The Tale of Raridash - Series 2

"What is the big deal, Rainbow Dash?" remarked the elegant white unicorn as they made their way down the dirt path towards town, "I think you'd look positively radiant with longer hair. A ponytail, perhaps?"

The fluttering pegasus beside Rarity gave a rather firm grimace, rolling onto her back as she skillfully swirled around her girlfriend's head. She was obviously not very keen on the idea.

"Stuff that! I have to stay streamlined and aerodynamic. You don't seen Soarin or Spitfire with long manes! Besides, this is my look. I can't mess with it; what if I stop looking awesome?!”

As if from nowhere, Dash had slipped on her trademark pair of shades, hooves held behind her head as she relaxed. Rarity herself had a rather fetching bonnet balanced rather precariously upon her luscious mane. White summer hat decorated with beautiful daisies and a slim veiled trim.

"Like that would ever happen!" followed up Rainbow Dash with a cocky sneer.

"Exactly. Although she might be a touch stubborn, my beautiful girlfriend is the coolest mare in all of Ponyville!" proclaimed a rather proud Rarity.

Those shades slid up to rest of her head as she slipped over onto her front, Dash sporting a rather unsure expression. "No offence there, Rari'. But when you say that, it's pretty uncool."

That white muzzle adopted a slight sneer, eyeing up the displeased mare beside her, "I'll have you know that I can be plenty cool! I can be...hip. And radical! And definitely awesome!"

The goading was certainly getting to the squirming Dash, covering her hooves with her ears, "Augh, stop!"

Rarity loved to tease her girlfriend. It seemed so easy, since they were worlds apart when it came to their preference and definition of 'cool'. Where Rarity favoured a unique dress style or a matching colour palette, Dash was more interested in aerial manoeuvres and speed.

"I can't possibly see the point in getting so worked up, Dash!" began Rarity as she trotted along behind her leading girlfriend, "All that stress is bad for y-"

Rather suddenly, Rainbow had come to a complete halt in front of Rarity, leaving the white unicorn to uncomfortably slam into the back of her, awkwardly bending the rim of her gorgeous summer hat.

"My chapeau!" squawked a rather startled Rarity, a plump pout on her lips as she meekly began to fix her misshapen bonnet.

"Ommygosh-" cried Dash in an energetic giggle, turning with bright eyes to her girlfriend, "I mean, sorry about that- but look!"

With her surprisingly firm flank shifted to the side, Rarity could marvel at the sight that had stopped her dead in her tracks. Upon the southern field outside of Ponyville, a large conglomeration had set up. Stands and stalls of easy-to-assemble wood panels. Colourful awning of black and red with interlaced white pinstriped. The sound of a roaring crowd could be heard cheering heartily in the distance. And to top it all off, the familiar glimmering of crystalline costs in the distance. It was a sort of renaissance fair!

"Oooo~ how lovely! I wonder if it's still in town tomorrow?" wondered Rarity aloud, resuming her slow trot down the path towards home.

Dash zipped her way back into her girlfriend's path, "Tomorrow? No way, Jose! I ain't risking it! Come on, Rarity! We spent all day lazing about by the beach, let's go and take a look around."

"But it's mid afternoon. I need to return to the boutique to make a start on my Summer Hat collection," began Rarity, turning her head in a bid to show off the wonderful headpiece, "I'm sure it'll still be here tomorrow!"

"Remember when you posed for me in rainbow socks? You know, the ones you made me wear? I think that photo is very cute! Maybe Twilight or Spike would like to see it..." The rainbow pony happily chimed in her sweet little blackmail to her stubborn partner. Besides, how many sacrifices had she made for the self entitled glamour mare!

A sudden frightened, anxious face hit Rarity, slowly forcing an accommodating smile, "Then again, being the most fabulous and generous pony of Ponyville, I'm sure we could spend the rest of the afternoon at the-"

She watched as those pink eyes lit up, and her excitable girlfriend zoomed off into the packed fate in the distance before she had even finished her sentence, "...fair."

If crystal ponies were known for anything, it was their showponyship and presentation. What a fair they had put on! Different stalls of fine crafts and freshly roasted foods were on sale wherever one would care to look. A myriad of crystal and regular ponies were trotting about, eager to take in all of the attractions. To be honest, it was quite the treat for Rarity, her eyes already resting on a seamstress' stall offering a pair of rather divine looking pillows!

"Rarity!" cried Dash from behind, her tone rather eager and excited.

The poor unicorn almost jumped out of her coat, her attention so focused on the festivities around her. She had to take a moment to refill her empty lungs, evacuated by in impromptu squeal of fright. A slow turn would reveal the fiendish pegasus fluttering there, a painfully innocent grin on her face, "Rainbow! How many times must I ask you not to do that? You know how much I dislike such...sudden outbursts!"

"I'm sorry - I love you - but I need to tell you that I'm entering a jousting tournament! Just imagine me, Queen of the Joust! These crystal cream puffs don't stand a chance!!"

Dash's tone was that of a kid excited for their first roller coaster ride, keen to share the moment with their parents. Or, in this case, her girlfriend! But all Rarity would give was an unsure frown. It really wasn't the best idea to allow the energetic mare of hers to be out into some competition where she could get hurt. Then again, it would more likely be Dash hurting others!

"Rainbow, I really must return to the boutique," conveyed Rarity, a sympathetic look showing her concern for her lover, "even though I'm sure you'd do brilliantly! How about we return home, hmm? Make some supper, enjoy a nice, hot bubble bath together!"

An almost defeated look barely made its way onto Dash's muzzle as she pulled out her blackmail card for the day, "You did look pretty silly in those socks..."

"Whoo Dash! Go get'em! I'll be right over to support you!" enthused Rarity with as much forged optimism as she could muster.

As soon as the proud pegasus zipped off, Rarity heaved a weighted sigh. Dash deserved to get her way, but she really wanted to get home and begin her work. She never liked to rush her creative process if it could be helped. Unsure and rather disgruntled, the elegant unicorn made her way into the market stalls in hopes of grabbing a few wares before she was confined to a viewer's platform.

Forced attendance aside, Rarity was actually glad to have stopped off in the marketplace. She was eagerly visiting stalls of craft and some of food, with the intent on stocking up with various home cooked produces and attractive little knick-knacks to spice up the boutique. She didn't get very far until the sound of jousting was heard in the distance. Alas, she had made a promise, and soon the white mare was pacing through the crowd to reach the middle of the fair.

The jousting grounds had been set up as a rectangular arena trimmed with stands for the supporters of competitors and those just hoping to watch the action. The centre was formed by a large strip of dug up grass, separated by a mid-body high picket fence which cut the dirt runway into two opposing sides. It seemed as if the crowd was really flocking towards the show, a crescendo of cheers roaring from the battleground. With bags floating in tow, Rarity made her way to the stands in time to see the presentation of the two new opponents.

The stalls had provided her with some entertainment in the way of shopping, but Rarity was eager to get home. It had been quite a long day, the dark clouds above showed the pegasi had considered it due for a downpour. Her legs were tired and her interest was lost. It was time for them to go home.

And then Dash appeared. Fresh from the armoury tent, clad in the ceremonial crystal empire battle dress. The finest jousting armour of an icy blue steel, fitted down her back in slanted plates with a strap around her waist. Cut holes allowed her wings to squeeze through and sit comfortably on the surface. Fine opal and body length designs would give the piece a more formal, opulent feel. Flexible steel scale connected the helm to the front of the firm saddle piece, with the helm sat forked across the eyes. A flare at the top allowed the mane through, giving Dash a rainbow coloured comb above her. Finely crafted boots of matching steel gave traction in that thick dirt. And, to top it all off, that long, bauble ended lance was affixed to her right flank plate, a strong resilient wood coated light blue to match her armour.

The crowd roared in unison for the next match, Rainbow taking her chance to trot around the arena, to openly showboat in front of the anticipated crowd. Her opponent was a regular crystal pony in a lighter green armour, and was becoming a tad embarrassed as Dash continued playing to the crowd. If Dash could gloat, she would gloat!

If there was one thing that got Rarity going, it was a knight in shining armour. And there was none more courageous, more spellbinding and more loyal than her knight, Rainbow Dash. Seeing that rather butch, cocky pegasus really got her motors running! The white unicorn carefully hurried herself onto one of the nearby observer stands, bags at her side as she settled in for the show. Her cheeks were glowing bright red; this was going to be something!

The speakers about the arena began to blast the announcement, "Fillies and Gentlecolts! Our next match is between two new contestants. Autumn Falls and Rainbow Dash!"

Of course, Dash was still bouncing ecstatically around the arena to take in the cheers and screams of the anxious crowd. Her opponent had already taken his place on the other side of the lane as Rainbow clopped over to the fence in front of the seats Rarity was perched on. Those wings lifted her off the ground and towards the bashful mare watching her, swooping in for a quick, pre-match pep talk.

"Hehe, how do I look? Badass? Awesome! Super mega ultra stupendous?!" began the ever modest Dash flexing her forelegs to show off her own mentally formulate finesse.

"Uh- all of the above?" managed Rarity in a shallow form as she worked not to swallow her tongue. Celestia, that armour…

The cocky pegasus carefully leaned in, presenting her cheek for a soft peck, "Kiss for good luck?"

This was quite humiliating, with all the other spectators around them staring at the show Rainbow insisted on putting in. But this was their dream, this was what they couldn't do before the trickery of Chrysalis. To show off, to let people know who they were and what they meant to each other. As sheepish as Rarity was, she would not let the opportunity pass. Besides, she would do it for Rainbow! Her hooves took hold of that brazen helm to drag her fluttering lover into a deep if brief kiss to her lips, ending in an audible smack and a surprised, if thankful, look on Dash's once hubristic mug!

"Go make your Princess proud, darling!" came an almost command from the grinning Rarity.

In turn, Dash would give a salute, back straight, head aloft with pride, "Yes, Ma'am!"

It was a cute little exchange, and it was more than enough to get the already pumped pegasus even more fired up. Those steel-clad hooves hit the dirt in a plume of dust as her head bowed and her lance straighten out. She had her aim set on her opponent; the rounded end of that lance ready to spear over the fence and to this side. She may have only taken part in one or two jousts against Fluttershy, but she understood the rules and knew what must be done.

Silence fell as the countdown began, a murmuring from the crowd with bets who would emerge victorious. 3...2...1...and they were off. Power strides sent both ponies into a gallop; even without her wings in play, Dash was just as skilled by hoof. Thundering stomps underfoot brought the combatants closer and closer, each lance aiming to either one. It was all too close, Rarity couldn't even look!

Even without the faith of her girlfriend, Dash knew her abilities - she could do this! As the two began to meet in the middle of the straight, those lances slipped across to each side. Both ponies tried to keep their bodies from swaying, to keep their lances steady and true. And then, impact!

The end of Autumn's lance struck hard into Dash's armour, but a rather scheduled flick of her lean form allowed the flow to be easily shrugged off by the smooth, resilient plate. Meanwhile, that same flick dug her own lancet firmly into the front guard of her opponent’s, pushing Autumn off centre before he went tumbling off the track.

Autumn hit the grass. The crowd broke out in excited squeals. It would take a few glances from behind her hooves until Rarity was satisfied her Dash wasn't in a broken pile, the elegant mare giving a jovial cheer for her partner.

It had only been the first round, but Rainbow was already considering herself champion! Many of the other contestants seemed more nervous and unsure, many the same or slightly bigger built than Rainbow Dash. None seemed a threat, however. Instead of waiting in the back for her next match, Dash sat beside her girlfriend, delicately feeding mane through the plume steel at the top of the helm.

"Gently, please!" cried Rarity has she watched her luscious curl of a fringe slid through the top of the hemet. She wondered why she had agreed to this! Caught up in the moment, perhaps?

"If you would quite fussing -hmmph- this would go a lot easier," affirmed Dash, making sure that mane was padded all the way through at the top before seating the helmet delicately upon Rarity's head, "And there you go!"

To be honest, with that extravagant hair-do acting as her comb, Rarity didn't look the least bit imposing. Dash had to bite her lip in bid to stifle her chuckles.

"How do I look?" asked the white mare, hooves touching up any ragged edges of her hair style.

"Real intimidating, Commander Hair Spray!" sniggered Dash as the announcement began for the next match.

"Fillies and Gentlecolts! The next match is about to begin. Introducing, a fresh start to realm of Pony Jousting. Please stomp your hooves for...Swift Trot!"

A tall unicorn stepped his way onto the field, the dashing young stallion of a pale blue coat with short blonde hair as a comb through his helm. He seemed firm, steadfast and determined, assured of himself but with egoless pride. The crowd's happy applause showed him as a fan favourite.

"Pfft, pretty boy unicorns. He looks like a grade A wimp to me!" snarled Dash, not stirred by the ecstatic reaction he received, "Right Rarity? ...Rarity?"

Beside her, the enthusiastic mare was happily stomping her hooves and cheering along with the volumes around her, "Wooo! Go Swift!"

"Rarity" whined Dash almost like an ignored child, giving her a nudge with her hoof, "You're supposed to be supporting me!"

"I do, darling! I do! You are and will always be my number one. But where's the harm in getting into the spirit of the thing?"

The crowd was bayed into silence by the announcer beginning once again, "And introducing the reigning champion. The greatest jouster the Crystal Empire has to offer. The ferocious, the unstoppable, the unbelievable... The Shadow!"

All eyes were on the competitor's entrance as a towering figure made its way into the arena. It's was as if a small mountain was shifting away in the distance and its vast shadow had cast across the battlegrounds. The pony was a gigantic, barrel chested behemoth. Great muscles were clad head to hoof in thick, sharp plates of ebony great steel. Even his neck and head were encased in the unyielding metal, muzzle covered in a long grill helm with only two burning red eyes showing through from within. Neither wings nor a horn in sight, just a thick jet of spiked up, blood red hair from his helmet. He was as tall on four hooves as most ponies were on two, and then some!

There was no applause as the monstrosity made his way to his side of the fence. He took up all of the lane!

"Ze iz it?" came a roar from that living medieval stove that seemed to house a stallion, "Ze iz mein competition?"

The accent was heavy and deep, sharp and dirty like rusted razor wire. Head bowed down, ready to take his mark and start the joust. His lance was olden, gnarled oak, made jagged and splintered from many past matches. Swift didn't seem phased; he would try his best against the great beast.

It was a matchup, for sure; unimpeded courage versus brute strength. Then again, strength was surely the more gratuitous bias in a game of jousting. Lances were ready, hooves dug into that dirt. With the sound of the horn, the pair was off, briskly enclosing one another as the crowd was placed on edge.

A glancing blow took to The Shadow, but nothing more. That nasty black lance hit its mark, getting the poor unicorn right into the side as the sheer force behind it sent the once brave stallion to rocketing off the course and into a side fence.

There was no cheering post match. It almost seemed as if all the light had been drained from the world. The great hero stood poised against the evil tyrant, and was crushed!

"Whadda ya think of your unicorn dreamboat now, huh?" mocked Dash as the crowd around remained stunned.

It seemed to take Rarity quite a few moments to pull herself from her haze, from the decimation she had just witnessed.

"Were we not watching the same scene?" cried the snowy coated unicorn in disbelief, "He'll destroy you, Dash! You need to forfeit, now."

"What? No way," responded Dash in a dull tone as her eyes watched personnel attend to the downed unicorn, "I can take him!"

"Oh? And how did you come to that conclusion?" came a retort from Rarity in a mocking tone.

"I've beaten things scarier than him! Like...that manticore!"

"That was Fluttershy..."

"Well yeah but, what about that dragon?"

"Again, Fluttershy."

"How about Discord then?!" cried an exasperated Dash, desperate to prove her point.

"That was all of us," began Rarity, watching Dash nod at the mention of her integral inclusion to the defeat of one of Equestria's greatest foes, "but he was tamed by Fluttershy!"

"Enough!" gave Dash in a sudden outcry, not inclined to hear anymore, "I ain't afraid of that guy!"

This was no time for blind ego; Rarity had to get serious, otherwise Dash was at a real risk of getting hurt. Hooves took delicately to her girlfriend's own, trying to outline the severity of the situation.

"Rainbow, I'm scared for your well-being," she began in a soft, calming coo, "I mean, what if he damages your wing beyond recovery? What would you do then, hmmm?"

A dismissive turn of that blue muzzle made Rarity frown, a hoof softly turning the stubborn pegasus' gaze back to her own, "I'm only looking out for you, sweetheart. What sort of fiancée would I be if I didn't worry about you?"

"We're not engaged yet?" stated Dash rather briskly in bemusement.

Rarity gave a sweet giggle, "Give it time!"

Even though the explanation, Dash still looked rather glum. A shake of her rainbow mane would show her continuing disdain, "Rarity, you gotta believe in me! This is something I wanna do, and I'm gonna do it. I can't give up now, no matter what I'm up against. I gotta push myself! But I need you-"

Dash would pause as the announcer began the call for the next match. She would carefully pluck the helmet from Rarity's head before securing it upon her own, "I need you to believe in me. Can you do that?"

Still unsure, teeth would bite softly into that lower lip. Eyes slipped to the side as she thought it through. Dash was stubborn and impulsive...but who knew? If anyone could do it, it was Dash!

"Alright, get out there and...cause him much discomfort!!" proclaimed Rarity in an awkwardly righteous stance behind Dash's decision. If it weren't for the tittering of the amused pegasus, it would have been a beautiful moment! A soft peck to the lips and Dash darted back to the battlefield!

The afternoon went on with fewer matches than anticipated. The festival would normally work through to the early evening yet it seemed that the presentation put on by The Shadow had caused a number of competitors to break their nerve and leave the contest. For a beginner, Dash's own self belief and natural athletic prowess had shown her out to be quite the jouster! Every match was easily won, with falls of her opponents coming without so much as a scratch to herself.

On the other hand, The Shadow was blazing through his opponent like they were made of cracked ice. One by one, each shivering contest had fallen to him, that haggard lance sending them careening to a firm, flat-faced end. The day began to dim and the skies would darken. The finale had been decided as the pair clopped their way onto the field.

"Strange," began the dark knight down to the smaller pegasus, "you zeem unafraid. Just like ze first pony I destroyed. You stand very little chance, Rainbow Dash. You are know far und vide in ze Crystal Empire. You and your friendz stopped King Sombra! That still vill not stop be from obliterating you..."

"We'll see, tin can!" grunted Dash, giving a flick of her tail as she turns off to take her place down the other end.

This was it, this was the showdown. In all honesty, Dash was a little nervous. Not afraid, just nervous. Butterflies in her stomach told her that this might not go as planned. Didn't mean she wouldn't give it her all! It would only take a brief glance to see the warm, reassuring smile on her lover's face. If Rarity was fearful, she was hiding it well!

Lance pointed forward, head slid down. This was it. A grunt from her nostrils and a stamp of her hooves signalled that Dash was ready. For what, remained unclear. The countdown began. All she could stare at was the great mountain of cold, black steel, that menacing lance aimed straight at her. Hesitation would have to wait as the final number came upon them. Both began their approach, both galloping with full force.

In the middle, they met. With a duck of her head that ghastly lance shifted across her form. And Dash’s own smacked against that chest plate before jarring off to the side. It was such an impact that it stopped Dash in her tracks! In fact, bout of them were frozen, Rainbow peering over her suddenly rather still opponent. She hadn’t even marked that thick plate of his. She hadn’t a chance. She couldnt-

“Argh! Mein chest!” came a sudden cry of anguish from the huge behemoth as his hooves came dramatically up to his body, “I can’t believe you vud beat me so easily!”

Dash was speechless. She looked down down at her lance and then back to his armour. Not even a dent. And yet, the hulking titan of a pony was flat on his back in seconds, completely shattered from Rainbow’s power strike.

It took some time, but the idea sunk in. Dash had won. And the crowd was off their seats. A flurry of applause, the creaking of wood beneath the stomping of hooves at the stands. All were in an uproar. It gave Dash the time to move over to the incapacitated knight she had so simply and easily beaten.

“What gives?” asked Dash bluntly, a hush beneath the roar of the electric crowd around them.

The Shadow would shift his plate out the way...enough to show a pink t-shirt with her cutie mark upon it. In text beneath were the words ‘Rainbow Dash Fan Club: Crystal Empire Branch’.

“A signature for the president, ja?” came a rather humble reply before the smirk grew on Dash’s face.

“Sure, after this.” A blue hoof pushed his chest plate back into plate, lifting her head valiantly over her smitten foe. She had conquered him, she had won. Kind of…

“So how exactly did you defeat such a gigantic pony?” questioned Rarity as the pair lazily walked back to town with the impending twilight rolling in behind them.

“Um, I’m Rainbow Dash? Duh!” giggled Dash with a cheeky reply, looking at the golden trophy balanced carefully on her back.

“I’m being serious!” insisted Rarity.

“So am I!”

The dark clouds above were a clear indication that the nighttime was not to be a pleasant one. The first few drops to a rainstorm began to fall, a few splashing into the violet wave that was Rarity’s mane. A little squeal, as if she was melting, and Rarity gave a pout. Head would move and sway as if trying to avoid the individual drops! There was no way they’d get back to the boutique in time to evade getting wet. “Dash, my hair!”

Slowly, a broad, blue wing stretched out to the side, carefully curving over Rarity’s head and neck, easing the unicorn in close to her side, “Come here you!”

It was a sweet gesture, the feathery, impromptu umbrella working wonders to keep that gorgeous mane dry and pristine.

“Thanks, Dashie. You know - I always believed in you.”

The statement would be met with a matching smile and joking little grunt, “Never doubted you for a second, babe.”