Heart-Shaped Horseshoes

Buffalos had many traditions, some for female, some for male. As time had passed, some traditions slightly changed. Strength competition that used to be solely for makes, now had calves head-butting and holding their ground like any male would. Same way, some young males had proven their worth getting into dangerous valleys looking for medicinal herbs, a task that used to be exclusive of females.

But despite all those changes, it was still an unusual sight for  the buffalos to see a female in a mating competition. Especially, a female pony.

Rainbow Dash didn't exactly understand what was this about. She only got the basics from Chief Thunderhooves. It was custom for buffalos to have several marriage proposals so disputes were solved with a race across a canyon. Rainbow couldn't quite follow the logic behind it but it was certainly easier that how things worked in Ponyville where things could get ugly. Rainbow had already been in a love triangle with a mare and a stallion and didn´t wanted to repeat that.This was much better for her, after all, races were her bread and butter.

The other buffaloes looked at the tiny cyan pony next to them and snorted. She didn't stand a chance, they thought. Rainbow ignored them, she was concerned by how she looked. She couldn't decide if she looked cool with her face painted or silly with the feathered headband. The Chief had insisted this was necessary so Rainbow said nothing and put on the silly headband. She liked the Chief and had the feeling he liked her back. That was the only reason she could think off as to why she agreed for her to compete for the hoof of Little Strongheart.

The strong.-willed but gentle calf had several suitors already, being so popular amongst the males. Rainbow wasn't scared by them, she wasn't going to give up on her. She had never met somebody that could keep up with her on a race, even with her advantage of having wings. Strongheart was fast, agile and more important, tenacious. Rainbow was impressed by her and could feel her heart beating faster when racing with her. But her heart didn't slowed down when they were resting together. It was still beating like when she was diving at full-speed and then Rainbow Dash knew it, she was in love with Little Strongheart.

Speaking of wings and diving, she had her wings tied up. Memories of a silly argument with Applejack years ago came by but this time there was a reason why she was tied. She wasn't allowed to fly over the canyon, that would be unfair. Rainbow was actually okay with this. She was excited of having a handicap and proving her worth.

She looked at the side where all the females were waiting for the race to begin. They were all wearing some traditional dresses and Rainbow had to admit they made all look really attractive. Strongheart noticed her looking and Rainbow winked at her, causing the calf to blush. Finally, Chief Thunderhooves told the contestants to get ready. He was about to start a speech before the race but luckily he was cut short by his wife and the race begun.

Rainbow was really out of her element. She was too small and couldn't gather enough force to push the other buffaloes. They almost stomp on her a few times but Rainbow had dexterity on her side and was able to avoid them. However, she was getting behind. The canyon was too narrow and she couldn't maneuver enough to get ahead. She also underestimated her rivals, they were a lot faster than she thought. Debris and smoke hit her face and Rainbow almost fell. Surrounded by the mass of buffaloes, she wondered why she was doing this and then she remembered.

She remembered Strongheart´s gleaming eyes. She remembered her sweet laugh when getting ahead of her. She remembered her hair falling down she let go off her headband and cooled her head on a waterfall. She remembered that first kiss. She just couldn't resist and follower her impulses, forcing a kiss on her. She closed her eyes then and couldn't saw Strongheart´s expression. She obviously didn´t got mad because she returned the kiss and they laid next to the lake, making out for hours.

The memories brought back her strength. Rainbow thought of a way to get ahead. She was told she couldn't fly but she heard nobody telling her she couldn't jump, so she jumped on the back of her opponents and swiftly moved from buffalo to buffalo until she was at first place. With a confident grin, Rainbow pushed her legs to the limit and reached the goal.

The others buffaloes were obviously not happy. Some of the females weren´tpleased as well, thinking that Rainbow was showing off too much; which she was, with her dancing in the air and all that. Chief Thunderhooves put down the argument, stating that Rainbow had not broke any actual rules and thus, she was the only suitor with rights to marry Strongheart for reaching the goal first.

Rainbow rushed next to Strongheart and placed an arm around her. “That's right, losers! She is all mine!” she declared.

Little Strongheart pushed her away. “Is that all that I am for you? A prize to claim?”

Rainbow wasn't expecting that and was speechless.

Little Strongheart turned over and ran back to her tent. Rainbow looked at the Chief who looked away, disappointed. Rainbow slapped her own face and rushed after Strongheart.

She peeked inside the tent and found Strongheart tossing her garments.

“Hey...”

Strongheart refused to look at her.

“Hey, I´m sorry. It wasn't my intention. I got a big mouth and that always gets me in troubles,” Rainbow explained.

Strongheart still refused to look at her.

“Look, I didn't mean to treat you like that. I honestly do like you, a lot. Hay, I think I'm love with you. But if you don't want to have me as your partner or whatever you buffaloes call it, I understand,” Rainbow said and placed her headband on the tent's floor.

Rainbow was just leaving when Strongheart came out of the tent and tackled her. Rainbow looked up and found her smiling with teary eyes.

“Gotcha.”

“Heh, my wings are tied,” Rainbow said.

“Even i they weren't, I could still catch you.”

“You can try,” Rainbow dared her and they moved into a kiss.

The celebration was a bit too early. Rainbow ignored it but technically she still had to go for several other trials, including giving presents to Strongheart´s parents and drinking the traditional cactus juice. Strongheart decided to explain all of that later.

Right now, she was busy claiming her prize.