way lower. But, he fought the urge and went back up Rainbow's body. When High Score got to her muzzle, he planted a kiss, and pulled away from her. Their opened their eyes, to find each other's eyes flaring with love and joy. Smiles lined their faces, knowing what they did was a good idea. High Score rolled off of Rainbow Dash, taking the blanket with him. The two were instantly blinded by the sun's powerful rays, sending a bright white into their eyes. They squinted their eyes at this new light. They gazed into one another's eyes, enjoying this moment together.

"Thanks. Loved it." Rainbow Dash said.

"Welcome." High Score responded. "I thought about go-"

"Going lower than my midsection?" Rainbow Dash guessed. High Score nodded. He felt embarrassed that he told her that thought. His face suddenly felt very hot. He could see his reflection in Rainbow Dash's eyes. High Score's face turned redder than the apple he had eaten this morning. He knew that his little "plan" would have been a little too early in the relationship. High Score lay on the blanket, hooves crossed behind his head, savoring what just happened. This was a nice start to the afternoon. Spending time with Rainbow Dash, letting love be the bond that glued them together. There was nothing else the two could ask for.

The time was 10 PM. High Score and Rainbow Dash were at home, each doing their own thing to get ready for tonight. Rainbow Dash was in the bathroom, brushing her mane, as it was somewhat knotted after their little "experience". She wanted to make herself look slightly more eye-catching tonight, to make her inner beauty douse the outside of her. Her tail was combed to make it seem as if it had been extended. Her mane was brushed off to the left, covering her eye in a rainbow curtain. She wanted herself to look beautiful for where she was bringing High Score. That's when she spied the gold wing bands, resting on the shelf. A idea popped into her head. She carefully picked up the joint band and raised her wings. Rainbow Dash slid the band on, until in reached the bottom of her wing. She did the same with the other wing. She then picked up the separate bands that also rested on the shelf. There were enough bands for every other part of her wings. Those were slipped on with no problems at all. It was a little more difficult to do without magic on her side.

Rainbow Dash took a step back from the mirror to admire her work. The gold bands bounced the light off of the lights and onto the wall behind her. Rainbow Dash gave her wings a soft flap. She could definitely feel the restriction that the band brought. Rainbow Dash gave herself a warm smile, knowing she looked good with the gold bands on.

High Score was in the bedroom, using the mirror Rarity had donated to them as a gift. His mane was a mess from their little "picnic". Knots were invading his mane, having crossed over and under each other. High Score took the comb that was located on the nightstand, and started attacking his knots. The comb danced across his mane with every stroke, untying knot after knot, who put a fierce fight to remain knotted. Each stroke brought a straighter and straighter mane, closer to the perfect mane High Score desired. One knot in particular was a pain in High Score's neck to undo. The knot seemed to be more of a ball than a knot. Untangling it took a extra amount of strength in order to undo it. It didn't want to be undone, as if it had a permanent place in High Score's mane. High Score brought his comb back, and with all his strength pushed the comb forward. The comb met the knot and stopped. But, High Score was determined to undo the knot, even if it meant he had to cut it off. With a final push of the comb, the knot released, flinging the comb forward, into High Score's vision. He could see a small ball of hair that latched onto the comb. High Score brought the comb back a few more times to keep the mane straight. He gave himself one last look in the mirror to make sure his mane was how he wanted it.

"You ready?" Rainbow Dash called from the bathroom.

"Yeah, I'm all set." High Score called back. "You ready?"

"I am." Rainbow Dash walked out of the bathroom, towards the bedroom. She popped her head in through the open doorway. "We should probably get going."

"Alright." High Score followed Rainbow Dash down the hall, it wasn't until they reached the kitchen that High Score noticed the golden light that ricocheted off of the bands. This light ran into High Score's eyes. He raised an eyebrow. "Are you wearing my gold bands?" He questioned.

Rainbow Dash snickered for an instant. "Yeah. How do I look in them?" she opened her wings up, showing off her new wing accessories. Once more, the light from the kitchen light bounced off the gold bands and into high Score's eyes.

"You look beautiful in them, to say the least. You know those were a gift from my parents, right?" High Score voice sounded concerned. They were priceless to him. Losing them would anger his parents, as well as destroy him inside. High Score couldn't afford to lose them.

Rainbow Dash suddenly looked down at the floor. Her expression turning into sadness. "Oh. I'm sorry. Do you want me to take them off?" Rainbow Dash offered.

High Score shook his head. "No no. You can keep them on. I'm just really protective of those." He put a hoof on Rainbow Dash's shoulder. "We should probably get going." High Score let Rainbow Dash start moving before he did. The tile flooring gave off a soft clip-clop. It rang throughout the house, bouncing off the walls and ceiling. When High Score and Rainbow Dash reached the front door, High Score went pushed the door open for Rainbow Dash. He waited until she was out the door so leave himself.

With the two outside, High Score closed the door. The night was cool and damp. Definitely not the most ideal night, but Rainbow Dash wanted to go tonight, so it had to do. What seemed like millions stars dotted themselves against the inky-black night sky. They formed into shapes, and those shapes into the constellations. High Score and Rainbow Dash gave each other a slight smile. They opened their wings and took to the sky, High Score following along side Rainbow Dash, having zero clue on where they were going. Maybe back to the lake to stargaze some more. Or maybe to some field to talk about their future together. High Score wanted to ask but didn't want to ask at the same time.

"So, where are we going?" High Score asked.

"It's a surprise." Rainbow Dash said, giving High Score a light punch to the shoulder. "Sound familiar?" She chuckled.

"It does sound familiar." High Score responded. "I won't even bother guessing."

They continued flying towards the unknown destination. The temperature of the air sent a chill into their wings and a chill down their spines. The last thing High Score wanted was for his wings to freeze up. He learned this at a young age in winter. High Score was out playing in the snow with some friends, testing his ability to fly in snowy weather, when his wings suddenly stopped moving and he was unable to flap them. High Score landed face first in the snow, his friends laughed at him. He pulled his head out of the snow, embarrassed at what happened. He picked up some snow, made it into a ball, and shucked it at his friends. Before they knew it, a all-out snowball fight was raging on.

High Score snapped back to reality, relieved that he hadn't bumped into Rainbow Dash. But, what she had noticed was High Score's spacing out at completely random times. This had been happening since the night after High Score was at the Carousel Boutique. It concerned Rainbow Dash. She thought that High Score was not interested at what she said or what was happening when he did space out.

"Hey, babe? Can I ask why you seem to space out so much?" Rainbow Dash asked with concern.

"Oh, it's just when I have a flashback, I do 'space out'. I get caught up in my flashbacks, I lose sight of the real world." High Score explained. "I'm sorry if I do. You want me to stop?"

Rainbow Dash shook her head. "No. It's fine. If that happens, it happens. I understand."

High Score was relieved. He thought that his zoning outs offended Rainbow Dash in any way. High Score continued to fly with Rainbow Dash, enjoying the night. That's when he saw some large, floating object a distance away. It looked like a floating island of some sorts. As they approached, High Score could make out some gardens of flowers, beautifully green grass, and some trees that were dotted around the mass. High Score and Rainbow Dash landed on a piece of a cobblestone path that jutted out of the mass. The cobblestone was cold beneath their hooves, chilling them.

Rainbow Dash gave High Score a lovely glance. "Welcome to the Sky Garden." Rainbow Dash gazed into the garden. "Isn't it beautiful?"

"Wow. I've never seen nature this beautiful before. This is amazing. Breathtaking." High Score couldn't think of any other words to describe the Sky Garden. His mother's flower patch back home when he was young looked like nothing compared to this. Rainbow Dash started down the path, not realizing that High Score was gawking at what he was seeing. Rainbow Dash went back to the original spot where she stood, grabbed hold of High Score's foreleg, and pulled him with her. High Score, surprised by this sudden movement, almost tripped over his own hooves.

"Come on. I want to show a really nice spot." Rainbow Dash said, not turning her head around.

"Okay. Let's take it slowly. I really want to get a good look at this place." High Score responded.

The grass that was lined along the sides of the path was evenly cut, and a bright green. The flowers that were also lined along the path were colors of blue, purple, yellow, red, pink, and orange. Tulips, begonias, geraniums, and all other types of flowers belonged to the colors. They were only separated by type of flower and color. High Score stopped along the path to smell the flowers. Sweet scents radiated off of them, flooding High Score's nose. He let out a breath, wanting to take the flowers home with him. Alas, he couldn't. He didn't want to damage the environment. Maybe there was a flower shop in town that sold them. Rainbow Dash stopped with High Score too, not to smell flowers but to wait for him. It was the polite thing to do. High Score lifted his head, smiling. He turned to Rainbow Dash, with a twinkle in his eyes. She got the hint. They continued on until the reached a clearing. The clearing contained a ledge that overlooked Ponyville. The cobblestone that made up the path turned into cool grass. Rainbow Dash motioned to High Score to come to where she was. High Score obediently did as he was told, and moved toward her. Rainbow Dash grabbed High Score and pulled him down to the ground, right next to her. They gazed up to the heavens, stunned by the beauty of the universe and all in it. Upon seeing this, High Score let out a sigh.

Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow. "Is there something wrong?"

"It's just," High Score sighed, "When I look up at the night sky and it's perfect like tonight and I gaze up into the sky. I see all the stars out, and it makes me feels so small in this universe. With the massive size of the universe, we could be the only life forms. All it takes is one catastrophe, and we will be wiped off the universe forever. I feel so lonely, we all do. And with you around, the world doesn't seem so small anymore." High Score was showing Rainbow Dash his philosopher side. It was something not many ponies got to see. "I don't know, it's just how I imagine the universe and it's stars."

"I never thought about it like that before." Rainbow Dash remarked. "A little different."

"Yeah. It's just a thought I've kept to myself a lot." High Score said. He felt that Rainbow Dash was a bit far from him. High Score looked over to find she was. He wanted to keep her warm, so he scooted over to her side. High Score put a foreleg around her, pulling her in closer in him. To his warmth, his love. Rainbow Dash snuggled her body up to High Score's, wrapping herself in his warmth, feeling his heartbeat. She felt protected, comforted. High Score knew this by the way Rainbow Dash moved closer to his body, wrapping her forelegs around him, pulling him in closer to her. They lay, gazing into space, the feeling of being so small in the universe setting in. The grass sat silently beneath them, being the thin cushion that supported them. The flowers spread out quietly around them, in waves of colors. High Score felt at peace for the first time since his friend's departure. As he thought this, a shooting star appeared overhead. It was if the universe knew what he was thinking at that moment.

"Make a wish, Dashie." High Score whispered. He looked over to Rainbow Dash to find her eyes closed, then after a few seconds, they opened. "What did you wish for?"

Rainbow Dash looked at High Score. "Can't tell you." She giggled.

High Score looked back up, a single tear on his cheek. "You're always with me, Hope." He whispered.

"What was that?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Hope said he's always with me. He definitely is." High Score responded. Rainbow Dash noticed the tear that sat on his cheek. She reached up and removed it from his face. High Score turned towards her. Rainbow Dash could see that his eyes were red, with tears welling up in the bottom of his eyes. High Score's lips were curved upward in a smile.

"Thanks." High Score whispered.

"Welcome."